New ZealandNew Zealand's wines and impressive landscapes

Continue your flight to Napier and pick up your rental car for the next three nights in Hawke's Bay. This indescribably beautiful area is known as New Zealand's "food and wine country." You will love your hotel, Farm at Cape Kidnappers. Here you can relax in the spa, enjoy delicious meals with a view of the sea, or take advantage of the wonderful golf course.

This is the ideal starting point for a tour of the numerous wineries located in the enchanting landscape around Hawke's Bay. This region is particularly well known for its Chardonnay. Take the time to relax on the beach or discover the great city of Napier. It is particularly known for its Art Deco-style sights. Admire the statue of a Maori maiden, the Pania of the Reef statue, which is located on the promenade and is the city's landmark.

Continue on to the boutique wine region of Wairarapa. Here you will find mainly vineyards and sheep farms. According to the first Maori tribes, the name means "shimmering water," as you will find Lake Wairarapa here, shimmering rivers that crisscross the landscape, and Palliser Bay, where you will spend the night in a wonderful country estate. Take your time to explore the region's wineries and the small rural communities of Martinborough and Greytown.

Your next stop is New Zealand's capital, Wellington: Visit Te Papa and admire the colorful wooden houses scattered across the hills surrounding the city. Stroll along the waterfront, admire the bustling harbor, or head to one of the beautiful beaches. Take the red funicular from Lambton Quay and ride to Wellington Botanic Garden.

The next day, board the ferry to Picton and pick up your rental car to drive to Marlborough, New Zealand's largest wine region. Over 40 wineries have settled in this region, so why not visit one or two and discover the wine cellars on a private tour? This region is famous for its Sauvignon Blanc. There is much to discover in this region and plenty of opportunities for active visitors, such as a wine tour by bike.

Continue via Kaikoura to Christchurch. Kaikoura is an ecotourism destination that received an award in 2021 and is ideal for a short stopover, for example for lunch. Then continue on to Christchurch, where you will have the opportunity to explore the city.

Spend the next day discovering small boutique wineries in the nearby Waipara wine region and tasting more fine wines. Visit the picturesque coastal town of Akaroa, where you can encounter the rarest and smallest dolphins in the world, the Hector's dolphins. Stroll through the charming village and visit the beautiful shops and restaurants.

Take the train via Greymouth to Franz Josef and travel to the west coast of the South Island, home to the famous Franz Josef Glacier. Enjoy the journey past breathtaking landscapes. You will spend two nights here in this wonderful setting, also known as Glacier Country. This spectacular natural backdrop is ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities.

Go hiking or kayaking. You have the opportunity to take a guided helicopter hike on the Franz Josef Glacier. Experience a helicopter landing and a guided hike across the glacier and enjoy this extraordinary panorama: ice falls, crevasses, and snowy landscapes—what white beauty.

After action-packed days in Franz Josef, you will head to New Zealand's adventure capital, Queenstown. The city of Queenstown is located on the edge of the Southern Alps and lies on Lake Wakatipu. The relatively small city center is home to countless bars and cafés. Lake Wakatipu and its surroundings are popular with hikers, mountain bikers, and water sports enthusiasts. Queenstown is a center for adventure tourism. Skiing, jet boating, bungee jumping, mountain biking, and hiking are the main activities that can be enjoyed from the city. We are happy to provide you with tour suggestions and tips for a wonderful time in Queenstown.

Take advantage of the opportunity to visit the famous Milford Sound. After breakfast, you will be taken to Milford Sound by helicopter. Milford Sound is a fjord in the southwest of the South Island and is home to sea lions, penguins, and dolphins. Discover the beautiful fjord and impressive waterfalls. A day trip to the famous wineries of Central Otago should also be on your list for Queensland. Enjoy exquisite wines here before you have to say goodbye to New Zealand.