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Beat the blues at Mardi Gras in New Orleans

New Orleans

New Orleans Street

Beads, beer and blues music, New Orleans’ Mardi Gras is a chaotic explosion of celebration, with music and mayhem pulsating from every crack in the brickwork.

Mardi Gras is French for ‘Fat Tuesday’ and symbolises the last day of indulging before fasting. This is Cajun country, so get acquainted with lively flavours.

Lock lips with an infamous beignet at Café du Monde in the French Quarter, and descend on the bakeries, open pre-dawn, for a traditional Mardi Gras ‘King Cake’. These gluttonous treats are ring-shaped and frosted. Inside there’s a tiny plastic baby – find it and tradition insists you have to buy next year’s cake

“Wear green, purple & gold and join in one of the Second Line Parades around the city. It's a great way to immerse yourself in the Mardi Gras culture. Just remember to wear comfy shoes as dancing along to the brass band is hard to resist!”

Recommended by Carla McKinnon , HOT Whangarei

Carla Mckinnon

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Lisa Grunsell

Lisa Grunsell

House of Travel Tauranga: The Crossing

With over 30 years in the travel industry, I still get that same excitement when creating holidays for my clients.

My extensive travel knowledge, combined with personal experiences, allows me to transform your dreams into reality.

Travel has truly been life-changing for me, from the diverse cultures to the countless continents I’ve explored. I would love to share that joy with you.

I invite you to come and chat with me—I’m here to make booking your holiday as easy and stress-free as possible. 

Lisa

Minakshi Sharma

Minakshi Sharma

House of Travel Palmerston North: The Square

Kia Ora/Namaste/ Sat Sri Akal and Hello to fellow travelers and adventurers! Welcome to the world of travel. 

Originally, from the colourful landscapes of India and now completely wrapped in New Zealand's breathtaking beauty, I'm excited to introduce myself as your dedicated travel consultant with 8 years of experience. My passion for travel inspired an interest in me at a young age, that encouraged me to pursue a master's degree in travel and tourism administration.

Being an Indian woman, I have seen both New Zealand's and India's vibrant cultures and amazing natural beauty. With a passion for exploration and cultural exchange, I bring a unique blend of experiences to craft personalized and memorable travel journeys. 

Whether you dream of exploring the bustling markets of Delhi, relaxing on the tranquil beaches of Goa, or embarking on an adventure through the majestic mountains of New Zealand, my goal is to turn your travel dreams into reality. From navigating the complexities of international flights to discovering hidden gems off the beaten path and the roads less travelled, I am here to ensure your travels are seamless and filled with joyful moments.

Let’s create memories that will last a lifetime, because with the right guidance, the world truly becomes your oyster. 

The world awaits - let's explore it together!


Minakshi

Rebecca Moss

Rebecca Moss

House of Travel Whangarei

I am delighted to share the exciting news of my return to House of Travel after a brief break from the travel industry. I am thrilled to continue my travel career, which spans over 17 years. It all began when I entered the industry as a travel consultant and eventually progressed to assistant office manager. I developed a strong fascination with the wholesale operation, which inspired me to delve deeper into that specific aspect of the business. 

This experience further ignited my desire to embark on my second Overseas Experience (O.E.) As a result, I left New Zealand and had the opportunity to work as a travel agent in both Australia and Ireland. Upon my return to New Zealand, I seized a valuable position as a sales representative for Malaysian Airlines before finally joining House of Travel at the beginning of 2017.

During my travels, I have been fortunate to explore 18 countries, and among them, Hawaii holds a special place as one of my favorite destinations. Exploring the Waikele premium outlets, basking in the sun on beautiful beaches, snorkelling with turtles along the Maui coastline, and embarking on the exhilarating Haleakala Zipline adventure—this destination offers the perfect all-in-one holiday experience for me.

Cruising, indulging in luxury travel, and enjoying beach breaks are my passions, although I am not averse to a touch of adventure. Witnessing the awe-inspiring Chichen Itza Mayan ruins in Mexico and conquering the ascent of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah were both remarkable personal achievements.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my profession is assisting clients in creating their ideal travel experiences. I take great pleasure in hearing about their favorite moments and highlights upon their return.

Rebecca
Mike (Buzz) Thomson

Mike (Buzz) Thomson

House of Travel Hobsonville

With 20 years experience in the travel industry both here and abroad I use this knowledge every day to create unforgettable journeys for my clients.

I'd love to hear what your plans are and together we'll create a well organised memorable trip.

Mike

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Beat the blues at Mardi Gras in New Orleans