DEPART USA: Monday, February 17

This evening, board your wide-body transpacific flight to Auckland, New Zealand. Tonight February 17 “disappears” as we cross the International Date Line in-flight.  (Inflight meals)

Day 1: Wednesday, February 19

Arrive Queenstown

Arrive Auckland early in the morning on February 19th, connecting to your Queenstown flight. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the Sofitel Queenstown. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to the Sofitel Queenstown. Dinner is included tonight. (D)

OVERNIGHT: Sofitel Queenstown Hotel(3 nights)

Day 2: Thursday, February 20

Queenstown / Otago Wineries

Depart hotel late morning for a private tour and tasting at Felton Road Winery, followed by a cave tour and lunch at Gibbston Valley Winery, home to New Zealand’s largest wine cave. This afternoon, end the day with a stop for optional bungee jumping with A.J. Hackett over (and even dipped into) the Kawarau River. For the adventurous among us this is a wonderful experience in which to participate and/or photograph. A.J. Hackett and company pioneered the commercial bungee jump here. Return to the hotel at 5pm. Dinner is at leisure tonight. (B,L)

VIDEO LINK

Day 3: Friday, February 21

Queenstown Wineries & Best of Queenstown Sightseeing

After breakfast, board the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak for incredible views overlooking Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables. Then hop into your custom-built luge and descend the mountain along a ½ mile track with banks, turns, dips and tunnels. This is a gas experience for all ages!)Visit two wineries today. We visit Mt Rosa Vineyard, a charming rural setting surrounded by dramatic mountains. We will sample some beautiful wines, with well-aged Pinot Noirs being the stars of the show. Next is Kinross which showcases wines from five boutique small production wineries, which neighbor their property in the Gibbston Valley. Enjoy a wine tasting while soaking up the pioneer history of Kinross Station, first settled in 1860.Conclude the day with a stop in scenic Arrowtown, followed by an adrenaline-rush jetboat ride on the Shotover River. This evening, walk a short distance to the dock on Lake Wakatipu to board the venerable steamship TSS Earnslaw. Across the lake enjoy a BBQ dinner and experience rural life downunder at Walter Peak Station, New Zealand’s most iconic sheep farm. (B,D)

Day 4: Saturday, February 22

Fly to Wellington / Te Papa Museum

Depart late morning for Queenstown Airport. Board our Air New Zealand flight (90 minutes duration, flight included in tour fare) for Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. This afternoon visit Te Papa, the premier museum showcasing New Zealand’s history, its Maori people and national lifestyles. Te Papa is New Zealand’s version of the Smithsonian in Washington DC. The name Te Papa comes from the Maori words for “Box of Treasures”. We’ll see Wellington’s key sights including the New Zealand Parliament (called “The Beehive”), Old St. Paul’s Cathedral and Mount Victoria. Tonight enjoy a special dinner at exclusive Charley Noble Restaurant, paired with wines selected by Tom Eddy. (B,D)

OVERNIGHT: Sofitel Wellington Hotel (1 night)

Day 5: Sunday, February 23

Wellington to Picton & Blenheim

Board the Inter-island ferry and enjoy premium lounge seating as we cross the Cook Straight to the seaside town of Picton. Enjoy an independent lunch followed by a Mussel Boat cruise in the afternoon. Continue 30 minutes’ drive to Blenheim, the heart of the Marlborough Wine Region. (B)

OVERNIGHT: Scenic Marlborough Hotel (2 nights)

Day 6: Monday, February 24

Marlborough’s Premier Wineries

Put on your wine goggles! New Zealand’s citrusy Sauvignon Blanc is the country’s most successful varietal, enormously popular worldwide. Today is a massive immersion into the best of Sauvignon Blanc and wine production. Our day starts with a visit to Cloudy Bay Winery, one of New Zealand’s most iconic and familiar premium wine brands, for a tour and tasting. Afterward enjoy a Barrel Hall tasting and private luncheon at Wither Hills. Finish tasting at Forrest Estate and Framingham Winery. Along the way enjoy the dramatic coastline of Rarangi Bay and Monkey Beach. Finish the day with a stop at the Makana Chocolate and Vines Village. This evening is at leisure. (B,L)

