New! Welcome to our gourmet wine trails of New Zealand. They offer New Zealand self drive rental cars and a choice of hotel or B&B accommodation.

New Zealand food and wine is world class and what better way to experience New Zealand than meandering through valleys and plains swathed in vineyards. These New Zealand wine tours are designed for independent travellers and can easily be customised to suit your taste buds.

15 Day New Zealand - Gourmet Wine Experience Departs daily Self Drive am pick up vehicle in Auckland pm drop off vehicle in Christchurch Number of days 15 Tour code GW07

Day 1 Auckland – Matakana Wine and Lunch Tour full day Auckland wine trail guided tour north of Auckland to the Matakana region, small boutique wineries, estate grown, handcrafted wines visit 4 wineries chat to the cheesemakers at Puhoi vineyard restaurant lunch (included) honey centre or pottery Evening dining Suggestions: fine dining by the harbour along Tamaki Drive to Mission Bay plenty of great dining options at Viaduct Basin and Princes Wharf by the harbour  Day 2 Auckland – Rotorua - Taupo (314km) start early for the drive south through the Waikato farmlands and rolling hills to Rotorua suggested lunch stop at Rotorua, heartland of Maori culture, geothermal activity and bush-fringed lake destination is the lakeside resort of Taupo on the shores of NZ’s largest lake Suggestions: for lunch in Rotorua, Capers Epicurean or Lime Cafetaria take the short detour to see Huka Falls just before you arrive in Taupo visit the Prawn Farm at Taupo, lunch at Prawn Farm Restaurant dine amongst the vineyards for dinner (included), first class wine-matched menu, panoramic views  Day 3 Taupo – Napier (143km) ocean views of Hawke’s Bay, land and sea intermingle home to NZ’s oldest operating winery, now the region has a big reputation for superior quality reds Suggestions: enjoy the art deco architecture of Napier on a self-guided walking tour stroll Marine Parade for Pacific Ocean views visit local galleries and cafes dinner at the Take Five Restaurant and Jazz Bar visit the old woolstores at West Quay and Nelson Quay for dining options such as Shed 2, The Thirsty Whale, Gin Trap, Speights Ale House  Day 4 Napier morning at leisure relaxing afternoon vineyard tour with Vicky – “the consummate tour guide”, visit 4 of the Hawke’s Bay’s top billing vineyards (tasting fee may apply) experience the best of the Wine Country Suggestions: visit the Silky Oak Chocolate Company Casa Lavanda, café in the lavender fields nearby Hastings (open Nov-May) luxuriate at Urban Retreat at Elaine’s of Hastings for massage and spa packages Twilight Odyssey progressive dinner experience – visit several wineries for interactive wine tasting, boutique beer sampling and dining culinary delights 3 course dinner  Day 5 Napier - Martinborough (288km) destination is Martinborough for great wine combined with historic villages stop at Greytown for boutiques and Victoria charm wine village of Martinborough surrounded by vineyards pinot noir is one of the region’s specialties Suggestions: Martinborough Wine Centre for information about local wineries, lunch at The Village Café rent a bike and cycle around the vineyards  Day 6 Martinborough – Wellington (76km) visit the wineries of your choice using your local Wine Guide short afternoon drive via the Hutt Valley to Wellington, Capital City of arts, culture and cafes Suggestions: drive to Cape Palliser Lighthouse for rugged coastal views food, wine and cocktails at funky Cuba Street Lambton Quay, Old Bank Shopping Arcade, Customhouse Quay for boutique New Zealand fashion  Day 7 Wellington – Picton – Blenheim (ferry + 29km) morning ferry cruise across Cook Strait and through bush-clad Marlborough Sounds to Picton short drive through bush-clad hills to Blenheim, heart of the Marlborough wine region Suggestions: visit Makana Boutique Chocolate Factory – the ultimate chocolate experience elegant dining at Vintners Retreat vineyard restaurant  Day 8 Marlborough Wineries half day guided Marlborough wine tour, visiting some of the top vineyards of this premier growing region. Suggestions: Herzog Winery and Restaurant taste quality schnapps, premium brandies and unique infused oils and vinaigrette at Prenzel at Mud House Village  Day 9 Blenheim – Franz Josef (486km) from wine country of the Wairau Valley to glacier country of the southern West Coast lush rainforests, rugged Southern Alps, mirror lakes spectacular frozen Franz Josef Glacier from alps to rainforest Suggestions: great coffee at Rata Café at Barrytown for awesome views over the Tasman Sea The Gold Room studio and gallery at Hokitika The Alice May for hearty pub fare, Guinness on tap  Day 10 Franz Josef – Cromwell (342km) Westland National Park to the Mount Aspiring National Park ocean views from Knights Point graceful Lakes Hawea and Wanaka destination Cromwell, near the Bannockburn wine region Suggestions: 90 minute Haast River Safari by jetboat through heart of World Heritage Area  Day 11 Bannockburn Half Day Wine Tour depart mid morning, visit The Big Picture for Aroma Room, movie tour and platter lunch visit 2 wineries with tastings, Prenzels in the Alps historic Old Cromwell Town for art, crafts and deli food Suggestions: take a pontoon cruise on the mighty Clutha River, historic mining sites - visit Stonehouse at Alexandra for gourmet fruit pickles, sauces, chutneys and fruit preserves  Day 12 Cromwell – Queenstown (62km) vines cling to the rocky slopes of the Kawarau Gorge, graceful Lake Hayes Queenstown on the lake Suggestions: lunch at historic Arrowtown – hunt out Joe’s Garage cafe to meet the locals – explore the lanes and cafes Amisfield Winery Bistro for spectacular views of Lake Hayes cafes on Steamer Wharf on the waterfront fine dining in rural locations at Gantleys and Roaring Megs  Day 13 Queenstown Afternoon Wine Tour morning at leisure fun and informative, guided afternoon wine tour tastings at 4 wineries, underground wine cave tour rugged Central Otago landscape, rivers, hills, mountains Suggestions: morning of retail therapy in Queenstown Village, local art galleries, jewellery and fashion spectacular lake and mountain views from the Skyline Restaurant (access by aerial cablecar) spectacular helicopter flight (perhaps to Milford Sound), with glacier landing  Day 14 Queenstown – Christchurch (486 km) last chance to purchase local Central Otago fruit at the fruit stalls around Cromwell pristine alpine lakes and wild high country plateau desert rural towns of Fairlie and Geraldine Suggestions: call in at the salmon farm at Lake Ruataniwha visit The Berry Barn Bakery and Barkers Shop in Geraldine for oven-fresh treats and tastings of local jams and chutneys numerous casual dining options along “The Strip” on the banks of the River Avon cafes and cuisine on trendy Victoria Street  Day 15 Waipara Wine Region Afternoon Tour visit some of the premier vineyards of the Waipara Valley region, with pinot noir, riesling, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc dominating local plantings 4 award-winning wineries, wine tastings, winery lunch platter and informative commentary Suggestions: dine by the waterfront at Sumner seaside suburb dining and entertainment at boutique Christchurch Casino

