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New Zealand Grand Spectacular

An eighteen day small group tour of both islands, with lots of inclusions and plenty of individual flexibility

Three options - enjoy the complete tour or either of two shorter options

 

 

This New Zealand tour can be enjoyed by itself, or can be combined with time in Australia, Fiji, Tahiti, or various other places.

You can add extra time in New Zealand or elsewhere at the beginning and/or end of your tour.

If you prefer, you can travel by private car, joining the group only for accommodation, meals, and any other activities that you might wish.

Total flexibility.  And total enjoyment.

NOTE :  THIS IS THE ARCHIVED 2005 TOUR.  WE WILL BE RUNNING THE TOUR AGAIN IN 0CT 2008 - PLEASE CLICK TO VISIT THE NEW TOUR PAGE.
 

Tour Itinerary

(Click map for a larger image)

This tour gives you an opportunity to visit all the major destinations in beautiful New Zealand.

And, as well as the better known sights, we'll take you places only the locals know about, too.

This varied itinerary offers you a mix of luxury coach travel, scenic train, inter-island ferry, and a domestic flight with wonderful views across NZ as you fly from Rotorua to Queenstown.

Tour Options

This tour is available in three forms :

  • An Introduction to New Zealand :  Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown and Christchurch.  This is the complete 'A list' of NZ attractions ideal for the first time visitor, or the enthusiast seeking to return to the places they know and love. This module is 11 days, counting from the day you leave the US to the day you return (this is the main tour up to day 11, on which day you return home to the US from Christchurch). $1399 per person share twin plus airfare to Auckland and back home from Christchurch.

  • Advanced New Zealand : Wellington, Martinborough, Hawkes Bay, and Taupo. These are places that most international travelers, with too little time, omit from their quick NZ touring. But you'll find these places every bit as special and perhaps more uniquely NZ-ish than the 'A list' above. This is 10 days, from the day you leave the US to the day you return (this joins the main tour by flying into Wellington on day 11). $1049 per person share twin plus your airfare to Wellington and back from Auckland.

  • Complete New Zealand :  This is the entire 18 day tour as shown below, and includes the extra touring on day 11 between Christchurch and Wellington by train and ferry.  $2449 per person share twin plus your airfare to and from Auckland.

Tour Dates

The tour is guaranteed to operate.  It will not be cancelled because more than the minimum number of needed participants have already signed up.

The tour allows you to make your own way to Auckland, New Zealand, any way you wish.  You should arrive into Auckland no later than the morning of Wednesday, 26 October.

If you're starting your travels in North America, you'll probably take an overnight flight on Monday 24 October (or sooner), to arrive into Auckland on the morning of Wednesday 26 October (or sooner).

This might seem like a very long flight, but a nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Auckland is only about 12½ hours in duration.  The reason you leave on a Monday night and arrive on a Wednesday morning is because you skip over Tuesday when you cross the international date line on the way to New Zealand.

Don't worry, the day you 'lose' on the way to NZ isn't lost forever.  You get the extra day returned to you when you fly back - meaning you'll land back in North America 'before' you depart Auckland!

The tour ends on Thursday 10 November when we return to Auckland from Hawkes Bay by coach.  You are free to fly back this evening, or to stay longer in NZ, or perhaps to go somewhere else like Fiji, Tahiti or Australia before returning home.

If you're traveling directly home, you could arrange to take an evening flight that day.  We will be at the airport no later than 5pm, in time for the flights that leave after 7pm that night.

Small Group Size

The group is limited to a maximum of 30 persons.

Most of the time we'll be traveling on 48 - 50 seater coaches so there'll always be lots of room for everyone to spread out.

Because we're a small group, if we decide we want to change or vary a day's itinerary, we'll simply make the changes we wish.

