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STEVE
THURLOW.COM
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| Wine,
enjoyed in moderation, is a healthy food which enriches life. |
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Wine Cruise Tour New Zealand and
Australia - Wine, Cuisine, History and Culture
on board |
CLICK
HERE FOR A TRIP to SICILY Sep. 22 to Oct. 3,
2010 |
17 Days - February 25 to March 13, 2011 |
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All-Inclusive accompanied tour to Auckland, Rotorua, Gisborne, Martinborough, Marlborough, Waipara, Dunedin, Tasmania, Yarra Valley and Sydney
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FAQ | Register | Price | Itinerary | Trip Extension |
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Imagine summer in the vineyards of New Zealand and Australia, cruising the Southern Ocean and enjoying the luxury of a magnificent cruise ship. With its splendid climate, pure air, pristine environment and magnificent natural beauty, New Zealand is truly a feast for the senses. Australia's cool coastal vineyards are producing delicate fruity food-friendly wines. Next winter join wine personality and Wine Access Senior Editor and WineAlign critic Steve Thurlow as he leads a 17 day excursion of discovery and enjoyment. |
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Visit wineries days before harvest with the vineyards rich with ripe grapes, marvel at some of the world's most beautiful natural scenery, visit whales at play in the Southern Ocean, learn how to prepare dishes under the guidance of master chefs, dine in splendid settings at wineries with their owners, and soak up the warm summer sunshine. MS Volendam is a midsize cruise ship with far fewer passengers than others in its class giving more space and larger staterooms. Service is more personalized and the decor and atmosphere are reminiscent of traditional ocean liners. Our floating hotel will take us close to most of the important wine regions in the Southern Ocean which can easily be experienced by a series of day excursions. At night we dine on-board and sleep in familiar surroundings, relaxing and preparing for adventure and discovery at the next port of call. We will experience the spectacular scenery of both North and South Islands of New Zealand, explore Maori culture, visit the beautiful island of Tasmania and Australia's Yarra Valley whilst also spending several days relaxing at sea enjoying the luxurious amenities of a modern cruise ship. Late February, when we typically experience the depths of a Canadian winter, on the other side of the world summer is most pleasant in New Zealand. Can you imagine the difference between -22°C and +22°C? It is warmer still in Australia where we should find daily highs in Sydney of 27 to 29°C. |
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Wine for Life presents an accompanied wine, food and cultural visit to Australia and New Zealand. We will explore the leading vineyards and wineries and be introduced to the special cuisine of the area. New Zealand has over the last 20 years developed a reputation for its white wine grapes: chardonnay and especially sauvignon blanc. More recently it has emerged as a producer of high quality reds from cabernet sauvignon, syrah and merlot. It is the pinot noirs, however, that are currently exciting international interest the most. This tour will visit all the major wine regions and will include many of the producers of pinot noir. |
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| The cooler coastal vineyards of Australia are the source of its best Pinot Noir, so our pinot odyssey will continue in Tasmania and the Yarra Valley close to Melbourne. There will be an opportunity to meet leading winemakers and taste their wines. This trip offers a unique opportunity to experience first hand this bountiful wine producing land. As well as tasting and dining at many important wineries, we will find time to visit some of the major tourist sites.
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If all this sounds like too hectic a pace, don't worry. There will be time for relaxing on board in the warm sunshine and wandering around some of the beautiful cities and towns.
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| The tour starts in Auckland and finishes in Sydney. Air travel at additional cost can be arranged if required. We start our adventure with three days in the Auckland area exploring the nearby wine country and discovering the cuisine of New Zealand. We then board MS Volendam for the cruise from Auckland to Sydney, stopping in Tauranga, Gisborne, Wellington for Martinborough, Picton for Marlborough, Lyttelton (Christchurch) for Waipara, Port Chalmers (Dunedin), Milford Sound, Burnie for Tasmania, and finally Melbourne for Yarra Valley. |
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| Top Sydney and Hunter Valley Extension For those who can spare another four days we plan to organize an extension trip in New South Wales. The main tour terminates in Sydney on disembarkation on the morning of March 13th. The tour price includes a prepaid airport transfer voucher for those not taking the Sydney and Hunter Valley Extension. |
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Most return flights from Sydney International Airport departs early afternoon on March 13th so there is only a brief chance to see the sights of Sydney. Holland America Line has organized several sightseeing options which can be booked on board to see the Sydney area. Our extension plan is to spend two nights in the Hunter Valley and two nights in Sydney. See below for more ideas for extending the tour.
