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Greece & Turkey

Greek Islands and Turkish Delights.

Yassou!

A dip in azure seas, a sip of pungent ouzo and a trip back in time to oracles and gods – Greece is the very essence of the alluring Mediterranean world. Greece is synonymous with islands – from history steeped Crete, awe-inspiring Santorini and windmill-studded Mykonos and many other gems scattered across the Mediterranean Sea. Feast on freshly caught fish, grilled lamb stuffed vine leaves and sweet baklava. Or devour some feta and figs, and some fresh tomatoes with salt and oil. Sip coffee in a harbour-side café as the fishing boats come into port, amble along country roads while families gather their olives and pat donkeys on their way to village markets with baskets laden with fresh tomatoes.

And then there’s Turkey, with its ethereal landscapes, archaeological sites, mosques, bazaars and fascinating ruins. The coast twinkles and Cappadocia delights. In the cities the air is alive with chatter and the thick scent of Turkish coffee, as well as sweet baklava which is best served like the generosity of its people. Warm.

Planning a Greece & Turkey holiday? Connect with a Greece & Turkey holiday travel specialist to create your dream holiday, today!

Flight time.

The flight from Auckland to Greece or Turkey usually takes about 24 hours, with a stopover. While it’s a long journey, the ancient history and beautiful coastlines make it worth the effort.

Best time to go.

The best time to visit Greece and Turkey is from May to October, when the weather is warm and dry, ideal for enjoying the beaches and historical sites.

Time difference.

Greece and Turkey are 9 hours behind New Zealand. The time difference will require some adjustment, but it’s manageable.

Our favourite things to do in Greece & Turkey

See magical "floating" monasteries

Visit the monasteries at Meteora, perched atop giant rock pillars.

Go Greek island hopping

Why settle for one Greek island when you can explore three?

Eat like a local

Bring your appetite – you’re in for a delicious adventure!

A hidden gem in Athens

Your new favorite sweet escape in the heart of Athens!

Step back in time at the Acropolis (a Must-Do!)

Visiting the Acropolis is an absolute must when in Athens.

Best. Sunset. Ever!

Get ready to witness a Santorini sunset like no other in Oia.

Float above Cappadocia and sleep in a Cave hotel

A once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Sail through Turkey on a traditional gulet

Hop aboard a traditional Gulet for a sailing adventure through Turkey’s stunning coastline!

Experience the ANZAC Dawn service at Gallipoli

For Kiwis a visit to Gallipoli is a once in a life-time trip.

Visit a local winery in Crete

Experience the charm of Crete by visiting a local winery, where you can taste exquisite wines and meet local families

Small groups big adventures

Delve into rich cultures, histories and cuisine with a fully-coordinated guided tour. Professionally led and planned to perfection, you're in great hands.

Milestone celebration holiday ideas

Whether you’ve got a big birthday coming up, planning a 3G holiday (aka a fun trip with three generations), or making the most of your family time before the kids head out into the world, we’ve got you covered!

6 destinations our consultants can't stop talking about

From Albania to Iceland here are the 6 must-visit destinations our consultants are raving about.

ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Gallipoli

Middle East

Go Greek Island Hopping!

Greek Islands

Greece: Know before you go guide

A holiday packed with sunshine, salt air and endless shades of blue.

7 reasons why you should visit Greece in winter

You might not know it, but many parts of Europe aren’t solely splendid in summer.

93% of customers who book with House of Travel rate us 5/5

"At a shorth notice Angela was able put together a package that suited us."

Ashley

"Kimberley is great to deal with ,very effiecient in organising our mini trip away. When i called in to finalise details it was done in a very proffessional manner."

Kerri

"Her patience and knowledge of where we were thinking of going impeccable"

Kerry

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Meet our Greece & Turkey specialists

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Stacey Mullinger

House of Travel Northlink (formerly Northlands)

I have owned the business for 9 years and have 25 years industry experience.

I have been lucky enough to travel to many parts of the world, while I love my family holidays I also love a bit of an adventure, my favourite destinations are Africa and Peru. I love sharing my travel stories with people and helping make travel dreams come true!

Stacey

Taylor Le Breton

House of Travel Invercargill

I am a food-loving, adventurous traveler and have been lucky enough to travel the world. I love to delve deep into a destination’s culture, learning the history of each place along with getting to know the people, their traditions, their customs, and of course their food!

I am passionate about developing authentic, unique travel experiences. There is so much this world has to offer so lets get traveling!

Taylor

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 8 whom we took on holiday to Plantation Island in Fiji for a week. We have also spent 2 weeks in Bali as a family in 2023. Duncan and I also experienced a Viking cruise earlier this year which we absolutely loved! Our latest holiday was spending 5 nights in Fiji at the All Inclusive Naviti Resort.

We live locally in the Papamoa Hills and own a lifestyle block with cows, sheep, chickens, cats, and our gorgeous dog Millie. 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.