The Hunter Valley, located just 2 hours north of Sydney, is famous for its exceptional food and wine, as well as its natural beauty. The region offers a rich blend of world-class wineries, gourmet dining and luxurious accommodation all set in the beautiful surrounds of picturesque mountains and rolling vineyards. This gastronomic itinerary includes sumptuous wine tastings, delicious meals accompanied by matching wines, a visit to the Hunter Valley Chocolate factory, as well as a unique sunrise wildlife experience. This program promises to be an experience that you won’t soon forget.

DAY 1

Upon arrival at the Sydney International Airport, you will be met in the arrivals hall by one of our local team members who will escort you to your vehicle for a transfer to your hotel located in the heart of the city. A group transfer will be provided for any guests arriving on the same flight.

Check in at your hotel is 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available before this time, this cannot be guaranteed. Guests may leave their luggage with the bell captain and use the facilities of the hotel or venture out into the city should your room not be available upon arrival. Alternatively, guests may purchase an extra night to guarantee a ready room upon arrival. Meals are on your own today.

Note: Airport transfers are based on flights to Sydney International Airport. For any transfers required from the new Western Sydney Airport, a surcharge of $375 USD will be added to your booking (vehicle for 1-2 guests)

DAY 2

After breakfast, check out and assemble in the lobby where you will meet your guide who will accompany you throughout your Hunter Valley experience.

Your first stop is your luxury accommodation, Spicer’s Guesthouse. From the sandstone fireplace to the vine-covered pergolas, the Guesthouse blends relaxed design with a sense of place. The main lounge and bar offer space to read, share a drink, or settle in by the fire. A floor-to-ceiling wine wall showcases a thoughtful selection of regional bottles, while dining spaces are framed by soft lighting and considered detail.

Check in isn’t until 3:00pm so after leaving your bags with reception, you will have time to stretch your legs and use the facilities before you make your way to a private wine tasting at Hungerford Hill. Taste a selection of local wines from Hunter Valley wineries and learn about the region’s wine history in an iconic Hunter Valley winery with a wine making history dating back to 1967.

Next, it’s off to lunch at Muse Restaurant, one of the Hunter Valley's most iconic restaurants - offering sleek and professional service with just the right touch of old-school charm. Muse Restaurant has consistently set the standard for refined and delicious food, driven by a commitment to showcasing the best produce of the region.

After lunch, visit the Hunter Valley Gardens, a stunning 60-acre garden complex. Wander through the themed gardens, which include a rose garden, oriental garden, and a gorgeous reflecting lake. Following time at the gardens, it’s onto Brokenwood Wines, one of the valley’s most respected wineries. Here, you can enjoy a private wine and cheese pairing experience where local cheeses are matched with Brokenwood’s famous Semillon and Shiraz. The relaxed, beautiful setting of the Brokenwood tasting room, with its wooden beams and open fireplace, adds to the experience.

Following your visit to Brokenwood, return to Spicer’s Guesthouse where you can complete check in and relax in your rooms or take a stroll around the tranquil surrounds.

Dinner will be at eRemo Restaurant, at Spicer’s Guesthouse. With a genuine connection to the land and a menu informed by the season, éRemo delivers a fresh, polished experience that is crafted with love. Strong relationships with local producers ensure only the finest of ingredients are sourced and using what’s available on the day brings a compelling spontaneity to the table.

DAY 3

Start your day with a Sunrise Wildlife Experience. You’ll depart the hotel for the Hunter Valley Wildlife Park where you will receive exclusive, early access to the park. You will be met by an expert Zookeeper who will guide you around the park paying special attention to Australia’s wonderfully unique animals. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to get up close with a koala, one of Australia’s most iconic animals, and take home a professional photograph as a keepsake. Following your visit, return to your hotel for a sumptuous breakfast featuring Hunter Valley Sparkling Wine.

No trip to the Hunter Valley is complete without a stop at the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company. Here, you will be able to sample handmade chocolates that are infused with local flavors like Shiraz, honey, and macadamia. The boutique shop offers a wide selection of luxurious treats to take home as souvenirs.

For lunch, head to Esca Bimbadgen. With a focus on modern Australian cuisine, the restaurant has a relaxing yet sophisticated atmosphere, complemented by sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards. Their lunch menu features locally sourced ingredients, and the food is expertly paired with Bimbadgen's premium wines. Following lunch, you will be treated to Bimbadgen Winery’s sophisticated tasting experience where you might sample their signature Shiraz and Chardonnay and explore their wine lounge with spectacular views of the valley.

Take a break from the wine and enjoy a cheese and local produce tasting at the Hunter Valley Cheese Factory after which you will return to Spicer’s Guesthouse for some free time before dinner.

For dinner, enjoy the exceptional cuisine at Restaurant Botanica, located at Spicers Vineyards Estate. Known for its innovative use of fresh, local ingredients, the restaurant offers a stunning degustation menu with wine pairings from the estate’s cellar.

DAY 4

After breakfast at The Convent, you’ll be treated to an exhilarating helicopter tour over the Hunter Valley. This scenic flight offers breathtaking aerial views of the vineyards, mountain ranges, and sprawling estates.

