CELEBRATIONS FOR FRIENDS & FAMILY

Sunday Lunch

28 JULY, SUNDAY LUNCH, BRACU OLIVE ESTATE

"Bracu Restaurant is a place where we share our life with others in the noblest of all traditions - through good friends, great company and even better food.
In a nod to our Mediterranean roots, we believe that a meal should be an experience - an opportunity to share, to connect, and most importantly, to create memories. It’s this ethos that Bracu restaurant was founded upon.
In our elegant and contemporary dining space, we present award-winning seasonal cuisine, prepared with the freshest locally-sourced and estate-grown ingredients.
Our beautiful olive grove setting - New Zealand’s largest - nestled in the sunlit Bombay hills, transports our guests to another time and place. Because in a world that keeps us rushing, there’s something special about discovering a destination where you’re inspired to savour both the surrounds, and the talents of our chefs; somewhere that feels far away from the everyday.Whether it’s relaxing on the all-weather verandah, or beside the fire in our beautifully restyled Kauri villa, Bracu Restaurant offers a special wine and dining experience, without losing the down-to-earth touch that our locals love." Details at:

SUNDAY LUNCH BRACU ESTATE | Smore Newsletters for Business
www.eatnewzealand.nz/listinfg/bracu-restaurant
We will make a comfort stop, en route, & intend to arrive for lunch at mid-day.
COST: Transport & 2-course lunch (Main & Dessert) - $144.00pp. Transport & 3-course lunch - $164.00pp.

AUGUST 25, SUNDAY LUNCH ROQUETTE RESTAURANT TAUPO (FULLY BOOKED)

Clients have enjoyed coming with us (& going privately) to Roquette Restaurant Whakatane. The business has expanded & started another restaurant in Taupo & the new venture has received rave reviews about its service & food. Save the date!

We have a great set menu of two courses, & were pleased to have several course options offered.

We plan to arrive in Taupo in time to give you an opportunity to visit the eclectic range of shops in the CBD before lunch.

Details at ROQUETTE RESTAURANT TAUPO | Smore Newsletters for Business

COST"Transport, Main & Dessert $130.00pp.

Upcoming General Tours:

Mid-Week Tours & Garden-Related Tours

 

SEPTEMBER 15 -LUNCH WITH THERESA GATTUNG

The venue for the lunch with Dame Theresa will be the Katikati Bowling Club. A main meal & dessert will be provided. Dame Theresa's speech topic will be "Breaking the Glass Ceiling".

COST $95.00 pp. Includes transport, talk & lunch. Details at:

LUNCH WITH DAME THERESA GATTUNG | Smore Newsletters for Business

SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER - HANA LODGE HIGH TEA & GARDENS

• Hana Lodge is located in the hills across the lake from the city of Rotorua, in the beautiful Hamurana area.
• It is surrounded by a lush 15-acre park, offering guests a peaceful retreat to relax and unwind - a tranquil location perfect for those seeking a respite from the "busyness" of city life.

We will experience the venue's High Tea & you can explore the wonderful surrounds.

"The lodge is home to various sculptures and artworks created by renowned artists from around the world.

Take a leisurely stroll around the property to admire these magnificent pieces up close. The owners have extended a special invitation to Mr. Yang Yi, a highly acclaimed Chinese-New Zealand artist, to serve as the Art Director for the lodge. His monumental sculptures have gained global recognition, and he holds the distinction of being the youngest artist to showcase his work at Gibbs Farm, the world's largest private sculpture park."
Details at HANA LODGE HIGH TEA & GARDENS | Smore Newsletters for Business

COST $120.00 - Transport & venue charges ( - except for alcohol. which is available at additional cost).

