Take a Wildlife Cruise out to Otago Peninsula, visit the Speights Brewery – a New Zealand institution or ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway. Click here for our full terms and conditions. In staying in the town of Fox Glacier, we went to Franz Josef Glacier in the morning but then did nothing in the afternoon due to rain; had the weather cooperated, the plan was to see Lake Matheson. }, Blackout periods may apply. All rooms have a view of the harbour, city, historic South Street or Nelson’s beautiful cathedral. The materials in the packet we picked up were also very helpful. jQuery(function($) { It may be the spirit and energy of a Maori cultural performance or the breathtaking beauty of the mountain ranges and fiords of Milford Sound. Hotel: Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on APT's 20 Day Essence of New Zealand. This evening you will be picked up and taken to the Mitai Village for a unique and unforgettable cultural experience. (2 nights). Pause to view the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd before revelling in the alpine landscape of Mt. The TranzAlpine then winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and the stunning Waimakariri River valley before arriving in Christchurch. An exclusive private tour of New Zealand for the most discerning luxury traveler. Mini bar and tea and coffee making facilities, Gain insight into the finest destinations of New Zealand, Spot wildflowers alongside iconic lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, Explore the wilderness of Abel Tasman National Park, Tour Art Deco Napier on foot and visit Tamaki Māori Village. On the way out of the Queenstown region, you will stop and visit the faithfully restored gold mining settlement of Arrowtown. This private luxury tour of New Zealand is a perfect balance of the top destinations on the North and South islands. They offer an all-day pass and the park can be enjoyed in all weather. From PP Twin Share. Your AAT Kings Travel Director will assist you in booking all of your chosen optional experiences. As you journey over the Bombay Hills, the landscape changes from green, grassy meadowlands to the edges of suburbia. There are many special memories to be made. Journey through rainforest, ancient glaciers and mountain ranges, and pass through the monumental Homer Tunnel. Tonight, speak with your Travel Director about dining recommendations in Dunedin’s inner city. This morning, depart for the township of Te Anau, on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake on the South Island. So relax in an air-conditioned coach and take in the sights, or immerse yourself in this region’s natural beauty. You can also create your dream holiday by using our custom itinerary planner.Create your Custom Itinerary. There are more than 20 wineries within driving distance of the town – explore them with a guided tour or bike tour. Ibis Hotel Christchurch. For more information on manufacturing or purchasing contact us:- Essence Lingerie Limited, PO Box 15-998, New Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand. } ) Lake Taupo fills two of these vast former volcanoes and is New Zealand’s largest lake. Be enthralled by the natural bush setting, see warriors in traditional dress paddle an ancient warrior canoe (waka) down the Wai-o-whiro stream and see glow worms in their natural habitat. You’ll hear the story of the earthquake that devastated Napier in 1931 and be introduced to the Art Deco style and hear stories of the characters involved in rebuilding this city. It may be the spirit and energy of a Maori cultural performance or the breathtaking beauty of the mountain ranges and fiords of Milford Sound. After breakfast this morning, please make your way to the airport where you will return your car in time for your onward flight. You’ll have lunch included today provided by ‘Eat My Lunch’. }); AAT Kings offers one day and half day sightseeing tours across Australia including Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Darwin, Uluru, Alice Springs, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Heritage Gateway Hotel, Included Meals: Without question, the three of us felt this was a fabulous tour. Your cruise meanders down the sound, taking in the Bowen and Stirling Falls as they plummet from glacial hanging valleys sharply into the sea, and the sheer pinnacle of Mitre Peak, rising from the deep waters of the fiord for your magical overnight cruise on Milford Sound. } Prices are per person based on twin-share, and are subject to availability. My wife and I really enjoyed our trip. This left us with a choice of either doing only things we had vouchers for or wasting vouchers. Create your perfect New Zealand holiday that will last a lifetime. EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS! 10 Day - Essence of New Zealand We call this trip “Soul Nourishment” because it offers beautiful places at a relaxed pace. Milford Mariner (Standard). 