SIX DAY CHRISTMAS TOUR 23 - 28 December 2019

Welcome to another of our great Christmas tours! This year we are off to ’s Thermal Wonderland - the North Island’s tourist mecca of Rotorua, where we make our home for four nights in Rotorua’s central and luxurious hotel, the Copthorne Hotel Rotorua.

DAY ONE – Monday December 23

After the usual pick-ups from your home or a central meeting point, we head South with a morning tea stop at BP Drury. Our first main stop will be to visit Ngatea where there is time to investigate Ngatea’s interesting shops then from here, we travel on to Paeroa, down the side of the Kaimai Ranges to Te Aroha, and stop for lunch. After lunch we continue following the range and take a look at some out of the way places as the road follows the Waihou River. Further on from there we meet the main road to Rotorua at Te Poi and just before arriving in Rotorua, we will stop in at Mamaku Blue – an authentic blueberry farm, orchard and winery where you are welcome to enjoy the free tasting of their Wine, Liqueur, Pure Blueberry Juice and homemade preserves. We will reach Rotorua in time to relax before dinner. Here we will make our home for the next five nights. Accommodation at the Copthorne Hotel D

DAY TWO – Tuesday December 24

Today, after a leisurely start, we will take the day to trip around the local area. Our first visit will be to the world famous Agrodome Farm Show where you’ll hear amazing facts and have a few laughs as you’re introduced to 19 breeds of sheep. Then, witness a live sheep shearing demonstration and a fun sheep auction with bidding from the floor and audience participation. But the animal stars are not just sheep - the remarkable farm dogs will amaze you, as they demonstrate their ability to respond to commands and keep those sheep (and ducks!) in line! We then travel around to Skyline Rotorua where we will jump on-board the Gondola and experience spectacular views of Lake Rotorua, the city and steaming geothermal vistas on the way to the top of the Mountain. Once up top, you can take some time out to enjoy lunch at the Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar or at the Market Kitchen Café. Dining is indoor or outdoor providing panoramic views of the region. While up top, feel free to experience the fast-paced freedom of the world-famous Luge. (Lunch and Luge at own expense.) Our afternoon includes a visit to Paradise Valley Springs, a beautifully presented New Zealand Wildlife Park, where you can see a wide range of animals found wild around the country, along with a pride of African Lions. (The afternoon feeding show is a great time to see the lions active and learn a bit more about the pride.) Following on from that, we head back to the hotel with time to relax before dinner or cross the road to Polynesian Spa where you can immerse yourself in New Zealand’s original geothermal bathing experience. (Entry fee to Polynesian Spa is not included, but the hotel also has its own thermal pool as another option for a soak.) Dinner tonight at the hotel. BD

DAY THREE – CHRISTMAS DAY

Time to relax and forget all the hassles of the year as we work up an appetite so we can do our scrumptious Christmas dinner justice! An opportunity will be given for all those who would like to attend church in the morning (your driver will arrange this at your request). A light picnic lunch will be collected from the hotel and we will take a short afternoon drive around the stunning beauty of the Blue and Green Lakes - a great spot for a picnic lunch. We will then give you some time back in Rotorua to wander the lake’s edge, before we head back to the hotel and prepare to share in our Christmas dinner this evening. BLD

DAY FOUR – Thursday December 26

Today, after a leisurely start, we will go on a ‘tiki tour’ which leads us around the banks of the beautiful Rotoiti and Rotoma Lakes and on to the town of Edgecumbe (where the mass flooding occurred in 2017 when the Rangataiki River’s stopbank burst following the arrival of ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie to the Eastern Bay of Plenty). We will stop here for morning tea, then continue on through to Whakatane Heads (one of the first landing sites by Maori on their arrival to New Zealand). Enjoy the lovely park-like vista and breathtaking scenery where the ocean meets the river, with great views of Wairaka (The Lady on the Rock), White Island and Moutohora (Whale) Island. We’ll then make our way into Whakatane Town Centre for lunch and a wander around the many delightful shops in the area. (Lunch at own expense.)

After lunch, we will journey on to Ohope Beach – voted New Zealand’s ‘Most Loved Beach’ in 2014. (The beach itself is an 11 km sweep of white sand.) Here we will enjoy the wonderful surroundings, before starting our leisurely drive back to Rotorua, but not before stopping in at Ohope’s Cafes for afternoon tea first. Dinner tonight at the hotel. BD DAY FIVE – Friday December 27

This morning, after another full cooked breakfast, we take time to explore the historic Government Gardens that surround the Elizabethan Tudor-style Spa Bath House. The Government Gardens are situated on the lake’s edge in downtown Rotorua. At 10.30 we will visit Te Puia Thermal Village, this amazing attraction showcases the natural geothermal power bursting from the earth through the geysers and boiling mud pools, an amazing visit! We then spend some time enjoying lunch in the inner city, experiencing the attractive, vibrant destination for locals and visitors alike. You can enjoy lunch and look around the shops, or head back to the hotel for a relaxing swim or walk around the gardens. We will allow you time at the hotel to freshen up, before departing for our evening’s entertainment at Tamaki Maori Village, an ancient forest village at Tawa-ngāhere-pā. You’ll experience a traditional Maori welcome ceremony, be part of an interactive tour of a pre-European village, participate in hands-on cultural activities, view a geothermal hangi meal preparation and enjoy a traditional dinner and dessert buffet feast. Following the evening experience, we return to the hotel. BD

DAY SIX – Saturday December 28

Unfortunately, today is our last day and it’s time to head for home … but wait - there’s more! On our journey home, we’ll stop and experience the real Middle-Earth at the , where, in the heart of the Region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Your guide will escort you around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made. Following the tour, we will stay for lunch at The Shire’s Rest Café. (Lunch at own expense.) We then head north, with a final stop at the Bombay Hills before arriving back in the early evening. (We will have time at the Bombay Hills for you to collect some fruit or any other necessary items before returning home.) B

Thanks for travelling with us, we hope you enjoy a wonderful time away and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

** You may wish to take out travel insurance for any travel, should the worst happen, and you are unable to travel after the close-off date, you will then have peace of mind cover. **

INCLUDED IN THE COST:

• Home Pick-up and Drop-off • Deluxe Coach Travel • Experienced Driver and a Full Commentary • 5 Nights Accommodation • 5 Full Cooked Breakfasts • 3 Dinners and a Christmas Feast at the Hotel • 1 Picnic Christmas Lunch • An Evening Experience and Hangi at Tamaki Maori Village • Agrodome Show, Skyline Gondola & Paradise Valley Springs & Te Puia Tours • Coach Tour of Whakatane & Ohope • Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

COST PER PERSON: SHARE TWIN $1785.00 SINGLE $2375.00

EXTRAS:

• Lunch (except where listed) • Morning and Afternoon Teas • Other Personal Choice Options

www.bayescoachlines.co.nz www.millenniumhotels.com/en/rotorua/copthorne-hotel-rotorua http://mamakublue.co.nz/ http://www.agrodome.co.nz/ https://www.skyline.co.nz/rotorua/ http://www.paradisev.co.nz/ https://www.whakatane.com/ https://tepuia.com/ https://www.tamakimaorivillage.co.nz/experiences/evening- experience/https://www.hobbitontours.com/en/our-tours/

B = Breakfast Included L = Lunch Included D = Dinner Included

Home pick-ups and drop-offs are available from the Hibiscus Coast and North Shore only.

For further information, please contact our office: Tel: (09) 426-5504 or (09) 377-5576 or Email: [email protected]