Travel agents and deals

Disney Packages and News

cruise travel agent near me

Travel Packages & Deals

Travel Agents Near Me

ASTA Accredited Agency
American Airlines Travel Agents
Disney Authorized Travel Agents
Universal Certified Travel Agents
Sandals Certified Travel Agents
Disney EarMarked Agency
ALGV Travel Agents
WeddingWire Agency
Aulani Travel Agents
IATAN Accredited Agency
TheKnot Agency
College of Disney Knowledge Travel Agents
Travel Leaders

New Zealand Part 4 Marlborough Sounds And Kaikoura South Island Travel Tips

We recognize that vacations are not just an investment, but often the highlights of our lives, and we take that responsibility seriously. We want to ensure we have the best travel tips for you and you have the best vacation experience. Interested in a job in travel? Click here to learn: How to Become a Travel Agent


New Zealand: Part 4 - Marlborough Sounds and Kaikoura (South Island)

Post Hero


New Zealand, Part 4: Marlborough Sounds & Kaikoura (South Island)

From Queenstown, I flew to Blenheim, in the heart of New Zealand’s premier wine region of Marlborough. After a 30-minute drive to the town of Picton and a short boat ride, I arrived at Bay of Many Coves Lodge, a Vincent Vacations partner resort and a member of SLH and Luxury Lodges of New Zealand.


Where to stay? Bay of Many Coves is in the heart of Marlborough Sounds, a maze of peninsulas, bays and islands on uppermost part of the South Island. The property has no road access, so guests arrive either by boat from the pier at Picton (about 25 minutes away), or via helicopter, landing on the lodge’s private helipad. The vibe is relaxed and informal.  This area has some of the best weather in New Zealand, which is why Marlborough Sounds was the favorite anchorage of Captain Cook, who visited five times during his journeys in the 18th century.


Bay of Many Coves overlooks a tranquil bay and occupies only a small portion of the estate, which covers over 150 acres. While on property, you can walk along the resort’s many paths, swim in the pool or the sound, or enjoy a treatment in the lodge’s spa. The setting is very special, as you feel a million miles from civilization, yet you’re only a short boat ride from the mainland. Service and dining are outstanding, with a staff to guest ratio of 1:1. There are two restaurants to choose from -- a more informal all-day dining on a terrace overlooking the sound, and a fine dining restaurant for dinner at a higher level. 

Accommodations: the resort has 11 spacious apartments offering 1/2/3 bedrooms with terraces, as well as a large Kereru Suite. All rooms are built on the slope of a hill, and offer privacy as well as beautiful views of the sound.

Activities: The resort’s management can arrange sailing and kayaking on the sounds. You can also visit the many vineyards in the Marlborough region, New Zealand’s premier wine country, where more than 60% of the country’s wine is produced. Marlborough wines are known the world over, especially the sauvignon blancs like Cloudy Bay and Dog Point. Over 35 wineries are open to the public, some less than an hour’s travel time from Bay of Many Coves.
 


My two favorite activities while staying at this resort were hiking on the Queen Charlotte Track (a short water taxi away), and kayaking at sunrise from the property’s pier.



Don’t miss visiting Motuara Island, a protected, predator-free environment with some of New Zealand’s rare birds, including the blue penguin.


 
My next stop was Kaikoura, on the northeast coast of the South Island. Kaikoura suffered greatly during a powerful earthquake in November of 2016. The road along the coast was destroyed in several sections, and a result access to Kaikoura was difficult for quite some time. Roads to Kaikoura have now re-opened, and the region is thriving once again.



Kaikoura is worth visiting for several reasons: first, the setting is magnificent, as the town is located on the Pacific, with a series of green valleys flanked by the snow-capped Kaikoura range in the distance. Secondly, this is one of the best places in New Zealand to taste fresh seafood – especially crayfish. Finally, Kaikoura is ‘Grand Central Terminal’ for the sheer abundance of marine and bird wildlife, with some of the highest concentrations of whales, dolphins and seals, as well as albatrosses and petrels. 

Where to stay? Hapuku Lodge and Treehouses, a Vincent Vacations partner resort and member of Luxury Lodges of New Zealand, is THE place to stay in this part of the world. The property opened in 2013 and is a 10-minute drive from central Kaikoura. Originally, Hapuku started out as a deer farm. Today, the lodge consists of 4 spacious rooms in the main building, as well as 5 free standing tree houses, built 30 feet from the ground.  Two of the treehouses offer two bedrooms (one above, and the other below). Hapuku also offers its two-story Olive House for families or friends traveling together, accommodating up to 6 guests in 3-bedroom configuration. The lodge has an outdoor pool, and a new spa will open in September of 2019. Guests have bicycles to use during their stay. The property is known for the quality of its dining, most of it sourced locally.



Activities: Enjoy whale watching (from a boat or from the air), swimming with seals, fishing, kayaking, or hiking along the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway. Kaikoura also offers a wide range of heli-adventures, including heli-hiking, visiting a sheep station in the high country, as well as heli picnics at remote settings. My favorite activity in Kaikoura? Swimming with a pod of dusky dolphins in the open ocean – simply exhilarating. (The company that organizes these trips has a 90% + success ratio.)


