100% customisable travel idea
New Zealand and the Cook Islands At the end of the world... paradise!
New Zealand - North Island - South Island - Cook Islands
100% customisable travel idea
New Zealand - North Island - South Island - Cook Islands
100% customisable for you
Night on board, arrival two days later.
Upon arrival, private transfer to the centre of Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island. Stay for one night in an old house that, after careful restoration, has retained its original elegance. With about ten rooms, the property is intimate and peaceful. Guests also have access to a lounge and dining room. And the attentive service provided by the owners is true to the original ethos of B&Bs.
Things to see and do - Soak up the atmosphere of Christchurch on Regent Street; learn about the major earthquakes that have shaken the city, especially the one in February 2011, at Quake City; stroll through the impressive Botanic Gardens often referred to as the Garden City.
Pick up your rental car and drive north towards Kaikoura along the Pacific coast. The route is an opportunity to see some beautiful beaches, vineyards and unusual rock formations. Take your pick. Stay for two nights on the seafront. Perched on limestone cliffs overlooking the town, your intimate accommodation (with just seven rooms) has idyllic views of the mountain range that plunges into the ocean. A well-kept garden surrounds the sage coloured building. You can stroll through it on your way to your room or the dining room where breakfast is served each morning.
In Kaikoura, New Zealand reveals the full extent of its possibilities in the space of a few miles. Wrapping the city in blue, the sea nibbles away at the land, or is it the other way around. The mountains, in the background, are eternally snow-clad. The abundant and lively wildlife ripples the surface of the water.
Not to be missed - Go for a wander along the peninsula. With scenery like this, the area is naturally criss-crossed by dozens of trails, all offering a chance to take in numerous different views of the city. The coastline seems endless, so set yourself a goal. Try and spot some sea lions. Easy to make out when they grunt, their brown-grey fur blends into the rocks when they're sleeping.
Optional extra - Whale watching flight.
Drive to Abel Tasman, at the north-eastern tip of the island. The route passes through the Marlborough wine region, and stopping at a winery for lunch is a must (we’ll share our favourite spot with you). Back on the road again, Queen Charlotte Drive offers spectacular views of small coves with pale sand beaches. Upon arrival, stay for three nights in a large property in a lush green garden. The handful of single-storey buildings house spacious, bright rooms that open onto the outdoors. With the garden just steps away, adventures and pleasant surprises have never been closer.
In your itinerary - Hiking in the national park. Named after the first European navigator to have "discovered" New Zealand, the park showcases beautiful diverse landscapes, with its wooded hills rolling into ancient forest. Below the hills there are delightful stretches of golden sand. The Coast Track follows the shoreline and so should you. Below the Tonga Island Marine Reserve playful penguins and dolphins slip into the estuaries.
Optional extra - Explore the park by kayak.
Things to see and do - Takaka and Farewell Spit, independently. It's hard, when you've been making such good progress, to stop pushing northwards. So why not carry on to Farewell Spit? This seemingly endless ribbon of sand stretches for 26 kilometres (16 miles) to enclose the northern coast of Golden Bay. Along the way, the small town of Takaka has a laid-back hippie vibe with a close-knit community feel, inviting cafes and organic grocery stores.
Drive to Nelson, where you swap your rental car for a flight to Auckland on the North Island. After landing, private transfer and stay for two nights on Auckland Waterfront. You are staying in a contemporary building where a designer atmosphere prevails. The hotel features mid century furnishings, freestanding bathtubs and a colour palette of orange tones and yellow and grey. In some of the rooms, Kiwi music can even be heard drifting from the record players. The rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows are particularly delightful. If you feel like relaxing head to the outdoor pool or the sauna.