Lunch today will be at Bistro Molines. Known for its French-inspired menu and sophisticated atmosphere, this restaurant offers a refined yet comfortable dining experience. This is your last culinary event and the perfect way to end your Hunter Valley Wine and Food Experience. After lunch, journey back to Sydney where you will embark your awaiting ship.

Land Program Details Step by Step:

•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details including timings, menu items and activities are for general reference purposes and subject to change.

•Wineries and restaurants listed in the descriptions may be substituted due to operational requirements.

•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days before sailing. You will then receive one last final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review that Welcome Letter and your final itinerary carefully for any further amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

Extra Nights

•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel prior to the FIRST NIGHT of your land program.

•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.

•If you have an early arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.

•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.

DAY 1

Arrive at the Sydney International airport outside customs where you will be met and then transferred to your hotel

3:00pm Check-in time at your hotel

Although every effort will be made to have rooms available as soon as possible, this cannot be guaranteed unless an extra night is purchased

Meals are on own today

Overnight at Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay or similar hotel

Note: Airport transfers are based on flights to Sydney International Airport. For any transfers required from the new Western Sydney Airport, a surcharge of $375 USD will be added to your booking (vehicle for 1-2 guests)

Meet and Greet and transfers

•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs, and the luggage claim area.

•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.

•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.

•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.

DAY 2

From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel

8:30am Check out and meet you guide in the hotel lobby

8:45am Board coach

9:00am Depart for Hunter Valley

11:00am Arrive at Spicer's Guesthouse

11:30am Transfer to Hungerford Hill Winery

11:45am Private wine tasting at Hungerford Hill Winery

12:45pm Lunch at Muse Restaurant with paired wines

2:30pm Depart for Hunter Valley Gardens

2:45pm Free time to roam the gardens

3:45pm Depart for Brokenwood Winery

4:00pm Wine tasting at Brokenwood Winery

5:00pm Depart for Spicer’s Guesthouse

5:15pm Relax and refresh at the hotel

7:00pm Dinner at eRemo Restaurant on site at Spicers Guesthouse 9:00pm Overnight at Spicer’s Guesthouse or similar hotel

Day 3

7:45am Depart for Hunter Valley Wildlife Park

8:00am Early access to the park with expert commentary by an expert Zookeeper

9:30am Depart for Spicer’s Guesthouse

9:45am Arrive at the hotel, ‘Sparkling Wine’ breakfast upon arrival

11:15am Depart for Hunter Valley Chocolate Company

11:30am Arrive and enjoy Hunter Valley Chocolate Company

12:15pm Depart for Bimbadgen Estate

12:30pm Arrive - signature wine tasting experience followed by lunch at Esca

3:00pm Depart for the Hunter Valley Cheese Factory

3:15pm Hunter Valley Cheese and Local Produce Tasting

4:15pm Depart for Spicer’s Guesthouse

4:30pm Relax and refresh at the hotel

6:00pm Depart for the Restaurant Botanica

6:15pm Dinner at Restaurant Botanica

8:00pm Return to the hotel

Overnight at Spicer’s Guesthouse or similar hotel

DAY 4

From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel

9:00am Check out, settle incidentals and depart for Hunter Valley Helicopter Scenic flight

9:30am Flight check-in, prep and scenic flight (flight time 20 minutes)

11:45am Depart for Bistro Molines

12:00pm Lunch at Bistro Molines

1:00pm Depart for Sydney

3:00pm Arrival at the port and your awaiting ship for embarkation

Weather

Summers are hot and go roughly from December to February. Daytime temperatures during this time are up into the 30s (°C), though it does drop off nicely at night. Autumn goes from March to May and is a few degrees cooler and also a fair bit drier.

The average monthly temperatures in the Hunter Valley between December and March range from 16-30 C / 61-86 F

Currency

AUD

American Express, VISA, MasterCard are generally accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger stores.

Electric current

The electrical current in Australia is 220-240 volts, AC 50Hz. You will need to use a converter if you don’t have dual-voltage appliances. We recommend bringing a universal travel adaptor for electric devices.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A passport valid for at least six months after travel is required and all guests must have an Australian tourist visa.

Please check with your local Australian embassy for the most up to date entry requirements for your nationality.

Accommodation:

Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay

30 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Phone: +61 2 9259 7000

Spicer’s Guesthouse

57 Ekerts Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320 Australia

Phone: +61 2 4022 1801

*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.

Program Includes for guests:

•One night at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay or similar hotel – Harbor Bridge King View Room (if two beds are required, please advise at time of booking)

•Two nights at the Spicer’s Guesthouse or similar hotel – King Deluxe

•Airport transfer on Day 1 from Sydney International Airport only

•All tours and entrances mentioned above

•Breakfast each day and any other meals listed above

•Porterage

Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has your most up to date arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided.

Program Excludes for guests:

•Gratuities for drivers and guides

•Hotel incidentals including mini bar, laundry and room service

•Meals not specifically mentioned

•Additional sightseeing not mentioned in the itinerary

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.

Price: $3,999 per guest based on double occupancy.

Hotel and Land Program pricing is not combinable with FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Luxury Hotel Package. If applicable, please contact Regent Seven Seas Cruises or your travel agent for multi-night pre-cruise hotel pricing information. Land program promotions are subject to terms.