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Beat the blues at Mardi Gras in New Orleans

New Orleans

Beads, beer and blues music, New Orleans’ Mardi Gras is a chaotic explosion of celebration, with music and mayhem pulsating from every crack in the brickwork.

Mardi Gras is French for ‘Fat Tuesday’ and symbolises the last day of indulging before fasting. This is Cajun country, so get acquainted with lively flavours.

Lock lips with an infamous beignet at Café du Monde in the French Quarter, and descend on the bakeries, open pre-dawn, for a traditional Mardi Gras ‘King Cake’. These gluttonous treats are ring-shaped and frosted. Inside there’s a tiny plastic baby – find it and tradition insists you have to buy next year’s cake

“Wear green, purple & gold and join in one of the Second Line Parades around the city. It's a great way to immerse yourself in the Mardi Gras culture. Just remember to wear comfy shoes as dancing along to the brass band is hard to resist!”

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Jay Irvine

House of Travel Barrington

With my own experience in travel, along with my corporate background as well.

I have been able to book a wide variety of trips ranging from flop and drop holidays through to sport events and everything in between.

Jay

Josephine Perera

House of Travel Masterton

Having been with House of Travel for 13 years I really enjoy how even after all this time every day is different. I can still find new destinations to learn about and expand on my knowledge through travel I have booked. Hearing about how my client’s travels went and what they experienced is always a highlight!

I encourage clients to keep in touch throughout their trip as I love receiving a photo now and then to see where their adventures are taking them. To me it's not just a holiday or a travel experience we are booking, it's memories we are helping create that will last you a lifetime.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain.

So don't wait, get in touch to plan your next big adventure today!

Josephine

Fiona Muir

House of Travel Whanganui

You know how some people collect handbags or shoes, well I have a love of collecting passport stamps! I developed a bit of a passion for adventure travel since working in the States at a summer camp in my early 20’s. I have travelled to over 40 countries, doing everything from eating scorpions in China, snorkelling the Silfra fissure in Iceland, to skydiving in Namibia.

Fiona

Kelsey Mackay

House of Travel Hamilton East

My favourite thing about this job being able to explore and research lots of cool destinations daily and creating some cool itineraries is really exciting.

I love hearing all about the trip and my client’s experiences when they get home but it’s certainly making my book-it “list” turn into a novel.

My favourite place I have visited is Puerto Rico - from the beautiful white-sand beaches and the best coffee & chocolate I’ve ever had, this country is so rich with culture. It’s sure to be a memorable port stop on your next Caribbean Cruise.

The next place I would love to explore is South America - from Argentina, along the Amazon from Rio, Brazil, Venezuela and Peru!

Kelsey