FLAGSHIP NEW ZEALAND

To start your signature journey, you’ll fly to Christchurch and be taken to Akaro, whose town is nestled in an extinct volcano. This is a perfect opportunity to experience escapism New Zealand style: enjoy leisurely walks around private farmland and along pristine, secluded coastlines and hidden coves, or bike rides around the grassy hills, or head to Pigeon Bay for some kayaking or sailing. For unbeatable views of this beautiful part of New Zealand, hop in a helicopter for a thrilling scenic flight.

Afterwards, retreat to your luxury villa by the beach or on the hilltop at the Annandale hotel, a historic homestead on the South Island’s rugged Banks Peninsula, where you can relax and do some dolphin spotting from your room. Your private chef will exquisitely prepare a menu of your choice, without you having to lift a finger.

Relaxed and refreshed, it’s time for a change of pace in adventure capital Queenstown, which offers a vast range of adrenaline-fuelled activities as well as a stunning lake and mountain backdrop and some fantastic bars, restaurants and galleries. Enjoy a cruise on Lake Wakatipu and explore its vast shores, and take the skyline gondola up Bob’s Peak, where you can tuck into award-winning gourmet cuisine at the Stratosfare restaurant, accompanied by panoramic views. Take the skyline luge back down if you dare!  

Matakauri Lodge sits on the northern banks of Lake Wakatipu and is a lodge with a difference, from having your very own personal concierge to enjoying gourmet picnics in a specially chosen secluded spot. If you fancy some hiking, there are numerous trails nearby, and you can relax in the blissful spa afterwards.

Next up is the beautiful Ahuriri Valley and The Lindis, which is one of our favourite luxury lodges in New Zealand, in one of the country's most spectacular settings. Enjoy the very highest standards of luxury, gourmet cuisine and supreme views while discovering the valley on scenic treks, horse rides, e-bike rides and buggy adventures, before returning for some stargazing in the vast night skies. 

Your next stop is the pretty town of Kaikoura, on the east coast of the South Island, which has a beautiful mountain and sea setting. It is also one of New Zealand’s premium marine life sites – keep an eye out for whales, dolphins, seals and penguins, and this is also a favoured spot of seabirds such as petrels and albatrosses, which you’ll see swooping over the water. Go swimming with the dolphins (something that is on a lot of people’s bucket lists), or surf in the bay, and back on land, hike on the Kaikoura Wilderness Walkway through the Puhl Peaks Nature Reserve and the alps of the Seaward Kaikoura mountains, and take a picnic to savour while taking in the views.

Find out more about Kaikoura’s rich Maori culture on a fascinating guided tour, and don’t miss the chance to feast on the abundance of fresh seafood on offer – crayfish is this area’s speciality.

At Hapuku Lodge, stay in a treehouse nestled in a forest of manuka trees, overlooking the snow-capped mountains – an unforgettable experience.

It’s on to Hawke’s Bay in the North Island. One of New Zealand’s sunniest and driest regions, it has become one of the country’s top wine producers, especially of rich red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Go on a scenic wine trail or a vineyard-to-vineyard bike ride to discover some of these wines for yourself, and enjoy the excellent vineyard restaurants or stop off at the farmer’s markets for a gourmet picnic, before walking it all off in the forest trails of the national parks of Ruahine and Kaweka.

It’s not just about food and wine though – Hawke’s Bay is also known for its Art Deco architecture, and Napier is a showcase of this, with its streets of striking, beautiful buildings. 

From your boutique base at the Farm at Cape Kidnappers, you can explore the 6,000-acre farm on a horse or a quad bike, visit the world’s largest gannet colony and enjoy the secluded stretches of beach along the glorious coastline. Golfers will also love the chance to play on the world-class course here.

Taupo, home to New Zealand’s largest lake, is your next stop. Formed from a volcanic crater, it’s a spectacular sight, and New Zealand’s longest river, the Waikato, originates from the lake. Your hotel, the historic Huka Lodge, sits on its banks, amidst landscaped gardens, and has welcomed guests from the Queen to Bill Gates, so you’ll be joining a distinguished guest list – and you can even arrive on the manicured lawns by helicopter.

If Queenstown gave you an insatiable taste for adventure, go on a jetboat ride to Huka Falls or experience the cycling trails, or for something more sedate, relax on the waterfront with a cocktail, and take in the views over the lake and the mountains beyond – on clear days, you can see the snow-capped peaks of Tongariro National Park. Lord of the Rings fans will recognise many of the landscapes around the area.

We also recommend visiting the volcanic White Island, where, on a guided walk, you can get up close to otherworldly landscapes of colourful craters, bubbling mud pits, hot streams and steaming lakes.

Journey on to the Bay of Islands at the top of the North Island. This is a popular weekend getaway spot for Aucklanders, and with good reason – its glorious beaches, aquamarine bays and pristine islands keep both locals and visitors returning time and time again. Enjoy a cruise around the coast, indulge in a range of water sports, go driving on the sand and surf down the dunes of Ninety Mile Beach. While you’re here, head up to the iconic lighthouse at Cape Reinga, which marks New Zealand’s most northerly tip.  

You can also experience a significant part of New Zealand’s history in Waitangi, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by the British Crown and Maori chiefs in 1840.

The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs sits on the clifftops near Matauri Bay, with cottages surrounded by beachfront forest and overlooking the Pacific Ocean and several islands and secluded beaches (which are perfect for swimming). Have a barbecue on the beach, or walk along the cliffs for vantage views.