10 Nights/11 Days Romance in New Zealand

Day 1: Kia Ora - Welcome to Auckland New Zealand
Welcome to New Zealand. Once you have cleared Customs & Immigration, enter the arrivals lounge where your driver will be waiting to meet and greet you. Be transferred to your accommodation. Overnight at Hotel of your choice in Auckland

Day 2: Auckland Highlights tour inclusive Kelly Tarltons
Auckland our largest city is a vibrant place with a very Pacific feel. Highlights on this morning’s tour are the "Golden Mile" of Auckland’s business and shopping district, Auckland University, Auckland Harbour Bridge to North Shore for wide views of harbour and yacht marina, See the sparkling waters of Waitemata Harbour from the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park in Mission Bay. Pass through the Auckland Domain filled with gardens and large trees, here also see the Auckland Museum's grand architecture. Visit Paritai Drive, Auckland's most expensive residential street with fantastic views of the Waitemata Harbour and islands, and finally Tamaki Drive via Mission Bay around the edge of the Waitemata Harbour dominated by large native Pohutukawa trees. Visit to Kelly Tarltons Under Water World. Today at Auckland's most visited attraction begins with walk through the life size reconstruction of Captain Scott's Antarctic Hut as it was in 1911. Then it's back to the present to board the Snow Cat vehicle for ride into the special Antarctic enclosure where you will see live King and Gentoo Penguins. After this you enter the Underwater World to come face to face with giant stingrays, moray eels, thousands of different fish species and 'the sharks'. All these creatures are only centimetres away in the unique underwater tunnel. Overnight at Hotel of your choice in Auckland

Day 3: Auckland to Rotorua with Waitomo Caves
Travel through the horticultural farmland and into the lush dairy farm areas. After this continue through the ever changing scenery through Hamilton the Bridge City onto the Waitomo region where we stop at todays highlight, your guided tour through the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves which have spectacular limestone formations and the roof is studded with the lights of thousands of tiny Glowworms. After your cave experience continue past Lake Karapiro and picturesque Fitzgerald Glade to arrive in Rotorua. Overnight at Hotel of Your choice in Rotorua.

Day4: Rotorua sightseeing tour
The Grand Experience is a morning sightseeing excursion around Rotorua city visiting three of the most popular attractions in the region. The first stop is Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and Te Puia formerly known as the Maori Arts and Crafts institute. A guided tour takes visitors through Te Puia where the traditional crafts of Flax weaving and wood carving are passed down from generation by tribal elders. Enjoy the tour of the thermal reserve, viewing the many boiling mud pools, hot springs and geysers. A short drive takes you to Rainbow Springs, the quiet majesty of the native bush, ferns, trees and plants that defines Rainbow Springs Nature Park as uniquely New Zealand. Its the crystal clear cold water that flows tirelessly from subterranean springs. Its the silent grace of the magnificent specimens of Rainbow, Brown and Tiger trout cruising the deep fern fringed pools. We are also home to many of New Zealand's native birds, the 'cheeky' kaka, the inquisitive kea, the majestic keruru (wood pigeon) plus many more delightful characters. Then see the world famous Agrodome. A must see stage show starring New Zealands 19 sheep breeds with shearing and Dog trials as well. Overnight at Hotel of Your choice in Rotorua.

Day5: Rotorua to Queenstown
Today after breakfast , transfer to Rotorua Airport to Board your flight to Queenstown. On arrival, you will be met by your driver. After collecting your luggage, be transferred to your accommodation. Overnight at Hotel of Your choice in Queenstown.

