“For the those bold enough to make the climb in the dark, Bridge Climb’s ‘Vivid Sydney Climb’ delivers dazzling night views over the city and provides a different perspective of this light extravaganza. You’ll need to book in advance as its popular.”
Be dazzled by Vivid Sydney
Sydney
Sydney’s sparkling harbour, in all its iconic glory, is lusted-over by the world’s most avid travellers, all hankering to tick this beauty off their bucketlist. And yet for Kiwis, it’s just a three and a half hour flight from New Zealand.
The city so many yearn to visit is on our doorstep, and every year we have the opportunity to experience Sydney in her finest light.
Sydney and its iconic landmarks, including the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Royal Botanic Garden, will come alive from 23 May-14 Jun 2025 with mesmerising art installations, light projections, live music and culinary delights.
Seeing the Vivid Sydney lights from the Sydney Harbour on-board one of Captain Cooks Vivid Sydney cruise and dining experiences makes this the perfect on-water Vivid Sydney experience.
Jan Arthurs
House of Travel Kapiti Coast
Having worked in the
industry for over 30 years I still thrive on the excitement that builds as I
help plan travel adventures both for my clients and of course myself.
Hearing the anecdotes and stories on your return home continues to feed
my wanderlust passion. I love the challenge of a tricky flight itinerary, and
travel destinations of the beaten track. My passion for exploration and
dedication to service will ensure you experience your dream holiday.
Jan
Vikas Sarin
House of Travel Milford
Why Choose Me? Because Travel is Personal — and So Am I.
I’m not just here to book your flights and hotels — I’m here to help you create memories that you’ll talk about for years to come.
What sets me apart? It’s the little things. I listen. I care. I take the time to understand not just "where" you want to go, but "why" — whether it’s ticking off a dream destination, reconnecting with loved ones, or simply taking a break that truly feels like a break. I believe travel should feel as seamless as it is exciting, and I’m passionate about making that happen for every single client.
My own travels — from watching snow monkeys bathe in the steaming hot springs of Nagano, to sipping cocktails at sunset in Fiji, to reluctantly (but joyfully!) zipping through Tokyo in a Mario Kart costume — have taught me that the best experiences often come from the unexpected. I’ve wandered through the vibrant chaos and calm of India, floated in the warm, peaceful waters of Samoa, soaked up the buzzing beach energy of the Gold Coast and Sydney, and fallen for Melbourne’s cool charm and hidden laneways. And then there was sailing away on a Disney Cruise — a perfect mix of childhood nostalgia and grown-up luxury, complete with fireworks over the ocean. I bring that same curiosity and energy to planning every trip, with insider tips, honest advice, and a commitment to making your version of a perfect getaway come to life.
People often tell me I have a calming presence, a knack for making complex trips feel simple, and a sharp eye for the details others miss. I see myself as your advocate, your sounding board, and sometimes even your travel therapist. And I love that.
At the end of the day, people buy people — and when you choose to work with me, you’re not just getting a consultant. You’re getting a partner who’s just as invested in your travel dreams as you are.
Vikas
Jared Wilson
House of Travel Christchurch City
No. of
countries visited: 40+
Favourite
place to visit: Anywhere in South America
Next
place on the list to visit: Kenya
Quote: “Never pass
up a bathroom”
About
me: With over 2 years of solo travel across 40+ countries,
I am passionate about immersing myself in new cultures and uncovering the
unique experiences each destination has to offer. Fluent in Spanish, Latin
America is my particular area of experience and expertise. Whether you're after
an exciting adventure or a peaceful getaway, I’m committed to designing a
memorable and seamless trip tailored specifically to you.
Why I love travel: It allows
me to escape the sometimes repetitive nature of daily life. I enjoy experiencing
new places or returning to ones that I love. I like making connections with
people from places around the world and having experiences that can’t be
replicated.
My travel tips:
- Meet the locals – Almost all of my favourite and most cherished travel experiences have involved meeting and making friends with the local people. It is a sure-fire way to have a more unique and intimate holiday experience.
- When in Rome – A cliché but one to that will enrich your travel, observe how the locals live and learn from it. Try the local brew or dish, join in on the fun. Also respect local customs and traditions, this will allow a richer and safer experience.
- Expect the unexpected- Be ready
for unforeseen circumstances that will inevitably occur at some point during a
trip. If you are expectant and prepared for troublesome scenarios you can save
yourself a lot of grief. After all, you want to make your break from reality as
stress free as possible.
My top 3 favourite destinations:
- Colombia- An up and
coming travel destination, a country cursed with the reputation earned from its
past. It is extremely geographically diverse and amazing bang for your buck. I
still haven’t found a country with warmer and friendlier people.