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Email: Steve Thurlow steve@stevethurlow.com or Telephone: Steve on 416-878-7955 or send Steve a Registration Form MSWORD or Registration Form PDF A deposit of C$660 is required to secure a place on this tour and for a specific stateroom to be reserved. This deposit is 50% refundable until July 31, 2010. A further non-refundable deposit of C$440 is required on August 1st, 2010. Final payment is required 120 days prior to departure. |
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Top The trip price assumes double occupancy in all accommodation and does not include any air transportation. We are pleased to assist with booking flights at additional cost and, if there is sufficient demand, to arrange group flights. The price includes the hotel in Auckland, and the cruise described below on board MS Volendam in Category E large Ocean-view staterooms and luxury coach transportation. Also included are breakfasts every day, winery visits and tastings, all led by Steve Thurlow and 30 meals some with wines. The price for the 19 day trip is C$4390 per person assuming double occupancy plus fees/taxes and fuel surcharges from the cruise line which are subject to change until final payment is made. (In June 2010 they totaled $202.12)
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MS Volendam was built in 1999 and is registered in The Netherlands. She has a passenger capacity of 1,432 with 615 members of the crew. She has four major types of stateroom Interior, Ocean-view, Verandah and Suite located on Decks 1,2,3,6 and 7.
Download Detailed Deck Plans here. |
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The interior and ocean-view staterooms are almost all located on Decks 1,2,3 and 6. They are designed to the same plan and so are all about the same size. Inside staterooms only have a shower i.e. no bathtub and lack a sea view, apart from which they are basically the same. SIGNATURE TOUCHES IN EVERY STATEROOM * Spacious, elegantly appointed staterooms The All-inclusive tour price assumes the double occupancy of a Category E Ocean-view stateroom (185-197 sq. ft) on either Main Deck or Dolphin Deck. This stateroom has two twins that convert to queen-size, window, private bath with tub and shower, hairdryer, sitting area with small sofa, television, DVD player, multi-channel music, mini-bar, safe, phone. |
Ocean-view and Inside Stateroom plan |
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The tour price assumes occupancy of a Category E Ocean-view stateroom. Guests may opt to upgrade or downgrade from that standard. Refer to detailed deck plans on-line for precise details. The following are available: Category EE Staterooms on Dolphin Deck with full Ocean View can be reserved for a reduction of $66 per passenger. Category DD Staterooms on Lower Promenade Deck with partial sea views can be reserved for an upgrade fee of $66 per passenger. Category DA Staterooms on Main Deck with full Ocean View can be reserved for an upgrade fee of $132 per passenger.
Category D Staterooms on Verandah, Lower Promenade and Main Decks with full Ocean View can be reserved for an upgrade fee of $198 per passenger. Category C Staterooms on Lower Promenade and Verandah Decks with full Ocean View can be reserved for an upgrade fee of $264 per passenger. These small price variations result from position on the ship, deck, sea view quality and slight variations in size of stateroom. |
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Inside Staterooms If a sea view is not an important criteria then Category K Inside Staterooms on Main or Lower Promenade Deck with no Ocean View can be reserved for a reduction of $286 per passenger. Go here to view detailed deck plans on-line.
