NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand — Aotearoa in Māori — is small on the map and enormous in practice. Two long, thin islands somehow hold glaciers descending into rainforest, volcanoes still steaming at dawn, fjords dropping into the sea, and beaches that sit empty on summer Saturdays. The South Island runs from sauvignon blanc vineyards to the Southern Alps and down into Fiordland, where Milford Sound looks like a screensaver until you're inside it. The North Island has geothermal valleys, the wineries of Hawke's Bay, and Māori cultural traditions that make a marae visit or a hangi feast feel like the real reason you came. New Zealand's lodges are among the best in the world, and the country wears its hospitality with characteristic Kiwi understatement.
A Taste of What's Possible
Visit remote tribal lands on the North Island for an open-fire Māori cooking experience
Hike and cruise around the iconic Milford Track and Sound with a naturalist guide
Truffle hunt in Cape Kidnappers and enjoy a chef-cooked meal with your unearthed treasures
Where You'll Stay
We spend a lot of time obsessing over the perfect accommodations. Our favorites tend to be smaller, boutique properties with a unique sense of style and fantastic service.
Here are just a few of our favorites...
Three of Our Favorite Spots
Waiheke Island
01
Forty minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland, and the pace drops by half, making it an easy and slow-paced alternative to a city stay. The island runs olive groves into vineyards into cliff-top terraces overlooking the Hauraki Gulf, and on a clear day the view from a cellar door makes a strong case for never leaving. The beaches are the kind that Aucklanders guard like a secret, and the food has quietly become some of the best in the country.
FIORDLAND
02
The southwest corner of the South Island, mostly impenetrable rainforest and fjord, all of it UNESCO World Heritage. Milford Sound is the headline: Mitre Peak rising straight from the water, waterfalls running off cliffs. Doubtful Sound is bigger, quieter, and harder to reach, filtering out most of the crowds. The Milford, Routeburn, and Kepler tracks are New Zealand's best multi-day walks. Bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and the Fiordland crested penguin work the cold water below, largely unbothered by those of us above.
WELLINGTON
03
The country's capital has more cafes per capita than New York, world-class coffee culture for a city this size, and the wind that earned 'Windy Welly.' Te Papa, the free national museum, is world-class. Cuba Street keeps the bohemian record on. The film industry that put New Zealand on the screen works out of Miramar a few miles east. Watch the harbor go gold from Mt Victoria at sunset.
"“Firstly, thanks again for putting another great trip together. We absolutely loved our trip and couldn't have been happier with the itinerary. New Zealand is simply fabulous. We love the people and the landscape, the food, the wine, etc. A few highlights: We absolutely loved Waiheke. At Lake Taupo, we caught a trout — not bad for us city people to do fishing. The helicopter trip to White Island was spectacular. From there on we went to Napier, an Art Deco town which is really nice. The lesson we learnt in Hawke's Bay was that to enjoy wine tasting, you need a driver/guide. Let's remember that for our next trip! We loved Wellington and had the best seafood in New Zealand there. The gourmet walking tour with Heather was phenomenal. She was a great guide and person. We felt like we were friends forever after only a few hours. Finally, we continued further west and south. The highlight in this area was our 3-hour helicopter ride to Milford Sounds. Breathtakingly gorgeous. This part of New Zealand is absolutely special. Beautiful landscapes. The last part was Mount Cook, where we stayed at another retreat with a separate villa just for us. It was gorgeous, located right by Lake Pukaki. The 20 days passed in no time and we had a great time thanks to your meticulous planning and attention to detail.”
Karin and Peter // London, England
Sample Itinerary
From the Bay of Auckland to the Foot of Mount Cook: New Zealand End to End
Day 1: On arrival in Auckland, you’ll be met and transferred to the short ferry ride to beautiful Waiheke Island. Settle into your peaceful seaside accommodations.
Day 2: Enjoy a culinary tour focused on Waiheke Island’s locally produced specialties, including wine, olive oil, honey and oysters.
