new zealand rugby tour 2016

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY TOUR 2016
AUCKLAND / ROTORUA / NAPIER / WELLINGTON / CHRISTCHURCH / QUEENSTOWN
TAUNTON SCHOOL
NEW ZEALAND RUGBY TOUR
JULY / AUGUST 2016
Sun 17 Jul
London / Auckland
On arrival at London Heathrow Airport you will be met by an England Rugby Travel representative who
will oversee check in for your flight to Auckland.
Mon 18 Jul
In Flight
Tue 19 Jul
Auckland
On arrival in Auckland International Airport you will be met by an England Rugby Travel representative
and transferred to Copthorne Harbour City Hotel for a one night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. After
check in you will have the option to hop on the Auckland Explorer Bus where you will see the sites of
the capital including Auckland’s Waterfront, Harbour and Mt. Eden, Auckland’s highest point. In the
evening you have the option to visit the Sky Tower to see the panoramic views of the city at sunset. At
328 metres high, the Tower is the tallest man made structure in New Zealand. This could be combined
with a group meal at Fortuna buffet restaurant which is located adjacent to the Sky Tower, where you will
be able to enjoy an extensive selection of seafood, rotisserie chicken, live cooking, freshly baked breads
and Asian specialities.
AUCKLAND
Auckland is the largest and most populous city in
New Zealand and the home of hospitality and
superb cuisine. Experience the relaxed friendly pace
of life, chat to the locals and make yourself at
home in this fascinating city. From golden sands to
farmers markets and wineries, regattas and bush
walks, Auckland has a lot to offer.
Wed 20 Jul
Auckland
MATCH DAY 1 vs MASSEY HIGH SCHOOL (TBC)
After breakfast today you will have the morning at leisure and so why not visit Queen Street, Auckland's
main strip in the hub of the city. In the afternoon you will check out of your hotel and transfer to a local
school to play your first fixtures of the tour. Enjoy the opportunity to mix with your opponents at the post
match function before meeting you host families and returning with them for one night’s billeting.
Thu 21 Jul
Auckland / Rotorua
Enjoy an early breakfast with your hosts before saying goodbye and transferring the Copthorne Harbour
City Hotel to meet back up with the rest of the group. You will then transfer to Rotorua by coach and en
route you will visit the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and enjoy a guided tour through a series of unique
caves, learning the history of the area, taking a boat trip through the spectacular glowworm grotto where
thousands of tiny glowworms cling to the cave ceiling creating a starry sky. On arrival in Rotorua you will
check in to the Kiwi Paka for a two night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Spend the evening at leisure
to explore your new surroundings.
ROTORUA
Whether seeking to experience Maori culture,
geothermal earth forces, spa rejuvenations,
thrills and adventures, or any of the other
natural assets such as 16 lakes, fantastic
trout fishing or myriad forest walking trails Rotorua delivers it all!
Fri 22 Jul
Rotorua
After breakfast you will visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland to see its fantastic geysers, steam vents
and the boiling mud pools. This evening you will enjoy a Maori Cultural Show at the Te Puia Maori
cultural village including songs, dances and warriors displaying weaponry and combat, coupled with the
grace and beauty of the poi dance. Afterwards you will enjoy a delicious Hangi meal which is a feast of
food cooked in a traditional Maori underground oven before the spine tingling Hakka finale. You will be
transferred back to the Kiwi Paka in the evening.
Sat 23 Jul
Rotorua / Taupo / Napier
Enjoy breakfast before checking out of your accommodation and transferring to Napier stopping for the
day at the stunning Lake Taupo where you can enjoy activities such as fishing, sailing and water sports.
In the afternoon you will continue your journey to Napier and on arrival you will check in to the Viceroy
Hotel for a one night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. You have the option to visit the National
Aquarium showing off the largest display of aquatic life in New Zealand including sharks, stingrays, living
coral, kiwi, tuatara and a huge range of fish species.
Sun 24 Jul
Napier / Wellington
After breakfast check out of your hotel and transfer south to Wellington. On arrival in Wellington you have
the option to visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum or explore Queens Wharf and the vibrant
Wellington city centre. Alternatively enjoy a visit to Wellington Zoo where you will see Kiwi Bird, Otago
Skinks and the Kaka. In the evening you will transfer to a local school to meet your new hosts for two
nights billeting.
Mon 25 Jul
Wellington
MATCH DAY 2 vs SCOTS COLLEGE (TBC)
Enjoy breakfast and you have the morning at leisure with your hosts so why not take the opportunity to
experience the stunning views of the city and harbour from the Wellington Cable Car. In the afternoon
you will transfer to a local school to play your third fixtures of the tour. Enjoy the post match function
mixing with the opposition before transferring to the Westpac Stadium to watch an ITM Cup match (fixture
list dependent). You will return with your hosts in the evening.
