Viator Announces Exclusive Lord of the Rings Hobbiton Movie Tour in Time for World Premiere

As the world awaits the upcoming release of “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” Viator.com, the leading resource for researching and booking tours and activities worldwide, has announced the launch of a new collection of hand-picked experiences that bring travelers straight to the heart of “Middle-earth.”

Dreamed up by J.R.R. Tolkien as the hometown of the characters in “The Lord of the Rings” and in the prequel trilogy “The Hobbit,” Middle-earth is depicted beautifully on screen by film-maker Peter Jackson, using the lush and stunning landscapes of New Zealand as the backdrop. Viator has added three new “Hobbiton” tours to its selection of Lord of the Rings experiences so fans of the Tolkien series can revel in behind-the-scenes access to the actual sets used in filming. In addition to walking in the footsteps of Bilbo and Gandalf, travelers will be treated to insider information provided by expert local guides.

Be the First on Set, Only with Viator

Available only through Viator.com, the Viator Exclusive: Early Access to The Lord of the Rings Hobbiton Movie Set provides the ultimate behind-the-scenes look at where ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and the 'Hobbit' trilogies were filmed. This exclusive small group tour departs Auckland at 6:30am and arrives at this popular attraction near Matamata, a small agricultural town approximately 2.5 hours' drive from Auckland, before the site opens to the general public. The expert guide brings travelers to portions of the set typically only accessed by the crew and off-limits to other tour groups. Travelers will see Bilbo Baggins’ house, Bag End, the Mill and the Party Tree among other recognizable landmarks, and enjoy a hearty breakfast at the Green Dragon Inn.

Tolkien fans have a chance to win two free tickets to the Viator Exclusive Hobbiton Movie Set tour: details on the contest, which runs until December 20, can be found on Viator’s Auckland & North Island blog.

A Private Journey to Middle-earth

For a personalized experience, the Private Tour: The Lord of the Rings Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Auckland lets travelers select their departure time from Auckland and travel to the Hobbiton movie set on a private drive along the meandering Waikato River. On the way to Middle-earth, travelers will see where a famous battle took place in 1863 between Maori and British forces at Rangiri, have views of the sacred Taupiri Mountain and drive through the historic site of Ngaruawahia, seat of the ancient Maori king and a traditional Maori meeting place. Hear tales of the filming and visit the films’ iconic sites including the Hobbit holes cut into the ground at Bag End. Travelers enjoy lunch at the Green Dragon Inn before a relaxing return trip to Auckland.

Combine the Hobbits of Hobbiton with the Glow Worms of Waitomo

Travelers can experience two of New Zealand’s most popular attractions during the Private Tour: Waitomo Caves and The Lord of the Rings Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Auckland. The private drive through the gently undulating farming country makes its first stop at Waitomo to join a 45-minute tour of the glow-worm caves, including a tranquil boat ride on an underground stream to ensure an up-close view of the glow worms. After lunch in Waitomo, travelers are transported to Matamata and the Shire's Rest café where the Hobbiton tour begins. The tour takes visitors on a drive through the bucolic sheep farm chosen as the Hobbiton movie set and visits its most memorable sites before returning to Auckland.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a tequila enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

The Movie Is The Movie, The Book Is The Book

by Jeffrey Dale Starr

Last Friday I watched Ender's Game and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It must be noted that I never read the book.

But should that matter? Does my opinion of the movie not carry much weight because I haven't yet read what is considered one of the greatest sci-fi books ever written?

It's a tricky question.

When it comes to film adaptations of books, the results vary. You have great books made into dreadful movies (2010); you have so-so books made into fantastic movies (Jaws); and you have cases where both the movie and book were great (The Silence of the Lambs, The Hunger Games).

I understand the frustration of the book-fan who cries, "the movie is nowhere near as good as the book!" It's the same frustration I felt when Nirvana went on to world fame...I loved the band but I was upset that Pixies weren't getting credit as the creators of the genre. The anger that fans of the book feel is based more on the perceived snubbing of the book than the merits of the film, I think.

Another common complaint from the book fan is that the movie left out passages from the book, or made some changes to the plot.

This is where the title of this article comes in: the movie is the movie, the book is the book. Books are not movies and vice versa.

A recent example of this dilemma is the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Hardcore fans want to see every tidbit from the books on the screen. Trouble is, this would necessitate a 7-hour movie (as it is, the uncut version of Return of the King gets close to that running time.) If your desire as the book-fan is that more people will read the book you love, you're shooting yourself in the foot if you end up with a movie considered unwatchable by the masses.

I have to admit, however, that I get frustrated when plot points are changed for no apparent reason. For example: in The Hunger Games, how Katniss acquires the Mockingjay pin was altered for the movie. I can't imagine how the movie benefited from that variation.

But then again, someone who enjoyed the movie and hasn't read the books might accuse me of being a crybaby. And he might be right.

I do think, though, that some stories should not be rushed. A perfect example of this is Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen crafted some of the finest dialogue ever conceived in her masterpiece, and a two-hour movie simply does not give that novel the time and breathing room necessary to develop properly. Which is why the Colin Firth miniseries will always be definitive.

Books That Should Not Be Filmed

Then there is a different category - books that should never be turned into movies.

These are typically books that are heavy on narrative and writing style. One of my favorite authors is Kurt Vonnegut. But every adaptation of one his books is a disaster. What makes a Vonnegut novel great isn't so much the story, but the unique way that the author expresses himself.

I guess, conversely, you could say the same thing about highly visual directors. Who wants to read The Tree of Life: The Novel?

Other books that have failed in this regard: The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy; anything written by Hunter S. Thompson.

In conclusion, I guess it's best to view movies and books as two entirely different art forms that should stand on their own merits.

If you loved a book you might love the movie, but I wouldn't count on it.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a world traveler, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.