Make the most of flying to the other side of the world with a stopover in Singapore. Enjoy a three night stay, giving you ample time to explore this fascinating city.

Perhaps begin by discovering the unique display of fauna and flora at the Gardens by the Bay, and trying a Singapore Sling at the sophisticated Raffles Hotel, where the cocktail was first created. Marvel at sleek Marina Bay from a different angle, visiting Merlion Park, with its iconic half-lion, half-fish statue.

In the evening, the colourful disticts of Chinatown and Little India really come to life, with plenty of delicious restaurants and night markets. Lively Clarke Quay is also a great place to spend an evening. For a change of pace, you can take a 15 minute cable car across to Sentosa Island, with its white sands and lush greenery, or take a 45 minute ferry to the island of Bintan, where palm fringed beaches await.

Make the most of your journey by flying with Singapore Airlines. Read more about Singapore Airlines flights here, or speak to your Travel Consultant.

Standard: Mercure ICON Singapore

Deluxe: Mandarin Oriental

On arrival at Auckland Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, so you can spend the remainder of the day at leisure, beginning to explore the city.

In the Māori language, Auckland is known as Tāmaki Makaurau, or the city of 100 lovers. It earned this name because it was a place desired by all and conquered by many. The Auckland region boasts three harbours, two mountain ranges, 48 volcanic cones and more than 50 islands. Auckland’s population is approximately 1.5 million, making it by far the largest city in New Zealand, with one third of the country’s entire population.

Why not head up the Sky Tower for panoramic views over the city, or wander down to the Viaduct Harbour, where you can enjoy a huge selection of cafés, restaurants and bars.

Standard: Skycity Hotel

Deluxe: Hotel Fitzroy

Discover more of Auckland before you begin your travels around New Zealand.

You may like to start your day with breakfast at one of the trendy cafés in Ponsonby, before enjoying a stroll Stroll through the Wintergardens. Then, you could explore the nearby Auckland War Memorial Museum in the Auckland Domain, where you can learn about New Zealand’s history and Māori culture.

In the afternoon, take a ferry to Waiheke Island to enjoy its stunning beaches and renowned vineyards. Sample local wines and relax on the island before returning to the city. In the evening, visit the vibrant Britomart precinct for boutique shopping and dining at one of its many upscale restaurants.

You may like to end your day with a sunset walk along Mission Bay, soaking in the scenic views of Rangitoto Island.

Standard: Skycity Hotel

Deluxe: Hotel Fitzroy

Collect your rental car this morning, and make your way to Pauanui on the Coromandel Peninsula. This area, about 1.5 hours drive from Auckland is renowned for its native pohutukawa trees on its West Coast and the beautiful white sandy beaches on the East Coast.

Just to the north of Pauanui are two of the most beautiful and unique natural features on New Zealand’s North Island. At Hot Water Beach, naturally heated mineral water bubbles up through the golden sand, and at Cathedral Cove natural caves and rock arches have been carved into the cliffs. Cathedral Cove is best reached by boat or kayak from the town of Hahei.

The historical past of this region is evident in the mining relics, logging dams and Māori pā villages that dot the landscape. The central ranges of native rainforest are also popular with hikers and ramblers.

Auckland > Coromandel Peninsula | 160 kms

Standard: Pauanui Pines Motor Lodge, Pauanui

Deluxe: Brenton Lodge

Today, make your way to Rotorua, the centre of the intense thermal activity in New Zealand.

The city itself is situated on the shores of Lake Rotorua and excellent stream and lake fishing is abundant. Geysers, pools of boiling mud, crystal springs and hot mineral water and richly coloured craters make a remarkable spectacle.

Coromandel Peninsula > Rotorua | 160 kms

Standard: Novotel Rotorua

Deluxe: Regent of Rotorua

Spend the day at leisure in Rotorua. You may wish to visit to Te Puia, one of Rotorua’s famous thermal areas, with the country’s largest geyser, Pohutu (reaching to about 31m), the Prince of Wales’ Feathers geyser, boiling mud pools and silica terraces.

Rotorua is also one of New Zealand’s centres for Māori Culture, with this indigenous culture prevalent throughout the town. You can discover more at Te Pā Tū, just 20 minutes drive out of Rotorua, where recreated traditional villages have been made in the ancient tawa forest.

Standard: Novotel Rotorua

Deluxe: Regent of Rotorua

Your next stop is Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. The centre of the Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand, Napier is renowned for both its architecture and also for its wine industry.

You’re free to do as much or as little as you like. Wandering around downtown Napier, you’ll feel as though you’re immersed in a movie set from the 1930s, from the street lamps, to the Art Deco lettering on buildings.

