4 Nights Villa Toscana – Whitianga

Enjoy truly unique Tuscan style luxury accommodation at Villa Toscana on New Zealand's Coromandel Peninsula. Nestled amongst native bush high above Whitianga, the Villa offers the best in unique New Zealand accommodation with spectacular views of the ranges, valley, the historical Mercury Bay and the islands. Your accommodation at Villa Toscana is in a fully serviced and fully self-contained wing of the Villa and has two bedrooms, a bathroom and an open plan living, dining and kitchen area that opens out onto a stone terrace overlooking Mercury Bay and its many islands.

Day 1
Arrive at Villa Toscana.  Relax and enjoy the spectacular views before heading into town for an evening meal. 

Day 2 - Game Fishing / Scenic Cruising (B,L)
After an expansive breakfast your host Giorgio will transfer you to his charter boat “Mamma Mia” for an unforgettable day on the sea. Mamma Mia! is fully setup for game fishing so why not try your hand at capturing that elusive marlin for tag and release, yellowfin tuna, or jig for kingfish at one of their favourite feeding grounds. Or if fishing is not your thing simply spend a day cruising around the spectacular MercuryBay with its many bays and coves and enjoy an Italian-style picnic lunch at one of our favourite beaches along the way. Your host Giorgio Allemano is a keen fisherman, a marine biologist and is a man of the sea; a day on Mamma Mia! will be one to be remembered.

Day 3 - Free day to explore Whitianga and beyond (B)
Your day is free to do as much or as little as you desire.The Coromandel region has a reputation for its pioneering arts and crafts people and is home to a large number of talented artists. The Coromandel is a walker's dream.

Cathedral Cove - This is probably one of the most well known walks on the peninsula. From Cathedral Cove visitors can access Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve as well as GemstoneBay, StingrayBay and Mare's Leg Cove. Cathedral Cove is so named because of the natural rock arch joining it to Mare's Leg Cove.
Te Pare Historic Reserve Walk - This walk takes visitors to a historic pa site (Maori fortress), which is located on a headland. From here the views are stunning - looking northward to HaheiBeach and Cathedral cove and southward to rocky outcrops.

Ferry Landing – Shakespeare Cliff via Maramaratotara Bay Track
The first part of this walk takes you up Whitianga Rock, home to an interesting pa site. This area is covered in bush and has a lovely sheltered picnic spot. Further on takes you around Back Bay and up and over the Maramatotara Track

Ferry landing - Shakespeare Cliff via Purangi Road - This walk will take you through the historic cemetery at Ferry Landing and on past FrontBeach and FlaxmillBay before reaching Shakespeare Cliff. There is a plaque at the lookout commemorating Cook observing the transit of Mercury in 1769.

Beaches & Water activities to suit everyone.
Take a leisurely stroll along one of Whitianga's many beaches, get active and explore the coastline caves by boat, kayak or helicopter.
Stop off at Hot Water beach and dig your own hot water spa pool in the sand and relax for the afternoon! Be sure to catch the right tide times.

Experience the magic of the Lost Spring. The Lost Spring is New Zealand’s newest thermal attraction - a unique hot water and spa experience in Whitianga. With its sculpted pools, soothing waterfalls and volcano, it offers more than simply a swim in hot water. The smooth rocks, hidden gemstones and dense foliage blend with the geothermal spring to tell a New Zealand story, the story of the birth of the Coromandel Peninsula.

Finish your day with a meal at one of the many cafes & restaurants on offer in and around Whitianga.

Day 4 - Harley Tours & Italian Dinner (B,L,D)
You will be collected this morning from Villa Toscana for a splendid day of cruising the spectacular Pacific Coast Highway around the Coromandel Peninsula, taking in the stunning coastal scenery, unrivalled beaches and dramatic views on this fantastic drive through the winding roads of the Coromandel.   The mountain backbone of the peninsula is made up of rugged volcanic peaks and steep gorges shrouded in dense native bush.  

The morning is spent heading south from Whitianga along the stunning coastline of the Coromandel, through the seaside towns of Tairua and Whangamata, before arriving at the gold mining town of Waihi, with an operating gold mine in the centre of town!  After a stop in Waihi to have a look at the gold mine we continue our journey cruising through the amazing Karangahake Gorge, with the Ohinemuri River winding through it, another place for a stop and a wander across the swinging bridges to the other side of the gorge.  We then are back on the bikes and head up the west coast of the Coromandel, taking in the coastal township of Thames and then taking in the western coast road of the Coromandel Peninsula, with its stunning views out across the Hauraki Gulf and out across towards Auckland, which  you can see in the distance on a clear day.

We will stop up this coast for a well earned lunch break before continuing our journey to the idyllic Coromandel township with time to explore this wonderful town before continuing our journey around the top of the peninsula, dropping back into Whitianga  at the end of the day.

What a better way to finish your day and stay at Villa Toscana with an Italian Gourmet dinner preceded by wine tasting from the cellar.


Day 5 (B)
After a delicious breakfast it is time to say farewell and continue on your journey.

INCLUSIONS:
4 nights accommodation
Daily breakfasts, 2 lunches & 1 dinner
Full day Game Fishing or Scenic Cruising
Full day Harley Davidson Tour including lunch & entry to Lost Springs