From the popular beaches of Tauranga, where Mount Maunganui towers over calm Bay of Plenty waters, travel to a wonderland of geothermal oddities and the center of Maori heritage in Rotorua. Walk among the dramatic geysers, bubbling mud and verdant native bush of Te Puia before visiting a re-creation of an early Maori village and a kiwi conservation center. Head south of Rotorua to hike through majestic redwoods in Whakarewarewa Forest or perhaps travel to the Waikato region, where the well-preserved Shire at the Hobbiton Movie Set is a dream come true for fans of Peter Jackson’s film adaptations of JRR Tolkien’s beloved novels.
Enjoy the rare opportunity to explore one of the world’s most fascinating destinations in a small private group with knowledgeable guides that will enhance your understanding of the attractions off the beaten path.
On this overland program, you will follow the roads less traveled to one-of-a-kind destinations that include an organic tea estate, two art galleries, a winery and the extraordinary Art Deco district in downtown Napier.
DAY 1 - 10 de febrero de 2022
After departing from the ship with just an overnight bag, you will settle in for an immensely scenic drive through the Waikato, a region best known for its rich dairy production and lush green pastures. In time, you will arrive at the Zealong Tea Estate, New Zealand’s only commercial tea estate that produce 100% organic teas.
During the enlightening tour of the estate, which encompasses more than a million tea plants, you will see how the tea is grown, picked and processed and how its organic certification is strictly maintained. It is a fascinating story, well worth discussing further over lunch and a tea tasting in the serene Tea House.
Continuing on to the rural community of Tamahere, you will soon stop at Inspirit, an art gallery and studio that showcases original New Zealand art. While browsing, you will see works in every imaginable medium, including paintings, ceramics, sculptures and jewellery.
Another artistic experience will await you at the Lava Glass and Sculpture Garden, the domain of glass artist Lynden. The native New Zealander creates extraordinary glassware that includes landscape designs, teardrop bowls and Hangi stones shaped like the river rocks used in traditional Maori cooking pits. While meandering through the Sculpture Garden, you will see hundreds of large glass sculptures, many of them in delightfully whimsical colors and shapes.
Following this visit, you will drive to the Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo, where you will spend the evening. Set on the shores of the country’s largest lake, this is one of Taupo luxury hotels with uninterrupted views of the magnificent lake and mountains. La cena correrá por su cuenta.
Day 2 - 11 de febrero de 2022
After a leisurely breakfast, you will begin the drive to Napier, first stopping at Church Road, a winery in Hawkes Bay. One of the oldest wineries in the country, Church Road traces its history back to 1897 when Bartholomew Steinmetz planted a vineyard next to its namesake Church Road. The winery produces internationally recognized reds and a range of notable whites and rosés, which you will sample along with a platter lunch.
Driving on to the city of Napier, you will learn about the catastrophic earthquake that struck here in 1931, devastating the region and destroying much of the town. Rebuilding began almost immediately with architects embracing the Art Deco style, to which they added a distinctive New Zealand flavor. Today, those buildings lend Napier a wonderful architectural flair, which you will discover by watching a film about the city’s recovery and by touring the downtown.
Afterwards, you will rejoin the ship.
Land Program Step by Step
el orden de los sitios visitados puede variar para evitar que se llenen demasiado. All program details and the timings indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Final itineraries with up-to-date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please carefully review your final itinerary for amendments.