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Verandah Suites MS Volendam is equipped with many verandah suites which are more spacious than the Ocean-view staterooms, each with its own private verandah. 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, whirlpool bath & shower, sitting area, private verandah, mini-bar, refrigerator, floor-to-ceiling windows. Approximately 292 sq. ft. These staterooms include all the standard stateroom amenities, plus: * A variety of firm, medium and soft pillows Category AA Verandah Suites on Verandah or Navigation Decks can be reserved for a an upgrade fee of $1936 per passenger. |
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Single Supplement prices are available on request. When booking please indicate which category of stateroom is preferred. Assuming that category is still available, you will be assigned a specific stateroom. If your preferred category is no longer available, an appropriate alternative will be suggested for your approval. Go here to see Holland America Line Virtual Tours and select MS Volendam from the menu. |
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Top (Included meals: B= Breakfast L= Lunch D= Dinner)
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Day 1: Friday 25th February, 2010 Auckland The tour starts in New Zealand's commercial capital and largest city, Auckland, where we will stay at the City Life Hotel Auckland overlooking the harbour. Rooms are reserved for the group to check-in at midday on Friday, however, depending on your arrival schedule you may wish to have a room reserved for additional nights prior to Friday night. These can be booked for a small additional cost, as can transfers from the airport. Both by prior arrangement.
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The hotel is in the heart of the city within walking distance of the city's main attractions. There is a gymnasium and an indoor heated lap-pool for guest use. Go here for an interactive video tour.
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Waiheke Island After settling-in, we take a short ferry ride from close-by our hotel across the Hauraki Gulf, the site of Americas Cup races, to nearby Waiheke Island. The island is home to many small wineries and is close enough to Auckland that many commute daily to the city on the high speed ferry.
A regional tasting of wines from the island's wineries hosted by Cable Bay will accompany a late lunch as we take in this spectacular view of the city and the islands in the gulf. |
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Late afternoon, we return to our hotel, with another chance for a rest. The evening will be free to explore the many restaurants that lie around the harbour in the heart of downtown. (L) Day 2: Saturday 26th, Auckland After breakfast, we leave to visit the spectacular new winery and vineyards of Villa Maria close to the airport overlooking Manukau Harbour. The morning will be filled with a visit to the vineyard, a winery tour, then a cooking class led by Villa Maria's Kathy Paterson, formerly a teacher at the London School of Cordon Bleu Cookery and named in 2007 as New Zealand's top caterer. Learn about the range of fresh produce, herbs, fish, meat, vegetables and fruits that are available.
As each course is being prepared one of Villa Maria's Winemakers will lead us on a tour of the wines of New Zealand selecting examples to show the regional differences from Villa Maria's extensive portfolio. These will then be matched as we sample the dishes. After lunch the remains of the afternoon and evening will be free for relaxing at the hotel or exploring downtown Auckland. (B,L)
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Day 3: Sunday 27th, Auckland We leave the next morning to drive northeast to visit Matua Valley Winery where we will take lunch. |
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Then on to Coopers Creek for a visit. Wine will be served with hot bread and salmon before returning to Auckland Harbour to board our cruise ship in the late afternoon. |
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The beautiful garden theme of the MS Volendam is reflected in an artful floral motif throughout the ship's spacious public rooms and elegant staterooms. Flowers can be found in abundance in the form of floral fabrics and tapestries, as well as huge vases of tropical floral arrangements and chrysanthemums. In addition to fresh flowers throughout the ship, Holland America Line has drawn on its collection of incredible artwork to enhance the interior of the ship's public spaces. Everything from pre-Columbian fetishes and sculptures to Renaissance-era fountains imported from Italy are included in its hallway galleries. At the heart of the ship an elegant sculpture by Luciano Vistosi, inspired by the myriad of moods and colors of a kaleidoscope, greets visitors in a soaring three-story atrium. |
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After settling in to our staterooms and spending some time exploring our new surroundings it will soon be time for our first dinner on board. The ships sails at midnight. (B,L,D)
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Day 4: Monday 28th, At sea En route from Auckland we will pass close to Mercury Islands, which consist
of the large Great Mercury Island to the west, Red Mercury Island to the
east, and five much smaller islands. Only the main island is inhabited
– the others form part of a nature reserve. Great Mercury Island
is what remains of an ancient volcano and is owned by Sir Michael Fay
one of New Zealand’s wealthiest men who now lives in Switzerland.
