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North Island and Classic New Zealand Wine Trail from $4,099 per person
Posted on Sunday, 24 Jul 2011 04:37 AM
Starting in Auckland, explore the city before heading south to Rotorua perhaps visit the glowworm caves at Waitomo on the way. Rotorua with geysers spouting, mud pools bubbling and warm geothermal springs and ponds that create a kaleidoscope of color. Head onward to Napier and pick up the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail with its unforgettable wine and food experiences along the signposted 380km (240 mile) route. You’ll discover five of New Zealand’s most scenic regions, including three major wine-growing areas. From Hawke’s Bay in the North Island to Marlborough in the South Island, this is the gourmet motoring holiday that you can design to suit your taste.
Package Inclusions:
* Economy Class air from Los Angeles
* Add-on airfares available from other cities
* 9 days cer rental
* 11 nights boutique accommodation - Auckland x2, Rotorua x2, Napier x2, Marlborough x2, Wellington x1, Blenheim x2
* Inter-islander ferry Wellington - Picton
Day 1 - Depart US
Day 2 - Cross International Date Line
Day 3 - Arrive Auckland
Welcome to New Zealand! Spend your first day in Auckland - explore or relax. Don't think of Auckland as a city, even though it's New Zealand's largest. Think of it as half urban, half marine - a cosmopolitan experience wrapped up in a fascinating water world and surrounded by over 50 islands.
QUADRANT HOTEL - Located in downtown Auckland, just a well shod hop, skip and jump away from the city’s fashion district, restaurants and bars - featuring 200 apartment style rooms (studios, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments) each with a fully equipped kitchen and balcony.
Day 4 - Auckland
Explore Auckland at your leisure or consider adding one of our tour options - Some of our favorites:
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Explore NZ – Americas Cup Sailing Experience Join us for an unforgettable two hours sailing. A unique opportunity to participate as crew on an actual America's Cup yacht. Take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or simply sit back and enjoy the ride as we sail the beautiful Waitemata Harbour. No experience necessary. |
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Auckland Bridgeclimb Lasting for 1 1/2 hours, this climb will have you wondering whether to look at your feet or focus on the spectacular views. Custom engineered walkways provide a safe, enjoyable and easy-going experience while you enjoy Auckland to the fullest with 360 degree views. |
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Bush and Beach - Coast and Rainforest Tour Visit Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, panoramic views from the sweeping decks extend from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean Next ou guides walk you through Auckland's coastal rainforest to the West Coast beach with the soft black sand, enjoy a kiwi style picnic lunch before onto untouched original rainforest with mature 1000 year old kauri trees.where 70 percent of our native plants are found nowhere else in the world. |
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Waiheke Island - Wine Tour All day tour of three vineyards with pickup from and return to Auckland ferry or Waiheke Island accommodation . This tour includes commentated scenic tour of the Island with time to stop for photographs. One vineyard may be replaced with an olive oil visit and tasting. |
For more Auckland tour options, see pages 125-126 of our e-brochure.
Day 5 - Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua
Collect rental vehicle and drive south
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Auckland to Hamilton As you cruise down the southern motorway, suburban scenery gradually gives way to the farmland of South Auckland, an area favoured by bloodstock breeders. You’ll enjoy motorway speeds all the way to Bombay, a major market gardening area. The Waikato River will accompany you for much of your journey through the green countryside. Places of interest along the way include the wine growing area of Te Kauwhata and the coal mining town ofHuntly. Before you get toHamilton, you’ll notice side roads leading to Waingaro Hot Springs and Raglan, a surf resort on the west coast. The city of Hamilton is carved in two by the mighty Waikato River. Attractions include gardens, riverboat cruising and a giant free flight aviary. Excellent restaurants and cafes can be found at the southern end of the city’s main street. |
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Hamilton to Waitomo Caves The Waitomo Caves region is famous for its subterranean splendour. Beneath the surface of this ancient limestone region is a series of vast cave systems decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and glow-worms. Some caves open to the public, and are easy to walk through, others require specialised caving equipment. Waitomo Caves to Rotorua Your journey to Rotorua will take you through a mixture of farmland, lakeland and forest. You’ll know you’ve arrived in the city of Rotorua when you see (and smell!) the geothermal steam plumes of Whakarewarewa. Rotorua sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so there’s evidence of volcanic activity everywhere you look. Explore the geothermal areas and discover the unique culture of New Zealand’s Maori people |
Explore Waitomo at your leisure or consider adding one of our tour options - Some of our favorites:
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Waitomo Glowworm Caves Inside the ancient limestone caves live tiny insects whose iridescent light has amazed visitors of the Glowworm Grotto for over 100 years. Guided walks lead visitors through the amazing Cathedral, a high ceiling cave with acoustics to rival the most modern arena, to a small boat. From here the boat is towed across the water to where hundreds of tiny lights flicker on the cave roof above. |
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Black Water Rafting The Black Labyrinth is the original classic adventure. Tube down the 'hidden' waterfall, through rocky chutes and vaulted limestone galleries and emerge in the Waitomo forest. |
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Lost World - Abseiling Abseil 100m into this unique and spectacular chasm - the descent takes around 30 minutes and is followed by a dry caving trip exploring huge chambers en route to the surface. See giant speleotherms, including flowstone and spagatites, the famous glowworms and all manner of weird and wonderful rock sculptures. There's a 30m ladder climb and walking along narrow ledges, at all times protected by specialist safety equipment and systems. Unbelievable |
NOVOTEL ROTORUA - Situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Rotorua, the property offers tranquil surroundings and sensational views.
