Blog
With Christmas and New Year's fast approaching, we wanted to finish off the year with a recap of some of our adventures from 2019! What a fantastic year it has been, we have loved getting to know each months Fellowships and what a talented bunch you
2019 Highlights
Kia Ora Friends,
With Christmas and New Year's fast approaching, we wanted to finish off the year with a recap of some of our adventures from 2019! What a fantastic year it has been, we have loved getting to know each months Fellowships and what a talented bunch you all are.
April
In April, our passenger Runar, from Iceland was the first person to get to the top of Edoras in a wheelchair! Along with his supportive family, he made it all the way to the top to fly the Rohan flag! This was such an achievement for Runar and an inspiration to us all.
July
In July this year we worked with Weta Workshop artists to create our very own Hobbit doors to take home.
September
This September we had our first special International Hobbits celebration Tour, and first tour in reverse! Our Fellowship made costumes for our special Weta Workshop Costume competition and Hobbiton International Hobbits celebration event on Bilbo's birthday in Hobbiton!
December
In December we had another 12 day reverse tour where we met with Shane Rangi, stuntman and actor for both trilogies! He is most known for his work as the Witch King, several Uruk-hai and a Harad leader.
Here is some of the feedback we have received from our Fellowships this year:
"Thank you everyone for the greatest trip of my life! You are all as fantastic as New Zealand is beautiful! Novaer and Kia Ora Fellowship! (Or until we meet again)"
"I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Julie for organizing this amazing adventure for us! Seeing the magical filming locations of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit being brought to life in this wonderful country was breathtaking! Your knowledge, expertise and love of the series made this experience one I’ll never forget! Also to everyone who came on this journey, this isn’t goodbye, as I’m sure we’ll meet again one day! ✨❤️"
"I was really looking forward to this trip, but I was apprehensive about coming all by myself. I worried that my inner hermit would take over and it would be a lonely two weeks. I could not have been more wrong. All of you awesome people welcomed me into your lives and I couldn’t be happier. Thanks for making the trip so memorable."
"This was my ultimate dream trip and I'm sure some of you know how much effort planning and executing this whole thing actually was. This trip and tour lived up to and surpassed my hopes and dreams and doing this with awesome people like you was incredible. So big thanks to everyone and Julie. You made this trip better and I literally couldn't have done this without you (Edoras). Kind Regards from Iceland and my door is marked ;)"
Now it’s time to plan your adventure to Middle earth!
Contact us now and to those Fellowships planning a reunion Tour we have lots of great things in store for 2020 and 2021!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all the Team at Red Carpet Tours!
Raewyn, Vic, Melissa, Sasha and Julie (aka Lady Gandalf)
What people have said
There is a reason that this company is the premier in its field. I’ve been home for almost a week now and I’m still struggling to comprehend how incredible my experience with Red Carpet Tours was. This was hands down one of the best things I ever have, and likely ever will do in my...
Taylor K
I don’t have enough good things to say about this incredible experience. Our guide Julie is so knowledgeable and fun about everything LOTR AND New Zealand in general! My husband and I went for our belated honeymoon and I would do it all again in a heartbeat. You’re fed like Hobbits...
Taylor & Nick L
"Exceptional! Marvellous! Outstanding! Just a few of the words I could use to describe how fabulous the Red Carpet Tours winter Lord of the Rings tour was. The organisation from beginning to end couldn’t be faulted. Hotels were carefully selected for location and quality. The days...
Judith S
Traveling New Zealand with RCT and Julie was amazing. It was the trip of a lifetime (but I hope to do it again!). It was very well put together and we got to see such amazing sites and do so many awesome things. I can't even name what my favorite part of the whole tour was because it was...
Lynn S
With Julie James as our guide (Feb. 2018) on the 14 day tour... it was excellent! She always took every effort and opportunity to see to everyone's requests. The hotels we stayed in were wonderful. The meals were delicious. But the tour itself??? Awesome!!! We had big LOTR and the Hobbit...
Katherine C
Everything about this tour was amazing! Our tour guide Julie is a true LOTR fan, and made sure everybody was looked after. The locations were well researched and meaningful. Even after the tour ended, Julie has kept in touch as we all went our separate ways and travelled home to various parts of...
Jody R
My second tour through Middle Earth (New Zealand) was just as wonderful as the first, the locations you are taken to are just amazing. Best suited for people with interest in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, you make so many friends throughout your journey that you become your own...
Lisa S
Just concluded my third trip with Red Carpet Tours. 5 stars for the 3rd time running! Excellent planning and attention to detail by the James Family and fabulous guiding by Julie. Once again, a very lovely, friendly ‘Fellowship’ of travellers with a common interest. You might expect...
Sue B
Red Carpet Tours is a fabulous company - been with them 3 times. I agree with others posted here that it is the BEST way to see New Zealand, especially if you are a "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" fan - and even if you're not! From all the Magnificent New Zealand...
John N
I went solo and am a bit of an introvert, but Julie and the rest of the tour members made this an unforgettable experience and made me feel right at home. This was number one on my bucket list and it exceeded my expectations across the board. If you're contemplating booking this tour, just...
Jordan M