The largest city in New Zealand, often referred to as the City of Sails, lies between the Hauraki Gulf on one side and the Tasman Sea on the other. This dynamic place makes the most of its idyllic setting. The New Zealand Maritime Museum, just a stone’s throw away shares stories of people and the sea, from Maori sailors to the glory days of the America’s Cup. Not far away is the old Pukekawa / Auckland Domain and the beautiful tropical greenhouses of the Domain Wintergardens, which date from the 1920s. Cool yet edgy Karangahape Road, and the more creative atmosphere of Ponsonby, are both captivating. Rugby fans will want to visit Eden Park, southwest of the business district.
Optional extra - America’s Cup Sailing Experience.
Pick up your rental car and drive north towards Paihia, nestled in the Bay of Islands. The seashore gradually gives way to lush countryside, where the happy sheep graze. Stay for three nights beside the river at a small property with only four rooms. One of the best things about it is its isolated setting. It’s surrounded by beautiful flower gardens with the refreshing waters of the Waitangi River below. If you want to relax the house has a bright veranda for reading and a beautiful outdoor pool. Add to that the comfort and attentive service, and this lodge becomes the ideal retreat.
In your itinerary today - Bay of Islands cruise. A coastal reserve that stretches for 32 kilometres (20 miles), the best way to explore the Bay of Islands is by boat. This invigorating cruise includes plenty of activities. You’ll go snorkelling, test your balance on a paddleboard, hike on one of the islands and then do a bit of swimming in the clear waters. Equipment is provided and lunch is included. All you have to do is to let yourself be transported by the experienced crew, drifting past the different patches of land where rare birds and native bush have found refuge, and who can blame them!
Also booked - Te Kongahu Museum of Waitangi,. It was here, on 6 February 1840, that the treaty was signed by the British Crown and 43 Maori chiefs putting an end to decades of conflict. The treaty is considered to be New Zealand’s founding document. So this place is very iconic! The museum consists of several buildings and was built on the very site where the treaty was signed. You already have your tickets so spend some time discovering the museum's treasured objects. Highlights include authentic Maori canoes, the largest ceremonial war canoe in the world, and a traditional song and dance performance.
Return to Auckland on State Highway 1, a route where the only challenge is staying focused on the road as enticing scenery, sometimes lush and green, sometimes coastal, unfolds before you. Back in the City of Sails it feels like you're home again. Overnight stay at a hotel near the airport and return the rental car. The location is obviously ideal for your early morning flight the next day.
Flight to the Cook Islands. As the plane approaches Aitutaki, you glimpse a dazzling lagoon dotted with 15 smaller islets known as motus. Stay for two nights on this remote paradise. Nestled in beautiful tropical gardens are a handful of charming villas with thatched roofs. In front of them is the lagoon, as far as the eye can see, and of course, the beach. The gentle service, constant smiles and abundant flowers everywhere set the tone for your stay.
In your itinerary - Full day lagoon cruise on board a traditional boat. The imposing shape traced in the sand is a vaka, a traditional boat once used by Polynesian explorers. The double hulled canoe meant it could and still can sail happily from one motu to another. All you have to do is sit back and relax and keep an eye out for any activity beneath the water’s surface.
Transfer to the airport and flight to Rarotonga, the largest of the Cook Islands. Upon arrival, another transfer will take you to your accommodation for the next two nights, on the water’s edge. The ten or so villas are encircled by lush vegetation. The interiors are modern and colourful. The owners are passionate about art, and it shows! Along the beach, towering palm trees sway almost imperceptibly in the wind, their roots firmly anchored in the white sand.
In your itinerary - Exploring the reef. Cook Islanders have deep connections with the water. So, after exploring the surface aboard a vaka, nothing compares to going under the sea to truly understand their way of life. There’s a whole underwater world flourishing here. Flame and lemonpeel angelfish and fish of every colour swim alongside the porites and coral reef bommies. Near Avaavaroa Passage, it’s not uncommon to spot a green turtle or an eagle ray gliding by, indifferent to the excited onlookers watching them.
Private transfer to the airport and international return flights. Night on board, arrival the next day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your trip
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your trip
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