NZ South Island for Christmas

For SINGLES 50 years & over
22 December 2009 - 1 January 2010 (11 days)

Itinerary

Fellow Passengers
There is the comfort of knowing you'll be sharing the tour with other like-minded singles as within this tour departure we have a special group booking ‘for singles'.*  Plus, when you book with our special group we go the extra mile and offer a pre-departure contact service to our group of guests.

Pre-Departure Contact Service:
As a friendly gesture to everyone in our special group, we offer a pre-departure contact service. With your permission we provide your first name, state and email (or other preferred contact method) to the rest of our guests prior to departure. It's a popular choice with many travellers especially as the majority of our guests book solo. It provides the opportunity to get in touch with others prior to departure and especially from your city of departure in Australia. This list is provided after bookings close, about eight weeks prior to departure.

* A Rendezvous for Singles has 8 of the 20 places reserved on this departure for their clients. This trip may confirm more or less than 8 single travellers, subject to availability and demand. Our group booking is not exclusive and therefore there will be other guests on this tour booked via other channels and they may be single, partnered or travelling as friends. Whoever the guests on the tour, everyone in the group will have the touring spirit and this trip generally appeals to persons of 50 years and over.

meal code: (B) Breakfast. (L) Lunch. (D) Dinner. (SD) Specialty Dinner.

DAY 1: Homeport - Christchurch (D)
Fly from your homeport to Christchurch. On arrival you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. 
Hotel:  Copthorne Durham Street (2 nights)

DAY 2: Christchurch (B,D)
This morning board the Ultimate Coach and enjoy a city tour of Christchurch. The afternoon is free and we have provided a pass for you to travel on the Christchurch Tramway which is the best way to visit all the "Must See" sights.

DAY 3: Christchurch - Omarama (B,D)Travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, view the Sheep Dog Statue and marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. The opportunity is available (time and weather permitting) to enjoy a scenic flight (optional) over the Southern Alps.
Hotel:  Heritage Gateway Hotel

DAY 4: Omarama- Dunedin Christmas Day (B,L,D)
Merry Christmas! Depart Omarama, see Lake Benmore before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. On arrival in Dunedin you will enjoy a delicious, traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. This afternoon enjoy some free time to explore the Dunedin Botanic Gardens at leisure.
Hotel:  Mercure Leisure Lodge

DAY 5: Dunedin - Te Anau (B,D)
Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle for a guided tour. Hear the tragic and scandalous history followed by a delicious morning tea. Continue south through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau. Tonight you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Hotel:  Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Deluxe Rooms - 2 nights)

DAY 6: Te Anau-Milford Sound-Te Anau (B,L,D)
This morning enjoy a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch.

DAY 7: Te Anau - Queenstown (B,SD)
Travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum before continuing to Queenstown. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Enjoy the best of New Zealand's high country cuisine in the Colonel's Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano on your return cruise.
Hotel:  Mercure Resort (Lakeview Rooms - 2 nights)

DAY 8: Queenstown (Free Day) (B)
Today is a free day. There are plenty of sightseeing options and your Coach Captain is available to assist. This evening is also free. You may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.

DAY 9: Queenstown - Franz Josef (B,D)
Travel via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to Fox Glacier. Experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers before continuing to Franz Josef.
Hotel:  Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

DAY 10: Franz Josef - Christchurch (B,SD)
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to Arthur's Pass and board The TranzAlpine, one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel through the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with your new friends.
Hotel:  Copthorne Durham Street

DAY 11: Christchurch - Homeport New Years Day (B)
Happy New Year! Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a great holiday.