ESSENTIAL NEW ZEALAND

Day 1 Arrive in Auckland

After arriving in Auckland, transfer privately to The Sofitel for a two-night stay to relax after your long journey. The Sofitel is beautifully positioned on Viaduct Harbour, within easy reach of the neighbouring restaurants and bars which lend themselves perfectly to long lazy lunches. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, adjusting to the time zone and beginning to absorb the clean and invigorating New Zealand air.

Overnight: The Sofitel

Day 2 Exploring Auckland

You will have a full day free to explore the attractions of Auckland at your own leisure. Visit the SkyTower, which dominates the skyline and offers far reaching views out to the South Pacific Ocean. You may wish to explore the northern beaches with their long stretches of powder white sand, and check-out the markets that offer an array of goods from food to flowers, clothing, and hand-made jewellery. You could visit the war memorial, the beautiful Winter Gardens and stroll down waterfront walkways dotted with gleaming yachts

Option: Board a ferry to Waiheke Island, home to boutique wineries and its own unique micro-climate. Explore the vineyards with a guide and enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the best restaurants on the island.

Overnight: The Sofitel

Day 3 Self-Drive to Rotorua

Collect your hire car and drive three hours south to Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland. The city is home to fascinating Maori culture, bubbling geysers and some of the most spectacular thermal springs in New Zealand at Wai-O-Tapu (Sacred Waters). Check-in to the Black Swan, which sits on Rotorua’s lakefront with beautifully manicured lawns, rose gardens and its own private jetty. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: The Black Swan

Day 4 Rotorua

Meet your guide for a private tour of the geothermal complex of Wai-O-Tapu. This wonderland is a showcase of the country’s geothermal elements that have been beautifully sculpted by thousands of years of volcanic activity, some of which are living and breathing masterpieces. Lady Knox is induced to erupt daily, whilst the mud pools - the largest in New Zealand, and formed through the erosion of a mud volcano - are a wondrous sight. Return to The Black Swan this afternoon and enjoy some independent exploration or an afternoon to relax.

Overnight: The Black Swan

Day 5 Drive to Hawkes Bay

Your journey today takes you further south and across to Havelock North on the east coast, just 20 minutes by car by from the Art Deco city of Napier. The centre of Napier was destroyed in 1931 by a deadly earthquake but rose from the ashes some two years later with a cutting edge architectural trend. Today Art Deco still dominates this skyline and nowhere else in the world will you find such an immense collection of this incredible architecture in such a small space. Arriving in Hawke’s Bay region you will check in to Mangapapa Lodge. The lodge was built around 1885 and has just twelve luxury rooms, set within beautifully maintained landscaped gardens. Enjoy a game of tennis on the lawn court, an early morning swim in the pool or perhaps a relaxing treatment in the sanctuary spa.

Overnight: Mangapapa Lodge

Day 6 Exploring Napier

Today is free for you to explore the region independently. You could take the short drive to Napier to fully immerse yourself in the Art Deco architecture, or perhaps visit some of the region’s less-visited but excellent wineries. Back at the hotel you could hire a bike and set out on a gentle cycling tour of Hawke’s Bay.

Overnight: Mangapapa Lodge

Day 7 Martinborough

The last stage of your journey on the North Island takes you to the charming village of Martinborough. With colonial-style buildings, this photogenic town is surrounded by patchwork pastures and is within easy reach of world-class wineries and gourmet restaurants. With around 30 vineyards across the region, Martinborough sits in the Wairarapa Region and has plenty of well-oiled cellar doors that swing wide-open for tastings. Your home for the next two nights is the delightful Martinborough Hotel, which dates back to 1882 and enjoys a prime location in the heart of the village. Nods to the rich heritage of the hotel abound, from the faded photographs and historic sketches of local personalities that decorate the walls to the battered old suitcase of a gentleman traveller that sits pride of place at the top of the stairs.

Overnight: The Martinborough Hotel

Day 8 Cycling through Vineyards

Make your way to the centre of town to collect your bicycles, as this morning it is time to explore on two wheels. Cycle along flat country roads, calling in at vineyards and olive groves along the way, before you arrive at back in Martinborough for a delicious and well-earned lunch at the Tirohaha Estate. Return your bicycles after lunch and enjoy an afternoon relaxing in the serene hotel gardens.

