RIMA GREEN TOUR – 2nd & 3rd Test Tour

 2 TEST OPTION, 27th JUNE – 11th JULY 2017 (11 NIGHTS)3 nt Wellington5 nt Queenstown3 nt Auckland
 TOUR ITINERARYDAY 1: TUESDAY 27th JUNE 2017 – UK/NEW ZEALAND Ensure you get to London Heathrow Airport three hours prior to departure where you will meet a member of staff from Living With The Lions who will assist you with check in for your international flight.
Overnight: In Flight
 DAY 2: – WEDNESDAY 28th JUNE 2017 – IN FLIGHTIn transit to New Zealand.
Overnight: In Flight
 DAY 3 – THURSDAY 29th JUNE 2017 – WELLINGTONArrive into Wellington Airport (travelling via Auckland) where you will be met by a LWTL tour manager. Transfer into the city to the 3* Bay Plaza Hotel for a 3 night stay on a B&B basis. This evening enjoy welcome drinks with your tour hosts and fellow tourists.
Overnight: 3* Bay Plaza Hotel Wellington
 DAY 4: FRIDAY 30th JUNE 2017: WELLINGTONToday is free for further exploration of Wellington. Perhaps ride the historic Wellington Cable Car from Lambton Quay to the top of Kelburn or see the Space Place at Carter Observatory and return through the beautiful Botanic Gardens.
Overnight: 3* Bay Plaza Hotel Wellington
 DAY 5: SATURDAY 1st JULY 2017: WELLINGTONMATCH DAY! 2nd Test MatchALL BLACKS v THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS at Westpac Stadium. This is just a short walk from your hotel and from Wellington Harbour where you can soak up the atmosphere before taking your seats for the second Test.
Overnight: 3* Bay Plaza Hotel Wellington
 DAY 6: SUNDAY 2nd JULY 2017: WELLINGTON/QUEENSTOWNEnjoy your final breakfast in Wellington before transferring to the airport for your flight to Queenstown in the South Island – the adventure capital of New Zealand. Transfer to the 4* Central Ridge Boutique Hotel where you will stay for 5 nights on a B&B basis.
Overnight: 4* Central Ridge Boutique Hotel
 DAY 7: MONDAY 3rd JULY 2017: QUEENSTOWNSettle into your new surroundings in Queenstown. LWTL will provide a selection of activities to fill your next few days. The choice is endless, you can be as active as you want to be and activities include: Skiing and snowboarding, golf days, jetboat rides and even bungee jumps! You may prefer to stroll around the town taking in the fabulous sights.
Overnight: 4* Central Ridge Boutique Hotel
 DAY 8: TUESDAY 4th JULY 2017: QUEENSTOWNSpend a day in Queenstown exploring the area or participating in one of the many activities LWTL will have on offer.
Overnight: 4* Central Ridge Boutique Hotel
 DAY 9: WEDNESDAY 5th JULY 2017: QUEENSTOWNAfter breakfast, perhaps (at extra cost) transfer to the magnificent Milford Sound which is a fiord in the south west of New Zealand’s South Island. Named after Milford Haven in Wales, Milford Sound runs 15km inland from the Tasman Sea at Dale Point the mouth of the fiord – and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1,200m (3,900 ft) or more on either side. Transfer back to your accommodation in Queenstown. This evening join us for the LWTL Gala Dinner.
Overnight: 4* Central Ridge Boutique Hotel
 DAY 10: THURSDAY 6th JULY 2017: QUEENSTOWNAfter breakfast transfer for a day of fun luge racing. Jump on your specialised luge cart, select your track, then zoom down the luge tracks – you’re in control. Then catch the luge chairlift back to the start zone and do it all over again! With stunning views, a restaurant, gondola and other activities this is a fantastic activity in the heart of Queenstown.
Overnight: 4* Central Ridge Boutique Hotel
 DAY 11: FRIDAY 7th JULY 2017: QUEENSTOWN/AUCKLANDCheck out of your hotel in Queenstown and transfer to the airport for your flight to Auckland. On arrival, transfer to the 3* Rose Park Hotel for 3 nights on a B&B basis.
Overnight: 3* Rose Park Hotel Auckland
 DAY 12: SATURDAY 8th JULY 2017: AUCKLANDMATCH DAY! 3rd Test MatchALL BLACKS v THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Enjoy a relaxing morning before transferring to the Oficial Lions Pre-Match Supporter Village to build up atmosphere prior to the third Test. Take your seats at Eden Park for the third Test. Return transfer to your hotel.
Overnight: 3* Rose Park Hotel Auckland
 DAY 13: SUNDAY 9th JULY 2017: AUCKLANDSpend the day at leisure recovering or explore the local area, we suggest a visit to one of the wonderful bays in Auckland.
Overnight: 3* Rose Park Hotel Auckland
 DAY 14: MONDAY 10th JULY 2017: AUCKLAND/UKCheck out of your hotel in Auckland and transfer to the airport to meet your flight back to the UK. There is an opportunity to stop off on the way home, or fly straight through and be back home as soon as the following morning.
 DAY 15: TUESDAY 11th JULY 2017: UKArrive back in the UK. Complete passport control, collect your luggage and continue with your onward travel.END OF TOUR ARRANGEMENTS

