Guest Author - Shannon Hurst Lane
LOTR fans that are looking for a romantic getaway need look no further. New Zealand, the films location, abounds with tours and sets left from the film. Ring fans can eat lakeside at Rivendell or visit Hobbiton.
Affordable packages can start at $1399 per person (double occupancy), including roundtrip economy airfare from Los Angeles with Air New Zealand, a copy of “Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook,” eight days car rental and seven nights accommodations via Go Kiwi Silver Hotel Pass, with more than 50 participating hotels in 30 cities. For more information ad reservations, visit http://www.newmansvacations.com/middleearth or call 1-800-416-0667.
For those wishing to travel a la carte, here are some lodging options:
Queenstown
Eichardt’s Private Hotel http://www.eichardtshotel.co.nz
This boutique hotel is centrally located and is a good base for many of Queenstown’s LOTR offerings. A special treat for couples is Body Sanctum http://www.bodysanctum.co.nz
Body Sanctum offers couples a treatment in their “big room” which overlooks Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkables Mountain Range. Body Sanctum can tailor treatments for couples, made with New Zealand manuka and kanuka honey products. Treatments range from 30 minutes to a full day. Don’t for get to add the strawberries, chocolate, and champagne….YUMMY!
Near Wellington
Wharekauhau Country Estate, http://www.wharekauhau.co.nz
This member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World is considered New Zealand’s best for honeymooners and couples. The price alone speaks for itself.
Fernside, http://www.fernside.co.nz
This charming English homestead was used for a number of scenes in “LOTR: Fellowship of the Ring.” Dinner packages are available near the magical lakes and gardens of this property. The final scene of “Return of the King” is filmed here.
Enroute to Wellington, the capital of Gondor, a visit to Trafalgar Square is a must for romantics. There is an unassuming jewelry store where local artisan Thorkild Hansen crafts One Ring duplicates in 9- and 18-carat gold. His father, the late Jens Hansen, crafted the 40 gold rings used in the films.
Matamata
Visitors are welcomed to this tiny rural town with a “Welcome to Hobbiton” sign. The Trice daily tours book up, so make reservations early to visit the privately owned farm where Hobbit Holes are waiting. http://www.hobbitontours.com
No visit to Middle Earth is complete without a stop at Mordor. Four hours north of Wellington is volcanic Taupo. The LOTR crew set up camp located at the Grand Chateau in Tongariro National Park. TO gain the full impact or Mordor, spend a day hiking the Tongariro Crossing, and eight-hour day hike across lava flows, emerald lakes, and a bubbling crater. Make sure to look around see if Smeagal is following you.
For more information on New Zealand, log onto http://www.newzealand.com or call
1-866-NEW-ZEALAND.
