by Eric Bowman
Last updated: 8:00 PM ET, Thu May 17, 2018
Cruising to New Zealand? Have an itch to visit Middle Earth?
ShoreTrips has an awesome new tour excursion available for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's famous stories.
The Beyond Auckland Combo Tour includes a visit to two famous attractions in New Zealand, the Hobbiton Movie Set and the Waitomo Caves.
Travelers will begin the tour with a drive through Waikato and King Country countryside along the Thermal Explorer Highway.
Roundtrip transportation and a local guide are included, as well as entrance fees, complimentary snacks, bottled water and time for lunch on your own.
The Waitomo Caves are a natural landmark with underground chambers lit by glowworms. These glowworms are special to New Zealand and an extraordinary site unlike anything else in the world.
After gazing at such a marvel, it's time to hit the road again to visit the set from "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" movie trilogies.
Guests will see the Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the famous Party Tree where Gandolf set off fireworks and of course Bag End, the home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. Along the way, you'll learn how they chose to build the sets in the town of Matamata and discover which scenes where filmed there.
It's no secret New Zeland has stunning scenery all around. These two stops provide guests with breathtaking views throughout the entire trip. You may never want to leave.
Whether you're visiting on land, cruising solo, with family or friends, this ShoreTrips excursion can accommodate all.
Tours depart from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm local time and will last 10 hours. It's perfect for pre or post cruise hotel guests or land travelers.
The Beyond Auckland Combo Tour is just one of many great itineraries from ShoreTrips. They offer over 2,400 excursions and activities in more than 180 cruise ship ports of call around the world.
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