Whenever you talk about castles, people generally think of Ireland, Scotland, or somewhere in Europe. Those locations are home to some pretty amazing castles, but imagine them rising above the world famous beauty that is the New Zealand coastline. The leaders of Europe's past would be loving life in this perch above the Otago Peninsula! Your local guide will bring you to one of the most sought after plots of land in all of Dunedin to explore its nationally-recognized gardens and learn about the interesting stories behind its construction.

Before making your way to the Larnach Castle, your guide will provide an overview of the Scottish-inspired Dunedin that has one of the more unique layouts in all of New Zealand. From architecture to street layouts, the city of Dunedin, whose name is literally Gaelic for Edinburgh, had big plans to make this Scottish settlement identical to Scotland's capital. This can be seen everywhere you venture, starting with the University of Otago, which is the oldest university in the country. The old clock tower is the hub of the campus, which went from originally having only three professors to now educating over 20,000 students each year.

Baldwin Street will be another highlight as you traverse, or try to, the steepest street in the world. This is one of those places you truly have to see to believe. Once at the Historic Dunedin Railway Station, step inside the the city's most impressive building. The incredible attention to detail involved in its construction makes you realize how grand of a welcome early travelers experienced when arriving into the city.

Heading off along the Otago peninsula, with a stop at surfer's paradise Saint Clair Beach, you finally arrive at the Larnach Castle. The world-class garden sets the tone for your tour of the castle. No expense was spared in its creation. Marble from Italy, slate from Wales, floor tiles from England, and glass from Venice are just a few of particulars the Larnach family demanded during their gold rush-fueled creation. Climb to the very top of the castle for the best views you'll find in the area. Your guide will fill you in on everything from the Larnach family's rise to their eventual demise while exploring their architectural fantasy.