BRAND NEW FOR 2027: Expedition Cruises!

This New Zealand vacation is an exceptional opportunity to experience the best of the country’s Northern Island. Your travels begin in Auckland, a diverse city with the world’s largest collection of Māori and Pacific artifacts. You’ll spend one full day with a gourmet food and wine tour on Waiheke Island, just off the coast. Also known as The City of Sails, make time to enjoy the beautiful waters. Auckland is quite large but outdoor adventure and scenic wonders are all nearby.

After picking up your car, you’re on the road to Matamata and a tour of the Hobbiton movie set. Get into the Lord of the Rings! Continue on to Rotorua, a geothermal miracle. A Polynesian spa, in a private deluxe pool, awaits. Soak up the beauty of wildly-colored sulfur springs, northern lakes, and volcanoes on a helicopter tour over land that few people are privileged to see.

Your next stop is Napier. Along the way, go to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Park and Haku Falls. Be prepared for a thrilling, jet-boat ride. In Napier, take advantage of a self-guided bike tour from the port village of Ahuriri to the city center. (Napier is an Art Deco treasure.) You might also explore the sacred grounds of Te Urewera or a colony of 13,000 wild gannets at the Cape Kidnappers Reserve.

Your final day is spent in Wellington, capital of New Zealand. On a brilliant blue harbor, you’ll have time on your own to discover a wealth of culture, including the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Head to Willis or Cuba Street to shop, and when the evening rolls around, check the Cuba Quarter for great nightlife. This tour of New Zealand is ideal for an insider’s view of the North Island.

PLAN AND BOOK

Included Unique Activities

  • Experience Locally-produced Foods & Wines on a Full Day Gourmet Food & Wine Tour of Waiheke Island
  • Experience the Real Shire From the Lord of the Rings and the 'Hobbit' Trilogies with a Visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set
  • Relax and Unwind on the Tranquil Shores of Lake Rotorua at Polynesian Spa in Your Own Private Mineral Pools
  • Experience a Helicopter Sightseeing Tour over Volcanos and Pristine Lakes
  • See the Most Colourful Wai-o-Tapu Geothermal Park & Experience the Eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser
  • Enjoy a Thrilling Jet Boat Ride Down the Waikato River to the Base of Huka Falls
  • Cycle Through the Orchard-dotted Countryside and Sophisticated Villages of Ahuriri and Havelock North
Full Day Gourmet Food & Wine Tour

Full Day Gourmet Food & Wine Tour

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Polynesian Spa Private Deluxe Pools

Polynesian Spa Private Deluxe Pools

Rotorua Lakes, Mount Tarawera, Orakei Korako by Helicopter

Rotorua Lakes, Mount Tarawera, Orakei Korako by Helicopter

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Park

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Park

Huka Falls Jet Boat Experience

Huka Falls Jet Boat Experience

Ahuriri to Havelock North Self-Guided Scenic Bike Ride

Ahuriri to Havelock North Self-Guided Scenic Bike Ride

Take the Ferry to Waiheke Island

Take the Ferry to Waiheke Island

Accommodations

2 Nights

Stylish Designer Hotel

2 Nights

Stunning Attractions Hotel

2 Nights

Waterfront Village Hotel

1 Night

5-Star City Heart Hotel

Transportation and Guides

  • Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Auckland
  • Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in Wellington
  • Rental Car with Automatic Transmission for 5 Days

Meals Included

  • 6 Full Breakfasts
  • Platter Lunch and Wine Tastings on Waiheke Island

Points of Interest

  • Auckland
  • Waiheke Island
  • Hobbiton Movie Set
  • Rotorua
  • White Island
  • Mt. Tarawera
  • Rainbow Mountain
  • Waiotapu Thermal Region
  • Huka Falls on the Waikato River
  • Ahuriri Village
  • Napier City Centre
  • Te Mata Estate
  • Black Barn Vineyard
  • Havelock North Village
  • Wellington

Mount Eden, North Island

Auckland Art Gallery, North Island

Sky Tower, North Island

Auckland, North Island

Lake Taupo, North Island

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2026

Available Dates

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

From $5,588 per person

2027

Available Dates

Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

From $6,147 per person

Your Price Includes

ACCOMMODATION

  • 7 Nights in Authentic Superior Hotels

TRANSPORTATION

  • Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Auckland
  • Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in Wellington
  • Rental Car with Automatic Transmission for 5 Days

DINING OPTIONS INCLUDED

  • 6 Full Breakfasts
  • Platter Lunch and Wine Tastings on Waiheke Island

INCLUDED UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

  • Experience Locally-produced Foods & Wines on a Full Day Gourmet Food & Wine Tour of Waiheke Island
  • Experience the Real Shire From the Lord of the Rings and the 'Hobbit' Trilogies with a Visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set
  • Relax and Unwind on the Tranquil Shores of Lake Rotorua at Polynesian Spa in Your Own Private Mineral Pools
  • Experience a Combination Helicopter Tour Landing on Both Mount Tarawera and White Island
  • See the Most Colourful Wai-o-Tapu Geothermal Park & Experience the Eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser
  • Enjoy a Thrilling Jet Boat Ride Down the Waikato River to the Base of Huka Falls
  • Cycle Through the Orchard-dotted Countryside and Sophisticated Villages of Ahuriri and Havelock North

