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Smell the cherry blossoms in Japan

Japan

Japan’s pastel pink cherry blossoms smell as good as they look. While the trees seldom bear fruit, the blossom flourishes every spring, and with it comes an intoxicating floral scent.

The Japanese celebrate Sakura (cherry blossom) with Hanami, literally “flower viewing” celebrations which take place in March and April.

Locals organise flower appreciation picnics under the blooms, sitting beneath the bubble gum petals and sipping on ‘Sakura’ Pepsi. For a limited time, even the cola’s pink!

“You have to try the Starbucks sakura-themed drinks - they are an acquired taste but has to be done!”

Connect with a Japan specialist

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Rachel Molloy

House of Travel Hamilton East

After 14 years in the travel industry, travel is still my great passion. I love exploring new destinations and experiencing different cultures, cuisines and customs. Partway through my career, I took a year off to travel extensively through Central America, Asia and Europe. Today, I enjoy sharing the knowledge I've gained over the years and using that experience to help clients bring their travel dreams to fruition.

Rachel

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

Jay Irvine

House of Travel Halswell

Travel has always been a passion of mine, but what I enjoy most is helping others experience the excitement that comes with planning their next adventure. Whether it's a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, a family getaway, a cruise, or a quick escape, I love taking the stress out of the planning process so my clients can simply look forward to their trip.

As a Travel Consultant with House of Travel, I've been fortunate to experience a wide variety of travel styles first-hand. From ocean cruising and independent travel to small group journeys and fully escorted tours, I understand that no two travellers are the same. I've explored destinations throughout Australia, Europe, Asia, the South Pacific and the USA, giving me genuine first-hand knowledge that I can share with my clients.

Australia remains one of my favourite destinations, with its incredible mix of vibrant cities, stunning coastlines and unforgettable regional experiences. Cruising is another personal passion, and I enjoy helping clients find the perfect ship and itinerary, whether it's their very first cruise or they're seasoned travellers looking for their next adventure.

I believe the best holidays are built around the people taking them. That's why I take the time to understand what my clients enjoy, what inspires them, and what they want from their travels. My goal is simple—to create seamless, memorable holidays while providing honest advice, personalised service, and support every step of the way.

Jay

Zoe Sherwood

House of Travel Devonport

I like to think of myself as a breath of fresh air in the travel industry. Having spent some time living in both the USA and the UK, my love for travel truly blossomed during that time. I firmly believe that exploring the world opens hearts and minds, offering lessons you can’t find anywhere else.

Organising travel might sound simple, but when you’re juggling five different airlines, hopping between continents, and coordinating an international cruise with visa requirements and embarkation rules to navigate, it can quickly become overwhelming. Lucky for you, I’ve got the expertise and experience to make the entire process smooth and stress-free, so you can focus on enjoying the journey.

For me, it’s all about you. Hearing about your dream adventures and helping turn them into reality is what makes my job so rewarding—it’s a privilege to be involved in such exciting moments. No dream is too big or too small! Whether it’s a luxurious journey through Asia, hopping across Europe’s hidden gems, a self-drive adventure in Australia, or cruising the stunning Baltics, any adventure has the potential to be truly magical.

If it’s on your bucket list, let’s make it happen—I’m here to listen and bring your vision to life!

Zoe