Tour Inclusions

Your $2249 per person tour price includes all the following :

  • One night accommodation in central Auckland

  • Two nights accommodation in Rotorua in the middle of the geothermal area

  • Three nights accommodation in the heart of lovely Queenstown

  • Two nights accommodation in downtown Christchurch

  • Two nights accommodation in central Wellington

  • Five nights accommodation in the lovely village of Havelock North, Hawkes Bay

  • Feature dinners in Auckland, Rotorua and Hawkes Bay

  • Breakfasts every morning

  • Introduction to Auckland sightseeing tour

  • 'Getting to know you' welcome dinner in Auckland

  • Coach touring in luxury coach with toilet, driver/guide and live commentary from Auckland to Rotorua

  • Visit to and tour of the Waitomo Glow-worm Caves

  • Guided tour of the Whakarewarewa geothermal area

  • Attend a performance at the Agrodome featuring performing sheep and trained farm dogs

  • Visit the Buried Village - NZ's Pompeii and enjoy a stunningly beautiful bushwalk down to a semi-subterranean waterfall

  • An evening visit to a Maori marae with traditional entertainments and a hangi feast

  • Scenic flight from Rotorua to Queenstown (not included in tour price)

  • Introduction to Queenstown sightseeing tour

  • Two full days in Queenstown in which you're free to sightsee as you wish (there's so much to experience in this beautiful area we didn't want to dictate what you should see and do)

  • Coach touring in luxury coach with toilet, driver/guide and live commentary from Queenstown to Christchurch

  • Visit to the Hermitage on Mt Cook (New Zealand's tallest mountain)

  • Introduction to Christchurch sightseeing around the city and area

  • Scenic train journey up the East Coast of the South Island from Christchurch to Picton

  • Travel by inter-island ferry from Picton, through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds and then across the open waters of Cook Strait and into Wellington Harbor

  • Wellington City Sightseeing Tour

  • Cable car ride in Wellington

  • Special guided tour of New Zealand's 'Te Papa' National Museum

  • Coach touring in luxury coach with toilet, driver/guide and live commentary from Wellington to Havelock North

  • Visit to beautiful Martinborough

  • Four full days in the Hawkes Bay area while staying in Havelock North.  We include coach excursions to all the regional highlights

  • Wine-tasting tour around some of the wonderful Hawkes Bay wineries

  • Farewell dinner at a Hawkes Bay winery

  • A full free day to experience the relaxed Hawkes Bay lifestyle as you choose

  • Coach touring in luxury coach with toilet, driver/guide and live commentary from Havelock North to Auckland Airport

  • Time at Lake Taupo, NZ's largest lake; and visit to the spectacular Huka Falls

Itinerary
 

Day 1 (Monday 24 October) :  Leave the US


'Wunala Dreaming' - Qantas applied a ton of extra paint to cover this plane in traditional Australian aboriginal images.
Qantas offers the most flights to NZ and Australia of any airline.

You should make your own arrangements to fly from the US to Auckland, departing on Monday 24 October.

Most flights leave from Los Angeles in the evening, making it easy to connect from other places in the US.

Leave earlier if you wish to spend extra time in New Zealand before the start of the main tour

 

Day 2 (Tuesday 25 October)  :  Skip this day
as you cross the dateline


Crossing the dateline means you skip a day

As you fly down to New Zealand, your flight crosses the international dateline, and suddenly you skip ahead a day.

Don't worry, though - the day you 'lose' on your flight to NZ will be regained on your return to the US, when you'll find yourself arriving back into Los Angeles earlier than when you left Auckland!

 

Day 3 (Wednesday 26 October) :  Auckland city sightseeing


Auckland calls itself the 'City of Sails'.  Until recently the home of the Americas Cup, the city is very water-centric with lots of beautiful bays and beaches all around the city.
A clean modern downtown is encircled by inactive volcanoes making for a distinctive skyline.

Your flight will arrive into Auckland early this morning.

The group will meet at our central Auckland hotel at mid day and we'll then spend the afternoon on a guided sightseeing tour of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city.

The sightseeing will end in the lovely town of Devonport on the other side of Auckland's harbor, giving you the opportunity to then take a beautiful short ferry ride back to the city side of the harbor after strolling through Devonport's boutique shops.

We'll have a 'getting to know you' welcome dinner this evening.

 

Day 4 (Thursday 27 October) :  Touring to Rotorua via Waitomo


Glow-worms light up the roofs of the Waitomo Caves

Today we'll travel by luxury coach from Auckland down to Waitomo, home of the amazing glow-worm caves, and then on over to Rotorua, in the center of the geo-thermal region.

