A small group journey for women

Queenstown Escape

Departing October 2022

A well deserved girls getaway

Who’s ready for an escape? Queenstown is a dream destination and the perfect location for a well-deserved getaway!

Arguably the most picture-perfect place in New Zealand, Queenstown is nestled beneath snow-capped mountains on the shores of the awe-inspiring Lake Wakatipu.  Whilst renowned for adventure sports Queenstown is also the ideal base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns; it is a mecca for boutique shopping – from international heavyweights to highly regarded New Zealand designers, and you are sure to be enthralled and delighted by the sheer scenic majesty and vibrancy of this year-round playground.

Spring in Queenstown is nothing short of beautiful.  Lush valleys bursting with fresh spring blooms and green pastures beneath soaring mountains dusted with snow.  Let’s escape to a place where we can breathe in fresh mountain air, sip fine wine, eat amazing food, try new experiences and recharge and rejuvenate in the company of like-minded women.

Come and join us. It will be spectacular!

TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST IN JOINING US IN OCTOBER 2022 PLEASE CLICK HERE

You will love

  • Simple pleasures – good food, fine wine, great company!
  • Unpacking and staying put
  • Plenty of pampering
  • The tonic of fresh mountain air
  • Stunning private helicopter picnic
  • Fabulous female co-travellers

8 FUNFILLED & RESTORATIVE DAYS

HERE IS A SNAPSHOT ITINERARY :

However, as we wait for border restrictions to ease departure dates are yet to be determined.  In the interim, for a detailed day-by-day itinerary or to register your interest in this adventure, please get in touch!

DAY 1 | SATURDAY | QUEENSTOWN

Arrive in Queenstown to be met at the airport and transferred to the QT Hotel (approx 20 mins) where you will be greeted by Jemma and Sarah. Check in, relax and wander into town if you like,  then meet for a pre-dinner drink (own account) before enjoying a hosted welcome dinner (included) at the hotel.

Overnight: QT Boutique Hotel.

DAY 2 | SUNDAY | ARROWTOWN & VINEYARDS

We’ll be collected from the hotel and driven to historic Arrowtown – an exquisite little town with charming historic buildings which was swarmed by European gold prospectors in the 1860’s. We’ll browse locally owned fashion stores, art galleries and jewellery shops which sell beautiful pieces made from Arrow River gold, and a surprise lies in store at a local Artists’ Studio. From here we’ll visit Wet Jacket Winery for a tasting which is exciting as their wines are only available at the Cellar Door or in an elite handful of New Zealand’s best restaurants.

Lunch will be at Amisfield, where Chef Vaughan Mabee takes us on a three-hatted culinary journey through the region’s wealth of natural produce, celebrated by gourmands and vinophiles.

En-route back to Queenstown, we will stop off at Akarua Wines & Kitchen by Artisan to enjoy a late afternoon tipple in their beautiful garden setting.

Your evening will be at leisure and we will happily offer suggestions for dinner or cocktails.

Overnight: QT Boutique Hotel.

DAY 3 | MONDAY | QUEENSTOWN

Today is a free day and you are welcome to do as much, or as little, as you please.

We will be on hand to help you organise whatever you would like to do with options include hiking (with a guide if you wish), biking or e-biking, yoga, day spas and shopping.

Overnight: QT Boutique Hotel.

DAY 4 | TUESDAY | BANNOCKBURN

Central Otago is one of the Southern-most, and most spectacular, grape growing regions in the world. Bannockburn is a surprising oasis of vineyards, heritage sites and fantastic vistas and the surrounding area offers a chance to discover the unique tastes of Central Otago and its gold mining heritage.

Our first stop will be Chard Farm, a family-owned winery located on a spectacular terrace above the Kawarau River Gorge, which channels the classic cool climate varietals championed in great wine-producing regions like Burgundy and Alsace. Then on to Terra Sancta, which is home to the first vines planted in Bannockburn. From here we visit the stunning Te Kano Cellar Door, which cantilevers out into the landscape, for dramatic views of the Kawarau River, Cromwell Basin and the mountains beyond. For lunch be prepared to lose the afternoon dining on a tapas share meal at the historic Bannockburn Hotel.

Returning to Queenstown your evening will be free to spend as you wish and we have plenty of recommendations if required.

Overnight: QT Boutique Hotel.

DAY 5 | WEDNESDAY | PICNIC ON A PEAK

Today is an AMAZING day!

In the morning we board a private helicopter*, which will take us on a breath-taking journey through dramatic mountains and glaciers. We will finally settle atop a picturesque peak – a tranquil location with 180-degree views of the Wakatipu Basin and Queenstown – where we will be served a gourmet champagne picnic. The helicopter will return us to Queenstown when we are ready – and provide us with a bird’s-eye view of the stunning landscape en route.

We will return to our hotel in the afternoon for an evening at your disposal.

Overnight: QT Boutique Hotel.

*Please note: The helicopter picnic is optional. If you prefer not to join please let us know upon booking as we will deduct this excursion from your tour cost. This will be equal to the amount of A$600.

DAY 6 | THURSDAY | MILFORD SOUND

We will depart Queenstown at about 7.00am for a private full day tour travelling through the magnificent Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Here we’ll board a small boat for a nature cruise on the fjord seeing waterfalls, fur seals and occasionally dolphins within their pristine natural environment. Visiting Milford Sound will allow us to get close to nature and learn about the fragile ecosystem in the surrounding forests and in the waters below.
We’ll have a delicious picnic lunch and discover some secret beauty spots away from any crowds then return by road (or a A$450 scenic flight if you prefer – refer to Key Facts) back to Queenstown.

