Spending a weekend in Auckland? 48 hours in Auckland is just the right amount of time to take in the city’s many splendid sites, tempting flavors and rich history. Our New Zealand tours include the very best Auckland activities with a sprinkling of decadence. 

Your stay at QT Auckland invites you to soak in the energy of the water. Rooms draw inspiration from the shapes and curves of oysters with natural hues and soothing tones. At this 5-Star Design Hotel’s rooftop bar, take in sweeping views of Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour paired with Mediterranean snacks and classic cocktails. Continue your culinary tour at the hotel’s Restaurant Esther where head chef Sean Connolly presents flavors of the French Riviera, Sicily and Morocco. 

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 Another dining highlight of your tour will surely be dinner with one of New Zealand’s famous former All Black rugby players. Rub shoulders with a former member of the All Blacks as you learn about the world’s leading rugby team, his personal victories and how passionate Kiwis are about their national sport. 

Fine dining for a weekend in Auckland   

When it comes to fine dining in Auckland, why not go all out at the famous Sugar Club? Located in the Sky Tower, The Sugar Club sits 53 floors above Auckland boasting views of the city and the Hauraki Gulf. In addition to the impressive views, the impressive Chef’s menu showcases sustainably sourced produce. You’ll be in good hands of Chef Peter Gordon who has been called “the ‘Godfather’ of fusion cuisine.” From sashimi to beef fillet and a plant-based tasting menu, a decadent evening is always in store at The Sugar Club. 

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Another option to pair fine dining with fabulous views is Sidart Restaurant. This New Zealand-Indian fusion restaurant offers imaginative cuisine including black truffle paneer, market fish tikka and crayfish and moilee sauce. Select a tasting menu from the five- or nine-course options with wine pairings. You may also opt for The Chef’s Table Experience to go behind the scenes and watch dishes being prepared in the kitchen and let the chef guide you through the menu. This exclusive dining experience, from Champagne on arrival to the final seventh course, is a memorable way to try the finest flavors.  

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Queen Street 

With one or two decadent dining experiences ticked off your bucket list, you’ll be ready to explore. You don’t have to venture far from the centrally located QT Auckland to find things to do in Auckland. Legendary and lively Queen Street in the Central Business District boasts high-end shops of international and local brands. Treat yourself to a designer bag and take a break in a café and watch the world go by. Extend your exploration with a visit to the nearby Auckland Art Gallery’s collection of international and New Zealand art on the edge of elegant Albert Park. On the other side of the park is Princes Street. Here, historic merchant’s houses from the late 1800s, now a heritage site, line the boulevard.  

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Parnell  

Continue your discovery of what to do in Auckland exploring nearby Parnell, one of Auckland’s affluent and oldest neighborhoods. Stroll the tree-lined streets past Edwardian townhouses, restored Victorian shops, boutiques, and cafes. If you’re in Parnell over a weekend, don’t miss La Cigale French Market. Voted Auckland’s ‘Best Food Market’ by Metro Magazine, the market invites you to take your time browsing fresh produce, pâtés, terrines and pastries. You’ll feel like you’re in Paris as you absorb the sights and heavenly aromas. Take a rest at one of the market’s communal tables to enjoy a latte and croissant. The nearby Parnell Rose Gardens with over 5,000 roses enhances your decadent discovery. 

Parnell’s Auckland War Memorial Museum is another recommendation of what to see in Auckland. View the historic exhibits including an 80-foot Māori war canoe dating from 1836. Current and upcoming special exhibits include Secrets of Stonehenge and Egypt: In the Time of Pharaohs. 

Waitemata Harbor Cruise  

After soaking in the city sites on your weekend in Auckland, take to the water. A Waitemata Harbor cocktail or dinner cruise will show you the city from a different vantage point. Cruises also conveniently depart from near the city center. You’ll soon realize why Waitemata means “sparkling waters” in the Māori language. Onboard, take in the skyline framed against volcanic peaks. Sail under the Harbor Bridge sipping on cocktails and nibbling canapes. Glide past the North Head, Bean Rock Lighthouse and Devonport’s historic naval base. 

Rangitoto and Waiheke Islands  

If you have time for a daytime cruise on your weekend in Auckland, why not set sail to the picturesque Rangitoto and Waiheke Islands? The volcanic Rangitoto Island is covered in native forests and lava caves and displays 360-degree views of Auckland harbor.  

