26 May Prepare to Be Amazed in Auckland
Embark on an adventure beginning in Auckland. With wineries, waterfalls, golden sand beaches and lush green forests, New Zealand boasts endless natural treasures. Join Southern Crossings on a 3- to 13-night escape and enjoy the insider connections and expert guidance of your Virtuoso travel advisor every step of the way.
IDYLLIC ESCAPE TO WAIHEKE ISLAND
Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand
3 Nights | Available September 1, 2016 – August 31, 2017
Enjoy a scenic 15-minute flight across the sparkling waters of the Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf to the island paradise of Waiheke Island. Enjoy everything that Waiheke Island has to offer with renowned food and wine, beautiful beaches, a hip art scene and relaxed island lifestyle.
Virtuoso-Exclusive Experience Includes:
- Meet-and-greet upon arrival with helicopter transfer from Auckland Airport to Waiheke Island
- Three nights’ accommodation, including breakfast
- Full-day privately guided tour of Waiheke Island’s leading vineyards and scenic highlights
- Ferry trip from Waiheke Island to Auckland with private car and driver transfer to Auckland Airport
- New Zealand Goods and Services Tax at 15%
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HIGHLIGHTS OF NEW ZEALAND
Auckland • Waiheke Island • Rotorua • Wellington • Nelson • Queenstown
13 Nights | Available September 1, 2016 – August 31, 2017 (blackout dates apply)
Enjoy overnight accommodation in Auckland before ferrying to idyllic Waiheke Island for two nights’ accommodation on the “Nantucket of New Zealand.” At the thermal volcanic area of Rotorua, you’ll stay two nights at Treetops Lodge & Estate before experiencing the best of New Zealand’s rural life with accommodations at Wharekauhau Country Estate.
On the South Island you’ll stay overnight near the iconic Abel Tasman National Park and spend a day cruising and hiking. Continue to Queenstown, the adrenaline capital of the world, for two nights’ accommodation at Eichardt’s Private Hotel. Next, you’ll depart for a helicopter excursion to magnificent Milford Sound and land on the lawn at stunning Blanket Bay for your final two nights’ accommodation on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
Virtuoso-Exclusive Experience Includes:
- Meet-and-greet upon arrival and transfers
Accommodations and meals as specified
Private day excursion to vineyards on Waiheke Island
Four-wheel drive Farm Safari excursion at Wharekauhau
Abel Tasman National Park cruise excursion
Milford Sound return scenic flight and fiord cruise excursion
New Zealand Goods and Services Tax at 15%
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BAY OF ISLANDS SPECTACULAR
Auckland, Bay of Islands
7 Nights | Available September 1, 2016 – August 31, 2017 (blackout dates apply)
In Auckland, you’ll enjoy two nights’ accommodation along with plenty of time for independent exploration of key sights, such as The Auckland Museum, Bastion Point and the buzzing suburbs of Ponsonby and Parnell.
Next, collect your rental vehicle and drive north to your accommodations in Matakana. Enjoy the local vineyards, beaches and cycle trails before continuing onto the Bay of Islands where your days are free to explore at your leisure. Enjoy two nights at Eagles Nest, offering villa-style accommodations in the charming township of Russell, and two nights at award-winning Kauri Cliffs with a magnificent spa and championship golf course onsite.
Virtuoso-Exclusive Experience Includes:
- Meet-and-greet upon arrival and transfer to accommodations in Auckland
- Accommodations as specified
- Breakfast daily at hotels in Auckland, Eagles Nest and Kauri Cliffs
- Dinners at Kauri Cliffs
- Full-size automatic rental vehicle, daily insurance, unlimited mileage, accident excess reduction and GPS
- New Zealand Goods and Service Tax at 15%
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THERMAL WONDERLAND
Auckland • Waiheke Island • Rotorua • Taupo
7 Nights | Available September 1, 2016 – August 31, 2017
After an introductory tour of Auckland, you’ll ferry to your accommodations on Waiheke Island, a traveler’s delight with white sand beaches, vineyards and myriad restaurants. Next, travel to the Volcanic Plateau known for its fascinating thermal activity and indigenous Maori population. Traveling by private car and driver, you’ll visit the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves en route to your accommodations for two nights at Treetops Lodge & Estate.
Continue to Taupo for two nights’ accommodation at award-winning Huka Lodge on the banks of the Waitato River. You’ll have the opportunity to fly fish for the country’s famed Rainbow trout during a half day cruise on Lake Taupo. Return to Auckland for overnight accommodations in a water view suite.
Virtuoso-Exclusive Experience Includes:
- Meet-and-greet upon arrival, transfers and private touring in Auckland, Rotorua and Taupo
- Return scheduled ferry sailing Auckland to Waiheke Island
- Seven nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily and four dinners
- Private half-day boat charter cruise of Lake Taupo
- New Zealand Goods and Services Tax at 15%
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ULTIMATE NEW ZEALAND
Auckland • Taupo • Hawkes Bay • Christchurch • Queenstown
12 Nights | Available September 1, 2016 – August 31, 2017
With two nights’ accommodation in Auckland, you’re free to discover New Zealand’s largest city at your leisure. Head south in your rental vehicle for two nights’ accommodation at Huka Lodge then to Hawkes Bay for three nights’ accommodation at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You’ll be treated to a full-day private guided “Best of the Bay” tour of the region – from vineyards to Maori culture. Fly south (cost not included) for two nights’ accommodation at historic Otahuna Lodge near Christchurch and a half-day private guided tour of the area.
Next, you’ll fly to Queenstown (cost not included) to stay three nights at luxurious Matakauri Lodge, overlooking Lake Wakatipu. Visit iconic Milford Sound via an exhilarating helicopter excursion with a glacier landing high in the Southern Alps. The remainder of your time in Queenstown is at your leisure to explore this fascinating and diverse area.
Virtuoso-Exclusive Experience Includes:
- Meet-and-greet upon arrival, private touring and transfers
- Full-size automatic rental vehicle including daily insurance, unlimited mileage, accident excess reduction and GPS for North Island touring to Taupo and Hawkes Bay
- 12 nights’ accommodation including breakfast daily and 10 dinners
- Full-day private touring Hawkes Bay
- Private half-day touring of Christchurch
- 90-minute Milford Sound helicopter excursion
- New Zealand Goods and Services Tax at 15%
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