Finding Hobbiton!
In 1998, Sir Peter Jackson’s team of location scouts were searching for the iconic rolling hills and lush green pastures of Hobbiton™. An aerial search led them to the Alexander farm, a stunning 1,250 acre sheep farm in the heart of the Waikato. They noted the area’s striking similarity to The Shire™, as described by JRR Tolkien, and quickly realised that the Hobbits™ had found a home.
In one particular part of the farm, a magnificent pine tree towered over a nearby lake, adjacent to a rising hill. Bag End now sits atop that hill, overlooking the Party Tree, as that pine would later be known. The surrounding areas were untouched; no power lines, no buildings and no roads in sight. This meant that Sir Peter Jackson could leave the 20th century behind, and fully submerge himself in the fantasy world of Middle-earth™.
In March 1999 the crew began the nine month quest to bring the ideas for Hobbiton to fruition; help was provided by the New Zealand Army, and soon 39 temporary Hobbit Holes™ were scattered across the 12 acre plot used for the set. Secrecy was key, and strict security measures were put in place by the production company throughout construction and filming. Filming commenced in December 1999, and it took around three months to get a wrap on The Shire.
After an initial attempt at demolition, 17 bare plywood facades remained. These shells would serve as the catalyst that propelled Hobbiton forward into the public eye, with guided tours commencing in 2002.
In 2009, Sir Peter Jackson returned to film The Hobbit trilogy, and he left behind the beautiful movie set you’ll see today; 44 permanently reconstructed Hobbit Holes, in the same fantastic detail seen in the movies. In 2012 The Green Dragon™ Inn was opened as the finale to the journey. Guests now finish their Hobbiton Movie Set experience with a refreshing beverage from the Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ Range. There’s an abundance of movie magic nestled inside the fully operational farm.
Your river cruise on London's oldest thoroughfare - the Royal Thames - is an opportunity to take a truly different view of London, passing some its best of historical landmarks the Thames offers including:
Cleopatra's Needle — It is known as Cleopatra's Needle as it was brought to London from Alexandria, the royal city of Cleopatra. The Needle arrived in England after a horrendous journey by sea in 1878
South Bank — The South Bank is the cultural heart of London, home to the South Bank Centre, Old Vic, Young Vic, National Theatre, BFI IMAX, BFI Southbank as well as art galleries, such as the.gallery@oxo and Bargehouse.
St Paul's Cathedral — designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London
Millennium Bridge — London's Millennium Bridge is the first pedestrian river crossing over the Thames in central London for more than a century
Tate Modern — the Tate Collection comprises the national collection of British art from the year 1500 to the present day and international modern art
The Globe Theatre — Shakespeare's Globe is a unique international resource dedicated to the exploration of Shakespeare's work
HMS Belfast — HMS Belfast is the largest surviving example of Britain's twentieth century naval power and is now a museum moored on the Thames between Tower and London Bridge
Tower of London — the Tower of London is one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses
Tower Bridge — Tower Bridge was completed in 1894, after 8 years of construction. Originally, London Bridge was the only crossing over the Thames. You can then visit the Victorian Engine Rooms, home to the original steam engines that used to power the Bridge lifts
Docklands — Walk alongside the Tower walls and suddenly you are thrust into the most modern area of London. From Tower Bridge to the Royal Docks and the Isle of Dogs is one of the oldest areas of London, containing the wharfs, warehouses and ports along the River Thames.
Canary Wharf — Canary Wharf is planned on a grand scale, yet with meticulous attention to detail. The estate extends to over 97 acres and is so called because when in use as a dock, many of the imports were from the Canary Islands. Approximately 14.1 million square feet of office and retail space has been constructed to date.
Greenwich — Greenwich is recognised for its cultural heritage: the grandeur and sheer beauty of its buildings; the magnificent vistas and views across London;-its royal history, as the birthplace of both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, among others;
Hop-on to this City Sightseeing Lima Night tour bus at Larcomar and get ready to take some unforgettable pictures of all the serenity that Lima has to offer under the moonlight! This excursion will also take you to the Magic Circuit of Water, the greatest fountain complex in the world, certified by Guinness World Records. This circuit includes thirteen ornamental fountains, where the water moves along in multi-coloured lights, with music blaring out.
It's the ultimate Lima experience! In the circuit you'll be able to appreciate the Magical Fountain, which has a water flow that reaches the eighty meters of height; the Fantasy Fountain, the Illusion Fountain, the “Visitable” Dome, the Harmony Fountain, the Rainbow Fountain and many more exciting, eye-catching water features! Enjoy the journey on the way as we drive past some of the most impressive historic landmarks lit up in the darkness.
Some of the attractions include the Grau Square, the San Martin Square, Justice Palace and the San Francisco Convent. Are you ready to experience Lima from a whole new perspective? We're waiting for you!
