New Zealand Getaway for Honeymooners

Today you will venture off of the shores of Auckland and onto the stunning island of Waiheke. Board the interisland ferry and drift along the bay with the cool breeze brushing through your hair. The crisp bite of the ocean mist has you holding each other just a bit tighter until you come to the island shore. The sweet cologne of lush grass drifts from the hills as the gentle lull of the sea surrounds you. From oceanside walks to beaches, delicious restaurants to vineyards, Waiheke has activities for everyone to explore and enjoy. Stroll along the graveled path that wisps you along the sea; the easy crash of the waves below gives you a feeling of privacy. As you wander along the pathway the ocean breeze gives way to swaying grass and a long stretch of vines. Sit on the veranda where the open sky meanders past and frames the islands that dot the horizon. Taste the wine and distinguish the collection of flavors, from the earthy nose to the blackberry and vanilla notes. Whether sipping the lush wines of the island or sitting amongst the art at Connells Bay Sculpture Park, the beauty will always bring you closer, and the sweetness will have you never letting go.

Make your way out of the wondrous city of Auckland and onto the countless and colorful wonders of the North Island. SkyTower sinks behind the horizon as you make your way to New Zealand’s largest body of water, Lake Taupo. The crystal blue lake reflects the snowcapped peaks of the surrounding mountains. The city reflects colorfully on the banks of the water. The streets are quiet and serene, as the stunning New Zealand landscape sprawls along Taupo’s outskirts.

Experience the cultural wonder of Maori rock art located just outside of the city’s hushed beauty, carved in the late 1970s by master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell. The crisp water sits peacefully below the boat as you journey along the lake on a private boat. From the boulders along the shore to the cliffs rising above the water, the animals and faces depicted around the lake help tell the stories of a people that once had no written language. The deep waters of the lake are watched over by the cultural spirits carved into the cliff-side. Possibly the largest of their kind in the world, the faces depict traditional images in the Maori culture and continue the troublesome effort of passing down Maori knowledge and skills from generation to generation in an increasingly modernized world.

Begin your day with an exploration of colorful grounds shaped by volcanic and geothermal activity over thousands of years. Mud pools boil beneath the elevated walkways where you feel the heat rising from underfoot. Watch as the undulating rock formations hiss with steam. The copious active subterranean heat and volcanic activity stretch south to the mountains of Tongariro National Park and east to White Island, an active and smoldering volcano.  The whitewashed landscaped steams and whistles as you wander along the empty golden terrain: secluded, beautiful, chilling, and yours.

The large, serene shores of Lake Taupo are left behind as you make your way hand-in-hand to the colorful streets of Napier, the Art Deco capital of the world. You hear the soft sound of the waves falling against the shore as the vibrant streets shine in your eyes. Wander along the main road amidst the backdrop of blossoming flowers that blend in with the pastel color of the buildings. The Victorian homes stand tall and thin while the spherical building on the corner illuminates its copper-green in the sunlight. The locals are as vivacious as the décor, sporting generational clothing. The streets are especially boisterous in the summer when the town is overrun with festivals that fill the streets with classic cars, dancing feet, and smiling faces, more so than usual, if at all possible.

Wave goodbye to the Art Deco streets of Napier as you make your way to the fabulous capital of New Zealand, Wellington, nestled between the lush foothills of Mount Victoria and the stunning blue of the Cook Straight. New Zealand’s capital is filled with life and culture for everyone and anyone to enjoy together. The small but lovely Scorching Bay is a fantastic beach in Wellington and a local favorite for picnics and relaxing in the sun. The white sands recede to make room for craggy rocks jutting into the calm water as lush green hills roll along the shores. The solitude of the beach and the vivid blue of the water give the bay a romantic and unique sensation.

Wake up to the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee; Wellington is proud of its coffeehouse culture. The sweet scent of the sea floats along the gentle breeze. Climb aboard the red cable car that traverses the city and climbs into the surrounding suburbs, where the Wellington Botanic Garden blooms. During the shining light of the day the flourishing fauna reaches towards the sun. At night, the walkways are illuminated with neon, along the stairs, sidewalks, and even spiraling up certain tree trunks. Tulips gleam bright red, vibrant yellow, and deep purple. Follow the footpath around the pond and sit in the gazebo along the trickling water. With a view of the gliding ducks and drifting lily pads, the leaves sway in the breeze and your private view of the garden is a secret memory for you to enjoy.

Rise early, for the South Island is waiting. An early morning flight from Wellington, with a brief connection through Christchurch, carries you across the Cook Strait and down the West Coast, where the Tasman Sea throws itself against ancient rock and the rainforest presses in close from all sides. From Hokitika Airport, a scenic transfer of just over two hours winds you south through a corridor of deep green to Fox Glacier Village at the foot of the sprawling Southern Alps. In the afternoon, board a helicopter and lift off as the world falls quietly away beneath you. The glacier comes into view in an instant, its pale face pearly white and blue in the sun, a massive deluge frozen in time, fed by four separate glaciers and cradled between the foothills. The rotors settle as you touch down upon its ancient surface, feeling the cold breath of the mountains on your cheeks. The majesty does not diminish from up here, it builds, vast and unhurried, and deeply still.

With no journey to make today, the glacier is entirely yours. Lace up and venture out along the valley floor, where the river braids through boulders carried down from the névé above and the face of the glacier peers between the treeline like something ancient and awake. The air is cool and bright, carrying the faint mineral scent of meltwater. Explore further with a private heli-hike that lifts you back onto the ice for a guided walk through a landscape of sculpted seracs and blue crevasses. Your guide chips a hollow in the ice and fills it with clean and cold glacial water for you to taste. The afternoon softens into the village, where the mountains hold the sky on all sides and the sense of seclusion is complete. Wander to Lake Matheson in the golden hour, where the still water mirrors the peaks of Aoraki Mount Cook and Mount Tasman in a reflection so perfect it seems painted. As the light fades, the cold deepens and the stars over the West Coast emerge without competition.

The glacier recedes behind you as the morning draws you north along the coast road, the Tasman Sea flashing silver through the trees. An hour's drive brings you to the town of Greymouth, where the TranzAlpine Train stands waiting for your passage across the spine of the South Island. Settle into the plush cushions as the smell of buttery croissants and dark roasted coffee drifts through the cabin and the train begins its climb eastward into the Southern Alps. As the train winds through the foothills, the mountains and deep gorges give way to cathedral beech forests. Once in Arthur's Pass, step out into the crisp alpine air and stroll the main street as the mountains hold the village close on all sides. The journey then continues through the forests, along the open plains of Canterbury and delivers you into the thriving, gardened city of Christchurch.

The cobblestone streets of the city center add a vibrant charm to Christchurch as the gentle flow of the Avon River meanders in and around the city. The stone Victorian Christchurch Cathedral climbs into the sky with spires and is adorned with a rose window that lets the sun shine brightly onto the aisles and its platform. For a perfectly romantic experience, take a leisurely cruise down the Avon. A punter pushes the boat down the gentle waters as you wind around the city through the vivacious gardens. The air is perfumed with roses as the tulips lean in the soft breeze. The gardens glow, the streets sing, and you float through the city in all its splendid tenderness.

Bid farewell to the garden city as a short flight carries you south along the spine of the South Island and deposits you in Dunedin, New Zealand's home to Edwardian and Victorian architecture. The city is decorated with stunning buildings that give it a sense of antiquated charm. Join your private guide for a unique and unforgettable experience around the city, venturing to Penguin Place to see firsthand the efforts made to conserve the beautiful landscape and ecosystem that is home to the endangered yellow-eyed penguins. The sand stretches along the shore in waves, looking more like a white desert than a beach, bordered by the froth of small waves and growing prairies. Penguins glide in the water, flying through the cold waves in search of fish. They stretch their wings out on the tops of boulders and dry themselves in the sun. They waddle along the grass and squawk against the gentle crash of the waves. Their eyes are surrounded by yellow streaks that wrap around their heads like crowns. From Penguin Place, you can watch the amusing birds crowd the shores and return to their nests for the evening, having filled their day with fun, fish, and adventure.

Leave the wonders of Dunedin behind for the romantic alpine indulgences and scenery of Queenstown. The city feels more like a village snuggled between the lavish shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the foothills of the Southern Alps. The Remarkables Mountain Range stands proud on the opposite side of the lake, the peaks rolling and almost blanketing the distant sky. Stroll along the streets that are filled with the gentle flicker of gaslights, the charming shops with pine facades, and the welcoming laughter that spills from the numerous restaurants. For a delicious taste of Queenstown, enjoy a night out at Vista, situated with a breathtaking view of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountains, feeling close enough to touch.

Venture outside of the alpine appeal of Queenstown on a serene private tour of Milford Sound. The secluded sound is filled with the majesty of wildlife, landscapes, glaciers, and solitude. Climb aboard a well-appointed boat that will take you cruising through the romantic sights of Milford Sound. The mountains stretch high and reach far, dwarfing the boat and you along with it. The thunderous crash of waterfalls fills the air as mist rises in the distance. Hold each other close as dolphins playfully jump from the water, almost dancing in the wake of the boat. The cold, crisp air surrounds you and kisses your cheeks. As you drift through the sound, you can see the breathtaking beauty of the pure New Zealand landscape: lush, vivacious,  and serene.

Today you can relax and enjoy the romantic views and activities in and around the alpine city of Queenstown. Whether sporty activities or relaxing spas, Queenstown has more than enough to keep you entertained, active, and holding each other close. Enjoy a relaxing moment in the secluded luxury of Onsen Hot Pools. Whether situated inside the tender glow of the candlelit room, fragrant with cedar, or outdoors with the stunning backdrop of the snow topped mountains, the pools will warm your body, relax your mind, and give you the privacy of individual comfort. Let the steam from the pools dissipate as the sun sets and the stars begin to appear.

Today you will leave the charm of Queenstown and New Zealand behind as you depart for the airport and begin your journey home. From the sails of Auckland to the peaks of the Remarkables, New Zealand has given you the beauty, majesty, and romance innate in its landscapes and effervescent in its charm. As the verdant fields and undulating mountains sink beneath the clouds you know that the holiday is never really over and your honeymoon will never really end.

If you wish to extend your trip, or customize this itinerary further, browse the New Zealand tour operator reviews on Zicasso.