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Valentines

in New Zealand

by Lisa Spiller, Luxury Travel Advisor
Our next stop was the Waitomo the hilltop Hilton Resort and Spa, where we
affiliated with Preferred Travel & Company.
Glowworm Caves, a natural wonder like watched the fiery hues of sunset reflect off
Lisa@PreferredNaples.com no other. We glided in a small boat across the glassy lake before succumbing to a jet lag-
www.preferrednaples.com an underground stream, surrounded by a induced slumber.
mesmerizing display of glowworms—unique We awoke to clear blue skies and
s a holiday travel enthusiast, I’ve to New Zealand—lighting up the dark caves sunshine, perfect for a sail on Lake Taupō
welcomed the New Year in Sydney in a surreal, ethereal glow. to the Maori Rock Carvings. The Māori are
A and Saigon, celebrated Easter We continued our journey southward, the Indigenous people of New Zealand, and
in Japan, Thanksgiving in Borneo, and passing through breathtaking pastures, their tribal culture and ancestral lands are
most recently, enjoyed a 14 day Valentine’s towering pine forests, fields of vibrant flowers, deeply respected and honored. Afterward,
adventure through New Zealand. With and rolling corn crops, with grass-fed sheep we indulged in some of New Zealand's finest
February offering some of the best weather and cows dotting the landscape. Eventually, local produce: melt-in-your-mouth, freshly
for exploring the country, a romantic we arrived at Lake Taupō, the largest inland shucked oysters, crisp local rosé wine, and
getaway to New Zealand makes for a perfect lake in New Zealand. At last, we checked into tender grilled lamb.
Valentine’s surprise. Jet boat rides in New Zealand are part
Direct non-stop flights from the U.S. of the adventure, so naturally, we included a
arrive early morning, so to maximize our head-spinning jet boat ride at the beautiful
arrival day, we coordinated a VIP fast track Huka Falls before making our way back to
through the Auckland airport, hired a private Auckland, eager for the special Valentine's
car & driver and headed south through the Day planned for the following morning.
rolling green heartland of New Zealand. On Valentine's Day, we hopped aboard
As we navigated through the bustling the ferry to Waiheke Island. The best way
city traffic, the highway swiftly transformed to take in the iconic Auckland skyline is
into a smooth, single-lane country road. The from the water, and the ferry ride did not
urban landscape faded away, replaced by disappoint. Waiheke Island is, to Aucklanders,
rolling green pastures in every imaginable what the Hamptons are to New Yorkers—
shade—a mesmerizing quilt of fifty different charming beaches, cozy summer cottages and
greens. We lost track of both the number of picturesque villages nestled among rolling
sheep and the miles as we marveled at the hills of vineyards and the backdrop of the sea.
breathtaking beauty of rural New Zealand. Known for its wineries and natural beauty,
Our destination was Hobbiton, the Waiheke offered the perfect romantic escape.
enchanting setting from Peter Jackson's We joined Ananda’s
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The Gourmet Food and
village, lovingly preserved and enhanced over Wine Tour and
the years, was everything we'd imagined and were blown away
more. It’s a must-visit for any fan of the films. by the hand-
The experience even inspired us to revisit harvested, foot-
both trilogies once we returned home. crushed wines. Each
wine was paired with
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