australia new zealand escorted group tour with choices of hotel, airfare from lax,sightseeing and some meals

18-DAY NEW ZEALAND/AUSTRALIA ESCAPADE

Visits: Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown, Melbourne, Cairns & Sydney

For a free vacation quote, send a request to: Info@YtravelC.com

INCLUDED FEATURES:

* Round-trip transpacific air transportation

* All intra-New Zealand and Australia air/land transportation

* Independent: Local hosts provide information, assistance with transfers and guided sightseeing tours

* 15 nights in superior or first class hotels

* Sightseeing tours, cultural entertainment and other performances as specified

* Hangi (feast) dinner in Rotorua

* Smorgasbord lunch in Cairns

* 2 lunches,1 dinner

* New Zealand sites: Auckland city tour, Waitoo Glow Worm Grotto, Rainbow Springs, Maori Arta & craft Institute,

* Hangifeast & concert, Milford Sound tour & cruise

* Australia sites: Melbourne city tour, Outer Reef cruise with lunch, Sydney Harbour coffee cruise

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:

Day 1 & 2 | Los Angeles To Auckland: Fly transpacific aboard Qantas Airways. Cross the International Date Line.

Day 3 | Arrive Auckland On arrival in Auckland, you will be met and transferred to the Heritage Hotel Auckland. Auckland, sprawling across the isthmus between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, is noted for its extensive parks, beautiful gardens, warm, sunny climate, and its beautiful Waitemata Harbour. This afternoon, enjoy a city tour, which includes Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World, the Native New Zealand Encounter Show at the Auckland Zoo, Waitemata Harbour, and a cruise onboard a Pride of Auckland yacht. Finally, visit the Sky Tower, tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere where you may enjoy the panoramic views of the city from the top of the tower.

Day 4 | Auckland to Waitomo/Rotorua Depart Auckland by motorcoach. At Waitomo, visit the famed subterranean Glow Worm Grotto, lit with the eerie light of millions of tiny glow worms. Continue to Rotorua, center of an extensive thermal region with geysers, bubbling mud pools and steaming lakes. The Maori culture contributes greatly to the attractions of this fascinating area. Check in to the Park Heritage Hotel Rotorua.

Day 5 | Rotorua: This morning's guided sightseeing takes you to Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley to see the bubbling mud pools, mineral springs, silica formations and shooting geysers. Visit the Kiwi House and at the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, gain insight into Maori carving, customs and history. Continue on to Rainbow Springs where you will be introduced to New Zealand's flora and fauna, including the elusive kiwi. Enjoy an informative and humorous New Zealand Farm Show. Tonight, experience Mai-Ora—Essence of Maori. A spirited welcome ceremony and performance explains the meaning of traditional instruments, weapons, songs, games and dances before you are led into the hangi house to enjoy a buffet-style dinner prepared using time-honored Maori methods. Meals Included: Dinner

Day 6 | Rotorua to Queenstown Fly to Queenstown and transfer to the Heritage Hotel Queenstown. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown enjoys a magnificent setting amid steep mountain ranges and pockets of native bush with the rugged peaks of the Remarkables Range rising from the lake.

Day 7 | Queenstown with Full Day Milford Sound Excursion Depart by coach to Milford Sound, traveling along Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park. Descend through magnificent valleys and canyons to the shores of Milford Sound. Board a luxury vessel to explore the wonders of this majestic fjord. Optional return flight to Queenstown available.

Day 8 | Queenstown Full day at leisure to relax or join an optional sightseeing tour.

Day 9 | Queenstown to Mt. Cook/Christchurch Enjoy views of the spectacular Southern Alps as you travel to Lake Pukaki and into the heartland of the Mt. Cook National Park, encompassing 15 peaks. Continue past Lake Tekapo, scenic sheep farms and across the fertile Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, known as the “Garden City.” Overnight at the Heritage Hotel Christchurch.

Day 10 | Christchurch to Melbourne: Today, fly to Melbourne. On arrival, transfer to the Vibe Savoy Hotel Melbourne. Australia's second largest city, Melbourne is known for its grand parks and gardens, Victorian architecture and as a thriving cultural center.

Day 11 | Melbourne On your half day guided tour, discover the elegant charms of contemporary Melbourne. Cross the West Gate Bridge for amazing city views and observe the Yarra River's bustling activity. See Queen Victoria Market, Fitzroy Gardens and Albert Park. Visit the historic Shrine of Remembrance and stroll along Southbank's waterfront district. Balance of day at leisure. .

Day 12 | Melbourne Morning at leisure. This afternoon, travel south to Phillip Island. En route visit Warrook Farm and enjoy the opportunity to feed kangaroos. At Phillip Island, visit the Koala Conservation Centre and observe cuddly koalas. At dusk, enjoy the “little penguin parade” as countless penguins make their way to their dune burrows. Return to Melbourne in the evening

Day 13 | Melbourne to Cairns Today fly north to Cairns where you transfer to the Tradewinds Esplanade Hotel (Ocean View Room). Balance of day to relax and enjoy the tropical coastal resort area.

Day 14 | Cairns with Full Day Kuranda Excursion :This morning, board the Scenic Rail, passing waterfalls and gorges en route to Kuranda for a full day tour. Take the Skyrail over the rainforest canopy and touch down at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park where a buffet lunch is included. Enjoy a performance by the Tjapukai Dance Troupe before returning to Cairns.
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 15 | Cairns with Full Day Reef Cruise Depart Cairns aboard a catamaran to an Outer Reef Platform. Spend up to five hours at the reef including a guided snorkel tour, all snorkeling equipment and a lesson. Non-swimmers will enjoy the glass-bottom viewing vessel. A sumptuous tropical smorgasbord lunch is served onboard.
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 16 | Cairns to Sydney Fly to Sydney and transfer to The Grace Hotel. Gateway to Australia, Sydney is a maritime city with its natural harbor unsurpassed in beauty.

Day 17 | Sydney This morning, enjoy a city sights and Bondi tour, the best introduction to Sydney. Explore downtown, Darling Harbour, Cockle Bay, Kings Cross and beyond. Great photo opportunities await at the Gap, Botanic Garden, Opera House with the Harbour Bridge and sweeping views of Bondi Beach. A lavish buffet is served on a relaxing Sydney Harbour luncheon cruise.
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 18 | Sydney with Full Day Blue Mountains Excursion Today's excursion highlights the rugged beauty of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park; fabulous views from Govett's Leap and the Three Sisters on the Skyway, Scenic Railway or Sceniscender (own expense). Visit a wildlife park for an up close view of native Australian animals. Lunch included en route.
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 19 | Sydney to Los Angeles Transfer to the airport for your return flight home today, arriving in the US on the same day

DEPARTURES 2008: Inquire for 2008 departure dates

PRICES: From $5250.00 per person. Based on double occupancy. Departure taxes extra