A trip with a difference as we enjoy a week of music making together. We form a choir, learn songs, enjoy movement, yodelling, singing classes and lots of fun, and then present a finale concert together, all while drinking wine and eating great food in the Barossa Valley.
AUCKLAND CHRISTMAS CRACKER
11 - 16 December 2025
We have put together a Christmas cracker of a trip, celebrating some iconic Christmas events: The Nutcracker presented by the Royal New Zealand Ballet, The Messiah, Glenbrook Christmas Train and our Christmas concerts: Carols by Candlelight in a historic church and Christmas in Vienna with solo violinist, all hosted by Alex Foster-Winder, Emma Sloman, Benjamin Makisi and Derek Hill.
$3920 per person twin share
Single Room Supplement Add $1070
Initial Deposit On Booking $1000
Final Balance Due: 12 September 2025
Days
6
Days
Highlights
The Nutcracker Ballet, The Messiah, Christmas in Vienna concert and dinner, Carols by Candlelight in a historic church, Kawau Island, Botanic Gardens, War Memorial Museum, Rose Gardens, Glenbrook Christmas Train.
Group Size
44
Travellers
Meals
All breakfasts
2 Lunches
1 High Tea
Cocktail Party
3 Dinners
Included drinks at selected meals
Mobility
Easy Tour
SPECIAL FEATURES
• We have put together a 6-day tour of Auckland with premium seats to two wonderful Christmas events: The Nutcracker, presented by the Royal New Zealand Ballet and The Messiah, presented by Auckland Choral Society as well as our two special events, Carols by Candlelight at a historic church and Christmas in Vienna, a gala event complete with solo violinist and champagne in the courtyard at our beautiful venue.
• Our Christmas activities continue with a journey on the Glenbrook Christmas train, Christmas markets at Highwic House, a chance to see Christmas decorations at Westfield Shopping Centre, and do some Christmas shopping.
• Other special events include visits to Butterfly Creek, the Wintergardens, Parnell Rose Gardens, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Auckland War Memorial Museum and High Tea at the Wintergardens pavilion.
• Get into the spirit of the season with this special Christmas trip hosted by our amazing artists: sopranos Alex Foster-Winder, Emma Sloman, tenors Benjamin Makisi and Derek Hill and special guests.
TRIP ITINERARY
Experience the Exceptional:
THURSDAY 11 DECEMBER 2025 (L, D)
BUTTERFLY CREEK, CHURCH CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Four Points by Sheraton Auckland (5 nights)
Experience exceptional service and spacious hotel accommodation in Auckland at Four Points by Sheraton Auckland, located in the vibrant Aotea Arts Quarter, located moments away from Aotea Square, The Civic and the Auckland Town Hall.
Highlights Include:
• We meet late morning at Auckland Airport and then it’s off to Butterfly Creek, for a light lunch and a chance to explore this interesting activity.
• Get up close with fabulous animals and entertaining attractions. Enter mythical lands where unicorns and dragons come alive. Travel back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Immerse yourself in the tropical butterfly house and feel the brush of fluttering butterflies and see magnificent Kiwi roaming in Kiwi Forest.
• Check into our hotel with time to settle in before an early dinner this evening at the hotel and then it’s off to Carols by Candlelight, an atmospheric Christmas and sacred concert, presented by our artists at a beautiful historic church.
FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER 2025 (B, HIGH TEA) MUSEUM, THE NUTCRACKER BALLET
Highlights Include:
• Tour of the War Memorial Museum, one of New Zealand’s most important museums and war memorials.
• Have a wander through the famous Wintergardens and duck ponds of the beautiful Auckland Domain.
• High tea at the 1913 Wintergarden pavilion, located directly across from the Wintergarden glasshouses.
• Enjoy a walk through the Parnell Rose Gardens.
• Walk next door to the Aotea Centre for the ballet The Nutcracker presented by the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
• An eagerly anticipated new production of the world’s most beloved ballet classic, The Nutcracker. Central to Christmas memories for generations of audiences, the ballet is a timeless celebration of family, fantasy and growing up.
SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER 2025 (B, D)
BOTANIC GARDENS, GLENBROOK CHRISTMAS TRAIN
Highlights Include:
• Free morning to enjoy your own shopping or meet friends.
• Wander in the Auckland Botanic Gardens, which cover 64 hectares, and hold more than 10,000 plants.
• Casual dinner at a local pub in Waiuku before we are off to the Glenbrook Vintage Railway which lights up Franklin with festive cheer.
SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2025 (B, Cocktail Party) HIGHWIC HOUSE, THE MESSIAH, COCKTAIL PARTY
Highlights Include:
• Leisurely start to the morning and then we travel to Newmarket.
• Half will enjoy free time at Westfield Shopping Centre for Christmas shopping while the other half visits the 19th century Highwic House which holds a famous Christmas market every year. Then we will swap over.
• Handel’s The Messiah which has captivated audiences around the globe for over three centuries. Originally composed as
an Easter oratorio, it has evolved into a cherished Christmas tradition, resonating with audiences during the festive season.
• Cocktail party with light snacks at the hotel rooftop bar, overlooking the city.
MONDAY 15 DECEMBER 2025 (B, L, D) KAWAU ISLAND, CHRISTMAS IN VIENNA FINALE
• Drive north to Sandspit and take the boat to Kawau Island, to tour Mansion House, home of Governor Sir George Grey, followed by lunch.
• Dinner at well-known Mantells with a welcome drink on arrival, and our solo violinist playing in a private, outdoor courtyard.
• The elegant dining room is the perfect venue for our final night dinner and concert as we take you to Vienna with famous songs and waltzes: Christmas in Vienna.
This Trip Includes:
• 6-day tour of Auckland, staying at the 4-star, centrally located Four Points by Sheraton.
• Premium seats to two wonderful Christmas events: The Nutcracker presented by the Royal New Zealand Ballet and The Messiah, presented by Auckland Choral Society as well as our two special events, Carols by Candlelight at a historic church and Christmas in Vienna, a gala event complete with solo violinist and champagne in the courtyard at our beautiful venue.
• Our Christmas activities continue with a journey on the Glenbrook Christmas train, Christmas markets at Highwic House, a chance to see Christmas decorations at Westfield Shopping Centre, and do some Christmas shopping.
• Other special events include visits to Butterfly Creek, the Wintergardens, Parnell Rose Gardens, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Auckland War Memorial Museum and High Tea at the Wintergardens pavilion.
• All breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 high tea, 1 cocktail party, 3 dinners and included drinks at selected meals.
• All tours, transfers, tips, concerts, taxes, as listed in the itinerary are included.
• Get into the spirit of the season with this special Christmas trip hosted by our amazing artists: sopranos Alex Foster-Winder, Emma Sloman, tenors Benjamin Makisi and Derek Hill and special guests.
Important Information
• All itinerary details are subject to change, but changes will be replaced with a comparable or better option.
• Initial & Second deposits are fully refundable up until final balance due date, minus an administration fee of up to $500 plus any non-recoverable costs.
• All monies are non-refundable at final balance due date. This becomes an insurance claim.
• Bank transfer payments incur no surcharge. Credit card payments incur surcharge of 1.5%.
• Travellers need to be independently mobile and fit to travel.
• Bookings will only be accepted with initial deposit & booking form.
• All travellers must obtain comprehensive travel insurance for international travel and insurance for domestic travel is recommended.
• Please refer to our terms and conditions on booking form.
Mobility - Easy Tour
This tour will suit people with a stick, but not a walker or in a wheelchair. You will be required to walk to get from place to place and stand in museums and gardens, but it is designed to be an easy tour with lots of time to rest, travel on a coach and walk easy leisurely distances. You will need to be able to get on and off a bus with ease. If you are unsure, please ring the office to discuss your suitability for our tours.