“The incredible Italian farmhouse cuisine was such a surprise - a real farm-to-table experience. Highly recommend the limoncello - the 'home brew' had quite a kick to it!"”
Live like a local with an Italian Agriturismo stay
Italy
Enjoy a unique, first-hand experience in rural Italy with an agriturismo stay.
Bringing together “agriculture” and “tourism” it allows working farms to welcome guests for overnight stays.
You’ll also be privy to generations of culinary know-how. The perfect way to experience authentic Italy.
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
Chloe McKellar
House of Travel Wellington City
Chloe
Tracey Edgecombe
House of Travel New Plymouth
I liken planning a holiday to baking a cake. It takes several well measured and thought out ingredients for a great result.
I have been lucky to have travelled extensively myself and being a travel consultant for more than 20 years, I use these 'ingredients' - experience and expertise - to draw on to help create amazing holidays and lifelong memories.
It is such a pleasure to help my clients get the best out of their holidays and manage an incredible team of travel professionals.
Tracey
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
Our Italy Tours 15
Best. Holidays. Ever!
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