Vayama Travel Blog

By Allison Tebbe

After training for four months and countless hours of research, it was hard to believe that the day to start our trek to Machu Picchu had finally arrived. The day started as would the next few days to come: very early. We left our hotel around 3:45am, loaded with all our gear, to meet our group by 4:30 am. Almost immediately we regretted how much stuff we packed for the next four days as we walked to meet the bus, but at this point there was no turning back.

As people still filled the bars and celebrated the festival from the day before, we loaded onto the bus with ten other hikers for our two hour ride to Ollyantaytambo. In Ollyantaytambo, we were given breakfast and an opportunity to stock up on any last minute essentials before heading another 45 minutes to the start of the trail. At this point, I could not have imagined forgetting anything but alas I forgotten maybe the most important thing for our trip….toilette paper. Since we had been warned about the bathrooms and lack of toilette paper for the next four days, I was happy that the little market carried a bunch.

After another 45 minute drive, we finally arrived at the start of the trail. The Camino Inka Trail starts on the other side of the Urubamba River at km 82. As our 20+ porters prepared with all our gear for the next four days, we anxiously await and make last minute adjustments.

You could feel the excitement from the group as our guide announced we were ready to go. Before setting off, we stopped to take the iconic picture under the sign marking the start of the trail and the checkpoint to check passports. The government only allows 500 people on the trail per day, including porters, so this is a pretty regulated process. We had to register for the hike with the government of Peru almost four months before departure because the spots fill up so quickly. After everyone’s passport checks out, we are off.



Day 1, according to most everything you read, is described as a really easy day so I get concerned when we cross the river and almost immediately start to climb. Although the climb is relatively short, I am surprised at how quickly my heart is racing and how labored my breathing has become, especially since we had been training so hard and on much steeper inclines. Unfortunately, though, it appears the altitude is already affecting me, even at 9,200 feet. Thinking of how far we have to go and how high we have to climb tomorrow (13,800 feet), my initial goal of not being the last one to make it to camp is quickly replaced with just being able to finish the hike at all.

After about 30 minutes we stop for our first of many breaks and I can see our porters and guides scan our faces for signs of distress. According to our tour guide, most of the people who cannot finish the hike head back on the first day so I do my best to hide my agony. I don’t want to be categorized right away as someone who they need to worry about but I fear the crazy red color of my cheeks gives me away. As our guide takes this break to explain more about the Inca Trail, it is also hard not to notice a woman who looks much fitter than me riding on a donkey in the other direction. At this point, I feel doomed.

Luckily after our first break the trail eases up a bit and I start to feel a little more confident as we enjoy a long stretch of “flat” ground. Our guide refers to this section as Inca “flat” because along this trail there really isn’t the concept of a long section without some ups and downs. Despite the blazing heat, the next few hours are pretty pleasant with some nice Incan ruins and lots of breaks until lunch.



One thing to know about hiking the Inca Trail is that each tour group gets permits for different camps along the way. So for some groups, the first day is pretty short and you only hike for about five hours for a total elevation gain of 919 feet. The tour group we went with spends the first night at a camp about two more hours into the trail called Ayapata for a total elevation gain of 1,906 feet the first day.

After lunch and a brief siesta, we start off for the last two hours of hiking before we reach our campsite for the night. Since tomorrow is the toughest day with a total elevation gain of 4,373 feet, this afternoon’s climb of about 1,000 feet is a little preview of what’s to come. Although I regained a little confidence from the start of the trail, I am still anxious to see how I would do this afternoon.



The trail after lunch immediately starts to climb. I can’t believe how much steeper these inclines are compared to the ones in the morning. Our group of 13 quickly becomes separated into two groups as the faster climbers distance themselves from the rest of us. As we walk faster to keep up with the group, my breathing becomes so loud that the porters whizzing by us look back at me one by one with concern. I can only guess what they are thinking “call in the donkey”.

Our guide at that point sees several of us struggling and reminds us to keep it slow and steady.

“Slow and steady, slow and steady” he keeps repeating. “It isn’t a race, hike at your own pace”.

For the rest of afternoon, I would keep saying this to myself over and over again in my head. By slowing down, it really helped me find a nice pace and, while difficult, I found a rhythm that would get me through the rest of the day.
When we finally reached the campsite around 5pm, I was excited to have made it through the first day. It seemed maybe the odds of completing the hike were a little more in my favor and I was now a third of my way to Machu Picchu.

