One of my favorite experiences in New Zealand was a day at Polynesian Spa, where I soaked in hot springs overlooking Lake Rotorua and received a massage that made me melt.

I'd booked a body polish and an Aix massage, a luxurious hydrotherapy treatment performed on a special bed with showers.

My spa treatments came with access to the indoor relaxation lounge and an hourlong soak in the Deluxe Lake Spa's mineral-rich pools.

Even though I had to wash my bathing suit a dozen times before the smell of sulphur finally came out, I'd go back to try more pools and spend more time on that massage table.

Even in the rain, the culture of the Māori — indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand — was brought to life at Te Pā Tū in Rotorua.

The evening began with a formal welcome ceremony, during which visitors were granted access to a forested village that depicts ancient Māori ways of life.

Because of the rain, cultural performances took place inside the meeting house, a traditional gathering place for ceremonies and storytelling.

The experience also included a family-style feast of local fare like green-lipped mussels, lamb slow-cooked in an underground oven, and various kumara (sweet potato) dishes.

It was a chance to actively participate in Māori culture, and I especially loved noticing parallels with my own roots in Hawaii.

Hobbiton is where several scenes from "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" movies were filmed.

Whether you've watched the movies, read the books, or generally want to be transported to a fantasy realm, you'll feel the magic of stepping into this immersive, meticulously designed set.

I'd booked a tour, which took my group into the Shire and inside hobbit homes on Bagshot Row, then ended with a drink at The Green Dragon pub.

I left wanting to do a marathon of all the movies, knowing I'd recognize many of the settings I'd just walked through.

Instead of seeing glowworms at the famous Waitomo Caves, I opted for the lesser-known Milky Way Glowworm Cave at Waipu Caves Farm Park in Northland.

I liked that I was able to book a more intimate tour while still enjoying the sense of wonder that comes from watching the glowworms shine overhead like a starry night sky.

My hourlong guided tour began with a short walk through limestone forest before descending into the cave system, where crystals, stalactites, ancient bird bones, and more awaited us.

This experience had a lot of rave reviews on Google, and I could see why — it truly felt like a hidden gem.

While visiting Queenstown — nicknamed the Adventure Capital of the World — I really pushed myself out of my comfort zone.

To the surprise of my loved ones, and even myself, I signed up for a tandem paragliding excursion complete with breathtaking views, wild goat sightings, and exhilarating wingovers during the descent.

Running off a cliff purely for fun certainly wasn't something I ever planned to do, but getting to say I did it in one of the world's quintessential thrill-seeking destinations made it even more unforgettable.

Though dark sky reserves offer the best conditions for aurora viewing and stargazing, I joined a few online groups to track solar-flare activity and kept tabs on the night skies throughout my journey.

That's how I got lucky and caught a glimpse of the aurora in Queenstown, a spot that usually isn't ideal for doing so because of the city's light pollution.

Though the colors were faint to the naked eye, capturing them on camera felt magical, and the photo I took ended up being one of my favorites from the entire trip.

Affectionately nicknamed the unofficial "eighth Wonder of the World," nearly every ultimate New Zealand itinerary includes Milford Sound.

I chose to see it on a coach-and-boat tour from Queenstown. It spanned over 13 hours, with most of that time spent sitting on the bus or scrambling at rest stops to buy coffee, use the bathroom, and take photos alongside other travelers.

After arriving at Milford Sound, my group of a few dozen people joined many others on a ship. At times, it felt so crowded that I struggled to find a seat, snap photos, or even carve out personal space.

The scenery on the two-hour cruise through the dramatic fjord was undeniably beautiful with lush greenery, glaciers, lakes, and waterfalls. However, my experience was dampened by the logistics of getting there and the sheer volume of tourists.

If I return to the Milford Sound, I'd either drive myself so I could have more space and add one of the area's stunning hikes to my itinerary or splurge on a more intimate group tour — perhaps one aboard a 12-seat aircraft.

Touted as one of the most scenic train rides in the world, the TranzAlpine route runs from Christchurch through the Southern Alps to Greymouth, the gateway to New Zealand's glacial West Coast.

I spent an entire day on the round-trip journey, which included expansive views of striking scenery like snowcapped mountain peaks, turquoise rivers, and expansive gorges.

In hindsight, I could have optimized my experience by traveling one way instead.

Many passengers brought luggage and continued their travels from Greymouth rather than looping back like I did, and I think they had the right idea.

Though the views were incredible, one ride is enough. If I were to return, I'd skip the train altogether. Instead, I'd rent a car so I could still enjoy the scenery but have the freedom to stop anywhere along the way.