Food, glorious food … in Vietnam
Asia, Vietnam
Vietnam is a spellbinding mix of culture, colour and cuisine and it is one of the fastest growing Asian destinations for Kiwi travellers at the moment. So why is Vietnam so hot right now?
It’s not just how far your dollar goes on the ground - you don’t need a lot of dong to dine like a deity in Vietnam, you can pick up a steaming hot bowl of delicious Pho streetside from our favourite restaurant in Hanoi’s French Quarter and still get change from $5!
You’ll love the glow and bustle exploring historic Hoi An’s Bach Dang Street night markets illuminated by lanterns and candles and a cacophony of sights, smells and surprises! Quality still only costs cents, but the views looking back across the township are priceless!
Don’t miss the now insta-famous moments like the bone rattling adrenaline rush of sipping your Vietnamese coffee in Train Street at our favourite cafe as the train literally chugs beside you.
Expand your culinary repertoire with your market fresh produce at some of the exceptional cooking classes… and then, of course, there are the wellness retreats, the beaches, the history and culture. There are just too many amazing and authentic experiences to mention!
Shelley Rich
House of Travel Mount Maunganui
I have been a part of the travel industry for over 30 years and still love it!
I love to travel and I often joke with my clients that I live vicariously through them.
Planning the perfect holiday for my clients fills me with joy. I take pride in what I do and love sharing my passion of travel.
Many of my clients have become life long friends.
Shelley
Reuben Goldingham Newsom
House of Travel Palmerston North: Broadway
Having visited 32 countries
(and counting!), I’ve been lucky enough to turn my passion of exploring the
world into a career helping others do the same. I specialise in travel across
Australia, the Pacific Islands, Cruises, and bring a wealth of knowledge from a
six-month backpacking adventure across Europe that gave me first hand insight
into travelling on and off the beaten track.
Whether you’re planning a family holiday, a romantic getaway, or a once in a
lifetime adventure, I’ll take care of every detail so that you can relax and
enjoy the journey. Your travel will be made easy, memorable, and be perfectly
suited to you.
Some of my most memorable experiences include hot air ballooning over the
desert in Dubai, island hopping along Croatia’s stunning coastline, and
something a little closer to home - Fiji! - A destination every Kiwi should
experience at least once.
Travel is constantly evolving, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way
— from planning and booking to those special insider tips. Get in touch via
phone or email to start planning your next adventure. Video consultations are
also available for your convenience.
Reuben
Travel Consultant - House of Travel Broadway, Palmerston North
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
Jo McLaughlin
House of Travel Papamoa
Hi, I’m Jo and I joined the House of Travel Papamoa team in April 2022 not long after the borders opened and it’s fair to say it’s been crazy busy ever since! No two days are the same and I thrive working in a fast-paced environment. I have been working in Travel for around 10 years and started in January 2009 at Flight Centre Mt Maunganui and then moved to Auckland in 2011 to step into a management role to open their new retail store in Royal Oak. I then moved back to the Tauranga area in early 2013 and opened the Flight Centre in Bayfair. Opening two of Flight Centre’s stores gave me an incredible learning experience and insight into building a business and taking it to incredible heights! I was also in charge of training multiple new to the industry staff members. Before Travel I worked in banking for 4 and half years both in the retail branch and the business banking team.
I have great attention to detail, excellent communication skills and am down to earth, friendly and approachable. I love meeting new people and building relationships with my clients. I love putting together itineraries and working closely with you to find your perfect fit.
I'm passionate about travel to Canada and the UK. As I lived in Vancouver for 6 months and London for nearly 3 years on Working Holidays. I’ve also spent 3 weeks in Egypt and over 6 weeks in South America. I’ve travelled on my own to Asia and then jumped on an Intrepid Cambodia tour. I have also done a 28 day Topdeck Camping trip around Europe and travelled independently using Eurail passes and the Eurostar. Along with many other exciting adventures!
My partner Duncan and I
have two children, a son 10 and daughter 9. We have been on family
holidays to Bali and Fiji, staying at Plantation Island and the Naviti on the
Coral Coast. Duncan and I also experienced a Viking ocean cruise (adults only)
and absolutely loved it! I have just returned from visiting Darwin, Litchfield
and Kakadu National Parks in the Northern Territory, taking the Ghan from
Darwin to Adelaide. I was very fortunate to take a scenic flight over
Uluru and Kata Tjuta – just breathtaking!
We live locally in the Papamoa Hills and own a lifestyle block. We love the outdoors and taking advantage of the many wonderful things on offer here in the Tauranga area.
I’d love to help you plan your next trip and look forward to hearing from you.
Explore our Asia holidays 15
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