sydney
SOUTH PACIFIC WONDERS
with optional 3-Night Fiji Post Tour Extension
 Book by March 31, 2009
and receive $250.00 off
per person
Boston College
Alumni Association presents…

Day 1: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Depart From Home
Today you board your flight and begin the adventure of a lifetime. Crossing the International Dateline, you lose a full day.

Day 2: Thursday, November 12, 2009
Travel Day
Traveling you lose a full day.

Day 3: Friday, November 13, 2009
Arrive Cairns, Australia
Your tour begins today in Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Don’t forget to look up at the Southern Hemisphere’s stars this evening after you join your mates for a welcome dinner. Today dinner will be included.

Day 4: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Great Barrier Reef
Board a high speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. This is an immense series of 2,800 coral reefs which are home to amazingly diverse marine life. From your base on Green Island, you are able to explore the reef in many ways. Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride*, a stroll on the walking trail to take in the rain forest, relax on the beaches, or just watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, optional scuba diving, snorkeling and an outer reef tour are also available*. Whichever way you choose, you’ll see some of the world’s most fascinating marine and plant life. Today breakfast and lunch will be included.

Day 5: Sunday, November 15, 2009
Cairns
Today visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center. You'll see traditional Aboriginal dances, learn about the Aboriginal lifestyle, and even throw a boomerang or play a didgeridoo, a traditional instrument. Browse the renowned art gallery and visit the interpretation center, which houses a collection of interesting artifacts. This afternoon a great experience awaits as you search for crocodiles in their natural habitat during a visit to Hartley's Croc Farm! While visiting you also have the chance to meet some of the local koalas and kangaroos! Your evening is at leisure. Today breakfast will be included.

Day 6: Monday, November 16, 2009
Cairns - Sydney
Fly to the bustling city of Sydney this morning. This evening, dine atop the city at Sydney's Revolving Restaurant enjoying the spectacular views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House at night! Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Day 7: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sydney
Enjoy a city tour of Sydney where the English explorer James Cook first weighed anchor in 1770. Highlights of your exploration include Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens and the fashionable Paddington suburb. Discover one of the world's most fascinating architectural wonders during a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. Later, enjoy a unique opportunity to learn first-hand how raw opals are transformed from the dark mine shafts to beautiful works of art. This evening you may enjoy Sydney at leisure or take an optional excursion. Today breakfast will be included.

Day 8: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Sydney Tonight, experience the best of Sydney.
Chat with new friends and take in the sights during a delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour during which you'll pass by two of Australia's most famous icons: the renowned Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Day 9: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sydney - Christchurch, NZ - Queenstown
You leave Australia behind and fly to New Zealand en route to beautiful Queenstown. Enjoy a gondola ride to dinner at the Skyline Restaurant which overlooks Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the mountains. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Day 10: Friday, November 20, 2009
Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
En route to Milford Sound, enjoy the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley. You'll travel through beech forest via the Homer Tunnel. During a cruise of the breathtakingly beautiful Milford Sound you'll see why this fjord is one of the most visited sites on the South Island. With rock faces that rise nearly 4,000 feet on either side, the scenery will take your breath away. Following your cruise, you return to Queenstown. You may choose to return via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of New Zealand's Southern Alps. Today breakfast and lunch will be included.

Day 11: Saturday, November 21, 2009
Queenstown
A leisurely day in Queenstown offers several options to enhance your vacation. Shop or people watch in the village or perhaps take the optional "Safari of the Rings" which takes you through the majestic Remarkable Mountains and the breathtaking Queenstown countryside where the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed. Today breakfast will be included.

Day 12: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Queenstown - Mt. Cook - Christchurch
Traverse the spectacular countryside to New Zealand's most famous national park, Mt. Cook. En route, enjoy a stop at a local fruit stand to gain an inside look at the produce of New Zealand. Mt. Cook is one of the most impressive mountains in the world. You may choose to view the massive glaciers and extensive snow-covered mountain top terrain on an optional glacier flightseeing tour (weather permitting), or perhaps enjoy the park during a nature walk. This evening arrive in the historic city of Christchurch. Today breakfast will be included.

