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 New
Zealand offers some of the most diverse and breathtaking
terrain of a country its size. Here Nature’s bounty has
almost overdone it. From countless sandy beaches, to
snow-capped peaks, to deeply cut fjords, to steaming
geothermal springs, this two-island nation presents
stunning photo opportunities every step of the way on
your incredible 19-day journey.
- Enjoy dinner and an
overnight stay* in the home of a New Zealand family.
- A full day of leisure in Christchurch
allows you to explore this charming "English-style" city.
- Travel aboard the Taieri Gorge Railway
through stunning surroundings.
- Enjoy an overnight stay inside Mt. Cook
National Park, at the foot of massive Mt. Cook.
- Experience geysers and much more at the
Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve.
 Day
1 & 2: Depart from Home
Today you board your flight and begin the adventure of a
lifetime. En route to New Zealand, you cross the
International Dateline, losing a full day.
Day 3: Auckland, New Zealand
Your tour begins today in the "City of Sails," Auckland,
New Zealand. This evening, join your fellow travelers
for a welcome dinner. (D)
Day 4: Auckland - Bay of Islands
This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Auckland
including America's Cup Village, vibrant Queen Street,
the Auckland Harbour Bridge, spectacular views from the
top of Mt. Eden (a dormant volcano), a visit to the
Auckland War Memorial Museum, Tamaki waterfront and
Waitemata Harbour. Later, travel north to the Bay of
Islands. (B, D)
Day 5: Bay of Islands
Begin your day with a cruise through the famous Hole in
the Rock and view Cape Brett Lighthouse. This afternoon,
visit the Waitangi Treaty House and enjoy the remainder
of your day exploring on your own. (B)
Day 6: Bay of Islands - Rotorua
Depart for the center of Maori civilization and home to
numerous geothermal springs, the city of Rotorua.
Tonight, enjoy a home stay and dinner with one of New
Zealand's families. This is a great way to meet the
Kiwis and perhaps make a lifelong friend. (B, D)
Day 7: Rotorua
Begin the day at the impressive Whakarewarewa Thermal
Reserve. You'll see amazing geysers, hot springs, hot
mud pools and the Kiwi bird! See craftsmen at work in a
typical Maori village, and take part in an interactive
demonstration about the Maori dress and weaving process.
Enjoy a sheepshearing demonstration at the Agrodome, and
meet jade carvers at a local jade factory. Tonight,
receive a traditional Maori welcome at a Hangi meal
followed by songs, dances, and many other festivities.
(B, D)
Day 8: Rotorua - Wellington
Travel south through the rolling countryside of the
North Island to New Zealand's capital city, Wellington.
(B)
Day 9: Wellington
Enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Wellington viewing
the Beehive, New Zealand's Parliament, historic St.
Paul's Church, and the government building, the largest
wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere. Following
the tour, you visit the national museum of New Zealand,
Te Papa Tongawera Museum. (B)
Day 10: Wellington - Picton - Christchurch
Travel by ferry to Picton, on New Zealand's South
Island, and experience the beauty of the eastern
coastline as you head south to the picturesque city of
Christchurch. Located on the Avon River, this charming
city is considered "the most English city outside of
England." A sightseeing tour features the Neo-Gothic
Cathedral, the downtown park district, and stunning
Victorian-style buildings. (B)
Day 11: Christchurch - Franz Josef Glacier Region
Marvel at the rugged snowcapped peaks and deep river
gorges as you wind your way across to New Zealand's
spectacular west coast. An optional ride aboard the
Tranz Alpine Scenic Express offers a unique cross
country experience. (B, D)
Day 12: Franz Josef - Queenstown
Enjoy a picture stop of the famous Franz Josef glacier
before leaving the South Island's lush west coast. Take
in the stunning scenery as you pass through rain forest
surrounded by the Southern Alps and travel the twisting
coastline. This is a land of one lane bridges, green
glacial lakes, thundering waterfalls and dramatic
landscape changes. After crossing the Haast Pass, arrive
in Queenstown, one of New Zealand's prettiest towns.
Dinner is included at the Skyline Restaurant overlooking
Queenstown, the Remarkable Mountains, and Lake Wakatipu.
(B, D)
Day 13: Queenstown
Spend the day at leisure in this charming South Island
town. Or, experience the optional "Safari of the Rings"
adventure traveling into the spectacular landscape. (B)
Day 14: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau
Travel through beech forest into the rugged grandeur of
the Hollyford Valley via the Homer Tunnel to Milford
Sound. Enjoy a leisurely cruise of this spectacular
fjord and experience the breathtaking surroundings.
