Featuring the best of the North and South Islands.
Kia Ora is the way New Zealanders say “G’Day.” In the Maori language it literally means “Be Well” or “Be Healthy.” It’s easy to find health in such a beautifully natural country. This will be Sports Leisure’s first exclusive visit to New Zealand and we are taking it all in at a moderate pace with four two-night stays along the way.
- Explore history at the Olveston House, Larnach Castle and the New Zealand National Museum – Te Papa
- Beauty abounds at Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens, Paradise Valley Springs, and on cruises on Millford Sound and Lake Wakatipu
- Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and experience a TranzAlpine Rail Journey
- Skyline Gondola and Luge Rides
- City sights tour of Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington, and Auckland
- Air to Christchurch/from Auckland from San Francisco
- First class hotel accommodations including (4) two-night stays
- 30 meals (16FB, 1L, 13D) including 4 specialty dinners: Maori Hangi and Concert in Rotorua, Haggis Ceremony in Dunedin, Walter Peak Homestead in Queenstown, and a special Farewell Dinner in Auckland.
This vacation requires a valid passport!
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Day 1-2
Begin your journey with door-to-door service and transfer via SuperCoach III to San Francisco International Airport. Board your Air New Zealand flight and cross the international dateline (losing a day) en route.
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Day 3
After a quick connection in Auckland, continue to Christchurch and meet your local guide.
- Heartland Hotel Cotswold or The Elms Hotel
- Dinner is included this day.
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Day 4
Explore the country’s largest city on the South Island with a city tour. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy optional flightseeing over the Southern Alps before travelling to Omarama.
- Heritage Gateway Hotel
- Full breakfast and dinner are included this day.
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Day 5
Discover Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru. In Dunedin, a well-preserved Victorian city, visit Olveston House. Tonight it’s a Scottish evening of bagpipes, great food, and a special Haggis Ceremony.
- Mercure Leisure Lodge
- Full breakfast and dinner are included this day.
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Day 6
Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of its tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Visit Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens and view the superb collection of flowers, followed by morning tea. Travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. A visit to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves is optional this evening.
- Distinction Luxmore Hotel
- Full breakfast and dinner are included this day.
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Day 7
A fascinating drive to Milford Sound delivers you to a cruise on this magnificent fjord. See spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch. Your hotel for the next two nights is in Queenstown, overlooking Lake Wakatipu.
- Mercure Queenstown Resort - 2 nights
- Full breakfast and lunch are included this day.
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Day 8
Explore Queenstown at your leisure today. Optional activities include a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon, or the helicopter ride of a lifetime. This evening, board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across the lake to Walter Peak Station for dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead.
- Full breakfast and dinner are included this day.
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Day 9
Arrowtown, an old gold mining village, is home to the Lakes District Museum. En route to the mighty West Coast, see the snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel to Fox Glacier. Time is available to experience another optional scenic flight over this spectacular area.
- Heartland Hotel Glacier Country
- Full breakfast and dinner are included this day.
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Day 10
Continue into Arthur’s Pass and board The TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to the elegant city of Christchurch.
- Sudima Hotel Christchurch
- Full breakfast and dinner are included this day.
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Day 11
The fishing village of Kaikoura and Marlborough County are famous for their spectacular scenery and their food and wine. In Picton, board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.
- Hotel Ibis Wellington - 2 nights
- Full breakfast and dinner are included this day.
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Day 12
Discover the fascinating history and culture in New Zealand’s capital of Wellington. A highlight will be a guided tour of Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, with exhibits that embrace both Maori and European views of the land, environment, and people. Enjoy free time this afternoon to explore the city.
- Full breakfast is included this day.
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Day 13
Leaving Wellington, view the snowcapped peaks of Mt. Ruapehu and Mt. Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua.
- Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua - 2 nights
- Full breakfast and dinner are included this day.
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Day 14
Today begins with a gondola ride to Skyrides Restaurant where breakfast and spectacular views are offered. At the Agrodome, see performing sheep, a shearing display, and sheep dog trial. Of course, there is time to see the boiling mud pools and the awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. Tonight a Maori Hangi and Concert.
- Full breakfast and dinner are included this day.
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Day 15
In Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands, enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.
- Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge - 2 nights
- Full breakfast and dinner are included this day.
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Day 16
A luxury catamaran delivers you to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Keep an eye out for dolphins before returning to Paihia for a free afternoon.
- Full breakfast and dinner are included this day.
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Day 17
Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour.
- Copthorne Hotel Auckland City – 2 nights
- Full breakfast and dinner are included this day.
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Day 18
As you near the end of your New Zealand holiday, enjoy a day at leisure in this cosmopolitan city. Discover Auckland’s War Memorial, tour the botanical gardens, or see the city from high atop Auckland’s SkyTower. Your guide will be able to assist you.
- Full breakfast is included this day.
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Day 19
Transfer to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. Arrive back in California in the late afternoon on the same day you depart New Zealand.
- Full breakfast is included this day.
Oktoberfest and Thanksgiving in Canada
A wonderful new tour featuring a Canadian holiday and a brief visit to Niagara Falls.
A wonderfully creative new tour that brings together two traditional celebrations,Oktoberfest and Thanksgiving,along with a stop at Niagara Falls. You see, in Canada,Thanksgiving is celebrated on the 2nd Monday in October (Columbus Day in the states).It also happens to be fall color season,with the leaves depending of course on the weather.But we just couldn’t resist this exciting “just-north-of-the border” triple-combination.
Roses and Rose-Colored Glass in Victoria and Tacoma
This two-nation vacation features the best of the Pacific Northwest.
St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland
Explore the Emerald Isle during its most jubilant holiday season
19 Days
Your trip includes all accommodations, airfare from Sacramento*, all listed activities and the services of a Sports Leisure Tour Director
*If applicable. Not traveling from Sacramento? Not a problem, just give us a call.
(951) 361 - 2051
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