Essential: Auckland, Waitomo, Matamata, Rotorua

Auckland spreads across a volcanic isthmus between two natural harbours, the Waitematā and the Manukau, and is New Zealand's largest city, a lively meeting point of Māori, Polynesian and European cultures. Known as the "City of Sails" for the countless boats that fill its bays, it greets visitors with a skyline crowned by the Sky Tower, whose panoramic deck takes in the Hauraki Gulf and its scattered volcanic cones. Discovery begins along the waterfront of Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter, where restaurants and bars overlooking the water capture the city's seafaring soul. From here Queen Street climbs toward the commercial heart, while the neighbourhoods of Ponsonby and Parnell charm with trendy cafés, art galleries and Victorian timber architecture. Auckland Domain, the city's oldest park, is home to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, a treasure trove of Māori art and culture where visitors can experience stirring traditional dance performances. Nearby, the dormant volcano of Maungawhau (Mount Eden) and the gardens of One Tree Hill offer sweeping 360-degree views across the isthmus and the ocean. The Hauraki Gulf and its islands are the other great draw: Waiheke Island, a short ferry ride away, is famed for its vineyards, golden beaches and artists' studios, while Rangitoto invites hikers across lava flows and pōhutukawa forests. Local cuisine blends Pacific flavours, the freshest seafood and fine regional wines in a relaxed, cosmopolitan setting. As the gateway to Northland and the Bay of Islands, Auckland is the perfect balance of wild nature and urban sophistication, a city where the ocean is never more than a step away.

Begin a magical journey into the fantasy universe of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, created by Tolkien and made even more famous by the New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Traveling south, you pass through the Bombay Hills, the agricultural region of Waikato, and the historic town of Cambridge. Stop at the Shire's Rest in Matamata, the green countryside where the Hobbit trilogy was set. You will see the 37 hobbit holes, the double-arched bridge, the party tree, the Green Dragon Inn, and the door of Bilbo's house; a splendid view as far as the eye can see over the hills. Glittering caves and underground rivers make Waitomo one of the most surprising destinations on the North Island, set amid the green countryside of the Waikato region. Its Māori name joins the words "wai" (water) and "tomo" (hole or cave), perfectly describing the labyrinth of limestone caverns hidden beneath these gentle hills. The celebrated Waitomo Glowworm Cave is explored by boat along a silent river, beneath a ceiling lit by thousands of glowworms (arachnocampa luminosa) that shimmer like a starry vault. The nearby Ruakuri and Aranui caves add cathedrals of stalactites and spectacular formations, while for the more adventurous black water rafting offers a chance to explore the caves drifting on inner tubes. Waitomo offers a journey into the heart of the earth, where the darkness comes alive with natural light. The presence of a rich volcanic substrate, due to the presence of a chain of now extinct volcanoes, and abundant rainfall make this region one of the greenest and most fertile in the world. The most famous tourist destination on the North Island, and perhaps in all of New Zealand, stands out first and foremost for the strong smell of rotten eggs due to the abundant presence of sulfur. A lively geothermal activity with geysers, lakes and hot water streams, bubbling mud pools, and multicolored silica terraces are the main characteristics of this region, which also stands out for its large Maori population with interesting cultural activities. It is also a paradise for fishermen, with the best trout fishing in the world.

Begin a magical journey into the fantasy universe of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, created by Tolkien and made even more famous by the New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Traveling south, you pass through the Bombay Hills, the agricultural region of Waikato, and the historic town of Cambridge. Stop at the Shire's Rest in Matamata, the green countryside where the Hobbit trilogy was set. You will see the 37 hobbit holes, the double-arched bridge, the party tree, the Green Dragon Inn, and the door of Bilbo's house; a splendid view as far as the eye can see over the hills. Matamata rises among the gentle green hills of the Waikato region, on the North Island, in a landscape of rolling pastureland that captured the imagination of cinema worldwide. It was here, on a family farm ringed by meadows and ponds, that Peter Jackson chose to set the Shire for the «Lord of the Rings» and «Hobbit» trilogies: today the Hobbiton Movie Set is one of New Zealand's most famous attractions, with its round little houses and brightly painted doors, tidy vegetable gardens and the Green Dragon Inn, where visitors can pause for a craft ale at the end of the guided tour. Beyond the cinematic magic, Matamata remains a quiet rural town at the heart of an area renowned for breeding thoroughbred racehorses. The wooded Kaimai Ranges form a backdrop ideal for hiking and walks in nature, while hot springs lie not far away, perfect for unwinding after a day outdoors. Matamata weaves fantasy and authentic countryside together, offering the thrill of stepping inside a legendary film set amid the green expanses of the Waikato. Begin a magical journey into the fantasy universe of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, created by Tolkien and made even more famous by the New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Traveling south, you pass through the Bombay Hills, the agricultural region of Waikato, and the historic town of Cambridge. Stop at the Shire's Rest in Matamata, the green countryside where the Hobbit trilogy was set. You will see the 37 hobbit holes, the double-arched bridge, the party tree, the Green Dragon Inn, and the door of Bilbo's house; a splendid view as far as the eye can see over the hills.