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A LEADER IN FULLY ESCORTED TOURS SINCE 1992

Fully Escorted Tours
2009/2010 FULLY ESCORTED TOUR BROCHURE
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Anderson Vacations is Canada’s leader in Fully Escorted Tours since 1992. A wide range of tour selections exist ranging from 2 to 27 days depending on the length of time you have to get away. When booking on an Anderson Vacations Tour program you know that you will be receiving:

Customer Care Certified and Knowledgeable tour director and driver teams.
High quality motor coach equipment
Unique themed meals and attractions
Multiple night stays in major destinations.
Unique destinations, off the beaten track stops.
Optional add on activities.
A wide variety of tours to choose from.

List

Presidents Tour: New Zealand

Prices Per Person (CDN$):
Dbl/Twn: $4975 plus air tax
Sgl: $5835 plus air tax
Includes airfare and land tour

Day 1	Arrive Auckland
	Met on arrival by English speaking guide at Auckland Airport and transferred by private coach to your accommodation, the Mercure Auckland. Situated in the heart of Auckland's shopping and business district the Mercure Hotel Auckland sports great views overlooking the bustling city and spectacular Waitemata Harbour. A wealth of shopping, restaurants, theatres and the casino are nearby. Includes: American breakfast daily Sky City Orbit Revolving Restaurant At 328 metres (over 1000') Sky Tower is New Zealand's tallest structure, and give the visitor 360 degree views over Auckland and the surrounding region. Entry is via and underground gallery and access to the observation level is via three glass-fronted lifts. This deck features free audio-guides, live weather feeds, and touch computers giving information on geographical features, for education and fun. There are also glass deck panels so you can see the world at your feet!
Day 2	Auckland, NZ
	Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Auckland’s sights including Auckland Harbour Bridge, Mt Eden volcano and Mission Bay followed by a cruise on the harbour. Pride of Auckland Coffee Cruise (1.5 hours) A 1.5 hour sailing tour through Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour where a snack is served. Also included is a commentary on the areas history, the America’s Cup and the super yachts in the marina, after the sails are set we pass under the Harbour Bridge to Westhaven Marina, Chelsea sugar works, Devonport Naval Base and the City's waterfront. Guests are welcome to participate in sailing the yacht or just sit back, relax and enjoy the sail. Afternoon at leisure
Day 3	Auckland to Tairua
	Drive south today through the suburbs of Auckland to the market gardening area south of Papakura. Descend the Bombay Hills to cross the peaty Hauraki Plains, to the Coromandel Peninsula, whose mountains formed as part of the main fault line running through the country. Tairua and Pauanui are two small towns well located beside safe swimming beaches. Fishing and scuba trip operators can help you to explore the small offshore islands. Local walking tracks include the Broken Hills area in the Puketui Valley relics from gold-mining days. Pacific Harbour Lodge is a 4 star holiday resort with 31 Chalets and Studio Units, which can accommodate up to 83 people. Rooms are equipped with full kitchens, WiFi internet access, Sky TV as well as garden and waterfront views. Situated right next to the harbour with short walking distances to Tairua’s town centre, restaurants, cafés and the beautiful Ocean beach. Tairua and the surrounding area are famous for its picturesque beaches, fantastic fishing as well as native bushwalks. Includes: Full Breakfast
Day 4	Tairua to Rotorua via Waitomo and Matamata
	An early start this morning will take you inland through ‘World Famous in New Zealand’ Paeroa – the official birthplace of Lemon & Paeroa, New Zealand’s home-grown soft drink – and then into the Waikato region, travel on country roads in typical Waikato farming country and through several small settlements in the Waipa River valley, to Otorohanga, and on to Waitomo. The Glow Worm Cave is Waitomo's most famous cave, where visitors are guided through passages at different levels to see various features like the Tomo (a deep shaft that falls away to the darkness below), and the famous ' Cathedral Chamber' where acclaimed New Zealand Diva, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has recorded. The highlight of a visit to the Glow Worm Cave is a silent boat trip through the Glow-worm Grotto. The darkness is illuminated only by the lights of thousands of glow worms and only the sound of gently dripping water reminds us we are deep underground and not under the Milky Way. Following the Glow Worm Cave tour, travel to Matamata where you will visit Longlands Farm & Restaurant Lunch & Farm Tour. Longlands Farm and Restaurant is situated in the fertile Waikato farming area of Matamata, New Zealand, nestled beneath the spectacular Kaimai Ranges. Longlands Farm is a typical example of dairy farming in the area however is unique in that Kerry, and his German born wife Silvia, have created a small restaurant adjacent to their home, where groups from all around the globe can sample some of the finest rural cuisine while experiencing how a rural New Zealand family live. Continue the drive through rich pastureland supporting through-bred racing horse and dairy studs to Tirau. Ascend the Mamaku Ranges, named for the Mamaku or black tree fern. As you descend into the large caldera that surrounds Lake Rotorua, detect the smell of sulphur from the many thermal vents. Located on the shores of Lake Rotorua, Hotel Ibis opened in December 2004. Within 5 min walking distance to City Centre, cafés and restaurants, the hotel is also within close proximity to Rotorua's top tourist attractions Includes: American breakfast daily An evening at Mitai will give you an authentic introduction to Maori culture leaving you amazed and in awe. Be enthralled by the natural bush setting, see warriors in traditional dress paddle an ancient warrior canoe (waka) down the Wai-o-whiro stream. See your traditionally cooked Hangi meal being lifted from the ground. During our cultural performance, you’ll learn about our past, carvings and ta moko (tattoo art). Be captivated by the displays of weaponry and combat, coupled with the grace and beauty of the poi dance. You’ll be amazed by the spine tingling haka finale. The Mitai family is proud to have created a sacred and spiritual place that offers you an indigenous cultural experience like no other Includes: courtesy transfers, formal welcome, Maori concert, Maori weaponry demonstration, traditional & contemporary New Zealand cuisine
