Flavors of New Zealand 21-day food & wine tour

Auckland

Day 1: Arrival & food tour

You’ll be welcomed at the airport for a private transfer to your hotel in the city. Settle in and freshen up before diving straight into the NZ food scene with a private Taste of Ackland Food Tour. Your three-hour walking tour (approximately 2km) begins on Auckland’s 'eat street' at the base of Sky Tower. This leisurely experience blends exploring Auckland’s colourful history and landmarks with an entertaining culinary caper showcasing the city's diverse flavours. Your guide will bid you farewell at the city’s bustling waterfront and then it’s down to you to work up an appetite before dinner. Your destination tonight is the celebrated Ahi Restaurant serving authentic NZ cuisine. A four-course meal and canapés are included in your trip (drinks are separate).

Waiheke Island

Day 2: Touring 'Wine Island'

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, head to the port and hop aboard the ferry to Waiheke – known as New Zealand’s Wine Island. Sounds good, eh? With a unique microclimate and the winemakers’ philosophy of ‘small is beautiful’, Waiheke has produced some of New Zealand’s most prestigious wines. On this small group guided tour, you'll visit three of Waiheke’s top vineyards and sample a range of their wines. Along the way, enjoy a commentated scenic drive, learning about the Island’s history, geography, people and culture from your knowledgeable local guide. After the wine-tasting experience, relax and enjoy lunch and a glass of Waiheke wine at a local favourite before heading to the ferry.

The rest of the evening is free for you to explore more of Auckland's vibrant scene. 

Cambridge - Taupo

Day 3: The Road to Taupo

After breakfast, there's a morning pick up at the hotel for transfer to the rental car office. From there, it’s a scenic 3.5-hour drive to your next destination. Taupo is a lakeside town known as a centre for outdoor adventure and there are many activities and sightseeing options to choose between. How about a tandem skydive or a bungee jump? For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, there are several hikes to enjoy. Your hotel stay tonight includes pre-dinner canapés and drinks, and a delicious meal.

Taupo

Day 4: Geyserland & bush hike

After breakfast today, you'll visit the Orakei-Korako Geyserland and Thermal Park, also known as the Hidden Valley. At present, up to 23 active natural geysers are erupting freely throughout the area. There are also a vast number of steamy hot springs and mud pools. Spend the day exploring this unique environment and hiking local bush walks to enjoy the native flora and fauna.

After a full day's exploration, head back to your hotel and freshen up in time for pre-dinner canapés and drinks.

Napier

Day 5: Art Deco delights & gourmet dining

After a fortifying breakfast, it’s time to hit the road again to your next destination. It’s around two hours' drive to the city of Napier, which is well-known for its many Art Deco buildings. Enjoy the drive and a few stops, then wander around the city streets taking in the architecture. There’s lots to do in this sunny North Island city, from visiting museums and art galleries to indulging in a scoop or two of its famous ice cream. We particularly recommend the delights of Rush Munro's Ice Creamery (the oldest in New Zealand) and the Strawberry Patch.

Check in at your hotel in time for dinner and tuck into a five-course meal, with pre-dinner drinks included.

Napier

Day 6: Cycling the Cape Wineries

Fuel up at breakfast, as today you'll take your seat in the saddle for a full-day Cape Winery Tour by bike. From the award-winning wineries of Craggy Range, Black Barn and Te Mata Estate near Havelock North, you'll join the trail to cycle through orchard country following the Tuki Tuki River to the Pacific coast. On reaching the coastal settlement of Te Awanga, your cycling efforts are rewarded with visits to more acclaimed wineries. Up to seven wineries can be visited en route.

Pick up and drop off at your hotel is included. The evening is free for you to unwind after the day's exertions. 

Greytown - Martinborough

Day 7: Road trip & star safari

It's time to hit the road again after breakfast today. It's a scenic drive of around 5.5 hours to the pretty Wairarapa wine region village of Martinborough. Stop along the way to visit some of the villages, beauty spots and vineyards you pass through. For a sweet stop, we recommend the Victorian-style village of Greytown, which specialises in chocolate.

