Hurunui: Step onto a working hill-country sheep farm. Experience what it is like to farm Merino sheep & Angus cattle in this beautiful part of the country. See the animals graze pastures in the open air and learn about where the best natural products come from.
Rotorua: Immerse yourself in Maori traditions at a fun and entertaining evening, including a cultural performance and three-course seasonal meal meal at Te Pa Tu Maori Experience.
Cairns: Join us to plant some trees which will help in the restoration of rainforest in Far North Queensland.
Rotorua: Visit the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa and learn about the work being done to save New Zealand's national bird.
Explore National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua, and Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve in Lake Tekapo with a Local Specialist
What travelers are saying
"I was very, very pleased with this tour. My wife and I elected to take all the optional experiences, and we were very glad we did. The tour reflected a great deal of well-informed planning and coordination. Collectively, the locations and associated experiences provided a rich mixture of exposure to satisfy many interests - including historical, geographic, cultural, architectural, artistic, and culinary pursuits. This was enhanced by information provided by both our Tour Director and select local guides with expertise in the topics relevant to our site. In reasonable proportion to any given location, we were also given time to explore on our own. From morning to evening, each day of the tour was filled with activity of one kind or another. The end result is that I felt there was no time wasted, and that I received great value for the time and expense I invested in this tour. I should also add that our bus driver (Ben) demonstrated great skill – driving smoothly, efficiently, and inspiring confidence that we were in safe hands.
Yes, the success of this tour was the result of careful, well-informed planning. However, the success of great plans ultimately rests on the shoulders of the person who leads its implementation. This is where the talent, experience, dedication, and personality of our Tour Director (Ilja) really made this Best of Benelux Tour such a great success in my opinion. Whether travelling on the bus or walking at a location of interest, she had a great skill for developing a sort of “esprit de corps” within our tour group. Consequently, our group became increasingly cohesive, allowing for fluid and efficient movement to each day’s planned travel experiences. This was enhanced by her genuine interest in the needs and travel aspirations of each tour member as an individual. I, for one, was deeply moved by her taking the time and effort to facilitate my visit to a travel site (within the tour) that was of great importance to me. My wife and I will never forget that experience – it was a priority aspiration we hoped to fulfill as part of this tour. In summary, Ilja’s leadership and skills made the tour a joyful, satisfying success from the first to last day. I can’t ask for more than that!"