Four-City New Zealand Vacation Including The Hobbit Filming Locations
New ZealandEUR(TM)s breathtaking mountains, meadows, and beech forests made it the perfect location to film The Hobbit trilogy. From the gently rolling countryside of the Shire to the desolate and craggy fortress of Isengard, the countryEUR(TM)s terrain made a mythical world come alive. On this 14-day, 11-night vacation in New Zealand, youEUR(TM)ll visit some of the most famous filming locations from those movies as well as four cities: Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, and Queenstown. The deal also includes roundtrip airfare from 21 departure cities and hotel accommodations in each city center.
Click here for a full itinerary.
Days 1EUR"5: Auckland
Beautiful beaches, volcanic hills, and harbors filled with brightly colored sailboats surround Auckland, a bustling city in northern New Zealand. Since several harbors and bays border the downtown area, boating is a popular pastimeEUR"Auckland is often called the "city of sailsEUR for having more boats per capita than anywhere else in the world. The city is also home to the worldEUR(TM)s largest Polynesian population. Learn more about Polynesian history and culture at the Auckland Museum, home to an extensive collection of Maori and Pacific Islander artifacts.
While in Auckland, youEUR(TM)ll take a half-day city tour, which includes a visit to Parnell, a historic neighborhood lined with boutiques and antique shops, and a scenic drive along Waitemata Harbor. The tour concludes at Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park, which has panoramic views of downtown Auckland and Waitemata Harbor. YouEUR(TM)ll also have two full days to explore Auckland on your own.
Days 6EUR"7: Rotorua
Geothermal activity abounds in the city of Rotorua, including geysers, boiling mud pools, and cartoon animals with steam coming out of their ears. Te Puia, a geothermal valley a few minutes outside of the city, encompasses many of these wonders. The valleyEUR(TM)s Pohutu Geyser erupts 10 to 25 times a day. Te Puia is also the site of the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, where you can see cultural performances and artwork and visit a kiwi conservation facility that takes in injured birds.
On your first evening in Rotorua, visit a re-created Maori village to watch traditional music and dance performances, then dine on typical Maori foods. The following day is taken up by a half-day tour of the Waikato region, or the Shire, where several scenes from The Hobbit were filmed.
Days 8EUR"9: Wellington
Located on the southern tip of the North Island, Wellington is both New ZealandEUR(TM)s capital and its cultural center. ItEUR(TM)s home to the national Museum of New Zealand, where you can see a 1,000-pound colossal squid on display and learn more about the countryEUR(TM)s settlers.
In Wellington, youEUR(TM)ll take a half-day Rover tour that visits seven filming locations, including the settings for Minas Tirith, Helm's Deep, and Rivendell, where youEUR(TM)ll enjoy a cup of tea underneath the Elven trees. The specialist tour guides give you plenty of time to explore each site and ask questions about the filming process.
Days 10EUR"14: Queenstown
Known as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown plays host to a number of outdoor activities all year long, including skiing and snowboarding, whitewater rafting, and hang gliding. Located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu on the South Island, the city contains dozens of wineries that offer tours and tastings of the regionEUR(TM)s famous pinot noir.
On your second afternoon in Queenstown, head about 30 miles outside of the city for a half-day tour of Glenorchy. The tour whisks you through the filming locations of Isengard, Ithilien Camp, and the battle of Amon Hen. The next two days are yours to explore Queenstown on your own before heading back home.