Overnight: The Martinborough Hotel

Day 9 Sail to the South Island

After breakfast take the one-hour drive to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, to drop off your vehicle. Board the ferry and sail across the Cook Strait to Picton, which sits within the Marlborough Sounds at the tip of the South Island. As you gently sail into the port, you will pass forested hills that rise steeply from the water, and see a coastline of sheltered inlets and sandy bays. The scenery is truly spectacular. On arrival in Picton, collect your vehicle and make your way to Kaikoura, a leisurely drive of around two hours. The star attractions in Kaikoura are the mighty sperm whales, and this is one of the best places in the world to see them so close to shore. Some resident whales regularly swim close to the shoreline which makes viewing relatively easy, and - although sightings are never guaranteed - there is a 95% of sightings throughout the entire year. This afternoon you will check in to Kaikoura Boutique Hotel overlooking the historic waterfront.

Overnight: Kaikoura Boutique Hotel

Day 10 Whale Watching In Kaikoura

This morning make your way to the jetty and join a whale watching experience as part of a small group. Not only may you be fortunate enough to spot whales, but Kaikoura is also home to the resident dusky dolphin and they are plentiful just off the coast as they leap, flip and chase the boat. During the spring season of September to December, it is not uncommon to see whale calves swimming with their mothers, while in the autumn and winter months, pod sizes tend to be at their largest. Return to dry land and continue down the coast to the garden city of Christchurch, with its many cycle paths, botanical gardens, and historic buildings. Check-in to the George Hotel, a multi award-winning boutique hotel which overlooks Hagley Park.

Overnight: The George Hotel

Day 11 Scenic Train Journey Christchurch to Greymouth

This morning you will board the TranzAlpine Train and travel four hours from Christchurch through the majestic mountains before arriving in Greymouth on the West Coast. The train journey is widely known as one of the most scenic in the world with incredible views of the Southern Alps, alpine forest, and rolling pastures. On arrival in Greymouth, collect your hire car and make your way along the empty scenic roads to Westwood Lodge, with a journey time of around two hours. Westwood Lodge is within a stone’s throw of the World Heritage Westland National Park and it sits within a pristine forest reserve of streams, lakes and waterfalls.

Overnight: Westwood Lodge

Day 12 Heli Flight and Glacier Trekking Franz Josef

For the ultimate glacier adventure, this morning you will board a helicopter up to Franz Josef for a guided two-hour hike. Wearing crampons and glacier boots you will be able to access a section of the eight-mile long glacier to explore ice caves and pinnacles, with members of the team who have been exploring this glacier since 1990. The hike will take around 90 minutes, after which you will fly back to base to continue the rest of your journey on to Queenstown. On arrival in Queesntown, check-in to Browns Boutique and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Overnight: Browns Boutique Hotel

Day 13 Exploring Queenstown

Today is free for you to explore Queenstown at your own leisure. This compact town with a spectacular backdrop is known as the country's adventure capital with many exhilarating activities on offer, ranging from bungee jumping, to jet boats, hiking to riding, and - if you're feeling incredibly adventurous - skydiving. You might decide to visit Wanaka, a delightful town that sits on the lake of the same name and is perfect for sailing and kayaking, or perhaps enjoy a long lunch at one of the many boutique wineries in the region.

Overnight: Browns Boutique Hotel

Day 14 Queenstown Jet Boat Adventure

After breakfast, make your way to the wharf for your jet boat adventure. This incredibly exciting shallow-water jet boat expedition weaves in and out of glacier-fed inlets all the way from Queenstown to Lake Wakatipu, along the Dart River Valley and Mount Aspiring National Park, eventually reaching Glenorchy. Experience breath-taking scenery and Maori Heritage before you return to Queenstown on a shared transfer. The rest of the day is at leisure

Overnight: Browns Boutique Hotel

Day 15 Free Time in Queenstown

Enjoy a final day in Queenstown, free to explore the region independently or arrange further adventurous pursuits. Rise early to see the sunrise at Queenstown Hill, and then take an exhilarating ride on the Queenstown Luge. Ascend to the hilltops on the gondola, explore on bicycles or perhaps use the full day to tackle the Ben Lomond hike,a six-hour trek through pristine scenery where your reward is panoramic views over Queenstown and out to the surrounding mountain ranges. For a special treat this evening dine at Rata, a restaurant that is adored by locals for its Michelin-starred cuisine and an incredible wine list to match.

Option. Board a scenic flight to Milford Sound as you fly over the highest peaks located in Fiordland as well as its world-famous glaciers. Enjoy lunch and a gentle afternoon cruise on Milford Sound before flying back to Queenstown.

Overnight: Browns Boutique Hotel

Day 16 Fly Home

Make your way to the airport to drop off your vehicle in time for your flight home.