These itineraries have been created with due diligence, care and fun, however the seasonality of wine growing may result in some seasonal changes. These, if any, will be advised at the time of booking Itineraries can be travelled in reverse, with some modifications.

Price (per person) Tour Code GW07   Hotel B&B Self Drive - small Share Twin $3110 $3124   Single $5321 $5351 Self Drive - medium Share Twin $3185 $3199   Single $5472 $5501 Self Drive - large Share Twin $3321 $3336   Single $5745 $5774 Prices include 12.5% GST, and are valid until 30 September 2009 Includes: 14 nights accommodation as selected, room only or with breakfast if B&B chosen 14 days' rental car as selected with unlimited kms and insurance (Excess $2925. Excess waiver $27 /day reduces it to $270) Matakana Wine and Lunch Tour, Auckland Afternoon Vineyard Tour, Napier Ferry crossing Wellington/Picton Montana Brancott Estate Wine Tour Marlborough half day wine tour Afternoon wine tour, Queenstown Afternoon wine tour, Waipara region

Accommodation We have carefully selected 3 ½ - 4 star hotels and good quality bed and breakfast hotels/homestays in the cities, towns and resorts visited in our gourmet wine experiences. Guest rooms have private ensuite bathroom, tea/coffee facilities. Hotels have full restaurant and bar services. Further Accommodation details are available on request.