Top 5 new and exclusive experiences to add to your 2020 bucket list
Dreaming of a long weekend getaway? Or an escape for several weeks? You’ll be blown away by the incredibly diverse array of unique tours available right in your own backyard.
Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in food and wine culture, reconnect with nature at a national park, or simply explore a new destination, AAT Kings’ range of Guided Holidays has something for every traveller.
Because we all dream a little differently, AAT Kings offers two distinct styles of Guided Holiday to dozens of destinations in the new 2020/2021 brochure. Choose a First Choice Guided Holiday for premium inclusions and more downtime, or take a Best Buys Guided Holiday for ultimate flexibility and must-see sights.
Can’t decide where to go first? We have listed our top five destinations you need to add to your 2020 holiday to-do list.
1. Margaret River, a food and wine lovers paradise
Discover the incredible scenic landscapes, natural wonders and food and wine culture of Western Australia on the 15 day Western Wonderland Best Buys Guided Holiday. For the food and wine lovers, AAT Kings have added a brand-new experience to delight the senses and allow you to dine at the region’s best.
While taking in the scenery of gorgeous Margaret River, you will enjoy a private wine tasting and three-course lunch, tastefully paired with the region’s finest wines, at the Brookland Valley Estate. And as the Guided Holiday experts, AAT Kings take care of everything, so all you have to do is sit back with a glass of wine and relax with your fellow travellers.
2. The Magnificent Kimberley
On an AAT Kings holiday, you won’t just visit the bucket list sights, you will become immersed in the cultures and lifestyles of the distinctly unique destinations you visit. The Kimberley region of Western Australia is one of these unique destinations, and one that is unlike anywhere in the world. The unbelievable natural wonders such as the Bungle Bungles are truly otherworldly.
On the 21 day Wonders of the West Coast & Kimberley First Choice Guided Holiday, guests will be able to meet the artists of the Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency and Gallery, a fine art gallery, specialty store and studio space located in the centre of Fitzroy Crossing. A guided tour hosted by the Centre Curator provides an opportunity to not only view the incredible artworks, but to see the local artists working in the studio. You can purchase art directly from the local Aboriginal artists which contributes to the running and operating of the arts centre.
3. Iconic North Island of New Zealand
Immerse yourself in the Maori culture and history as you venture from Auckland down to Wellington. Experience the North Island’s most iconic sights in this 7-day First Choice Guided Holiday. As you make your way down the coast, you’ll stop off for an exclusive lunch at a private Waikato dairy farm, learn insider knowledge from your experienced guides, and immerse yourself in the centuries-old traditions of New Zealand’s indigenous people, including a cultural evening at Tamaki Maori Village. At Rotorua, you will choose from a range of sightseeing experiences, including a tour of the Hobbiton movie set, a tour of Waitomo Glowworm caves, or exploring Rotorua and its lakes in an amphibious WWII-era craft.
4. New Zealand’s Sensational South
If you prefer to delve into the heart of New Zealand’s renowned food and wine country, you must add this 11-day Spectacular South tour to your list – starting in Wellington, where you’ll go on a guided walking tour with a foodie twist to get your senses tingling. The tour winds down the South Island’s east coast to Christchurch before branching off to Mount Cook, where you’ll join a local expert at New Zealand’s longest glacier, the Tasman Glacier. You’ll then head to picturesque Queenstown, embark on a scenic journey through Fiordland National Park, and travel to the magnificent wild West Coast and mesmerising Milford Sound. Culinary highlights include dinner at a top winery in Marlborough, a Be My Guest lunch at Morelea, and a farewell dinner at the Boatshed restaurant in Queenstown.
5. New Zealand Uncovered
Can’t decide between which island to visit next? Why not experience the best of both islands on AAT Kings’ 17-day New Zealand Uncovered First Choice Guided Holiday? Explore from Auckland down to Christchurch, experience the contrasts between the two islands: travel through picturesque Hinuera Valley, journey through farmland to the turquoise waters of Huka Falls, and explore magnificent Milford Sound on a nature cruise. See the scenery magically change from alpine to magnificent rainforests and the wild West Coast when crossing over the Haast Pass. Iconic destinations this Guided Holiday will take you to include: the Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Lake Taupo, Charlotte Sound, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Franz Josef Glacier and Punakaiki – to name but a few.
A journey through the North and South Islands of New Zealand is best undertaken with the experts. Delve into New Zealand’s national identity and explore the country’s Maori culture and history. Enjoy lunch at a dairy farm and Monteith’s Brewery, cruise across Lake Wakatipu for a gourmet dinner at Walter Peak Farm, and experience a Hangi feast at the Tamaki Maori Village. There is truly something to appeal to every traveller on this 17-day journey through the incredible North and South Islands of New Zealand.
Start planning your 2020/21 escape now and save 10% with Early Bird Savings on all First Choice Guided Holidays in Australia and New Zealand when booked by 31 January 2020 and travel dates up to 31 March 2021. Need more reason to book? Click here.
This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with AAT Kings.