“Mesmerising, magical & indulgent. Live like a movie star and escape to paradise! Impress your other half with a private dinner on a candle lit jetty.”
Indulge in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives
Maldives
If you’re planning a honeymoon, have a significant anniversary to celebrate, or simply just want to impress your other half, the exquisitely stunning islands of the Maldives is the place to go!
These resort islands in the Indian Ocean are often frequented by the ‘rich and famous’ so you too can live like a VIP and escape to complete and utter secluded indulgence with an over-water bungalow stay. Don’t think about the price!
The Maldives is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so a generous dash of indulgence is part of the Maldives experience, so make the most of it!
Courtney McCormack
House of Travel Morrinsville
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
Tori Melody
House of Travel Devonport
|
Lovely to meet you —
and welcome, fellow adventure seekers! |
Tori
Sue Kearns
House of Travel Tauranga: The Crossing
Why Choose Me as Your
Travel Consultant?
Travel isn't just about reaching a destination it's about discovering the
hidden gems that transform a trip into an unforgettable story. With a
Bachelor's degree in Outdoor Recreation Sports and a lifetime spent exploring
both rugged landscapes and vibrant cities, I bring a unique perspective that
goes far beyond typical tourist itineraries.
My roots in Ireland taught me to appreciate nature's raw beauty. I've summited
every mountain in the country, including my beloved Tonelegee, where the trail
rewards you with views of Lough Ouler a heart-shaped lake that reminds you why
we wander in the first place. This deep connection to outdoor adventure means I
understand travelers who crave authentic experiences, whether that's finding
the perfect hiking route or a secluded viewpoint that isn't in any guidebook.
Living in the Netherlands expanded my horizons in ways I never anticipated. I
fell in love with how seamlessly you can hopscotch between countries and
cultures breakfast in Leiden, lunch in Brussels, dinner in Cologne. But I also
learned to dig deeper: discovering D'Artagnan's statue (The Three Musketeers)
in Maastricht, understanding the city's role in European history, savoring
local flavors that tell the story of a place. I've learned that the best travel
experiences come from balancing spontaneity with insider knowledge.
What truly sets me apart is my approach to travel planning: I believe in the
magic of getting lost with purpose. I'll help you find those non-touristy
restaurants where locals actually eat, the neighborhood markets that buzz with
authentic energy, and the lesser-known historical sites that reveal a
destination's true character. These are the moments that stay with you long
after you've unpacked your suitcase.
I'm also part of a family that lives and breathes exploration. My fiancé who
originates from France, shares my passion for discovering new places, and my
mother-in-law literally writes the book on travel authoring French travel
guides from her home in Greece. This means I'm constantly exchanging tips,
routes, and hidden treasures with fellow enthusiasts who understand that travel
is both an art and a calling.
Whether you're an adventurous hiker seeking Europe's most breathtaking trails,
a culture enthusiast wanting to trace historical footsteps, or simply someone
who wants to experience a destination like a local rather than a tourist, I'll
craft an itinerary that speaks to your spirit. I understand that the best
journeys are personal, and I'm committed to helping you create memories that
are uniquely yours.
Let's turn your travel dreams into extraordinary realities.
Sue
Melissa Topp
House of Travel Christchurch City
Travel really is my passion and I perhaps love organising it just as much as the actual travelling. Being able to open up options for people they had no idea they could accomplish is truly exciting. I love the scope of what we can accomplish as a travel agent; our systems, knowledge and relationships with the right people all add up to being able to organise a truly memorable trip. I’ve done it all from tours, safaris, ocean and river cruises, adventure travel, self-drives, rail journeys, family travel specialising in all things Disney and I love to share my knowledge to help you achieve the trip of your lifetime.
Outside of the office I like to spend my time skiing, horse riding, tramping, scuba diving, getting outside on our lifestyle block with my two little girls or enjoying a glass of pinot with a side order of chocolate mousse.
Years in the Industry: over 20
No. of countries visited: 50+
Favourite place to visit: Niue, no wait Cuba, hmm no
maybe it’s Egypt….. Or Italy….
Next place on the list to visit: Disneyworld
· “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Augustine of Hippo
Why I love travel?