SEPTEMBER 29 - ANNUAL PIRONGIA  CRAFT DAY (Fully booked)

Held in Pirongia's main street, Franklin Street, the craft day is an annual event which has been happening for over 43 years, and is one of the biggest markets in New Zealand.They're bursting to the gunnels with new ideas & attractions for this year The day is organised by dedicated local arts & crafts people, who endeavour to keep the day "New Zealand Handmade & homegrown".
Only genuine NZ-made crafts & products are permitted to be sold.
Entertainment is provided by groups ranging from pipe bands to hip-hop groups.
Come with us to enjoy this unique vibrant, friendly day!
NB. It is an early start as we have to get down expeditiously to ensure we can park close to the stalls AND it is the first day of daylight saving, where clocks will go forward.
$75.00 pp (Door-to-door transport from Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, early Papamoa or en route).

8 AUGUST - THE WORLD PRESS PHOTO EXHIBITION, SMITH & CAUGHEY'S AUCKLAND

Whether it be images such as the puffery of Putin, the desperation of a mother holding her emaciated child in a famine-stricken landscape, the miracle of new-born life of any species or the anguish of war, a talented & empathetic photographer can capture, in an instant, the essence of a moment in time. How many of us have the "Napalm Girl" from the Vietnam War seared into our memory bank.
The World Press Photo Exhibition is returning to Auckland from 20 July - 11 August 2024. We will travel to the exhibition Thursday, 8 August.
This wonderful exhibition showcases the winning images of the past year, of the World Press Photo competition, selected from over 60,000 entries from around the world. The exhibition has been brought to New Zealand by the Rotary Club of Auckland, and all profits from the Auckland event go to charity. DETAILS AT The World Press Photo Exhibition | Smore Newsletters for Business
COST: Transport & exhibition: $105.00pp

HAWKES' BAY WINERY TOUR 4-6 OCTOBER

We have just visited Hawke's Bay to suss out wineries we intend to visit on our next 3- day Hawke's Bay Winery tour. Although we will visit a few larger wineries, like Sileni & Mission Estate, the emphasis will be on small boutique wineries that specialise in limited grape production & stunning small-batch wines e.g. Tironui Estate, Bostock, Radburnd. Hopesgrove, Decibel Wines & Hawkes Ridge. Accommodation has been booked at Havelock North Motor Lodge.

COST 1423.00pp.(Single);Twin Share 1153.00pp. (Lunches, presentatios/tastings, accommodation). Details at HAWKES' BAY WINERY TOUR | Smore Newsletters for Business

Hen's Parties

Winery Tours Tailored to Your Requests

LATE OCTOBER- THE NZ TIMBER MUSEUM, PUTARURU

We will visit the NZ Timber Museum, in Putaruru in mid/late October. We are just waiting for them to verify when Trainworld will definitely be open.

En route for home we will call into Over the Moon Cheese & we'll give you time to have coffee or lunch in town. Details at:
THE NZ TIMBER MUSEUM PUTARURU | Smore Newsletters for Business

14-17 NOVEMBER: BAY OF PLENTY GARDEN & ART FESTIVAL

It's much more fun & stress-free, travelling with a group of people with whom you're comfortable & know you'll enjoy spending time. Get a group of friends together to have a really special day at the Tauranga Garden & Art Festival.

At this annual treat, there are so many glorious gardens from which to choose - an intriguing mixture of unique and stunning gardens, each with their own story. The festival has over 60 marvelous gardens & more than 100 artists will display their works in gardens & galleries around the Western Bay of Plenty. Details can be seen at:

BAY OF PLENTY GARDEN & ART FESTIVAL | Smore Newsletters for Business

MATAHUI DISTILLERY - MAKE YOUR OWN GIN!

Have an exciting & enjoyable afternoon learning about the art of distilling by creating your very own gin!

This will take approximately 3hours, and includes drinks, snacks and tastings, plus your own unique gin that you create!

You'll have a selection of ingredients (botanicals) to choose from, a miniature still and expert help on hand to make your own gin.

You will blend, bottle and label your gin ready for you to take away with you at the end of the session.

It's fun, informative - and you take your creation home with you!

$195 per person per still or $245 for two people sharing a still.

