New Zealand Vacations

Culinary Vacations

12 Days Romantic Classic Wine Trail Tour Package

Duration: 12 Days / 10 Nights
Priced From: Contact Travelwizard

The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, like all of the great wine regions of the world, offers a rich variety of heritage/historic character accommodation along the route. Whether your preference is for luxury lodges, boutique hotels or motor lodges, there are some wonderful properties along The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. It links three leading wine regions - Hawke's Bay, Martinborough and Marlborough - three regions, which produce 70% of New Zealand's total wine.

Each region has quite distinctive wine characteristics: Hawke's Bay is renowned for its Chardonnay, Martinborough for extraordinary Pinot Noir, Marlborough for the world's leading Sauvignon Blanc.

Day 2. Cross international dateline. You will lose a day which will be regained on your return trip.

Day 3. Arrive Napier. Upon arrival into Napier, please collect your rental car and proceed to your hotel where you will stay for the next 2 nights.
Boutique Country Houses B / Lodges BD more info

Day 4. Napier. This morning enjoy a 1 hour Art Deco Walk around Napier. Your accredited guide will bring Napier's fascinating architecture to life for you as you take an easy stroll through the compact Art Deco Quarter in the vibrant city centre. This afternoon enjoy a Odyssey Wine & Gourmet Experience. Relax where art meets science amongst a wealth of scenery, take a behind the scenes look at a winerywith a chance to learn from a local wine maker, learn about wine and food matching at one of NZ's top winery restaurants.

Day 5. Napier to Martinborough. This morning enjoy a 4WD Safari to Cape Kidnappers (does not operate Apr to Oct). You will travel in comfort in air conditioned 4 x 4 wheeled vehicles, through Cape Kidnappers Station - traversing riverbeds, broad rolling pastures, through stands of native bush, steep gullies and breathtaking inclines.

There is a stop on the way at a spectacular cliff top with panoramic views of Hawke Bay right across to Mahia peninsular. This afternoon, depart Napier and travel to Martinborough. Discover a host of top-class vineyards in and around Martinborough, famed for its international award-winning Pinot Noir. The number of vineyards continues to grow, with new ones becoming established in the Gladstone and Masterton areas. Spend the afternoon out and about on a wine trail of the Martinborough vineyards.
Martinborough (2 nights)
Boutique Country Houses B / Lodges BD more info

Day 6. Martinborough. Today you are at leisure in Martinborough to explore the Wairarapa wine region and Greytown. Include ½ day Greytown gourmet with zest tours.

Day 7. Martinborough To Wellington. Depart Martinborough today for Wellington.
Wellington (2 nights)
Boutique Country Houses B / Lodges BD more info

Day 8. Wellington. Morning private guided tour of Te Papa Museum of Wellington. Open daily from 10:00 am-6:00 pm (Thursdays open until 9:00 pm). Your guided tour gives you an overview of Te Papa. Te Papa is New Zealand's national museum, offering visitors a unique and authentic experience of New Zealand's treasures and stories. Prepare to be engaged, stimulated, and surprised! Afternoon at leisure.

Day 9. Wellington to Blenheim. Depart Wellington and join the ferry across the Cook Strait to Picton. From the Picton ferry continue south to Blenheim. Blenheim is located in a wide river valley, which has proven to be perfect for growing grapes - not least of which is the flagship Sauvignon Blanc variety. Marlborough is New Zealand's largest grape-growing and winemaking region with 65 wineries.
Blenheim (3 nights)
Boutique Country Houses B / Lodges BD more info

Day 10. Marlborough Region. Day at leisure in the Marlborough region to visit the best wineries in the region.

Day 11. Blenheim. Morning at leisure. This afternoon enjoy a Mussel Cruise. As you cruise out into the Marlborough Sounds you will be taking in the natural beauty and tranquility of this stunning area. During the cruise you will get to visit a Greenshell Mussel farm where your skipper will explain the intricacies of growing this delicacy in the Sounds.

Day 12. Depart Blenheim. Return rental vehicle in Blenheim and depart.

• International airfare from Los Angeles or Vancouver and domestic airfare within New Zealand
• 9 nights hotel accommodation.
• 10 days Group C Car Hire
• Meals as specified by BLD
• One - Way train journey on the Transcostal - Picton to Christchurch
• The Interislander Ferry - Wellington to Picton (passenger only)
• Standard Co-Pilot kit including backpack, driving booklet and maps

Price Excludes

• Taxes (approx $70)
• Hertz: Airport/Ferry Concession Fee Recovery (ACFR) - paid direct $28.13 per recovery fee includes GST
• Car hire relocation fee NZ$ 75 paid locally.

Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252

12/09

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