WELLINGTON
Wellington is New Zealand’s capital city and is
nestled between rolling hills and a stunning harbour,
and has a vibrant and compact downtown area
that’s best explored on foot. Heading up the
Wellington Cable Car you can enjoy stunning views
over the city and harbour. Whilst at the top you will
have time to view the cable car museum and Carters
observatory.
Tue 26 Jul
Wellington / Picton / Christchurch
After an early start you will check out of your hotel and transfer to Wellington Harbour to board your ferry
to Picton. Here you can make the most of the whale watching opportunities as you cross over to the
South Island and through Cook Strait. On arrival in to Picton you will have the option to stop for lunch at
one of Picton’s many cafes along Picton High Street. You will continue on to Christchurch where you will
meet your new hosts at a local school for two nights billeting.
Wed 27 Jul
Christchurch
MATCH DAY 3 vs SHIRLEY BOYS HIGH SCHOOL (TBC)
Today you will spend the day with your hosts where you can get a real feel of life as a New Zealander.
You will have the chance to explore the city and do some shopping at the City Mall. In the afternoon you
will transfer to play your fourth fixtures of the tour. Afterwards enjoy the post match function before
returning home with your hosts.
Thu 28 Jul
Christchurch / Queenstown
After breakfast you will meet back at the school and depart for Queenstown stopping for lunch at Lake
Pukaki. After lunch you will continue your journey to Queenstown and on arrival check into the
Copthorne Hotel for a five night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. You have the remainder of the day to
explore the ‘adrenaline capital of the world’.
Fri 29 Jul
Queenstown
This morning after breakfast you will enjoy the Shotover Jet in mere centimetres of water along the
famous Shotover River and deep into the spectacular Shotover River Canyons. After your adrenaline
fuelled morning you have the remainder of the day at leisure.
CHRISTCHURCH
From the beaches to the New Zealand Alps,
the Canterbury region has a vast amount to
see and do. Christchurch is the gateway to
New Zealand’s South Island. Travel from the
ocean, across patchwork plains and braided
rivers in the majestic South.
Sat 30 Jul
Queenstown
Following breakfast you will have the day at leisure. There is the opportunity to experience the
Queenstown Gondola and Luge. You can marvel at the stunning views as you ride the Skyline
Queenstown Gondola which is the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere. Sit back and relax
as the best views in the region unfold before your eyes and the Gondola carries you 450 metres above
Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu to the top of Bob's Peak. Once you have reached the top of Bob’s Peak
you can enjoy lunch at the Skyline Queenstown Restaurant.
Sun 31 Jul
Queenstown
After breakfast you have the full day at leisure. You can take an afternoon stroll in Queenstown Gardens
or take a Lord of the Rings Tour to see the locations, weapons and costumes used in the epic film. In
the evening an end of tour group dinner can be arranged at the Fergburger, one of New Zealand’s most
famous restaurants. Here you can enjoy one of the 30 different types of gourmet burgers and hot dogs
are available.
Mon 01 Aug
Queenstown
Today you have the option for a high adrenaline experience water rafting down the mighty Kawarau River
with Queenstown Rafting (safety brief will be provided and professional guides will accompany each
group). An end of tour group dinner can be arranged at a local restaurant.
Tue 02 Aug
Queenstown / Auckland / London
After breakfast check out of your hotel and transfer to Queenstown Airport to catch your internal flight to
Auckland. On arrival in Auckland Airport you will be directed to board your connecting flight to London.
QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown has natural beauty which changes
with the seasons, the lake gleans in the summer
sun and snow clad mountains tower above the
township in winter. Nestled in beside the
mysterious Lake Wakatipu, in the Southern Lakes
district of New Zealand.
Wed 03 Aug
London
Arrive in to London Heathrow and continue with your own arrangements.
END OF TOUR ARRANGEMENTS
TOUR PRICE
 £2,749* per person (based on 30 paying passengers)
*subject to change and availability until booking confirmed
Included In Itinerary:
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Return international economy flights routing:
London Heathrow / Auckland / Queenstown / Auckland / London Heathrow
Single internal Air New Zealand economy flight routing:
Queenstown / Auckland
1 night’s accommodation at the Copthorne Harbour City Hotel in Auckland on a multi-share room bed and
breakfast basis
1 night’s billeting in Auckland
2 nights accommodation at the Kiwi Paka in Rotorua on a multi-share room bed and breakfast basis
1 night’s accommodation at Viceroy Hotel in Napier on a multi-share room bed and breakfast basis
2 nights billeting in Wellington
2 nights billeting in Christchurch
5 nights accommodation at Copthorne Hotel in Queenstown on a multi-share room bed and breakfast basis
All transfers in an executive coach as per itinerary
st
3 1 XV rugby fixtures and post match functions
nd
3 2 XV rugby fixtures and post match functions
2 medically trained personnel at each fixture
An experienced local representative on call for duration of tour
4 pay as you go New Zealand mobile telephones for duration of tour
Excursions:
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Waitomo Caves
Te Puia & Maori Cultural Village
Maori Hangi
Lake Taupo
ITM Cup Match (fixture list dependent)