Overnight on the southern shores of Lake Te Anau. (B, L,
D)
Day 15: Te Anau - Dunedin
Journey through the scenic, unspoiled countryside of
southern New Zealand before arriving in Dunedin, "The
Edinburgh of the South." This afternoon, visit the Royal
Albatross Center, the only mainland colony of albatross
in the world. For centuries the albatross has been a
creature of reverence and superstition, regularly
circumnavigating the globe, sometimes aloft for days on
end. (B, D)
Day 16: Dunedin
A morning tour of this lovely city will feature some of
the best-preserved sites of Edwardian Victorian
architecture in the Southern Hemisphere. View Olveston
Manor and the beautiful university campus. Enjoy an
evening at leisure. (B)
Day 17: Dunedin - Mt. Cook Region
Journey through the spectacular river gorges aboard the
Taieri Gorge Railway this morning. Then, board your
coach to journey further into the countryside, arriving
at Mt. Cook National Park. Explore this marvelous land
with a nature walk or an optional flightseeing tour,
weather permitting, with close-up views of Mt. Cook and
the glaciers. (B, D)
Day 18: Mt. Cook - Christchurch
Travel back to Christchurch this morning. The day is
yours to explore this quaint city: stroll through the
gardens, wander through the shops or simply relax.
Tonight, celebrate the end of your tour as you dine in a
restored mansion which was once the homestead of the
first family to settle in Christchurch. (B, D)
Day 19: Christchurch - Tour Ends
Your tour ends today in Christchurch. (B)
Stay Another Night - Add a pre night stay in Los Angeles
or Auckland or a post night stay in Christchurch or Los Angeles.
Prices start at $50 per person double.
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Extend Your
Vacation with... |
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An Optional
2-Night Stay in Fiji
$449* USD per person, double, air included
1 Meal: 1 Dinner
---------------------------------------------------------------
Day 19: Christchurch - Nadi, Fiji
Today you travel to New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, "The
City of Sails," before departing for the beautiful paradise
island of Fiji. Fiji retains all the primitive cultural
fascination of the South Pacific. The expansive sandy beaches
and clear ocean waters are world-famous. (B) from base program
Day 20: Fiji
Your day is free to relax and enjoy your surroundings. An
optional island tour is offered. This evening you will enjoy a
lovely dinner. (D)
Day 21: Fiji - Tour ends
Your tour ends in Fiji.
*Air inclusive rate is valid for
passengers who have purchased. Collette's air package for the
full tour. Rate will vary for passengers who have purchased
their own air. |
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Uniquely For You
Bay of Islands |
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Located just
150 miles north of Auckland is the beautiful
area known as Bay of Islands. Boasting 144
islands, secluded bays and an abundance of
marine life, its scenery is nothing short of
spectacular and can only be fully
appreciated by cruising through it.
Enjoy a cruise on the beautiful turquoise
waters. A highlight of the cruise will be
the journey through the famous "Hole in the
Rock." Resembling the eye of the needle,
the "hole" has been etched over time by wind
and waves, allowing boats to travel through
it when the tide is right.
Following your cruise, you'll enjoy free
time to explore the area on your own. |
Base Rates Per Person
| Departure Date |
Tour Rate – Twin |
Tour and Air Rate |
| Jan 14 2006 |
$2839 |
$4299 from LAX |
| Feb 11 2006 |
$2839 |
$4299 from LAX |
| Mar 04 2006 |
$2839 |
$3999 from LAX |
| May 12 2006 |
$2469 |
$3519 from LAX |
| Sep 22 2006 |
$2469 |
$3749 from LAX |
| Oct 29 2006 |
$2799 |
$4079 from LAX |
| Nov 18 2006 |
$2799 |
$4079 from LAX |
| Jan 05 2007 |
$2799 |
$4349 from LAX |
| Feb 09 2007 |
$2799 |
$4349 from LAX |
| Feb 23 2007 |
$2799 |
$4079 from LAX |
| Mar 04 2007 |
$2799 |
$4079 from LAX |
| Apr 15 2007 |
$2799 |
$3849 from LAX |
*Tour and air prices are lead-in rates from a specific gateway based on twin
occupancy and are subject to change. Rates do not include inter-air flights.
Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Tours departing BEFORE
4/30/06 may follow a different itinerary than what is listed here. Please
confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. For tours that
feature a cruise, port taxes are not included in the prices above. Additional tour dates
may be available, please call us for information.
19 days, 27 meals
16 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 10 Dinners
Day 1, 2 - Overnight Flight
Day 3 - Duxton Hotel, Auckland
Day 4, 5 - Bay of Islands
Day 6 - New Zealand Family Home or Rydges,
Rotorua
Day 7 - Rydges, Rotorua
Day 8, 9 - Duxton Hotel, Wellington
Day 10 - Copthorne Central or Rydges,
Christchurch
Day 11 - Franz Josef Hotel, Franz Josef Glacier
Region
Day 12, 13 - A-Line Hotel, Queenstown
Day 14 - Te Anau Hotel & Villas, Te Anau
Day 15, 16 - Dunedin City Hotel, Dunedin
Day 17 - The Hermitage, Mt. Cook
Day 18 - Copthorne Central or Rydges,
Christchurch
On some dates alternate hotels may be used
NOTES:
- Due to changes in air
schedules while on tour, the order of days in the itinerary may
change.
- Due to early arrival times
into some cities, rooms may not always be available for
immediate check-in.
- Your home stay will take place
in the suburbs of Rotorua. Your host family will pick you up at
your hotel and return you to meet up with your group the
following morning. If you prefer not to stay in a private home,
you may choose to stay at your Rotorua hotel with dinner
included. Please make your decision know at the time of booking.
- Taxes/fees to be paid in local
currencies upon exiting New Zealand are approximately $25 NZD.
- Passport required for this
trip.
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