3 nights. Then continue your tour out to the tip of the Otago Peninsula, enjoying unrivalled wildlife viewing. Of our two days in Queenstown, one day we took a Milford Sound tour (which was great, but long), and the other day we walked around, went up to the Skyline and took a jet boat ride. Our tour was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and progressed smoothly, hitting only a few small snags (due to unforeseen circumstances) here and there. Hotel: ‘Eat My Lunch’ is a charity organisation that provides lunch for New Zealand school children who otherwise would be going to school without. It is because of accommodation issues with the Portage Resort and Punga Grove in Franz Joseph that the over-all accommodation rating is only 'pretty good'. Your day finishes in the heart of the Mackenzie Country at Omarama. Your day starts with a journey along the Waitaki River, which marks the boundary between the regions of Canterbury and Otago, and with its large catchment it is an ideal source of hydro-electric power. – Save up to 5% Book an APT tour with Relaxing Journeys this month and SAVE! Take a journey into the heart of Maori culture, arts and crafts. For a unique experience cruise overnight on Milford Sound on a fully equipped vessel. Once you’ve moved through customs and collected your baggage, it’s time to sign for your rental car and check-in at your accommodation. We combine sector experience with world-class creative that engages, changes behaviour, and makes an impact. essence New Zealand | 91 followers on LinkedIn | essence is a specialist healthcare advertising and marketing agency. The accommodation and tour bookings arranged by Relaxing Journeys all proceeded without a problem. On this date, you can enjoy a day cruise on Milford Sound and accommodation in Te Anau or Queenstown), Hotel: No wonder over a million people choose to live here! Some tours have min. Cruise Overnight Milford Sound. For people who would like to experience the array of adventure activities that New Zealand offers and at the same time want to explore the diversity and beauty of this island, this is the perfect tour. Optional excursions include the opportunity to view giant sperm whales by boat or air, see dolphins, fur seals and Royal Albatross at close range in their natural habitat or swim with pools of Dusky Dolphins – wetsuits provided! On arrival in Picton, collect your rental car and make your way past vineyards and wineries to Blenheim. Capturing the essence of New Zealand this lively tour shows off the best the country has to offer. The next morning, with our flight to Auckland leaving at 6PM, we visited the Canterbury Museum, did Punting on the Avon, and briefly visited the International Antarctic Center. If laid-back and relaxed is more your idea of fun, then join a Wine Tour and sample some of Central Otago’s award-winning wines or visit our native birds at Queenstown’s Kiwi Birdlife Park. As you make your way into the heart of New Zealand’s largest city, you will stop at the Auckland War Memorial Museum for views across Auckland City and the Waitemata Harbour. Continue south through lush farmland to reach the city of Palmerston North, famous for its agricultural University, before arriving in the “capital city” of Wellington. She too has played a pivotal part in the creation of the First Light Flower Essence range and she is the spiritual patron and protector in perpetuity for First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand®. It also includes Nelson and Napier. After leaving Rotorua, we spent the night in Lake Taupo. Essence Cafe and Bar, Feilding: See 193 unbiased reviews of Essence Cafe and Bar, rated 4.5 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #2 of 25 restaurants in Feilding. The Heritage Highway leads you through a scenic wilderness to the plunging Buller Gorge and pristine Kahurangi National Park. Goway's 20 day Premier Escorted Essence of New Zealand tour visits Christchurch, Mt. Taieri Gorge Railway is one of the world’s great train trips, taking passengers from the hustle and bustle of Dunedin’s city centre to the rugged mountain interior of Central Otago, and back. Cook and the lakefront room in Queenstown. Hawke's Bay is one of the first places in the world to see the light each day, and Scenic Hotel Te Pania in Napier enjoys a premium waterfront location on Marine Parade. SOLO $12,195 PP. Upgrade your itinerary to include a trip on the Tranz Alpine train, so that you drop your vehicle off in Greymouth and then join the TranzAlpine Train for your journey across the Alps. We did have some difficulties using the Kruse GPS at times and would suggest a few changes to the navigation system itself. