New Zealand Honeymoon Package: Feast of the Senses

On this New Zealand Honeymoon Package for food and wine lovers, travel the New Zealand Wine Trail, stay in boutique hotels renowned for their cuisine, and take in the stunning scenery of New Zealand.

This New Zealand Honeymoon Package: Feast of the Senses was planned for a couple from Los Angeles who loved all things food and wine. Since New Zealand is renowned for exceptional small production wineries, fresh mountain air, and glacier-fed streams so clear you can spot trout 100 feet away, we thought this was a perfect honeymoon for them.

On their New Zealand Honeymoon Package, they stayed at boutique hotels with award-winning local chefs, offering the best of regional cuisine. They ended their honeymoon with a cruise through the Fiordlands and a helicopter ride over rugged mountain peaks. It was truly a feast for all the senses.

They started their New Zealand Honeymoon Package in Auckland and traveled to nearby Waiheke Island, where they enjoyed the local wines and stayed at the fabulous Boatshed, which is known for its amazing food. Then they started on their self-driving tour of the New Zealand Wine Trail in Napier, where they sampled some of the best wine and gourmet cuisine in Hawke’s Bay.

They spent a night in the famous wine region of Martinborough before driving on to Wellington. This quirky city is known for its restaurant scene and fun, creative bars. Continuing their New Zealand Honeymoon Package, they traveled to the South Island to sample some of the world-famous sauvignon blancs in Marlborough. They also stopped at Christchurch and Dunedin, enjoying fabulous food and wine in each destination. They ended their New Zealand Honeymoon Package: Feast of the Senses in the world-famous Queenstown. Here, they enjoyed an unforgettable helicopter ride and wilderness cruise in Fiordland National Park and sampled some of the local wines in Central Otago.

At last, their New Zealand Honeymoon Package came to an end and it was time to say goodbye to the magnificent food, wine, and scenery of New Zealand.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1
Welcome to New Zealand! Arrive early in the morning to Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Auckland is mostly a jumping off point for other destinations, but also provides interest in its museums, nightlife, and volcanic beaches. Your hotel is right in the city center, within minutes of all the major sights. Enjoy an evening at leisure to explore the many exciting restaurants in the Viaduct. Perhaps enjoy dinner at White’s, the signature restaurant of the Hilton Hotel.
Hilton Auckland

Day 2
Today, it’s take the ferry to Waiheke Island, Auckland’s food and wine neighbor just 12 miles away from the city. Waiheke has stunning coastal vistas, as well as some of the Auckland region’s hottest properties. Pass by hillside vineyards, look down on sweeping sandy beaches, and get a real feel for what Auckland’s most populous off-shore island is like. Your home for the next 2 nights is a glorious boutique hotel right on the seaside, with fabulous views over Oneroa Beach.
The Boatshed

Day 3
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a private tour around Waiheke and experience award-winning wines, olive oils, arts and crafts, and beautiful scenery on this tranquil island. The inhabitants are a diverse bunch of colorful, creative, passionate, and original people, drawn together by their communal love of the island and its unique lifestyle. A “small is beautiful” philosophy yields low quantities of extremely high-quality produce, which in turn makes for some of New Zealand’s most delicious wines.
The Boatshed

Day 4
After breakfast, head back to Auckland by ferry and then enjoy a private transfer to the airport, where you’ll hop on a short flight to Hawke’s Bay. Here, at the famous start (or end) to the New Zealand Wine Trail, you’ll get plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sunshine and delicious red and white wines of this vineyard region. Pick up your rental car and make the leisurely drive to your hotel in the heart of Napier. Spend some time taking in the fascinating Art Deco architecture, and enjoy dinner at one of Napier’s fabulous restaurants this evening.
The Crown Hotel

Day 5
Become absorbed in the vibrant world of Hawke’s Bay wine today on a private food and wine tour. Rich soils and warm growing conditions attract world-class winemakers to this region. On your tour guided by a wine specialist, you’ll meet the enthusiastic personalities behind the award-winning wine and food of Hawke’s Bay.
The Crown Hotel

Day 6
Drive a few hours today through rolling green hills to Martinborough. This is the smallest destination on your list, but certainly not the smallest in reputation! Visit the Wine Centre in the heart of the village and explore local wineries. Your accommodations this evening are in a historic hotel, perfectly restored and oozing with sophisticated charm.
Martinborough Hotel

