crusing in new zealand

yesterday was a productive travel-planning day! I booked our cruise to new zealand, check out the pretty boat!














this is our itinerary:

day/port

1 - auckland, nz
2 - tauranga, nz
3 - at sea
4 - christchurch, nz
5 - dunedin, nz
6 - fjordland, nz
7 - at sea
8 - at sea
9 - hobart, tasmania
10 - at sea
11 - melbourne, aus
12 - at sea
13 - sydney, aus

a little map of the journey:














I looked at the shore excursions, I really want to do the auckland wine tour since NZ is well-known for their wines.


WHAT YOU VISIT
Kumeu River Winery - Established in 1944 by the Brajkovich family, the winery is located in the small country settlement of Kumeu, northwest of Auckland. Here you will be greeted by a member of the Brajkovich family and given a brief history of the vineyard, followed by an extensive tour of the winery and shown how the wine is produced. At the conclusion of the tour, you will then be allowed to sample a selection of the wonderful vintages produced at the vineyard. Coopers Creek Vineyard - Best known for its reserve chardonnay, Coopers Creek wines are embodied with vibrancy, flavour and purity and are renowned for their full-bodied taste. During your visit to this mid-sized winery, you will sample a number of varieties, which has built its reputation on chardonnay, and also makes a very respectable Riesling, pinot noir and dessert wine. Prenzel ? An opportunity to taste some of their many wonderful dry fruit brandies, marc (grappa), and a range of schnapps and liqueurs. You will also be invited to try their many infused olive oils and cooking flavours ideal for the home chef. Indulge in their famous butterscotch liqueur cream poured over a scoop of ice cream.

SHOPPING
Take the opportunity to purchase local wines, olive oil and wine-style collectables.

WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
Embarking at the pier, you cross Auckland's city centre on your drive to some of the North Island's famed wine country.

we also tentatively mapped out our plan of attack for the rest of australia, which would take us through the middle of march. this is way too overwhelming, but we'll figure it out...hopefully soon.