We’re going to admit this, and it isn’t easy. When we were in the office compiling the list of travel destinations that would be on our lists for 2013, the movies had an affect on us. Well one movie, at least… The Hobbit. Filmed in New Zealand, it ended up putting a wonderful focus on the small, oft-forgotten cousin as an exciting, exotic destination that isn’t so far as you might think.

OK, we fudged the numbers on that last part – New Zealand is far. Expect 13 hours on a plane headed to Auckland when leaving from the west coast, even a full 9+ hours from Hawaii, but the truth is that it’s worth it! And with a great airborne experience from Air New Zealand, it won’t seem nearly as long of a flight as it really is. And once there, the choices are astounding!

Of course, New Zealand is really well known for its adventure sports. It’s the home of Bungee Jumping, just for starters. But there’s also caving, hiking, cycling, skiing, off-roading and extreme water sports too! If you can dream up an adventure, its probably available for you there. There’s also a lot of culture to be found too.

After all, New Zealand is the home of the Maori, an indigenous culture that has been on the islands for a very long time and make up almost 15% of the 4 million New Zealanders. Definitely look for the opportunity to get up and personal with these communities, and if lucky, get the opportunity to visit amarae, the traditional Maori meeting grounds. It’s here that you can really get a feel for the stories and legends that make up this people’s history and sense of community.

Finally, its the movies that made us notice New Zealand again. After all, its also Middle Earth. New Zealand was where both the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit series of films were made. The country is pretty proud of it too – since the movie really showcases the gorgeous, dream-like quality of the countryside around New Zealand. In fact, the tourism board even features specific travel itineraries focused around revisiting Middle Earth.

These are just a few reasons to visit the land of the Hobbit in 2013. So pack those baggins, and put New Zealand on your list of destinations in the upcoming year!

There are so many ways to see New Zealand! For the young and adventuresome, G Adventures offers some great options. For people accustomed to a little more luxury, there are a lot of other options that can definitely make it work… and if a cruise is what’s on the agenda, there are plenty of options leaving from Auckland too. We can help you with any of these possibilities – so start planning today!