Evening: Depart the USA on overnight flight to New Zealand.

In Transit: Cross International Dateline.

Arrive To: Upon your arrival in Auckland your Program Leader and local Site Coordinator will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. After checking in to your hotel and freshening up, your Leader will take you on an orientation walk of the central business district and university quarter.

Lunch: We will have lunch at a local cafe downtown.

Afternoon: We return to our hotel after lunch and have the afternoon at leisure.

Dinner: In the hotel's top-floor dining room with stunning views of Auckland Harbour and the central business district.

Evening: After dinner we will have an orientation meeting introducing us to the program and our fellow participants.

Lodging: Mercure Auckland Hotel

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Introduction to New Zealand History / Harbour Cruise / City Orientation / Auckland Museum.

Breakfast: In the hotel's top-floor dining room with stunning views of Auckland Harbour and the central business district.

Morning: Kia ora! Welcome to Auckland. Auckland, the “City of Sails”, is New Zealand’s largest city and over one third of all New Zealanders live in the greater Auckland area. It has a cosmopolitan population and the high proportion of indigenous Maori and other Polynesian peoples from the Pacific Islands have contributed distinctive elements to its cultural mix. This mix has been heightened by increased immigration from a number of Asian nations throughout the last decade or two. A third of the city’s population was born outside New Zealand. The city has a unique setting between two harbours on a narrow isthmus studded with numerous volcanic cones. To the east, the Waitemata Harbour provides New Zealand’s busiest Pacific port and a picturesque setting for the central business district and suburbs. Beyond this harbour lie the superb boating waters of the island-studded Hauraki Gulf. To the west, the broad shallows of the Manukau Harbour provide ideal habitat for large flocks of seabirds in the shadow of the rugged rainforest-covered Waitakere Ranges. Beyond these ranges the wild black-sand surf beaches of the west coast are a dramatic contrast to the gentle golden sand of the tree-fringed beaches of the east coast. We begin today with a well-known local author and journalist presenting a lecture giving us an Introduction to New Zealand History. We then walk the two blocks down to Viaduct Basin for a yacht cruise on Auckland's magnificent Waitemata Harbour giving us stunning views of the Harbour Bridge, the city and the surrounding volcanic cones. As we sail the channel, those who wish can have a turn at the wheel, weather conditions permitting.

Lunch: We board our coach and transfer to Eden Garden, where we have lunch surrounded by delightful gardens. These wondrous gardens were created in an abandoned quarry nearly 50 years ago. We have time to explore the gardens briefly prior to or after lunch.

Afternoon: This afternoon we visit Auckland’s War Memorial Museum for a guided tour of the permanent exhibitions showing us patterns of Polynesian and European settlement. En route we get an orientation to the layout of the city. The remainder of the afternoon is free for us to explore Auckland at our leisure.

Dinner: In the hotel's top-floor dining room with stunning views of Auckland Harbour and the central business district.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Mercure Auckland Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: In the hotel's top-floor dining room with stunning views of Auckland Harbour and the central business district.

Morning: This morning a local geologist and marine biologist gives us a lecture on the geology of Auckland and its varied coastlines. He then leads us on a field trip to explore Auckland's northern coastline and give us an understanding of the variety of the city’s coastal environment. Our walk at North Head will give us a greater perspective of the Hauraki Gulf and the volcanic islands that litter it.

Lunch: We have lunch today at a local restaurant looking out over the picturesque Cheltenham beach and across to Rangitoto's dome.

Afternoon: Our field trip continues this afternoon as we visit Lake Pupuke to understand how the volcanic lake and the stunning coast coexist so closely.

Dinner: Own arrangements - a chance to sample Auckland's cuisine at your leisure. The Viaduct Basin, formerly the home of the America’s Cup, has a variety of cafes and restaurants a short walk from the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Mercure Auckland Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: In the hotel's top-floor dining room with stunning views of Auckland Harbour and the central business district.

Morning: We check out of our hotel after breakfast and depart for Waitomo, travelling through Waikato's rolling green countryside passing pristine farmland and dense forest.

Lunch: We have lunch at a local farm cafe close to Waitomo.

Afternoon: After lunch we transfer to Waitomo for a field trip. We have a guided tour of the internationally-recognised Waitomo glowworm caves. The glow worm, arachnocampa luminosa, is unique to New Zealand and thousands of these tiny creatures radiate their unmistakable luminescent light as expert guides provide informative commentary on the Caves' historical and geological significance. We will enjoy a boat ride under thousands of magical glowworms and be amazed at the clear natural acoustics of the "cathedral". We reboard our coach and transfer through to Rotorua where we will stay for the next two nights. Located on the shores of Lake Rotorua and nicknamed “Sulphur City”, Rotorua has been sustained by tourism since 1870. It is a thermal wonderland with the most energetic thermal activity in the country including hot springs, geysers and bubbling mud pools. It is also an important centre of Maori culture. In the early 19th century the colonial Government attempted to develop it as a European-style spa town. The impressive Tudor-styled Bath House dating from that time is now the Rotorua Museum. The area also has fine trout fishing and scenic wildlife parks. Nearby Mount Tarawera erupted late last century resulting in major changes to the landscape and considerable loss of life. The beautiful lakes in the region are part of the legacy of this cataclysm.

