NZ Vacation Experiences Food and Wine Gourmet New Zealand
Gourmet New Zealand |
From NZD $3380 per person
Day 1 - Arrive AucklandOn arrival to Auckland please collect your rental vehicle from Auckland International Airport and make your way to your accommodation. Many of the country's most established wineries are found in the Auckland region, including Villa Maria, Montana and Babich. Known for its Chardonnays, Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons, most Auckland wines are produced in the flat areas of Henderson, Clevedon and Kumeu. In the 1980's vines were also planted on Waiheke Island, in Auckland Harbour. The Island is now a fashionable wine retreat with many vineyards, and is noted for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varieties. Cosmopolitan wine bars, rural vineyards and trendy Waiheke Island wineries make the Auckland wine region an enviable destination. Restaurant suggestion for dinner: Dine by Peter Gordon Internationally renowned chef and arguably New Zealand's highest profile international culinary celebrity. Gordon is currently co-owner of The Providores restaurant in London and a consultant for both Public in New York and Changa in Turkey. He is acknowledged as founder of the fusion food movement, for his charity works, numerous best selling cookbooks as well as his international media activity. Accommodation: Sky City Grand, Auckland - Luxury Twin/ Double Room Day 2 - Auckland - Rotorua (approx 3hrs / 240kms)(B/D)Full breakfast is included this morning at your hotel Leisurely departure from Auckland's hustle and bustle of city life and travel south towards Rotorua. Perhaps visit the Waitomo Glow Worms cave en route before arriving in the Thermal Wonderland of Rotorua. Maori Cultural Show and Hangi Dinner is included this evening at Mitai. Journey back in time to a Pre-European lifestyle experience of customs and traditions. Enjoy the night's festivities with us as you are treated to a banquet of succulent foods cooked the traditional Maori way, rediscover the Maori village as it comes alive to the sound and activities of tribal songs, dances, myths and legends. Accommodation: The Springs, Rotorua - Bed & BreakfastHosts: Colleen and Murray Ward have had many years experience in the New Zealand tourism and hospitality industries. She and Murray look forward to welcoming you to The Springs and making your stay in Rotorua truly memorable with their now world famous hospitality! Day 3 - Rotorua (B)Breakfast is included this morning at The Springs - the Breakfast Menu includes The Spring's signature dishes such as French Toast, Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes, or Smoked Salmon Scrambled Eggs with Fresh Dill. Whether you are seeking to experience Maori culture, geothermal earth forces, spa rejuvenation, thrills and adventure, or any of the other natural assets like 16 lakes, some of the world's best mountain biking trails, fantastic trout fishing and a myriad of forest walking tracks - Rotorua delivers it all! Please enquire to our consultants for optional activities costs and suggestions! Accommodation: The Springs, Rotorua - Bed & Breakfast Day 4 - Rotorua - Napier (approx 3hrs / 230kms )(B/D)Another scrumptious breakfast is at The Springs. Farwell your hosts and travel south to Napier located in the region of Hawkes Bay. Napier is the Art-Deco capital of New Zealand after the entire city was rebuilt in the 1930's due to a devastating earthquake. The streets are lined with captivating buildings. Hawke's Bay, New Zealand's second most important wine-producing area is based on the twin art deco cities of Napier and Hastings. Vineyards were first planted here 150 years ago by French Marist missionaries. Today, the tradition is continued by the Marist brothers and their Mission Vineyard is an important wine producer and a tourist attraction, with a comprehensive wine shop and restaurant. There are now over 49 vineyards and we recommend 10 worth visiting. The region's extended dry growing season, low humidity and high sunshine hours enables the full ripening and flavour development of the classic wine grape varieties. These include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muller Thurgau, Gewurtztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. A three Course dinner is included this evening at Chambers Restaurant, The County Hotel. The multi award winning restaurant sets the culinary stage for delightful, natural cuisine with an international influence. Accommodation: The County Hotel - Luxury RoomThis beautiful historical building has been faithfully restored to its charming Edwardian Art Deco grandeur in order to preserve its elegant heritage. Day 5 - Napier (B/L)Breakfast is included this morning at your accommodation A complete action-packed taste of what Hawke's Bay has to offer with Odyssey Tours 10am - 5.00 pm. Start the day with an exclusive barrel sampling, learn about wine etiquette and tasting technique, enjoy a fully guided behind the scenes tour of NZ's famous Church Rd winery and NZ's only wine museum, then on to the country's oldest winery, the Mission Estate, for a wine tasting & two course meal accompanied by matching wines at one of NZ's top restaurants. After lunch, visit a selection of wineries from the Gimblett Gravels, Ngatarawa Triangle & Dartmoor Valley, visit a smaller winery as a comparison and opportunity to meet and learn from a winemaker, learn about wine and food matching at one of NZ's top winery restaurants, indulge in gourmet platters with top local produce. A complete wine & gourmet experience!
