Queenstown to Milford Sound:

Winter Adventure and Nature

• Experience the once in a lifetime winter ice-driving with luxury European cars and highly qualified instructors who will lead you through the basics of driving on snow and ice, among dramatic alpine ranges.
• Travel to Queenstown airport by private luxury transfer to board a fleet of privately chartered helicopters for the stunning scenic flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound, exploring the most remote and untouched parts of New Zealand, flying under 2000 ft waterfalls, through fiords, landing amongst fur seals, climbing underneath glaciers and landing in the snow for photos against the Mt Aspiring backdrop.
• Descend into this glacier-carved wonderland at Milford Sound airfield. Milford Sound is the jewel of Fiordland National Park.
• Arrive in style onto the helicopter pad of our privately chartered Milford Sound Cruise, finding yourself amidst one of the most stunning sceneries in New Zealand.  Our cruise will guide us on a full experience of this remarkable terrain, where the peaks rise abruptly from this stunning fiord, creating postcard opportunities in all types of weather.

Queenstown to Christchurch

Nature

• Drive over the scenic Lindis Pass toward the small town of Omarama and through the desert-like country of southern Canterbury.
• Reach the shores of glacial Lake Pukaki, and witness the emerging scenes of beautiful Mt Cook, the highest peak in all New Zealand.
• Walk on Mt Cook, take a boat trip to view the Tasman Glacier or experience the dramatic landscape by scenic helicopter flight.
• Reach Lake Tekapo, the most well-known and stunning of New Zealandís glacial lakes. During the day, Lake Tekapo dazzles with its bright blue glacial waters. At night, the area becomes a stargazing haven.
• From Tekapo, follow the road leading to the vast Canterbury Plains, and on to Christchurch,  visiting  the city center and Hagley Park. Christchurch is a vibrant, energetic city where urban regeneration, creativity and innovation thrive.
• Drive around the base of Port Hills towards Banks Peninsula and cruise around Akaroa Harbour, renowned for its sparkling waters, the worldís smallest and rarest dolphins, as well as New Zealand fur seals, little blue penguins, and myriad bird life.

Epicurean

• In Queenstown, take a ride on the Skyline Gondola to enjoy the sunset over the  town and the surrounding mountains, before heading for a private dining experience at one of Queenstownís most renowned lakeside restaurants.
• Fine dine at the award-winner e Gantleyís, which boasts New Zealandís ëmost awardedí wine list, earning the Award for Excellence from New Yorkís Wine Spectator magazine every year since 1996.
• Onboard the privately chartered Milford Sound Cruise, savour a 5 star lobster lunch prepared by our expert onboard chef.
• In Queenstownís Kawarau wine district, enjoy a tour with tasting before a superb private dinner at Gibbston Valley Winery. Known for its exquisite wine tasting experience and unique underground cellar tours, Gibbston Valley is the place to fully relish everything about local wine production. Have a chat with the founder, Alan Brady, credited as being one of the very first to see the grape-cultivating potential of the Central Otago region.

Bay of Islands

Adventure and Nature

• From Auckland, take a domestic flight to the Bay of Islands for a Luxury Boat Cruise. Guided by our professional and knowledgeable crew, enjoy beach combing and a lunch served in a sheltered cove. As you cruise the stunning harbour, you will also become aware of the significance of the Maori and of the maritime history in the area.
• Take a private Helicopter Excursion over Northland taking you along the coastline north of Matauri Bay, including Cape Karikari, before heading to Cape Reinga, the northern most point in New Zealand. As you travel North, enjoy the magnificent sweeping views of Te Werahi beach down to Cape Maria Van Dieman. Track the wild horses running freely on the grasslands that back this endless strip of beach.
• With a private guide, hike in the Puketi Forest, discover the tranquil natural beauty of this ancient Rainforest and walk among the giant Kauri Trees as well as a variety of native flora and fauna. Puketi boasts some of the most spectacular scenery Northland has to offer. The guide will share with you stories, history, and culture. Stop in Kerikeri and visit the Kerikeri Mission Station, also known as Kemp House, New Zealandís oldest standing European building.
• Visit the historic village of Russell, the now quaint sleepy Victorian township that was once a haven for runaway sailors, escaped convicts, lusty whalers and the site of New Zealandís first European settlement and capital. Today Russell is a fabulous place for a leisurely stroll before enjoying lunch at The Gables.
• Enter the Kawiti Glowworm Caves, discovered in the early 17th century. Follow the walkways through the cave, marvelling at the magical glowworms and limestone formations before a 10 minute bush walk over the hill through a natural corridor of ferns, shrubs, fungi, trees and karst limestone and sandstone formations.