Day6: Highlights tour with the gondola
This morning you will join a spectacular morning tour highlighting the 'Must-Do" sights and attractions in Queenstown and Arrowtown visiting the following: 1) Queenstown Hill: The most spectacular photo opportunity in Queenstown. Queenstown Hill offers spectacular panoramic views over the town centre, Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain Range. Remember to bring your camera for picture postcard photo opportunities. 2) AJ Hackett Bungy Bridge: Visit the Kawarau Bungy Bridge, the home of the original bungy jump. The birth place of bungy jumping as we know it and mecca for all adrenalin junkies. Get a behind the scenes look at how bungy jumping started, how bungy cords are made and privileged access to restricted viewing platforms. 3) Gibbston Valley Winery: A chance to savour a selection of four locally produced wines and browse through the winery's well stocked delicatessen and gift shop. Gibbston Valley Wines and winemaker Grant Taylor are on top of the world after the 2000 Reserve Pinot Noir was named Champion Pinot Noir and winner of the Burgundy and Pinot Noir Trophy at the world's largest and most prestigious wine competition in London. 4) Lord of the Rings Film Site - "Pillars of the Kings": Be transported to Middle Earth at the Kawarau Gorge, film location for the Pillars of the Kings in the famous move trilogy, another excellent photo opportunity. 5) Captivating Arrowtown: Lastly we visit the beautiful town of Arrowtown. The picturesque town retains its old world charm through careful preservation of its colourful history and colonial style architecture. Highlights are the Lakes District Museum, Remarkables Sweet Shop and the great shops and cafes in the high street. On completion of your tour, be returned to Queenstown or your hotel around 12.30pm Open Return Skyline Gondola Ride The gondola operates from 9.00am until evening (close off time 10pm or later). Present your voucher to the ticket office staff for your return gondola ride. The gondola ride takes you to Bob's Peak perched high above Queenstown. From here get the best views over picturesque Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and Remarkable Mountains spread before you in a magnificent panorama. The ride up of 450 metres takes you to 790 metres above sea level Overnight at Hotel of Your choice in Queenstown.

Day 7: Milford Sound day trip with cruise & Lunch
Depart Queenstown and travel alongside Lake Wakatipu, through Kingston, Garston and Mossburn before arriving Te Anau. Departing Te Anau follow the shores of Lake Te Anau before entering Fiordland National Park which covers 1.2 million hectares. Drive through the 1200 metre long Homer Tunnel before emerging into the Cleaddeau Valley and continuing down to Milford Sound. Board the catamaran and embark on a 1.5 hour cruise out to the Tasman Sea and back with superb views of towering peaks, close ups of the cool mists of tall waterfalls, as well as southern fur seals and the spectacular Mitre Peak. Returning to Milford Wharf where you reboard your coach for your return journey to Queenstown arriving around 7.45pm. Overnight at Hotel of Your choice in Queenstown.

Day 8: Queenstown to Franz Josef Village
Today you will make a short visit to Lake Wanaka and then follow the shore of Lake Hawea through to Makarora. From here you are on the Haast Road which follows the ancient Maori trail to the West Coast. From the Haast township the scenery changes as you pass through small settlements and lakes full of Trout and Salmon. Once you reach Fox Glacier it is only another 25 minutes to your destination Franz Josef Glacier. Overnight at Hotel of Your choice in Franz Joseph Glacier.

Day 9: Day at Franz Josef Village Day free. Suggested 20 Minute Scenic Helicopter flight with Glacier Landing.
Overnight at Hotel of Your choice in Franz Joseph Glacier.

Day 10: Franz Josef Village to Christchurch
This morning continue up the West Coast travelling through the gold rush town of Ross where the largest gold nugget found weighed 2.8 kilograms. We will make a stop at Hokitika where time is available to view the Greenstone (Jade) and Glass Blowing studios. From here, pass through Kumara Junction before arriving at Greymouth which is where the Tranz Alpine train departs from. 1:45 pm Tranz Alpine Scenic Train At the Railway Station please present your voucher at the counter which will be exchanged for your boarding pass. "Travel is subject to Tranz Scenic General conditions of Carriage". Please check-in at least 20 mins prior to the departure time. The award winning Tranz Alpine train is rated as one of the top six scenic train journeys in the world. The train crosses the huge and fertile farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and the stunning Waimakariri River valley. The highest point is 737 metres at the alpine village at Arthur's Pass. From Arthur's Pass to or from Greymouth the scenery is lush beech forest and tranquil Lake Brunner. 6:05 pm Hotel to Railway Station Transfer or vice versa. On arrival at Christchurch Railway Station be transferred to your hotel Overnight at Hotel of Your choice in Christchurch.

Day 11: Morning Sights then farewell Christchurch New Zealand
The tour commences by covering the central city highlights. On leaving the city the tour travels around Hagely Park, arriving at the Mona Vale homestead and gardens. From Mona Vale the tour travels across town to Riccarton House, Riccarton Bush, and the University of Canterbury. We then travel to the Sign of the Takahe, an historic building providing spectacular views over the city, Canterbury Plains and to the Southern Alps. We carry onto the seaside suburb of Sumner where we stop at Cave Rock. We return to Christchurch via the Lyttelton tunnel and travel back to the International Antarctic Centre, which recreates the atmosphere of Antarctica with a Snow and Ice Experience and the Blue Penguin Encounter Finally returning to your original departure point. Airport transfer from Hotel to Airport