Explore Middle Earth

Arrival at Auckland, The 'City of Sails' is not the state capital (which is Wellington instead), but with around one million inhabitants, of which at least two hundred thousand are of Polynesian origin, it contains one third of the entire New Zealand population. It is the largest city in New Zealand, located on the North Island. The city is known for its spectacular landscapes, with dormant volcanoes, breathtaking beaches and natural parks. Auckland is also an important urban and cultural centre, with a vibrant arts scene, fine restaurants and a variety of outdoor activities. The Sky Tower, an iconic 328-metre-high structure, dominates the cityscape and offers panoramic views of the city and beyond.

Pick up your hire car at Auckland. Approximate driving time 4.5 hours, 300 km. Waitomo is famous for its glowworm caves. The Waitomo Caves are a major attraction, where visitors can take boat tours through an underground maze illuminated by glowworms that emit a blue-green light. It is a unique and captivating experience.,

Begin a magical journey into the fantasy universe of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, created by Tolkien and made even more famous by the New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Traveling south, you pass through the Bombay Hills, the agricultural region of Waikato, and the historic town of Cambridge. Stop at the Shire's Rest in Matamata, the green countryside where the Hobbit trilogy was set. You will see the 37 hobbit holes, the double-arched bridge, the party tree, the Green Dragon Inn, and the door of Bilbo's house; a splendid view as far as the eye can see over the hills., Rotorua is renowned for its geothermal and cultural activities. It offers a unique landscape of hot springs, spectacular geysers, and bubbling mud pools. In addition to its geothermal wonders, Rotorua is a Māori cultural hub, offering authentic experiences at places like Te Puia Thermal Reserve. A must-see is a Māori cultural performance, followed by a traditional Hangi dinner in the evening..

The "city of sails" is not the capital of the country (which is Wellington instead), but with about one million inhabitants, of which at least two hundred thousand are of Polynesian origin, it gathers a third of the entire New Zealand population. The city center is located on an 11 km isthmus that separates two bays, Waitemata and Manukau, and is a true paradise for sailors. In the spectacular Hauraki Gulf, where the last edition of the America's Cup was held in 2000, there are more than fifty islands with inactive volcanoes, beaches, sea caves, vineyards, and wildlife refuges. Beyond the historic center, the city is vast, with one or two-story wooden houses surrounded by large gardens. A dense subtropical forest covers the hills, which are actually extinct volcano cones..

Free day,

Wellington è la capitale della Nuova Zelanda. La città si trova su una serie di colline che guardano il porto che è uno dei più grandi e attivi del paese. Conosciuta come la "Città del Vento", grazie ai forti venti che soffiano attraverso il porto. Questi venti hanno portato alla creazione di molte attrazioni turistiche uniche, tra cui il Wellington Cable Car, che offre un modo panoramico per esplorare la città, e il centro di surf a vento adiacente alla spiaggia di Lyall Bay. É inoltre centro di trasporto per i viaggiatori che si spostano tra l'Isola del Nord e l'Isola del Sud..

Free day, We recommend the visit/excursion,

Nelson è una città sulla costa settentrionale dell'Isola del Sud conosciuta per il suo clima soleggiato, è situata tra le colline e la costa del Tasman Bay. É anche un punto di partenza ideale per esplorare la regione vinicola circostante e il Parco Nazionale Abel Tasman..

Free day,

Punakaiki is the gateway to the scenic sedimentary formations of Paparoa National Park, located on one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in New Zealand. Here you can find the famous Pancake Rocks, rocks that resemble stacks of pancakes, formed approximately 30 million years ago as a result of the uplift of the seabed following earthquakes. The sea, wind, and rain have done the rest, carving out the softer parts of the rock. When the sea is rough, the spectacle is at its peak, with huge bursts of water coming out of the caves..

The Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are among the most interesting natural phenomena in New Zealand. It is the only place in the world, at this latitude, where glaciers come so close to the sea, real rivers of ice that flow downstream at an impressive speed, about one meter per day, with maximum peaks of five..

Wanaka is another beautiful holiday destination, less exploited by tourism, on the shores of the spectacular Lake Wanaka. It is the gateway to the Cardrona and Treble Cone ski slopes. The Mount Aspiring National Park, a mountain that has been compared to the Matterhorn for its pyramidal shape, offers beautiful alpine views and unique flora and fauna. The town is full of cafes and local craft shops..

Queenstown is the home of extreme sports: bungee jumping was born here, and thrilling tours along rivers on high-speed boats are organized here. You will find countless opportunities for rafting, paragliding, and any other sport, including less demanding ones like trekking, mountain biking, and skiing. The landscape is enchanting, nestled in a valley and overlooking the eponymous lake. Queenstown is the most cosmopolitan city in the South, with restaurants, shops, and pubs open until late at night..

Begin a magical journey into the fantasy universe of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, created by Tolkien and made even more famous by the New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Traveling south, you pass through the Bombay Hills, the agricultural region of Waikato, and the historic town of Cambridge. Stop at the Shire's Rest in Matamata, the green countryside where the Hobbit trilogy was set. You will see the 37 hobbit holes, the double-arched bridge, the party tree, the Green Dragon Inn, and the door of Bilbo's house; a splendid view as far as the eye can see over the hills.,

Twizel è circondata da paesaggi mozzafiato, tra cui montagne, laghi e fiumi. È una base ideale per esplorare il Parco Nazionale del Monte Cook..

Free day,

A fertile and vast plain is flanked by the beautiful chain of the Southern Alps. Here stands the main city of the South Island, Christchurch, "Garden City", built with local volcanic stone in a neo-Gothic style, which gives it a distinct English imprint..

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