Day 7
A 2-hour drive brings you to the capital city of Wellington this morning. Check into your stylish, quirky hotel in the city center. The hotel is bursting at the seams with magnificent artwork, and is within walking distance of the National Museum (Te Papa), the waterfront, designer shopping, the Oriental Parade, and more. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure.
QT Museum Wellington Hotel

Day 8
Today, your gourmet tour of New Zealand moves from the North Island to the South Island. Drop of your rental car and take the ferry to Picton/Blenheim, the capital of New Zealand wine. Make your way to your fabulous cottage on a famous vineyard, then enjoy a private afternoon tour to sample the gourmet food and wine of the Marlborough region.

Learn about matching wine and food, enjoy private tours of the wineries, and meet the winemakers. You’ll have the chance to sample Prenzel schnapps, olive oils, and chocolates, as well. The wineries visited will depend on your preferences, but some of iconic options are Cloudy Bay, Allan Scott, Hunters, and Montana Brancott, as well as a number of boutique wineries.
Marlborough Vintners Hotel

Day 9
Today you’ll fly to Christchurch, with pre-arranged transfers to and from the airport. Set against a majestic alps to ocean backdrop, Christchurch offers visitors one of the world’s most unique destinations. Urban regeneration and innovation flow through the city with new restaurants and bars, street art, and vibrant new retail areas. At the same time, the city stays true to its heritage, offering a traditional English feel.
The George

Day 10
Head to the airport this morning and hop on a short flight to Dunedin, the capital of Scottish history in New Zealand. Collect your rental car and make your way to your boutique lodgings. With the distinct yellow flower weed that paints the hills like Scotland, Dunedin has a certain old-world charm and is home to Larnach Castle, a harbor dotted with islands, and plenty of birdlife.
Fletcher Lodge

Day 11
Embark on a full-day wildlife tour of the Otago Peninsula, where you’ll have the chance to see penguins, albatross, seals, dolphins, and more! This tour is a unique opportunity to saturate your day with wildlife viewing experiences. First, enjoy an hour-long wildlife cruise. If you’re lucky, you might see dolphins and whales! Then tour the Royal Albatross centre for an up-close view of the world’s largest sea bird, and finally head to a private conservation reserve. Here, you will meet Hooker’s sea lions, rare yellow-eyed penguins, little blue penguins in nest burrows, and a large breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals.
Fletcher Lodge

Day 12
After breakfast at the lodge, a 4-hour drive through some of the most remote areas of New Zealand brings you to Queenstown. Drive through the sheep-filled Otago region and parts of Southland, soaking up some of the most eye-catching scenery on earth. Check into your boutique hotel, within brief walking distance of downtown Queenstown, and make sure to arrive in time for their complimentary pre-dinner drinks and hors d’oeuvres!
Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel

Day 13
Enjoy an afternoon among the boutique vineyards and spectacular scenery of Central Otago. Situated between dramatic gorges and only a short drive from Queenstown, this wine region has not only incredible wines (especially up-and-coming pinot noirs), but history and adventure as well. Stop at 4 wineries, enjoy a wonderful platter-style lunch, and visit the historic Old Cromwell Town. You may even stop at the Kawarau Bridge, where you can witness the original AJ Hackett Bungy Jump in full swing.
Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel

Day 14
Today is devoted to adrenaline and scenery! Enjoy a 4-hour excursion by helicopter through dramatic alpine scenery to the spectacular Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park. On reaching Milford Sound, board a nature cruise for a leisurely itinerary that allows plenty of time to enjoy the stunning scenery and wildlife. View spectacular waterfalls, rainforests, and towering peaks. Plus, keep an eye out for fur seals, dolphins, and penguins. After the cruise, fly back over the fjords and land on a patch of snow in the alps. Celebrate your tour of New Zealand with a private gourmet lunch while marveling at the breathtaking scenery.
Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel

Day 15
Today, it’s time to say goodbye to the food, wine, and wildlife of New Zealand. Make your way to the airport, where you’ll drop off your rental car and begin your journey home.

About this vacation
Cost Per Person

Does not include the cost of airfare


Based on
15 day stay
2 travelers

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