Door-to door transport $55.00pp. (Minimum of 6 people, maximum of 10)

LOCAL TASTING TOUR - ON DATE OF YOUR CHOICE

The Local Tasting Tour commences by visiting a boutique craft brewery, where a range of beer or cider of your choice is sampled.
We then have a light lunch at one of Tauranga's top restaurants, The White House, Te Puna.
We travel North through scenic countryside for a presentation & tasting at the Wine Portfolio, now home to the prestigious, medal-winning wines of Leveret (formerly Morton) Estate & Mills Reef Winery. (The former Mills Reef Winery no longer exists.) This will be an opportunity to sample excellent NZ wines, and to ask questions about NZ wine-styles & terroir.
The tour returns to Tauranga for dessert & a cocktail at one of Tauranga's most popular restaurants, Salinity, overlooking our beautiful harbour.
We then return you home (or to local accommodation). A minimum of 2 people must be booked
COST : $195.00pp. Transport, tastings, lunch, dessert.
Details at:
https://www.smore.com/x3azd-tauranga-tasting-tours

If you have 6 people a Shortened Local Tasting Tour can be booked. Details at:
https://www.smore.com/z2v6k-shortened-local-tasting-tour

TAKE A CHOSEN  GROUP OF FRIENDS ON A SPECIAL DAY OUT!

Do you want to give Dad a special day at The Aviator Experence, Thames? Go to the Waitakaruru Arboretum, Scotsmans Valley (recently on TV)? Have friends that want to go to the Cambridge Raceway for the Trots, the Zealong Tea French Restaurabt? For a game of golf? To a show in Auckland? Or to a favourite venue for a special celebration?

Our 14-seater vehicle can take your group & make sure your en route requirements are met.

Cambridge - $650.00; Hamilton - $740.00; Auckland - $1110.00; Taupo - $850.00; Rotorua - $550.00; Paengaroa - $400.00

Other destinations can be travelled to - just send us your requirements & we'll send you a cost at no obligation. The cost includes a covered luggage trailer, if required.

MATAHUI DISTILLERY  GUIDED TOUR 

You may not be a gin aficionado, but learning about the intricacies of gin-making is extremely interesting. Choosing from the multiplicity of "ingredients" to effect the optimum taste is a real skill.

Come with us to meet the distillers, explore the garden and distillery, learn how they make their exceptional gin and what makes them different.
"During your tour you'll visit our working distillery and productive garden, and finish with a curated tasting in our Cellar Door. You'll learn how gin is made, our "garden to glass" philosophy, and experience the many different ingredients we use." (matahuidistillery.com)
We will then return you to your pick-up point.

COST (Miimum 10 pax): $100.00 per person  - transport, tour, tasting

GROUP TOUR FOR 8-14 PAX - WINE,FOOD, CIDER ON DATE OF YOUR CHOICE

A great tour to celebrate a Hen's Party, a birthday or just a day out with friends. This local day of fun commences by travelling North for a presentation & tasting at The Wine Portfolio wines of Leveret Estate & Mills Reef Winery.

We then travel back to Omokoroa to one of the area's newest & most popular restaurants, The Village Green Bar & Kitchen. Here you can choose to have lunch or a coffee - whatever you want on the day!

The tour moves on to The Cider Factorie, Te Puna for a cider tasting of their award winning ciders. Snacks are available.

We then return you to your pick-up point or to another choice of drop-off e.g. The Strand.

 

PRICE: $85.00pp. (Transport, wine presentation/tasting, cider tasting).

Food & additional beverages on the day are at client's cost.

AVOCADO  ORCHARD TOUR (Date of your choice)

After meeting you at your pick-up point, we travel through scenic countryside to Aongatete.
The orchard tour includes an informative ‘walk and talk’ around the picturesque orchard, led by the grower. You’ll learn about this fascinating fruit, its history, the unique characteristics of the trees, and the seasonal activities that occur in the orchard. After the stroll, you’ll see a live demonstration of the picking machine used to harvest the fruit and be treated to some delicious avocado tastings.

COST (Minimum of 10 pax) $95.00pp

tasting.. Details at :

Avocado Orchard Tour | Smore Newsletters for Business