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Hobbiton really exists and I want to live there! See the movie set in New Zealand!
Hobbiton really exists and I want to live there! See why you must visit this movie set in New Zealand! Take the Hobbiton Village Tour from Auckland, NZ. Travel tips and Things to do in New Zealand #hobbiton #newzealand
Hobbiton really exists and I want to live there! See why you must visit this movie set in New Zealand!
We work in television, so being on set is something we're used to, but the Lord of the Rings HOBBITON movie set was awesome! I read the first Lord of the Rings books in high school and have seen a couple of the movies but I wouldn't call myself an expert or super fan by any means. This place was so picturesque and perfect, I enjoyed it way more than I thought I was going to!
Hobbiton, New Zealand
How to Get to Hobbiton from Auckland
We were staying in Auckland and booked our tour through Viator.
Click here for the Small-Group Tour: The Lord of the Rings Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Auckland
It's around $220 USD but includes:
Transportation to and from Hobbiton
Tour of the Shire
Lunch at the Dragon Inn
A cider, ale or ginger beer inside the Green Dragon Inn
$10 Voucher for the Giftshop
It's an 8-hour tour which starts bright and early with a pickup from your hotel around 7am. We stopped at a coffee shop along the way for a little snack and stretch since it was a 2.5 hour bus ride. Sounds like a long ride, but the sites along the way were picturesque and gorgeous. The ride also allowed us to catch up on a little sleep!
Welcome to Hobbiton
Arriving at Hobbiton
When searching New Zealand for the perfect location, Jackson sought out for a tall tree near a lake that could live up to the "Party Tree" as described in the books. The perfect location for the Shire was finally found in Matamata on a working sheep farm in the heart of Waikato.
Hobbiton Map - Movie Set Tour
Sheep Farm - Hobbiton
Apparently the location scout for the movie landed his helicopter and went up to the Alexander house to inquire about using the land in an upcoming movie. Mr. Alexander's reaction was the best, he told the scout that the rugby was on, and he should come back later. He did.
To get to bag end, you must drive through the 1250 acre sheep farm owned by the Alexander family to make it up to the world’s biggest outdoor movie set.
Fun fact: with over 13,500 sheep on the farm, not one of them was shown in the film. Director, writer and producer, Peter Jackson, preferred the look of Suffolk sheep with dark faces and legs, which were brought in for filming.
Read more about Small-Group Tour: The Lord of the Rings Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Auckland - Auckland | Viator at: Small Group Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
The Shire was built twice since it was torn down after the Lord of the Rings trilogy wrapped, then rebuilt for the Hobbit movies. The set covers 12 acres, featuring 44 hobbit holes.
Hobbit Holes!
Hobbit Holes
We started venturing into the Shire, seeing all the hobbit holes including Bilbo Baggins’s house. Between 30 and 200 plants surround each hobbit hole, employing seven to eight gardeners to maintain the beautiful agricultural grounds.
Bilbo Baggins Hobbit Hole
The holes are based on different sizes to feed to the illusion of their actual size. The holes used by actors playing hobbits were built at a 90 percent scale, while the holes used by Gandalf were built at a 60 percent scale to make him look much larger.
Most of the scenes filmed inside the holes were on a set, leaving the Hobbit holes as facades but there are some you can walk into. The inside is only about 5 feet, but still, fun to walk in!
Visiting Hobbit Holes at 60% scale
Hobbit holes ay 90% scale and a 5 foot inside
Click here for the Small-Group Tour: The Lord of the Rings Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Auckland
This hobbit hole was my favorite! Just look at how pretty it is! We spent a lot of time here!
My favorite hobbit hole with pretty flowers!
Hobbiton was allowed to stay in New Zealand as long as they kept the grounds just as it looked in the movie.
Hobbiton Party Tree
The Party Tree
The "Party Tree" can be found on the top of the hill of Hobbiton above Bilbo's house. This 70-80 meter tall oak tree's color is greener than most because it is made of fiberglass and hand painted silk leaves that were individually wired on to each branch.
The Pond at Hobbiton
The Pond
While shooting the movies, the frogs in the pond were too noisy affecting dialogue among the characters and causing an inability to hear each other. Peter Jackson actually paid someone to move ALL of the frogs relocating them to a different pond on the sheep farm. They were put back after production wrapped.
