The George is New Zealand’s most captivating small luxury hotel, set in the heart of the elegant garden city of Christchurch, with panoramic views of Hagley Park and the Avon River. At its essence is chic style, combined with passionate attention to detail, and supreme comfort. Learn more about this Swain Preferred property.

Overlooking the picturesque Victoria Square, Copthorne Hotel Christchurch Central is less than 2 minutes walk from the city center, Christchurch Convention Center and Casino. The room layouts allow maximum space for guest comfort along with air conditioning, substantial lighting, modern décor and additional soundproofing – a superb reflection of modern urban living. Learn more about this Swain Preferred property.

The Spire Queenstown is a small, contemporary and distinctively stylish hotel located in the heart of Queenstown, New Zealand. It is a hotel with design focus including iconic Charles Eames chairs, Philippe Starck lamps, Bang and Olufsen phones, and modern New Zealand artwork which add pure design punctuation. Learn more about this Swain Preferred property.

Novotel Queenstown Lakeside sits in a tranquil lakefront setting only a minute’s walk from the lively heart of Queenstown for shopping, restaurants and activities. This fresh, modern hotel has recently undergone a major refurbishment and offers stylish new and upgraded rooms and facilities. Guests can relax with lake, mountain or garden views. Enjoy fresh, seasonal New Zealand cuisine at Elements restaurant or the casual indoor/outdoor atmosphere of The Gallery Cafe & Bar for great coffee or cocktails.  Learn more about this Swain Preferred property.

A classic mountain resort, one of New Zealand’s alpine treasures, The Hermitage Hotel is a gateway to an extraordinary wonderland, the Mount Cook (Aoraki) National Park.  Situated in a superb, natural mountain amphitheatre, The Hermitage is a perfect all year round retreat offering visitors a wealth of unique leisure pursuits.  Learn more about this Swain Preferred property.

The hotel comprises 50 rooms that are comfortable and well-maintained with modern amenities. In addition, attentive 24-hour room service and facilities for the disabled are also available, for your convenience. The hotel features a street front restaurant, serving regional cuisine and a lobby bar, offering fine drinks in a cozy ambience.  Learn more about this Swain Preferred property.

The Mitchell Corp network is New Zealand’s largest with an established portfolio of over 100 properties in prime tourist and conference locations nation-wide through two of New Zealand’s foremost accommodation brands. All hotels and motels in the Mitchell Corp network have been carefully selected according to criteria which demand not only excellence in accommodation, facilities and customer service, but exceptional value for money. Learn more about this Swain Preferred property.

Banks Peninsula was formed following the violent eruptions of two volcanoes. A crater nurses the picturesque harbor of Akaroa with many smaller bays indenting the coastline. Sighted by Captain Cook in 1770, the Peninsula was then inhabited by Maori. In 1840 French settlers arrived at Akaroa, which had just been claimed under the Treaty of Waitangi by the English. To this day Akaroa remains unique the site of the only attempted settlement by the French in New Zealand. Many streets have French names and there are descendants of the original French families still living in Akaroa. Learn more about this Swain Preferred excursion.

In the heart of the Southern Alps, Arthur’s Pass National Park has an incredible diversity of flora and landscape. They range from eastern beech clad hills and tussock valleys to the luxuriant rain forest in the west. The highest mountains have glaciers and surrounding them are tussock basins, flowering herbs and alpine grasses. Learn more about this Swain Preferred excursion.

Kaikoura with whale watching

“Whales, wine, mountains and sea” 
Full day tour with whale watching cruise

Tucked in the shelter of the Kaikoura Peninsula jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, and beneath the towering 2600 meter high snow-capped Kaikoura Mountain Ranges, Kaikoura is scenically breathtaking. Originally an island, the peninsula has since been joined to the mainland by steep plains built up of debris swept down from the mountains by rivers. In Maori lore, the peninsula was the place where Maui braced his foot when he fished up the North Island and was named the seat of Te waka a Maui – Maui's canoe. The name Kaikoura means “meal of crayfish”. Learn more about this Swain Preferred excursion.

On this amazing day, you will experience the Alpine Pacific Triangle touring route, one of New Zealand’s great scenic drives. This route takes in two of New Zealand’s best recreational locations…Kaikoura, famous for its whale watching and Hanmer Springs Alpine Thermal Village, known for its thermal hot pools. Learn more about this Swain Preferred excursion.

