Ring in the New Year in Tokyo
Japan, Asia
One of the best places to celebrate the start of a new year is undoubtedly Tokyo in Japan - you’ll get to take part in festivities for not just one day but for an entire week!
Japan’s new year celebrations start from 29th December and continue until 4th January. To enjoy a cultural experience the best spots to celebrate the new year in Tokyo is at Meiji Shrine or at Zoji-ji Temple where a monk rings the bell 108 times to denote the arrival of new year but if you like crowds and the party vibe, then head to Shibuya Crossing and partake in the countdown party - unquestionably one of the best outdoor New Year parties in the world.
Namrata Patel
House of Travel Hobsonville
Hi, I’m Namrata — a travel
consultant who genuinely cares about your time, your budget, and your hopes for
that memorable holiday. I love turning travel ideas into something real and
unforgettable. For me, building an itinerary is like solving a puzzle — shaped
by your interests, personality, and sense of adventure.
I’m research-driven and love digging into the details that make a trip special.
Whether it’s tricky airfares, island-hopping cruises, or crafting meaningful
family journeys, I’m here for it.
Travel is never one-size-fits-all, and I look forward to discovering your
unique travel style.
Every trip starts with a good chat — let’s start there.
Namrata
Torin Wilson
House of Travel High Street Lanes, Christchurch CBD
With over 12 years of experience in the travel industry and a proud gold award to my name, I’m passionate about discovering and sharing unique destinations with my clients. I believe that every journey should be special, which is why I take the time to understand your preferences and curate experiences that truly resonate with you. Let’s explore hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path adventures together—because travel is about creating unforgettable memories!
Torin
Minji Park
House of Travel Christchurch City
Minji is our Japan specialist in Christchurch. Born and raised in South Korea, her passion for travel began at an early age. This passion led her to study tourism management and become a tour guide in both Japan and Southeast Asia.
Minji has spent most of her tour guide career in Japan, leading tours across the country and gaining an in-depth knowledge of the region. She has also guided tours in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos, and has backpacked extensively throughout Europe, Australia, and Canada. Minji has lived in London, Vancouver, and Sydney, spending at least a couple of years in each country.
My top travel tips
- Pack as light as you can (except for cruises). Heavy luggage can be tedious to manage and exhausting just getting on/off trains.
- Try to pre-book and pay in NZ dollars. If you pay locally, you will need to pay in local currency and the banks will apply their exchange rates plus international transaction fees.
- Utilise your stopover opportunities. Two holidays, one ticket, you are basically genius.
"Investment in travel is an investment in yourself" - Matthew Karsten
Why I love travel
I love meeting new people, discovering new cultures, tasting new food and beers and having new experiences. Travel is the best way to tick all the boxes and be inspired.
It is exciting and rewarding to help make my clients' holiday easier with better value and making it more memorable with my travel knowledge and organisation skills. I just love talking about travel, and hearing about their holiday when they return home is the best part of my job. It is very rewarding to hear what a great time they had. I am continuously learning about new travel destinations and new products and experiences so I never get bored.
My top destinations
- Japan – Japan is the country that I have travelled through the most and I can never tire of it. Japan offers so much, from old historic shrines and temples to the most modern architecture and latest technology, fascinating culture, beautiful nature areas and incredible food. It is also a very safe and easy place to travel so I recommend it for all types of travellers.
- Spain - I love the Andalusia region in particular, including Granada and Ronda. You feel like you are walking back in time, or perhaps through a movie set with the many sublime landscapes, spectacular vistas and famous historic sites. A warm evening drinking sangria with some delicious tapas over a view of Alhambra is a personal favourite.
- Vietnam - you can have an amazing experience within a very affordable budget. In one day, you will see more motorbikes than you have seen in your entire life. Interesting French Colonial architecture and indigenous castles and villages, beautiful beaches and rice paddies, the little art and culinary boutique town of Hoi An, unique and delicious food, UNESCO Heritage site Ha Long Bay and much more.
- Galapagos - If you are into wildlife, this is one of the ultimate places in the world to visit. I still say Galapagos was the best travel experience in my life. The everyday encounters with unique species of sea lions, turtles, tortoises, all different types of birds, penguins, sharks, rays, marine iguana are unforgettable. The best part for me was diving amongst schools of hammerhead sharks and eagle rays inside the crater of a submerged volcano.
What's in my suitcase
- Foldable backpack - It is the best thing ever. I always put one in my bag, and it is perfect for a casual day out exploring.
- Travel organiser bags - I have one for clothes, one for underwear/socks and one for toiletries. It will make your pack/unpack so much easier.
- Compact rain jacket and small collapsible umbrella - You will always have some rain during your holiday but unless you are expecting lots of it, you don't want these items to take too much space in your travel bag.
Minji
Toni Rendell
House of Travel Rotorua
As a 17 year old, I headed off to Finland on a student exchange for a year, my first ever overseas trip and the start of my passion for travel.
Whether it’s a quick jaunt across the Tasman, an adventure
through Vietnam or a guided coach tour of Europe, I love working with you
to create the perfect holiday.
Having been in the industry for over 30 years, I have an extensive knowledge of airfares, and travel providers, I combine that with the knowledge of my returning customers and the wisdom of the House of Travel collective to craft your travel.
There sure is a lot you need to know and I pride myself on keeping up to date with industry trends and changes. That may be new destinations to visit, beautiful places to stay or changes in travel requirements.
So get in touch and let me help make your travel dreams come true.
Toni
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