Later we will see the Alderman Islands, which are a small group of rocky islets named 'the Court of Aldermen' by Captain Cook and his crew on November 3, 1769. They are the remnants of a volcanic cone.
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| Later still we approach Mayor Island. or Tuhua, a dormant volcano 35 km north of Tauranga. It is believed to have risen from the sea about 7000 years ago. The island, considered special by Maori, was named Mayor Island by Captain James Cook when he sighted it on the same day in recognition of the Lord Mayors Day to be held in London a few days later. Today it is a wildlife refuge uninhabited except for a small number of holiday houses on the south coast of the island. During the course of the day Steve Thurlow will host an information and tasting session on the wines of New Zealand focusing on regions that we will not be visiting on the the tour so as to complete your knowledge of the area. (B,L,D) |
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Day 5: Tuesday March 1st, Tauranga (for Rotorua) We are scheduled to dock in Tauranga at 8:00 am. The port lies about 50km north of Rotorua a spa town sacred to the Maori and famous for its hot springs and mud pools. |
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No wine tour activities are scheduled for this day. Some will choose to stay on-board while others will disembark to explore the port town of Tauranga. Lunch is provided on-board.
Many will however choose one of the excursions (at extra cost) offered by Holland America Line.
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Some of these include a visit to Rotorua and an exploration of Maori culture.
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Day 6: Wednesday 2nd, Gisborne The ship arrives in Gisborne at 10:00 am. |
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We take an early lunch on-board and then leave to visit Vinoptima winery and the Milton Vineyard in Manutuke returning to Volendam for 5 pm. |
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Nick Nobilo ran New Zealand’s second-largest public wine company Nobilo Estates until its sale to BRL Hardy in 2000. This allowed him to embark on his passionate dream, the development of Vinoptima, a single variety vineyard dedicated to producing world class Gewurztraminer wine. Another first for New Zealand. We will visit the vineyard and taste the award winning wines. |
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 Gisborne
is quickly becoming one of New Zealand’s leading wine regions, home
to abundant varieties of grapes spread across the alluvial soils of the
East Coast.
Regarded as producing some, if not the best Chardonnay in the country has earned Gisborne the title of "Chardonnay Capital of New Zealand". The grape grows successfully within the East Coast’s fertile soils and warmer climate. Miltons winery, situated on the banks of the Te Arai River was established in 1984 by owners James and Annie Milton. The vineyards are grown with Bio-Dynamic techniques and traditional viticulture, meaning no synthetic sprays are used. We will enjoy the splendid setting, surrounded by the vineyards as we taste the wines. (B,L,D) |
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Day 7: Thursday 3rd, Wellington (for Martinborough) We arrive in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand at 10:00 am and will be in port till midnight that day. This give us ample time to not only visit the city but to take a short bus ride over the mountains to the north to the Martinborough wine region.
The wineries are all close together around the edges of the small town. We will visit Palliser Estate for a tour and tasting then stopping in the centre of town for a regional tasting in the Winery Centre to explore the region's wines more closely. Lunch will be served and we will be joined by the winemakers.
