Canal boating along the Canal du Midi
France, Europe
No prior boating experience necessary, just bring your sense of adventure! A great way to share quality family (an extended family) time as you slowly meander (between 8-10 miles an hour) along the canals, navigating locks, stopping to explore quaint villages, castles and châteaux - you might even find a Michelin star restaurant a short stroll from dock! Toulouse is often referred to as ‘Paris in miniature,’ a maze-like city and a great place to start your canal boating adventure. Overflowing with art galleries and excellent food, make sure you shop for a picnic of local produce at Marche Victor Hugo or grab a cassoulet lunch in an eatery above the covered market before you set off. The 9 locks of Fonseranes (also known as the Octuple) in Beziers is a Canal du Midi must do and a great way to end your canal boating journey!
Emma Chappell
House of Travel Timaru
Planning and organizing are my forte, and combined with a love for exploring being a travel consultant is the perfect fit! I love sharing my customers excitement and making their holiday dreams come true!
Emma
Kyla Strahl
House of Travel Christchurch City
Kyla spent over 6 years crewing on luxury super yachts throughout the Mediterranean, Baltic, Adriatic, Caribbean, Pacific and North Seas; along with several Atlantic Ocean crossings. Moving to more adventure land travel Kyla has experienced India, South America and South Africa as a part of the whopping 57 countries she has explored!
"Whether it be cruising, OE's or travelling with a young family my first-hand knowledge will certainly be an asset when planning your winter break, European adventure, or once in a life time dream holiday!"
"Life is short and the world is wide, the sooner you start exploring it, the better." - Simon Raven
Why I love travel:
Travelling takes us out of our comfort zone and inspires us to experience new things that we otherwise wouldn't in our normal day to day lives. It enriches your life from meeting new people from all walks of life, trying new food from different corners of the world, and humbles you to appreciate the small things in life.
My travel tips:
- Always have travel insurance
- Wake up early - whether it be to see the sunrise, or to skip a queue, or get a coffee at the local café.
- Make a list of the things you want to experience and pre book as much as you can.
- Stay local with everything easily accessible on foot.
My top 5 favourite destinations:
- Italy - rolling hills and crystal blue waters, stunning villages and cathedrals, amazing food and wine.
- South Africa - rich cultural experiences, amazing wildlife on safari, breath-taking landscapes.
- Croatia - stunning beaches and unbelievable landscapes from the islands in the Adriatic to the Krka National Park.
- Mexico - amazing food, fascinating Mayan culture, stunning beaches, and fabulous architecture from ancient temples to the colonial cathedrals.
- Canada - my birth land! The people, the rich forests, lakes, mountains and wildlife.
What's in my suitcase:
- First Aid kit as you can never be too prepared.
- Travel Diary - make an effort to write down the highlights of your day, you will look back in appreciation.
- Sarong or thin, long scarf - will come in handy as a towel or to cover your shoulders when need be.
- Small change of local currency - whether it be to buy a bottle of water or a quick snack or to leave a tip.
Kyla
Janine Taylor
House of Travel New Plymouth
I have a passion for travel and have visited a range countries.
I would love to share my experiences with you and help you plan your trip of a lifetime.
Janine
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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