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A Taste of Canterbury

A Taste of Canterbury

TOCWE
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Description

Here at Wild Earth Travel we are proud to bring you our “Taste of Canterbury” self drive trip.
Spend 3 nights at The George in Christchurch – a luxury 5 star boutique hotel and 1 night in the beautiful Waipara Valley.

Explore Christchurch before you drive over to the beautiful bays of Akaroa. Here there is a strong French and English history. Enjoy a private cooking class and bring out your culinary skills. Then sample some of the fabulous Canterbury wines in the Waipara Valley – Just 1 hour drive north of Christchurch. Here you overnight in the organic vineyard of Black Estate.

Food, wine and scenery what more could you want – enjoy our Taste of Canterbury itinerary!

Please note: Self Drive departs on Wednesdays or Thursdays, daily itinerary is guideline only and subject to availability. Please contact us for upgraded accommodation and extra nights can be arranged on request. Minimum 2 people.

Trip Name
A Taste of Canterbury
Days
5
Overview
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Your Christchurch Accommodation: The George The George embodies everything you could dream of in a luxury boutique hotel.   The George typifies luxury at every level. Extensive facilities, comprehensive service, excellent quality and attention to detail. Experience signature service with one-to-one guest ratio, and consistent personalised service in the heart of Christchurch. Your stay will be in an Executive Room, an elegant space with a king bed or 2 king singles, heated mirrors, underfloor heating, luxurious bedding, night sesnor lighting and more.   Pictured below. Left: Premium Executive room as per package. Right: Junior Suite, an optional upgrade - enquire with Wild Earth Travel.   Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Dine at 50 Bistro Enjoy dining at 50 Bistro, one of Christchurch's best restaurants. Exectuive Chef Chanaka Jayabahu's pursuit of excellance and quality ensures that 50 Bistro is at the forefront of Christchurch's burgeoning dining scene. 50 Bistro offers 'neo-bistro' contemporary New Zealand cuisine. Akaroa, Cooking classes Akaroa, with its own beautiful bays and harbour plus its French and English history has an enormous range of activities to keep you busy for days. Enjoy a morning to yourself with a private cooking class at the Akaroa Cooking School. You will share recipes, cooking ideas and entertaining secrets within a relaxed and fun evironment. You will then enjoy a long lunch at the dining table where you can savour every dish from the class with matching NZ wines. For this all inclusive experience all you will need to bring is your culinary interest and an appetite.  Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Your Waipara Accommodation: Black Estate Bread & Breakfast Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Enjoy your night at the beautiful Black Estate, staying their architecturally designed building on their organic home vineyard. The cellar door and lunch time restaurant are in the opposite end of this building where you can enjoy wine tasting and gourmet cuisine. The views are vast, expanding from the garden and vineyard to the majestic Southern Alps. Our restaurant closes at 6pm so you’ll have the place & sunset to yourselves. This is real life on the vineyard, where you may observe our staff in the vineyard (and the odd tractor), and the environment around our vines –  the stars, resident rabbits and insects, plants and of course vines. The B & B is on the Waipara Valley Vineyard Trail and mountain bikes are provided for use while you are staying.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1: Christchurch
Enjoy your day in Christchurch, you are free to collect the car and check in to the hotel at your convenience after the check-in time. Later in the afternoon enjoy a wine flight and a 3-course dinner at 50 Bistro. Some Wild Earth Travel recommendations for your day include:• Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park• Visit the beach at Sumner or walk around Godley Heads• Take a ride on the Christchurch Tramway• Christchurch Art Gallery and Canterbury Museum• Visit the Arts Centre
Day 2 - Day 2: Christchurch
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel prior to setting out for a tour of Christchurch starting at 9am. This tour will show you the city centre, and some of the damage from the 2010/11 Christchurch earthquake. Your guide will discuss the reasons for the event, its impact and the exciting plans for the future. You will also delve into the history of the city and briefly explore the beautiful Botanic Gardens where you will discover why New Zealand’s flora and fauna is unique. City stops will include the River precinct, the Transitional Cathedral (Cardboard Cathedral) and the Tannery shopping precinct. If time permits you will head to the Port Hills to view the City, Canterbury Plains and Lyttelton Harbour. After the tour, make your way to Whisky Galore for an early afternoon whisky tasting.The rest of the afternoon is free to explore. You may choose to drive to Lyttelton to view the quaint harbour town or perhaps take the ferry to Diamond Harbour, or take your time looking through the shops in the city centre. Wild Earth Travel dinner suggestions:• 5th Street• Inati
Day 3 - Day 3: Akaroa
Make your way to Akaroa, the drive will take you approximately 1 hour 30 mins and is well worth it as you drive past Lake Ellesmere, through Little River and over the hill to Akaroa, which offers amazing views of the harbour. In Akaroa you will enjoy a private cooking class at the Akaroa Cooking School. Each class includes tea / coffee and freshly made pastries on arrival, tuition (either hands on or demonstration – up to you), three course lunch and matching wines. Class starts at 10am and runs for 4 hours. You will have the remainder of the day to enjoy sightseeing in Akaroa, and you can return to your hotel in Christchurch at your leisure.
Day 4 - Day 4: The Waipara Valley
Today you will check out of your Christchurch hotel and drive an hour north to the Waipara Valley. Your first stop will be the Bone Line for a wine tour. Named in reference to the nearby K-T Boundary line that is evidence of the global catastrophe of an asteroid impact on the earth and the extinction of the dinosaurs. Then visit the magical sculpture park and gardens of Ironridge Quarry Sculpture Park, before enjoying a wine paired tasting menu at Greystone Winery for lunch. In 2008 Greystone Winery produced their first wine and has since grown to be known as one of New Zealand’s best wineries. In 2018, they were announced the Gourmet Traveller winemaker of the year!After lunch make your way to Black Estate and check into your B&B for the night. They farm organically & with biodynamic practices to work with nature, rather than against it. A light supper is included in the stay, as well as a private wine tour and complimentary bikes which you can use to explore the Waipara Valley Bike Trail.
Day 5 - Day 5: Christchurch
Enjoy breakfast before you check out of your B&B and return the car to the Thrifty depot.
Day 6 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type

Inclusions

    • Enjoy Canterbury at your own pace and leisure
    • Half day tour of Christchurch and whiskey tasting
    • Discover Akaroa and enjoy a private cooking lesson
    • Visit Waipara Valley for wine tasting and a private wine tour

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