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14-DAY AFFORDABLE
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND ESCORTED |
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Visits: Sydney, Canberra,
Melbourne, Auckland, & Rotorua |
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For a free vacation quote, send a
request to:
Info@YtravelC.com |
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INCLUDED FEATURES: |
• Round trip scheduled air transportation
and all inter-country flights
• 9 Meals (4 dinners, 1 lunch and 4 full breakfasts)
• Round trip airport transfers in Australia and New Zealand
• Eleven nights in four-star hotel accommodations plus an overnight at a
local farmers home near Cambridge, New Zealand
• Extensive Sydney touring including a narrated coffee cruise on Sydney
Harbour
• Learn about Opal mining
• Aussie Sheep Station including a Sheep Shearing demonstration and an
Aussie Barbeque Lunch
• Dinner atop Sydney Tower
• Canberra sightseeing tour
• Melbourne touring with an optional visit to Phillip Island with its
Koala Conservation Center and fairy penguins
• Auckland, New Zealand sightseeing
• Dinner atop Auckland Tower
• Glow Worm Grotto
• Rotorua including Rainbow Springs National Park, New Zealand Farm Show
and Pohuto Geyser
• Enjoy a Traditional Maori Hangi Feast and concert
• $70 in future travel credits |
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DAY TO DAY ITINERARY: |
Day One - En route to Australia
Travel from your hometown via the West Coast on an adventure of a
lifetime. We cross the International Date Line, losing a day, but we
regain it on our return trip.
Day Two – Arrive Sydney
G’day and welcome to Australia! This evening we arrive in Sydney, a city
built around one of the world’s most beautiful harbours, and transfer to
your hotel for the next three nights.
Day Three – Sydney Touring
After a full breakfast, we’re off for a day of great sightseeing in
Sydney, including the historic Rocks District and Darling Harbour. The
Rocks is the site of Australia’s first European settlement. Colorful
streetscapes and elegantly restored buildings house a wide variety of
entertainment venues and specialty shops. Later this afternoon we’ll relax
and enjoy a narrated coffee cruise on Sydney Harbour. We’ll see many
sights of the spectacular harbour including the Opera House, Sydney
Harbour Bridge and multi-million dollar homes of the rich and famous.
(Breakfast)
Day Four – Free Day in Sydney
Today has been left free of organized group activities. You may want to
join an optional tour to the Wildlife Park for an up-close look at some of
the animals unique to Australia. We also have an opportunity to learn
about the magnificent Australian Opal, how they are mined, cut, polished
and valued. This evening we’ll enjoy the breathtaking sights of the
harbour as we dine at Australia’s highest and most spectacular restaurant
atop Sydney Tower. (Dinner)
Day Five – Travel to Canberra, Australia’s Capital
We depart for Canberra this morning and we’ll stop at a local sheep
station to experience a piece of rural Australia. Meet a fifth-generation
Australian farmer and his wife as we get a sheep shearing demonstration
and learn about wool classing. To top off our visit at the sheep station,
we’ll enjoy a real “Aussie” BBQ lunch. We continue on to Canberra,
Australia’s capital and a unique city. The city was modeled after our own
Washington, DC, and it is where all the politicians, national galleries
and museums are located. We’ll get a chance to see the Parliament House,
Embassy Row and the Australian War Memorial museum. (Lunch)
Day Six – Travel through Wine Country to Melbourne
This morning after we enjoy a full breakfast, we’ll set out for a scenic
journey through wine country. Our travels today will give us a look at the
beautiful Australian countryside with views of snowy mountain peaks in the
distance. The land and scenery of this glorious region will make for an
unforgettable ride to the stately Victorian city of Melbourne. (Breakfast)
Day Seven – Sightseeing in Melbourne
There is great sightseeing in Melbourne today, the cultural capital of
Australia. Well known for its superb gardens and parks, Melbourne is also
a city of contrasts, famous for its elegant tree-lined boulevards, set
against a backdrop of fine Victorian architecture and sweeping modern
skyscrapers. Highlights of our day include the Italian Quarter, the Shrine
of Remembrance, the Botanic Gardens where you may enjoy a Devonshire Tea,
Fitzroy Gardens, a view of Captain Cook’s Cottage and spectacular city
views from Westgate Bridge. We’ll drive along the Yarra River and South
Bank, Melbourne’s new entertainment area. Later today we have arranged an
optional trip to Phillip Island to visit the Koala Conservation Center and
view the tiny fairy penguins as they waddle up the beach. (Breakfast)
Day Eight – Melbourne
Melbourne is truly a city full of history, character and charm and today
is free for you to experience more of this city from our centrally located
hotel. Take a walk along the Yarra River or ride the City Circle Tram. A
visit to Federation Square is a destination in itself, with an art
gallery, museum, wine center and a variety of outdoor cafes. Been to the
market lately ... try the Queen Victoria Market ... the southern
hemisphere’s largest open-air market offering a variety of fresh farm
produce and a range of uniquely Australian items and souvenirs to take
back home.
