Grand Australia and New Zealand

•   Taucks private business-class charter flights in New Zealand more sightseeing, less waiting

Day 1: Melbourne and the start of your Australia tour
A transfer is included from Melbourne Airport to the InterContinental Melbourne, The Rialto. Welcome to Tauck's grand Australia tour, where friendly g'days greet you from arrival to departure! Join us for a welcome dinner tonight.
Overnight: InterContinental Melbourne, The Rialto, Melbourne, Australia
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Melbourne’s Victorian charms
You’ll see a lot of Melbourne on a sightseeing tour of the city, including the High Victorian architecture of Parliament House, the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens and the ANZAC War Memorial – the Shrine of Remembrance. The city is also home to the oldest tram network in the world; experience it up-close tonight when you dine aboard the Colonial Tram Car Restaurant as it travels around the city.
Overnight: InterContinental Melbourne, The Rialto, Melbourne, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 3: All about Ayers Rock, a highlight of any Australia tour
Fly to Alice Springs en route to Uluru (Ayers Rock) for an two-night stay. Settle into your Outback resort and join us for a "silver service" champagne party at Uluru; while the celebration by itself is very special, wait until you experience it under the setting sun when the light bathes the mystical rock with a palette of ever-changing color.
Overnight: Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 4: Aboriginal adventures in the Outback
Aboriginal traditions define life in the Outback, especially at Uluru. Learn about the  "dreamtime" legends associated with this massive monolith on a guided tour. Nearby, the many-headed Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) awaits your discovery; hear stories about the 36 gigantic rock domes that are found here and explore mazes and crevasses steeped in local lore.
Overnight: Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 5: Off to Queensland
Spend a free morning at Uluru where you'll have an opportunity to do some more exploring. Your Australia tour continues with a flight north from the red desert to the tropical rainforests of Queensland. Arrive in Cairns and continue on to your resort in Port Douglas.
Overnight: Peppers Beach Club, Port Douglas, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 6: Life at The Great Barrier Reef
Spend a full day exploring one of earth's most incredible "living" sites, the Great Barrier Reef, on an eco-cruise accompanied by a marine biologist. Marvel at the colors and beauty of the coral and fish while swimming, snorkeling, or riding on a glass bottom boat or a semi-submersible watercraft that features enormous viewing windows.
Overnight: Peppers Beach Club, Port Douglas, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 7: Tauck's Australia tour takes you to the rainforest
Your resort is close to many natural wonders, including a mist-shrouded tropical rainforest. Ride a gondola through the lush jungle landscapes to the mountain village of Kuranda, before returning to the resort for some free time.
Overnight: Peppers Beach Club, Port Douglas, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: Optional balloon ride and on to Sydney
Soar over the Atherton Tablelands on an optional early morning balloon ride* (additional cost of $165 per person applies) or spend the morning at the resort at your leisure. Everyone takes off for Sydney late this morning for a four-night stay in the heart of the city. Your hotel is within walking distance of the Botanic Gardens,  shopping and restaurants.
Overnight: InterContinental, Sydney
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Sightseeing in Sydney
One of Australia's most famous iconic sights takes center stage today when you visit the Opera House on a personally guided tour. A luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour is a fabulous way to unwind and relax, while getting a good look at some of this extraordinary city's landmark sites from the water. City sightseeing continues as you view The Rocks, Kings Cross and surfing heaven at Bondi Beach.
Overnight: InterContinental, Sydney
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 10: Breakfast with Koalas
Have breakfast with the koalas this morning at the Featherdale Wildlife Park, before heading off into the Blue Mountains National Park. A scenic wonderland surrounds you here, chronicling life that began centuries ago in ancient ferns and fossils, like the Dinosaur Tree, thundering waterfalls and forested canyons. Champagne with the kangaroos celebrates today's outdoor adventures in style!
Overnight: InterContinental, Sydney
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 11: Sydney your way, all day
There is so much to see in Sydney, and so many ways to do it, that the entire day is free to explore and dine as you please – Sydney's got it all. From museums to shopping, from Aboriginal art to an array of Australian and international dining options, you'll find many ways to spend the day and make it memorable!
Overnight: InterContinental Sydney, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12: Farewell to the Australia tour, hello to New Zealand
Your grand Australia tour comes to an end as you bid a final farewell and board a flight across the Tasman Sea for your grand New Zealand tour! First stop is Auckland, the City of Sails, where your hotel is located in the heart of the city. Dine at the hotel's award-winning Partingtons restaurant, voted the best in the city.
