A unique overseas journey through New Zealand's North Island, where international flavours and rich heritage blend seamlessly. Taste Chinese tea in the Waikato and indulge in French pastries and Turkish cuisine in Whakatane. Savour Belgian beer and food in Wellington, and in Gisborne, taste the essence of Italy and delight in South American coffee. In Napier taste world-class wines founded by French missionaries. Stroll Napier's streets, influenced by American and European styles, discover a Lebanese legacy in Opotiki and the tranquility of a Japanese garden in Te Kuiti. Explore Wellington’s French connection with Suzanne Aubert, and more.
Early Booking Discount - Book by 23 June, 2025 and save an extra $70 per person
THU 23 OCT - AUCKLAND/WHAKATANE
Head South and savour a taste of Asia on the way. Enjoy a tea presentation and tasting at award winning Zealong Tea Estate. Vincent Chen, famously brought 1500 cuttings in from Asia in 1996, to try growing them in New Zealand, with great success. Onward to Haumurana Mourea on the northern shores of Lake Rotorua and then Kawerau. In Kawerau view, from the street, classic American homes from the 1950’s. Dinner at Gallipoli Turkish Restaurant tonight. Stay Com Plex, Whakatane, 1 night. Included: D
FRI 24 OCT - WHAKATANE/GISBORNE
This morning visit L’Atelier to purchase delicious French pastries and coffee for breakfast, created by French Pastry Chef Roberto Chanca. Depart for Opotiki and step back in time at the fabulous Opotiki Museum. View the extensive collection of implements and vehicles and early pioneer photographs. Experience the 100 year old shelves and original fittings from Opotiki's Shalfoon and Francis grocery and hardware store. The founders, George Shalfoon and his cousin Stephen were from the Lebanon and arrived in Opotiki in the late 1890s. Included lunch in Opotiki. Stay Emerald Hotel, Gisborne, 2 nights. Included: B, L,D
SAT 25 OCT - GISBORNE
Visit Gisborne farmers market to sample and purchase the products. Some local favourites include Torere Macadamia nuts, Hemp products, smoked fish, Waimata Cheese and Lake Road Lavender. Then visit Mr Clifton’s - a specialty coffee shop using beans sourced from Ethiopia and central South America. Learn their story and of course try a brew.Free time at Tairawhiti Museum, one of the very best, most innovative regional museums in New Zealand. Italian dinner tonight at Portafino Restaurant. Included: B, D
SUN 26 OCT - GISBORNE/NAPIER
Shop for your own food for a picnic lunch today at Bremdale coastal Gardens at Nuhaka, the gateway to the Mahia Peninsula. Bremdale has an atmosphere of old world charm – everywhere there is a perfume and surprises to enhance the beauty of the gardens. You can purchase crafts and organic products as well as herbal health remedies. Onward to Napier. Stay Scenic Hotel Te Pania, Napier, 2 nights. Included: B, D
MON 27 OCT - NAPIER
This morning discover the fascinating story of Napier’s heritage at a screening of the 1931 earthquake film. Witness the devastation of the city and hear the stories of the people it left behind. Afterwards a coach tour with a local guide, of the Art Deco Capital of the world. (Napier sought to be a new modern city and inspiration came from Europe and where this architectural style was very popular from 1920 to 1940). Then to Mission Estate an award-winning winery and an iconic New Zealand landmark. Established in 1851 by French missionaries, it is New Zealand’s oldest winery and home to a heritage like no other. Enjoy a wine tasting followed by a light platter lunch here. Evening is free. Included: B, L
TUE 28 OCT - NAPIER/WELLINGTON
Head to Norsewood, with its proud Scandinavian heritage. Norwegian settlers, woodsmen and farmers, were brought over by ship in 1873 to tame a thick area of forestry called Seventy Mile Bush. Norsewood has street signs of pioneering families from other countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Poland and Germany. Visit a Norsewear clothing shop maker and soak up the history at Norsewood Heritage Village. Later we stop at Woodville for lunch (own expense). Later visit delightful Greytown and it’s historical buildings and tree-lined avenues. Many describe Greytown as the prettiest town in the North Island. Free time to explore then onward to Wellington. Stay Travel Lodge Hotel, Wellington, 2 nights. Included: B, D
WED 29 OCT - WELLINGTON
Ascend the Wellington Cable Car and stroll through Lady Norwood Rose Gardens. Lunch is at Cloisters Café, Island Bay and then free time at Suzanne Aubert Museum. Suzanne Aubert, better known to many by her religious name Mary Joseph or "Mother Aubert", was a French religious sister who started a home for orphans and the under-privileged in Jerusalem, NZ on the Whanganui River in 1885. This afternoon maybe spend time at Te Papa Museum to view Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War exhibition. Tonight enjoy a hearty Belgian dinner. Included: B, L, D
THU 30 OCT - WELLINGTON/WHANGANUI
Head to Whanganui. Visit RJ’s Licorice factory shop in Levin, home of the iconic licorice chocolate log, a world first. Later we experience De Molen Mill in Foxton - a full size 17th century replica Windmill which still produces stone ground flour the traditional way. The million-dollar project was originally hatched in 1987 between two Dutch immigrants, who had settled in Foxton, Dirk van Til, and Jan (John) Langen. Free time at the Oranjehof Dutch Connection Centre, a museum with a difference. It’s got a quirky humour of its own as it tells the story of the Dutch immigrants in NZ, in delightfully colourful ways. Lunch is included today. Arrive in Whanganui and experience the Durie Hill Elevator. Built in 1919, it’s NZ's only public transport elevator and is still used on a daily basis. Stay The Avenue Kingsgate Hotel, Whanganui, 2 nights. Included: B, L, D
FRI 31 OCT - WHANGANUI
Morning is free then enjoy Whanganui River travel as it used to be as you listen to stories, take in the beautiful scenery during a unique and authentic cruise aboard Paddle Steamer Waimarie. In the afternoon visit Whanganui Regional Museum. Dinner included tonight. Included: B, D
SAT 01 NOV - WHANGANUI/AUCKLAND
Explore the Whanganui River Markets then depart for Auckland. Stop in Te Kuiti for an included lunch at Stoked Eatery then visit the exquisite Tatsuno Japanese Garden established in 1998 as a gift from Sister City, Tatsuno, Japan. It was established when two World War II pilots; one from Tatsun Japan, Professor Kinase, and Les Munro, from Waitomo, meet at a World War II reunion. Arrive back in Auckland late afternoon. Included: B, L
Deposit: $500pp