Explore New Zealand’s spectacular South Island on a personally guided, small group, scenic and nature tour – Wilderness South Expeditions. Canterbury Trails takes you “off the beaten track”. These tours are fully escorted with guided walks, first class service, superb food and fine accommodations. Maximum group size for these tours is six to eight guests and exclusive private trips can also be arranged. Learn more about this Swain Preferred extended tour.

Explore the magnificent North and South Islands of New Zealand with Canterbury Trails and Kiwi Dundee Adventures on our personally guided small group nature and scenic safari tours – Natural North’South New Zealand. Taking you “off the beaten track”, these adventures include guided walks, first class service, superb food and fine accommodations. Maximum group size for these tours is six to eight guests and exclusive private trips can also be arranged. Learn more about this Swain Preferred extended tour.

On boarding the coach in Queenstown, visitors are treated to a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Pearl Harbour, Manapouri. They then board a Real Journeys vessel and cruise across picturesque Lake Manapouri to West Arm before traveling by coach through dense rainforest across Wilmot Pass. There are opportunities along the way to examine the plant life and view the spectacular scenery. Once at Deep Cove, visitors board the catamaran Patea Explorer for a 3 hour cruise of beautiful Doubtful Sound. On board there is excellent viewing of waterfalls, rainforest and mountains. Learn more about this Swain Preferred extended tour.

On boarding a Real Journeys coach in Queenstown, visitors enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through rolling countryside with the coach driver providing an informative commentary. Arriving in Manapouri, the journey to Doubtful Sound begins with a cruise across Lake Manapouri. After disembarking at West Arm, passengers then travel over Wilmot Pass by coach through dense rainforest. At Deep Cove, visitors board the overnight cruise vessel for a leisurely exploration of Doubtful Sound. The vessel then anchors overnight in one of Doubtful Sound’s hidden arms. Learn more about this Swain Preferred extended tour.

On boarding a Real Journeys coach in Queenstown, visitors enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary. Stopping in Te Anau for a short break provides the opportunity for lunch to be purchased (at extra cost) before the excursion continues along the spectacular Milford Road. There is time for photo stops and short walks along the way. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, passengers board the Milford Mariner for the overnight cruise. Learn more about this Swain Preferred extended tour.

Return luxury coach transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with an extended 2½ hour Nature Cruise along the full-length of the fiord. On boarding a Real Journeys luxury glass-roofed coach in Queenstown, visitors enjoy a trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary. Learn more about this Swain Preferred extended tour.

Return luxury coach transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with an extended 2½ hour Nature Cruise along the full-length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea, before a return sightseeing flight to Queenstown. On boarding a Real Journeys luxury glass-roofed coach in Queenstown, visitors enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. Learn more about this Swain Preferred extended tour.

Return coach transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound and overnight cruise on board the Milford Wanderer. On boarding a luxury Real Journeys coach in Queenstown, visitors enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary. Stopping in Te Anau, passengers may purchase lunch before the coach continues along the spectacular Milford Road. There is time for photo stops and short walks along the way. Learn more about this Swain Preferred extended tour.

One and a-half hour scenic cruise on board the coal fired vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. Passengers cruise from Queenstown Bay to Walter Peak High Country Farm (without going ashore) and return. On board the captain provides an interesting commentary as visitors enjoy spectacular views of Cecil and Walter Peaks and the western shores of Lake Wakatipu. Learn more about this Swain Preferred extended tour.

Enjoy a return scenic cruise Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm on board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. Following the 40 minute outward voyage from Queenstown, passengers disembark at Walter Peak High Country Farm where they can experience farming life. There is time to wander through the beautiful lakeside gardens and enjoy tea/coffee and home baking in the Colonel’s Homestead, surrounded by views of the lake and mountains. Learn more about this Swain Preferred extended tour.

Enjoy a return scenic cruise Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm on board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. During the cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak, guests may purchase pre-dinner drinks and listen to the pianist play a few old favorites. On disembarking at Walter Peak, guests are warmly welcomed and escorted through the beautiful lakeside gardens to the charming Colonel’s Homestead where they are seated amidst elegant surroundings. The resident pianist provides background music and on cold nights open fires create a cozy atmosphere. Learn more about this Swain Preferred extended tour.