There will be canapes waiting for us at the hotel on our return, then the evening will be yours to spend as you wish.

Overnight: QT Boutique Hotel.

DAY 7 | FRIDAY | PAMPER DAY

Enjoy a lie in and a leisurely breakfast, take a stroll around town or do some shopping, then meet in the afternoon to visit the Onsen Hot Pools.

Onsen Retreat is located high on a cliffside overlooking the magnificent Shotover River canyon, providing views over breathtaking alpine scenery and the perfect vantage point to watch the Shotover Jet boats on the river below. A unique Kiwi twist on a Japanese tradition, each pool is heated to approx. 38.5 degrees and comes with a retractable roof. Your pamper experience begins with a 60-minute soak in one of the classic, original cedar lined hot tubs then continues with a Signature Massage at the award winning Millbrook Estate Spa.

We will return to the hotel fully pampered and ready for our final night – a farewell dinner at a favourite local restaurant – RATA.

Overnight: QT Boutique Hotel.

DAY 8 | SATURDAY | END OF JOURNEY

Today is our final day.  For those who are flying out in the afternoon there are two markets in Queenstown on Saturdays you may wish to peruse – we will have all the details for you!   At your requested time you will be transferred to the Queenstown airport to begin your onward journey, or to board your flight home.

Thank you for joining us on this Queenstown Escape!

NEED TO KNOW

OCTOBER 2022 departure date to be confirmed

OCTOBER 2022 departure date to be confirmed

  Twin Share : A$4,360 per person
Single Room : A$5,595 per person

Should you wish to return from Milford Sound to Queenstown by air please add $450 to the above price

Should you not wish to do the helicopter experience please deduct $600 from the above price

Inclusions

  • Fully escorted from Queenstown by Sarah Hoyland, Founder of The Secret Women’s Series & Journeys for Women, and Jemma Wilson, Founder of Mai Journeys
  • Group arrival & departure transfers
  • 7 nights luxury accommodation at QT Queenstown
  • Breakfast daily + additional meals as stated in the itinerary
  • Excursions & sightseeing as per itinerary
  • Welcome Dinner at QT’s Bazaar
  • Farewell Dinner at a local favourite – RATA
  • Canapes Evening in hotel
  • Milford Sound **Coach + Cruise
  • Boxed Picnic Lunch – Milford Sound
  • Onsen Hot Pools
  • Millbrook Estate Spa afternoon – Massage
  • Queenstown & Arrowtown surrounds tour
  • Chef’s Lunch at Amisfield Winery
  • Wine Tasting at Wet Jacket Cellar Door
  • Stop and glass of wine at Akarua Wines & Kitchen
  • Private Wine Tasting Day at Bannockburn
  • Tapas Share Plate Lunch at Bannockburn Hotel
  • *Picnic on the Peak: Helicopter ride to a mountain location over-looking Wakatipu Basin + Gourmet Picnic
  • Private transport throughout
  • Mai Journeys host and Secret Women’s Series / Journeys for Women host throughout
  • Local Guide
  • Private vehicles for transfers & excursions
  • and more!

Exclusions

  • International Airfares
  • Visas if required
  • Personal items ie laundry, phone calls and bar tabs
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Beverages unless specifically described
  • Optional excursions and/or activities that may be offered.

Minimum – 8 travellers

Maximum – 16 (including hosts)


*TO FLY OR NOT TO FLY – THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCE

We understand that helicopters may not be to everyone’s liking. We want this to be an absolutely magical experience. And yes, it is a Big Ticket experience. If this is something you would prefer not to do, or may struggle with, please let us know upon booking as we will deduct this excursion from your Tour Cost. This will be equal to the amount of A$600.  This means you have another Free Day to do exactly as you please!
This is the ONLY excursion we can deduct from the tour individually and your Travel Insurance Policy MUST cover an activity such as this.

**MILFORD SOUND COACH/CRUISE/FLY UPGRADE

We are offering an upgraded Coach/Cruise/Fly Milford Sound option.  Travel to Milford Sound by coach, take a cruise on the fiord, and then return home by air. Seeing Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park from the air is an exhilarating experience and you will see all the amazing landscapes you travelled through in the morning from high above: fly above ancient glaciers, rugged mountaintops and dense native rain-forest on your way back to Queenstown Airport. Flights from Milford Sound to Queenstown take approximately 45 minutes.  This is an added cost of approx. A$450 per person and must be booked when you book on this tour.
The flight is weather dependent of course. You arrive back in Queenstown and are transferred back to the hotel. There will be canapes waiting for us at the hotel when we arrive.

PLEASE NOTE:
– A minimum of 8 Guests are required for this journey
– Rates are subject to change until paid in full
– Deposit is non-refundable.
– Terms & Conditions and conditions apply – click here for full T&Cs
– Insurance is mandatory for this tour
– International flights are not included in the Tour Cost
– We will require your weight and height for the helicopter day and the return Milford flight if you choose these options. This is a safety requirement so we have to ask!

COVID and THIS TOUR:
Depositing on this tour confirms you are fully aware that we MAY need to change dates if Bubbles are closed / disrupted between now and October 2022. However, if you decide to cancel this tour anytime after depositing, as opposed to accepting new transfer dates IF that applies, then cancellation fees will apply. No refund is available for cancellation after commencement of tour services not used.  You must provide proof of vaccination against Covid19 to join this departure.

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