The Escape to New Zealand Tour, Take 2!
Do you want to ESCAPE TO NEW ZEALAND? Want to watch the All Blacks try to win three Rugby World Cups in a row in the country that will be willing them on with every breath to do it? Want to visit the very best spots on the North AND South Island with a tour guide who can get you behind the scenes and make magic happen? (That would be Sharron Hickman, guide extraordinaire. I’ve never seen anybody who knew more people in my life. Sharron did this tour before, and it was fabulous.)
Take a look at this itinerary! Starting in mid-October and running through early November, through all the drama of the Rugby World Cup and through the seasons in some of the most beautiful places in the world–it’s the Escape to New Zealand Tour, Take 2.
If you’re interested, please contact Sharron directly. (Info on the itinerary.)
EXCLUSIVE TOURS LIMITED
Member of Auckland Convention Bureau
Address: 9 Rushland Rise, Pukekohe 2120, New Zealand.
Mobile Phone: (64) 027 4732934
Email: Sharron at sharronh@exclusivetours.co.nz
Website: www.exclusivetours.co.nz
Proposed great Escape to New Zealand tour
18th October to 3rd November 2019.
Version number 1.
Sharron will include some surprise (not mentioned in the itinerary) experiences during the tour.
No bookings have been made as of 16th January 2019.
Expressions of interest are required for this tour.
If you are interested in this tour then please email Sharron as soon as possible at sharronh@exclusivetours.co.nz Thanks.
Friday 18th October
ARRIVE AUCKLAND
Welcome to Auckland!!!
On arrival at Auckland international airport, today, you will be met by Sharron and a drive and transferred to your accommodation. Please supply Sharron with your flight arrival details so that the transfer (s) can be arranged.
At a time to be decided there will be an orientation walking tour of downtown Auckland including an ice-cream at the world famous Giapo Ice-cream shop!
Late afternoon tour briefing followed by an early welcome dinner tonight at the revolving restaurant – Orbit Restaurant, Sky Tower.
Overnight: Grand Millennium Hotel, Auckland.
Meal included today is welcome dinner.
Saturday 19th October
AUCKLAND
9.00 am to 1.00 pm sightseeing tour of Auckland including a one hour guided tour of Auckland War Memorial Museum followed by one hour free time at this world class museum, a drive along Tamaki Drive to the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial lookout to take in the views of the harbour and city, Auckland harbour bridge and city centre.
Free afternoon to perhaps visit the Viaduct Basin area, the Wynyard Quarter area, ferry to and from Devonport, visit the Auckland Art Gallery etc.
This evening watch one and or two World Rugby Cup quarter final rugby matches at a venue in downtown Auckland. Matches commence at 8.15 pm and 11.15 pm.
Overnight: Grand Millennium Hotel, Auckland.
Meal included today is breakfast.
Sunday 20th October
AUCKLAND / WAIHEKE ISLAND / AUCKLAND
9.00 am travel on a ferry from Auckland to Waiheke Island (40 minute journey) for a tour of Waiheke Island including honey / olive oil / wine tasting, visiting local artists, walking on Onetangi Beach and lunch. Return to Auckland, by ferry, in the afternoon.
Watch one and or two World Rugby Cup quarter final rugby matches at a venue in downtown Auckland. Matches commence at 8.15 pm and 11.15 pm.
Overnight: Grand Millennium Hotel, Auckland.
Meals included today are breakfast and lunch.
Monday 21st October
AUCKLAND TO ROTORUA
8.30 am travel from Auckland to Rotorua stopping en-route at Zealong Tea Estate for a tea tour and tea tastings followed by lunch. After lunch travel on to Hobbiton for a two hour guided tour of Hobbiton – the largest green movie set in the world.
Overnight: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua.
Meals included today are breakfast and lunch.
Tuesday 22nd October
ROTORUA
9.00 am to 12 noon sightseeing of Rotorua including the Government Gardens, guided tours of Rainbow springs & Kiwi Encounter.
Free afternoon to perhaps soak in the hot mineral waters at the Polynesian Spa or treat yourself to a massage at the Polynesian Spa, or visit the Rotorua Arts Village and Cafe, or visit St Faiths Anglican church at Ohinemutu village etc.
4.00 pm travel to Te Puia for a guided tour of Te Puia (geysers, mud pools, Maori wood carving and weaving schools etc) followed by Maori cultural performance and hangi dinner.
Overnight: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua.
Meals included today are breakfast and hangi dinner.
Wednesday 23rd October
ROTORUA TO NAPIER
8.00 am travel to Napier – the Art Deco Capital of New Zealand! Stop en-route at Lava Glass to watch a glass blowing demonstration / walk in the glass sculpture garden / admire and maybe purchase some of the amazing glass products etc. On arrival in Napier enjoy wine tasting and a platter lunch at Church Road Winery followed by a guided walking tour of downtown Napier. Overnight: Te Pania Scenic Hotel, Napier.
Meals included today are breakfast and platter lunch.
Thursday 24th October
NAPIER TO WELLINGTON
9.00 am travel from Napier to Wellington – New Zealand’s capital city. Stop en-route at New Zealand Rugby Museum in Palmerston North.
Overnight: CityLife apartment Hotel, Wellington.
Meal included today is breakfast.
Friday 25th October
WELLINGTON
9.00 am to 1.00 pm sightseeing tour of Wellington including guided one hour tour of Parliament buildings, Wellington botanic gardens, Cable Car ride and visit to summit of Mount Victoria. Free afternoon to perhaps visit Te Papa Museum of New Zealand, or participate in a Weta Workshop tour etc. Group dinner in Wellington.
Overnight: CityLife Apartment Hotel, Wellington.
Meals included today are breakfast and dinner.
