Hobbiton alone makes New Zealand worth the trip

I'll be honest — I went to New Zealand primarily to see Hobbiton, and it delivered beyond what any photo prepares you for. But the surrounding region surprised me just as much. Wellington has a character I didn't anticipate, and wandering without a plan for an afternoon turned out to be one of the highlights.

The food is extraordinary. lamb roast sounds simple but here it's done with real craft. extraordinarily beautiful landscapes added another layer to the experience. Spent 16 days and honestly could have used a week more.