POINTS OF INTEREST

  • Auckland
  • Waiheke Island
  • Hobbiton Movie Set
  • Rotorua
  • White Island
  • Mt. Tarawera
  • Rainbow Mountain
  • Waiotapu Thermal Region
  • Huka Falls on the Waikato River
  • Ahuriri Village
  • Napier City Centre
  • Te Mata Estate
  • Black Barn Vineyard
  • Havelock North Village
  • Wellington
Prices Based On
  • All Taxes & Fees Included
  • Prices are Per Person based on 2 people traveling together and sharing a room.
  • Traveling Alone? No Problem. Just Ask Us for a Single Supplement Price.

"Italy anniversary trip"

Jan Pepe

GA

Ellie did a fabulous job helping me put together the perfect trip for my clients. She paid such great attention to the details I sent her, and my clients said the trip was AMAZING! Thank you Ellie!!!

"mom and daughter trip"

Tracy Layton

Ireland

What an amazing trip! I chose Authentic because the itinerary sounded exactly what we wanted to see. But what made this the trip of a lifetime was our driver/guide, Colm Dunlea. He was absolutely incredible. The stories he told, the little side trips he took us on, the tips he gave us as we arrived in each of the towns/cities, the pictures he took and all of the extras he gave us were just so very much appreciated. I am forever grateful to Colm Dunlea for all he did. He was BRILLIANT!!!

"85th birthday gift celebration"

Patricia Slota

Montague Michigan

Our trip to Ireland was beyond amazing. Each day brought new vistas filling us all with the heart of this beautiful land, The accomadations were just magical and each one had a lovely history of its own. The tour itinerary was well designed to teach us about Irelands different areas and history. Special praise to our ProCar chauffer / guide, Mr. Declan Cummins for going way above to care for each traveler . ( We were a varied group.) He is a huge asset to your company, We all grew very fond of him by weeks end. Thank you all for creating this wonderful adventure. I'd do it over again in a heartbeat!

"Denmark Vacation"

Eric Jensen

Minneapolis, MN

My clients' 'Denmark in the Spring' trip exceeded expectations — from the seamless logistics to the curated experiences in both Copenhagen and Aarhus, every detail was thoughtfully arranged. Their drivers and guides were exceptional, bringing the destinations to life in ways they couldn't have discovered on their own. They returned home already dreaming of their next trip.

"Mom and daughter trip"

Jill Loveless

Wisconsin

My client and her mother contacted me about travel to Ireland. They wanted something private and special. I met my Authentic Vacations' sales rep the night before and decided to send in a request. Best decision ever! Lauren L. received my request and immediately sent me an email with a few ideas, we talked on the phone and within 2 days I had a winning itinerary.

Fast forward. My client emailed me on arrival day and was very pleased with the service. She emailed me again on the last day and raved about their driver Colm Dunlea.

Working with Authentic Vacations was effortless. I highly recommend them and plan to use their service again.

"Family Vacation"

Denise Ferraro

New York

As a travel advisor, this was the first Ireland trip I entrusted to Authentic Vacations, and they knocked it out of the park. The clients loved having a private driver, thought the hotels were ideal, and a castle stay was the perfect ending to the trip.

"Birthday Family Trip"

Joan Cook

Illinois

My group of 10 returned from a week in Ireland where I hired a driver through Authentic Vacations. Delcan went above and beyond as I had 2 80+ women in the group that could not walk long distances. He found wheelchairs at every venue. My clients said he was very kind and friendly. Thank you to Jennifer at Authentic Vacations who made this experience a memory of a lifetime.

"Family Adventure"

Loryl Haggard

Fort Thomas, KY

Amber M. does the best job bringing my ideas to life for my clients. She truly builds the best curated trips and makes me look like a rockstar. From start to finish - she is there every step of the way. Having her and Authentic's support is awesome! Thank you for another excellent adventure!

1. Click the “GET QUOTE” Button Above.

Complete our inquiry form by selecting your departure date, and all other relevant fields. Be sure to let us know if you're traveling for a special occasion! We can adjust most of our vacation packages to suit your needs, based on the details you provide.

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5. Print Your Travel Documents & Go!

Once your vacation has been paid in full, you will be able to print your travel documents directly from your online account. You’re ready to embark on your ideal, authentic vacation!!

Questions?

If you would prefer to discuss your perfect vacation on the phone, we would be delighted to hear from you! Our Destination Experts are standing-by and looking forward to speaking with you at any time during our business hours listed below. We also operate a very responsive and efficient Live Chat service on our website…instant gratification awaits!

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With offices in Scottsdale, San Francisco, London, Dublin, Copenhagen and Edinburgh, we can offer you unrivaled support while you are abroad. We truly believe all our clients deserve an extraordinary, authentic experience!