Day 6 - Rotorua
Explore Rotorua at your leisure or consider adding one of our tour options - Some of our favorites:
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Discover Rotorua Experience Te Puia, a place of Maori culture and a thermal wonderland of impressive geysers and boiling mud pools. Explore Rainbow Springs Nature Park, which showcases native flora and fauna as well as the New Zealand Kiwi. Then see NZ's agricultural industry in action with a sheep shearing display and sheep dog trials at the Agrodome. |
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Cultural Performance & Hangi Experience the warmth of the Maori people during an evening of ceremonial rituals, powerful cultural performance, storytelling and hangi feasting! Share in the Powhiri; the ancient ceremony of welcome, enter the ancestral Meeting House, world famous “haka” – Maori War Dance and the traditional hangi buffet feast, followed by our New Zealand dessert. |
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Zorb Zorbit - you are safely harnessed inside the Zorb® before being sent rolling head over heels down the straight track. Like an astronaut in training you will have a sense of weightlessness and G-force as you make your way down hill. In the Zydro (Hydro) ride we add water (warm in winter, cool in summer) into the Zorb® so you can slip, slide, or spin (no tumbling) inside as the Zorb® hurtles down the hill. |
For more Rotorua tour options, see pages 133-134 of our e-brochure.
Day 7 - Rotorua to Napier
A day at leisure to explore the parks, gardens and enjoy lunch at one of Hawkes Bays’ famous wineries.
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Rotourua to Taupo Take a side road to a geothermal park, where you’ll discover geysers, silica terraces and craters of boiling mud. Towards the end of your journey you’ll encounter the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station. Other diversions include Huka Falls and a world-acclaimed golf course. The resort town of Taupo sits on the edge of New Zealand’s largest lake, which is well stocked with sizeable trout. You’ll find everything a traveller could wish for, including an excellent choice of restaurants. Most accommodation establishments make good use of the underground thermal activity to provide hot spas for relaxation. |
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Taupo to Napier The town of Eskdale heralds your arrival in Napier. In 1931 a devastating earthquake nearly levelled this city. It was rebuilt in the style of the times, and is now considered the Art Deco Capital of the world. The vineyards of Hawke’s Bay are all within easy reach of Napier. Another attraction is the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. |
MILLAR ROAD - this property is nestled into the northern end of the Tuki Tuki Hills and overlooks a secluded north-facing valley and the coastal townships of Te Awanga and Haumoana. Views from the property are panoramic taking in Te Mata Peak, the Kaweka Ranges, Mount Ruapehu, Hawke's Bay wine country, vineyards, olive groves, farmland, Napier's Bluff Hill and the Pacific Ocean to Mahia Peninsula at the top of Hawke's Bay.
Day 8 - Napier
Napier at your leisure. Explore the vibrant world of Hawke’s Bay wine. Visit some of the best of the wineries and taste their award winning wines.