Day 5	Rotorua, NZ
	Today, enjoy a tour of some of Rotorua’s famous sights The guided tour of Te Puia includes the Carving School, Art and Craft Gallery, and Rotowhio Marae - where the history and significance of the grounds and buildings are explained, and the weaving school. Walk through a recreation of a typical pre-European Maori Village. At the Kiwi Conservation Centre a guide ensures visitors a glimpse of the special creature and explains Te Puia’s unique role within a national breeding programme. Explore the geothermal valley. See silica terraces, unique vegetation, mud pools and geysers, and bubbling mud pools varying in temperature, size and colour. Includes: guided tour of the reconstructed Maori village and thermal area. Rainbow Springs Nature Park General Admission Rainbow Springs Visit Rainbow Springs flora and fauna park where you will see and learn about a variety of flora and fauna including rainbow trout, the unique New Zealand tuatara and kiwi bird, a bush walk, native bird aviaries, and the Rainbow and Fairy Springs, delivering millions of gallons of pure, fresh spring water to the streams.
Day 6	Rotorua to Wellington
	Leave Rotorua to the Kaingaroa Forest, covering more than 150,000 ha north-eastwards of Lake Taupo - a focal point of NZ’s huge timber, and pulp and paper industry. Approaching Taupo more thermal activity is evident with the geothermal power station at Wairakei, and the adjacent "Craters of the Moon" thermal park. Stop at the famous Huka falls on the Waikato River, about 8 km downstream from the source at Lake Taupo. The southbound road skirts Lake Taupo for much of the journey to Turangi, at the southern end of the lake. From here south, the road over the high plateau skirting Tongariro National Park is named the "Desert Road". To the west you can see the volcanoes Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu (north to south). Pass through Waiouru Army Camp and Museum (worth a visit), the landscape softens into grazing pasture around Taihape. En route to the Manawatu, there are high railway viaducts to be seen through the scenic Rangitikei River gorge. The plains of the Manawatu are famous for their sheep studs and intense pastoral farming; with Massey University (originally an agricultural college) located in the city of Palmerston North. The wide plains of the Manawatu narrow as the Tararua Range of mountains and the sweep of the Tasman Sea coastline converge at the Kapiti Coast. Kapiti Island, a 20 square km steep island 6kms offshore from Paraparaumu, was once the stronghold of marauding Waikato Maori chief Te Rauparaha, but has been a bird sanctuary for over 100 years. The road and railway line follow the rugged coastline for some time before crossing Porirua Harbour and descending through the Ngauranga Gorge to the Wellington Harbour shoreline. Accommodation: Mercure Wellington Conveniently positioned at the top of the Terrace the Mercure offers great views at a modest price. An easy walk to the city's best shopping, restaurants, cafes, theaters and Te Papa means the Mercure is an established property suited to business and leisure travelers alike. Includes: American breakfast daily
Day 7	Wellington
	Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Wellington including the Parliament Buildings, Mt Victoria and the Wellington harbour Te Papa Fabulous Te Papa – Guided Group Tour A great way to sample the treasures that are uniquely New Zealand. The tour covers exhibition highlights from the natural environment, Maori culture and treasures, art and colonial history. The tour takes 90 minutes. Afternoon at leisure
Day 8	Wellington to Christchurch
	This morning you will be transferred from your accommodation to the Interislander Ferry Terminal Tranz Scenic Tranz Coastal/Interislander Throughfare The Interislander – linking New Zealand's North and South Islands. The 92 km journey between Wellington and Picton takes only 3 hours and has been described as "one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world". Interislander's vessels give you a wide choice of sailings. From Picton it is a short run to Blenheim and Marlborough's wineries. Pass by Lake Grassmere with its saltworks to the Pacific Coast. For over 100 kilometres the line runs along a thin ledge of land pinned between the Pacific Ocean and the rugged Kaikoura ranges. Pass through Kaikoura, which offers unique whale, seal and dolphin watching experiences, to the horticultural area and farmland of North Canterbury. Travel over the braided Waimakariri River to the suburban gardens of Christchurch On arrival at Christchurch Railway Station, you will be transferred to your accommodation Accommodation: Ibis Christchurch Situated in the very heart of this historic garden city, Hotel Ibis Christchurch is located adjacent to Cathedral Square, one of the most recognised and visited tourist attractions in picturesque Christchurch. Hotel Ibis Christchurch opened mid 2007 offering 155 guest rooms as well as a modern bar and restaurant and small meeting room. Car parking is also available for in house guests. All rooms also feature broadband internet access. American Breakfast
