Kia Ora! Good Health!

From the moment that your plane circles over Auckland, you’ll understand the compelling attraction that everyone feels for this captivating country where “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy was filmed; with its primeval rainforests, snow-capped mountains, intriguing Maori culture, Southern Hemisphere sophistication, expansive rivers, abundant wildlife and world-class wineries.

You know in your heart that you’ve always wanted to go.        Maybe… now’s the time

Join us, Todd and Pattie (Mullane) Vogel as we lead this extraordinary journey to our favorite places in that other “land-down-under”.

We’ll start our journey in the City of Sails, Auckland, before marveling at the natural beauty of the Bay of Islands, and the birthplace of modern NZ, Waitangi.  We’ll enjoy the tiny hamlets of Opononi and Omapere on sparkling Hokianga Harbor before continuing our journey to the Waipoua Kauri Forest and “Tane Mahuta”, the ancient Maori’s "God of the Forest" (the largest Kauri tree in existence). We’ll see the intriguing Matakohe Kauri Museum, the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, the fascinating glowworm caves at Waitomo, and infrequently-visited Napier, the centerpiece of Art Deco in NZ.

We’ll continue thru Wanganui and on to NZ’s Victorian capital, Wellington where we’ll visit author Katherine Mansfield’s home and the magnificent new National Museum, Te Papa, before taking our ferry to the South Island with its wonderful wineries and snow-dusted mountains. We’ll visit several wineries before arriving in lovely Nelson, home to some of the best national parks in the country. We’ll see Kaikoura, famous for its Sperm Whales and Spinning Dolphins, and then on to Christchurch, the most English of New Zealand’s cities. See the largest glaciers in Australasia, lovely Lake Wanaka, Kawarau Gorge (the birthplace of bunjy jumping), the gold mining district of Arrowtown, NZ’s adrenaline capital, Queenstown, cruise incredible Milford Sound, see the most Scottish city of Dunedin with it’s intriguing Yellow-eyed Penguins, the unique Moeraki Boulders, and New Zealand’s only true castle, Larnach. You may choose to end your journey here,

Or… you’ll probably want to complete the Ultimate New Zealand Tour (one additional, incredible week!) carrying on with us to Oamaru, the heavenly historical town of white limestone, with its Little Blue Penguin colonies and nearby Duntroon Fossil Beds. We’ll travel through the remote, beautiful Catlin Mountains, to Invercargill, the most southern of NZ towns; look for Kiwi birds on rarely-visited Stewart Island, home to the new Raikura National Park, experience an authentic steam train ride, a thrilling jet boat trip near Queenstown, and then revisit Christchurch with its quaint punts floating on the River Avon.

                                                 Wow, what a journey this has been!

We’ll visit and explore places that you’d never experience on your own, while learning things from our travels and the people we meet, distilled to their essence… and all this with a small group of like-minded travelers, and soon-to-be friends.

Your Journey Unfolds…

• First night in Paihia, gateway to the Bay of Islands
• 1 night in Auckland, the City of Sails, the America’s Cup harbor nearby
• 1 night in Rotorua, center of NZ Maori culture, geysers and hot springs, and our Victorian hotel
• 1 night in Napier, the Art Deco capital of the World
• 2 nights in Wellington, Victorian capital of New Zealand, on beautiful Cook Strait
• 1 night in Nelson, home of the finest National Parks in NZ
• 1 (or 2) night(s) in Christchurch, a slice of Olde England, with the River Avon and its charming punts
• 1 night near the Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers
• 1 night in Wanaka, a lovely, little, lakeside, mountain town
• 2 nights in Queenstown, the adrenaline center of New Zealand

And then, you may continue with…

• 2 nights in Oamaru, the white-limestone, historical town of renown with its Little Blue Penguins                        (you must see to believe)
• 2 nights in Invercargill, home to the living prehistoric Tuataras and lovely Queen’s Park
• 2 nights on Stewart Island, NZ as it was 50 years ago, with its rich birdlife and natural splendor
• 1 night at a not-to-be forgotten working farm, our "farm stay"
• Our final night in Christchurch, bringing this incredible journey to a close

 View the detailed daily itinerary                           "...we are recommending you to our friends and any

                                                                                               people who show interest in visiting New Zealand or

                                                                                               any of the other places where you lead tours."

                                                                                               New Zealand guests, 2004

Your Journey Details…

Tour Dates:

Exciting New Zealand:  TBA  A Journey of 13 nights/14 days, or

Ultimate New Zealand: TBA    A Journey of 20 nights/21 days

Costs:
Exciting New Zealand:    TBA
A 13 night/14 day journey       
*Airfare is NOT included

Ultimate New Zealand:     TBA   
A 20 night/21 day journey
*Airfare is NOT included

Remember, these journeys are limited to only 10-24 guests!

Your Exciting New Zealand Journey Includes…

• TWO knowledgeable guides, the creators of this journey, Todd and Pattie Vogel
• All accommodations in unique, handpicked 3-4 star hotels, and cozy guesthouses
• Most all of your meals, (all breakfasts, many dinners, several lunches) leaving you the opportunity to  “do your own thing”.
• All admissions, entrance fees, train and boat journeys, and normal gratuities for waiters and drivers
• Transport by luxury coach, with a NZ guide/driver, (on the S. Island a Maori guide/driver!) and plenty of empty seats so that you can move about as you wish
• Plenty of free time to shop, relax, or reconnoiter on your own
• A visit to the Bay of Islands and the incredible Kauri museum
• An authentic Maori hangi (feast) with traditional dancing, including the “Haka" war dance
• A visit to the greatest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world in Napier
• A visit to the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves
• Wine-tasting in the well-known Marlborough Region of the South Island
• A cruise on magnificent Milford Sound, the Crown Jewel of the South Island
• Wellington visit to Te Papa, the new National Museum of New Zealand
• Gondola ride to oversee Queenstown and the Remarkable Mountains
• Tour of Larnach Castle in Scottish Dunedin, opportunity to view Yellow-eyed Penguins

And to continue on the Ultimate New Zealand Journey…

• Visit historical, white-stone Oamaru, with its diminutive Blue Penguins, and the Duntroon Fossil Beds
• A journey to Invercargill through the Catlin Mountains where we’ll visit the Fossil Forest, Jack’s Blowhole,             and many more interesting coastal natural wonders
• An unforgettable overnight visit (2 nights) to unspoiled Stewart Island, a guided tour of Ulva Island,                   and the opportunity for a nocturnal wild Kiwi experience
• A jetboat ride on Lake Wanaka   THRILLING!
• The opportunity to visit world reknowned Christchurch Botanical Gardens, take a leisurely boat ride in a historical punt on the River Avon
• All of this and more, as well as some special surprises we have for you…

So why not call or e-mail us now and secure your place on this remarkable journey?

View Reservation Information

Itineraries May be Subject to Change

Rev. 11/13/05