Curated by COZY, enjoyed by Aanchal Gandhi
There was no grand plan. Just a few shared days off, an open window and a quiet tug toward somewhere far—more air, less noise, space to reset.
Aanchal (COZY’s co-founder) has been living in motion—building a brand, crossing time zones, keeping pace with a world that rarely pauses. So when the chance came to travel to New Zealand with her husband and mom, she chose something different. No agenda.
What unfolded was a 12-day journey through geothermal landscapes, mirror-still lakes, coastal walks and alpine skies. It moved slowly, designed not for highlights, but for feeling. Below is a closer look where they stayed and the pace they kept.
Day 1–2 Rotorua | Fire, Earth & Stillness
The journey began in Rotorua, where the earth is alive.
They arrived early and headed straight to Solitaire Lodge, perched above the still, misty waters of Lake Tarawera. Quiet and unforced—just native bush, warm light, and a lodge that felt more like a private residence than a hotel.
By mid-morning, they drove into Rotorua for a private helicopter flight with Volcanic Air. The journey lifted them over crater lakes and steaming valleys before landing on the rugged ridge of Mount Tarawera. Vast views, weighted silence.
They returned to the lodge just as golden light filtered through the trees. Dinner was served in the glass-walled dining room overlooking the lake—fresh, seasonal, quietly elegant. The day didn’t feel long. Just full—in all the right ways.
The next day, they headed to Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa—a wellness sanctuary built in collaboration with the local Ngāti Whakaue iwi. They followed the Te Āhuru bathing ritual—mineral pools, steam rooms, cold plunges—ending with a massage rooted in traditional Māori techniques. Restorative, ceremonial, slow.
Days 3–4 Wanaka & Mount Cook | Space to Wander
From Rotorua, they flew into Queenstown and drove north to Wanaka, where wide skies and quiet roads offered a shift in pace. Their private villa just outside town was peaceful, understated, and perfectly placed for the kind of mornings they craved.
Tea on the deck. Barefoot steps across wood floors. The lake like glass.
One day led to a spontaneous road trip toward Mount Cook. Aanchal and Smitty took turns driving, stopping wherever they felt like it—local cafés, lookout points, dusty side roads.
One detour led to the Clay Cliffs of Omarama—jagged formations rising at the end of a gravel road, silent and surreal. They wandered alone in the vastness.
At Mount Cook, they walked part of the Hooker Valley Track, tracing rivers and swing bridges beneath glacier peaks.
That night, they lay on blankets at the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, wrapped in layers, heads tilted back. There wasn’t much talking—just stars and a silence you remember.
Days 5–8 Queenstown | Highs, Lows & Everything In Between
Back in Queenstown, Aanchal checked into a familiar favorite: The Rees Hotel. Her suite opened onto Lake Wakatipu, framed by snow-capped mountains—with a kitchen, fireplace and balcony perfect for cold plunges and quiet mornings.Adventure came quickly.
One morning, Aanchal and Smitty lifted off into clear skies for the fly-cruise-fly experience with Air Milford. Within minutes, they were surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery imaginable—snow-dusted peaks, deep alpine lakes, dramatic ridgelines, and fjords that felt straight out of a dream.
The flight into Milford Sound offered a bird’s-eye view of cascading waterfalls, mist-covered valleys, and Mitre Peak rising like a myth from the water.
They landed on a remote airstrip tucked deep in the rainforest, then boarded a boat to cruise through the Sound. From the water, it was a different kind of magic—towering cliffs above, seals lazing on rocks, and waterfalls tumbling from impossible heights. It was quiet in all the right ways. One of those rare days that stays with you—no photo needed.
Back on land, the pace didn’t slow. They joined K-Jet for a high-speed ride through the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers, then took off again—this time by helicopter—to Over the Top Golf, where they teed off on a mountaintop surrounded by silence and sky.
In Arrowtown, they wandered cobbled lanes, sipped locally roasted coffee, and browsed shops filled with artisan goods and vintage finds. Aanchal loved the contrast—historic, but effortless. They walked the river trail, then paused at a sun-drenched table with a glass of Central Otago pinot noir. No plans. Just rhythm.
Dinner that evening was at Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen—a meal built around garden vegetables, fresh cheese, and small-batch wines. Simple, thoughtful, unhurried.
The next day, they leaned into quiet. Aanchal visited a few galleries, spent time reading by the fire, and watched the lake shift with the afternoon light. No adventures. Just presence.
That night, they made their way to Nest Kitchen + Bar, perched high above the city. The sun dipped behind the peaks just as the first course arrived. Everything exactly as it should be.
Their final evening in Queenstown was spent at Onsen Hot Pools. Each of them in their own cedar tub, overlooking the canyon. The lights dimmed. The sky opened. And then—the Southern Lights. Soft green waves drifting across the night. Nothing staged. Just there.
Days 9–12 – Auckland & Waiheke | Soft Landings
Auckland the city and sea were in sync. They checked into the InterContinental Auckland, with a suite overlooking Waitematā Harbour and access to the Club Lounge—perfect for morning coffee, afternoon tea, and quiet pre-dinner pauses.
Aanchal wandered through Britomart’s concept shops, stopped by small galleries, and found herself drawn to the contrast—urban texture after days of stillness.
One night, they headed to Queens Rooftop, ordered cocktails, and watched the skyline glow.
On Day 11, they boarded the ferry to Waiheke Island. In Oneroa, Aanchal picked ceramics from a local artist and watched a painter work in the garden shade.
Lunch at Tantalus Estate came with seasonal plates, crisp Sauvignon Blanc, and views of the vineyard garden. They ended the day at Mudbrick Vineyard—final glasses in hand as the sun slipped behind the vines.
The last morning was quiet. A harbor walk, one more coffee, space to reflect. The trip moved gently, full of beautiful moments.
COZY Takeaway
Some trips change your scenery. This one shifted something deeper.
New Zealand gave Aanchal and her family room to slow down, breathe differently and reconnect in moments that didn’t need to be captured to be remembered.
It was a journey to feel more.
At COZY, we design journeys with space for that kind of presence—where comfort meets meaning, and every detail moves with intention.
Ready to find your own rhythm?
We’ll take care of the rest.
