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Arriving in Christchurch airport this time was definitely the most exciting! I knew that this New Zealand journey would be filled with fresh experiences and new adventures. Certainly, I had been to New Zealand many times (in fact, close to 30 by now). However, this particular trip was to be one of discovery and exploration. I made it a point to visit new hotels, lodges and resorts, and to experience first-hand the innovative tours that have been developed during the last couple of years. Of course, along with these new adventures, I took time to revisit some of my past favorite places, which were GREAT, as usual!

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My first stop in Christchurch was at the beautiful Huntley House (about a 10 minute drive from the center of town), a time-honored home, revived with new rooms and suites added to the property. As I walked in, I was immediately enveloped in the unique warmth you feel when you return home. A very sincere greeting by the resident manager was followed by a casual walk around the beautiful house, and eventually to my room on the 1^st floor. Superbly decorated, the room truly made me feel warm, cozy and welcome. A cocktail at the bar, followed by a delightful dinner and soft music with my after-dinner drinks, was the perfect way to complete my day. If you are looking for a world-class boutique hotel experience in Christchurch, then this is definitely where you want to stay.

Next, I made a quick visit to The George Hotel, which is an exquisite choice for those wanting to stay right in the city. Bruce Garrett, the new General Manager (previously Wharekauhau Lodge) ensures flawless details and superb surroundings. Of course, Cotswold Inn and The Copthorne are also in the center of town, offering great experiences and distinctive accommodations for those looking at moderate and first class levels of accommodation.

The next day I headed west to the gorgeous Grasmere Lodge. Tom, Oliver and Vicki have flawlessly invigorated this property! Set in what the locals call the “High Country”, this Country Estate has been a working station since 1858. Still many remnants of that era exist, and the accommodations have dramatically improved since the first lady of the house, Sarah moved in! Now the choices for accommodations are limitless -- from Lodge rooms, to 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom chalets (ideal for families or small groups traveling together), to the Riverview Cottage with two beautiful one-bedroom suites commanding unsurpassed views of the mountains close by. Here, a hearty breakfast starts your day of activities, which range from horseback riding, fishing, hiking, tennis, or simply relaxing by the pool with a good book. Dinner is served in the main house steeped in history and is always a pleasurable experience.

Then, I made my way farther south and onto Queenstown – wow, talk about changes! The great lodges – Matakauri and Blanket Bay still command great respect with their superb service, incredible views and luxurious country lifestyle. In town, the new Spire Hotel provides those with discerning tastes exactly what they are looking for. Its sleek modern bar, oversized guest rooms with all the latest media gear (you can choose from hundred’s of CD and DVD’s from your remote!) and fine dining restaurant, make the 10-room hotel an exquisite choice. The restaurant features daily menus that utilize only local ingredients, taking visitors on a sublime culinary journey (reservations essential). A new Sofitel Hotel is also on its way, and of course the Mercure Grand St Moritz hotel is still one of my favorites with lake view suites that are a pleasure to wake up in.

While in Queenstown, the highlight is always a heli ride with Choppy to Milford Sound. Her Milford Ultimate tour takes you over stunning Milford Sound and stops a couple of times in very remote and breathtaking areas. Champagne and gourmet sandwiches add to the lunch experience at an old miners hut high in the hills. Heli flights are expensive, but every client who has traveled with us has said it was the highlight of their trip! Keeping with the rush of Queenstown, I invite you to take a Dart River Safari, which is in a jet boat up the Dart River. You will learn about the fascinating Fjordland National Park from the river and on foot as you trek through one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere. Here you can also delight in a horseback ride, play some golf, visit a luxurious spa or take a leisurely cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw and visit an authentic sheep farm.

Then, I flew north to the bottom of the North Island to Wellington, where I boarded a helicopter for a 10-minute flight over the stunning landscapes of Palliser Bay. There, I touched down on the front lawn of the impressive Wharekauhau Country Estate. Nico and Kristy de Lange have just taken over as General Managers. With their experience running tented safari camps in Botswana and lodges in South Africa , they are certainly bringing a new level of splendid service and impeccable quality to the estate. With everything from revised day tours exploring the beauty of the area to the innovations in food and wine, three nights at Wharekauhau are a must for any luxury trip throughout New Zealand. If you’re simply looking for a place to indulge in the finer things of life along with unimaginable scenery, this is it!

In Wellington, a visit to the Te Papa Museum is essential. Rich in culture, the museum provides an authentic vision of New Zealand's past, present and future. If you stay in Wellington, the InterContinental Hotel is a fine choice. For more moderate or first class hotels, I suggest The Ibis and Duxton hotels.

Another short flight north to Rotorua revealed a rejuvenated destination where the warm spirit of the living culture is enthralling. Our local guide planned a special half-day tour for us that left at a respectful 10 am, taking us to all the must-see sights (Thermal Reserve, Sheep farm and Rainbow Trout Springs), as well as a pleasurable narrative trip through the city. Lunch is included at a choice of delectable restaurants, and if you like, a stop at the Polynesian Spa Pools can be arranged for you to indulge in some invigorating relaxing time. I invite you to stay in Rotorua for three days to enable you to see the city, as well as to take a heli flight or 4WD drive tour to Mt. Tarawera . It is truly exceptional. For the bona fide adventurers, or for those who like going where many haven’t been, take the heli flight to White Island . After a 45-minute flight you will land on this active volcano, take a scenic walk through the surreal surroundings, and see the bubbling hot water springs before enjoying a picnic lunch down by the water!

