OCTOBER 2020

Day 1:   Auckland–Tauranga—Rotorua  (D)

Sunday 11:                                            

This morning we join our coach and fellow travellers as we head out through lush farmlands to Tauranga for our lunch stop.  Then continue on to the north island        adventure capital & thermal wonderland,  Rotorua.   On arrival we will visit Rainbow Springs set amongst flourishing native forest and natural springs, you’ll see and learn all about the wonderful wildlife, ecological history and cultural stories.  Our overnight stay this evening is at the 4.5* Novotel Lakeside Rotorua Hotel.  Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.

Day 2: Rotorua—Napier  (B  SD)

Monday 12:

After breakfast we’ll coach through to Napier for our 2 night stop. Enroute we will visit one of New Zealand’s finest woodland gardens—Trenniloe Park Gardens.  The park’s 30 acres has an exceptionally wide and varied collection of trees, shrubs, perennials & natives. Landscaped woodland paths, wide sweeps of lawns, clipped hedges, hillsides of flowering trees and spectacular vistas.  There are many unusual and rare trees and shrubs.  The Mexican hand flower tree flourishes in the  garden along with a tree sized hydrangea from Indo ­china, a yellow flowered hydrangea from Yunnan.   It’s then onto the Art Deco precinct of Napier for our 2 night stay at the Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel.  This evening we will enjoy a dinner at well known Mission Estate Winery.

Day 3: Napier      (B AT D)

Tuesday 13:

This morning we will enjoy an Art Deco Tour like no other.   We’ll join the Hawkes Bay Express. In all her custom designed splendour, with velvet covered cushioned seats, generously spacious carriages for comfort, truly tall windows tempting you to admire the abundant  decorative details of the city’s rich period architecture.  The Express will take you on your journey in style.  This modern road train feels every bit like an old-fashioned steam engine, with the romantic atmosphere straight out of the opulent Art Deco era. Enjoy a lively commentary from our local Tour Guide bringing Napier’s rich history alive.  Time for a bite of lunch in the city (own expense) before rejoining our coach to head to Havelock North where we will enjoy the sights and a visit to the Birdswood Gardens.  There is a  gallery,  sculpture garden and  a  water feature inhabited by ducks and gold fish, a real fruit ice-cream shop & a much loved old fashioned  Sweet shop.  The Gallery’s home is the original church hall from St Peter’s in Waipawa built in 1894 and is housed in the loveliest of settings where we will enjoy a delightful afternoon tea before returning to our hotel.

Day 4 : Napier—Taupo   (BLD)

Wednesday 14:

Leaving Napier this morning, we’ll enjoy some fantastic scenery on our way to Taupo.  There’s a bit of everything—rugged hills,  beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas. On arrival we’ll drive through picturesque Acacia Bay, a popular spot for holiday homes which overlook the pristine lake.

Heading to the jetty we join Chris Jolly cruises for  a cruise of the Lake.  They will take us out to the  Maori Carvings and explain the origins (watch out for the duck who comes to take bread from us on the way out!!).  We will enjoy a light  lunch on the lake before arriving at our 4* luxury hotel on the shores of Lake Taupo Millennium Resorts Manuel’s Taupo.  Time to relax before joining your Tour Manager for dinner a the hotel.  Check out the stunning sunset from the picture windows in the bar!

Day 5: Taupo         (BLD)

Thursday 15:

After breakfast we’ll enjoy the sights of Taupo along with a visit to the Taupo Museum where we visit the “100% Pure New Zealand Ora   Garden of Wellbeing.” This garden was the  winner in 2004 of a coveted Chelsea Garden show gold medal. This was re-created at the Taupo Museum during the spring of 2007 and   Taupo Museum was delighted to be accorded a Garden of National Significance in 2008.  It’s then on to the mighty Huka Falls. The unique blue colour of the water in the  Falls and Waikato  River is due to the clear water reflecting blue light.   Huka means “Foam” in Maori and we can see why they named it as the foam rises up with the volume and  pressure of the water as it falls into the Waikato.

Our next visit is to the Lava Glass & the Glassblowing Studio, Sculpture Garden and Art Gallery.   Here we can watch the artists with their incredible glass blowing techniques and peruse the shop for something that might take our fancy.  Set in an acre of manicured grounds lie more than 500 glass sculptures. The board walk takes you on a 400m amble around ponds, through fields of glass flowers… or you can just sit and enjoy the water tumbling down the 15 piece waterfall. The glass sculptures have been created by Lynden Over and his team The   pieces are the biggest pieces of glass ever blown in New  Zealand and are a colourful  delight.  We will then enjoy a light lunch in the café before returning to our  hotel.  Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.

Day 6 : Taupo—Tauranga—Auckland         (B)

Friday 16:

Homeward bound today as we make our return journey to Auckland.  We’ll make a stop in Tauranga and then on via  Martha’s Mine in Waihi before arriving back into Auckland late afternoon.  On arrival we will be transferred back to our home addresses.

 

LOOK WHATS INCLUDED!!!

• Quality coach from Auckland/Tauranga
• Quality accommodation at:

              4* Novotel Lakeside Hotel Rotorua,

              4* Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel Napier,           

             4* Millennium Resorts Manuels Taupo,           

          All in twin rooms with private facilities 

• Breakfasts & Dinners daily
• All sightseeing as detailed on the itinerary
• Wine Tasting and Dinner at Mission Estate Winery
• Hawkes Bay Express Art Deco Tour
• Visit and Afternoon Tea at Birdswood Garden
• Cruise on Lake Taupo including light lunch
• Visit to Lava Glass Blowing Sculpture Garden & Art Gallery including light lunch
• Services of a Tour Manager from Auckland back to Auckland (subject to numbers)
• FREE home pick up and return in the greater Auckland or Tauranga areas. (conditions apply)

 

NO !!!  SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT

A limited number of single rooms are available at no extra charge.

 

DEPOSIT:

A deposit of $500 per person is payable to hold a seat on the tour with the balance payable 11 September 2020.

 

LOYALTY DISCOUNT:

Previous travellers receive a $40 discount off the brochure price (not combinable with any other offers)

 

INSURANCE:

We strongly suggest you take out domestic cancellation insurance to cover for cancellation due to illness etc.  Please phone us for further details.

 

CANCELLATION CHARGES:

Deposit:  Fully refundable up to 11 Sept 2020

12 Sept—11 Oct 2020: 100% of tour cost.

 

Travelling ex WELLINGTON or  CHRISTCHURCH

Departs 10 October

7 Days $2550 per person

Includes return airfares, pre tour overnight accommodation in Auckland including breakfast, sightseeing etc

 

Please note that if the tour is cancelled due to any Government regulations

we will refund all monies received back from our suppliers so you can book with confidence.

 

Tour is subject to normal booking conditions of Supreme Tours & Travel Ltd