Wellington named in Top 10 Cities to Visit in 2015

New Zealand’s capital city Wellington has capped off another stellar year of being the ‘world’s coolest little capital’ with a place in Rough Guides Top 10 Cities to Visit in 2015.

Wellington Credit Tourism New ZealandThe renowned travel guidebook publishers and digital content creators believe there has never been a better time to visit Wellington, calling the city ‘The urban jewel in the country’s otherwise bucolic crown.’

“There’s a real buzz about the city’s café scene and smart new craft-beer bars are bubbling up across the city” the write up to the report goes on to say about Wellington’s sixth placing on the list.

World class Wellington

Built on the edge of a wide harbour and steep surrounding hills, visitors don’t need to travel far from the centre of the city to experience the best of Wellington – with world-class museums and art galleries, nature and wildlife, scrumptious dining and award-winning coffee and cafes right on the doorstep.

Positively Wellington Tourism (PWT) Chief Executive David Perks says he’s delighted by the endorsement.

“It’s great news to receive just before Christmas. Rough Guides are known for their ‘tell it like it is’ attitude, so we’re very pleased that from among hundreds of city destinations they’ve rated Wellington so highly.

“With a fantastic events line up, 2015 is definitely a great time to visit Wellington, and Rough Guides’ recommendation is bound to have more international travellers looking our way.”

Stellar year

Wellington has been no stranger to international endorsements in 2014, having already appeared on CNN.com’s list of the world’s ‘8 Great Coffee Cities’ and named as the ‘Coolest Little City in the World’ by Vogue.

Rough Guides lists Wellington alongside such diverse city destinations as Malaga, Hamburg, New Orleans, Salta in Argentina and Nizwa in Oman

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“It’s a list for curious travellers,” Mr Perks says “people who like to explore the world to seek out new and unique travel experiences. Wellington is a perfect fit because it’s a city that rewards that kind of intrepid curiosity with fantastic travel stories.”

Middle of Middle-earth

Home to Sir Peter Jackson and the phenomenally successful Weta Workshop, Weta Digital and Post-Production facility Park Road Post, Wellington has been on the world stage a little more than usual with the recent release of the final instalment of The Hobbit trilogy, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.

Pre-release of the final film, a company of the world’s most passionate and dedicated Hobbit fans set off on an unexpected adventure – travelling through New Zealand on a real life Middle-earth experience.

The trip culminated with an ultimate celebration at their journey’s end – a sneak preview screening of the highly anticipated final film in Oscar-winner Sir Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit Trilogy and a private Q&A with the director and key members of his filmmaking team in Wellington.