New Zealand

8 Days / 7 Nights — Auckland, Lake Taupo, Rotorua and De Redcliff Vineyard

Auckland, situated between two beautiful, glistening harbors; Rotorua famous for its Maori Culture, and its spectacular thermal areas; amazing Waitomo with its Glowworm Caves and beautiful Lake Taupo.

DAY 1 — Auckland

Upon arrival, you will be met by your AutoVenture representative and escorted to your hotel. The city occupies a superb site on a slender bridge of land astride two seas, the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea. Auckland also is a picturesque town, built on sloping hills and surrounded by 65 extinct volcanoes. Lodging: Stamford Plaza

DAY 2 — Auckland

Take a private, half-day tour of the city and its surroundings. This includes the twin harbors, the heights of Mt Eden, and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Surrounded by 200 acres of gardens and houses, the museum is the best Maori collection of art and culture in the world. Its zoological park reveals New Zealand's national symbol, the Kiwi bird, a strange-looking, fuzz-feathered, and wingless creature that needs to be seen to be truly appreciated. Also, the park has Tuptara, a rare pre- historical reptile, and other feathered, furred and scaly inhabitants who are found nowhere else. Spend your afternoon at leisure. Lodging: Stamford Plaza

DAY 3 — Rotorua

In the morning, you will be met by your chauffeur for the drive south through verdant farmland and along the country's longest river, the Waikato. You'll travel through several "service towns" to Hamilton, known for its themed gardens and local zoo containing the largest, free-flight aviary in the Southern Hemisphere. Continue south to Cambridge, the country's center of the equestrian and thoroughbred horse industry, to Rotorua. Lodging: The Millennium

DAY 4 — Rotorua

You'll have a full day of private sightseeing. Here the most spectacular phenomena in the world can be seen: geysers, boiling mud, hot pools, hot springs and spouts of gushing steam. Rotorua is also the center of Maori life and culture, with a model village, displays of carving and concerts of Maori music. Lodging: The Millennium

As beautiful as the scenery was, our chauffeur was one of the highlights of our trip. A true gentleman.

DAY 5 — Lake Taupo

Leave Rotorua this morning for the short drive to New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo, acclaimed locally as the trout-fishing capital of the world. The monster rainbow trout found in this lake descend from a single batch of eggs brought from California's Russian River 100 years ago. Lodging: Lake Taupo Lodge

DAY 6 — Lake Taupo

Enjoy a full day of leisure at this internationally renowned resort. Activities include fishing, boating, horse-back riding, tennis, golf and sailing — or just spend the day relaxing in your luxurious surroundings. Lodging: Lake Taupo Lodge

DAY 7 — De Redcliff Vineyard

Leave Lake Taupo, driving via Te Kuti. This west coast route passes Waitomo, a tiny village honeycombed with caves containing limestone stalagmites and stalactites twisted in amazing, tortured shapes. The high spot here is a boat trip to the famous Glow Worm Grotto, lit by an unearthly blue-green radiance given off by tens of thousands of iridescent insect larvae covering the roof and walls. After your visit, continue north toward Auckland and the De Redcliff vineyards. Lodging: Hotel du Vin

DAY 8 — De Redcliff to Auckland

Leave the vineyards this morning for the short drive to Auckland, where your North Island adventure ends.

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