Dinner: We have an orientation to Rotorua on the way to our hotel and check in in time for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Copthorne Hotel Rotorua

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waimangu Volcanic Valley / Maori Arts and Crafts / Kiwi House / Whakarewarewa Thermal Area / Maori Cultural Evening

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Today we learn something of Rotorua’s geothermal and Maori background. We travel first to Waimangu Volcanic Valley to learn more about volcanic and geothermal New Zealand. Waimangu Volcanic Valley is the only geothermal system in the world wholly created as the direct result of a volcanic eruption - the Tarawera Eruption of 10 June 1886. We walk through this amazing volcanic landscape serenaded by the songs of the local native birdlife. At the end of our walk we have a cruise on Lake Rotomohana, surrounded by pristine bush and also formed as a result of the 1886 eruption.

Lunch: We return to Rotorua for lunch in a historic and lovingly-restored hotel beside Rotorua's Government Gardens.

Afternoon: This afternoon we visit Te Puia – the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute. Here we visit the Kiwi House to meet New Zealand's national symbol – the flightless kiwi. We view the Whakarewarewa thermal area, renowned for its boiling mudpools and the spectacular pohutu geyser. We also learn of the role the Institute plays in encouraging young Maori to train in the traditional Maori arts and crafts – wood- and stone-carving, weaving, traditional building techniques and the like.

Dinner: After some free time at our hotel, we return to Te Puia. This evening for dinner we experience a hangi – the traditional Maori method of cooking food in the ground.

Evening: During and after dinner we experience a Maori cultural performance.

Lodging: Copthorne Hotel Rotorua

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Flight to Invercargill then coach to Te Anau / Introduction to Southern New Zealand / Course Overview

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast we check out of our hotel and board our coach taking us to Rotorua airport. This morning we leave the North Island as we fly to Invercargill via Christchurch.

Lunch: We have lunch with a local service group allowing us the chance to meet some locals in New Zealand's most southerly city - Invercargill.

Afternoon: After lunch we have a lecture introducing us to New Zealand's southernmost province, Southland, learning something of its importance to New Zealand's agricultural backbone. We then drive to the serenely beautiful hamlet of Te Anau. The township of Te Anau is located on Lake Te Anau, the second largest lake in New Zealand and the largest lake in the South Island. It is a small country centre providing community support to the widely-dispersed fishing and farming communities of sparsely-populated Fiordland. It is situated at the edge of the World Heritage-Listed Fiordland National Park and is renowned for its alpine scenery and its trout and salmon fishing. We will have an introduction to our southern program on board our coach en route to Te Anau. Weather- and light-permitting, we shall have time for a short stroll along the lake before dinner.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cruise on stunning Milford Sound / Ata Whenua: Shadowland / Coach to Queenstown

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: This morning we check out of our hotel. We drive around the side of Lake Te Anau, across some of the scenic splendour of the World Heritage-listed landscape of Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand. We drive through New Zealand's highest tunnel, the Homer Tunnel, where we may well meet a cheeky kea or two, en route to the majestic Milford Sound. Here we cruise the sound, one of Fiordland's most picturesque fiords, where mountains stand tall right out of the sea and rainforest clings to sheer rock faces. During our drive to or from Milford Sound we shall view the movie Ata Whenua - Shadowland. Showing Fiordland on film, Ata Whenua will take us on an unforgettable journey as we "fly" through the Fiordland World Heritage Area and experience one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on earth. Mysterious, evocative, exhilarating and utterly spectacular.

Lunch: We have a packed lunch on board our cruise vessel in the Sound.

Afternoon: We disembark our cruise vessel and board our coach for the journey through to Queenstown. We will travel back through the Homer Tunnel down the Hollyford Valley past Lake Te Anau and across verdant farmland before we drive between the mountain ranges along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Queenstown is nestled on the shores of this beautiful Lake Wakatipu, nestled in amongst the majestic Southern Alps. Its setting is stunning with the surrounding mountain ranges, the Remarkables and the Eyre Mountains, forming a breathtaking backdrop. It has more to offer than just magnificent landscape, however; the town strives to be the “adventure capital of the world” with a diverse range of attractions.

