Stepping Into the World of LoTR: A Trip to New Zealand

From living out his Lord of the Rings dreams in Hobbiton to sharing laughs and adventures with fellow travelers, Naresh did more than just sightseeing on this trip to New Zealand. Read on for his insights of the trip and the destinations.

Q: What made you choose a small group tour?
A: It wasn't by design. We had a group of 18. Made the journey more personalised.

Q: The trip you booked was a guided tour. How did it feel to travel with a guide on this tour? Would you travel with a guide again? Why or why not?
A: It was done really well. I would prefer to travel with a guide. It's good to have insights about the place and help with all the bookings that were done.

Q: How was it joining a trip to New Zealand as a solo traveler?
A: Absolutely amazing! Had the best time ever.

Q: How is it to travel New Zealand as an Experienced traveler (40 to 59 age range) traveler? Would you recommend New Zealand to other Experienced travelers, and why?
A: New Zealand should be on everyone's travel goals. It's a beautiful country with lots of culture and history to experience.

Q: Were there any parts of the trip that surprised you in terms of quality or value?
A: Not really. It lived up to my expectations mostly.

Q: What made you choose this trip, and was it for a special occasion (e.g., anniversary, birthday, family reunion)?
A: I wanted to see Hobbiton. That was the trigger. Everything else was a beautiful addition.

Q: Which destinations, cities, or highlights did you cover on your trip, and which stood out the most?
A: Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington. Then I loved Hobbiton and Taupo (the sky dive experience was outstanding).

Q: What was a memorable moment or story from your journey that you’d like to highlight?
A: Hobbiton and the Sky dive experience in Taupo were the highlights for me.

Q: What were your favorite activities or excursions, and why?
A: Same as before. Hobbiton and Sky diving. Hobbiton because I'm a huge LoTR fan. And sky diving was something I wanted to do for a long time.

Q: Did you try any local food or cultural experiences that you would recommend?
A: The food was great at all the places we are. No one place stands out as such. We had great fun at a karaoke bar.

Q: Did you have any unique interactions with locals, guides, or fellow travelers that made your trip special?
A: I did. Made a lot of friends on the trip.

Q: Did this trip change your perspective on the destination, travel, or life in any way?
A: Absolutely. It has made me more open to such travel plans in the future. This was my first solo trip. I'm looking forward to doing more of these.

Q: What was the biggest surprise you encountered during your trip to New Zealand (positive or unexpected)?
A: The stay arrangements. I wasn't sure how the hostels would be. I was pleasantly surprised by the arrangements. Although the hostels could do something about the heat and ventilation.

Q: Looking back, what was the best part of your entire journey?
A: The whole journey was memorable. Hobbiton and Taupo were exceptional but as was everything else. The group was amazing. Had the most wonderful time making friends with people from different countries and cultures.

Q: If you could relive one day of your trip, which day would it be and why?
A: Two days... Hobbiton and Sky diving. These two were big items on my bucket list.

Q: What would you say to someone considering this tour or destination?
A: I'd suggest combining north and south New Zealand. Doing just the north island would feel wanting.

Q: Any funny or unexpected stories from your trip you’d like to share?
A: The night of the barbecue — we played a game of mafia. It was great fun where everyone was trying to call everyone else a killer. I had great fun.

Q: Any tips or things you wish you’d known before going on a trip to New Zealand?
A: It's better to do both north and south island at one go.