Perphaps you’d like to head to a Hawke’s Bay winery for a tasting or vineyard tour. Then, head up to Te Mata Peak to watch the sunset.

Rotorua > Napier | 225 kms

Standard: Scenic Hotel Te Pania

Deluxe: The Crown Hotel

Make your way to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. On the shores of a magnificent harbour and surrounded by the rugged beauty of green hills, it is one of New Zealand’s most scenic cities. Some of the best views are obtained from the hilltops especially from the Mt Victoria lookout.

You may wish to explore the Parliament Buildings and the Te Matapihi Central Library. New Zealand’s National Museum is also a must-see attraction. Named “Te Papa”, our place, it contains a wealth of information on New Zealand’s past, present and future, many interactive exhibits, multi-media database and fascinating collections.

Napier > Wellington | 330 kms

Standard: Rydges Wellington

Deluxe: QT Wellington

Discover more of New Zealand’s capital today. Wellington is proud of its reputation as the Arts and Cultural Capital of New Zealand, with The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and the National Opera all calling the city home.

There are many art galleries around the city as well as fascinating museums, like the Museum of Wellington City and Sea, and the New Zealand Academy of Fine Art at Queens Wharf.

For a touch of nature discover Wellington Botanic Garden with its 25 hectares of blooming gardens to explore and incredible views across the city. Alternatively, head to the city’s outskirts to Zealandia, an ecosanctuary that is home to Aotearoa’s native birds, reptiles and plants.

Standard: Rydges Wellington

Deluxe: QT Wellington

This morning board the InterIslander Ferry for your journey across Cook Strait to Picton. On arrival in Picton make your way to Blenheim.

Blenheim regularly tops the sunshine stakes and has consequently earned the title of the ‘Sunniest Town in New Zealand’. Orchards, vineyards and horticultural products benefit from the sunny climate of the Marlborough region. The country’s most extensive area of grapes is planted in the Wairau Valley and has earned international acclaim. The wine trail is now established linking the various wineries and is a popular attraction.

Blenheim is also well known for crafts. Discover the art and craft trail, including more than 30 Marlborough craftspeople open to visitors, from weavers to silk painters, potters or wood sculptors.

Picton > Blenheim | 140 kms

Standard: Scenic Hotel Marlborough

Deluxe: 14th Urban

Continue to Nelson, today, home to one of the most scenic National Parks in the country, Abel Tasman National Park.

In this diverse landscape, you can enjoy swimming, sailing, hiking, kayaking, or simply relax on a beautiful beach. Getting around by water taxi, or on a guided tour, you can spend a whole day discovering secluded coves, walking sections of the Abel Tasman Coast Track and discovering wildlife.

Blenheim > Nelson | 116 kms

Standard: Rutherford Hotel

Deluxe: Cambria House

Begin your drive along the west coast of the South Island, by making you way to Greymouth and then on to Hokitika.

En route you may like to stop at Punakaiki and visit the famous “Pancake Rocks”. These unique limestone rock formations date back 30 million years. Once part of the sea bed, covered in mud and clay,  movement of the Earth’s crust has since lifted them up to create this unique formation.

Once checked into your hotel at Hokitika, you may like to take the short hike up to the gorge, where the river waters appear a bright turquoise due to the glacial sediment flowing down from up river.

Nelson > Hokitika | 320 kms

Standard: Beachfront Hotel

Deluxe: Rimu Lodge

Make your way down the West Coast to Franz Josef. Nowhere in the world’s temperate zones are glaciers as accessible as South Westland’s most famous pair, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Both descend to levels of about 300 metres above sea level. Franz Josef Glacier is a remnant of a much older, larger glacier which flowed from the alpine snowfields right to the sea.

The glacier is over 12 kilometres long, extending into the rainforest just five kilometres from the Franz Josef township, making it easy to visit. Walk to viewpoints or for a close-up view of the spectacular ice formations, take a guided glacier walk, heli-hike excursion or scenic flight.

Hokitika > Franz Josef | 160 kms

Standard: Scenic Hotel

Deluxe: Rainforest Retreat

Continue to Wānaka, situated between Aoraki Mt Cook and Queenstown. There are plenty of activities on offer from relaxation to action packed experiences.

Abseiling, boating, golfing, gliding, mountaineering, paragliding, Nordic skiing, snowboarding and wine tasting are just some of the activities available in the region.

Franz Josef > Wānaka | 280 kms

Standard: Oakridge Resort, Wānaka

Deluxe: Lime Tree

Depart Wānaka and make your way to Queenstown. Situated in Queenstown Bay, along the eastern shores of the azure blue waters of Lake Wakatipu, the town has beautiful surroundings. On a walk or cycle around the lake, you’ll discover an unusual feature, as it regularly “breathes”, rising and falling a 3-inches every 15 minutes.

