2007 Itinerary

Saturday, January 6  

Depart Los Angeles Airport on Air New Zealand for an overnight flight to New Zealand. We recommend those with East Coast connections arrive a day early to spend the night in LA and relax prior to departure.

Sunday, January 7  

Cross the International Dateline. We lose a day. Don’t worry. It will return as we cross the Dateline on our way home.

Monday, January 8 - Auckland

Welcome to New Zealand! We arrive in Auckland in early morning, collect baggage and clear customs. On the way to our hotel, we stop to enjoy the view from Mount Eden and to orient ourselves to the city. We check into our hotel, where we are pre-registered for early arrival. The rest of the morning is free for you to unpack, rest and experience your first impressions of New Zealand. Meet in the afternoon to visit the Auckland Museum for a Maori concert and world class exhibits of Polynesian culture.

 Our first garden of the trip is a gem of a city garden. With great creativity, our host gardener has turned an intimate setting into a sub-tropical paradise. We end the day with dinner and a stroll through the garden of Bev McConnel. Created on a vast scale, the garden features an exuberant combination of native and exotic plantings. This is an opportunity to relax from traveling and begin to know your fellow travelers.

Tuesday, January 9 - Waiheke Island

A short ferry ride takes us to Waihele Island. This island’s micro-climate produces some of New Zealand’s finest red wines. After a wine tour and alfresco lunch at Stoney Ridge Vineyards, our next stop is Connell’s Bay, a breathtaking property developed by John and Jo Gow. Their vision to unite art and nature is evident in the sweeps of native trees that form special spaces for site-specific New Zealand sculpture. We end the day with a ferry ride back to Auckland in time to enjoy waterfront dining and shopping.

Wednesday, January 10 - Pacific Coast

This morning see the spectacular coastal scenery of the North Island as we follow the beaches and coves northward to Zealandia, the dramatic home and garden of Terry Stringer, accented with sculpture created by Terry. Heading inland we enjoy a relaxing lunch at “Woodbridge”, the five-acre country stroll garden of Christine Peek, featuring a whimsical potager, bog gardens and colorful plant combinations. Follow its sinuous hedges to view spectacular vistas. We will return to Auckland early enough for an evening of exploring this fascinating city and its great restaurants.

Thursday, January 11 - Tonariro National Park

Leaving Auckand we will travel south to Hamilton, a city known for its gardens. Hamilton City Gardens offer something for every interest from shady green groves to stunning theme gardens and exotic pavilions. We then turn inland toward the volcanic center of New Zealand. Our historic hotel is set in alpine meadows high among the peaks of Tongariro National Park.

 There will be time before dinner for a hike across alpine tussock and forests to nearby waterfalls. Or you can relax and enjoy the opulence of the historic chateau. Dinner is available in the hotel’s elegant dining room with views over the unique terrain or in the more casual bistro, serving lighter fare.

Friday, January 12 – To Napier

This is a leisurely morning with time for a brisk alpine walk or a visit to park headquarters. Our first stop is the home of Annette and Gordon Collier.  Gordon, an internationally-known horticulturist, retired from his five-acre garden, “Titoki Point” to his new quarter-acre garden “Anacapri.” We will see how well he has adjusted!

After a casual lunch in a spectacular garden overlooking Lake Taupo, we set off cross-country through rugged forests to Napier City in the heart of Hawke’s Bay on the east coast. We explore this delightful coastal city, rebuilt in the 1930’s in Art Deco style after being destroyed by earthquakes. The evening is free for further explorations and dining.

Saturday, January 13 - Exploring Napier

Today is planned for an unhurried morning to sleep late or explore Napier. After lunch we travel cross-country through splendid farmland to Cape Kidnappers. There we tour the gannet sanctuary set on a dramatic promontory with splendid views of the coast. Gannets are comfortable with visitors so we can observe their nesting sites where thousand of birds roost. We gather for dinner at the Mission Estate Winery, a faithfully restored mission and the oldest vineyard in New Zealand.

Sunday, January 14 - Sheep Station

Continuing south we drive through vineyards, orchards and rolling countryside. Our first stop is a hillside sheep station. The garden at Gwavas Station bears the mark of six generations of passionate gardeners. Stroll the rambling gardens amid historic trees in a Cornish-style woodland garden. Enjoy the contribution of each succeeding generation. After a picnic lunch, we visit a formal topiary garden designed on a grand scale.

Then we are off to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, where you are free for the evening to explore the city from our centrally-located hotel.

Monday, January 15 - Exploring Wellington

Our day begins as we explore the city by bus enroute to Otari Botanic Gardens.  Otari is the only botanic garden focused exclusively on native flora.  Experience, learn and appreciate what makes New Zealand so distinct.  The afternoon is yours to explore the cafes, museums and galleries of this cosmopolitan city.  Explore the city at your leisure.

Tuesday, January 16 - To the South Island

Today we travel at a leisurely pace.  After a relaxed breakfast, we board the ferry for a breathtaking ride to the South Island.  Our point of arrival is Picton in the heart of the Marlborough wine region.  We lunch at "Tussock", a wonderful country mudbrick home surrounded by gardens and olive groves.  A short drive takes us to Blenheim and our lodge for the evening.  Relax before enjoying dinner and wines at a local vineyard.

Wednesday, January 17 - To Christchurch

We begin our day with visits to unique rural gardens in the Awatere Valley.  After a country lunch we head south following the spectacular Pacific coast.  Watch for dolphins and whales as you enjoy the beauty of unspoiled nature.  Our destination tonight is Christchurch, a most elegant city with a distinctive English character.  Once again our hotel is located in the heart of the city for easy strolling.