Day 13: Monday, November 23, 2009
Christchurch
This morning enjoy a short sightseeing tour of "the most English city outside of England", Christchurch. Highlights include magnificent gardens, the Neo-Gothic Cathedral and the downtown park district. Later, visit a Canterbury farmyard where you'll enjoy a sheep shearing demonstration and see the herding of the farm's animals! It's a great opportunity to learn how a New Zealand family farm operates. This afternoon, you are invited to participate in an optional tour of the International Antarctic Center for an interactive experience and unique glimpse into the world of Antarctic expeditions. Make yourself right at home this evening when a New Zealand family welcomes you into their home for dinner! This is sure to be an unforgettable evening during which you will make new friends, learn about the customs of the "Kiwi's" and enjoy a home-cooked meal. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Day 14: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Christchurch
Today, enjoy a day of exploration on your own in beautiful Christchurch. This English city - the charming international gateway to New Zealand's South Island - boasts countless cafes and boutiques. Stroll its cobblestone streets and enjoy the many sights that "the Garden City" has to offer. Tonight, dine inside the restored Riccarton House mansion and learn the history of the first family of Christchurch. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Day 15: Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Christchurch - Tour Ends
Explore the city of Christchurch this morning. Your tour ends today. Today breakfast will be included.

Optional 4 Days 3-Night Fiji Post Tour Extension
Rate: $649 USD per person, double, land and air included
4 Meals • 3 Breakfasts • 1 Dinner

Day 15: Christchurch - Nadi, Fiji
Today you will arrive in the beautiful paradise island of Fiji. Fiji retains all the primitive cultural fascination of the South Pacific. The expansive sandy beaches and clear ocean waters are world-famous.

Day 16: Fiji
Your day is free to relax and enjoy your surroundings. An optional island tour is offered. Tonight, enjoy a lovely dinner. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Day 17: Fiji
Today will be at your leisure to enjoy the many optional activities available. Today breakfast will be included.

Day 18: Fiji - Tour Ends
Your tour ends in Fiji. Today breakfast will be included.  

Please Note: For all passengers visiting Fiji, there is an additional $40 USD per person in taxes and fees to be paid with final payment. This extension may be hosted by a local representative. Extensions not purchased at time of deposit are subject to availability and applicable charges at time of request. 
November 11 - 25, 2009

Highlights...
Cairns • Great Barrier Reef Queenstown • Milford Sound
Mount Cook National Park Christchurch

15 Days • 20 Meals:
12 Breakfasts • 2 Lunches • 6 Dinners

Per Person Rates*:
Double $4,999
Single $6,199 • Triple $4,949

*Included in Price: Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges of $540 (subject to increase until paid in full), Hotel Transfers, Round Trip Air from Logan Intl Airport-Boston
Click Here for Details
Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of
$225 per person
YOUR ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
DAY 1, 2
  Overnight Flight
DAY 3 - 5
  Novotel Oasis, Cairns
DAY 6 - 8
  Novotel Rockford Darling Harbour, Sydney
DAY 9 - 11
  Mercure Resort Queenstown, Queenstown
DAY 12 - 14
  Rydges Christchurch, Christchurch
   

On some dates alternate hotels may be used.

Experience It!
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

Born of the need to portray Aboriginal culture with dignity and pride, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is a stunning theatrical and symbolic interpretation of a 50,000-year-old society. Five theatres, a museum, an art gallery and a traditional Aboriginal camp combine to give you a complete and meaningful glimpse into this rich and ancient culture. The Fine Art Gallery features paintings and works by local Aboriginal artists available for purchase. In the tribal encampment area, the most interactive area of the park, you can interact with Tjapukai people as they teach you the art of throwing a boomerang or playing a didgeridoo. After watching a short demonstration on bush food and medicine, you can even taste their edible samples!

Click here for: Important Reservation Information, Registration Form and Available Options.

For more information call
Gail Darnell
Boston College
Alumni Association 617-552-8035

Please Note:
• "Leisure Stays" are tours in which the itineraries are designed to allow for multiple-night stays in two or more cities. This allows you a more leisurely pace and more time to explore the destinations on your own.
• Please Note: To complete your vacation, we include roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing Collette airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times.
• Due to changes in air schedules while on tour, the order of days in the itinerary may change.
• The internal flights on this program are not included in the land price of your vacation. These flights need to be arranged and purchased separately if you arrange your own air. Internal flights are included with the air portion of your vacation if you purchase air through Collette Vacations.
• Previous clients have indicated that a small gift from your area is appropriate and appreciated the night of your home hosted dinner in New Zealand. • Due to early arrival times in some cities, rooms may not always be ready for immediate check-in.
• *If you purchase the outer reef option in the Great Barrier Reef, the glass bottom boat ride will be replaced by a semi-submersible boat on the outer reef pontoon.
• Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed with the exception of visits to wildlife parks.
• This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven grounds and cobblestone streets.
Air rate and schedule are applicable for groups of 10 or more traveling on the same flights and dates.