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After lunch Te Kairanga winery will host us for a tasting before we head back to Wellington. |
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Some will go back onboard but others will relish the opportunity to visit the city to see its shops and the modern parliament buildings. |
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A ride on the cable car offers a splendid view of the city and a chance to visit the botanic gardens. Another option is to spend an hour or so to visit Te Papa, the spectacular national museum, which tells the story of New Zealand's environment, arts, history and culture with an intriguing mix of museum exhibits, interactive virtual experiences and live shows. We slip out of Wellington at midnight for the short voyage across the Cook Straight to the South Island and the port of Picton. (B,L,D) |
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Day 8: Friday 4th, Picton (for Marlborough) We arrive in Picton at 8:00 am. Early risers will delight in the last part of the voyage through the Marlborough Sounds. |
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The Marlborough wine region is about 30 mins drive south of Picton. Marlborough is New Zealand's largest wine region and is responsible for most of its wine production. Famous for sauvignon blanc, it also makes some fine chardonnay and today is rapidly becoming a major producer of pinot noir. We will visit three wineries in the region taking lunch at one before returning to the ship in the late afternoon. We sail at 6:00 pm (B,L,D) |
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Day 9: Saturday 5th, Christchurch (for Waipara) We arrive at 8:00 am in Lyttleton, the port for Christchurch, the largest settlement on the South Island. It is about 90 mins to drive to the Waipara wine region north of the city. This relatively new wine region is becoming accepted as the best area for riesling, though recently pinot noir from here has been gaining in reputation. We will visit two wineries taking lunch at one before returning to Christchurch.
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We will spend a couple of hours shopping and visiting this most English of New Zealand's cities, maybe even finding time for some punting on the Avon River, before returning to the ship that slips out of port at 7:00 pm. (B,L,D) |
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Day 10: Sunday 6th, Dunedin We arrive in Dunedin, the country's fourth-largest city, at 8 am. Resting in the hills that surround Otago Harbor, Dunedin is quite picturesque and will give us a touch of Scotland; the city was officially founded by the Free Church of Scotland in 1848. |
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This Scottish-heritage, university city offers a list of interesting architectural and cultural attractions, and the Otago Peninsula in which it is found is known world-wide for its wildlife reserves. Dunedin experienced a period of great wealth during New Zealand's Victorian period, which resulted in the building of some of the city's most treasured architectural gems. |
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The Otago Settlers Museum and Olveston, an historic house which showcases the lifestyle of a privileged family in the early 1900's are both worth a visit. The railway station, opened in 1906, is a splendid example of the architecture of the period.
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The province of Otago has some of the finest gardens in New Zealand. A tour to see these is another option to consider. We sail at 6:00pm and will be at sea for the next three days en route to Australia. (B,L,D) |
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Day 11: Monday 7th, At Sea The ship makes a short visit to Milford Sound in New Zealand's Fjordland National Park, one of the wettest places on the planet. |
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So much rain falls in the area that there is always a layer of fresh water on top of the sea-water in the sound. This inversion layer in the sea sustains a uniquely rich marine environment. If we are lucky we will see some of the mammals that make their home in the area. After the brief cruise into the fjord we head out into the Tasman Sea toward our next stop, Tasmania. The next few days are for relaxing onboard and enjoying the many pleasures of the ship. (B,L,D) |
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Day 12: Tuesday 8th, At Sea The Lido Deck is a popular spot for relaxing and watching life onboard and if it gets too hot you can always dip into the pool. |
Steve Thurlow will lead a virtual wine tour of Australia focusing on the regions not included on this tour. The tasting will cover the principal varietals and the styles of wine produced.
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| There is nightly entertainment to provide some excitement after dinner. | ||||
A relaxing day will be enjoyed by all. (B,L,D) |
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Day 13: Wednesday 9th At Sea Each new day there is a wealth of activities and indulgences to consider with the freedom to partake in as many — or as few — as you please. It's an opportunity to try something new that surprises you, every day. Dabble, discover, daydream — do everything, or do nothing at all. Whether you want to workout in the Fitness Center, learn yoga, pamper yourself with a massage and spa treatment, or listen to music and check your email in the Explorations Café, there's a perfect onboard activity for everyone.