RIMA GREEN TOUR HOTELSWELLINGTON – BAY PLAZA HOTEL, 3* (3 nights from 29th June)Bay Plaza Hotel is located on Oriental Parade in Wellington’s city centre, offering rooms with satellite and Freeview TV and a tea and coffee maker. Te Papa Museum is a short 5-minute walk away. All guest rooms at Bay Plaza Wellington offer stylish decor and modern amenities. Some rooms also offer panoramic views of the harbour, city or Mount Victoria. With views looking out to Wellington Harbour, the brasserie-style restaurant serves modern New Zealand cuisine and is open for breakfast and dinner. There is also a cocktail bar with fine wines. Bay Plaza Hotel Wellington offers same-day laundry and dry cleaning services, and 24-hour room service. Public transport links are close by, with the city’s main bus and taxi terminals around the corner in Courtenay Place.
LWTL Says:‘probably fairly rated on Trip Advisor at 33 out of 49 hotels in Wellington. Whilst it could be improved, it is just 10 minutes walk from the waterfront and in sight of the stadium for match days. Rooms are large and again, clean and comfortable. Breakfast was among the best we sampled.’

 QUEENSTOWN – CENTRAL RIDGE BOUTIQUE HOTEL, 4* (5 nights from 2nd July)Located in the centre of Queenstown near Lake Wakatipu, Central Ridge Boutique Hotel offers an ideal getaway from the bustling city. All accommodation includes free WiFi. Guests enjoy an onsite Swedish sauna. Queenstown Central Ridge Hotel is 3 minutes’ walk from the centre of Queenstown and 15 minutes’ walk from Underwater World, the Skyline Gondola and the Queenstown Gardens. Each apartment is 3 minutes’ drive from Central Ridge Hotel. Each of the soundproofed rooms offers a modern, state-of-the-art bathroom, a 32-inch flat-screen TV and tea/coffee making facilities. All bed linen and towels are provided. Private in-room massages, candlelit baths and breakfast in bed can be arranged upon request.
LWTL Says:‘It’s a lovely boutique hotel with nicely sized en-suite rooms. It has a guest lounge and breakfast room but its central location makes it easily accessible to the bars and restaurants close by.’

