June 30, 2003 -- Thanks to the filming of the Lord of the Rings there, New Zealand is now promoting itself as "Middle Earth," much as Salzburg has been pitching The Sound of Music for decades now, having shoved poor old Mozart's birthplace aside in the stampede for tourist dollars. But who can begrudge New Zealand's trendy moniker when you can go there for the real reasons to see some of the world's most gorgeous scenery and meet a few of its nicest people. And use a fly and drive vacation that starts from just $819 per person, in your own motor home, no less!
That's the price at which vacations start from Escapes Unlimited, who will take you roundtrip there on Air Tahiti Nui (via Tahiti), departing from Los Angeles on Wednesdays and returning Fridays. You get a seven-day motor home or car rental, with unlimited mileage. At $819, the Savoy Campervan takes care of two persons comfortably, with microwave, gas cooking hob and grill, gas heating, toilet and shower, large double bed, and more. You can upgrade at higher prices to motor homes ideal for three to six persons, as well, which you can pick up in Auckland and drop in Christchurch. Extensions to Tahiti and other islands available from $244. No credit cards, they say. You'll also have to spring for your own gas (petrol), insurance, inter-island ferry rates. If you don't want to stay in a motor home, you can adapt the program to stay in hotels, motels, farm and country homes, even on working farms with sheep and cattle to drive before you on the wide open ranges. This "New Zealand Freewheeler" package is valid through September 30, 2003. Contact Escapes Limited at www.escapesltd.com or at 800/243-7227, fax 714/573-9785.
Another firm, Sun Spots International, has a seven-night stay in your choice of Flag Inns with their Yellow Hotel Pass, and a seven-day compact car rental. Their package starts at $1166 per person, double occupancy. Again, you fly out on Air Tahiti Nui, with price including domestic transfers as required, meet & greet at the airport, and Value Added Tax (VAT). Phone them at 800/334-5623, but don't bother with their web site (www.sunspotsintl.com), which agent Judy said is "outdated" (with substantially lower prices).
Finally, don't forget Air New Zealand, which has its own vacations affiliate. Their Fly/Drive package is priced from $1399 per person, and is valid from now through December, 2004. The package includes roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles to Auckland, seven nights of the Go Kiwi Silver Hotel Pass at your choice of lodgings, eight days of a compact rental car (unlimited mileage with General Sales Tax paid), and a Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook by Ian Brodie (one per booking). The price is per person, double occupancy. That $1399 price is good from now through August 28, 2003, and rises after that as their summer (our winter) approaches. Fares are available from other US cities, of course, and you earn United Mileage Plus miles on qualifying flights. Contact the airline at www.airnewzealand.com or phone 800/416-0667 (Newmans South Pacific Vacations).
Note than none of the above packages include airport taxes and security fees, departure taxes and the like. All rates are per person, double occupancy, unless otherwise noted.