Accommodation: The County Hotel - Luxury Room Day 6 - Napier - Wellington (approx 5hrs / 325kms)(B)Breakfast is included this morning at your accommodation Depart Napier and travel to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city located on the Southern tip of the North Island. Wellington is also New Zealand's capital city for arts and culture. Wellington is an urban paradise surrounded by a glistening harbour on one side and rolling green hills on the other. En route to Wellington you may wish to visit Martinborough within the Waiarapa Region which is, New Zealand's sixth largest wine region, producing some 3.6% of the national crop. Martinborough, located in the south of the region, is well sheltered by the Rimutaka and Tararua ranges and enjoys a very sunny, dry climate with vines planted on free-draining, low-vigour soils. The result of this being intense flavoured grapes for especially powerful Pinot Noirs. Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris are also key wines of the region. Most of the vineyards are boutique owner-operated businesses producing small quantities, however their reputation is impressive. Accommodation: Holiday Inn Wellington - Superior King Room with Harbour View Day 7 - Wellington - Picton - Blenheim (approx 0.5hrs / 28kms + 3 hr ferry)(B)Breakfast is included this morning at your accommodation Morning: Chocolate Espresso Tour with Zest Gourmet Food Tours 9.00am -“ 1200pm . Two favourite food groups, in a short but intense tour! Indulge the senses as you examine - and taste - traditional and contemporary chocolate and coffee styles. Walking this compact city, start with an in-depth coffee tasting experience; explore the adventurous edge of contemporary chocolates with flavour combinations and tastes you've never dreamed of before. Savour the traditional approach with hand-made classic chocolates. Experience a commercial kitchen producing innovative chocolate dishes. Finish with one last unforgettable coffee flavour combination. Return your rental vehicle to Budget located at the Interislander terminal. Travel aboard the interisland ferry (2.00 pm departure/ 5.00 pm arrival) which travels through the Marlborough Sound before arriving in Picton. On arrival to Picton collect your new rental vehicle and make your way to Blenheim. For Marlborough the predominant wines of this region are Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, followed by other white varieties such as Riesling, Pinot Gris, & Gewurztraminer. In more recent times Pinot Noir has come to the forefront, with extensive plantings of this grape. A large concentration of wineries can be found in the Renwick area, with others spread across the expanse of the Wairau River Valley, where the river itself runs out into Cloudy Bay. Accommodation: The Pepper Tree, Blenheim - Bed & BreakfastA luxury bed and breakfast is located in 10 acres of lush farmland and surrounded by an extensive country garden, a boutique vineyard and olive grove. Day 8 - Blenheim (B/L)Enjoy a mouth-watering breakfast at The Pepper Tree. Today's mission is an enjoyable bike tour with Explore Marlborough (9.30 am - 3.30 pm). You will be taken you off the main roads and along some of the quieter country roads, through private vineyards and along the river stop-banks. Your tour includes an enthusiastic guide who informs you about the surrounding area, the history, the wineries and wines throughout the day. A minivan will pick you up from your accommodation in the morning and take you to our starting point. The tour is designed to cover about 10km of very easy flat riding. The off road riding through the vineyards and along the stop-banks is across hard packed earth covered with grass or gravel and is easy to bike by all skill levels. Along the way you will visit:
Accommodation: The Pepper Tree, Blenheim - Bed & Breakfast Day 9 - Blenheim - Kaikoura - Christchurch (approx 3.75hrs / 308kms) (B)Enjoy a mouth-watering breakfast at The Pepper Tree. Travel south travelling the east coast of the South Island to the sea side town of Kaikoura for your Whale Watching boat excursion (duration 3 hours). Kaikoura's semi-resident sperm whales share their unique world with a host of the other whale and dolphin species, seals and albatross - all regular sightings aboard Whale Watch tour (95% success rate of sighting a whale) Continue travelling south to Christchurch the Garden City via the Waipara Wine Region. Vines were first planted on the rolling hills of this area a little over 20 years ago, and since then Waipara has earned a global reputation for excellence. The Waipara Wine Region is well know for its award winning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties, which are suited to the area's dry conditions. Many Waipara wineries and vineyards