New Zealand is renowned throughout the world for its spectacular scenery and friendly people. Travelers will leave USA home cities on May 17, 2016, crossing the International Date Line and arriving on May 19 in Auckland, a vibrant, bustling cosmopolitan city located on the shores of the sparkling Waitamata Harbour.
The next day, it is off through the rolling green countryside for a short trip to Rotorua, where you can unpack your bags for the next three nights. The choice of activities is now up to you. You can explore this unique landscape with its boiling mudpools and spouting geysers, or gain a more in-depth knowledge of the thriving indigenous Maori culture. Take advantage of the thermal waters for a soothing massage, or enjoy the health benefits of relaxing in the hot pools at the close of a busy sightseeing day.
Then it is off to the mountains and the alpine beauty of Queenstown. Known for its stunning location on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown offers a wide range of activities — from the adventurous and thrill-seeking, to the soothingly scenic and picturesque. You will have four nights to explore this region before traveling through the majestic Southern Alps to reach the Hermitage Hotel, located in the pristine Aorangi National Park.
You’ll then travel over the mountains and on to Christchurch, where you will connect with your flight back to the United States on May 27, 2016.