Dinner: We check into our hotel in time for dinner in the hotel restaurant looking out over the lake.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lake Wakatipu Cruise including Walter Peak Sheep Station / Gondola to Skyline Restaurant overlooking Queenstown's stunning natural beauty

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Today we cruise across Lake Wakatipu on board the historic steamer TSS Earnslaw. This iconic 1912 twin-screw steamship recently celebrated its 100th birthday. It is much beloved by locals and visitors alike as the lady of the lake. We visit Walter Peak High Country Farm for a guided tour and an insight into the training and usage of farmers' working dogs – the backbone of New Zealand sheep farming. It is hard not to be amazed watching farmer and dog working together in complete unison. Unless the pesky sheep have other ideas...

Lunch: We have a BBQ lunch at Walter Peak Homestead.

Afternoon: Our field trip at Walter Peak Station continues before we reboard the Earnslaw and cruise back across the lake. We have some free time to explore Queenstown on our own before we board the gondola to the top of Bob's Peak. We have time to take in the spectacular views before dinner.

Dinner: We have dinner at Skyline Restaurant overlooking Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables.

Evening: After dinner soaking up the stunning view, we hop a gondola back down the hill and board our coach back to our hotel.

Lodging: Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast we check out and board our coach to Queenstown Domestic Airport for our flight to Wellington via Christchurch. Wellington, the capital of New Zealand since 1865, is located at the southern extremity of the North Island. Its magnificent amphitheatre-like harbour, hemmed in by rugged hills, was formed by the flooding of the crater of a very large and long-extinct volcano. It provides a picturesque setting for the city’s distinctive wooden houses set precariously on the steep hills. In addition to its role as the seat of government Wellington is a major seaport, rail and ferry centre and a commercial and manufacturing hub. Its compact city centre is immensely walkable and is full of life and interest. It has a vigorous cultural and artistic scene and is the home of many national cultural institutions. Upon our arrival in Wellington we transfer to our harbourfront hotel and check in in time for lunch.

Lunch: In the hotel.

Afternoon: This afternoon we have an orientation to Wellington, taking in such sights as the cable car, botanic gardens, Boulton Street Memorials and Premier House. From the top of the cable car, we gain excellent view of Wellington Harbour and its hilly backdrop. As the locals like to say, "you can't beat Wellington on a good day!"

Dinner: At accommodation.

Evening: This evening, weather conditions permitting, we take a coach ride up to the top of Mount Victoria to take in the city's lit-up landscape.

Lodging: Copthorne Hotel Wellington, Oriental Bay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Zealandia Native Sanctuary / Brooklyn Wind Turbine / Te Papa Tongarewa: Museum of New Zealand / New Zealand Politics & Public Life

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: This morning we visit Zealandia – a native sanctuary of forest and lakes just ten minutes from the city centre. Here we learn about some of New Zealand’s unique and fascinating birdlife. Our expert guides will introduce us to these wonderful birds and to the challenges of conserving rare and vulnerable species in New Zealand. We learn the story of how local residents lobbied and volunteered to get this valley sanctuary, only 10 minutes from the centre of town, set aside as a reserve and have it fully enclosed by predator-proof fencing. From Zealandia we will travel to the Brooklyn wind turbine giving us a view across Wellington and the harbour as well as across Cook Strait to the South Island.

Lunch: We return to our hotel for lunch.

Afternoon: After lunch we take the short walk across to Te Papa Tongarewa: National Museum of New Zealand where we have a guided tour. Following our tour we have the remainder of the afternoon free to explore the museum on our own. This evening a retired diplomat and academic will give us a lecture on New Zealand politics and the political system before dinner.

Dinner: We have dinner tonight in the hotel restaurant. Our lecturer will join us to allow you to question him further regarding the intriguing New Zealand political set-up.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Copthorne Hotel Wellington, Oriental Bay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: This morning we visit New Zealand’s parliament buildings – including the aptly-named Beehive – for a guided tour. We also visit New Zealand’s Supreme Court to gain an understanding of how the highest court in the land operates - you may be surprised at the differences between it and the United States Supreme Court.

Lunch: We have lunch at a local restaurant in downtown Wellington.

Afternoon: The afternoon is free for you to explore Wellington at your leisure. Put on your walking shoes and get amongst it!

Dinner: Dinner tonight is at own arrangements allowing you to sample the many fine restaurants, cafes and bars Wellington has to offer.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Copthorne Hotel Wellington, Oriental Bay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Wellington's fascinating coastline / Flight to Auckland to connect with international flight to Los Angeles

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast we check out and load our bags on our coach. This morning a local scientist guides us on a field trip exploring Wellington's fascinating coastline. Here we learn how tectonic forces have shaped the rugged environment surrounding the New Zealand capital.

Lunch: We have a picnic lunch at a sheltered scenic spot along the south coast.

Afternoon: We coach to Wellington Airport and check in for our domestic flight to Auckland and international flight on to the USA.

Dinner: At own arrangements at Auckland Airport or on board your flight to the USA.

Evening: International flight to Los Angeles.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch