Australia, "the land down under," and New Zealand, "the youngest country on Earth," provide travelers with a laid-back but adventurous experience. Australia offers visitors refreshing beaches, glamorous cities, Aussie football, delicious barbecues and adventurous walk-a-bouts. In New Zealand, thrill-seeking travelers can take advantage of the unpolluted lakes, glaciers, mountains and wildlife. All-inclusive tours allow travelers to see the finest sights in a reasonable time frame and include lodging, transportation and meals to create a "no-worries" vacation.
Tauck Tours has been in existence since 1925 with a 20-day grand tour of the island countries of Australia and New Zealand. From cities to the outback to the wonders of New Zealand's beaches, this tour provides a variety of history, culture and landscapes. Remarkable sights include ANZAC Memorial, Royal Botanical Gardens, Ayers Rock, Great Barrier Reef, Blue Mountain National Park, Sydney Opera House, Waiheke Island, Te Puia Maori Cultural Center, Mount Cook and Milford Sound. Packages include entertainment, admissions, special dinners, transportation, airport and hotel transfer and accommodations.
Tauck Tours
10 Norden Place
Norwalk, CT 06855
800-788-7885
tauck.com
Once a year, AAA provides an all-expenses paid Wonders Down Under Cruise through its Concierge Diamond Princess ship. New Zealand's sights include Auckland, Christchurch, Tauranga and Dunedin as well as rain forests, sandy coasts and street cafes. Australian destinations include Tasmania, Melbourne and Sydney. When on land, tourists can participate in a variety of activities including climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, yachting in Hobart, hiking tropical rain forests in Tauranga, and sheering sheep in Christchurch. The cruise lasts 15 days with five full days at sea where tourists can relax and enjoy the entertainment of the Diamond Princess. Price includes round-trip airfare, pre-cruise hotel stay, entertainment, meals and lodging on board and government fees.
AAA
1523 15th Ave. West
Seattle, WA 98119
800-430-9001
aaa.com
Collette Vacations provides a four-week tour of Australia and New Zealand that includes the popular sights, but focuses more on the educational aspects of each country while enjoying the local wine. During this tour, travelers leisurely sip on wine at the famous Coonawarra, Otago and Barossa Valley vineyards, tour the Great Ocean Road, photograph penguins on Phillip Island and learn the art of weaving with the Maori. The TranzCoastal Train is a highlight of the trip and visitors will have the opportunity to speak with a marine biologist at the Great Barrier Reef and an archaeologist at the Naracoorte Caves. This 29-day trip leaves once a month, but does not operate during the region's winter months.
Collette Vacations
162 Middle St.
Pawtucket, RI 02860
800-340-5158
collettetours.com