Heading further east, a 40-minute ferry ride to Waiheke Island, the “Hamptons of New Zealand,” will delight you with pastoral splendor. Visit one of the more than 40 vineyards and olive groves. Sample the local products and take home a bottle or two. Waiheke also offers many trails ideal for a jaunt up to the cliff tops or down to the beaches. Art lovers take note: every two years, Sculpture on the Gulf is held on the Matiatia Coastal Walkway for you to bask in works of contemporary art surrounded by bucolic scenery.  

 Whether you’re in search of fine dining or photo-ops, history or high-end shops, a weekend in Auckland will leave you satisfied. Let us show you what we love about New Zealand. 

As you start planning your South Africa travels, you’ll quickly realise you need a guide to Cape Town focused on the city’s fantastic food scene. This coastal hot spot has long been revered as an important wine region, but it’s also home to delicious and unique South African food. Luxury Gold’s gastronomic guide will take you through notable Cape Town restaurants and must-try flavors of “Mother City”. 

Braai 

Among the top things to do in Cape Town is try Braai. Braai, meaning to grill meat over an open flame, is more than barbecue. It’s a way of life and part of South African culture. Braai not only refers to how you cook meat, but the joyful gathering and socializing of family and friends. This tradition is so embedded in South African culture that South African Heritage Day is called “Braai Day.” On Braai Day – or any other day people gather for Braai – you can find a variety of marinated meat cooked over wood or charcoal. Lamb, beef, chicken, pork, springbok, warthog, ostrich, eland, kudu, seafood and steak are all popular. Boerewors, beef and pork sausages seasoned with coriander and nutmeg, are often found on the menu, too. Meat is usually accompanied by fresh salads and desserts.  

Mzoli’s  

One of the top spots to try Braai is Mzoli’s. Part butcher shop, part restaurant, this bustling hot spot outside of the city center is the place to go dine like a local. You’ll find out-of-towners and a diverse crowd of Cape Towners at Mzoli’s. It’s that good. Feast on grilled meat with local South African spiced barbecue sauce. Pair your meats with pap (a South African corn dish similar to grits) and chakalaka (a vegetable succotash), for a complete meal. 

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Seafood at Codfather 

Any gastronomic guide to Cape Town must also highlight its stunning seafood. We’ve heard that Codfather is the place to go for fresh fish, shellfish and sushi. From prawns and oysters to crayfish and calamari, there’s no shortage of seafood options and variety. What makes Codfather unique is that instead of a printed menu, it presents the fresh, daily offerings on a large display counter – like that of your favorite local fishmonger. Staff are eager to guide you through the fresh catches and flavors that you’ll enjoy the most. You choose the exact amount you want for a completely customizable meal.  

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Old Biscuit Mill 

Can’t decide between Braai and seafood? You don’t have to. Cape Town’s many markets invite you to sample local flavors and dishes from upcoming restauranteurs. On Spectacular South Africa you’ll join a Local Expert to visit the trendy The Old Biscuit Mill, a former biscuit factory turned vibrant market and creative hub in the city. In addition to showcasing local photographers, designers, and other artists, Old Biscuit Mill is the ideal spot to sample local fare. Grab a gourmet burger at Redemption Burgers. Try a Taiwan-inspired bao filled with pickled carrots and cucumber, fresh garden herbs, Asian-style dressing and crispy onions at Bao Now. Or, sip a specialty coffee from Espresso Lab Microroasters.  

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Two don’t-miss restaurants in The Old Biscuit Mill are by Luke Dale-Roberts. The Pot Luck Club tempts with shareable plates in taste categories of salty, sour, sweet, umami and bitter. Try the Asian-style beef tartare with Hoisin dressing, coriander pesto and ponzu mayo. Or, sample Pork Penang Belly with coconut and peanut curry with lime pickled onion. At Dale-Roberts’ other restaurant, The Test Kitchen Fledglings, sushi and scallops sit alongside seafood risotto in a warm space with an important ethos. The Test Kitch Fledglings presents people who previously had no access to the hospitality industry to potentially forge a new career. Full-time employees receive a salary while they are upskilled through on-the-job training.  

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The wines  

No gastronomic guide to Cape Town would be complete without shining a spotlight on its wine industry. In fact, 80% of South African wines are produced in Cape Town province. These ideal climate conditions create a variety of wines including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot and Cabernet within its five main wine regions. Join a winery tour to some of the many estates or personalize your exploration on a historical, hiking or mountain biking tour through the region. 

Our Spectacular South Africa tour guides you to Vergelegen Estate where you’ll sip award-winning wines over a private tasting. Take time to stroll through some of the 18 unique gardens of the manor house and explore the nearby vineyards by bicycle with a guide. 

