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Smell the cherry blossoms in Japan

Japan

Cherry blossoms in 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!”

Recommended by Steph Towers , HOT Mt Maunganui

Steph Wheeler

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Deepti Mehta

Deepti Mehta

House of Travel Hobsonville

As someone who loves to explore the world, I've been to many places and learned a lot along the way. Now, I use that knowledge to help others plan amazing trips. Whether you want excitement, relaxation, or cultural experiences, I make personalized travel plans that suit your needs. What sets me apart is my genuine dedication to top-notch service. I've been in the travel business for a while, so I know how to make your trip extraordinary. When you choose me as your travel advisor, you're not just booking a trip, you're starting a journey with someone who truly wants to make it unforgettable. So, if you're ready for your next adventure, let's talk!

Deepti 

Kathie Maddox

Kathie Maddox

House of Travel Albany

Travelling is my passion and I love planning holidays where I can create the most magical experiences and memories to last a lifetime. I love to share my knowledge of travel and can’t wait to help you plan your exciting new adventure away wherever that may be….


Kathie

Maia Holdem

Maia Holdem

House of Travel Northlink (formerly Northlands)

Travel brings joy, and I’m passionate about helping people create incredible memories! I love turning travel ideas into exciting, memorable experiences and making the journey from dreaming to booking as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Travel has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. Having grown up travelling regularly and now visited 21 countries (and counting!), it felt like a natural step to turn my passion for exploring the world into a career where I can help others experience it too.

I specialise in travel across Australia, Southeast Asia, the USA, the Pacific Islands and cruising, bringing firsthand knowledge from both my time living in the USA and my recent month-long adventure through Europe. I love discovering destinations both on and off the beaten track and using my own travel experiences, combined with my industry knowledge, to create holidays that are perfectly suited to each client.

Some of my most memorable travel experiences include island hopping through Greece, exploring Mexico on a Contiki, travelling through Southeast Asia with my best friend, and discovering the beautiful Pacific Islands closer to home.

Whether you’re planning a family holiday, romantic getaway, cruise, solo adventure or once-in-a-lifetime trip, my goal is to make the planning process easy and enjoyable while taking care of the details along the way. I love creating personalised itineraries that match your travel style, interests and expectations, and I’m here to help from the initial planning through to those special insider tips that can make your trip even more memorable.

Share your dream holiday with me, and together we’ll make it a reality! Let me take care of the details so you can relax, enjoy the journey and make memories that last a lifetime.


Maia

Courtney McCormack

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

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Smell the cherry blossoms in Japan