As we travel, you'll be amazed at the beauty of NZ's gentle rolling countryside, the abundant greenery everywhere, and, of course, lots of sheep, too.

In Waitomo we'll be taken on an underground boat tour of the lakes and river, above which the glowing glow-worms hang suspended, creating an overhead carpet of lights.

As we approach Rotorua you'll notice a most distinctive side effect of the geothermal area.  A somewhat malodorous sulphur smell!

Don't worry - you'll quickly forget about this, and the novelty of this extraordinary area more than compensates.

 

Day 5 (Friday 28 October) :  Rotorua


Vents of sulphurous steam alternate with native bush at Whakarewarewa
 

The Agrodome, complete with performing sheep and farm dogs gives you a fun perspective on NZ farm life
 
 
An artist's impression of the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera that engulfed the now Buried Village.
 

Our day ends with an evening visit to a Maori marae for traditional entertainment and hangi feast (roasted/steamed food)

Rotorua is an amazing area, and you'll get four very different experiences in a very full day of sightseeing.

We start with a visit to the Whakarewarewa Thermal area.  Geysers, boiling mudpools, mineral waters and hot streams are everywhere, and in some places it looks more like the surface of the moon than the earth, although look around a bit and you'll find beautiful native bush close by.

Next is a visit to the Agrodome for a show that introduces you to much of NZ's farming way of life.  NZ still has a largely agrarian based economy, and in an entertaining show featuring performing sheep and sheep dogs, you'll get an understanding of this essential part of New Zealand.

The Buried Village, our next stop, is exactly what its name implies.  A massive eruption of a nearby volcano buried this village, and you'll walk around the partially excavated ruins.  After seeing this downside to the geothermal activity, take the marvelous bush-walk down to where a waterfall cascades through rocks down to its pool at the bottom, in an almost subterranean setting.  It is a bit of a walk up the loop back to the Buried Village, but well worth the effort, and is one of the most beautiful bush walks in the entire country.

Lastly today we travel to a Maori marae (meeting place) where NZ's native people treat us to a traditional welcome, entertainment, and delicious hangi meal (food cooked by hot rocks in a hole in the ground).

 

Day 6 (Saturday 29 October) :  Fly to Queenstown


The lovely resort village of Queenstown, nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu

Today we'll fly from Rotorua down to Queenstown in NZ's South Island.  You should make your own arrangements to fly, and we suggest the Qantas flight is the better of the two choices, but the Air NZ flight would also be satisfactory if needed to fit within your international ticket rules.

Be sure to ask for a window seat and enjoy the beautiful views from the air.  You'll be able to see from NZ's west coast to NZ's east coast - it truly is a narrow and small country!

Upon arrival in Queenstown we're given a short tour around the Queenstown area and taken to our hotel for the next three nights.

 

Day 7 (Sunday 30 October) :  Queenstown on your own


Magical Milford Sound - for most visitors, this is a 'must see'

There is such a lot to see and do in the Queenstown area that we decided to leave you free to make your own selection of activities.

One of our suggested highlights would be a tour to Te Anau and Milford Sound.  This is a full day tour, although it can be shortened by traveling one way by light plane rather than by coach (weather permitting).  The drive through Fiordland to Milford Sound is stunningly beautiful so we'd recommend coaching at least one way, even if you choose to fly the other.

At Milford Sound you should take one of the cruises of this beautiful wilderness area before returning back to Queenstown.

 

Day 8 (Monday 31 October) :  Queenstown on your own


The gondola ride up Bob's Peak in Queenstown gives majestic views over Lake Wakatipu and to the Remarkable Moutain Range in the background
 

A cruise across the lake on the vintage steamer Earnslaw, and a visit to the sheep farm on the other side, is a relaxing way to spend some of your day.
 

You'll have already noticed some of Queenstown's obvious attractions, and if you went to Milford Sound yesterday, today would be your chance to experience such things yourself.

The TSS Earnslaw is a vintage steam boat that travels across Lake Wakatipu.  A cruise on the Earnslaw is a lovely experience to enjoy.

Up above Queenstown is a gondola ride to the top of Bob's Peak, giving you lovely views across the town and lake to the mountain range not far north, aptly named the Remarkables.

