3 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 MercuryBay 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 MercuryBay 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 - Free Day to explore Whitianga (B)
Enjoy the day exploring the arts & crafts in and around Whitianga.Catch the ferry across to Ferry Landing and walk to Shakespeare Cliff.   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. Take a drive to Hahei and walk over to Cathedral Cove.   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. 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 CoromandelPeninsula.   Finish your day with a meal at one of the many cafes & restaurants on offer in and around Whitianga.

Day 3 - Coromandel Township / Italian Gourmet Dinner (B,D)
Travel north to Kuaotunu and across to Coromandel.With its relaxed, laid-back lifestyle, Coromandel attracts talented artists and craftspeople from around the country - inspired not only by the tranquil atmosphere, but also by the spectacular natural surrounds. COROMANDELTOWN’S special character with restored heritage architecture stems from the pioneering days of timber and gold. Enjoy our modern shops with friendly service.
DRIVING CREEK RAILWAY - Come for a remarkable 1-hour+ train ride on a world-class narrowgauge mountain railway, passing through kauri forest and great engineering marvels. The line climbs to the new terminus, the EyefullTower, with its stunning panoramic views. At the railway station see our wide range of handcrafted clay products, working potteries, innovatively designed kilns. Sculpture garden, book & craft shop, literature on ecology & local history.
GOLD STAMPER BATTERY - See the huge 104-year-old quartz stamper driven by NZ’s largest working water wheel & get some gold.
WAITATI GARDENS - Right next to the Stamper Battery. This garden is the winner of a NZ Garden of Distinction Award with its beautiful layout. Just 0.5km up the road visit the Tairaire gardens with lake and picnic areas.
WAIAU WATERWORKS - A highly entertaining theme park where whimsical wonders are driven by the power of water. Just 2km further up the road visit the mature kauri tree grove. Travel down the coastal road to Tapu and across to Coroglen before heading back up to Whitianga. Finish your day at Villa Toscana with an Italian Gourmet dinner preceded by wine tasting from the cellar.

Day 4 (B)
After a delicious breakfast it is time to say farewell and continue on your journey.  

INCLUSIONS:

3 nights accommodation
Daily breakfasts
Italian Gourmet Dinner & Wine tasting

***Blow the Budget option***
Spend a day Game fishing or scenic cruising on “Mamma Mia” charter boat.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.