Freedom Days

After a leisurely lunch and wine tasting in the Waipara Valley, enjoy a heritage train ride through the scenic Weka Pass.  The volunteer-run Weka Pass Railway operates excursion trains, hauled by both vintage steam and diesel-electric locomotives, over 12.8 km of scenic railway lines through the unique limestone beauty of the Weka Pass. Our coach will take us the short distance from the winery to..

An easy drive from Christchurch, on the Banks Peninsula, the charming township of Akaroa has the unique distinction of being the only French settlement in New Zealand.  In 1838 a French whaler, Captain Langlois, decided that Akaroa was an ideal location for a town to service the whaling ships, and it was subsequently settled by French and German families. Akaroa's French street names, restaurants..

The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway is a heritage railway in Kawakawa, half an hour’s drive from Paihia; uniquely it is the only working railway in New Zealand where the trains travel down a State Highway and right through the middle of a busy town! The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway is the most northerly railway in New Zealand, and is a volunteer-run charity of significant historical and cultural..

Enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of the remote Red Centre town of Alice Springs. Known to locals as Alice, the town is situated roughly in Australia's geographic centre, almost equidistant from Adelaide and Darwin. One of the first stops on the tour is at the world-renowned Royal Flying Doctor Service, which has been providing a lifeline for those who live in rural and remote Australia for more t..

For a truly authentic Japanese dinner experience, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a Shabu Shabu dinner. This is a popular hot pot dish consisting of thinly sliced meat and bite-sized vegetables cooked in a steaming hot broth. The name Shabu Shabu comes from the onomatopoeic Japanese for ‘Swish swish’, describing the sound made by stirring the vegetables and meat in the pot with your chopsticks..

This evening there is the opportunity to see Tokyo from a different perspective with a dinner cruise along the Sumida River, which flows through the city. Step aboard the restaurant ship Symphony, and be served a delicious dinner whilst enjoying wonderful views of the Tokyo skyline. The dinner cruise starts from the Rainbow Bridge, a brightly lit suspension bridge stretching across Tokyo Bay from..

You will learn about two of Kanazawa’s traditional crafts on this fascinating afternoon tour. Kutani pottery is a style of Japanese porcelain made locally, using a technique which dates from 1655. You will visit a craftsman and their workshop, and see the production process from forming, biscuit firing, glazing, glost firing to overglaze painting. Choose your favourite ones to give as unique souve..

Ivy Square is a complex of ivy-clad brick buildings that include museums, restaurants and an hotel. The area was the site of the first modern cotton mill in Japan, and the buildings were originally constructed as part of the mill in 1889. You will enjoy a top quality Japanese-French dinner in this historical venue. The menu includes seasonal delicacies, soup, fish or meat dishes using only the fre..

Yakiniku, a Japanese style BBQ, is one of the popular dishes in Japan; there are over 18,000 Yakiniku restaurants all over the country, so it’s almost the national dish!  Simple yet delicious, this communal meal offers fine selections of meat, vegetables, and various dipping sauces. You will gather around a table with a small barbecue grill in the centre, and tuck into as much as you like.  A vege..

Okonomiyaki is a type of Japanese pancake and is a classic dish of the Hiroshima region. Tonight, we have the chance to learn how to make these delicious pancakes, and of course to taste them! Okonomiyaki are made with egg, cabbage, soba noodles, meat, seafood or cheese, all grilled on a Teppan, a giant iron plate. At the restaurant, an expert chef will show you the tips and tricks of cooking your..