Photographed by Russ Vanderbeek

"The trip began in Christchurch where each guest had the first afternoon to enjoy the city on their own. Christchurch was founded in 1850 and named after a college of Cambridge University in England. Highlights included the trolley and shops off Cathedral Square, the beautiful narrow Avon River and the huge hundreds of years old trees which line it, the old cemetery set just off the river's banks, the children playing in the wonderful parks, the Botanical Gardens, the free Christchurch Art Museum and the quaint little bars where the locals are so friendly and engaging. Many of the buildings in the small city are still being repaired after the devastating earthquake on February 22, 2011 at 12:51 p.m. There is a memorial outside a damaged church called "185 Chairs" to celebrate the 185 lost souls." 

Photographed by Russ Vanderbeek

"The train ride up to Arthur's Pass offered some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Many guests I've had conversations with on my many ocean and river cruises and land excursions name New Zealand their number one destination because of its unique beauty. A highlight was the pass through Banks Peninsula, named after Cook's botanist who was on his ship Endeavor and it traveled around the South Island in 1769. Looking out the immense windows of the train, we saw the flat Canterbury Plains which steadily climb to the Alps mountain range, the fastest growing in the world because of all the earthquake activity; it grows about as fast."

Photographed by Russ Vanderbeek

"All of the hotels Luxury Gold booked for the trip were unique and very comfortable. One, located in the dense Te Waonui Rain Forest has beautiful hardwood floors throughout and each room affords IMAX theater-type views of the forest through large picture windows. A highlight in this west coast area of the South Island was the walk with our guide to see the Franz Josef Glacier. and the Haast River World Heritage Reserve. Johann Franz Julius Haast was born at Bonn, in the kingdom of Prussia, on 1 May 1822, the son of Anna Eva Theodora Ruth and her husband, Mathias Haast, a well-to-do merchant and sometime burgomaster of Bonn. He accepted a proposal from the English shipowners Willis, Gann and Company, to travel to New Zealand and report to them on the prospects for German emigration. We had a private Jet Boat ride on Haast River.

Photographed by Russ Vanderbeek

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"The Southern Lake District, including Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan offered stunning lake views surrounded by massive mountain ranges. A photographer's paradise! The area is nicknamed the Fruit Bowl Capital of New Zealand and is the Pinot Noir and Adventure Capital of New Zealand. Queenstown, the beautiful ski resort town on a beautiful lake, is the hub."

Photographed by Russ Vanderbeek

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"The scenic drive along the east coast of Lake Wakatua presented some of the most beautiful views I've witnessed anywhere in the world. The "Lord of the Rings - Pure Glenorchy'' tour took us to a number of areas used in the "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" filming. The "Long White Cloud '' was stretched along the entire mountain range on the west side of the lake. We stopped for some tea and lake views in Glenorchy. We continued to the Paradise Farm, named by the Scottish farmers in the 19th century for the white duck of the same name. Hundreds of sheep scampered around us, and the views were stunning. Back in Queenstown, I strolled along the lake and settled in at two nice outdoor taverns for local pale ales."

Photographed by Russ Vanderbeek

"Just east of Queenstown, into the Gibbston Valley, is one of the premier areas of New Zealand wine-making. Pinot Noirs predominated, followed by Rose, Temparillo, Red Zinfandel and blends with granouch. The wineries are quaint, most are family owned, and all are located in relaxed locales with nice views, including the Remarkables Mountain Range, "remarkable" for being, in addition to the Rockies, a North/South range."

Photographed by Russ Vanderbeek

"Just outside Picton, we drove through the Marlborough District, where most of New Zealand's Sauvignon Blancs are produced. We boarded the ferry and cruised Cook Strait to Wellington on the south shore of the North Island. In Wellington, I witnessed dragon boat races in the harbor: about 24 people paddling furiously to the screams of a coxswain. Andie, our Luxury Gold guide provided a wonderful history of the Maori language. The first time it was written down was when some tribal leaders sailed to England and visited Cambridge. The language, with 15 letters, almost died out but was revived in the 70s. Maori children were whipped in Andie's mom's small schoolhouse, which we passed, for speaking Maori. Now, you can hear it spoken frequently, particularly on the North Island where 18 - 20% of the population is the Maori."

                                                                                                                                                                     Photographed by Russ Vanderbeek

"The picturesque Pukekura Park and Mount Taranaki (a Mount Fuji lookalike) were highlights of our North Island excursions, as was the visit to Waitomo Caves, home of thousands of glow worms. Later, beautiful views of the Monagonaki Gorge and Paemako. Reserve adorned the rugged green countryside which attracted the Scots to this area. A highlight dinner was with Maori families at Te Pa Tu Maori."

Photographed by Russ Vanderbeek

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"My wonderful trip ended in Auckland, named after the Minister of the British Admiralty in the 1840s. The city sits on 48 dormant volcanoes. The youngest volcano is just over 600 years old. It is named "Skies of Blood". Auckland has more pleasure craft per capita than any other city in the world. The farewell dinner was in a luxurious private dining room in the hotel; a famous rugby player was the special guest."

Interested in traveling with Luxury Gold? Contact one of our Travel Consultants! Call us today at 314-439-5700