Travel gives us our greatest stories, our most cherished memories and countless irreplaceable learnings that we can choose to pay forward to others. It teaches us about ourselves and each other, it broadens our horizons and, just like a reset button, it forces us to refocus on what really matters.
My travel tips:
- Pack your patient pants; Don’t sweat the stuff you can’t control. Your trip is
much too short to stress. Did you miss your bus? No worries, there will be
another one.. ATM out of
money? Great! Take an unplanned road trip over to the next town and
explore. I know it can be hard sometimes, but just
take a deep breath and remind yourself that it could be worse.
- Focus on value over
deals. It’s so easy to not look past the initial $ signs when organising
your trip but how much extra will there be in added costs once you are at
your destination, lost time or enjoyment is that initial saving really
going to cost you once you are there.
- Wake Up Early To Avoid Crowds. Rise before sunrise to have the best attractions all to yourself while avoiding large tourist crowds. It’s also a magical time for photos due to the softer light and often providing great opportunities to interact with locals getting ready for their day. Sketchy areas are less dangerous in the morning too. Honest hardworking people wake up early; scammers and criminals sleep in…
My top 5 favourite destinations:
- Rio
De Janeiro – Such an incredibly vibrant city. Imagine, having dinner in a
local favela, no other tourists in sight and locals from ages 1-99 all
together, laughing, dancing to the live music, everyone talking to
everyone. A local group of young people came down the street performing
the traditional capoeira martial art/dance and everyone heads outside to
watch and cheer them on. It is always the people that make the place and
Brazil’s people are very bit as colourful as this amazing city.
- Europe
River cruise – A true holiday. Pull up each day in a different location,
right in the heart of things, wander off the boat and go for it. Return
when you feel like it to every luxury you could want, top class food and
drink and every room has a front row view. No crowds, most ships have
under 200 passengers and a great option for both first time travellers and
more experienced as you tend to visit many of the smaller and often less
visited towns.
- Rocky
Mountaineer train journey – Starting in Banff, which really feels like the
Queenstown of Canada and ending in Vancouver, a stunning city just a few
minutes’ drive and from the beautiful redwood forests this train journey
is must do travel experience. Seeing the spectacular scenery of the
Rockies from the comfort of your warmed up spacious leather seat, the
mountains are not just to either side but also above you through the glass
roof of the train.
- Borneo
– Here you can combine stunningly beautiful beach resorts with a visit to
the jungle; see the Proboscis monkeys, baby turtles being released into
the ocean and one of the only places in the world to see Orangutans in
their native habitat. One of the least explored areas on the planet with
many adventures to be had but you don’t need to skimp on luxury.
- East Africa Safari – It is a strangely exciting experience to be told not to wander too far from your tent at night because wild animals are really all around you. From elephants wandering through our camp one evening, to hearing bison grazing in the grass around us while sleeping, Africa really is as wild as you hope it will be. So many travel experiences these days are replicas – shows put together for your enjoyment. Africa definitely is not; it could not get much more real. Seeing orphaned baby elephants playing football with each other, wandering over to you reaching out their trunk so smell you as you stand behind only a rope fence watching their antics is just one of the incredible experiences on offer in this amazing location.
What’s in my suitcase?
- A
dog bed. I kid you not. These days I’m travelling with two little ones in
tow and as strange as this sounds it’s a life saver on long haul
flights-pair it with one of those big inflatable pillows that go where
your legs usually do and you have a comfortable bed for the little ones to
curl up in.
- A
dirty laundry bag. One easy spot to place all the worn things and easy to
take to the laundry with you while travelling or dump in the machine when
home.
- Earplugs. I need a good nights sleep be ready to do everything I have planned for the next day on my holiday and you just never know what noises you might want to shut out while travelling.
Melissa
Our Maldives deals 4
Best. Holidays. Ever!
Start here
Let us help you find your perfect holiday! Here's how to get in touch...
Want the insider word on all things travel?
Sign up below and be the first to hear about our hottest holiday deals, flight steals, cruise deals and essential travel hints and tips from our team of travel specialists.
By signing up, you have read or have an opportunity to read the Privacy Policy, and you agree to the provisions of the Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up, we’ll be in touch soon!
Hold on a sec, adventurer! We didn't quite catch your email. Sign up again to unlock your travel dreams!