New Zealand Far From Ordinary 2018-19 NEW ZEALAND FAR FROM ORDINARY CONTENTS The First Class Holidays Difference 4 West Coast & Glaciers 97-99 Around New Zealand 6 Punakaiki 98 Ways to explore New Zealand 8 Hokitika 98 Arthurs Pass 98 Our Tailormade Holidays 10 Greymouth 98 Fox Glacier 98 MULTI-ISLAND TOURING Franz Josef 99 Escorted Coach Touring 12-41 Queenstown & Fiordland 100-105 Self Drive, Motorhome & Queenstown 100 Arrowtown 102 Independent Tours 42-61 Te Anau 104 Cruising with Celebrity Cruises 110 Milford Sound 104 Doubtful Sound 104 WELCOME TO NORTH ISLAND Southern Lakes & Mount Cook 106-107 North Island Touring 64-67 Mount Cook 106 Auckland 68 Lake Tekapo 107 Bay of Islands 72-73 Wanaka 107 Paihia 73 Dunedin & Stewart Island 108-109 Coromandel & Pacific Coast 74 Stewart Island 108 Whitianga 74 Invercargill 109 Tauranga 74 Dunedin 109 Central North Island 75-77 FIJI & THE COOK ISLANDS Rotorua 75 Taupo 77 Fiji Islands & Resorts 114-117 Tongariro 77 Fiji Cruising 118 Napier & Hawkes Bay 78-79 Cook Islands & Resorts 119-121 Wellington 80 STOPOVER DESTINATIONS WELCOME TO SOUTH ISLAND Singapore Packages 124 South Island Touring 84-89 Hong Kong Packages 125 Marlborough, Nelson & Dubai Packages 125 Abel Tasman 90-92 Los Angeles Hotels 126 Abel Tasman 91 Hawaii Hotels 126 Nelson 91 Picton 92 GETTING AROUND & FLIGHTS Marlborough 92 Motorhome Rental 127 Canterbury Region 93-96 Car Rental 128 Kaikoura 93 Transfers & Ferry Services 130 Hanmer Springs 94 Rail Journeys 131 Akaroa 94 Flights & Lounge Passes 132-134 Christchurch 95 Important Information 135 Booking Conditions 137 3 THE FIRST CLASS HOLIDAYS DIFFERENCE They say travel enriches the soul and makes memories that last a lifetime – let us create your memories with you. Exceptional service is at the heart of everything we do and has been for the 21 years since we started. From the moment of your first enquiry to when you return home, our mission is to ensure that all arrangements are seamless and as you want them. We can tailor make itineraries for all budgets, applying the same first class level of service to all. Over 21 years, our team have developed unique holiday itineraries that tick all the must-see highlights, as well as the expertise to create a tailor made trip just for you. From choosing the perfect flights, the best hotels for your city stay and recommending those hidden gems that complete the whole journey. When you are looking for a touring holiday, a city break or perhaps that once in a lifetime celebration, it is not a decision to be taken lightly and you need a travel company you can trust. See below and opposite for reasons to choose and trust First Class Holidays. WE ARE NEW ZEALAND EXPERTS New Zealand is an incredible country with diversity of culture, landscapes and climate. With so Wanaka much to explore, our knowledgeable specialists are perfectly placed to create with you exactly the holiday you want and offer extra insights that mean you get the most from your trip. AWARD-WINNING SERVICE First Class Holidays has been recognised as a travel industry leader in tailor made holidays and providing the highest levels of service. We have received awards from industry bodies such as the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) for Outstanding Service and touring partners such as New Zealand’s Grand Pacific Tours for Best International Operator. We are proud of our personal, friendly team and their attention to detail means you receive the highest levels of service. FINANCIAL PROTECTION You can trust First Class Holidays in the knowledge that we are fully bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority ATOL scheme and with the Association of British Travel Agents. You can book your travel arrangements with the peace of mind that your money is safe. We are also members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) and abide by their Code of Te Puia, Rotorua Conduct and the AITO Quality Charter that requires high standards of quality and service. VALUE FOR MONEY We regularly negotiate new special offers to provide the best price for you. Prices can fluctuate depending on the season you travel, so please call our team who will offer you the best available price for your requirements, taking advantage of savings that we have secured on your behalf. Our ‘From’ prices are a guide for the holidays featured in this brochure. Our self drive and Independent packages include additional experiences and well located, best priced hotels so that you can be sure they represent excellent value for money - please refer to the ‘What’s Included’ section by each holiday for details. International flights are not included as airfares are dynamic due to seat availability and special offers and we will offer the best fares available at the time of booking. Auckland ALL OUR HOLIDAYS PROVIDE PEACE OF MIND WITH COMPLETE FINANCIAL PROTECTION 4 REASONS TO CHOOSE