DÍA 1
8:30am Depart Mount Maunganui for Morrinsville
9:45am Restroom stop
10:20am Drive from Morrinsville to Zealong Tea Estate
10:50am Tea tour and tastings at Zealong Tea Estate
12:00pm Lunch at Zealong Tea Estate
1:10pm Drive to Inspirit Art Gallery in Tamahere
1:45pm Visit Inspirit Art Gallery
2:35pm Drive to Lava Glass
4:00pm Arrive at Lava Glass
5:05pm Drive to the hotel
Overnight at the Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo or similar hotel
DÍA 2
8:00am Breakfast and hotel check out
9:00am Drive to Church Road winery
10:50am Tour the winery and museum
12:10pm Enjoy a light platter lunch with wine
1:15pm Drive to Napier
1:25pm Arrive at the Art Deco Centre
1:35pm Watch "The day that changed the bay" movie
2:00pm Tour downtown Napier
3:30pm Re-join the ship
Pronóstico del tiempo
En Nueva Zelanda, las estaciones ocurren al revés que en el hemisferio norte. The warmest months are December, January and February, while the coldest are in June, July and August. The mean daily temperature during January and February is 23 degrees Celsius (74 degrees Fahrenheit).
Qué debe traer
As it will be summer, light casual clothing is suggested as well as comfortable walking shoes. However, as the weather can be changeable, carry a rainproof jacket. Sunscreen is essential.
Moneda Local
New Zealand dollars. U.S. dollars are generally accepted only in establishments such as souvenir stores. However, credit cards are widely accepted. For small purchases, it is strongly suggested that local currency be used. Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, and some hotels. En Nueva Zelanda, pueden utilizarse todas las tarjetas de crédito importantes. Se aceptan cheques de viajero en hoteles, en bancos y en algunas tiendas. Encontrará numerosos cajeros automáticos en bancos, en las principales calles de tiendas y en los centros comerciales. Las tarjetas de crédito y débito internacionales funcionan siempre que cuenten con un PIN de cuatro dígitos. Banks are typically open from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Electricidad
En Nueva Zelanda, la electricidad es de 230/240 voltios, 50 hertz. Most hotels and motels provide 110-volt ac sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. Power outlets only accept angled two- or three-pin plugs, depending on whether an earth connection is fitted. Bring your own travel adaptor for electric devices.
Requisitos de Documentación y Visa
Citizens of the United States do not generally require a visa to visit New Zealand. Please refer to the New Zealand Immigration web site for further visa information.
Hotel
Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo
243 Lake Terrace, Waipahihi, Taupo 3330, New Zealand
Teléfono: +64 7-378 5110
Solo ofrecemos hoteles diferentes en situaciones imprevistas. Si se requieren hoteles similares, tendrán la misma clasificación y estándares; y le notificaremos acerca del cambio. Si no se le notifican cambios antes de la salida, se alojará en el hotel que figura en este programa.
El programa incluye
1 night at the Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo or similar hotel including breakfast – superior lake view room
Touring and lunches on Days 1 and 2
New Zealand Goods and Services Tax of 15.0 percent on the above items
El Programa No Incluye lo Siguiente para los Huéspedes:
Gastos personales e imprevistos del hotel, incluidos el minibar y el servicio a la habitación
Any meals or beverages not listed above
Excursiones y comidas adicionales que no se mencionan en el itinerario
Propinas a guías y choferes
Please Note
Los programas terrestres que incluyen numerosos días en la costa incluyen actividades prolongadas y aquellos de duración más corta ofrecen, en general, actividades más moderadas. Sin embargo, cada programa varía y los huéspedes deben estar preparados para lidiar con distintas superficies, entre ellas, pendientes, adoquines, arena y senderos naturales o de grava. Es posible que haya que subir escaleras o escalones.
The sights visited on this program are not suitable for mobility-impaired guests. Therefore, we do not recommend this tour to those guests with limited mobility or who rely on a wheelchair. Also, persons under the age of 18 years are not permitted to take part in wine tastings.
Todos los programas terrestres cuentan con capacidad limitada y están sujetos a disponibilidad. Los programas que no alcanzan la cantidad mínima de participantes requerida están sujetos a cancelación. Los precios publicados también están sujetos a cambios que dependen del aumento de los costos del transporte, de los servicios terrestres o de la fluctuación de la moneda.
Después de la compra, el precio está garantizado y no está sujeto a cambios. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Las cancelaciones realizadas 60 días o menos antes de la fecha de partida están sujetas a una multa por cancelación del 100%.
