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France

Vive la France!


Sip, savour and explore

France truly is the gift that keeps on giving: think vineyard-covered hillsides, enchanting villages, chic city streets, and rolling countryside dotted with historic charm. Spend dreamy days wandering Parisian avenues, exploring Bordeaux’s famed vineyards, or lounging in style on the sun-kissed shores of the French Riviera.

In France, life’s little pleasures are celebrated - freshly baked baguettes, rich paté, world-class cheeses, and of course, exquisite wines. Whether you're after culture-filled city breaks, relaxing coastal escapes, or countryside tranquillity, France delivers unforgettable moments at every turn.

Whether you’re dreaming of exploring the vineyards of Bordeaux, wandering the streets of Paris, or relaxing on the French Riviera, chat to our France travel specialists and let’s find your perfect holiday today!

DID YOU KNOW?

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Flight time

The flight from Auckland to France takes about 24 hours with a stopover. It’s a lengthy trip, but you’ll be rewarded with incredible landscapes, cuisine, and culture.

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Best time to go

The best time to visit France is from April to June and September to October. These months offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and the chance to enjoy France’s charm without the summer heat.

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Time difference

France is 10 hours behind New Zealand, so there will be a time difference to adjust to.

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Meet our France specialists

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Melanie Hubber

Melanie Hubber

House of Travel Ferrymead

I am passionate about sustainable travel for the future. 

My entire career of 30 years has been in travel sales and tourism. I have travelled overseas more than a hundred times to over 70 countries and 6 continents for personal holidays, business and leisure.

I've made my home in London, Dorset, Chamonix and Auckland. I settled back in my home town of Christchurch after being away for five years. 

I love travel and how it enriches lives and provides a livelihood for people and communities around the globe. I love helping to inspire and inform clients, who care about the impact their choices have on local communities and the environment, and who want to have a great holiday. 

Sustainable doesn't mean you can't have luxury! My personal holidays always have a sense of adventure, you will find me on a beach or mountain or taking in a cultural experience to make the most of a destination. 

I personally rate train travel one of the best ways to casually explore, there's nothing I love more than checking in at a downtown railway station off to a new destination. I think travel provides new perspectives and respect for different cultures and values are par for the course. We can always find common ground when we are prepared to go out of our comfort zone. 

Why book your travel with me? I am a CLIA certified Cruise Master and dedicated to helping you with your travel plans. I have the tools and the networks available to assist with all styles of travel experiences you may be looking for. 

Mel

Shelley Rich

Shelley Rich

House of Travel Mount Maunganui

I have been a part of the travel industry for over 30 years and still love it!

I love to travel and I often joke with my clients that I live vicariously through them.

Planning the perfect holiday for my clients fills me with joy. I take pride in what I do and love sharing my passion of travel.

Many of my clients have become life long friends. 

Shelley

Melissa Topp

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 

Hannah Smaha

Hannah Smaha

House of Travel Johnsonville

Creating a holiday to suit your needs and budget is one of my favourite things to do.

Whether it's based on my own experiences or researching an obscure destination that is on your bucket list, I can't wait to help you book your dream holiday.?

Hannah

Our favourite things to do in France

Stroll through the Champs Elysees

The treasures of the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe and the elegant Champs Elysées – all are essential Paris. But be prepared to immerse yourself into the local culture.

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People sitting overlooking view of Normandy

Visit the hidden gem of France

Head to Normandy and discover Mont Saint-Michel!

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Chambord

Visit Châteaux in France's Loire Valley

Pack a picnic today and discover the châteaux.

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Villa in the South of France

Live like a local

Press pause and catch your breath as you take the time to appreciate the simpler things in life.

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Family at cooking class

Cook Like a Parisian

Learn the tips and tricks of how to make the French delights!

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View of Eiffel Tower

Be your own skipper

Want to explore France in a fun, stress-free way with the kids?

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Boats sitting in St Tropez France

River cruising on the South of France

Set sail for the Mediterranean, indulging in French cuisine as you float past picture-perfect châteaux and lively towns.

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Mona Lisa painting

See the Mona Lisa Without the Crowds

Plan your perfect visit to the Louvre!

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93% of customers who book with House of Travel rate us 5/5

"Karen is friendly, knowledgable, asks the right questions and gives great advice. I fully trust her."

Andrea

"Debra has arranged my travel on numerous occasions and always to my satisfaction. I have no hesitation in going back to Debra to ask any questions that I may have."

Marian

"Anna was very knowledgeable and professional. She has a lot of patience and yet always smiling."

Jude

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