Day Nine – Fly to New Zealand
This morning we depart for the airport and our flight to Auckland, New
Zealand. Upon arrival in this vibrant city, we transfer to our hotel for
the next two evenings.
Day Ten – Auckland
Our day begins with a sightseeing tour of New Zealand’s largest city,
Auckland, “The City of Sails.” We’ll travel past Victoria Park Market and
Westhaven Marina before heading on to the volcanic crater of Mt. Eden
where you can enjoy spectacular views of the city and harbour. Other
touring highlights include Parnell with its trendy café and shopping area.
We’ll see America’s Cup Village, which is where you will find some of
Auckland’s most expensive residences, Bastion Point and Queen Street,
Auckland’s main shopping and business district. Tonight enjoy a wonderful
dinner with unparalleled, breathtaking views from above central Auckland
at the Auckland Tower. (Dinner)
Day Eleven – Drive the Countryside to a local farm
The morning is yours to explore more of Auckland or take an optional tour
to Kelly Tarlton’s. Here you plunge under Auckland’s waterfront as you
board your Antarctic snowcat and discover spectacular secrets of the
Southern Ocean and see the magic of an Antarctic fantasyland, complete
with penguins strutting in fresh snow and ice. Later this afternoon you’re
in for a treat as you enjoy the hospitality of friendly New Zealanders in
their homes. Stay in a guest room of a home on a typical New Zealand
working farm and become a part of their family for the night. Take a tour
of the farm, experience the daily activities and enjoy a home-cooked meal
prepared by your hosts. (Dinner)
Day Twelve – Waitomo Caves and Travel to Rotorua
After a hearty home cooked breakfast, we depart our newly found friends
and travel south to Waitomo for a tour of the famous Glow Worm Grotto.
Ride through the caverns lit by millions of glow worms that are endlessly
fascinating, looking like blue stars on the ceiling. (Breakfast)
Day Thirteen – Rotorua
Today we travel to Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. Our journey
begins at Te Puia for an up-close look at Maori life and culture including
the Carving School, Art and Craft Gallery, Weaving School and a village to
see the significance of the grounds and buildings. The earth’s core is
just a heartbeat away as we view the silica terraces, bubbling mud pools
and the world-famous Pohutu Geyser that shoots boiling water up to 90
feet. We will also enjoy a cultural performance that showcases the very
best of Maori song and dance. We’ll also visit Rainbow Springs National
Park, renowned for its trout and wildlife. Enjoy an entertaining look into
farming at the New Zealand Farm Show. In the evening we’ll experience a
Maori Hangi Feast, followed by traditional music and dancing. (Dinner)
Day Fourteen – En Route to USA
Later today, we’ll board our flights back home and reminisce about the
wonderful time we have had in the ‘land down under.’ Arrive home on the
same day as we left, courtesy of the International Date Line. |
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PRICES:
From Los Angeles airport $3300. Departure taxes extra. (up to
$250) |
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DEPARTURES 2008:
Apr. 12, 19, May 17, Sept 13, 30; Oct. 18 |
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HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS: |
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Days Two through Four – Metro Hotel on Pitt or
Carlton Crest Hotel, Sydney, Australia
Day Five – Crowne Plaza, Canberra, Australia
Days Six through Eight – Ramada, Melbourne, Australia
Days Nine and Ten – Crowne Plaza, Auckland, New Zealand
Day Eleven – Stay in the home of a Local Farm Family
Days Twelve and Thirteen – Lake Plaza Hotel, Rotorua, New Zealand. MF |
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