Day 3: Return to Auckland today to pick up your rental car and begin the drive to Lake Taupo. Pass through the lush farmland of Waikato, with a stop at the Waitomo Caves en route, and enjoy dinner on the waters of Lake Taupo aboard a private charter boat. Settle into your luxurious accommodations.
Day 4: Head out on a private helicopter tour in the Rotorua area, including stops on the inactive Mount Tarawera and the active volcano of White Island.
Day 5: Enjoy a scenic self-drive to the art deco city of Napier, located in Hawke’s Bay on the east coast of the North Island. Enjoy a relaxing evening overlooking the lovely vineyards and rural landscape from your new lodge.
Day 6: Embark on a private tour of Hawke’s Bay with a local insider, including visits to a selection of the area’s best family-owned wineries, and the chance to sample the region’s culinary bounty. Visit Cape Kidnappers or Te Mata Peak in the afternoon.
Day 7: Make the scenic drive to New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, where you will drop off your rental car and enjoy an evening along the lively waterfront as you settle back into city life.
Day 8: Head out on a walking tour of Wellington, a city well-known for its charming tucked-away bars, award-winning restaurants, and quirky cafes, including Courtenay Place, Cuba Street, and Lambton Qua.
Day 9: Today you will fly onward to Blenheim, gateway to the Marlborough Sounds on the South Island. Cycle through picturesque Marlborough vineyards specializing in classic varietals with a local wine guide before your private transfer to a secluded lodge overlooking Queen Charlotte Sound.
Day 10: Embark on a full day boat excursion through the stunning Marlborough Sounds, the most immersive way to see the area’s many small settlements and isolated houses. Cruise beautiful bays and enjoy the scenery, food, and wine from the comforts of your private vessel.
Day 11: Pick up your next rental car in Blenheim and venture deeper into the South Island on a day of independent adventure. Explore Nelson for golden beaches, untouched forests, and charming artists’ studios, or head to Abel Tasman National Park for excellent hiking.
Day 12: Today you’ll self-drive to remote Westport, in one of New Zealand’s most protected regions. En route you’ll drive through Nelson Lakes, across the Southern Alps, and past untouched beech forest, alpine scenery, crystal-clear rivers, and the gorges of Buller Valley. After exploring the wild coastline, enjoy superb cuisine and a glass of wine by the fire at your new luxury lodge.
Day 13: Drive onward to the glacier region, with a stop en route in Punakaiki for a remote beach walk through dense rainforest. This afternoon, fly over the awe-inspiring Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier snowfields via helicopter, with fantastic views of Tasman Glacier and Mount Cook. Settle into a cozy forest retreat for the night.
Day 14: Continue your self-drive adventure to Wanaka, passing through Haast (home to more resident seals and penguins than people), Mount Aspiring National Park’s steep mountain rainforests, and eventually arriving at “The Neck” separating the two great lakes of Hawea and Wanaka, where you will settle into your intimate lakeside lodge.
Day 15: Enjoy a scenic morning helicopter flight to Fiordland World Heritage National Park, landing at the iconic Milford Sound for a short hike amidst beautiful rainforest. In the afternoon, explore the Central Otago wine region and the cosmopolitan town of Queenstown.
Day 16: Hit the water today on a private speedboating adventure on Lake Wanaka, past mountains and glaciers, including a hike through ancient forests to a waterfall, surrounded by the spectacular backdrop of Mount Aspiring National Park.
Day 17: Today you’ll make the scenic self-drive to Mount Cook, deep in the Southern Alps, driving through Canterbury Plains and Timaru, home to much of New Zealand’s sheep population. Settle into your lakeside retreat, hidden in a verdant pine forest overlooking the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki.
Day 18: Enjoy a day filled with wine, farm-to-table cuisine, contemplation, and relaxation, or drive to nearby Mount Cook for one last adventure hiking through spectacular scenery before the journey home.
Day 19: Self-drive to the Christchurch airport to drop off your rental vehicle and begin the journey home.