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in New Zealand. } ) Hotel: When it is true hospitality and a convenient location that you desire on your travels, then this is your perfect hotel. url: "https://www.relaxingjourneys.co.nz/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php", Explore the glaciers, an incredible natural phenomenon on this 30-minute scenic flight. In spite of the GPS problem we were happy with the car...plenty of space and was comfortable. Although staying in Franz Josef might have been better (shorter drive the next day, closer to glacier we toured), I'm not sure I would change that because the clerk at the hotel informed us of a great place to see Fox Glacier we would not have known about otherwise, plus I enjoyed the food in Fox Glacier. Hotel: Capturing the essence of New Zealand this lively tour shows off the best the country has to offer. Enjoy a leisurely start to our day before continuing our journey to Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. Find out more, 18 Day Guided Vacation Australian Leatherwood Honey. We are all used to using GPS systems and came to the conclusion this must have been the cheapest version available. I see them on the page now, but was not aware of them prior to our departure. In order to break up the drive, maybe it would be good to have people stay at the south end of Lake Taupo, near Turangi. On the way stop off at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves (included in the tour price). Spend the night aboard the Milford Mariner waking up in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Smile! Some also depend on a minimum number of participants and suitable time being available. We had a great time and feel that we saw most of the country. After a day of activity, why not sit back and enjoy a peaceful evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand’s oldest steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, to Walter Peak Station (Optional Experience, own expense). Using the voucher went smoothly. The following day, as planned we woke up early and drove to Wellington, arriving in early/mid afternoon. We were quite happy with most of the hotels you booked for us; many exceeded my expectations. Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier sits at the edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, and is just moments from one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions, the Franz Josef Glacier. Overall, we would definitely recommend Relaxing Journeys to others and will hopefully use them again for a future NZ trip! Highlights include a snow landing at the head of the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. url: "https://www.relaxingjourneys.co.nz/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php", Highlights include landing at the head of the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier and a snow or icefall landing. .off( 'click touchstart' ) After leaving Te Anau, you will journey 119km through the Fiordland National Park and out to Milford Sound on one of the most scenic roads you could hope for. A person 16 years and over (note a person 16–17 years must be accompanied by a person 18 years and over). The TranzAlpine is described as “The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure” and is rated as one of the top six scenic train journeys in the world – with accolades like those, you know it will be good. Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. Explore this astounding glacier on foot or from the air this morning (both optional). console.log("error"); All prices are per person, land only. 2 nights. essence magazine. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure and leisure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. See all of our great products from New Zealand and Australia. Our only feedback is that the standard of accommodation booked in Christchurch was of a lesser standard than other locations and was a bit disappointing. With 3 nights in Queenstown, you have plenty of time to tailor your holiday with our optional FLEXIBLE experiences on offer. Soak up the scenic wilderness of the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller Gorge and the Kahurangi National Park before arriving in Nelson. Taupo is also home to the spectacular Huka Falls, Taupo Bungy, DeBrett’s Thermal Pools and fantastic fishing on the Lake. Cook; it was long day but enjoyable. We liked the town and loved our hotel there, the Reef Resort. Along the way we stopped at the Pancake Rocks, which we thought were worthwhile. On arrival in Rotorua an orientation tour takes in views of Lake Rotorua. On the cruise back to Queenstown, join in a vintage sing-along or grab your partner for a dance across the polished wooden floors of the Earnslaw. Create your perfect New Zealand holiday that will last a lifetime. Travel through native rainforests, beech forests, alluvial flats and meadows. Subscribe to our newsletter and get a copy of our latest New Zealand holiday brochure. Leave New Zealand’s highest mountain behind today as you drive through Twizel and Omarama before heading up over the Lindis Pass – this is the area where gold was first discovered in the Central Otago region in 1861. Enjoy dinner while watching the thundering surf at your doorstep. You will have a stop at the Chasm, where the roaring Cleddau River has carved its way through solid rock, and then it’s on to Milford Sound, where you will cruise the waters of this natural wonder.