Day 9 - Napier to Martinborough
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Napier to Hastings |
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Hastings to Masterton The town of Eskdale heralds your arrival in Napier. In 1931 a devastating earthquake nearly levelled this city. It was rebuilt in the style of the times, and is now considered the Art Deco Capital of the world. The vineyards of Hawke’s Bay are all within easy reach of Napier. Another attraction is the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. |
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Masterton to Martinborough Enjoy the clean, green scenery as you drive north through the friendly townships of the Wairarapa. In Featherston you’ll find an interesting locomotive museum. Greytown has many beautiful examples of Victorian architecture and a quaint museum – take yourself on a self-guided walk. Carterton is a good place to shop for paua shell souvenirs – it’s also a place to enjoy daffodils in the spring. In recent years, Martinborough has become the gourmet capital of the lower North Island. It is home to over 25 boutique vineyards, several fabulous restaurants and a number of upmarket bed and breakfast establishments. From the charming town square, you can walk to most of the local attractions. |
PEPPERS MARTINBOROUGH - sixteen individually designed guest accommodation rooms to suit your mood. Indulge in the elegant surroundings of one of our nine Verandah Rooms, located at the top of the grand flight of stairs in the original 1882 building. Or take a wander through the pretty courtyard just beyond the lobby and enjoy the tranquillity of seven spacious Garden Rooms finished in a restful simple country style.
Day 10 - Martinborough
A day at leisure to perhaps explore the wineries or the Marlborough Sounds area.
Day 11 - Martinborough to Wellington
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Martinborough to Wellington The drive to Wellington wind throughs the picturesque Hutt Valley before climbing over the Rimutaka Range and descending into the tranquility of the Wairarapa region. If you don’t want to drive, a scenic train trip runs from Wellington to Featherston. Wellington is compact, cultured and full of character. Nestled between the harbour and the hills, the downtown area is ideal for explorations on foot. Enjoy cafes, restaurants, museums and all kinds of shops. Dance, theatre and musical performances are a Wellington specialty. As New Zealand’s capital, this city is rich in political history. |
Museum Hotel - This hotel incorporates classically elegant rooms, spacious studios and suites, award winning restaurant and bars, beautifully appointed and versatile function spaces and a superb collection of contemporary New Zealand art displayed in lobby and foyer areas. Situated opposite Te Papa, Museum of New Zealand, and Wellington's waterfront and a short walk from the cafés/restaurants, theatres, galleries and shopping of the vibrant Courtenay Quarter
For more on what Wellington has to offer, see pages 141-142 of our e-brochure.
Day 12 - Wellington - Picton (Inter-islander ferry) - Blenheim
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Wellington to Picton - Interislander ferry The passage across Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds is one of the most scenic ferry trips in the world. The fast ferry makes the trip in just over 2 hours, the cruise-style ferry takes 3 hours. Both types of vessel can transport vehicles. Highlights along the way include the Red Rocks seal colony, Tory Channel, Cook’s Lookout and the beautiful coves of the sounds. The picturesque seaside town of Picton is the South Island base for the ferry service that links the North and South islands of New Zealand. It’s also the gateway to the marine, forest and island attractions of the Marlborough Sounds. Museums and interesting walks will keep you entertained while you’re here |
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Picton to Blenheim The drive to Blenheim is both beautiful and interesting. Rai Valley has a delightful cottage museum, and at Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve you can enjoy a bush walk or a swim. Nearby Canvastown gives you the chance to explore old gold mining fields – thousands tried to get rich here in the 1860s. Havelock is the place for a seafood meal – it’s known as the Green Shell Mussel Capital of the World. When you reach Renwick, which is surrounded by vineyards, it will be clear that you’ve arrived in wine country. |
Vitners Retreat - Perfectly placed on Rapaura's golden mile of vineyards ... world-class wineries within walking distance. Soak up the ambience with superb cuisine, an extensive Marlborough wine list, and luxury contemporary accommodation
Day 13 - Blenheim
Blenheim at your leisure. Visit some of the best of the wineries and taste their award winning wines
Day 14 - Depart Blenheim for US (via Auckland)
Upgrade to Premium Economy or Business Class Los Angeles - Auckland - Los Angeles.
Ask an Aspire Down Under consultant for our great value upgrades
Valid for departures until 31 Mar 2013. Prices are per person based on double occupancy for departures from Los Angeles. Add-on fares available from other cities. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight. Hotels subject to availability. All prices reflect a 3% discount for purchases made by cash/check/wire transfer, please see terms and conditions for credit card payment. There are no discounts for payment made by credit cards. Cancellation penalties and other restrictions apply.
If you have any questions about this or any other of our New Zealand honeymoon packages, please contact us
at 877-7ASPIRE.
E-Brochure