 AUCKLAND – ROSE PARK HOTEL, 3* (3 nights from 7th July)Located opposite the Parnell Rose Gardens, Auckland Rose Park Hotel provides a range of hotel-style accommodation, just 5 minutes’ drive from Auckland city centre. Guests enjoy 2 hours of free WiFi upon arrival. Overlooking the Auckland City skyline, Auckland Rose Park Hotel is a 15-minute walk from Vector Arena. Parnell village centre is less than 10 minutes’ walk away. The Garden View Restaurant and Bar, located on the 3rd floor, features international cuisine and views of Waitemata Harbour. Relax in the Garden View Bar while watching a game on the large TV screens. If the sun is shining, enjoy a refreshing dip in the Rose Park Hotel’s outdoor swimming pool. Newmarket is just 1 km from the Auckland Rose Park Hotel. Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland Domain and Auckland Hospital are all within close proximity.
LWTL Says: ‘A good standard 3* accommodation with a bar and restaurant should you not wish to make the journey into the city centre. There is no free shuttle on offer so the alternative to using a taxi would be a 25-30 walk into the city.’

 

NEW ZEALAND 2005

TESTIMONIALS
I have recently returned from Australia after experiencing your companies services for the 2nd time (SA previously). Just a few words to compliment you, your staff and in particular our tour leader (endeavour 1V Red) Mike Pyrgos, Robert Jones and John Bentley on their professionalism, attention to detail and sheer commitment to ensuring our enjoyment. Mike and Rob helped me out with a particular problem and I will be forever grateful! Your staff in general were kind and considerate and again I thank them. They were all, a credit to you and your company and everyone in our party from South Wales would agree with this sentiment. Please pass on my thanks to everyone. Again Thanks!
Gordon Pritchard
 Just a Big Thank You to all Living with the Lions Staff in organising the Tour to Australia. Had an Amazing Time – The Organisation and Attention to Detail was first class. Also, please pass on our thanks to the Group Leaders (Mike and Andy plus others), John “Bentos” Bentley and Rob Jones as Rugby hosts, plus the additional student helpers (Jonathan, Katie, Lucy) for their part as well Will definitely be touring again with LWTL, whether it be Lions, Hong Kong Sevens or Dubai Sevens. Best wishes for the future and hope to see you soon…
Huw Thomas, Graham Davies and Ceri Jonathan
 Many many thanks for a fantastic holiday. Everything was so well organised I really cannot speak highly enough of the quality of the tour and the hard work put in by both the Living with the Lions guys and all the volunteers. Mike, Andy, Fleur and Lucy on our tour were simply brilliant. Looking after so many people all doing their own things was not an easy task although you guys made it seem effortless – the hard work behind the scenes made everything go like clockwork. The final Saturday was a day to remember. The general talk was – “well how good was that”. Not just the result but the whole day, simply brilliant. Rob and Bentos were both fantastic as well working so hard to talk with everyone to make everyone’s holiday something special. Once again a big thank you to all and hope to see you all again in four years!!
Many thank and kind regards,
Alasdair and Susanna
 Many thanks for an excellent tour to Australia for the Lions 2013. The way all your staff looked after us all and the pre-match parties were fantastic capped off with an amazing boat trip to the final test and of course the win. Please pass on our thanks to all concerned and we shall see you all in 4 years. Again many thanks to all for a fantastic 3 weeks.
Neil and Gaynor Street
 Thanks for a great trip to Australia. We can’t emphasise enough how much we enjoyed ourselves and how much we appreciate the effort that you all put in to ensure that it was the holiday of a lifetime. Please pass on our thanks and comments to all the representatives.
With very best wishes
Dave & Anne
 Hope you are well and not too jet-lagged! Please pass on our thanks to the team for a thoroughly enjoyable tour. I have travelled with several sports companies before and this was definitely the best experience, particularly in terms of the pre-match entertainment. You may remember my father and I were late additions to the Great Barrier Reef Trip. If you can email,send an invoice we can settle up.
All the best,
Carolyn
 On behalf of the Whitby Lads, Ron, Craig, John,Tim and myself I would just like to take this opportunity to thank the Living with the Lions team for a tremendous Lion’s tour! The whole tour surpassed all our expectations and was so professionally organised. This trip of a lifetime proved to be just that!
Many Thanks
Bill Bowes