By Allison Tebbe

After spending two days in the Sacred Valley, we set off for Cuzco. As the ancient capital of the Incan Empire, Cuzco has a rich history. To learn more about the history of the Incan Empire and to see ancient relics, I highly recommend a trip to the Museo Inka. Just off the main square, The Museo Inka has a plethora of ceramics, jewelry, wood carvings and textiles. It is a great way to spend an afternoon and to learn more about Incan history.

The day after we arrived in Cuzco, we were pleasantly surprised that one of the biggest festivals for Cuzco was taking place, Corpus Christi. Although this festival is celebrated all around Peru, Corpus Christi is celebrated most elaborately in Cuzco. Marking 60 days since the passing of Easter, each church marches their patron saints through the city in a colorful and wild procession. For most of the afternoon and into the evening, 15 saints are carried through the streets accompanied by music, dancing and food.



The festival is day of wild celebration where locals from all over the city gather along the parade route with traditional food and drink. The typical dishes for this day include: guinea pig, chicha (corn beer) and cornbread. As we walked through the festivities, there were baskets upon baskets of charred guinea pigs being purchased and consumed by the masses. I wish I could say I was brave enough to partake in the local tradition, but I left the guinea pigs to be consumed by the locals.



The most appropriate two words I can think of to describe this day are: sensory overload. The colors, the music and the smells of the food were exciting and at sometimes overwhelming. The celebration continued well into the early morning as people danced in the street. What an amazing introduction to Cuzco, its people and traditions.



Another great way to experience local life in Cuzco is to visit the Mercado Central de San Pedro. Originally, we thought this was a touristy market to stock up on warm clothes for our hike, but it turned out to be the largest local market where one can buy all types of foods and goods. Exotic fruits, grains and cuts of meat adorned the aisles in addition to fresh bread. In the back of the market, there are several food vendors where hundreds of Cuzcoans dined on meat and rice dishes. The market is just a short walk from the main square and a definite must see.



The one thing that is hard not to notice in Cuzco is the abundance of dogs running around the streets. These friendly canines are a fun addition to the vibe of the city. On a daily basis, we spotted hundreds of dogs in all shapes and sizes darting in and out of traffic. Our tour guide said that during the day the dogs are free to roam around the streets, but at night they typically head back to their homes for good night’s sleep. Although not as abundant, it isn’t uncommon to also see an occasional llama or donkey roaming around the streets as well. I found these sightings a fun reminder that we were definitely not in San Francisco anymore.

By Allison Tebbe

As we start the decent into Cuzco, the biggest thing on my mind is the altitude. Having trained for four months to complete the trek to Machu Picchu, one thing you cannot prepare for is how your body will respond at 11,200 feet above sea level. This is why we decided to start the acclimation process by spending a few days in the Sacred Valley. The Sacred Valley, about an hour outside of Cuzco, is not only central to several important ancient Incan sites, but is only 9,200 feet above sea level which is a perfect place to stay before heading to Cuzco.



Arriving into Urubamba, a small town along the Urubamba river, it is easy to see that agriculture is the main livelihood of the people in this region. It seems as if every person we see is either working in the fields or harvesting crops. Later on I would learn from our tour guide that this area produces about 300 varieties of corn which is their staple crop.



I get my first glimpse into how my body will react to the altitude as we climb the steps of the terraces in Ollantaytambo. Ollyantaytambo is a town and an Incan archaeological site with several terraces that were built by the Incan Emperor Pachacuti in the 15th century for farming. I am surprised at how quickly I tire and how fast my heart races as we make our way to the top. I get a little worried about the impending hike until our tour guide reminds us that we’ve only been there for one day and have forgotten to chew our cocoa leaves.

Cocoa leaves and cocoa tea are a common herbal remedy for combating the affects of the altitude. Either by chewing or drinking with tea, the leaves are supposed combat nausea and fatigue, although there isn’t evidence to prove it. Because cocoa is a stimulant, I highly recommend not chewing or drinking cocoa tea in the evening or you’ll also be combating insomnia.

