“A walking tour is the best way to see all the sights and the hidden gems from the locals! ”
Visit the Mona Lisa & stroll the Champ Elysees
France
France is just one of those destinations you must visit at least once in your lifetime! Le Louvre housing Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous art piece Mona Lisa, the prestigious Champs Elysee, the world-famous Eiffel Tower and the River Seine are land marks Paris is known the world over.
Sip a café au lait in a chic Parisian café (our favourite Café de Flore in Saint-Germain), enjoy the flaky butteriness of a freshly baked croissant from a patisserie (the eclairs from L’Eclair de Genie are devine!), browse famous works of art in Le Louvre (take a stroll through the iconic park Les Tuileries in front of Le Lourvre), climb the Arc de Triomphe or Eiffel Tower for views across the city, explore boutiques in the cobbled streets or prestigious Belle-Epoque department stores such as Galeries Lafayette along the Champs-Élysées.
Paris is always a good idea!
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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
Cherone Wilson
House of Travel Howick
Travel has been a constant in my life since my OE started with a classic Contiki trip through Europe, followed by working in London and traveling through the UK, Turkey, Egypt, and Israel. I also spent a year working in Iceland—a now trendy travel hotspot—before returning to New Zealand.
In 2000, my family moved to the middle east living in both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, which provided an exciting base for exploring nearby destinations. We had unforgettable holidays in Austria, France, the UK, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and Kenya.
Returning to New Zealand marked a new chapter of travel, this time without children. Recent adventures have included Vietnam, India, China, Peru, and Cambodia.
My travel career started with Singapore Airlines and since 2019 I’ve been consulting at House of Travel in Howick. I love talking and connecting with clients, listening to their travel dreams and turning them into memorable experiences.
Whether you're looking for an island getaway, relaxing cruise or an exciting adventure, I’m here to help you plan the perfect trip.
Travel is an adventure that brings the world to life.
Cherone
Jason McKay
House of Travel Nelson
As the proud Owner Operator of House of Travel Nelson, I lead a small but passionate team dedicated to taking care of all your travel needs.
I primarily work on the Orbit World Travel side of our business, specialising in business and group travel. But as a traveller myself, I love chatting with customers and the team about their upcoming adventures — there’s nothing better than sharing in the excitement of a great trip!
Travel has played a huge role in my life. From years of family holidays to the Gold Coast and Fiji, where the kids spent hours in the pool or on the playground, to unforgettable highlights like Disneyland (they were 10 and 12 — the perfect age!), followed by a relaxing week in Mexico. These days, with older kids, we’re seeking more adventure. Our recent trip to Vietnam was a standout — from the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City to the peaceful beauty of Hoi An's lanterns and Halong Bay. If you haven’t been, it’s a must!
Next on my list? Europe. While I’ve done a couple of quick trips
in the past, I’m keen to take the time to explore the diverse cultures and rich
history of the places I’ve spent years helping others discover.
Whether your trip is big or small, come in and see us at House of Travel Nelson — we’ll make sure it’s your best one yet.
Fiona Muir
House of Travel Whanganui
You
know how some people collect handbags or shoes, well I have a love of
collecting passport stamps! I developed a bit of a passion for adventure travel
since working in the States at a summer camp in my early 20’s. I have travelled
to over 40 countries, doing everything from eating scorpions in China,
snorkelling the Silfra fissure in Iceland, to skydiving in Namibia.
Fiona
Best. Holidays. Ever!
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