- Spain- A country full of amazing destinations to discover, with a rich history and a world class gastronomical scene. The fun loving people, the nightlife and the picturesque towns with uniquely their Spanish architecture are a must experience.
- Mexico- Mexico is
a country which is truly fascinating, an amazing place to get to know. It’s a
big country with lots to explore - like the US it is made up of states (32),
the more you see the more you’ll want to see. It is full of the most beautiful
places you’ve never heard of. The locals are extremely friendly and of course
the cuisine one of the best and most famous on the globe.
What’s in my suitcase:
- Spare phone, cables and a travel adaptor- Fact is electronics are a very important travel tool and to be prepared is important so you don’t have to go in the dark.
- A Journal- A
great way to record all the little details and memorable moments. When moving
fast and or experiencing a lot we naturally forget things. Writing it down will
help to recall in future and also to have what you’ve written forever is
something special.
- Travel cubes- Will help
you to keep your suitcase nice and organised for easy packing and ultimately
will save you time making things easier to find.
My most memorable travel stories:
- Walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain together with part of the Camino
Portugues from Lisbon to Porto – totalling 1200kms. My hiking shoes broke so I
did the last 1000kms in Sandals.
- Doing a 32 day Top Deck bus tour around Europe. Easily one of the best months of my life full of laughs and all round good times. I made some strong friendships and saw a lot in such a short space of time.
Jared
Minji Park
House of Travel Christchurch City
Minji was born and raised in South Korea; and from an early age travel has been her biggest passion. This inspired Minji to study tourism management and become a tour guide in Japan and South East Asia.
Minji has led tours all around Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos; while also backpacking extensively throughout Europe, Australia and Canada while living in London, Vancouver and Sydney, spending at least a couple of years in each country.
"I am so passionate about sharing my local knowledge and amazing travel experiences with people. Being a travel agent is the perfect job for me."
"Investment in travel is an investment in yourself" - Matthew Karsten
Why I love travel
I love meeting new people, discovering new cultures, tasting new food and beers and having new experiences. Travel is the best way to tick all the boxes and be inspired.
It is exciting and rewarding to help make my clients' holiday easier with better value and making it more memorable with my travel knowledge and organisation skills. I just love talking about travel, and hearing about their holiday when they return home is the best part of my job. It is very rewarding to hear what a great time they had. I am continuously learning about new travel destinations and new products and experiences so I never get bored.
My top travel tips
- Pack as light as you can (except for cruises). Heavy luggage can be tedious to manage and exhausting just getting on/off trains.
- Try to pre-book and pay in NZ dollars. If you pay locally, you will need to pay in local currency and the banks will apply their exchange rates plus international transaction fees.
- Don't assume flights and accommodation will have availability later. It is the best to book now!
My top destinations
- Japan – Japan is the country that I have travelled through the most and I can never tire of it. Japan offers so much, from old historic shrines and temples to the most modern architecture and latest technology, fascinating culture, beautiful nature areas and incredible food. It is also a very safe and easy place to travel so I recommend it for all types of travellers.
- Spain - I love the Andalusia region in particular, including Granada and Ronda. You feel like you are walking back in time, or perhaps through a movie set with the many sublime landscapes, spectacular vistas and famous historic sites. A warm evening drinking sangria with some delicious tapas over a view of Alhambra is a personal favourite.
- Vietnam - you can have an amazing experience within a very affordable budget. In one day, you will see more motorbikes than you have seen in your entire life. Interesting French Colonial architecture and indigenous castles and villages, beautiful beaches and rice paddies, the little art and culinary boutique town of Hoi An, unique and delicious food, UNESCO Heritage site Ha Long Bay and much more.
- Galapagos - If you are into wildlife, this is one of the ultimate places in the world to visit. I still say Galapagos was the best travel experience in my life. The everyday encounters with unique species of sea lions, turtles, tortoises, all different types of birds, penguins, sharks, rays, marine iguana are unforgettable. The best part for me was diving amongst schools of hammerhead sharks and eagle rays inside the crater of a submerged volcano.
What's in my suitcase
- Foldable backpack - It is the best thing ever. I always put one in my bag, and it is perfect for a casual day out exploring.
- Travel organiser bags - I have one for clothes, one for underwear/socks and one for toiletries. It will make your pack/unpack so much easier.
- Compact rain jacket and small collapsible umbrella - You will always have some rain during your holiday but unless you are expecting lots of it, you don't want these items to take too much space in your travel bag.
Minji
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