Day 9	Christchurch, NZ
	Morning sightseeing tour of Christchurch including Cathedral Square, the Port Hills and beachside settlement of Sumner. Following the tour, you will have use of a full day ticket on the Christchurch Tramway – a great informative way of getting around Christchurch’s most popular sights Christchurch Tramway Ltd Full Day Ticket Christchurch Tramway commenced operation on 04 February 1995. History repeated itself with the return of the familiar electric trams which disappeared from the streets of Christchurch in 1954 and now return to link Christchurch's central sites and attractions via a 2.5 kilometre loop track. Using the day pass, visitors can hop on and off at any of the nine stops around the inner city tram loop and experience the inner city sights and attractions at their leisure. Live informative commentary transports you back in time to the real essence of Christchurch's history. Tram drivers identify points of interest, historic architecture as well as various activities, places to shop and eat
Day 10	Christchurch to Franz Joseph via Greymouth
	This morning, you will be transferred from your accommodation to the Christchurch Railway Station Tranz Scenic TranzAlpine Train In little more than 4 hours – The world famous TranzAlpine train leaves Christchurch on the east coast, crosses the fertile farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, winds its way through the stunning Waimakariri Gorge, passes over massive viaducts, crosses New Zealand's greatest mountain range, the Southern Alps, and travels through lush beech forests and past serene lakes, before arriving in Greymouth on the beautiful West Coast Your coach will be waiting for you on arrival at Greymouth Railway Station to continue the journey. After reaching Kumara the road runs close to the coastline south to Hokitika, another major town founded on gold and coal mining, which has an interesting local museum, glass-blowing and jade-carving galleries. Turn inland across farmlands to Ross. Continuing southwards, the road passes Lakes Ianthe, Wahapo and Mapourika en route to Harihari, Whataroa and Franz Josef Glacier. Accommodation Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier Graham Wing The Hotel sits at the edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, and is just moments from one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions, the Franz Josef Glacier, making the most of its alpine location and offers quality accommodation in two separate hotel wings. Stay in either the Douglas or Graham wing, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings within Franz Josef village. The hotel has 130 rooms, comprising 46 rooms in the Graham Wing and 84 in the Douglas Wing, the latter with desk space and balconies. Some special access rooms are also available. Includes: Breakfast
Day 11	Franz Joseph to Queenstown
	Depart Franz Josef to Fox Glacier and southwards through the Paringa forest, beside Lakes Paringa and Moeraki to the Tasman Coast at Bruce Bay, then from the great lookout from Knight's Point along the coast to Haast. The road over the Haast Pass was not completed until 1965. Once the pass summit is reached descend through the Makarora River valley to the northern reaches of Lake Wanaka, then drive alongside this lake before crossing a saddle to neighbouring Lake Hawea. The road follows the shore of Lake Hawea to the township at the southern end from which it is a short distance to the resort town of Wanaka. From Wanaka climb over the spectacular Crown Range road past the historic Cardrona Hotel and the winter ski fields, then drop down into the Wakatipu basin with magnificent views to the Remarkables Mountains and Lake Wakatipu. Pass by pretty Lake Hayes or via historic Arrowtown en route to Queenstown. Mercure Queenstown Resort Respect for both price and comfort sees the Mercure Resort as a strong choice for accommodation in Queenstown. Great views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables or the pool area capitalise on a superb location. Located approx 5 minutes drive from the centre of town the Mercure Resort Queenstown offers quality accommodation for a great price. Includes: American breakfast daily
Day 12	Queenstown
	Today is free to enjoy the sights of Queenstown – the adventure capital of the world
Day 13	Queenstown to Milford Sound Day Trip
	Depart Queenstown on the road between eastern shores of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables and Hector Mountains to Kingston at its southernmost end. Travel over the tussock-grassed high plains to Fiordland. Drive alongside Lake Te Anau, then turn inland behind the Earl Mountains for the scenic drive past the Mirror Lakes and through the Eglinton River valley to The Divide, with views down the Hollyford Valley, then on to the Homer Tunnel. Descend the Cleddau Canyon to Milford Sound. Milford Sound is one of the best known and grandest fiords that indent the coastline of the Fiordland World Heritage Park. It is surrounded by steep, forest-topped cliffs, with waterfalls dropping vertically into the sea. Rising sheer from the sea on the south side of the sound, dominating the inlet, is the 1,683m high pinnacle of Mitre Peak. Enjoy a full length cruise of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea, stopping at various points of interest for viewing waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife. An onboard nature guide with specialist knowledge of the region's history, flora and fauna provides detailed interpretation in English with a roving microphone Complimentary tea and coffee on board. Includes picnic lunch Return to Queenstown after the cruise
Day 14	Queenstown to Home (or continue onto Australia)
	Transfer to Queenstown Airport for your onward flight