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Christchurch, New Zealand – Gateway to the South.

06-13-2013

 


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Christchurch - Gateway to the South
Christchurch, New Zealand was recently named the number six destination on Lonely Planet's "10 cities to visit in 2013". After suffering earthquakes in 2011 and 2012, Christchurch is being rebuilt again as a beautiful, lively city that should be included in every New Zealand visitor's itinerary. With only a small section of the city is still quartered off for reconstruction, the rest of the affected areas have been filled with innovative shops, cafes and beautiful green space, or as Lonely Planet puts it; "rising from the rubble with flair".

Highlights in Christchurch include the Lord of the Rings Edoras tour and the opportunity to spend two hours with the most amazing chocolatier on the Bean to Bon-Bon Chocolate tour. While there is an abundance of options within the city, the surrounding areas offer a diverse array of experiences with Christchurch offering the ideal location to base yourself.

Just 40 miles north of Christchurch is Hanmer Springs, renowned for its natural thermal pools fed by a hot spring from the fractured rock bed along the Hanmer Fault. After relaxing in the warm waters jump on a bike for some mountain biking, throw on your hiking boots for a nature walk or continue the pampering with a relaxing spa treatment

The small village of Kaikoura lies 100 miles north of Christchurch and is home to and abundance of dolphins, fur seals, whales, and giant albatross. Enjoy a whale watching cruise, dine at one of the great seafood restaurants or cafés or be a little adventurous and discover the sumptuous feast on offer at the famous "Nin's Bin" roadside crayfish caravan.

Head 46 miles southwest of Christchurch and find the historic French and British settlement of Akaroa, nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano. Explore the village with its colonial architecture, galleries, craft stores and cafes or join a cruise on the harbor to see a witness the local wildlife including the rarest and smallest marine dolphin and the largest little penguin colony on mainland New Zealand.

Continue your New Zealand journey with a road trip from Christchurch to Queenstown. Stop to visit New Zealand's highest peak Aoraki (Mt Cook) which stands 12,316 feet high. The region offers a remarkable alpine environment – ideal for walks and scenic flights. Spend time at The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre and learn how he prepared and became the first man to ascend Everest.
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INCLUSIONS:
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  • Four nights Travelodge Sydney, Standard Room
  • Four nights Copthorne Resort Lakefront, Superior Room
  • The Sydney Opera House Tour
  • Milford Sound Nature Cruise
  • Round-trip airport/hotel transfers
  • US/foreign taxes & fees including Sept 11 Security Fee
  • Applicable airline fuel surcharge

 

INCLUSIONS:
  • Round-trip airfare on Air New Zealand from Los Angeles to Sydney, Christchurch, Queenstown and Auckland
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  • Two nights Bella Vista Christchurch, Standard Studio
  • Four nights Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, Garden View Room
  • Two nights Mercure Auckland, Guest Room
  • Sydney Opera House Tour
  • Morning Sightseeing Tour, Christchurch
  • Christchurch to Queenstown via Mt Cook
  • Milford Sound Nature Cruise, Queenstown
  • Auckland City Revealed tour
  • Round-trip airport transfers throughout
  • US/foreign taxes & fees including Sep 11 Security Fee
  • Applicable Airline Fuel Surcharges
INCLUSIONS:
  • Round-trip Airfare on Air Pacific (Fiji Airways) from Los Angeles to Nadi and Christchurch
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  • Three nights Novotel Queenstown Lakeside
  • One night 58 on Cron
  • Milford Sound Cruise
  • TranzAlpine train journey
  • Seven days Intermediate Auto car rental
  • Meet & Greet in Fiji
  • Round-trip airport/hotel transfers in Fiji
  • US/foreign taxes & fees including Sept 11 Security Fee
  • Applicable airline fuel surcharge

 

*Advertised price valid for departures Jul 27, 2013 - Sep 19, 2013. Seasonal surcharges apply to other date ranges. *Advertised price valid for departures Jul 27, 2013 - Sep 19, 2013. Seasonal surcharges apply to other date ranges. ^ Advertised price valid for departures Sep 1, 2013 - Dec 11, 2013. Seasonal surcharges apply to other date ranges.