New Zealand Highlights

For SINGLE TRAVELLERS 50 years and over
Monday 29 March - Tuesday 13 April 2010 (16 days)

Itinerary

Operated by Grand Pacific Tours

Christchurch ~ Omarama ~ Dunedin ~ Te Anau ~ Milford Sound ~ Queenstown ~ Arrowtown ~ Fox Glacier ~ Picton ~ Wellington ~ Rotorua ~ Auckland ~ Bay of Islands

PRE PAID ATTRACTIONS INCLUDED: 

Wine Time!
Relive the day’s highlights with your fellow travellers at Wine Time! Each evening, one hour prior to dinner, your hotel will offer Grand Pacific traveller’s a discounted drink offer on selected beverages. Your Coach Captain will advise you of each days special.

FELLOW TRAVELLERS
This tour is promoted as a 'single travellers' departure. There are 10 places on this trip reserved for A Rendezvous for Singles community and therefore the trip is not exclusive to A Rendezvous for Singles members & guests.  The trip may also confirm more or less than 10 people from the A Rendezvous for Singles community subject to demand and availability. There will be travellers from other channels booked on this trip.

Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
Fly from your homeport to Christchurch where you are met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. Tonight enjoy an introductory dinner (SD)
Hotel: Copthorne Durham Street

Day 2: Christchurch - Omarama
After a city tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, visit The Church of the Good Shepherd and view the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including 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 before travelling to Omarama. (B,D)
Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel

DAY 3 : Omarama - Dunedin
Depart Omarama and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin, a well preserved Victorian city. Enjoy an informative tour including a visit to Olveston House, a prestigious historic home. Tonight a Scottish evening will be presented comprising of bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony and gift. ( B, SD)
Hotel: Mercure Leisure Lodge

DAY 4: Dunedin - Te Anau
This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Visit Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens and view the superb collection of flowers followed by a delightful morning tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Tonight you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional). (B,D)
Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Superior Rooms)

DAY 5: Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Depart Te Anau for 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. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening is free to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. You may choose to rise high above Queenstown by gondola for dinner where you can enjoy breathtaking views.(B,L)
Hotel: Mercure Resort (2 nights)

DAY 6: Queenstown (Free Day)
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain is available to assist with the many sightseeing options available, whether it be the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or the helicopter ride of a lifetime. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. On arrival sit back and relax as you are treated to 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 as you cruise back to Queenstown.(B,SD)

DAY 7: Queenstown - Arrowtown - Fox Glacier
Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel to Fox Glacier. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers.(B,D)
Hotel: Scenic Circle Glacier Country Hotel

DAY 8: Fox Glacier - Arthur’s Pass - Christchurch
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into Arthur’s Pass and board The TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to the elegant city of Christchurch. On arrival your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. (B,D)
Hotel: Copthorne Durham Street

DAY 9: Christchurch - Picton - Wellington
Travel along the East Coast to the fishing village of Kaikoura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.(B,D)
Hotel: Hotel Ibis (2 nights)

DAY 10: Wellington
Today explore this exciting region and enjoy an extensive city tour which explains the history and culture on show in New Zealand’s Capital, Wellington. A highlight will be a guided tour of Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, with exhibits that embrace both Maori and European views of the land, environment and people. Enjoy some free time to explore at leisure this afternoon. This evening is also free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. (B)

DAY 11: Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua
Depart Wellington and view the snow capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls, then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. (B,D)
Hotel: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (2 nights)

DAY 12: Rotorua
Today begins with a Gondola ride to Skyrides Restaurant where a buffet breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. Travel to the
Agrodome where you see performing sheep, a shearing display and sheep dog trial. Next visit Paradise Valley Springs, a superb wildlife park where you can hand feed rainbow trout. Some free time is available before an afternoon transfer to see the boiling mud pools and the awesome Geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening you will experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.(B,SD)

DAY 13: Rotorua - Auckland - Bay of Islands
This morning depart Rotorua and travel north via Auckland to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree. Continue via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British. (B,D)
Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge (2 nights)

DAY 14: Bay of Islands
This morning travel aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Stopover at Otehei Bay before returning via Russell to Paihia for a free afternoon. A range of optional activities are available or you may choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront.(B,D)

DAY 15: Bay of Islands - Auckland
Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei and Dargaville to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour. This evening you will be treated to a special farewell dinner including musical entertainment with your new friends.(B,SD)
Hotel: Copthorne Anzac Avenue

DAY 16: Auckland - Homeport
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.(B)

Please Note: The tour operator reserves the right to alter or deviate from the tour itinerary should circumstances dictate.

Included:

ACCOMMODATION    
Based on quality hotels. Please note that any hotels advised are subject to change should circumstances dictate. A final hotel list will be provided prior to departure when travel packs are issued to participants.
 
SIGHTSEEING              
Included as per the itinerary.

MEALS 
15 cooked breakfasts including a speciality breakfast at Skyrides restaurant - Rotorua
13 dinners including 5 speciality dinners
1 picnic lunch
1 morning tea 

TOUR DIRECTOR        
Services of a professional English speaking Tour Director throughout. Some guided tours as detailed by the itinerary

TRANSPORTATION    
Luxury coach travel with 2 door  access, restroom, reclining seats and panoramic windows.

PORTERAGE                
One 140cm suitcase per person. Maximum weight should not exceed 20kg.

TAXES
GST is included in all tour prices/quotes. Airfare & other airfare levies are not included.

Note:
Every endeavour is made to ensure all services are included as per your quote request, however it is your responsibility to check all inclusions in the attached itinerary as any items not specified will incur supplementary charges.

Not included:

• Meals not noted on the itinerary
• Optional excursions, Travel Insurance, visas and items of a personal nature.