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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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Tanya Aitken

House of Travel Papamoa

Travel fuels my soul, the experiences, the opportunities, the culture, the adventures, I have been lucky enough to have a career that is a labour of love. Planning holidays with a high degree of skill, attention and knowledge has become my trade mark.

I absolutely adore planning epic family trips, luxurious holidays alongside organizing a lot of corporate travel business as well. I also travel a lot, as often as I can so I have up to date first hand experience in so many areas. This has given me the skill and experience to share with my clients and ensure they also come away with travel experiences second to none. I work with a large referral business and I do require appointments to fully assess what is going to be right for you and start planning your holiday.

Tanya

Nicky de Clifford

House of Travel Merivale

Having spent the last 30 years in the Travel Industry I can safely say "I love my job" !!

Getting to put together dream holidays is very rewarding and it's great to see so many more Kiwis getting out to see this amazing world of ours...

I love to tailor holidays that are uniquely personal to you. Every person has different needs, wants and "must do's" for their holiday. Nothing is cookie cutter in the world of travel so being able to put together an itinerary that is bespoke and personal is rewarding for myself and for you, the traveller.

My favourite destinations would be Europe (especially France and Italy), South East Asia (especially Vietnam and Thailand) and of course our Island neighbours. I have been to Fiji numerous times and every time I just love it.
But there are so many places I have yet to travel to and I look forward to sharing my travel stories along the way.

I look forward to working with you..

Nicky

Chloe McKellar

House of Travel Wellington City

Customer service has always been drilled into me. After begging my way into a cafe job at 14, I then spent 12 years working in the hospitality industry supervising restaurants and managing specialty cafes which also founded my love for all different types of foods.

After spending 3 years in Melbourne, 6 months in South East Asia and a few years in the UK I finally made the switch to the travel industry where I have been able to share my love for travel and customer service ever since.

I made it through the dark years of COVID in the industry which has led me to know to dig that little bit deeper into my clients' travel plans to create that perfect trip, and ensure we really have the best option for you in terms of comfort, reliability, and service. As we just don't know what is round the corner, do we!

I've travelled extensively across Southeast Asia, UK and Europe, spent a lot of time exploring properties in Fiji (and relaxing by the beach), road tripped in California and in 2024 I visited South Africa in Feb, Japan, South Korea and Taipei! I've got many more places on my bucket list to visit, but if I haven't been, I've got a superb team of people behind me who have and we'll work out the best trip for you! My ultimate passion when I travel is trying local foods, and finding the best possible places to have that authentic experience that we wouldn't be able to have at home. So if that resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you and let's put together your foodie adventure, together :)

Chloe

Robyn Oretsky

House of Travel Wellington City

For me, travel has been more than just a series of destinations, it has been a transformative journey that has sculpted my character and contributed to my personal evolution. My travel experiences are not merely about ticking off destinations from a bucket list, but about immersing myself in the heart and soul of each place I’ve visited visit.

My early travels began with frequent road trips around my home country of Canada and the USA, and I am fortunate enough to have now been to six of the seven continents. Exploring the world through various modes of transportation has been a thrilling adventure for me, from cruise ships, to trains, to rickshaws, and I have an appreciation for the experiences that local transport offers. I am comfortable with sleeping in a hammock in the rainforest, an overwater bungalow in the South Pacific, and everything in between.

My experiences have taught me to adapt to different situations and understand diverse perspectives, and my background in customer service and sales has equipped me with valuable skills that I believe make me well-suited for various client needs. I believe this makes me well-suited to meet your needs as a client. Whether it's finding solutions to problems or anticipating your preferences, I strive to provide an exceptional service tailored to you. My aim is to not just meet but exceed your expectations by drawing on my varied background.

My enthusiasm for travel is infectious, and it is my goal to inspire others to embark on their own adventures and discover the beauty of our planet.

Robyn