Hawaii cruise deals

I have been in the Travel Industry for over 10 years, starting off primarily selling Australia, then moving to House of Travel in the Product Department where I was for 4 years as a South Pacific Destination Expert. In April 2023, I was given an opportunity to work here at House of Travel Ellerslie in a retail role. Here I have discovered a love of creating and curating holidays for all types of travellers to ensure they have the best possible experiences while there. 

Cassandra Lyes-Peterson

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

Claire

Travel is truly in my blood. My grandparents sparked the travel bug in my mum, and she passed that passion on to me. From the moment I took my very first holiday at age three, a magical trip to Disneyland, I was hooked. Growing up, I listened to my mum’s stories from her OE, my cousins’ globe-trotting adventures, and my sister’s explorations, all of which fueled my own wanderlust.

Over the years, I’ve lived in Scotland, as well as in England and Ireland, soaking up different cultures and ways of life. I’ve been fortunate to travel extensively, exploring incredible destinations including Jordan, Israel, the USA, Australia & Europe. I’ve experienced the security and ease of organised solo travel with Contiki and Topdeck tours, but I’ve also embraced the challenge and freedom of planning my own trips, like eloping in Denmark, which remains one of my most cherished adventures.

With a background in hospitality, I combine practical knowledge with genuine care to craft holidays that are personalised, meaningful, and seamless. I love getting to know your unique travel style and what matters most to you, whether that’s family fun, a romantic escape, or a bucket-list adventure.

I’m not just your travel consultant; I’m your travel cheerleader. I’ll celebrate every countdown with you, smooth out any bumps along the way, and be just as excited when everything comes together perfectly. My goal is to take the stress out of travel planning, so you can focus on making memories.

Let’s work together to create a travel experience that’s not only unforgettable but uniquely yours.

Courtney