OK, Ringers (that's what they call devotees of Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy), here's how to journey through Middle-earth before - or after - the December 17 U.S. premier of the final episode, "The Return of the King."

Just head to New Zealand (www.newzealand.com) for its secret places and hidden paths, all settings for the "Lord of the Rings" (www.lordoftherings.net) films.

Frodo (Elijah Wood).

To make the quest easier, Newmans South Pacific's "New Zealand - Home of Middle-earth" self-guided packages include air from Los Angeles, a copy of Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook (www.harpercollins.co.nz), eight-day car rental and seven-night accommodations in over 50 participating hotels in 30 cities (www.newmansvacations.com/ middleearth). Packages start at $1,399 per person (double occupancy).

Once fully armed with the master guidebook to the sites, lay siege on Gondor on the outskirts of Queenstown. The tiny village of Glenorchy (population 200) is a step back in time (like the film) and makes up for its compact size with awe-inspiring surroundings.. Dart Stables offers overnight two-day horseback treks in huge Mt. Aspiring National Park (the movie's Misty Mountains) with actual Black Riders - Dart guides who played the shadowy horsemen.

En-route to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand (as well as Gondor), consider a strategic stop in Nelson on the northern tip of South Island. In Trafalgar Square there's a jewelry store where local artisan Thorkild Hansen crafts One Ring duplicates in 9- and 18-carat gold, a talismanic souvenir for die-hard fans. His father crafted the 40 gold rings used in the films.

Gondor's capital of Minas Trinith was Wellington, brimming with film locations, arts and theatre, fine dining and historic buildings. Don't miss the rocky peaks of Putangirua Pinnacles, used in the scenes of Paths of Dead, and easily accessible via helicopter or a three-hour hike from Cape Palliser.

No mission to Middle-earth is complete without a visit to Mordor (volcanic Taupo, four hours drive north of Wellington). Stay at the Grand Chateau in Tongariro National Park, located at the foot of Mt. Ruapehu, the tallest of the park's three live volcanoes. This landscape of varied mountain faces was used in many a Mordor battle scene and is reachable on foot. To gain the full impact of Mordor, spend a day hiking the Tongariro Crossing, an eight-hour day hike across lava flows, around emerald lakes and a bubbling crater.

After the One Ring is destroyed and the hobbits head home to the Shire, follow in their footsteps to Matamata, where thrice daily tours to Hobbiton are hosted. Part of the movie set remains on this private farm and hobbit holes peek out from the paddocks.

- Rich Steck & Judi Janofsky