We arrive in Napier mid morning with a fleet of vintage cars waiting outside the airport for us. Here, we meet our drivers, in Art Deco costume, who provide a fascinating commentary as we are driven in style, through Napier and surrounding areas.  We’ll learn about the earthquake that destroyed the city, hear stories of the people that led the rebuild, and discover the Art Deco style.  En route we stop at the majestic Napier Municipal Theatre - a unique experience available through Art Deco Trust only, where we get to have a look inside the beautiful interior. Then on to Ahuriri where we visit one of the most photographed buildings in New Zealand, the National Tobacco Company building. 

We then step back in time as we drive through the residential suburb of Marewa, meaning ‘gift from the sea’ in Maori.  This suburb was built entirely on land that rose from the sea in the 1931 earthquake and is filled with 1930s style homes.

After our tour of the city, we are dropped off at the stunning Mangapapa Hotel. This hotel was once home to Sir James and Lady Wattie (founders of NZ’s infamous Watties brand) and is now one of the finest hotels in the region. On arrival, we enjoy a glass of bubbles and some club sandwiches. Then enjoy your afternoon settling into your room and exploring the vast and impeccable surroundings of the Estate.  

We meet at 6pm in the bar for a pre-dinner refreshment and if you’re curious, have a sneak peak at the Hotel’s impressive private wine cellar. 

(Lunch, Dinner).

Today we are picked up at 10am and head out for a days adventure exploring some local historical homes and spring gardens. Like Mangapapa, these homes are set in mature grounds, hidden away in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay countryside. We enjoy lunch with one of the home owners while appreciating the littiney of colours the spring gardens present.

We make it back to our hotel mid-afternoon with plenty of time to relax. Maybe a spa or maype a game of petanque? 

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Again we are picked up at 10am for a 4x4 safari that will transport you through pristine coastline, working farms, native bush and to New Zealand’s largest privately-owned nature reserve. This tour will take you to the top of Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony where you will encounter over 20,000 gannets in their natural habitat – nesting, preening, dancing swooping and diving right before your eyes.

We make our way back to Mangapapa for a beautiful high tea lunch – a chance to indulge and spoil yourself. The High Tea is an elegant way to spend an afternoon, with views over the beautiful gardens.

Enjoy your afternoon and if you feel like spoiling yourself further then ask about the hotels superior spa treatments. 

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

After an indulgent few days away we pack our bags and make the most of our last day in Napier. We drop into a couple of cellar doors to taste some of the regions stunning wines and enjoy a beautiful platter lunch one of the boutique vineyards. We then make our way to the airport to say our final farewells and fly home. 

(Breakfast, Lunch).