Should those travelling to see the Britain & Irish Lions take on the Maori All Blacks in 2017 find themselves in need of some refreshment, they could be in worse places than Rotorua.
Sitting within the Pacific Rim of Fire, Rotorua thrives in a unique geothermal landscape and is home to natural hot springs, bubbling mud pools and active geysers.
The colourful North Island city, which will welcome the Lions for the fifth leg of their tour on June 17, has been voted New Zealand's most beautiful six times and the landscape can perhaps be best appreciated by taking advantage of privately chartered cruises on Lake Tarawera.
Rotorua has been a welcome destination on past Lions tours with the team unbeaten and most recently recording victory over the Bay of Plenty nine years ago when England's World Cup winning full-back Josh Lewsey touched down twice.
One third of the city's population is Maori, many with roots from Te Arawa whose people were New Zealand's first tour guides, and therefore offers many opportunities to experience its rich heritage.
At Whakarewarewa, a living Maori village in an active geothermal setting, residents still use natural resources for cooking, washing and bathing. Guided tours include bubbling mud pools, mineral springs where families bathe, and local cuisine cooked in thermal waters and traditional hangi ovens.
With more than 70km of tracks minutes from the city centre, Rotorua is New Zealand's leading mountain-biking destination and home to world-first adventure activities, such as the Zorb and Shweeb – the world's first human-powered monorail racetrack.
Adrenalin junkies can also luge, raft, sledge, off-road, sky dive, bodyfly and bungy.
Fans are now able to guarantee their place on the 2017 Tour to New Zealand with a fully refundable £250 Priority Access Pass for the official supporter packages. Guarantee your place at the front of the queue when ticket-inclusive travel packages go on sale during the 2015/16 season, and also receive an exclusive invite to meet the Lions Head Coach before they depart for New Zealand. With exclusive access to special events, flights and hotels, it's the genuine Lions experience – click here for more details.