Taupo and Rotorua

Nature and Traditions

• Fly to the lakeside town of TaupÚ, ski Mount Ruapehu and explore the local geothermal phenomena. Take the chairlift up New Zealandís largest volcano, Mount Ruapehu. Hit the Turoa area on the southwest side for Australasiaís biggest vertical drop and expansive, open runs or head to Whakapapa on the northern side for a dramatic volcanic feel. If ski is not your gig, just enjoy coffee and fabulous views from what feels like the top of the world.
• Drive to Rotorua and meet your private M‡ori  guide from Ohinemutu Village for a tour of local life and landmarks before heading to the Rotorua waterfront for a private helicopter ride to Mount Tarawera and White Island. Once on Mount Tarawera, a dormant volcano, you will experience expansive views of mighty domes and craters formed during the 1886 eruption. Stand on and walk around White Islandís active crater floor, an incredible experience and definitely one of the highlights of this volcanic excursion.
• Privately visit the M‡ori Arts and Crafts Institute and Te Puia Thermal Valley, where you can see M‡ori people weaving traditional objects. M‡ori culture is part of Kiwi society at every level. Besides rugby playersí imposing haka performances, there are also rich traditions in carving, weaving, performing arts, and social or religious functions.
• In the thermal area admire the world famous Pohutu Geyser as well as silica terraces, bubbling mud pools and unique geothermal vegetation.

Hawke’s Bay, Napier and Black Barn

Nature and Art Deco

• Reach the Farm at Cape Kidnappers in the Hawkeís Bay to enjoy a Kiwi Discovery Walk. Experience a very special activity with Kiwi expert Dr. John McLennan and his team. Enjoy an exclusive, guided walk on the property, in search of these unique, nocturnal birds. You will get the chance to get up-close and learn more about one of New Zealandís most endangered and rare birds.
• Visit the city of Napier, which boasts one of the best collections of Art Deco architecture in the world. Here, guided by a M‡ori,  discover the Út‡tara P‡ Historic Reserve, one of the most significant and largest historical sites in New Zealand. Út‡tara commanded good views of rich kumara gardens, fishing, fowling and flax and raupÚ resources in the swamps and the then-navigable T˘taekurÏ River.
• In Black Barn, enjoy a Private Cycling Wine Tour. Take time to view the great New Zealand art on show at the vineyard gallery as well as tasting the wines and viewing the amphitheatre and market site which make Black Barn unique. Cycle out towards the Cape Coast, a distance of 16kms of easy, flat, riding along a beautifully scenic trail.

Wellington

Culture

• Surrounded by nature and fuelled by creative energy, Wellington is a compact city with a powerful mix of culture, history, nature and cuisine.
• Guided  by a botanist, visit the marvellous Botanic Garden. Its collection is made of over 26 hectares  worth of exquisite landscapes, exotic plants, native bush, and a myriad of beautiful floral displays.
• Take a private Art Tour that will give you the opportunity to tap into the thriving creative Wellington art scene while experiencing some of the cityís spectacular scenery. Visit spectacular public art galleries, and meet some local artists.
• On the waterfront, visit the museum curator the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, New Zealandís national museum. Te Papa, as it is colloquially known, means ëour placeí and is one of the best interactive museums in the world. Enjoy a private tour of the Museum followed by a ëbehind the scenesí experience.

EPICUREAN

• In Kerikeri, widely known for its successful horticulture, niche food products, fabulous chocolates, boutique vineyards, art galleries, cafes and crafts, explore the Vineyard Trail and taste some of the great wines. Enjoy a sumptuous meal and a glass of matched wine at a local Winery.
• In Russel, have lunch at The Gables. The Gables is New Zealandís oldest operating restaurant, built from pit-sawn Kauri in 1847 on whalebone foundations. Interact with the current owners and discover the history of the restaurant.
• In Rotorua, have an unforgettable fine dining experience with a degustation dinner at the Mokoia Restaurant. Enjoy creative award-winning Pacific Rim cuisine featuring indigenous herbs and spices at this stunning lakeside location.
• In Hawkeís Bay, take lunch at TerrÙir Restaurant, Craggy Range Winery. The menu at this restaurant has a French country theme and specializes in rotisserie and wood-fired oven cooking, complimented with their own wines. Enjoy the rustic feel of the restaurant and views of Te Mata Peak, the lake and vineyards.
• In Wellington, have unique gourmet travel experience at Hiakai. Meet M‡ori/Samoan Chef Monique Fiso,  devoted to the exploration and development of M‡ori cooking techniques and ingredients. Over several centuries, these methods have been passed down, refined and still feed the hiakai people today.