And if you'd like to do more than just look at the (probably) snow covered mountains, you can take a helicopter flight up to the mountains.

Lower down, you might wish to experience a jet-boat ride on one of the rivers.  Jet-boats were invented in NZ, and enable boats to travel very quickly in very shallow rivers.  This is a most exhilarating experience.

If this isn't enough excitement, then you could try bungy jumping (also a NZ invention), or if you'd prefer not to be taken along the river by a power driven craft, maybe go river rafting.

Other experiences available include panning for gold, and riding a vintage steam loco powered train.

Truly, there's a huge variety of experiences to enjoy in the Queenstown area.

 

Day 9 (Tuesday 1 November) :  Touring to Christchurch
via Mt Cook


A typical view as we travel up to Mt Cook and then on to Christchurch today

Today we travel by luxury coach to Christchurch, following along the base of the majestic Southern Alps, and then driving a short way up into the mountains to the Hermitage Resort in Mt Cook National Park.  Mt Cook is New Zealand's tallest mountain (12,316 ft) and you'll have views to its summit and the other peaks in the Southern Alps from the Mt Cook village.

As we continue on to Christchurch the high hill country becomes replaced by the fertile Canterbury Plains, and then we reach our destination of Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island.

 

Day 10 (Wednesday 2 November) :  Christchurch


Central Christchurch has a historical tram, and presents as a very English type town.
 

The Avon River flows gently through the center of the city.

Christchurch is described as the most English city outside of England, and with a cathedral in its town square, and punting on the river running through the city (named the Avon) you'll quickly see why this is.

We'll be given a guided sightseeing tour of the Christchurch area, and then can enjoy a ride on their central city sightseeing tram, and enjoy the rest of the day as we wish.

The more active of us might choose to climb to the top of the Cathedral to look out over the city, and if we're lucky, Christchurch's wizard may be holding forth in The Square at lunchtime.

 

Day 11 (Thursday 3 November) :  Train to Picton and ferry
to Wellington
END OF Introduction to New Zealand tour in Christchurch
START OF Advanced New Zealand tour in Wellington


Our train is dwarfed by the majesty of its surroundings
 

Our ferry cruise to the North Island takes us through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds

If you chose the Introduction to NZ tour, today you'll say goodbye to the other tour members and make your way to Christchurch airport to fly back home.

If you chose the Advanced NZ tour, you'll fly into Wellington today (you should leave the US on or before Tuesday 1 November) and join up with the rest of the tour when it arrives into Wellington this evening.

For those of us on the complete tour, today promises to be a varied day of wonderful travel experiences.  We first travel by wonderful train from Christchurch up the east coast of the South Island and to Picton, at the base of the Marlborough Sounds.

In Picton we'll transfer to a passenger ferry for the three hour journey over to Wellington.  This is a beautiful journey, first through the Marlborough Sounds, and then through Cook Strait before entering Wellington's harbor, described as one of the finest natural harbors in the world.

We'll be spending two nights in Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.

 

Day 12 (Friday 4 November) :  Wellington


A spectacularly beautiful setting for NZ's capital city of Wellington

Called 'windy Wellington' by the locals, but hopefully the weather will be smiling on us today as we enjoy touring around the lovely city that was my home for many years.  With only a little encouragement, I might point out the sites of some of my youthful indiscretions!

We'll travel by cable car up one of the many hills that encircle Wellington, and by coach up another of the hills to a wonderful scenic lookout.

A highlight of the day will be a guided tour of New Zealand's National Museum, 'Te Papa'.

 

Day 13 (Saturday 5 November) :  Touring to Havelock North
via Martinborough


The classic verandah style architecture of the old Martinborough Hotel

Today we'll travel by luxury coach to Havelock North.

We'll take the scenic rather than the more common route, going up through the Wairarapa, and detouring to visit the lovely little town of Martinborough.

 

Day 14 (Sunday 6 November) :  Hawkes Bay - the Countryside
(Guy Fawkes Night this evening)


A view looking north across the Heretaunga Plains from Te Mata Peak, one of the defining landmarks of the Hawkes Bay region.
 

