Ultimate New Zealand: Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Queenstown

Participate as crew on an authentic America's Cup yacht. Take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or just sit back and enjoy the action and scenery as you sail the beautiful Waitemata Harbour. Experience the excitement of sailing, no experience necessary. Feel the thrill of the wind in your face as you tack and jibe. These powerful and highly engineered race vessels are usually the domain of billionaires and elite professional yachties but this unique two hour sailing experience offers everyone the opportunity to sail these grand prix racing machines. The America's Cup is the world's oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate yachting regatta. Experience it first-hand sailing these remarkable vessels on the harbour that hosted the America's Cup in 2000 and 2003.

Cape Kidnappers is an ideal escape for a family holiday or romantic getaways. Located in the Hawke's Bay, there are about 70 odd vineyards in the region. There are plenty of other activities around the area for you to experience. Set atop 6,000 rolling acres of stunning pasture-land, there are 24 suites and 1 cottage for you to choose from.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

Azur Lodge is uniquely tucked away on 3.5 acres of private hillside off Lake Wakatipu and is only five minutes by car from downtown Queenstown. Azur offers superb luxury accommodation with magnificent views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains, there are nine freestanding, open plan villas and a main lodge that serves as the focal point for the lodge. Azur's take on service is personable, friendly and professional all the while catering to each guests individual needs. Nightly rates includes private return airport transfers and on demand transfers to Queenstown centre, full breakfast, afternoon tea, pre-dinner drinks and canapés, complimentary WiFi, turndown service and full use of the Lodge facilities. Azur can also facilitate in-villa dining, spa treatments and itinerary recommendations - simply for starters. Whatever you need is no trouble at all at Azur.

Skippers Canyon Road was hacked by hand into the sheer cliff sides of the Shotover River Valley, following the discovery of gold in the Queenstown area in 1862. Follow Skippers Road, with every hairpin bend, across the historic suspension bridge, opened in 1901, to the old gold mining township of Skippers. This tour offers spectacular mountain scenery, rugged canyons, gold panning to gain a taste of NZ's pioneer gold mining history, and the excitement of the 4WD in a safe environment.

Following a transfer to the Queenstown airport, board an aircraft for the flight to Milford Sound. During the 35 minute scenic flight, take in expansive views of golden tussocked high country and the upper reaches of Lake Wakatipu and fly over the snow-capped Southern Alps. A hidden landscape unfolds below revealing glacial lakes, waterfalls, densely forested valleys and cloud-piercing summits.

On reaching Milford Sound join an extended and leisurely cruise of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea. Nature cruises have a relaxed and flexible itinerary designed to allow guests to see and experience what makes Milford Sound world renowned. Spend up to two and a half hours nudging into waterfalls, spotting wildlife and listening to the informative commentary from a specialist Nature Guide who mingles with guests. Keep a look out for wildlife including seals, dolphins and penguins. A picnic lunch is included and complimentary tea and coffee is available.

Following the cruise, guests are transferred to the Milford airport for the scenic flight back to Queenstown. Return taxi transfers are provided to accommodation on arrival at Queenstown airport.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.