New Zealand and Fiji: Adventure and Relaxation in the Pacific

Private transfer from the airport. Two nights' accommodation within walking distance of central Queenstown in a contemporary chalet with beautiful views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range. The rooms balance style and taste with modern design. Breakfast is the pride of the hotel, and gives a great introduction to New Zealand's culinary accomplishments. Reclining chairs lie under canopies. An outdoor barbecue where you can enjoy the top-quality meat and vegetables produced in the region.

Queenstown is the number one city for adventures in New Zealand. Throughout the year, it offers the likes of skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, rafting, hiking and fly fishing; or paragliding, parachuting and bungee jumping, if you want to see things from a different vantage point. Whatever you decide to do, the scenery will be breathtaking.
Included in the itinerary - Private hot pool with view The facility is located on the side of a cliff above the Shotover River canyon. The hot pools, which have a Japanese style, are filled with crystal-clear water where you can control the temperature. Your cabin offers complete privacy and views of the Shotover River. The retractable ceiling means you can change the setting depending on the weather.
Option - A cruise through Milford Sound.

Pick up your hire car and drive to Twizel. Spend two nights a few miles north-west in a north-facing lodge, which overlooks the Southern Alps. A pond stretches in front of the house and adds to the serenity of the place. The rooms are bright, practical and comfortable. Its simple elegance allows guests to lose themselves in a state of dream-like relaxation. Breakfast lives up to national standards of excellence: lavish, fresh and home-made. Enjoy time to sit and think with a delicious glass of wine.

As in many parts of the south, you can walk, hike or ride here and take advantage of the water, such as Lake Ruataniwha, to sail, water ski or canoe. However, the sparsely populated Mackenzie Basin has a particular point of interest with its clear sky. The area is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. It's a good idea to take full advantage of the evenings here, since opportunities for a haze-free observation of the night sky are dwindling. The scope, harmony and surprisingly colourful landscapes of Pukaki Lake, with Mount Cook as its focal point, will astound you.
Option - Helicopter flight over the Tasman Glacier.

Drive to Christchurch. Two-night stay in a house built in 1874 for Reverend James West Stack. Constructed from kaori and totara wood, it is full of typical British composure. The interior design is comfortable and is in keeping with the style of the era. The garden is immaculately groomed. You can have a nice rest under large white umbrellas. The Canterbury Museum and the Botanic Gardens are just a short walk away.

Drive to the beautiful Banks Peninsula, where there is a former French whaling village (19th century) called Akaroa. Street signs and several architectural features, such as Langlais-Etevenaux Cottage - are reminiscent of the French settlement known as Port King Louis-Philippe, tolerated by the British in the 1840s. As you sail along the jagged coasts, you might catch sight of the very rare and lightweight Hector's dolphin, fur seals or the little penguin, which New Zealanders still call the 'little blue penguin' because of its cobalt feathers. The Peninsula is also good for walkers: about twenty hiking trails have been created in the bush and the inlets of the Hinewai Reserve.
Option - Journey on the TranzAlpine Train.

Return the hire car to Christchurch airport and fly to Rotorua. Prick up second hire car and drive to Taupo. Spend three nights in Acacia Bay, where a pretty flower garden surrounds your cottage. Inside, the bedrooms and common areas offer lovely, old-fashioned elegance. The common areas are welcoming and reveal simple, good taste. The positive vibe and attentive owners make your stay even more enjoyable. The hotel is just a ten-minute walk from the lakeside.

In order to preserve their sacred sites, the Maori people donated volcanic mountains Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe to the Crown to ensure that they would not be exploited. The park was established in 1887. Today, it's Middle Earth. At least, it has been since Peter Jackson filmed 'Lord of the Rings' there. There's an abundance of birdlife there, both common species and rare ones, such as the blue duck and the North Island brown kiwi. There are pristine landscapes all around. There are carefully marked paths, suitable for any type of activity, from a simple walk to a long hike. Climbing, mountain biking, rafting, canoeing and flying are also options. In winter, you can ski on the slopes of Ruapehu.
Included in the itinerary - Flight over the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park. Hop on a flight for a spectacular view of the National Park's three volcanoes which ascend to 6519ft, 9,177ft and 7516ft. All three are active to varying degrees. The small plane is a great way to really appreciate the magnitude of these volcanoes, where the centre of the earth rises to the surface. In addition, the flight allows you to see some of the major natural scenery from Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings'.

Included in the itinerary - Orakei Korako Thermal Park and Cave. North of Taupo, the Hidden Valley is a plethora of colours. Jade green, mustard, lemon, black, salmon pink, royal blue, earth and water vigorously swirl. Here, swathes of steam rise from waterfalls and geysers. The Diamond Geyser, the most famous of the site's 35 geysers, explodes intermittently up to 30ft high. Geothermal fields almost never include caves, yet there is one here called Ruatapu Cave. Your ticket gives access to the park's developed areas, including trails, stairs, walkways, where you can enjoy walking around in freedom.

Drive to Auckland. Overnight stay in an elegant 100-year-old villa in the Mount Eden area, surrounded by trees, mountains ranges and meadows. The rooms evoke a past way of life but with modern facilities. The peaceful and cosy setting, where voile curtains temper the heat of the sun, is the perfect end to a long journey. Again, you'll enjoy the courtesy and professionalism of New Zealand hospitality and the national breakfasts, which you may long for when you return home.

Return the car to Auckland Airport and fly to Nadi. Welcome at the airport and transfer to Denarau, then catamaran to Matamanoa Island. Three-night stay in a Bure (wood and straw hut) on a white sandy beach. This traditional Fijian bungalow has a stylish and colourful twist. It is well-appointed and provides everything you need to enjoy your location, including a private pool, daybed, outdoor shower and covered terrace. Naturally, the restaurant is open to light and sea breeze; it serves cuisine that crosses Fijian dishes with international classics. From Island Affair to Voroki Au, cocktails are the perfect addition to the golden sunset. The spa meets the highest wellness standards, with a gentleness and charm that can only be found in Fiji.

Things to do. Adopt a slow pace of time when you arrive. Let yourself soak up the beauty of the island, a volcanic cone that pops out of the ocean just enough to display an intense green vegetation surrounded by coconut trees and a strip of fine sand. In its transparent water, corals bloom in all their beauty. Fish come and go in their spectacular natural habitat. Grab your mask and snorkel to take a closer look. You can also swim a few gentle lengths in the hotel's elongated pool. Tennis is played on grass, as per the English tradition. On the beach, you can play beach volleyball, beach cricket or beach bowls… unless you prefer to try your hand at coconut bowling. Trips out to sea lead to the most beautiful diving spots or other enchanted islands. The Pacific culture will amaze you in so many ways. There is never a dull moment in this paradise.

Transfer by catamaran to Denarau. Spend the night on a private beach that stretches for over a mile. The hotel's international style fits in well with the setting; it is stated without being invasive. The interior is white with tones of dark brown, chocolate and beige. Blue notes bring the outside, in. The beautiful materials used are perfectly suited to all areas. The rooms are comfortable, well-appointed and light. One restaurant serves Western and Fijian cuisine; another one serves cuisine from around Asia. There are four bars - two are lounge bars, and two are on the beach. The hotel has no fewer than nine swimming pools. The spa facilities are great, but the massage hut, which opens out on the sea breeze, is particularly popular with true pleasure-seekers. And it goes without saying that there are a host of water-based activities.