Celebrity Solstice - Port of Dunedin, New Zealand

Port of Call -Dunedin, New Zealand - Were it not for the absence of the Scottish brogue, you might think you'd landed in Edinburgh. Both the scenery and the architecture borrow heavily from Scotland. You can even shop for kilts or dig into a piece of fresh haggis. Dunedin is also home to New Zealand's only castle, a 15-year construction endeavor complete with the only staircase of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and magnificent woodwork. A fantastic Port of Call for the Celebrity Solstice. Call to book - 503-780-5819 or Linda@ultimate-dreamcruises.com

Only a combination of Mother Nature's power and the indomitable Kiwi spirit could create the incomparable Dunedin. The mansions, the gardens, and the mountainous terrain are truly a sight to behold. You will marvel at the beautifully restored Dunedin Railway Station; decorated with Royal Doulton tiles, it's one of the most photographed buildings in New Zealand.

Venture deep into the New Zealand countryside and then into the sordid past of Larnach Castle. Begin with a vintage train ride into the Taieri River Gorge. Pass old gold mining sites. Stretch your legs at a scenic overlook. Travel through old sheep farming territory. Then, visit Larnach Castle. It took more than 200 men three years to build this magnificent home. Behind its lavish history lie stories of scandal, tragedy, and intrigue.

Relive the elegance, comfort and style of the 1960's as you drive through historic Dunedin in a chauffeur-driven Jaguar or Daimler. The sites will astound you as you learn about New Zealand's oldest University City and the Scottish settlers who established it in 1848. You will tour the city's most famous mansion - the Olveston House - and botanical gardens, and even have a chance to drive on Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world.

Feel the rattle and rumble of your vintage railcar as you wind through the mountains of Taieri River Gorge. See the very spot where a lucky miner found gold on Christmas Day of 1863. Stop at Pukerangi Plateau to soak up the view and the fresh mountain air. Enjoy a light lunch as you chug along. Pass through a land the Maori called the "Hills of Heaven," When you see this territory, you'll understand why.