Saturday 26th October
WELLINGTON TO PICTON TO BLENHEIM
8.00 am travel from hotel to Interislander ferry terminal.
9.00 am travel on the Interislander ferry (about a 3 1/2 hour journey) from Wellington Picton. On arrival in Picton travel by road from Picton to Blenheim. Enjoy wine tasting at Cloudy Bay Vineyards. Watch World Rugby Cup quarter final rugby match, which commences at 9.00 pm, at a venue in downtown Blenheim.
Overnight: Chateau Marlborough, Blenheim.
Meal included today is breakfast.
Sunday 27th October
BLENHEIM TO KAIKOURA
9.00 am travel from Blenheim to Kaikoura. Opportunity to go whale watching by boat this afternoon. Sharron will book the whale watching experience. Whale watching by boat is weather dependent. Please pay the operator directly for this experience. Watch World Rugby Cup quarter final rugby match, which commences at 10.00 pm, at a venue in downtown Kaikoura. Group dinner Kaikoura.
Overnight: The White Morph, Kaikoura.
Meals included today are breakfast and dinner.
Monday 28th October
KAIKOURA TO CHRISTCHURCH
9.00 am travel from Kaikoura to Christchurch. On arrival in Christchurch a one hour guided tour of Christchurch botanic gardens and an orientation tour of Christchurch.
Overnight; Rydges Latimer Hotel, Christchurch.
Meal included today is breakfast.
Tuesday 29th October
CHRISTCHURCH TO AORAKI/MOUNT COOK VILLAGE
9.00 am travel from Christchurch to Aoraki/Mount Cook Village. Spectacular scenery en-route at such places as Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. Group dinner tonight.
Overnight: The Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki/Mount Cook Village.
Meals included today are breakfast and dinner.
Wednesday 30th October
AORAKI/MOUNT COOK VILLAGE
Morning guided walking tour on the Hooker Valley Track. Free afternoon to explore this amazing alpine area.
Overnight: The Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki/Mount Cook Village.
Meals included today are breakfast and dinner.
Thursday 31st October
AORAKI/MOUNT COOK VILLAGE TO QUEENSTOWN
9.00 am travel from Aoraki/Mount Cook Village to Queenstown. Stop en-route at AJ Hackett Bungy Jumping to view the jumpers (and you might like to jump?!) and visit the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown.
Overnight: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown.
Meal included today is breakfast.
Friday 1st November
QUEENSTOWN
Free day. The choices are yours today. Sharron will book today’s activities. Please pay the operators directly for the activities. Ideas include bungy jumping, jet boating, white water rafting, paragliding, Milford Sound full day (coach/cruise/coach), Doubtful Sound full day (coach/cruise/coach), fly/cruise/fly to Milford Sound, wine tasting tour etc. Watch World Rugby Cup runner up rugby match, which commences at 10.00 pm, at a venue in downtown Queenstown!! So exciting!!
Overnight: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown.
Meal included today is breakfast.
Saturday 2nd November
QUEENSTOWN
Free day. The choices are yours today. Sharron will book today’s activities. Please pay the operators directly for the activities. Ideas include bungy jumping, jet boating, white water rafting, paragliding, Milford Sound full day (coach/cruise/coach), Doubtful Sound full day (coach/cruise/coach), fly/cruise/fly to Milford Sound, wine tasting tour etc. Watch World Rugby Cup final rugby match, which commences at 10.00 pm, at a venue in downtown Queenstown!! So exciting!! Farewell dinner tonight.
Overnight: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown.
Meal included today is breakfast and farewell dinner.
Sunday 3rd November
QUEENSTOWN
Tour ends after breakfast today. Transfer (s) from hotel to Queenstown airport are included today. Travellers can stay on in New Zealand or return to the USA today.
Meal included today is breakfast.
Estimated per person prices based on minimum of 10 travellers are as follows.
NZD$6,700.00 per person on a twin / double share. As of 16th January 2019 NZD$6,700.00 is approximately USD$4,600.00.
NZD$8,890.00 per person on a single basis. As of 16th January 2019 NZD$8,890.00 is approximately USD$6,200.00.
Included items in these estimated per person prices are accommodations as per itinerary (however these accommodations may be substituted for similar standard accommodations if at the time of booking the suggested properties are not available), meals as per itinerary, Auckland airport meet and greet (s) and hotel transfer (s) on 18th October, Auckland sightseeing tour / entry to Auckland War Memorial Museum / guided tour of museum on 19th October, Waiheke Island round trip ferry tickets & tour of Waiheke Island including honey / olive oil / wine tasting, visiting local artists, walking on Onetangi Beach and lunch on 20th October, Zealong tea tour / tea tasting / lunch on 21st October, two hour guided tour of Hobbiton on 21st October, Rotorua sightseeing tour including guided tour of Rainbow Springs & Kiwi Encounter on 22nd October, guided tour of Te Puia / (geysers, mud pools, Maori wood carving and weaving schools etc) followed by Maori cultural performance and hangi dinner on 22nd October, Lava Glass entry to glass sculpture garden / glass blowing demonstration on 23rd October, Church Road Winery wine tasting & platter lunch on 23rd October, Art Deco guided walking tour of downtown Napier on 23rd October, New Zealand Rugby Museum entry fee on 24th October, one way Wellington Cable Car journey on 25th October, ferry from Wellington to Picton on 26th October, Cloudy Bay Winery wine tasting on 26th October, Christchurch botanic gardens one hour guided walking tour on 28th October, Hooker Valley guided walking tour on 30th October, Queenstown hotel to Queenstown airport transfer (s) on 3rd November and New Zealand Goods and Services Tax at 15%.
“Thanking you so very much for a truly wonderful vacation an unforgettable experience I hope to come on another of your trips