The beautiful Tuki Tuki River

Hawkes Bay enjoys beautiful scenery and countryside.  With the sea on one side, and mountains ringing the Heretaunga Plains on the other side, and some lovely rivers flowing through the region, the geography is always changing.

Sometimes referred to as 'the fruitbowl of New Zealand' Hawkes Bay has an abundance of orchards and market gardens - many people buy all their fruit and vegetables direct from the growers, who have small road-side stalls.

Whether you're looking for fruit and vegetables, seafood and fish, or meat and dairy products, the region produces high quality fresh food of all types.

This evening notes the celebration of Guy Fawkes.  Mr Fawkes was an English revolutionary who tried to blow up their Houses of Parliament, an event which was unsuccessful, and which is celebrated in English descended countries by the letting off of fireworks and ceremonial bonfires, often with a stuffed dummy representing Guy Fawkes himself this evening.

 

Day 15 (Monday 7 November) :  Hawkes Bay - the Twin Cities


Napier, famous for its 1930s art deco architecture, is set alongside a grand sweep of the bay.
 

Hastings has a very different feel to it than Napier, and is located inland.

Yesterday we enjoyed the countryside.  Today you'll find that the area's two cities are also characterful and distinctive.

My personal favorite is Napier.  Extensively rebuilt after a massive earthquake leveled almost the entire city in 1931, the city now stands as a monument to the Art Deco style.

A rejuvenated port is now becoming up-market accommodation, and the gorgeous views from the hill overlooking the city remains another prime residential location.

Hastings is more a large farming town, bisected by the infrequently used rail line.  It has an attractive layout and many amenities for the visitor and resident.

 

Day 16 (Tuesday 8 November) :  Hawkes Bay
 - at your own pace


Perhaps get your day off to a flying start with a balloon ride?  Other airborne activities could include a glider flight, or hang-gliding off the back of Te Mata Peak.
Or maybe you'd rather enjoy a round of golf at a local golf course?

Today you're free to do as much - or as little - as you wish.  Maybe stroll around 'the village' as the local people call Havelock North.  Maybe visit some possible property purchases with us.

If you're an early riser, why not start your day off with a balloon ride?

Perhaps hire a rental car for the day and experience driving on the other side of the road (it is easier than you think!).  Or perhaps go on a Gannet Safari, or enjoy some other form of sightseeing.

Another possibility could be a day tour up to Gisborne, the first city in the world to see the sun each morning and the place where NZ's English discoverer (Captain Cook) first made landfall.

The day is yours to enjoy as you wish.

 

Day 17 (Wednesday 9 November) :  Hawkes Bay - the Wineries


A profusion of vineyards and wineries
 

There'll be plenty of opportunity to taste some of NZ's best wines - wines that are only produced in limited quantities so they're never seen up here in the US.  Take some home with you!

Hawkes Bay has long been at the forefront of New Zealand's winemaking regions, and these day it has a vast abundance of boutique wineries making some extremely good wines.

We'll visit several of these wineries this afternoon on a leisurely drive through the beautiful countryside, and then we'll have a farewell dinner at a winery this evening.

 

Day 18 (Thursday 10 November) :  Touring to Auckland
via Lake Taupo and Huka Falls


If enough of us want to, we can go jetboating at Huka Falls on our way up to Auckland.

Our time in New Zealand comes to a close today and we'll travel by luxury coach back up to Auckland Airport.

Our route north from Hawkes Bay takes us to Lake Taupo, NZ's largest lake and a very popular summer holiday spot.

A short distance north of Taupo we'll visit the spectacular Huka Falls near the start of the Waikato River, NZ's largest river.

We'll be back at Auckland Airport no later than 5pm, enabling you to take flights back to the US from 7pm onwards.


Tour Cost

Tour Cost

$2449 per person, share twin.

Want more information?  Got questions you need answered?

You can chat with David directly if he is online.  Click on the button below if it says 'Click for Live Help'.

A single supplement of $775 is available.  We will also help to match together singles if you'd like to share with a compatible fellow single traveler.

These prices reflect a 3% discount for cash/check.

A $250 per person non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your places on this tour.

You are responsible for arranging your travel between the US and New Zealand, and for the flight between Rotorua and Queenstown in New Zealand.

What about the Air Fare?

