Testimonials

"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 were carefully balanced to ensure interesting content, no dull bits, but not over tiring. There were some silly times too which could be enjoyed as a participant or observer. We joined the tour purely to see the amazing New Zealand landscape but we were quickly drawn into the fascinating business of making the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. The locations were amazing including some that aren’t available on all tours. The tour guides had so much background knowledge about the filming and those involved it added a wonderful richness to the tour. This is a tour for any fan of the films, even those already living in New Zealand, or anyone who wants a wonderful New Zealand holiday."

Judith S, UK

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 scenery to the LotR/Hobbit film sites to the hotels, the food, and all the extras (EXTRA SPECIAL extras!!), Julie and her team will be sure that you have the most superb experience. You certainly get MORE for your money with Red Carpet Tours! ***** (Five stars) and MOST HIGHLY recommended!!

John N, USA

Just returned as part of the February 2023 Fellowship with Red Carpet Tours and it was one of the best trips of my life. I've been wanting to do this for years and was worried my expectations might be too high, but it was amazing and I wish it didn't have to end! Love the family business, their knowledge of New Zealand and appreciation of Tolkien and Peter Jackson's Middle Earth, and the way the trip is organized! Trust all of Julie's recommendations, she has spent years developing relationships with guests and vendors and locations and she has the best advice. She handles everything with grace and you can tell she's seen it all. I'd follow her into Mordor itself, she'd make it fun. The RCT team makes it all seem effortless but so much work goes into managing the personalities and needs of a group, adapting to weather or external factors, timing activities, etc. and I appreciated that so much! Melissa and Sasha made adjustments and fixed issues brought on by outside forces while we were on the road, and Josh had so much creative energy and ideas for photos and activities when he joined us on the South Island. This whole team is just magical. Obviously all of New Zealand is magical and beautiful as well, but I just wanted to really hit home that my experience was amazing because of RCT. If I'd tried to rent a car and do a Lord of the Rings themed trip on my own, or book with a general company and try to fit all the Middle Earth things in along the way, I just don't think it would have been the same! Can't wait to plan a reunion tour :)

Emily V, USA

Amazing and so well worth it! Days in a row of just being excited for something alone was something special to me but also meeting like-minded people who were so accepting and fun was fantastic! Julie James is a treasure - handles everything with grace and was just everything you want in a tour leader. Josh joined us mid-day and was excellent too. Amazing places to see and Red Carpet has connections to visiting venues otherwise closed off to public viewing. Very special, bucket list tour. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tracy E, UK

This tour changed my life, Julie and Josh were amazing tour guides, everywhere we went was stunning. I could not have asked for anything more from them. Even where there were some hiccups outside of anyone’s control Julie and the team worked tirelessly to ensure we had the best experience imaginable. Not only that, as a solo traveller I was thoroughly looked after and everyone made sure that I was included and had a good time. If you are a fan of lord of the rings and are worried about making friends on the trip as I was … do not be, these are your people and friendships will be formed that will last a lifetime and beyond. There is no other tour that I have been on that compares. If you are thinking of going yourself, it is the best thing you will ever do so do not delay. And bring as many costumes as you can, this was my biggest regret I did not bring any.

Jon, USA

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 life. The experiences I had, the things I saw and the people I met and am now so lucky to call lifelong friends are beyond words. Julie is the most incredible guide to Middle Earth with such a wealth of knowledge and a passion for Tolkien that you feel as though you have stepped into the world itself. I can’t wait to go back one day. You will not regret this tour.

Taylor K, Australia

From first contact with the James family, and the Lord of the Rings-Red Carpet Tours, you are in the best of hands. You expect so much on the tour but you receive so much more. I came back from my first tour believing I'd never have a better, truly satisfying experience, and they could never top that two week journey. I was wrong, the second trip was every bit as special, with even more wonderful surprises. I not only highly recommend Red Carpet Tours, I commend them to anyone, and I look forward to going there and back again.

Barbara S, Australia

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 ‘nerdy’ but not at all and this tour is just as suitable for non-Tolkien partners or anyone who wants to see the very best of NZ’s scenery including amazing locations that the other tours miss. Of course, there’s absolutely no shortage of the movie filming locations some of which are on private land so have exclusive access to RCT. All 3 of my tours have included some single travellers like myself and I’ve made long term friends along the way. Comfortable coaches with WiFi, excellent hotels and a wide selection of additional excursions if required. I really can’t recommend highly enough...three trips must testify to that!

Sue B, UK

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 fellowship. Julie, our Guide, was so knowledgeable, it was obvious how passionate she is about the films, and the locations we visited, and she looked after us all so well. So many wonderful memories are built on this epic adventure throughout beautiful Middle Earth as you go off the beaten track to experience locations that few others know about, and many that are on private land that the public cannot access. For a fan of the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, I cannot rate this tour any more highly. Simply Amazing.

Lisa S, Australia

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 (aka a LOT), meet new friends, and you come home knowing you’ve just had the experience of a lifetime. New Zealand is stunning, and experiencing it with a Lord of the Rings undertone is even better!!! Can’t wait to go back again for the 14 day tour one day!

Taylor & Nick L, USA

This is the best and ONLY way for a LOtR/Hobbit fan to experience New Zealand. Julie and her team are fantastic, knowledgeable people who, you can tell, put so much time and effort into making sure your experience with them is an amazing one! You will not regret choosing them as your guides through middle earth.

Stephanie B, USA

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 all just so magical! I didn't want to leave. Highly, highly recommended.

Lynn S, USA

This was a trip of a lifetime. I honestly couldn’t imagine seeing Middle Earth any other way. Julie is amazing and truly cultivated an experience that I will treasure forever. If you’re thinking about booking this trip—just do it. I promise that you will have the time of your life.

Brenna M, USA

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 the world, in the ever-evolving Covid-19 crisis.

Jody R, Australia

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 fans as well as some who just wanted to see NZ... all of us had a great time! Highly recommend this tour! The memories you make will be precioussss!

Katherine C, Canada

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 do it. You will not regret it. Thanks again Julie and Red Carpet Tours!

Jordan M, USA