The Green Dragon
The Green Dragon
The Green Dragon was a later edition to the farm in 2012. Southfarthing beverages can be found exclusively at the Green Dragon Inn: an apple cider, non-alcoholic ginger beer and two ales, all brewed at the Good George Brewery in Hamilton. They are served at the bar in the Green Dragon Inn. Our tour came with one, but we bought another round.
Totally worth checking out! Click here for the Small-Group Tour: The Lord of the Rings Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Auckland
Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.
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HOTEL REVIEW: Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
Best part about Aruba: visiting the flamingos on Renaissance Island! Where is the best hotel to stay in Oranjested, Aruba? Our hotel review of the Renaissance Aruba Hotel shows why you must stay, and includes things to do such as visiting flamingo beach on their private island, cabana rentals, shopping, and restaurants! There is an adult hotel and family hotel, which is fun for everyone!
Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
Address: L.G. Smith Blvd 82, Oranjestad, Aruba
Website: Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino
Flamingo Beach - Renaissance Island
The number one reason to stay here is to visit Flamingo Beach! After we were spoiled staying at the Hyatt Regency Aruba, the Renaissance was nice but we spent more time with my new pink friends than in the room! Read all about our days spent at Aruba’s Renaissance Island - Flamingo Beach . Many ask: Is flamingo island worth it? 1000% YES!
Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks!
Renaissance Adult Only Hotel in Aruba
There are 2 hotels at the Renaissance property, both right across from each other. The adults-only hotel is more inland but still in the marina. It’s also connected to a very fancy, high-end mall and casino! Check out rates here: booking.com
All-inclusive rooms in Aruba!
All-inclusive room rates at Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino are available. However, these rates tend to be higher because they include onsite food and beverages in the room rate.
How to get to Renaissance Island Aruba with the Flamingo Beach
The Renaissance owns a small island just a quick 10 minute boat ride away that they have named Renaissance Island. Booking your stay at the Renaissance guarantees you access to the island, there is a small chance you can buy a ticket the morning of, but there are very few if the hotel is not sold out. Here, you will find beautiful beaches with lounge chairs, a restaurant, hammocks, and FLAMINGOS. A water taxi stops every 15 mins in the lobby to head to Renaissance Island.
Read more here: Aruba’s Renaissance Island Flamingo Beach
Things to do at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
Go to Renaissance Island for the Flamingo and Iguana beach
Rent a cabana on Renaissance Island - The cabana comes with 2 bottles of Voss still water, 2 bottles of Voss sparkling water, bottle of sparkling wine, refreshing food amenity, personalized cabana butler service, towels, 2 water floats, and 2 full face-snorkeling masks. Cabanas at Iguana Beach come with kids snorkels. Cabana 4001 at Iguana Beach has a water slide. Rates start at $300 - BOOK EARLY!
Go for a dip in the pool (there is a family pool and adult-only pool)!
Get a drink at the lobby bar - it overlooks the pool and ocean!
Go shopping! There is a little plaza to shop around for clothes and souvenirs!
Have breakfast on Renaissance Island! There is an amazing restaurant, called Papagoyo Bar & Grill, that serves a large breakfast that will fill you up for a day in the sun!
Go to the Spa Cove on Renaissance Island! Peaceful and serene, this spa only has ocean views!
Arrival: Parking, Lobby, and Bar at the Renaissance Aruba
Valet parking is available under the lobby. We took a taxi and didn’t need a car to get around the island. The lobby was open air and the bar was located right next to the pool. Check-in was a breeze. Literally. The staff was really nice and when our room wasn’t ready, they stored our bags and we were allowed to go to the island.
Renaissance Aruba Guest Rooms
Our room was a decent size. We booked a Guest room, 1 King or 2 Double, Limited view in the Marina Hotel. The design was fairly modern and looked like they had been renovated fairly recently.
Guest Room
The little booth was cute but not very comfortable. Our limited view was an inside view and we were located right above Starbucks. The most exciting thing that happened out the window: watching people board the boats for Renaissance Island.
The closet was small, our suitcases didn’t fit inside. The robes were nice, though!
Bathroom
The bathroom was on the smaller side compared the Hyatt we had just stayed at, but was perfect for spending 24 hours there. SO many towels.
Renaissance Aruba Adult Pool
The adult pool was so quiet and relaxing, perfect for honeymooners. With ocean and marina views, why would you ever want to leave!
The lobby bar and the pool bar are one and the same. I love how open and bright the bar area is!
We basically paid $400 to see Flamingos, but they were worth every penny!
Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks!
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