16 Day Escorted tour of beautiful
NEW ZEALAND
March 6th to 22nd, 2007
Cad $2990.00
per person, double occ.
Cad $800.00 single supplement.
Sorry, no triple rooms available.
We invite you to compare the cost of this comprehensive
tour to others on the market and you will see that we have
the BEST VALUE available!
Our price includes the following highlights:
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Escorted in New Zealand by James Voorend (owner of The Vacation Station and a native
New Zealander, see below)*.
Accommodation on a twin/double basis in First Class hotel properties with private facilities
for 15 nights.
Three or four course Table d’hote/buffet dinners each evening (13 dinners)
Cooked breakfast each morning (15 breakfasts)
Specialty Dinners: Authentic Maori Hangi and concert – Rotorua, TSS Earnslaw Cruise
and Dinner in the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak Sheep Station – Queenstown.
Prepaid Admission to:
Skytower
Agrodome
Rainbow Springs
Te Puia for the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve
Skyline Gondola and Luge Ride
Montana Winery – Tour and Tasting
International Antarctic Centre
Christchurch Tram
Traditional Haggis Ceremony, including gift
Olveston House
Milford Sound Launch Cruise
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Te Anau Glow Worm Caves
Inter-islander Ferry from Wellington to Picton
Coach transportation throughout in luxurious, air-conditioned touring coaches.
Meet and greet on arrival and farewell departure.
One arrival and one departure transfer.
Tour bag and wallet.
Services of a professional Coach Captain.
Not Included
 Airfares including taxes and levies (see below)
 Meals except those specified above.
 New Zealand airport departure taxes, passport and visa fees, travel insurance
 Items of a personal nature
This tour package is exclusively sold by:
Ph. (705) 949 1710 Sault Ste. Marie or
Ph. 1-866-648 7757 Ancaster
james@thevacationstation.com
www.thevacationstation.com
Day by Day Itinerary
COMMENCING AUCKLAND and CONCLUDING CHRISTCHURCH
TOUR MEAL PLAN :
Dinner (D)
Breakfast (B)
Room Only (R)
Specialty Dinner regardless of meal plan (S)
DAY 1
- ARRIVE AUCKLAND
(D)
Welcome to New Zealand! After clearing Customs and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
(MAF) at Auckland International Airport please go straight into the main hall. Our Kirra Tours
Representative will arrange transportation to your hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner at the
Fortuna Restaurant at Skycity. Overnight accommodation is at Rydges Auckland Hotel.
Auckland Skyline
DAY 2
- AUCKLAND/ROTORUA
(B,D)
This morning is at leisure, familiarise yourself with New Zealand's largest and most
cosmopolitan city. The downtown area is a comfortable walk away or the nearby museum is
well worth visiting. Your tour commences at 1130 (Please be ready in the foyer at 1115 ) with a
city tour visiting the summit of Skytower, at 328metres the tallest building in the Southern
Hemisphere, for panoramic views across the city and its two harbours, the Domain, the city area,
the Waterfront Drive with its numerous yacht marinas and nearby residential suburbs. Follow
the motorway across the Bombay Hills to the lush farmlands of the Waikato Region noted
particularly for its dairy farming and internationally recognised horse studs. Cross the bush clad
Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua, centre of Maori culture for the region and a thermal wonderland.
Accommodation is at Lake Plaza Hotel (2 nights).
Pohutu Geyser
Lake Plaza Hotel
DAY 3
– ROTORUA
(B,S)
A sightseeing tour encompasses the cultural and scenic highlights of the area. Visit the
Agrodome to see a display featuring New Zealand’s various sheep breeds and a sheep shearing
demonstration. Whilst at the Agrodome, be sure to visit the Bliss Confectionery factory & shop
for a complimentary treat and tempting sweet delights. Stroll through Rainbow Springs Park
and see pools of rainbow and brown trout and native birds including the Kiwi. Take the
spectacular Skyline Skyride for superb views over city, lake and mountains and for those
wanting just a little excitement try a Luge ride with our compliments - enjoy the thrill. At the
completion of the tour (mid afternoon) there will be time for optional activities:-shopping, trout
fishing or a dip in a thermal pool. This evening you will enjoy a Maori hangi (meal) which will
include a selection of traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus more conventional dishes,
followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka.