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The Culinary Arts Center program integrates guests' love for fine food and wine with a unique and entertaining experience. Immerse yourself in the unique traditions and tastes of the ports of call you will visit. Learn how to make a new gourmet dish in a hands-on cooking class taught by Holland America Line Master Chefs or culinary guests. |
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These few days at sea will pass quickly. None of the activities on board are obligatory. You are on vacation and this is time to do exactly what you want to do while being assured that you will be well fed, comfortable and relaxed; ready for new adventures in Australia. (B,L,D) |
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Day 14: Thursday 10th Burnie Tasmania, Australia We arrive in the port of Burnie, Tasmania at 6:00 am. The cool climate viticultural area in the northern part of the island has developed a reputation for making some of the best pinot noir in Australia. |
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We will visit two wineries taking lunch at one of them. Tasmania is a seldom explored part of Australia's wine country. It is rugged and sparsely populated. Traveling here takes time since the roads are narrow and the pace of life is slow. The wines are good and the welcome from winemakers is phenomenal. |
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The boat sails at 5:00 pm towards the Australian mainland and the city of Melbourne. (B,L,D) |
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Day 15: Friday 11th, Melbourne and Yarra Valley We arrive at 8:00 am in Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria. The Yarra Valley is about 90 mins drive to the east of the city. It is an important wine region and being relatively cool has become known for pinot noir. We will visit two wineries taking lunch at one. There will be time before we embark for a brief visit to the city. |
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We sail at 6:00 pm en route to Sydney. (B,L,D) Day 16: Saturday 12th, At Sea This day, our last on board, is spent traveling between Melbourne and Sydney. Time to indulge in onboard activities again. Certainly time to savour lunch and dinner with wine. |
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Tonight's entertainment will probably be the highlight of the cruise. (B,L,D) |
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Day 17: Sunday 13th March, Sydney We arrive at 6:00 am in Sydney. We will disembark early in the morning in order to enjoy spending sometime visiting Sydney. Most return flights from Sydney International Airport depart early afternoon so there is only a brief chance to see the sights of Sydney. Holland America Line has organized several sightseeing options which can be booked on board at additional cost. (B) The tour price includes a prepaid airport transfer voucher for those not extending the trip. |
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Trip Extension Ideas The main tour described above lasts 17 days and includes visits to many wineries and tourist sites in New Zealand and parts of Australia. After 17 days away for many it will be time to return home, however some travelers may choose to stay longer in Australia. One should consider trip extensions to see the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland or possibly the wine region of South Australia that can be visited by staying a few days in Adelaide. Holland America Line has several tours available within Australia. Alternatively we can certainly assist with making travel arrangements for an extended stay delaying the return to Canada. We do plan however to organize a four night extension that will probably include 2 days visiting wineries in Hunter Valley staying in Pokolbin and 2 days in Sydney staying downtown in The Rocks area. |
The price for this will depend upon how many wish to join the extension. When booking main tour indicate if a Hunter Valley/Sydney extension is desired. If there is sufficient demand then an extension as outlined below will be organized and should cost around $1000 per person assuming double occupancy.
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Hunter Valley/Sydney 4 Day Extension Outline
Possibilities for winery visits include Tempus Two (above), Rosemount, Wyndham Estate, Tyrell's and McWilliams. But there are many others. |
Day 19: Sunday 13th March, Pokolbin Hunter Valley We disembark MS Volendam and say goodbye to many new friends and jump aboard a luxury tour bus for the 2.5 hour drive to the Lower Hunter Valley where we visit a winery and take lunch. After lunch we check into our hotel in Pokolbin probably Pokolbin Village Resort. Late in the afternoon we leave to visit another winery where we will take dinner. (B,L,D) Day 20: Monday 14th March, Pokolbin Hunter Valley After breakfast we leave to visit 2 wineries in the Upper Hunter Valley taking lunch at one and return in the afternoon. The balance of the day will be free with chance in the evening of exploring the many excellent wine country restaurants in and around Pokolbin. (B,L) |