For me, it seems the cocoa leaves are working well because by the next day I am energized and ready to explore Pisac. Ancient Pisac is an important Incan site because of its religious, military and agricultural structures. Modern Pisac is most known for its market. Open every day, the market has hundreds of vendors selling popular souvenirs for tourists like: alpaca wool sweaters, silver, local ceramics and beads. You’ll also find plenty of opportunities to snap pictures of locals with baby goats and alpacas for only 1 Peruvian Sole.



How to get there – from Cuzco airport, take a taxi to the Sacred Valley. The cost is approximately $40 US for three people and the ride takes about an hour. In addition, you can get to Pisac market by bus from Cuzco for only $2 US dollars each way.

Where to stay – there are several types of accommodation in the Sacred Valley from plus 5-star hotels like the Tambo Del Inca Hotel and Spa in Urubamba to hostels catering to backpackers in Ollyantaytambo. Check out hotels.vayama.com for hotel deals in the Sacred Valley.

What to do – besides visiting the ancient cities of Ollyantaytambo, Pisac and Moray, the Sacred Valley is a great place for outdoor activities like hiking, white river rafting, biking and bungee jumping. Visit https://www.vayama.com/tours-activities/ to find tours and activities in the area.

On Monday we announced the launch of the Vayama Go Somewhere Tour, a 12-market U.S. campaign inspiring people to dream about international travel by means of an 18-foot custom-designed truck that serves as a hub for global discovery and travel inspiration at each event along the way.

The Go Somewhere truck will be driving over the next four months, covering well over 6,000 miles, and visiting 12 markets in the Western half of the United States. In each market, we will be inviting people to experience some of the world’s most interesting cities. A fun game show allows players to compete against one another on international trivia, and a custom-created iPad app allows people to play with an interactive map that shares facts, photos and videos of different cities around the globe. If interested, people can also easily sign up for destination-specific content on the city of their choosing.

One of the most unique experiences at the truck however, is the passport photo booth. Recent U.S. passport statistics reveal that only an estimated 39 percent of the country’s population has a valid passport. Those who dream about taking an international trip can walk away with a passport-ready photo, bringing them one step closer to making the dream of international travel a reality.

Over the course of the tour, people who visit the Go Somewhere Tour truck can enter the Go Somewhere Sweepstakes. The Grand Prize winner will receive an international trip for two on Emirates Airline, plus U.S. $2,000 spending money. 12 lucky First Prize winners (1 winner in each market) will receive a U.S. $1,500 travel voucher, redeemable on Vayama.com. Market stops include:

 
For full details on the Go Somewhere Tour, visit: http://vayama-go-somewhere-tour.com.

 


 

Whether you’re planning to jet set with your loved one or just give the gift of travel this Valentine’s Day, we’re here to help turn up the romance!

A number of the world’s most romantic destinations can be found in Europe and we want to help get you and your sweetheart there.

If you’re looking to be awed and inspired by cities that exude romance, these European backdrops are your answer:

Paris, France
Whisk your special someone away for a picnic beneath the sparkling Eiffel Tower or an intimate dinner cruise down the Seine River.

Barcelona, Spain
Admire the city lights and beautiful scenery in a hot air balloon ride over the surrounding mountains, or enjoy an intimate wine tasting, complete with delicious tapas at one of the many cafes and restaurants in the city.

Rome, Italy
Put the Rome in Romance this year when you take your sweetie to the birthplace of Valentine’s Day. Marvel at beautiful art in museums like the Galleria Borghese, or wander the city touring the many attractions, such as the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain or the Coliseum in the heart of Rome.

For the adventurous couple, enjoying the winter sports season, a jungle hike or exploring a distant rugged coastline might be the perfect journey. Consider visiting one of these destinations:

Verbier, Switzerland
Embrace the winter weather and hit the slopes with your loved one or get cozy by a warm fire in this charming village set against the snow-capped Swiss Alps.

Montego Bay, Jamaica
Share a Jamaican adventure this Valentine’s Day when you explore the white sand beaches, swim with dolphins or take a safari with your special someone.

Gisborne, New Zealand
Take a guided tour along New Zealand’s coast or take your love to the sea for some surfing or a boating expedition to the White Islands.

If your heart is set on relaxing on the beach and enjoying each other’s company away from the crowds, then plan your vacation to one of these beautiful, serene locales:

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Watch the sunset from a romantic horseback ride along the beach or take a moonlit kayak excursion into Fajardo biobay.