Maori Haka
DAY 4
- ROTORUA/TAUPO/NAPIER/HASTINGS
(B,D)
This morning visit Te Puia for the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, the Maori Arts and
Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve with its boiling mud, silica terraces and famous Pohutu
Geyser. After departure from Rotorua we skirt some of the worlds largest man made pine forest
to Wairakei where natural steam is harnessed to generate electricity and on to view the mighty
Huka Falls where the full force of the Waikato River pours through a narrow chasm. Pause at
Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand and world famous for its trout fishing. Continue
across the Central Plateau noted for its intensive forestry development to the Hawkes Bay region
and the city of Napier claimed to be the art deco capital of the world. First stop is at the
Hawkes Bay Museum (included), learn about the devastating 1931 earthquake that destroyed so
much of the city and led to the distinctive Art-Deco building style for which Napier is now so
famous. Learn of the regions history, early settlers, arts and heritage before exploring the city on
your own. Follow our abbreviated Art Deco Tour around the inner city area to see close up
many of its unique buildings and don’t forget a walk along the foreshore to enjoy the spectacular
ocean views – highly recommended. Later, a few minutes drive has us at our overnight
accommodation in Hastings. Overnight accommodation is at Angus Hotel.
Huka Falls
Angus Hotel
DAY 5
- HASTINGS/WELLINGTON
(B,D)
Orchards and vineyards give way to lush farmlands as you pass through Hastings and across the
northern Wairarapa Region to Dannevirke and Woodville for an early afternoon arrival in New
Zealand's Capital City, Wellington. An extensive city tour will include the summit of Mount
Victoria for spectacular views over the city and its magnificent Harbour. See the Houses of
Parliament dominated by the distinctive "Beehive", Wellington Cathedral, the central city and
business area and Oriental Bay. There is ample opportunity to also explore the city yourselves
and if you wish take a ride on the famous Cable Car, but be sure not to miss Te Papa, the
“Museum of New Zealand”. Overnight accommodation is at Bay Plaza Hotel.
Te Mata Estate, Hastings
DAY 6
- WELLINGTON/PICTON/BLENHEIM
(B,D)
Join the Interislander Ferry for a scenic cruise to the South Island with views of the City and
its hillside suburbs. Cross Cook Strait into the sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound, bush
clad hillsides remote bays and isolated holiday homes. In Picton, you are welcomed by your
South Island Coach Captain. Explore Picton then drive to Blenheim for an afternoon’s
sightseeing. A visit to the Montana Winery for a complimentary tasting and afternoon tea.
Your overnight accommodation will be at the Blenheim Country Lodge Hotel.
Wellington Tram
DAY 7
Inter-islander Ferry
- BLENHEIM/KAIKOURA/CHRISTCHURCH
(B,D)
Past Lake Grassmere then follow the coastline to Kaikoura, an area noted for whale watching.
Over the Hundalee Ranges and onto the Canterbury Plains to the Garden City of Christchurch.
Visit the International Antarctic Centre before a city tour highlighting a strong English
influence. See the parklands and River Avon before boarding the Tourist Tram for a circuit of
the city centre which showcases all the main points of interest. Your overnight accommodation
will be at the Pavilions Hotel.
Punting on the Avon
DAY 8
Cathedral Square
- CHRISTCHURCH/MT COOK/OMARAMA
(B,D)
Depart Christchurch across the broad expanse of the Canterbury Plains with the snow capped
peaks of the Southern Alps to the west. Enter the foothills near Geraldine, ascend Burkes Pass
into the barren Mackenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd dedicated to the
early pioneers of the region and the Collie Dog memorial overlooking the milky blue waters of
Lake Tekapo. Time also for a spectacular flight over the Southern Alps, lakes and glaciers with
Air Safaris (optional) before continuing your journey into the Mt Cook National Park. A stop at
the Mt Cook Alpine Village allows time to enjoy the scenic majesty of New Zealand’s highest
snow capped peaks before travelling on around the shores of Lake Pukaki to the town of Twizel
and onto Omarama. Overnight accommodation is at Heritage Gateway Hotel.
The road to Mt. Cook
DAY 9
- OMARAMA/DUNEDIN
(B,D)
Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin - the
“Scottish” city. An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a
Monarch harbour cruise or Newton’s Citibus tour to see the albatross, penguins and seals. Enjoy
the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train excursion or just explore the city only a few minutes
walk away. This evening prior to dinner, you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis
Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift.
Your overnight
accommodation will be at the Cargills Hotel.
Albatross Sanctuary
Yellow Eyed Penguins
DAY 10
- DUNEDIN/LAKE MANAPOURI/TE ANAU
(B,D)
Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich, rolling farmlands to the agricultural towns of
Gore and Lumsden, to reach picturesque Lake Manapouri with its backdrop of rugged bushclad
mountains before arriving at the shores of Lake Te Anau. Accommodation is at Fiordland
National Park Hotel for
2 nights.