Overnight: The Langham, Auckland, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13: Wonders of Waiheke
Board a ferry for a ride to Waiheke Island for a day of natural delights. An island tour includes a close-up look at sugar-sand beaches, fertile farmland and some of the region's top wineries. A special lunch at Mudbrick Vineyard entices with a taste of the vine. The remainder of the day is spent on your own back in Auckland.
Overnight: The Langham, Auckland, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 14: A day of Maori traditions
Travel to Rotorua today, rich in geologic history and Maori traditions. Have lunch at a working farm and country garden to experience an authentic glimpse of daily life and spend the afternoon at the Te Puia Maori Cultural Center. A private welcome presentation includes poi dancing and a moving rendition of the haka. Stroll through an array of cultural arts exhibits amidst bubbling mud pots and thermal geysers.
Overnight: Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay, Rotorua, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 15: Mussels on Marlborough Sounds
Feel like a privileged member of the jet set today as Tauck puts a private plane at your service. Tauck's private charter flight takes you first to Blenheim and the Marlborough Sounds on New Zealand's South Island. Besides producing great wine, this island boasts delectable freshly caught seafood, including green-lipped mussels. Sample them on a luncheon cruise that celebrates the bounty of land and sea before flying off to Wellington on Tauck's exclusive private charter. Stay two nights at an ideally located waterfront hotel.
Overnight: Copthorne Hotel, Wellington, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 16: Historic Wellington
Your New Zealand / Australia tour continues in a city known for its scenic beauty and its amazing five-story national museum. Touring the Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum is like actually experiencing thousands of years of New Zealand's history in person as motion simulators and interactive exhibits include you in the journey. The remainder of the day is free to make your own history.
Overnight: Copthorne Hotel, Wellington, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 17: Fly to Queenstown
Weather permitting, glimpse Mt. Cook from aboard Tauck's private charter as you fly to Queenstown. One of the benefits of flying on our private plane is the ability to circle sights you want to see; if feasible, our pilot will soar close to the mountain for you to get a better look.  Your Queenstown hotel enjoys a premier city-center address overlooking Lake Wakatipu.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Queenstown, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 18: From jet-boating to sheep-shearing
Even if you're not all that adventurous, today's thrilling high-speed jet-boat ride down a river carved through the narrow, rocky gorges and canyons of Shotover River Canyon will be a highlight of Tauck's New Zealand / Australia tour! Catch your breath on a leisurely cruise to Walter Peak Country Farm. Afternoon tea and a sheep-shearing demonstration round out the day's activities.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Queenstown, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 19: Milford Sound and Christchurch as you please
Tauck's early morning charter flies you to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park, A UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a scenic drive and luncheon cruise on Milford Sound. Soul-stirring scenery includes rainforests with cascading waterfalls, glacier-carved inlets and an occasional sunbathing seal. This afternoon's flight takes you to the garden city of Christchurch, where gracious willow trees line the banks of the Avon River.  Join us for a farewell dinner tonight as we say hooray (goodbye) to the lands down under.
Overnight: Millennium Hotel Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 20: So long to the lands down under
Tauck's New Zealand and Australia tour ends in Christchurch. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Millennium Hotel Christchurch to Christchurch International Airport. Please allow 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in at the airport.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Don't miss our current specials: Special Air Savings - Learn More Hurry! Air Savings End March 26! Special International Air Savings – Europe Book and deposit summertime departures of the following Tauck journeys to Europe by March 26, 2010 and save $2,000 per couple off Business Class Air ($1,000 off per person) from select U.S. cities. Savings are valid for travel between June 29 and September 5, 2010, subject to availability: •Treasures of the Aegean – 14 days with a 7-night cruise aboard Wind Star / Wind Spirit •Sicily, the Amalfi Coast & Rome – 11 days with a 7-night cruise aboard Le Ponant •Switzerland – 11 days featuring travel along Tauck’s scenic Yellow Roads •Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence & Rome – 10 days in Italy with all multiple-night stays •Paradors of Northern Spain – 14 days exploring culturally rich Iberia •The Best of Ireland – 13 days featuring iconic cultural treasures of the Emerald Isle •A Week In… Ireland – 8 days with a 2-night stay at Dromoland Castle •A Week In… Spain – 8 days from Barcelona to Andalucía, Seville and Madrid •A Week In… Scotland – 8 days with 2- and 3-night stays in Loch Lomond, Inverness & Edinburgh •Spain and Portugal – 14 days of Iberian pleasures and culinary treasures •Normandy, Brittany, Paris & the Loire Valley – 13 days showcasing joie de vivre •A Week In… London & Paris – 4 nights at a grand hotel in London and 3 nights in Paree •Castles & Kings: London to Paris – An 8-day family vacation alive with royal traditions Deposit must be paid at time of booking and certain restrictions apply. Valid on new bookings only and not combinable with other promotions; ask for details. Tauck Tour Deals Traveling with a group of friends or family can add to the joy of any journey. Book a group of 10 on any Tauck land journey or cruise and the 11th guest travels FREE. Book a group of 8 on any Tauck Bridges family adventure and the 9th guest travels FREE Tauck Single Specials For those seeking singles tours, we are pleased to offer special values on select departures to our guests who choose to travel solo. You can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you are among like-minded travelers and will have all the day-to-day details handled for you! While everyone is welcome, on these select dates we offer special arrangements to those traveling solo at a reduced cost. Tauck Single Specials in North America Best of the Canadian Rockies Michigan's Lakes & Mackinac Island Charleston/Savannah Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia San Fransisco, Sonoma & Napa Valleys Tauck Single Specials in Europe A Week in Ireland A Week in Spain Mediterranean Discovery Istanbul and the Black Sea Treasure of the Mediterranean Cruising Mediterranean Shores The Blue Danube Holland Belgium in Spring Strasbourg to Prague Serenade The Rhine and Moselle Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat Budapest to the Black Sea Classic Italy Bellissima Northern Italy Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence and Rome A Week in Paris and Provence Tauck Singles Specials in Latin America Panama Canal & Costa Rica
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
3/22/2010 - 4/11/2010	$8,590
3/29/2010 - 4/18/2010	$8,590
4/12/2010 - 5/2/2010	$7,990
4/26/2010 - 5/16/2010	$7,990
8/30/2010 - 9/19/2010	$7,990
9/13/2010 - 10/3/2010	$7,990
9/20/2010 - 10/10/2010	$8,590
10/4/2010 - 10/24/2010	$8,590
10/14/2010 - 11/3/2010	$8,590
10/25/2010 - 11/14/2010	$8,590
11/22/2010 - 12/12/2010	$8,590
12/9/2010 - 12/29/2010	$8,590
12/16/2010 - 1/5/2011	$8,590
12/20/2010 - 1/9/2011	$8,590
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Flying to Australia To ease the effects of jet lag, consider traveling to Australia a day early. Tauck can book your international flights for travel originating in the U. S., including arranging an additional night’s stay at the InterContinental Melbourne, The Rialto before your journey begins. Ask for details at booking. 1. Arrive Melbourne Tour begins: 6:00 PM, InterContinental Melbourne, The Rialto. A transfer is included from Melbourne Airport to the InterContinental Melbourne, The Rialto. Join us tonight for a welcome reception and dinner in the hotel. Meals D 2. Discover Melbourne’s Charm A cultural melting pot, Victoria’s capital city delights with an abundance of sights steeped in history and charm. See some of its landmarks today, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral, honoring its Irish heritage, the ANZAC Memorial, bustling Victoria’s Market and the Royal Botanic Gardens, hailed as the best in Australia. Melbourne is also home to the oldest tram network in the world; you’ll have an opportunity to experience this cultural icon firsthand during dinner tonight when you dine aboard the Colonial Tram Car Restaurant as it travels around the city. Meals BD 3. Alice Springs / Desert Outback Touch down in Alice Springs en route to Ayers Rock and an overnight in the Outback. A private “silver service” sunset champagne party at Uluru enchants with a spectrum of colors and intimate conversation. Meals BL 4. Uluru (Ayers Rock) / Kata Tjuta Learn about the sacred Aboriginal traditions associated with Uluru on a guided tour around the base of the rock; this massive sandstone monolith looms high above the desert floor and is a wonder to behold. This afternoon’s tour of the many-headed Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), so named for its 36 gigantic rock domes, explores mazes and crevasses associated with centuries-old legends and lore. Meals BD 5. Fly to Port Douglas Spend the morning at leisure, enjoying a last look at Uluru. Take off for Cairns and Port Douglas this afternoon, arriving at your beachfront resort in time for dinner. Meals BD 6. The Great Barrier Reef The biggest marine park in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is the only living structure on earth visible from the moon. Board the high-tech catamaran Quicksilver as you are whisked away to the Great Barrier Reef for a day of unforgettable experiences at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Swim and snorkel, or explore this dazzling underwater world via a semi-submersible. Meals BL 7. From the Rainforest to the Beach In addition to enjoying a prime location near the beach, your resort is close to some of the most naturally inviting places in the world. Join us this morning for a gondola ride through the mist-shrouded tropical rainforest, ending in the mountain village of Kuranda. Enjoy the remainder of the day as you