Palm Beach, Aruba
Get lost in the bliss of clear blue waters crashing against the sugary-white sand with your special someone by your side.

Maldives
Escape to one of the most romantic destinations in the world and experience a beachfront vacation basking in the warm sunshine or enjoy the shade under a perfect palm tree.

Even if you can’t get away for the actual Valentine’s Day holiday, giving the gift of travel is an incredible gesture, and what’s even more special is planning your romantic trip together!

Before you start booking your 2013 travel, consider referencing some of the trends we saw this year to see where and how people were traveling in 2012. Plus, find out which international cities were the most booked for the week of Christmas and New Years – it’s never too early to plan that holiday travel!

When looking at our 2012 travel data, which includes tickets sold and routes traveled, there was a noticeable shift in some booking trends. Here are some of the top developments:

• Flying in style – There was a slight increase in the number of people booking premium classes when traveling internationally this year
• Across the Pond is the Place to be - A look at the top 10 destinations from this year and last showed that London held its position as the number one city in terms of bookings among Vayama customers in 2012.
• The Far East for Far Less - Our data also showed popularity in bookings to Asian cities like Hong Kong, Shanghai, Thailand and Tokyo.
• Warmer Days for the Holidays – The booked international ticket volume during the week of Christmas and the New Year shows that a majority of travelers were headed to warmer climates. Destinations like Costa Rica, Mexico, Hong Kong, Delhi and Thailand are attractive to travelers seeking an international destination with minimal rain and higher temperatures than most U.S. cities that are enduring a winter chill.

London, England

Overall international bookings compared to 2011:

Underground River in Palawan, Philippines

Top 10 destinations booked from U.S. departing cities for the week of Christmas:

1. London, United Kingdom
2. Manila, Philippines
3. Bangkok, Thailand
4. Mumbai, India
5. San Jose, Costa Rica
6. Delhi, India
7. Paris, France
8. Hong Kong, China
9. Beijing, China
10. Cancun, Mexico

Esterillos Oeste, Costa Rica

Top 10 destinations booked from U.S. departing cities on December 30:

1. Manila, Philippines
2. Mumbai, India
3. Delhi, India
4. Chennai, India
5. Stuttgart, Germany
6. Hong Kong, China
7. Tokyo, Japan
8. Medellin, Colombia
9. Dakar, Senegal
10. Guangzhou, China

Red Fort, Delhi, India

For those of you thinking ahead for Spring Break travel, we wanted to share the Top 10 destinations booked from U.S. departing cities during March and April in 2012 as well as what’s already booked for 2013:

Dublin, Ireland

Istanbul, Turkey

In search of fashion, art, food and music in Dusseldorf

I knew almost immediately that Dusseldorf was a place I wanted to visit again. With only two days to explore, it seemed I had only scratched the surface of this city with its old and new contrasts. Dusseldorf is a destination that offers your typical European charm, but the bigger find is that it is also a city on the edge of the fashion, music, food and impressive art scene.

With over 26 museums and 100 galleries, it wasn’t hard to get my art fix – even when I found myself underground. The Kunst im Tunnel (KIT) gallery leverages an unused tunnel along the Rhine to display the works of local art students. Just off the Rhine promenade, this gallery is a must see for only 4 Euro per person.

As dusk starts to set, the city really comes alive at night and crowds fill the pubs and bars along the Altstadt, the old town. With the “longest bar in the world,” there were plenty of places to sample the local brew variety, Alt. At the suggestion of our tour guide, we also sampled some Killepitsch, a local liquor that has been around since 1848. With 42% alcohol content, this is the drink that’s sure to warm you up on a cold winter evening.

The highlight of my time in Dusseldorf was getting to go backstage at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein (aka. the opera house) before a performance of La Boheme. As a guest of the media director, we also got to explore the costumer archive and dine with performers before the show. Getting to explore the 50,000+ costumes was an awesome experience and I was secretly hoping they’d let me take my pick – the black swan perhaps? With daily performances, the Oper am Rhein is a great way to spend an evening.