To top off your experience, you’ll dine at Boschendal Wine Estate’s Werf Restaurant. This award-winning restaurant within the revamped original cellar of the Manor House is renowned for its sustainability and farm-to-table meals. Chef Allistaire Lawrence presents a menu guided by the seasons with local and ethically sourced produce brought to the forefront of each dish.  

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Where else will your South Africa travels take you? 

If you’re seeking the height of rustic luxury, a stay at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is the perfect destination. A highlight accommodation on our Majesty of the Rockies tour, this grand 700-acre hotel combines Canada’s natural beauty with all the elegance of a top resort.  

The hotel  

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is perched on the shores of emerald green Beauvert Lake or “Lac Beauvert” with a stunning backdrop of the Canadian Rockies. The resort’s grandeur extends from its epic scenery to its world-renowned golf course within the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. And yet, a cozy intimacy welcomes from its rooms and Signature Cabins reminiscent of luxury rustic homes.  

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The rooms 

Within the main hotel, the 442 comfortable, spacious guest rooms may also offer an outdoor patio or balcony. Some suites invite you to relax in front of wood-burning stoves and fireplaces with a separate sitting area offering views of Lac Beauvert. Beyond the main lodge, the village of cedar chalets and heritage log cabins are connected by winding paths. Inside, the cabins feel intimate and warm, boasting rustic luxury décor in a modern or alpine style. Lounge outside around a firepit in Adirondack chairs as the sun sets. Or, stay in and enjoy your rustic luxury kitchen, stone fireplace, leather furnishings and dramatic windows. Some Signature Cabins, such as the Outlook Cabin, have hosted notable guests. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth stayed here in 1939 followed by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 2005. 

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Dining  

Take in more of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge’s splendor at one of its fine restaurants. The Great Hall presents views of Lac Beauvert and Whistlers Mountain alongside sumptuous dishes. Here you’ll dine on sockeye salmon with maple rainbow carrots and warm scarlet quinoa salad or jerk shrimp and grits. Or, try their Elk hunter’s pie of braised Alberta elk with winter root vegetables and cheddar mash potatoes. 

For a taste of la dolce vita, Orso Trattoria tempts with modern Italian fare highlighting the finest just-harvested regional ingredients and the best steaks. Should you like to indulge in a decadent high tea, you can take afternoon tea of delicate sandwiches, cakes and cookies – and bubbly, if you like – in front of the grand fireplace or picture windows showcasing the Rockies. 

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Drinks 

For pre- or post-dinner drinks, the Emerald Lounge Bar is the spot for classic cocktails and innovative seasonal creations. Sip on the house beauvardier or toasted apple pie made with Calvados, sherry and apple spice syrup. Or, try the delicious burnt flower cocktail of Hornitos Black Barrel, Somba Mezcal, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon and hibiscus. 

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The spa  

Continue your luxurious stay at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge with a treatment at the on-site spa. Inspired by the surrounding nature, the treatments are designed to enliven your skin, restore your muscles and soothe your spirit. Treat yourself to a mineral foot soak and scrub, exfoliation, lotion application and moor mud mask. The relaxing Ultimate Facial enhances brightness using a blend of skin-illuminating botanicals along with a unique cooling mask.   

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Activities 

When you’re eager to get a little active and soak up the surrounding splendor of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, you have a range of activities to choose from right outside your room or cabin. As you may have guessed, you’re in an ideal spot for downhill skiing. Here within the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, you have the highest base elevation of any major Canadian ski area.   

In summer, the lodge boathouse rents canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and stand-up paddle boards to explore and adventure on glacier-fed Lac Beauvert.  

Where else will you adventure in Jasper National Park? 

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Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge golf course 

If you needed another reason to venture to this rustic resort, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club has been rated by SCOREGolf Magazine as the #1 Best Golf Resort in Canada. This premier golf course has been drawing enthusiasts since 1925 with elevated tee boxes, dramatic bunkering and holes aligned with distant mountain vistas. Stanley Thompson, Canada’s master golf course architect, designed the 18-hole course with wide fairways through thick forest while harmonizing with nature’s landscapes. If you’re a golfer, don’t miss your chance to try this award-winning course. And after a big day on the green or at the lake, take advantage of the resort’s Health Club that includes a heated outdoor pool and hot tub.    

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As you experience the beauty of Jasper and Jasper National Park, take time to enjoy Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. 

Looking for more beautiful national parks in Western Canada or more nature retreats?