Leave Auckland for the delights of the Bay of Plenty staying two nights on Lake Rotoiti with Christmas lunch and a buffet dinner at your hotel. In Tauranga we stay at Trinity Wharf on the harbour’s edge. Special off-the-beaten-track highlights include a cruise on a luxury catamaran on Lake Rotoiti to the Manupirua hot springs and riding the rail carts at Awakeri.

Catching up with George at the Mine Museum, setting forth on a rail cart adventure with Paul at Awakeri and sailing with Matt on his catamaran along the shoreline of Lake Rotoiti. It’s the passion of these people and their special places that make this holiday unique.