If you are planning a trip to this wonderful city, here are some recommendations based on my experience this trip:

Where to stay

Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf

What to eat

Monkey’s Restaurant Group
Monkey’s East – I dined at this location and enjoyed all of the Asian fusion dishes and hands down some of the best curry
Monkey’s South
Monkey’s West

Zum Schlüssel
Traditional German eats

Things to do

Christmas Market
November 22^nd – December 23^rd, the city center will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland with hundreds of vendors offering local treats for the holiday season.

Museum Kunstpalast
Escape the cold and head into the Kunstpalast to explore the paintings and modern art exhibits. The Andreas Gursky exhibit is on display until January 13, 2013.

Deutsche Oper am Rhein
Daily opera and ballet performances.

MedienHafen
District of Dusseldorf along the harbor with Gehry buildings.

How to get there

Airberlin offers daily flights from the US directly to Dusseldorf.

By Allison Tebbe

Everyone here at Vayama is passionate about travel and more importantly about sharing the best fares, flight options and travel deals to make people’s travel dreams a reality.

That is why today I am leaving sunny California for the chillier parts of Europe in search of the best winter destinations. On my twelve-day excursion, I will be on the lookout for the best winter travel specials, accommodations, tours and sights in Germany, Denmark, Austria and Switzerland to help everyone become a savvy traveler and have the insight to plan their perfect winter Euro-trip!

The first leg of my trip begins with an airberlin flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Dusseldorf International Airport in Germany where I will spend three days touring the city and visiting sights like Benrath Palace and Garden. From Dusseldorf I will venture to Copenhagen, Denmark for three days, then Vienna, Austria for three days and finally make my way to Zurich, Switzerland for the last four days.

I will be sharing regular updates of my experience, including everything from the airports and flights, to my hotel stays and various activities. Stay tuned for photos of my adventure and recommendations for how to plan the ultimate winter vacation in Europe!

By Allison Tebbe

From its pagan Celtic origins in the festival of Samhain (Summer’s End), Halloween is now celebrated all over the world. Discover the best international destinations to celebrate your own Halloween getaway in an appropriately spooky fashion: From Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania, to Père-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris and everywhere cool spooks reside.

Halloween Inspired Getaways

By Max Milano *

November and early December’s chill is ideal for a Halloween inspired getaway. Check our top five destinations to get you in a spirited mood.

1-Paris
Paris has its charms all year around, it’s just that the city’s charms change with the seasons. Once the leaves begin to turn on the Bois de Boulogne (Paris’s Central Park), you know it’s time to dress up in retro-black before hitting an Absinthe bar. Once appropriately in the mood, take a tour of the Paris Catacombs or head for a spirited climb up Notre Dame’s famous bell towers in search of Quasimodo (Victor Hugos beloved hunchback). Save a full day to explore the antiquaries of Village Saint Paul (for Victorian era mourning rings and top hats) before visiting the tombs of Père Lachaise cemetery, a veritable who’s who of France’s 19th and 20th century literary and artistic luminaries (from Moliere to Edith Piaf, plus illustrious ex-pats Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison).

Père Lachaise Cemetery: It's Wilde.

Discover Paris for less with Vayama’s cheap flights.

2-Prague
Prague is custom made for Halloween inspired explorations. Start early in the morning from Prague Castle’s hilltop balcony, for a bird’s eye view of the city’s gothic and medieval spires waving in and out of the mist. Then walk downhill from the Castle to Franz Kafka’s house, while reading a passage from “The Metamorphosis” to set the mood. Head on to Prague’s Old New Synagogue to hear about the legend of the Golum (a Frankenstein type mud-monster said to live in the attic and come alive during times of crisis). Finish your tour in Prague’s Old Jewish Cemetery; this mound of crooked 17th century tombstones in the heart of Prague’s Jewish quarter, for a picturesque Memento Mori experience.

Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague.

3- Transylvania
Transylvania is Rumania’s historical central region; it can be reached by a three hour train ride from Bucharest. Transylvania’s jagged Carpathian Mountains, dark wolf and bear infested forests, fortified churches, medieval citadels and Saxon castles set the perfect mood for Halloween inspired travels. The area’s rich folklore was the inspiration for Bram Stokes Dracula, so follow in the footsteps of Vlad the Impaler with a visit to Bram Castle (a.k.a Drakula’s Castle) and the medieval walled city of Sighișoara. Round up your trip with a visit to the Merry Cemetery of Săpânţa, for its colorful tombstones with naïve paintings that celebrate life.