Check into your hotel, then get ready for this evening's guided Star Safari Tour. Embark on a celestial adventure in Wairarapa's awe-inspiring night skies with top-tier telescopes. Proudly operating from within the world's 21st Dark Sky Reserve, the Star Safari Observatory is nestled between Martinborough and Carterton, offering a perfect retreat from light pollution and revealing a dazzling array of celestial wonders.

Martinborough

Day 8: Wine & food tasting tour

Get set for the ultimate Martinborough food and wine tour today. Set off in a luxury vehicle for a food and wine-filled day in the local area, discovering the history of Martinborough township, its vineyards and wine making in the region. Visit several vineyards and an olive grove to taste a selection of Martinborough’s best wines, accompanied by tasting options such as cheese, chocolate, olive oil, gin and beer. A delicious lunch is included with the tour and the courses are matched with local wines, followed by dessert or a chocolate tasting. Afterwards, you'll be dropped off at your hotel after a full day enjoying the best of the region.

Wellington

Day 9: Welcome to Wellington

After this morning's breakfast, a short drive of about 1.5 hours takes you to the political centre and capital of New Zealand, the lively city of Wellington. It’s a pleasant city to spend time in, with a thriving café culture and a fun-filled but laidback nightlife.

After checking in at your hotel, explore the city on foot, perhaps heading for the beach or one of the many markets dotted around the centre, then find a gourmet setting for dinner and a relaxed spot for a nightcap.

Wellington

Day 10: E-biking the city

You're back in the saddle today, this time for a full day cruising the city and bay by e-bike. There’s no better way to discover Wellington than by e-bike, sailing effortlessly up Wellington’s hills or riding around the bay. We highly recommend pedalling to Miramar to visit the Weta Studio or going up Mt Victoria for a memorable vista over the city and its harbour. If you prefer a non-electric bike, you also have the option of a city or mountain bike.

Later today, the rest of the evening is free to discover more of the city's culinary and bar scenes. 

Picton - Blenheim

Day 11: Hop to South Island

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, drop off your rental car at the Interislander ferry terminal, then set sail this morning for Picton on New Zealand's South Island. The journey time is around 3.5 hours. On arrival, pick up your new rental car and set off for the farming town of Blenheim. This lovely rural region is best known for its many excellent vineyards. These days there are around 160 vineyards in the area, up from only 18 in the 1990s. We’ve booked you in for a wine tasting at Cloudy Bay Vineyards – it’s about a 30-minute journey from the ferry terminal and your hotel for the night is nearby.

Marlborough Sounds

Day 12: Food, wine & cruising

You’ll be on the water again today for a Seafood Odyssea Cruise tour on the Queen Charlotte Sound. Sit back and enjoy the ride, with seemingly endless bays and coves to explore and different scenery around every corner. During the cruise, visit a New Zealand King Salmon farm, and a mussel and oyster growing area. Then comes the fun bit, a fabulous tasting of fresh Regal salmon, steamed Greenshell mussels and Cloudy Bay clams, matched, of course, to a complimentary glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. A beautiful wine and food match in a lovely part of Marlborough. The cruise experience will last around three hours.

Afterwards, it's back to your hotel for another blissful evening of relaxation. 

Kaikoura - Waipara

Day 13: Whale-watching from the air

After breakfast, set off on a morning drive to Kaikoura, a coastal destination famous for its abundant marine fauna. The scenery here is stunning, often with views of snow-capped mountains across the bay. There’s a busy fishing industry in the region and delicious lobster is served up from roadside vans just north of the city.

On arrival in the town, embark on a half-hour whale-watching excursion by plane. Whale watching by aeroplane offers a unique perspective, and the opportunity to view whales and dolphins in their natural environment. From the air, passengers can experience the true magnitude of the world’s largest mammal, the whale. These animals can reach an impressive 18m in length and weigh up to 60 tonnes. From Kaikoura, it’s another 1.5 hours by car to your home for the night in the Greta Valley. Check in, then enjoy dinner.

