We’ve spent the past year dreaming. Daydreams and night snoozes spent catching planes, taste-testing local treats, and marvelling at views atop craggy mountains. Thanks to New Zealand, we – the travel-mad – can now stop dreaming and start doing!
If you’re over dreaming and ready to start living, join our mates at Viva Holidays for the ultimate dream vacay. Stop dreaming about New Zealand and Go.
The One Where We Can’t Believe our Eyes
Some dreams are steeped in reality (y’know, the one where you keep having the same conversation over and over), and others are vivid, outlandish and seem downright improbable upon waking. That’s what a tour of New Zealand’s Northern North Island is like.
Take a guided tour in Puketi Forest, walking amid the ancient kauri trees that could easily be home to a giant. See water so clear, so azure, that you’re certain mermaids live below, friends with the dolphins you’re witnessing on your Bay of Islands cruise. E-bike past vineyards; lush, verdant, and packed full of grapes, ready for your next Cab Sav. And all these dreamlike activities are possible on Viva’s 4-day North Island Hike & Bike tour.
- 2 nights accommodation at Paihia Pacific Resort ★★★✩ in a Standard Room including full breakfast daily, Wi-Fi and car parking
- Includes a 3 hour Puketi Eco Walk including professional guide, bottled water and homemade muffins
- 2 nights accommodation at Ramada Suites By Wyndham Victoria Street West, Auckland ★★★★ in a Hotel Room including Wi-Fi
- Upgrade to Deluxe Studio (subject to availability)
- Includes a 8 hour Waiheke Self-Guided E-Bike Tour including use of e-bike and safety equipment, map, picnic lunch and return ferry transfers
- 5 days AVIS Holden Trax Auto or similar car hire+
- From $929 per person twin share
- Find out more here
If you have more time on your hand, extend the dream to include Pauanui and Tauranga. Here the glowworm kayak tour and trip to the iconic Cathedral Cove coastline proves yet again that New Zealand is one of the world’s most magical destinations. With eight days to Hike, Bike, and Kayak this stunning region, you get to combine your dreams for adventure with a beyond-dreamy destination.
And much like a dream where you leave no footprints, Viva Holidays have carefully curated these trips to align with New Zealand’s Tiaki Promise, caring for land, sea, and nature.
The One Where We Go for it
Queenstown’s activities could be a dream for some and nightmarish for others, depending on your appetite for adventure. Skip ahead if the latter is you; if not, consider Viva Holidays’ 4-night Queenstown Thrill Seeker.
As the name suggests, thrills are inevitable as you zipline through the forest canopy at 70kph. The need for speed is catered to on the exhilarating jetboat ride, too, where 360-degree spins make you dizzy for more adventure. And for the ultimate big kid activity, you’ll swing 60 metres over the Shotover Canyon on a giant rope swing – weeeeeeeeee.
- 4 nights accommodation at Mercure Queenstown Resort ★★★✩ in a Garden View Room including complimentary full breakfast daily & Wi-Fi
- Includes a 1 hour Kjet Jetboat Ride including admission to the underwater observatory and digital photos, a 2.5 hour Shotover Canyon Swing – Solo including BONUS photo and video pack and a 3 hour Kea 6 – Line Tour
- Return Queenstown Airport to city hotel coach transfer
- From $799 per person twin share (Save $441)
- Find out more here
If that seems tame, step up your adventure game with the 7-night upgrade on the South Island Adrenaline Rush. Along with the adrenalin-pumping activities above, you’ll also spend two nights at Lake Tekapo, famous for its star-gazing opportunities. Plus, probably the most wow-worthy moment on this tour, take a heli-hiking trip to the Tasman Glacier, including a totally Insta-braggable 2-hour glacier hike. Most definitely the stuff of an adventurer’s dream!
The One Where We Chill Out
Spas, hot pools, and massages are most definitely dreamlike to consider. Ask any parent, teacher, shift worker, or well… anyone! Viva Holidays’ 4-night Relax in the South Island tour is pampering done right. Start with two nights exploring the ever-evolving, high-vibing Christchurch city before self-driving through Canterbury’s scenic hills and mountains. Enjoy R&R at the alpine resort of Hanmer Springs, where gorgeous mountains frame the natural hot pools. Enjoy a day in the thermal pools, a full-body massage, private sauna, plus bike rentals and daily yoga. Ah, bliss.
- 2 nights accommodation at Peppers Clearwater Resort, Christchurch★★★★ in a Lakeview Room
- 2 nights accommodation at Vibrant Living Retreat, Hanmer Springs ★★★★✩ in a Green Room Lodge Suite including full breakfast daily, bike rental and yoga sessions
- Includes 1 day Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa, Spa Pass including full body massage, choice of a private sauna or steam and use of all outdoor thermal pools and freshwater lap pool
- Wi-Fi and car parking throughout#
- 5 days AVIS Holden Trax Auto or similar car hire+
- From $829 per person twin share
- Find out more here
Dreaming of more? Consider the 7-night South Island Indulgence. As well as Christchurch and Hanmer Springs as above, you’ll also enjoy three nights at the luxurious boutique Hapuku Lodge, 12km outside Kaikoura. If you can tear yourself away from the lush pool overlooking Hapuku Farm (and their delectable crayfish feasts), peel away any final tension watching humpbacks breach from your half-day whale-watching cruise.
The One Where We Wine & Dine
If you know anything about lucid dreaming, you know that it’s possible to control your dreams with practice. Try as we might, we’ve been unable to make our dreams match the reality of Viva Holiday’s 4-night Marvellous Marlborough self-drive trip. Oh, well, we’ll just have to go then!
This is the stuff of culinary dreams. The smell, sights, and flavours of the Marlborough region have to be experienced firsthand to be believed. After a night in Christchurch, you’ll drive north to Marlborough. Travel safely, showing care and consideration for all, as per the country’s Tiaki Promise.
Fall in love with all the region has to offer on your full-day Marlborough Tour. The privately hosted winery tours, tasting feasts, and lunch platter are swoon-worthy. A night in Picton and a half-day Seafood Odyssey Cruise also tempt. The local treats wow, like cloudy bay clams, green mussels, and, of course, a glass of Marlborough Sav.
- 1 night accommodation at Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square ★★★★✩ in a Superior Room
- 2 nights accommodation at Marlborough Vintners Hotel, Blenheim ★★★★ in a Garden View Suite
- Full day Taste Marlborough Tour including privately hosted winery tours, tasting fees, winery lunch platter and return hotel transfers
- 1 night accommodation at Picton Yacht Club Hotel ★★★★ in a Superior King Ocean View Room
- 3.5 hour Seafood Odyssea Cruise including tasting of Regal Salmon, Cloudy Bay Clams and Greenshell Mussels and a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc~
- One way InterIslander passenger seat from Picton to Wellington
- 5 days AVIS Holden Trax Auto or similar car hire+
- From $1,029 per person twin share
- Find out more here
Indulge further on the 7-night Taste of Marlborough and Wellington. Along with the tempting delights above, you’ll also enjoy a Kaikoura whale-watching before crossing the Cook Strait to the capital.
The Dreamy Deets
“The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.” – Paul Valery.
While dreams got us through the challenges of the past year, we no longer need to remain in a dream state, so wake up, stop dreaming about New Zealand and go! Find out more or book with Viva Holidays here.
Hero image: Milford Sound Fiordland ©Rob Suisted
This article was brought to you by:
