Save £150 on New Zealand Gardens Tour

New Zealand Gardens

17 days / 14 nights
25 February - 13 March 2010 with Will Giles

Escorted Group • Parks & Gardens • Mountains & Glaciers 
Maori Culture • Historic Larnach Castle • The Ellerslie Flower Show

New Zealanders are passionate about their gardens. They pour their love of nature, together with indigenous design and flair, to create remarkable gardens. Explore many gardens of regional and national significance on this tour and travel through rugged scenery, pristine forests and beautiful landscapes. The journey concludes at the Ellerslie Flower Show, which is the perfect example of New Zealand’s rich flora and extensive variety of gardens.

Will Giles says: This tour offers a balanced mix of gardens and spectacular New Zealand sights and scenery for your delectation. I am looking forward to sharing with you how plant species vary between the North and South Island’s due to their different climates from sub-tropical to sub-alpine and see pre historic tree ferns growing to perfection in their natural habitat.

Days 1 & 2 To Auckland: Fly to Auckland with Air New Zealand. (N)

Day 3 Auckland: Late morning arrival. En route to the hotel visit Auckland Museum and Auckland Winter Gardens. Continue to Rendezvous Hotel Auckland or similar where you will stay for 2 nights. (N)
 
Day 4 Auckland: Spend the day visiting various city gardens including Bromeliads, Eden Garden and Totara Waters Subtropical Garden. See camellias, hibiscus, conifers and deciduous trees as well as a large bromeliad collection and scores of palms. (B)

Day 5 To Hamilton: Travel to Hamilton with garden visits en route including Woodlands Garden, the Wairere Nursery and the 17.5 hectare Waitakaruru Arboretum. Today’s garden experience is completed with an exhibition of sculptural art by international and New Zealand artists at Waitakaruru’s sculpture park. Overnight at Novotel Hamilton Tainui or similar. (B)

Day 6 To Rotorua: Journey to Rotorua, stopping en route for a guided tour of the Waitomo Caves and a visit to Tapuwae Garden. Enjoy a Hangi style dinner and Maori cultural performance and a visit to Rainbow Springs Nature Park. Stay overnight at the Millennium Hotel Rotorua or similar. (B, D)
 
Day 7 To New Plymouth: Morning visit to Te Puia Thermal Reserve. Continue to New Plymouth and visit Yaku Nursery, which has been growing Clematis for over 40 years and is probably the most experienced producer of these plants in New Zealand. Transfer to the Copthorne Hotel Grand Central or similar for 2 nights. (B)
 
Day 8 New Plymouth: Full day of garden visits including Pukekura Park & Brooklands, Te Kainga Marire and the Jury Garden. (B)

Day 9 To Wellington: Depart for Wanganui to visit the Ridges Garden and Nursery. Continue to Wellington and stay overnight at the Holiday Inn Wellington or similar. (B)
 
Day 10 Wellington: Day at leisure. (B)
 
Day 11 To Dunedin: Fly to Dunedin and visit the Dunedin Botanical Gardens in the afternoon. Stay at the Southern Cross Hotel or similar for 2 nights. (B)
 
Day 12 Dunedin: Visit historic Larnach Castle and Glenfalloch Gardens. Afternoon visit to the Royal Albatross Colony and Penguin Place to see these birds in their natural habitat. (B)

Day 13 To Christchurch: Morning visit to the Dunedin Chinese Garden. Travel to Christchurch, stopping at Trott’s Garden & Nursery en route. Stay 3 nights at the Heritage Christchurch or similar. (B)
 
Day 14 Christchurch: Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour, including visits to Christchurch Botanical Gardens, Mona Vale Gardens and Broadfields New Zealand Landscape Garden. (B)

Day 15 Christchurch: Spend the day at the Ellerslie Flower Show, New Zealand’s premier garden event. With a reputation as the annual flower show – similar to the Chelsea Flower Show in London – it forecasts the new season’s garden design trends and plant fashions. (B)

Day 16 To London: Day at leisure. Transfer to the airport for your Air New Zealand flight to London Heathrow, via Auckland. (B)

Day 17 London: Afternoon arrival. (N)

• Exact tour dates to be advised once the dates for the Ellerslie Flower Show in Christchurch have been confirmed.

Extensions
Should you wish to extend your stay in New Zealand or stop over in Australia, the Far East, South Pacific or USA, please contact Cox & Kings for details and suggestions.