Striking mountain peaks also surround Queenstown, and it sits more than 300 metres above sea level. These dramatic landscapes lend themselves to Queenstown’s reputation as ‘New Zealand’s Adventure Capital’. Activities include world famous bungee jumping, white water rafting, parapenting and much more.

Wanaka > Queenstown | 117 kms

Standard: Copthorne Resort, Queenstown

Deluxe: The Rees

Today you can leave the car, and spend your day at leisure sightseeing around Queenstown. There is a lot to occupy you, from thrilling jet boat rides, vintage steamer cruises on the lake or visits to high country sheep stations.

Why not take the Skyline Gondola up into the mountains, enjoying a leisurely lunch with striking views at the Stratosfare Restaurant.

Standard: Copthorne Resort, Queenstown

Deluxe: The Rees

Today, drive along the shore of Lake Wakatipu, before continuing around the mountains to the lakeside town of Te Anau.

With its setting of mountain lakes, forest and fiords, Te Anau is the natural gateway to Fiordland National Park and for trips to Lake Manapouri, the Eglinton Valley and Milford Sound.

The town is also famous for the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Why not go on a guided tour, exploring the limestone cavers, past rushing underground streams and, of course, the enchanting luminous glowworms.

Queenstown > Te Anau | 170 kms

Standard: Distinction Luxmore

Deluxe: Fiordland Lodge

From Te Anau, continue on Highway 94 to Milford Sound. This road is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular, with stunning scenery on all sides. Take in the sights of snow-capped mountains tumbling waterfalls and still lakes in the valleys below.

Your destination is Milford Sound, a glacially carved fiord framed by dramatic, steep cliffs. Enjoy a scenic cruise along the fiord, travelling out to the meeting point with the ocean and back, taking in the breathtaking views along the way.

Your return drive to Te Anau, offers further opportunities to stop and view the Mirror Lakes and Christie Falls.

Standard: Distinction Luxmore

Deluxe: Fiordland Lodge

From Te Anau it is just over three hours’ drive to the town of Dunedin on the south east coast. Dunedin is known as the “Edinburgh of the South” and you will be able to discover the town’s Scottish heritage during the afternoon.

You may like to visit the Otago Peninsula, home of a rare Royal Albatross Colony and endangered Yellow-eyed Penguins.  Alternatively, you may prefer to spend time wandering through the historic Larnach Castle and its grounds.

Te Anau > Dunedin | 290 kms

Standard: Distinction Dunedin

Deluxe: Fable Dunedin

Just a 90 minute drive will take you to Oamaru. Famous for its wildlife, pay a visit to the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony for a unique opportunity to see the world’s smallest penguins up close.

For those seeking other activities out of the car can enjoy the scenic Oamaru Public Gardens and the coastal Oamaru Harbour.

In Oamaru town you can explore the historic precinct with its charming Victorian buildings, antique shops, and galleries. The Steampunk HQ museum also offers a quirky and fun experience.

Dunedin > Oamaru | 115 kms

Standard: Poshtel

Deluxe: Pen-y-Bryn Lodge

Make your way up the South Island’s eastern coast to Christchurch, known as the ‘most English City outside England’.

In Christchurch you can explore the stunning Botanic Gardens and the picturesque Hagley Park, just right for a leisurely stroll after your drive.

Or, just 15 minutes from the city centre is He Puna Taimoana, where you’ll find five salt water hot pools that overlook the ocean. Perfect for a relaxing soak.

Oamaru > Christchurch | 247 kms

Standard: Crowne Plaza

Deluxe: The Observatory

Today is yours to explore Christchurch. The city’s beautifully restored historic trams offer a fun way to get around, with hop-on hop-off tickets available.

At the Christchurch Art Gallery and the Centre of Contemporary Arts you’ll find thought-provoking collections from New Zealand artists. At Riverside Market you’ll be spoilt for choice for lunch, with stalls and cafés serving up fabulous local produce.

In the nearby Port Hills there are numerous walking trails you can follow, with views over the Southern Alps and Canterbury Plains. Further afield, on the Banks Peninsula you can sometimes spot dolphin from swimming along the coast.

Standard: Crowne Plaza

Deluxe: The Observatory

It’s the last day of your adventure, but you may still have time to visit the International Antarctic Centre that is conveniently located adjacent to Christchurch Airport.

After enjoying the antics of the little blue penguins, return your hire car and check-in for your flight home, on which you can scroll through your photos from your amazing Singapore and New Zealand holiday.