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.
CHRISTCHURCH
PRE-CHRISTMAS
MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA
08 - 14 December 2026
We invite you on a 6-night pre-Christmas journey to one of NZ’s most beautiful cities, surrounded by magnificent scenery and including wonderful music events: Pirates of Penzance, A Very CSO Christmas at the Christchurch Town Hall, Carols by Candlelight, I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas and Viva Italia in the Vines all in iconic venues.
$5560 per person twin share
Single Room Supplement Add $1600
Initial Deposit On Booking $1000
Final Balance Due: 25 August 2026
Days
6
Days
Highlights
Pirates of Penanzce, A Very CSO Christmas, 3 special private concerts, TranzAlpine train, Akaroa, wine-tasting, tram and gondola ride
Group Size
44
Travellers
Meals
All breakfasts
4 Lunches
4 Dinners
Selected drinks included
Mobility
Gentle Tour
SPECIAL FEATURES
-
5 music events: Pirates of Penzance presented by Court Theatre, A Very CSO Christmas presented by
Christchurch Symphony Orchestra at the Christchurch Town Hall, Carols by Candlelight at a historic church, I’m
Dreaming of a White Christmas at an exclusive after-hours event at the Antarctic Centre and Viva Italia in an iconic wine-shed.
• 6 nights in Christchurch, staying at the 4-star Novotel Hotel with special flavours including TranzAlpine Scenic
Train ride to Arthur’s Pass, wine tasting in the Waipara Valley, private tram ride around Christchurch central,
Gondola Ride, visit to The Giants House in Akaroa, Kate Sheppard House tour and high tea and free time to meet
friends or enjoy some Christmas shopping time.
• Numerous meals including high tea, dinner at a famous French restaurant in Akaroa, wine tasting and lunch at a
Waipara vineyard and a light lunch at the Gondola with views over Christchurch.
•We want you to feel welcome and enjoy it all with our wonderful hosts: Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua, Benjamin
Makisi, Amanda Atlas, Ravil Atlas and concert pianist Stephen de Pledge (to be confirmed).
TRIP ITINERARY
Experience the Exceptional:
TUESDAY 8 DECEMBER 2026 (HIGH TEA, D)
Novotel Hotel, Christchurch (6 nights)
Christchurch will be our home for the next five nights as we
explore the city and its surrounds. This vibrant city offers
spectacular culture, heritage, and nightlife – along with the world’s
most stunning scenery, right on its doorstep.
Highlights Include:
• Meet at the airport and enjoy a short tour of Christchurch,
including a drive through Hagley Park.
• Then it’s off to Kate Sheppard House for a tour and high tea,
celebrating this iconic National Treasure.
• Time to check in and freshen up before we are off to Cossars
Wine-shed for a sumptuous dinner and wonderful music from our
artists and Amanda’s husband Ravil Atlas. Viva Italia will take you
on a journey to Italy with popular songs, opera, fun and a chance
to enjoy a singalong. A wonderful way to start our celebrations!
WEDNESDAY 9 DECEMBER 2026 (B, D)
Highlights Include:
• Today it’s about having some fun exploring Christchurch as
we are off on a private tram tour of the famous sights of central
Christchurch.
• Time for shopping or a rest before our early dinner and show
this evening.
• Pirates of Penzance presented by the Court Theatre. This
sparkling, high-energy adaptation crackles with wit, charm, and
audacious fun, brought to life by just five fearless performers.
Alongside them, a colourful cast of pirates, singing police
recruits, Mabel’s eclectic sisters, and the faithful Fish Cake create a whirlwhind of music, satire and sheer theatrical fun.
THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2026 (B, L, D)
Highlights Include:
• Today after a leisurely start we are off to the beautiful French
settlement of Akaroa, enjoying scenery on the way. Akaroa is
one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most loved towns, famous for its
French cuisine, spectacular harbour, sightseeing, and dolphins.
• Following lunch, we enjoy a visit to the Giants House, which is
considered a must-see in Akaroa.
• Free time and then we are off to one of Akaroa’s most historic
churches for a very special, early evening concert from our
artists: Carols by Candlelight. This will feature beautiful carols
and sacred songs, in a mystical atmosphere - a very special event
just for you!
• To round off a very special day we enjoy a French inspired
dinner in one of Akaroa’s best restaurants - Vive le France!
FRIDAY 11 DECEMBER 2026 (B, L)
Highlights Include:
• This morning we are off on the TranzAlpine Scenic Train to
Arthur’s Pass. This majestic stretch of scenery is one of the most
breathtaking in the world with its dramatic changing landscapes
of mountains and lakes on the way. It is simply a wonderland!
•We enjoy a hearty lunch before we get on our coach and drive
the road back to Christchurch with a different vista and again
magnificent scenery along the way.
• Free evening to visit friends or enjoy your own dinner.
SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2026 (B, L)
Highlights Include:
• We transfer to the Gondola Ride where we witness a view of the
city, enjoy a light lunch, with free time this afternoon.
• Early evening we enjoy a very special Christmas concert A
Very CSO Christmas, presented by the Christchurch Symphony
Orchestra at the Christchurch Town Hall - a celebration of
carols and orchestral favourites. A great way to feel the spirit of
Christmas.
SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER 2026 (B, L, D)
Highlights Include:
• This morning we travel to wine country in the Waipara
Valley. Waipara is a picturesque valley just 45 minutes north of
Christchurch. This is one of New Zealand’s premier wine regions -
pinot noir and riesling grapes do very well here.
• Then we enjoy wine and a lovely vineyard lunch before setting
off back to Christchurch.
• A premium event this evening as we travel to a winter
wonderland: International Antarctic Centre for a private tour of
the centre and our own special event: I’m Dreaming of a White
Christmas. We are able to wander the exhibitions after hours -
just us and the penguins!
•We then have dinner, accompanied by famous Christmas songs
and great hits of the 50s and music theatre repertoire.
• With bubbles, penguins, ice, gourmet food and wonderful
singing this will be a very special, finale night to remember.
This Trip Includes:
•5 music events: Pirates of Penzance presented by Court Theatre, A Very CSO Christmas presented by Christchurch Symphony Orchestra at the Christchurch Town Hall, Carols by Candlelight at an historic church, I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas at an exclusive after-hours event at the Antarctic Centre and Viva Italia in the Vines in an iconic wine-shed.
•6 nights in Christchurch, staying at the 4-star Novotel Hotel with special flavours including TranzAlpine ScenicTrain ride to Arthur’s Pass, wine tasting in the Waipara Valley, private tram ride around Christchurch central,Gondola Ride, visit to The Giants House in Akaroa, Kate Sheppard House tour and high tea and free time to meetfriends or enjoy some Christmas shopping time.
•Numerous meals including high tea, dinner at a famous French restaurant in Akaroa, wine tasting and lunch at aWaipara vineyard and a light lunch at the Gondola with views over Christchurch.
•We want you to feel welcome and enjoy it all with our wonderful hosts: Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua, BenjaminMakisi, Amanda Atlas and Stephen de Pledge with special guest appearances by Ravil Atlas, Amanda’s husband.
•All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners plus 1 high tea included.
•All tours, transfers, tips, concerts, taxes, as listed in the itinerary are included.
PLEASE NOTE: As our travellers are coming from all over NZ, airfares are not included. If you require us to book your flights at an additional cost, please contact us.
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 - Gentle Tour
This trip is a gentle tour with limited walking and standing. We do require you to be able to get up on a coach with ease. This tour will suit people with a stick or possibly a walker however you need to be independent and require little assistance with your mobility needs.