open their cellar doors to eager wine tasters, and numerous wine tours are offered throughout the Waipara region. Christchurch is the largest of the South Island cities with Grand architecture, historic homesteads and immaculate parks. Visit the town square, explore the cathedral or enjoy a punt along the Avon river. Accommodation: The Heritage Christchurch - Deluxe Rooms Day 10 - Christchurch - Mt Cook (approx 331kms / 4.5hrs) (B/L)Breakfast is included this morning at your accommodation. Before commencing your journey today enjoy time exploring Christchurch City Centre. Hagley Park, located in the heart of the city, is a great place to take a leisurely stroll and meet the locals. Depart Christchurch and travel to your farm stay, located within the Mount Cook region. The scenic route to Lake Tekapo begins at Rangiora, a rural centre north of Christchurch city. Small towns appear regularly as you travel across the Canterbury Plains through fields and farms. Explore the old coal mining settlement of Glentunnel before the road climbs over the braided Rakaia River and up to Mount Hutt. There are historic lime kilns at Staveley and Mt Somers, and the pretty town of Geraldine has an interesting car museum. After Fairlie you'll ascend to the region known as the Mackenzie Country, named after the legendary Scottish sheep rustler who once roamed the area. The settlement of Lake Tekapo is at the southern end of the lake. Fishing, kayaking, bike riding, horse trekking and skiing are some of the things you can do in the area. The Church of the Good Shepherd and the sheepdog statue are great photo opportunities. Agriculture is one of New Zealand's largest industries. The best way to understand the industry is to experience it on a working farm. Today you will be hosted on a traditional New Zealand farm. It could be a dairy, cattle or a sheep farm dependant on availability. Make friends with your host and even 'muck in' (help) with the daily chores. This evening enjoy a cooked meal with your hosts. Accommodation: Mount Cook FarmstaysRooms will have Private or Ensuite bathroom facilities with New Zealand Hosts: course dinner featuring fresh NZ produce, Complimentary beer/wine with the meal , Opportunity to experience the farm activities, Choice of cooked or continental breakfast. Day 11 - Mt Cook - Queenstown (approx 3.5hrs / 263kms) (B)Breakfast is included with your hosts this morning. If you're on a dairy farm you may have the opportunity to assist with the morning milking. Following Breakfast, farewell your new Kiwi family and travel to Queenstown. Your trip to Queenstown begins with the beautiful Lindis Pass - just magic when there's snow around. Lake Dunstan is a fine place for a picnic before you explore the restored heart of Cromwell. Take a detour to Bannockburn if you're interested in old gold workings. No stop in Cromwell is complete without stopping at Mrs Jones Orchard to collect some yummy locally grown treats for your journey. The alpine resort of Queenstown is exciting, sophisticated and fantastically scenic. It's the place to source almost any kind of adventure, including bungy, jet boating, horse trekking, rafting and river surfing. It's also a destination for luxury experiences - gourmet food and wine, spa treatments and leisurely games of golf. Restaurant Recommendation: Wai Restaurant Dining at Wai is ultimately about one thing, and one thing only, enjoyment. Something that can either be done alone or with good company, matched with our without wine. Our food is prepared with much love and respect to create an enjoyable dining experience. Our kitchens philosophy is simple, we just the freshest hand selected ingredients from suppliers the length and breadth of New Zealand, and with time, attention, and craftsmanship produce simple delicious food. Accommodation: The Heritage Queenstown - Deluxe Rooms Day 12 - Queenstown (B/L)Breakfast is included this morning in your hotel restaurant. This morning you will be met in your hotel lobby by Appellation Central Wine tours for a full day Gourmet Wine Tour (9.30am-4.30pm). Get a true understanding on the regions wine industry thanks to your knowledgeable guide. Inclusions on today's tour are:
Accommodation: The Heritage Queenstown - Deluxe Rooms Day 13 - Depart Queenstown (B)Breakfast is included this morning in your hotel restaurant. Following breakfast, dependant on your departure time, enjoy time exploring the Queenstown and also a chance to pick up any of those last minute souvenirs for friends and love ones back home (or even yourself). Return your rental car to Queenstown Airport before you fly from Queenstown back to Auckland (flight not included) Price per person (includes 12.5% GST) From NZD $3380 pp  Costs include:
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