FIRST CLASS HOLIDAYS Award-Winning Service Our New Zealand experts are proud to provide the highest levels of service so that your experience is seemless from the moment of your first enquiry to the time you return home after your travels. This attention to detail ensures we create your dream holiday to perfection. Far From Ordinary Experiences Immersing yourself in a culture means incredible local experiences. We offer a wide range of exceptional tours from whale watching and heli-flightseeing over glaciers, cruises in Fiordland National Park and Maori cultural experiences so you get the most from your holiday to New Zealand. Freedom & Flexibility Your holiday, your way. Our experts can tailor make your travel arrangements to match your requirements, whether it be with a preferred airline or perfectly located hotel. Comprehensive Documentation Every booking with First Class Holidays receives a comprehensive documentation pack in a superb A5 zipped wallet – perfectly sized to carry with you and give you all the information that you need for your holiday. Partnered with Independent Travel Agents The UK has an excellent network of independent travel agents. We work very closely with many of them and we would be happy to recommend one local to you, EXPERIENCE OUR AWARD WINNING SERVICE – CALL OUR TEAM ON 0161 888 5609 OR VISIT YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT TRAVEL AGENT 5 AROUND NEW ZEALAND New Zealand, the Land of the Long White Cloud, is a magical and fascinating country with incredible variety and so much to experience. From the temperate rainforests, geothermal regions, stunning Fiordland landscapes, over 15,000km of coastline to a myriad of wildlife, from awe-inspiring whales to the chattering Keas and shy Kiwi birds. New Zealand has it all….. NORTH ISLAND Beautiful Coromandel Peninsula With a dramatic landscape dominated by the volcanic and geothermal areas around Rotorua and Taupo, a stunning coastline with secluded bays and pristine golden sands and an abundance of marine life, North Island has to be on any New Zealand itinerary. You’ll find amazing wineries, superb cuisine and world-class attractions and experiences. See art deco architecture in Napier, quaint yacht filled harbours in the Bay of Islands; experience the laid back lifestyle and exquisite boutiques in Auckland “the City of Sails”, and the café culture in the nation’s capital, Wellington. Geothermal Rotorua Auckland - City of Sails SOUTH ISLAND Incredible Fiordland National Park The stunningly beautiful South Island is dominated by the Southern Alps, running the length of the island and home to a dramatic landscape of snow-capped peaks, blue-white glaciers, rushing rivers, glistening lakes and amazing fiords. One of the world’s finest wine areas, Marlborough, and the amazing Abel Tasman National Park both lie to the north of the “Garden City” of Christchurch, whilst further south in Dunedin there’s a strong Scottish influence. Queenstown is an activity paradise and yet relaxing too, whilst the Fiordland National Park offers the incredible scenery and true serenity of Milford and Doubtful Sounds. Stunning Abel Tasman National Park Queenstown – NZ’s Adventure Playground ALL OUR HOLIDAYS PROVIDE PEACE OF MIND WITH COMPLETE FINANCIAL PROTECTION 6 EXPERIENCE OUR AWARD WINNING SERVICE – CALL OUR TEAM ON 0161 888 5609 OR VISIT YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT TRAVEL AGENT 7 Church of the Good Shepherd WAYS TO EXPLORE NEW ZEALAND New Zealand is a wonderful country and offers the opportunity for an array of holiday options from escorted touring to motorhomes, self-drives by car to wildlife viewing, lodges to city stays, rail journeys to cruises; in fact, you name it and you can probably do it in New Zealand. Whether it is your first time visiting or you have been before, you enjoy the companionship of fellow travellers on an escorted tour or prefer to tread your own path, we can create the holiday you want. The following pages showcase the different ways you can see New Zealand and this brochure contains suggested holiday itineraries. Whether you prefer a pre-arranged tour or one tailor made to your specific requirements, First Class Holidays are New Zealand experts. SELF DRIVE HOLIDAYS New Zealand’s road network is easy to drive and the freedom and flexibility of a self drive holiday means you can explore all the sights that you want. There is a good selection of excellent accommodation available ranging from luxurious hotels to the homely, family feel of a homestead. A smaller rental car is great for short distances and cities, however a larger, more comfortable car is recommended for longer self drive holidays. First Class Holidays detailed holiday documentation packs include driving instructions and you can also choose to include a GPS system to help you find your way. See pages 128-129 for our selection of rental cars.