Christchurch - Tekapo

Day 14: Into the mountains

It's time to hit the city streets again, this time in Christchurch. Known as the ‘Garden City’, Christchurch is around a four-hour drive from your hotel. Spend a few hours exploring, perhaps stopping for lunch at the Riverside Lane and Market – one of our favourite spots. From Christchurch, it’s just a one-hour drive to the mountain town of Tekapo, known for its beautiful lake, hot springs and dark sky stargazing. Enjoy the gorgeous mountain scenery and a relaxing evening at your hotel, with dinner included.

Mt Cook

Day 15: Flight to the Tasman Glacier

Take your sightseeing to a new level today on the Ultimate Alpine Experience: a combination of a skiplane and helicopter ride into the mountains. Enjoy a scenic adventure that includes a landing on the Tasman Glacier. From take-off to landing, you will enjoy spectacular views of the Tasman Valley and the cloud-piercing Aoraki/Mt Cook. These mountains are covered in snow and ice all year round, and the aircraft is fully shut down on landing so you can enjoy the peace of nature. You’ll also see Tasman Terminal Lake, Grand Plateau, Plateau Hut, as well as the full length of the Tasman Glacier. The duration is 45 minutes. Later enjoy a spot of stellar relaxation by stargazing in Tekapo Springs. This experience combines the stunning Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve with soul-warming hot pools – bliss.

Wanaka - Clyde

Day 16: Road to Gold Country

Hit the road again after breakfast today, for the gold rush towns of the South Island. Your 2.5-hour journey takes you down from the mountains to Maiototo and into the heart of historic gold country. Stop at some of the little villages you pass through and learn about the interesting history of the region in places like Clyde and Ophir. Enjoy a laidback day in this now-sleepy corner of New Zealand.

Check into your hotel and unwind for a free evening of relaxation in Clyde. 

Clyde

Day 17: Biking Lake Dunstan

After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to take to the bike trails. This full-day cycle tour has you peddling the new Lake Dunstan Trail, which shows off the best of Central Otago’s beauty. The trail begins from Cromwell Smiths Way following the shores of Lake Dunstan and is vehicle-free with a moderate gradient (grade 2-3). There will be several opportunities to stop for refreshments along the way at vineyards and cafes, or you might prefer to pack a picnic. The whole excursion from pick-up to drop-off will be around seven hours.

Afterwards, fead back to your hotel to unwind for the night.

Arrowtown - Queenstown

Day 18: Queensland skyline

Continuing your road trip, today you'll travel to Queensland, a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts with plenty of adrenalin-inducing activities and gorgeous views. The drive is just over an hour, leaving you with plenty of time for extra activities, such as hiking, biking, skydiving, bungee jumping or touring a vineyard.

Check into your hotel then, in the afternoon, take a scenic ride on the iconic Skyline Gondola, taking in the stunning views as you ride the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere. You’ll be carried 480m above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu to the top of Bob's Peak for a spectacular panorama with breathtaking views of Coronet Peak and The Remarkables.

The evening is free for you to explore this lively town. 

Milford Sound

Day 19: Fly & cruise Milford Sound

We’re approaching the end of your New Zealand adventure now, so it’s time for a grand finale. The most spectacular way to see this stunning region is to fly and cruise down the world-famous Milford Sound. Your flight will sail over alpine lakes, lush rainforests, rugged snow-capped mountains and the glacially carved valleys of Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park. By boat, you'll see Mitre Peak, cascading waterfalls, towering cliffs, and often seals, dolphins and penguins. All in all, a spectacular day to be celebrated with drinks and canapés back at your hotel.

Gibbston Valley

Day 20: Wine touring in Otago

After breakfast, begin a leisurely small-group Wine Sampler tour. This is a classic wine tour, visiting four of Central Otago’s finest and off-the-beaten-track cellar doors, including the famous Gibson Valley underground wine cave. Sample over 18 cool-climate wines while your charismatic guide and knowledgeable cellar staff educate and amuse you with local wine-making facts and stories. Travel in style with transfers in a luxury Mercedes van. Return to your hotel in the city and enjoy your last evening in New Zealand.

Queenstown Airport

Day 21: Homeward bound...

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel, then head to the airport. It's an easy 45-minute drive from your hotel, where you can conveniently drop off your rental car before your onward flight.