wish, strolling along Four Mile Beach or experiencing a taste of daily life in the restaurants and boutiques of the lively town of Port Douglas. Meals B 8. Optional Balloon Ride / Sydney Early risers may choose to soar over the Atherton Tablelands on an optional hot air balloon ride* at dawn (additional cost of $165 per person), before joining us for our late morning flight to Sydney. Stay the next four nights in the heart of the city; your landmark hotel offers sweeping views of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Farm Cove. Meals BLD 9. City Sightseeing / Harbour Cruise Iconic sights like the Sydney Opera House become even more exciting when Tauck takes you inside on a personally guided tour this morning, followed by a private luncheon cruise around beautiful Sydney Harbour. City sightseeing continues as you see The Rocks, Kings Cross, and Bondi Beach, home to those famous Aussie surfers. Meals BL 10. Breakfast with the Koalas They dine on tender eucalyptus leaves while you partake of your favorite fare during today’s breakfast with the resident koalas at the Featherdale Wildlife Park. Your adventures continue on a journey to nearby Blue Mountains National Park. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Area, this natural wonderland is renowned for spectacular scenery. See the Dinosaur Tree, a virtual living fossil, and forested canyons dressed in ancient ferns, gum trees and cascading waterfalls. Champagne with the kangaroos enables you to view these marsupials in their natural environment! Meals BL 11. Sydney As You Wish Set off on your own today to do as you wish; Sydney is an easy destination to explore – the only hard part is deciding what to experience next! Meals B 12. Fly to Auckland, New Zealand Fly to Auckland, surrounded on all sides by water. The nation’s first capital until 1864, today it is New Zealand’s largest city. Your accommodations for the next two nights are at The Langham, Auckland, known for elegance, style, and attentive service; dine tonight at the hotel’s award-winning Partingtons restaurant, voted the best in the city. Meals BLD 13. Wonders of Waiheke Island A ferry ride away, Waiheke Island is paradise for nature lovers and wine connoisseurs, enticing with sugar-sand beaches, lush greenery, fertile farmland and some of the region’s top wineries. Tour the island and have lunch amidst the magical setting of Mudbrick Vineyard. The remainder of the day is spent at leisure back in Auckland. Meals BL 14. Rotorua and Maori Traditions Your destination today is Rotorua, set on the edge of one of the most concentrated volcanic areas in the world. Along with its rich geologic history and breathtaking beauty, Rotorua is rooted in centuries of Maori culture and farming traditions. Have lunch at Longlands Farm, a combination working farm and country garden, and visit the Te Puia Maori Cultural Center where a private welcome presentation includes Poi dancing and a moving demonstration of the Haka dance. Wander through an array of exhibits that showcase daily life in Rotorua, ranging from cultural arts to bubbling mud pots and thermal geysers. Meals BLD 15. Mussels on Marlborough Sounds Board Tauck’s exclusive private charter for a flight to Blenheim and the Marlborough Sounds on New Zealand’s South Island. Before its wine growing expertise captured the interest of world travelers, this region was sought after for its waterfront treasures and seafood pleasures. Experience a taste of life here on a wine and green-lipped mussel cruise that celebrates the bounty of land and sea. Fly on to the city of Wellington aboard Tauck’s private charter for two nights at an ideally located waterfront hotel. Meals BLD 16. Historic Wellington Wrapped around a naturally curved harbor, this exuberant city chronicles the history of New Zealand in its stately Parliament buildings, elegant homes and the five-story Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum. Heralded as one of the most stunning – and technologically advanced – interactive museums in the world, its world-class displays and motion simulators make the country’s history, arts and natural environment come alive before your eyes. Meals B 17. Mt. Cook / Queenstown Weather permitting, get a bird’s-eye-view of Mt. Cook from aboard our private charter as we fly to Queenstown. Your hotel enjoys a premier city-center address, overlooking Lake Wakatipu with its majestic mountain backdrop. Meals BLD 18. Shotover Jet Boat / Sheep Shearing An exciting morning ride through the storied gorges of the Shotover River Canyon on a Shotover Jet Boat* is followed by a leisurely cruise to Walter Peak Country Farm for afternoon tea and a sheep shearing demonstration. Meals B 19. Milford Sound / Christchurch Your early morning charter flies you to Te Anau for a scenic drive and a luncheon cruise on Milford Sound. Fly this afternoon to Christchurch, the final stop on your grand adventure “down under.” Say hooray to New Zealand and your fellow travelers at our farewell dinner. Meals BLD 20. Journey Home Tour ends: Christchurch. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Tauck’s hotel to Christchurch Int’l Airport. Allow 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in. Ask about booking an additional night’s stay; there’s a lot to see in Christchurch! Meals B

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Tauck Single Specials

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