Rail Option: The Coastal Pacific, one of New Zealand’s most scenic train rides, is back in business. Trains run from late September until April, between Christchurch and Picton, stopping at Kaikoura. You have the option to ride the entire length of the journey (7+ hours), or start/end at Kaikoura and take only a segment of the trip.  
 


Next: Rotorua & Taupo, North Island
 
 Your Resources:

At Bay of Many Coves: Write to James McTaggart, Manager, at enquiries@bayofmanycoves.co.nz
At Hapuku Lodge: Write to Chris Sturgeon (General Manager) at chris@hapukulodge.com and cc info@hapukulodge.com  

The following Vincent Vacations' preferred partners can help you create itineraries for New Zealand:  

Destination Specialists:

Southern Crossings - New Zealand and
Abercrombie & Kent - Australia and New Zealand

FIT / Independent Travel:

Abercrombie & Kent; Classic Vacations;  Delta Vacations; Journese; Ker & Downey: Monograms: Swain Destinations; Tahiti Legends; TCS World Travel - Luxury Custom Travel; Travel2; Travelbound/BedsOnline 

Guided Group Travel:

Abercrombie & Kent; Backroads: Butterfield & Robinson: Contiki; G Adventures: Globus/Cosmos:  Luxury Gold: Tauck: TCS World Travel - Private Jets; Trafalgar
 

Tourism New Zealand
Consumer Website
Trade Website
 
Air New Zealand:
Consumer


Vincent Vacations - Authorized New Zealand Part 4 Marlborough Sounds And Kaikoura South Island Vacation Planner
Questions? Call us at
1 (888) 976-0061

No-Obligation New Zealand Part 4 Marlborough Sounds And Kaikoura South Island Vacation Quote Request Form

Free Vacation Package Quote


For Groups of 10 or more rooms, or 8 or more Cabins, please use of Group Form
Click Here for our Group Department


Popular Locations & Brands - Experiences All Over The World!

Click on a location below to learn more. We recognize that vacations are not just an investment, but often the highlights of our lives, and we take that responsibility seriously. We want to ensure you have the best experience.

Business
Become A Travel Agent

Have you got what it takes to become a travel agent?

  • Do you have a huge love of everything travel?
  • Do you have a huge passion for helping people answer questions, like friends and families, who are booking their trips?
  • Maybe you love to talk about travel, even if it's not your own trip, or maybe you obsess over every single detail for your upcoming trip!
  • Have you been booking your own vacations for a long time?

All of these are signs that you are a great fit to become an independent travel agent, and turn your love of travel from passion into profit!

Learn More

Latest Blogs - Our Agents, All Over The World!

Our motto at Vincent Vacations is, we go so you know! We want to ensure you have the BEST experience, whether it's a river cruise, or a corporate group incentive trip, we want to ensure your vacation is a success.

Our services

Many of our travel agents have been in travel since 2002! With Vincent Vacations, all travel components are taken care of - this includes accommodations, air, transfers, tours, activities, insurance, contracts, EVERYTHING.

Romance Travel

Destination weddings, Anniversaries, vow renewals, honeymoons, engagements, elopements, retie the knot, babymoons, proposal trips and more

Group Travel

Corporate group retreats and incentive trips, seniors-only river cruises, friends & family getaways, special group anniversary celebrations and more

Family

All-inclusive resorts, Hawaii, cruises, Europe, African Safaris, exotic Fiji and the islands, there are so many travel options for families

Disney

Adventures by Disney, Disney Cruise Lines, Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Resorts, Aulani, Universal, MyDisneyExperience, Disney Genie, characters dining, and more

Europe

We know Europe! Paris, London, Rome, Florence, Barcelona, Swiss Alps, Prague, Amsterdam, Venice, Athens, Vienna, Madrid, let's go!

Cruises

Ocean cruising, river cruising, yacht charters, expeditions, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Viking, Lindblad, there are so many options when it comes to cruising

And SO Much More!

We create custom travel itineraries and trips, and we know travel - Whether it's Universal, river cruises, safaris, yacht charters, Australia, Thailand and more!

Get A Free Quote

Our Great Team is Ready to Make Your Vacation a Success

We serve customers all across the USA
Debt free and in business since 2013. Vincent Vacations has agents in Dallas, Kansas City, Houston, Shreveport, Little Rock, Roswell, Oklahoma City and more locations.

Get your FREE Why Use A Travel Agent Guide Our FREE Guide
Get your FREE Why Use A Travel Agent Guide
Download Now

Travel agents can help save time and stress by doing the research and handling all your bookings for you. An experience travel agent is best at finding great deals and packages, as well as providing you with helpful information and tips. They can also help you plan special activities and experiences that you may not have thought of on your own. All in all, using a travel agent can be a great way to make sure you get the most out of your trip.

View our latest DEALS on our Facebook

About Us

In travel since 2002, and in business since 2013, our travel team serves clients all over the US! Planning a vacation away from home takes a great team. We have taken the time to build a team of dedicated, smart, hard-working personnel who are each committed to excellence and service. We work side-by-side, creating and ensuring INCREDIBLE vacation experiences for you and your group. Our store front in-office team, and our travel consultant independent contractors, work all around the US.

travel agent near me
travel agent near me

Start Your Next Trip With Vincent Vacations Today!

In business since 2013, we are your #1 source for travel!

Free Vacation Package Quote