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| Detailed Day by Day Itinerary |
| Wonders from Down Under |
| Auckland to Sydney (Oct. 19 & Nov 16, 2008) |
| View Days: [1-5] [6-10] [11-15] [16-20] [21-23] |
print friendly version |
| Day |
Schedules and Accommodations |
1-2
[top] |
Depart Home / Cross International Date Line
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3-4
[top] |
3 Nights INCLUDED in Auckland, New Zealand!
Day 3 brings you into this vibrant City of Sails. You’ll stay for two
INCLUDED nights at the Superior First-Class Heritage Auckland. Get
oriented on an included panoramic tour — from Harbour Bridge to Okahu
and Mission Bays to Mt. Eden’s summit. Enjoy Day 4 at leisure. Or,
enjoy an optional tour of Gannet Colony or the evening “Pride of
Auckland” tour. (1B)
Heritage Hotel Auckland  (B) |
5
[top] |
Auckland / Embark the ms Volendam
Day 5 is yours to spend exploring Auckalnd as you please. You can also
choose to join the optional “Must See” tour. Then, you’ll board your
ship, the ms Volendam.
m/s Volendam (B,D) |
6
[top] |
At Sea
Scenic cruising of the Mercury Islands.
m/s Volendam (B,L,D) |
7
[top] |
Tauranga, New Zealand
Tauranga, once a site for fierce wars, is now a peacful city, rich in
Maori culture and healing hot springs, is a lovely provincial city of
pristine beaches, orchards, and fresh air. This city is also known for
growing an abundance of kiwifruit.
m/s Volendam (B,L,D) |
8
[top] |
Napier, New Zealand
This “Miami Beach of the Southern Hemisphere” boasts art deco-style
buildings and a wide ocean beach fronting Hawke’s Bay. The city is
situated in the midst of New Zealand’s oldest wine growing region, and
boasts an extensive array of award winning wines. Here you’ll also find
the world’s largest mainland gannet colony and the often-photographed
Pania of the Reef statue.
m/s Volendam (B,L,D) |
9
[top] |
Wellington, New Zealand
This friendly capital features brightly painted wooden houses. The
capital city is nestled between a stunning harbour, and forested hills,
and you can spend time walking among the boutiques, galleries, and
cafés. There is even a cable car to take you past the spectacular
botanical gardens. A must-see attraction is the Te Papa Tongarewa
National Museum and Art Gallery.
m/s Volendam (B,L,D) |
10
[top] |
Captain Cook Ship Cove / Queen Charlotte Sound / Picton, New Zealand
Picton, a tiny township at the end of Queen Charlotte Sound, has an
unparalleled setting and is the gateway to the largest grape-growing
and wine producing region in New Zealand. And, despite its size, Picton
is a hub of activity — it’s where the ferry runs between the North and
South Islands.
m/s Volendam (B,L,D) |
11
[top] |
Christchurch, New Zealand
Lovely, orderly Christchurch has been likened to a slice of Olde
England in the South Seas, complete with an Avon River, an Anglican
cathedral, and a Victoria Square. Although it’s actually in one of the
driest parts of New Zealand, it’s renowned for its lovely Botanic
Gardens. Christchurch is also the home of the International Antarctic
Center, departure point for many an exhibition and resupply trip to the
White Continent.
m/s Volendam (B,L,D) |
12
[top] |
Dunedin, New Zealand
Dunedin’s Scottish heritage is everywhere. Known as the “Edinburgh of
the South,” the city is complete with a statue of poet Robert Burns,
kilt makers, whiskey distilleries, and a Victorian train station. There
is even a castle — “Larnach” — that emphasizes this kinship.
m/s Volendam (B,L,D) |
13
[top] |
Fjordland National Park
The stunning, glacier-carved coast of New Zealand’s South Island offers
terrific fjord cruising. Slip through this wonderland, crossing the
Dusky, Doubtful, Break Sea, and Milford Sounds. Milford Sound, one of
the most visited sights within the park, is an incredible glacier
carved fjord with waterfalls plummeting down the sheer granite walls
into the ocean below.
m/s Volendam (B,L,D) |
14-15
[top] |
At Sea
m/s Volendam (2B,2L,2D) |
16
[top] |
Burnie, Tasmania, Australia
Be among the few travellers who have the opportunity to discover
Tasmania. On “Tiny Tassia,” as the locals affectionately call it,
spectacular scenery abounds, with beautiful waterfalls, including the
Guide Falls. Not far away are the Gunns Plains Caves and Pioneer
Village. Perhaps take a tour to see largest selection of Tasmanian
wildlife at Wing’s Family Peak.
m/s Volendam (B,L,D) |
17
[top] |
Melbourne, Australia
During your full day in this diverse, sophisticated city, strike out on
an urban walk-about — visit one of the world’s oldest zoos or take in
360-degree views from the Melbourne Observation deck. For a true taste
of Australia, try an optional tour, such as a kangaroo watch or an
Aboriginal Heritage Walk.
m/s Volendam (B,L,D) |
18
[top] |
At Sea
m/s Volendam (B,L,D) |
19-20
[top] |
2 INCLUDED Nights in Sydney, Australia!
You’ll dock in laid-back Sydney for an INCLUDED two-night stay at the Deluxe Sofitel Wentworth (or similar).
Begin your stay in Sydney with an included panoramic tour — the
Opera House, Sydney Harbour, the Botanical Gardens, and lively
Liverpool Street. Learn how opals — Australia’s national gemstones —
are procured at an included demonstration.
You’ll have ample free time to explore on your own. Or, join an
optional Sydney Harbor cruise — seeing and learning about native
animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park. (2B)
(B,L,D) |
21
[top] |
ydney, Australia / Return Home
Day 21 S (B)
Note: 2008 departures return on Day 23 with 3 nights in Auckland and 3 nights in Sydney.
Hilton Sydney  (B) |
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