Thursday, January 18 – In Christchurch

Today is free to enjoy the many pleasures of Christchurch. Hire a punt for a relaxed ride or rent a bicycle to see the sights. Explore the nearby gardens and museums of this lively city. Watch for buskers on the streets and in the square. We cap off our day by meeting for dinner in the Old Curator’s Cottage at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Friday, January 19 - To Mount Cook

Our day begins as we cross the Canterbury plains.  Stopping enroute, we visit a large sheep station and country garden.  Our hosts, Liz and Warren, give us a lesson on the New Zealand sheep industry with shearing in the wool shed and demonstrations of working sheep dogs. After lunch we climb to higher elevations approaching Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak.  A unique landscape unfolds as we drive through highland tussock meadows past turquoise lakes and desolate mountain passes with gleaming snow-covered peaks.  This evening we reach our destination, the historic Hermitage Hotel, located at the base of the soaring peaks of Mount Cook with breathtaking views on all side.  Dinner will be served in the famous Panorama Room.

Saturday, January 20 - To Queenstown

Today a late start offers the opportunity to explore the natural alpine terrain or take a helicopter ride to explore from above.  Later we follow the mountains south through high sheep country and desolate alpine passes.  Our destination tonight is Queenstown.  Our hotel sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in this spectacular alpine setting.  Enjoy a festive group dinner in a local restaurant.

Sunday, January 21 - Queenstown

A free day to relax and explore this wonderful alpine resort. Ride a gondola to the mountaintop; take a steamship across the lake. Hiking, parasailing, bungee jumping are all available! We will help with arrangements for golf, fishing, or whitewater rafting. Shops and beautiful gardens are only minutes from our hotel. For a more sedate afternoon, enjoy the beach or the spectacular scenery from the lakeshore.

Monday, January 22 - To Doubtful Sound

We travel deep into the Fjordland National Park and across Lake Manapouri by ferry to Doubtful Sound. Aboard this well-appointed yacht, we will cruise among ancient rainforests, cascading waterfalls, towering peaks and abundant wildlife. After an afternoon of kayaking, seal watching or enjoying a dip in the bracing waters of the sound, experience a wonderful meal and restful sleep in the midst of Fjordland’s untouched splendor.

Tuesday, January 23 - To Lake Moeraki

Returning by ferry, we board our coach for a day of dramatic scenery and climate change as we leave the rainforest and cross the dry alpine region before crossing the Haast Pass of the Southern Alps. Returning to the temperate rainforest of Westland, we stay in splendid isolation at Wilderness Lodge in the shores of Lake Moeraki.

Wednesday, January 24 - Lake Moeraki

Today your choices are those of relaxation or exploration – hiking, kayaking, exploring the surrounding mountains, rivers, rainforest and wild coast or lounging in the comfort of the lodge. At night we will sit down to dinner at the Lodge to celebrate the day of adventure.

Thursday, January 25 - The West Coast

We follow the Tasman Sea north to Okarito Lagoon to enjoy a leisurely boat trip and explore this massive tidal wetland.  We will have a wonderful opportunity to explore these shallow waterways surrounded by ancient rainforest and abundant bird life.  After a picnic lunch, our destination is the Pancake Rocks, a weird and wonderful series of rock formations rising out of a tumultuous sea.  From our nearby hotel, you may hike the bush or the beach to explore the unspoiled terrain.

Friday, January 26 - Returning to Christchurch

After a leisurely morning, we return to Christchurch, passing through virgin rainforests and witnessing the stunning transformation in climate and landscape. From our downtown hotel, you have the chance to reacquaint yourself with this elegant city.

Saturday, January 27 - To Akaroa

The morning is free time to enjoy the pleasures of Christchurch. We meet in the afternoon to travel by coach across craggy hills on a coastline formed by submerged volcanoes to our first adventure of the day, the fantasy garden in Ohinetahi, created by Sir Miles Warren and his family. Traveling on, we visit Akaora, a quaint seaside hamlet with a French legacy. The grand finale to the day is dinner and a concert in the colorful gardens of a vivacious Akaora artist.

Sunday, January 28 - Depart for Los Angeles

Relax, explore Christchurch and pack before catching a late evening flight to Los Angeles.

 Quotes from others who have traveled to New Zealand with Richard Lyon:

“Beautifully planned and well organized. The fact that the garden owners were your personal friends makes a huge difference. Everyone we met was gracious and cordial. A wonderful trip in every way.

“What a treat. Thank you, Richard.”

“I didn’t believe all those glowing statements in your brochure. Now I do!”

Tour Includes:

            Round trip airfare, coach class, Los Angeles to New Zealand

            Internal travel within New Zealand as per itinerary

            All taxes, including departure taxes

            All accommodations (double occupancy) for 21 nights

            All breakfasts, 9 lunches and 10 dinners

            All transfers and touring within New Zealand by air-conditioned coach

            Inter-Island ferry service

            All cruises, activities and admissions as listed

            Exclusive itinerary gardens, public landscapes, national parks and wineries with

            New Zealand landscape architect, Richard Lyon

Tour Price: $8,455.00 US

            Price based on double occupancy

            Single supplement: $1,575.00

            Cost based on minimum of 15 participants.  Tour maximum is 20

            Changes in U.S. currency may affect tour price at time of final invoice - 60 days

            prior to departure

            This tour will operate if number falls below 15 participants, but this may result in a

            price adjustment

*Tariffs, currency rates of exchange and airfare are in effect as of April 1, 2006.

*A valid passport for the length of your journey is required.

*Trip insurance is available and is highly recommended.

 For more information, please call: GARDEN ADVENTURES, LTD., 877/323-3300 (Toll Free) or 610/444-6161, e-mail:  rlyon@wlai.net