You will save money and gain flexible convenience if you arrange your own air travel.  These days airlines seldom give discounts to groups, and sometimes even charge more, while also adding extra restrictions to the tickets!

You can choose whichever carrier has the best fare and the best schedules for you, and you can also choose a carrier that you wish to earn miles with.  You can even cash in miles and fly on frequent flier awards.

We'll be pleased to answer any questions you might have about arranging your air transportation, of course.

Using Frequent Flier Miles

We all know it can be difficult to get the exact flights you want if you're trying to cash in some frequent flier miles.  So here are some tips to help you if you're trying to use frequent flier miles :

  • Check availability in all three cabins (coach, business and first class) and be prepared to fly one way in one cabin and the other way in a downgraded cabin if necessary

  • Check availability for both the 'real' flights on the real airlines, and on codeshare flights too if your mileage can be used for both - for example, Qantas codeshares with AA and Air NZ with UA.

  • If you can't get flights to and from Auckland, consider flights to and from Sydney or Melbourne instead (either one way or both ways), and then simply buy a cheap flight across the Tasman, or include Auckland as a stop on your travel to/from Australia.

  • Be flexible about dates - if you have to spend another day or two in NZ so as to get free flights, that's probably a trade-off you'll be pleased to make.

How to Extend or Vary this Tour

There are many ways you can extend or vary this tour.

You might want to include other destinations as you fly to and from New Zealand.  While there are plenty of non-stop flights to Auckland, other flights can be arranged allowing for stops in places such as Tahiti, Hawaii, and Fiji, either on the way to or from NZ.

And you might also want to fly just a little further west to include some time in Australia, too.

If you wanted to spend more time in New Zealand, you could of course arrive before the main tour start date, and/or stay on after the tour completion date.

Truly, this tour gives you a great number of ways to add extra time and sightseeing.  And, if you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  We're here to help ensure your experience is as good as possible.

Suggested Tour Extensions

We suggest you arrive in Auckland a day or two before Wednesday 26 October, so that you are well rested when the tour starts.

Tour Terms and Conditions

Our standard terms and conditions apply to this tour.

In addition, please note these extra terms :

1.   The 45 day payment due date is considered to be Monday 5 September.

2.   US citizens require a current passport that will not expire for at least six months after the date of their planned return back to the US in order to be admitted to New Zealand.  They do not require a NZ visa.  Citizens of other countries should check with the airline that will transport them to New Zealand to determine what passport and visa requirements may apply.

3.   Tour price is based on a NZ/US exchange rate in the wholesale range between 0.65 and 0.70.  If the exchange rate varies outside of this rate prior to final payment being received, the tour price will be adjusted (either up or down) to reflect the change in the cost of tour components.  If the price of the tour increases by more than 5%, participants will be offered a no cost, no penalty opportunity to cancel and receive a full refund of all monies paid.

4.   Triple share rates may be available.  Ask for a quote if this is required.

5.   There's plenty of room in the coach's luggage bays for as much luggage as you choose to bring.  But you'll find it easier on the train journey, and in the hotel rooms, if you try and limit yourself to one main suitcase and one smaller item per person.

Request to Join Tour

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Your Name, Age & Citizenship and smoking preference

 

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Smoker? Yes    No

Name of Companion, Age, Citizenship and smoking preference

Age                                           
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Smoker? Yes    No

Address

City, State, Zip

Phone (Day)

Phone (Night)

Email

 

Double or Twin Beds

Double   Twins   Don't Mind

Any special dietary needs

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You will be asked to send in your $250 per person confirming deposit as soon as your places on this tour have been confirmed.

The Travel Insider is licensed by the State of Washington as a seller of travel - registration number 602 036 247.
 

Originally published 1 Jul 2005, last update 30 May 2021

 
 
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Master List of Current Tours
Great Britain Grand Expedition Jun 19
Great Britain Grand Expedition Itinerary
Christmas Markets Land Cruise, Dec 18
Christmas Markets Itinerary
Quad K - Kishinev Kiev Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tour Oct 18
Quad K Itinerary
Danube Christmas Markets Cruise Dec 2017
Danube Christmas Cruise Itinerary
Danube Christmas Market Photo Journal
Standard Terms and Conditions
 
 
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