Rotorua has an assortment of excellent accommodations – from The Springs, a wonderful Bed & Breakfast run by Colleen and Murray Ward, to Princes Gate boutique hotel, to the Novotel Lakeside Rotorua. Also, the new Peppers on the Point is a superb hotel with a great location, spacious suites, impeccable service and delicious food. Solitaire Lodge located right on Lake Tarawera offers high standards of accommodation and lodge feeling (it was one of the first lodges in New Zealand and still is one of the best!). Staying here makes it easy to board one of the Clearwater Charters boats and take a cruise to the end of the lake where you can lie in natural hot pools and enjoy the scenery – also great for fishing.

For another exclusive stay, Okareka Lakehouse is a brand new, state of the art, 5-bedroom house located on a point of Lake Okareka with 270 degrees of awe-inspiring views. Here you are provided with a full-time Butler to handle your every need and desire, as well as a selection of chefs to choose from each day, depending on what you feel like eating at the time. Additionally, feel free to enjoy the toys for the lake (jet skis, sails, kayaks, etc.). This is an ideal choice for a family, small group or just a couple looking for the ultimate romantic hideaway!

While in Rotorua, if you want an exceptional game of golf, a short 2 ½ hour drive takes you to the East Coast and the new Cape Kidnappers Golf Course. Now rated in the Top 100 courses in the world, a day here is worthwhile. A new lodge is being built there and will open in 2007. Cape Kidnapper’s is owned by the same family that owns and operates The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs the Bay of Islands, north of Auckland, my next stop.

Upon arriving at Kauri Cliffs, which is located on 6,000 acres near Matauri Bay, Northland, The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs affords spectacular 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. Cape Brett and the offshore Cavalli Islands are part of the panorama which can be viewed from the verandas, lounge, card and dining rooms. Only 22 suites make up the lodge, so there is plenty of room to enjoy the privacy and serenity. The world-renowned golf course there is home to Michael Campbell, the most recent US Open Golf Champion.

Plenty of activities to keep you occupied – I visited the largest Kauri Tree and the Watangi area, steeped in Maori history this trip. On a previous visit I had driven up along Ninety Mile Beach – another fabulous part of this area. Dining at the lodge was exceptional, as you would come to expect at this “super lodge” of New Zealand.

I then drove back to Auckland, and flying back to the States my mind was filled with visions of new and exciting experiences for our clients to enjoy. In short, I invite you to experience New Zealand as I did with 3 nights in Rotorua, 3 nights in Wellington at Wharekauhau Lodge, at least 4 nights in Queenstown, and then a stop for 2 nights either in or near Christchurch. 

At Swain Tours, we customize all the details to deliver your ideal trip -- call today and travel along with us to enjoy the friendly locals, stunning views, delectable cuisine and supreme hospitality that are awaiting you in New Zealand!

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Suggested Itineraries including New Zealand
 

North Island Sampler From $1545 Length 8 Days / 5 Nights Cities Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua Ideal For Family, Self Drive, Nature, Culture Details Itinerary & Information		South Island Sampler From $1846 Length 8 Days / 5 Nights Cities Christchurch, Queenstown Ideal For Family, Groups, Adventure, Self Drive, Nature Details Itinerary & Information
Taste of New Zealand From $2732 Length 11 Days / 8 Nights Cities Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown, Christchurch Ideal For Groups, Adventure, Self Drive, Nature, Culture Details Itinerary & Information		Kiwi Adventure From $2934 Length 13 Days / 10 Nights Cities Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown, Franz Josef, Christchurch Ideal For Groups, Adventure, Nature, Culture Details Itinerary & Information
New Zealand Connoisseur From $2759 Length 13 Days / 10 Nights Cities Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Blenheim, Christchurch Ideal For Groups, Spa, Adventure, Nature, Culture Details Itinerary & Information		New Zealand Explorer From $3595 Length 14 Days / 11 Nights Cities Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua, Queenstown, Franz Josef, Christchurch Ideal For Family, Groups, Adventure, Self Drive, Nature Details Itinerary & Information
Ultimate New Zealand From $10395 Length 14 Days / 11 Nights Cities Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Queenstown, Christchurch Ideal For Romance, Family, Groups, Spa, Adventure, Beach Details Itinerary & Information		Kiwi Culture From $2425 Length 15 Days / 12 Nights Cities Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Queenstown Ideal For Family, Adventure, Self Drive, Nature, Culture Details Itinerary & Information
Circle South Island From $2441 Length 15 Days / 12 Nights Cities Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, Franz Josef, Nelson Ideal For Groups, Adventure, Self Drive, Nature, Culture Details Itinerary & Information		All Over New Zealand From $3134 Length 20 Days / 17 Nights Cities Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Dunedin, Christchurch Ideal For Groups, Spa, Adventure, Nature, Culture Details Itinerary & Information
Natural New Zealand From $7739 Length 17 Days / 14 Nights Cities Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, Authur's Pass, Franz Josef, Queenstown Ideal For Boutique, Adventure, Nature Details Itinerary & Information