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Day 21: Tuesday 15th March, Sydney We checkout our hotel after breakfast and head back to Sydney and check in to our hotel in the centre of Sydney probably Sir Stamford at Circular Quay. From here we are walking distance to most of the attractions of the city. After settling in and exploring the immediate surroundings to find some lunch, there will be a two-hour guided walking tour of the major attractions returning to the hotel late afternoon. The balance of the day will be free for individual exploration and dining at one of the many restaurants this city has to offer. (B) Day 22: Wednesday 16th March, Sydney Today is free for continuing the exploration of Sydney. Maybe doing some shopping. Some will find time for the beach. The beautiful surfing beach of Bondi is not far away, where it is customary to enjoy a gelato while watching the rolling surf. |
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We will gather that evening at a local restaurant for our final dinner together. (B,D) |
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Day 23: Thursday 17th March, Sydney The last morning is free to say goodbye to friends new and old and to get organized for the return journey. Most flights to Canada leave early afternoon and since one crosses the international dateline most get back to Toronto in the evening of March 17th. (B)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What is the age range of the group? These tours appeal to a wide range of ages, since we can love wine, food and travel at all stages of life. Typically the range is from 30 to 65 though we have had some older and younger than this join in the past. Do you need to be a wine connoisseur to participate? Absolutely not. These are tours of discovery and enjoyment, of the wine, food, culture and history of the region. You will certainly return home with a greater appreciation of wine. I have been told it is impossible to spend days traveling with me without learning more about how wine is made and enjoyed with food. Is the trip price really all-inclusive? Almost all costs other than souvenirs, an occasional cup of coffee and maybe a slice or two of pizza are included and a few meals. I frequently hear that there is too much wine and too much food such that, during free periods, people don’t need to eat or drink anything else. These trips seem to be very reasonably priced, what is the catch? I only run on average one or two trips per year to places to which I would be going anyway; so why not take a few others along with me? These trips are not a fundamental part of what I do in life and so I price them reasonably so all can afford to join. Additionally I receive sponsorship subsidies from wine regions and wineries who are keen to show off their splendid products and services to my guests in the hope that they will spread the word. We have never traveled with a group before; will there be enough free time? I used to dislike traveling on buses with groups and also found I needed time away from the group. Consequently we have frequent stops when we are traveling by bus plus the schedule has lots of free time built in. None of the planned excursions are compulsory. You can always stay on board, or visit a port of call alone or take a cruise ship excursion instead of one of the included wine excursions. It is sometimes good to take a day off away from the group. We are not comfortable arranging our own air travel and would like assistance with this? We will be pleased to make return air travel arrangements from the most convenient airport at additional cost. Stopovers both outbound and return can be included. Send an email to Steve outlining your requirements and he will be happy to help with this. |
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Conditions The above itineraries are as planned. However we reserve the right to make adjustments depending upon weather, and other constraints, to substitute visits to alternative wineries and to arrange accommodation at hotels of similar standard in the towns mentioned. Prices are for double occupancy in twin/double rooms/staterooms (single supplement on request). Hotels and cruise accommodation is subject to availability. The trip price includes the hotel in Auckland, and the cruise described above on board MS Volendam in Category E large Ocean-view staterooms and luxury coach transportation. Also included are buffet breakfasts every day, winery visits and tastings, all led by Steve Thurlow and 30 meals, some with wines. The trip price of C$4390 does not include Cruise Line taxes/fees and fuel surcharges which are subject to fluctuation (in June 2010 cruise line fees totaled C$202.12). This price is correct at present but may change as a result of currency variations, airline surcharges or other circumstances beyond our control. In accordance with the Travel Industry Act, 2002 and Ontario Regulation 26/05, below is the registered name, address and registration number of the provider of the travel services: K. Walsh & Associates,
4141 Yonge St, Suite 203, Toronto, Ontario, M2P 2A8 Home | Festivals | Tastings | Consulting | Qualifications | Reviews | About Steve | Contact Us | Events |
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Ocean-view
Options 
New
Zealand's cuisine is a fabulous fusion of Oriental, Pacific and European
influences with the traditional Maori.
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Holland
America Line has organized a wide variety of excursions (at extra cost)
that will help with exploring the area. 
