Adventures to adore

New Zealand | Jun 24 - Jul 7, 2026

This was a bucket-list trip for me, and I am so thankful to Paula for arranging such a diverse menu of experiences for my friends and me! I came for Hobbiton and LOTR nostalgia, but I fell in love with so many other sides of New Zealand—the misty mountains, the clear rivers (with such pure, sweet water), the delicious pies, the kindness of people. I faced challenges I would not have tackled on my own, such as the adventurous hike on Mt. Tarawera in Rotorua, where the encouraging enthusiasm of our guides kept us going! We loved getting to learn more about Maori stories and history, and we still talk about meeting that cheeky kea during the Kapiti Coast tour in Wellington. My friend particularly adored her spa experience at Wai Ariki. I would also like to mention that we appreciated how exceptional our tour guides were. They all had such personality and warmth, and we were so grateful for the intimacy of the tours. We were also pleasantly surprised by having spots reserved for us during the ride to the Walter Peaks farm dinner! Thank you so much for arranging all the details of our trip; this made our time here so relaxing, and we felt that we were in good hands. Overall, we made so many memories during our time here in New Zealand!