This is from the north part of the tour, their "blurb" (I'm going to the 99s international conference in New Zealand this August, will be gone from Friday August 19 through Sunday September 4)

"Rotorua, Napier, Hawkes Bay, Martinborough, Wellington and a ferry crossing to the South Island. Hissing geysers, bubbling mud, green and blue lakes, Maori dancing, rolling green countryside, vineyards, Art Deco, limestone cliffs, bays and beaches, Te Papa, cafes — you’ll experience all this and so much more on New Zealand’s Cultural North tour."

I believe the wine village on the north island we will visit is Martinborough.

The south part of the tour is a series of day trips. There is a trip to Hammer Springs, a Tranzalpine train ride, a trip to Akaroa, hot air ballooning over Canterbury plains, a gondola ride in Sumner/Port of Lyttleton/Christchurch, and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. also walking tours, golf, etc etc and so forth.

oooooh, getting psyched!!

I had a dream last night that it was already late August (which I am not wishing for too too quickly because I love spring and summer and don't want it to end either).

Thanks for posting this, Flygirl! It sounds like a good tour. What is the 99s?

Lee Ann

99s - International Association of Women Pilots. So called because there were 99 original members (my group had a few as a matter of fact! I think the last original member may have died really recently?)

one of our ladies is 88 years old! can you believe it? she retired from teaching (Latin) 4 years ago. amazing!!

Both Martinborough and HB are wine areas.

Sounds like fun.

Thanks for the explanation, Flygirl! I'm excited for you - what a great trip.

Lee Ann