Gourmet New Zealand

Explore the museums and galleries of vibrant Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. For a good overview, head up 190 metres to the top of the Sky Tower, where you’ll find the rotating Orbit 360° restaurant and some wonderful views over the streets below. Why not take a boat out onto the Hauraki Gulf and cruise to pretty Waiheke Island, where you can enjoy picture perfect views over the sea.

4* Avani Metropolis

Drive on to Rotorua, where the distinct waft of sulphur fills the air. This is a geothermal wonderland filled with steaming hot springs, bubbling mud pools and violent geysers. It’s not just about the geology however, as the town boasts 18 sparkling lakes, various luging tracks, mountain bike trails and lakeside walking pathways. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and learn about Maori culture on a tour of Tamaki Maori Village, where you’ll also get to try a traditional hangi meal, cooked in the ground.

4* Rydges Rotorua

Napier has the most complete collection of inner-city art deco structures in the world. The whole city was rebuilt following the 1931 earthquake, and the buildings, including the classic Daily Telegraph office, have remained ever since. Napier is also known for its warm and dry climate, perfect for grape growing, and produces some of the country’s finest wines. Visit the vineyards and taste a glass or two of Hawke’s Bay’s finest vintages.

4* Scenic Hotel Te Pania

Continue the wine theme at your next stop, Martinborough. Here in the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, Martinborough’s restaurants and local wines shine proudly.  Don't leave town without sampling the very best wines this region has to offer.

4* The Martinborough Hotel

Vibrant Wellington offers a great arts scene, fabulous scenery and some excellent museums, including the outstanding National Museum, Te Papa. The café culture here is legendary too, so pop down to a café or two and sample the cappuccinos and cuisine in town. Try everything from ice cream to cheese to chocolate and cake. We hope you’re hungry!

5* QT Wellington

Head on to the spectacular Marlborough Sounds, a vast expanse of glittering blue water poured into the valleys between forested hills, dotted with quaint villages and home to a number of marine mammals including the rare Hector’s dolphin.

3* Punga Cove Resort

Take the ferry to Picton and start exploring the South Island. Start off with the beautiful vineyards of Blenheim, part of the Marlborough wine region. From here you can cross the Wairu Plains from Cloudy Bay to Havelock, before heading to Queen Charlotte Sound, be sure to sample the local wines and indulge in Blenheim’s artisan foodie scene. Blenheim has a bit of a friendly rivalry with nearby Nelson as to which can claim the title of New Zealand’s sunniest town, so you’re sure to have some lovely days to spend outdoors.

4* Scenic Hotel Marlborough

In Maori, Kaikoura translates to ‘eating crayfish’, which might give you a bit of an idea of one of the town’s main pastimes. Indeed, the crayfish here is excellent, and where better to try it than in the restaurant at your hotel, Hapuku Lodge, which serves what might just be the finest crayfish in all New Zealand. When not sampling the local seafood, be sure to head out to sea on a wildlife watching trip, a great way to get up close to the region’s whales, dolphins and fur seals.

4* The White Morph Heritage Collection

Take a wander around pretty Christchurch, a little slice of England on the southern edge of Pegasus Bay. Frequently nicknamed the ‘Garden City’ due to its extensive parks and green open spaces, the landscape is best viewed on a relaxing punting trip down the Avon River. Being relatively flat, Christchurch is easy to cycle around, taking in such sights as the Botanic Gardens and Riccarton Bush. Maybe even head down to the International Antarctic Centre to learn about life on the South Pole.

4.5* Chateau on the Park

Head on to pretty Queenstown, set on the edge of a lake and boasting all manner of super scary white-knuckle activities. When not hurling yourself down a slope or leaping out of a plane, set off on a wine tour to four of the region’s finest vineyards, taking in some glorious mountain and lake scenery along the way. To top it off, you’ll be treated to a sumptuous gourmet bbq with views of beautiful Walter Peak.

5* Hotel St Moritz Queenstown Mgallery by Sofitel