Day 7: Tuesday, Februrary 25

Blenheim to Napier

Transfer to Blenheim Airport for short flights to Wellington connecting to Napier (flights included in tour fare), arriving 2:30pm. Napier was rebuilt entirely in Art Deco style, after the city was largely destroyed by the Hawke’s Bay Earthquake of 1931. This evening, enjoy a guided Art Deco walking tour of central Napier. Dinner is at leisure to enjoy this charming city. (B)

OVERNIGHT: Art Deco Masonic Hotel (2 nights)

Day 8: Wednesday, February 26

Hawke’s Bay Wineries

The Hawke’s Bay appellation is New Zealand’s oldest and second largest wine region. The maritime climate here is similar to Bordeaux. Not surprisingly this is the primary source of the country’s red wine production, producing highly rated Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah wines. A local expert joins us today. Visit two premier wineries this morning, with private tour, tasting and luncheon at Mission Estate, founded in 1851 by a French Marist priest. Return to hotel mid-afternoon. Tonight is equally special. Enjoy a private tour and paired dinner at the acclaimed winery, Craggy Range. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Thursday, February 27

Napier to Lake Taupo & Rotorua

Depart Napier and travel to Rotorua, via Lake Taupo and stunning Huka Falls. Enjoy a gondola ride to the peak of Mt. Ngongotaha. Enjoy a buffet lunch at the Stratosphere Restaurant. This afternoon, visit one of New Zealand’s tourism icons, the Te Puia Thermal Reserve. Stroll the bridges and walkways of this remarkable geothermal wonderland in the company of a Maori guide. Tonight, we visit award-winning Te Pa Tu for an immersion into Maori culture including story-telling, performance arts and a traditional Maori Hangi dinner, a Polynesian feast where dishes are cooked in underground ovens. (B,L,D)

OVERNIGHT: Pullman Hotel Rotorua (1 night)

Day 10: Friday, February 28

Rotorua & Waitomo to Auckland

This morning depart from Rotorua to Waitomo – a 2-hour journey. Upon arrival, enjoy a wondrous boat excursion through the world-renowned Glow Worm Caves. The glow worm (Arachnocampa luminosa) is unique to New Zealand. Thousands of these tiny radiating luminescent creatures create surreal overhead lighting on the cave ceilings and walls as we cruise in small boats along the underground river. Arrive in Auckland late afternoon. Tonight, dine at Onemata, one of Auckland’s finest restaurants paired with the wines of Tom Eddy. (B,D)

OVERNIGHT: Park Hyatt (2 nights, King Harbour View)

Day 11: Saturday, March 1

Waiheke Island

Board the Fuller’s Reserve Ferry this morning for Waiheke Island, visiting two wineries with lunch included. The island’s Mediterranean microclimate has made it a popular playground for affluent Kiwis. Just 35 minutes from Auckland, Waiheke Island has 2,000 permanent residents, picturesque anchorages, vineyards, olive groves and wineries in abundance. Visit Stonyridge Winery for a winemaker-led tasting and lunch, then the olive groves of Rangihoua Estate, followed by tasting stops at Peacock Sky Winery. Return to Auckland by Reserve Ferry. Tonight is at leisure to independently enjoy the sights and sound Auckland city. (B,L)

Day 12: Sunday, March 2

Auckland – Fly Home

Check out of our hotel by 9am, leaving luggage in storage. This morning enjoy a brief sightseeing tour of Auckland, with lunch at the Harbourside Restaurant. Afterward there is time day for last minute shopping. Anything and everything made in New Zealand can be found in Auckland’s Queen Street shops. Late this afternoon, transfer by coach to Auckland International Airport for onward flights as we say Haere Ra (“farewell”) to New Zealand. (B,L)