Bran Castle, Transylvania.

Discover Rumania for less with Vayama’s cheap flights.

4-London
London is perfect for a Halloween inspired getaway that will equally satisfy children and adults. From Madame Tussaud’s wax exhibits, to night walking tours of Whitechapel, following in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper. The kids will love a scary-fun visit to the London Dungeon, for lively recreations of many gory and macabre historical events in a comedic ‘gallows humor’ style (from the Plague to Sweeney Todd and Bloody Mary’s hapless victims). For a more historically accurate experience, visit the Tower Of London, home to the Crown Jewels and the execution place to many disloyal royals.

London: To the Tower!

Discover London for less with Vayama’s cheap flights.

5-Tokyo
The Japanese have elevated the American style cheesy theme restaurant into an art form (and their forte is horror inspired themes!). Visit the Vampire Café, in Tokyo’s glitzy Ginza district for a horrifyingly fun evening of coffin shaped desserts and blood inspired drinks. For an even more other worldly experience, visit Yurei Bar in the Kichijoji district for cocktails that glow in the dark and “pool of blood soup.” Of course, the wait staff is all done up in ghostly makeup, and you’re even allowed to dress up yourself!

Dinner is Served: Vampire Cafe, Tokyo.

Discover Tokyo for less with Vayama’s Cheap fligts.

* Max Milano is a world traveler, travel blogger and published author.

Head for the Southern Hemisphere this Holiday Season and enjoy the hottest Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations on the planet; from Rio’s Ipanema Beach parties to Hobbits in New Zealand, the holidays are hotter than ever this year.

By Max Milano

The holidays are upon us, it’s the happiest time of the year and a perfect reason to visit friends and family. Another great way to celebrate the holiday season is to take your loved ones on a holiday they will never forget. How about the Southern Hemisphere?

Southern Holidays
The Southern Hemisphere offers world class destinations, breathtaking landscapes and amazing wildlife. Enjoy spring and summer (this fall and winter) in these hot Southern Hemisphere destinations.

Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is hot all year around, but nothing tops New Year’s Eve on Copacabana beach (only the Rio Carnival matches it). The locals dress all in white; eat traditional New Year’s food (farofa), dance the samba and light floating candles on the beach. And just when you think nothing can top this amazing celebration, the skies above Copacabana Beach will light up with the biggest fireworks display of the year. So head down to Rio for the Holidays, it will surely be a holiday to remember.

Rio's New Year's Eve Fireworks

Cape Town
Summer in Cape Town during the Holiday season means sunbathing with the penguins on Boulder Beach, hiking to the top of Table Mountain for one of the best views in the world, wine tasting in Stellenbosch (South Africa’s premier wine region), or going on a lion safari in a private game reserve. But nothing beats Cape Town’s ‘Kaapse Klopse’ carnival on New Year’s Day. The whole town pours into the streets to dance and sing in colorful costumes and painted faces. Join in the fun and find out why Cape Town is one of the top holiday destinations of the Holiday season.

Cape Town's ‘Kaapse Klopse’ Carnival

Auckland
Auckland is called ‘The City of Sails.’ It’s a beautiful port city of gorgeous bays, beaches and inlets, world class restaurants, a spectacular skyline, suburban wineries, and bungee jumping right downtown. The locals celebrate Christmas with a traditional ‘Santa Parade’ and New Year’s with a fireworks display above Sky Tower (the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest structure). But nothing can match spending the holidays in Middle Earth. Tolkien may have been inspired by Iceland and the British Midlands when he wrote his Hobbit sagas, but thanks to Kiwi director Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit movies (all filmed entirely in New Zealand), you can now wonder through the streets of Hobbiton, and even drive to the top of Mount Doom. The town of Matamata, just a two hour drive from Auckland, has preserved the entire Hobbiton set used in all the movies. Tours are offered daily and the remoteness of the location (you can pan 360 degrees and never see a modern structure) will have you convinced that you’ve just landed in Middle Earth. A bit further south of Matamata rises Mount Ruapehu, a massive stratovolcano that stood in for Mount Doom in the Lord of the Ring movies and the highest point of the North Island. Doesn’t a holiday in Middle Earth sound perfect for the Holidays?

Welcome to Hobbiton

 

Max Milano is a world traveler, travel blogger and published author.