DAY 11
- MILFORD SOUND DAY TRIP
(B,D)
A highlight of any tour. Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys where the beech forests
reach right to the roads edge and mighty snow capped peaks tower above, pass the Homer
Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound dominated by
Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you right to the open sea and shows such highlights as the
Bowen and Stirling Falls. Ample time this afternoon to relax and really appreciate your
surroundings, take a short walk into the rainforest to visit The Chasm, a spectacular waterfall
then pause at the entrance to the Homer Tunnel. If time and conditions permit your Coach
Captain may make a short drive into the Hollyford Valley before returning to Te Anau later in
the afternoon.
Milford Sound
DAY 12
- TE ANAU/QUEENSTOWN
(B,S)
Cruise across Lake Te Anau to explore the underground world of rushing water and drift
beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glow worms, an unforgettable sight. This
afternoon drive north to Kingston and around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to picturesque
Queenstown. This evening, cruise across the lake aboard the steamship Earnslaw for dinner in
the Colonel's Homestead at Walter Peak Sheep Station. Accommodation is at Rydges Hotel
( 2nights).
Earnslaw on Lake Wakitipu
Walter Peak Station
DAY 13
– QUEENSTOWN
(B,D)
A day to explore the many delights of this alpine resort at your leisure. Your Coach Captain will
happily advise on the many optional sightseeing and recreational activities available to you. We
recommend the world famous Shotover Jet Boat ride, take a Gondola ride to the Skyline high
above, a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon, or for the adventurous - white water
rafting. Alternatively browse in the many shops and galleries - the choice is yours.
Shotover River
DAY 14
- QUEENSTOWN/HAAST PASS/FOX GLACIER
(B,D)
Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early
settlement and the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lake’s edge
with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake
Wanaka to Makarora and into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the
coast to the glacier region. Explore the township or take the optional guided walk to the
glacier’s terminal face (daylight hours permitting). Your overnight accommodation is at the Fox
Glacier Hotel.
Fox Glacier
Optional helicopter tour
DAY 15
- FOX GLACIER/CHRISTCHURCH
(B,D)
Time this morning for an optional helicopter flight over the glaciers, then travel north passing
tiny lakes and farming settlements. Stop at Greymouth for a visit to a Greenstone (Jade) factory
to see craftsmen cutting and polishing giant boulders to create fine jewellery. An interpretive
tour will cover the history, mining and crafting of jade. We board the world famous Tranz
Alpine Railway and cross the Otira Gorge and Arthurs Pass, which traverses the Southern Alps,
to the Canterbury Plains and into Christchurch. Overnight accommodation is at the Pavilions
Hotel.
Pavilions Hotel
Tranz-Alpine Express
DAY 16
- CHRISTCHURCH/HOME
(B)
Today it is goodbye to your new-found friends. You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport
in ample time to join your flight.
* Escort
Your tour is escorted the entire time by a local New Zealander who acts as your Coach Captain.
In addition, should the group number 20 or more persons, your tour will also be escorted by
James Voorend, owner of The Vacation Station and also a native New Zealander.
Deposit
A non-refundable deposit of $100.00 per person is required to confirm your seat on this tour. Air
tickets require full payment at time of issuing.
Final Payment
Due 45 days prior to departure.
Cancellation
Cancellations within 45 days of departure are subject to the following charges:
45 - 31 days prior to departure – 50% of total cost
30 – 0 days prior to departure – 100% of total cost
Cancelled air tickets will incur additional costs depending on ticket type, ie. Seat Sale.
Cancellation Insurance
A comprehensive Medical, Cancellation and Interruption policy to cover this tour is available as
follows.
0 to 59 years of age - $210.00
60 to 64 years of age - $267.00
65 to 69 years of age - $306.00
70 to 74 years of age - $515.00
This includes coverage of the tour amount prior to departure; coverage for personal property up
to $1000.00; flight accident insurance of $90,000; travel accident insurance of $40,000; and
unlimited interruption coverage for an emergency return flight. Unlimited emergency medical
costs are also covered. Contact The Vacation Station for details and exclusions.
Cancellation insurance must be purchased at time of deposit.
Flights
The Vacation Station has access to excellent airfares from all departure points in North America.
Contact us for a quote. Sample fares are:
Vancouver departure = Cad $1750.00
Toronto departure = Cad $2250.00
Sault Ste Marie departure = Cad $2350.00
Ottawa / Montreal departure = Cad $2350.00
New York / Miami / Boston departure = US$1695.00
Detroit departure = US$1550.00
Chicago departure = US$1495.00
LA /San Francisco departure = US$1295.00
Stopovers may be arranged enroute to one of the following destinations:
Tahiti, Fiji, Cook Islands, Los Angeles, Hawaii, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Kuala
Lumpur.