New Zealand Travel Review: Hobbiton, Milford Sound, Waitomo Caves, Mt. Cook, Helicopter Ride, Glacier Hike, 2-Week Tour

Review by traveler

Jonalyn A.

3.4.2023

General Info

Traveler Review

Which Country (Countries) did you visit on this trip?

New Zealand

Your overall comments on the trip and the travel company:

Geoff from our travel agency is an awesome guy! He worked with me to plan this trip over 3 1/2 years ago. Due to COVID it was postponed twice and, as time went on, I made changes and he adapted and re-worked the itinerary excellently. He made great suggestions and listened to my ideas with a great sense of humor and seriousness, booking the perfect bed & breakfast inns at Christchurch and Te Anau.
The tour he booked for me to see Hobbiton was the best choice, including lunch buffet! Only criticism I have is that the cultural experience at Tamaki Maori Village was the same day and they served a delicious, full-course meal that I wish I could have enjoyed, but I was still full from the buffet at Hobbiton! If a traveler has time, these should be planned on separate days, and go to Tamaki hungry!
There was no hassle over the prices, they were very reasonable and kept within my budget.

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?

Of course, for a lot of travelers to New Zealand, Lord of the Rings is the draw. Hobbiton was every bit what I imagined it could be. The farmer & director created a hobbit village that could be believed in (except there were dozens of full-sized tourists and no little hobbits). The tour groups were kept a good distance apart (there are over 2,000 visitors a day!), so sometimes you could feel "alone" with the hobbit holes. The staff was very friendly. My tour included the lunch buffet, which I highly recommend, was delicious with many choices and laid out very fancy. I wouldn't have been surprised if Sam just stepped out of a hobbit doorway, it was that authentic.
Waitomo Caves (glow worms!); Aoraki Mt Cook (helicopter to glacier hike, eye-popping!); Milford Sound (yes, a rainy day is great!)

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?

I would not plan to come home from TeAnau to Little Rock on the "same" day. 28 hours of travel, walking thru airports, sitting on airplanes, is too much!! My bad.

New Zealand Travel Review: Hobbiton, Milford Sound, Waitomo Caves, Mt. Cook, Helicopter Ride, Glacier Hike, 2-Week Tour

General Info

Which Country (Countries) did you visit on this trip?

Your overall comments on the trip and the travel company:

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?

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