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Greece & Turkey

Greek Islands and Turkish Delights.

Greece Santorini

Yassou!

A dip in azure seas, a sip of pungent ouzo and a trip back in time to oracles and gods – Greece is the very essence of the alluring Mediterranean world. Greece is synonymous with islands – from history steeped Crete, awe-inspiring Santorini and windmill-studded Mykonos and many other gems scattered across the Mediterranean Sea. Feast on freshly caught fish, grilled lamb stuffed vine leaves and sweet baklava. Or devour some feta and figs, and some fresh tomatoes with salt and oil. Sip coffee in a harbour-side café as the fishing boats come into port, amble along country roads while families gather their olives and pat donkeys on their way to village markets with baskets laden with fresh tomatoes.

And then there’s Turkey, with its ethereal landscapes, archaeological sites, mosques, bazaars and fascinating ruins. The coast twinkles and Cappadocia delights. In the cities the air is alive with chatter and the thick scent of Turkish coffee, as well as sweet baklava which is best served like the generosity of its people. Warm. 

Planning a Greece & Turkey holiday? Connect with a Greece & Turkey holiday travel specialist to create your dream holiday, today!

DID YOU KNOW?

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Flight time.

The flight from Auckland to Greece or Turkey usually takes about 24 hours, with a stopover. While it’s a long journey, the ancient history and beautiful coastlines make it worth the effort.

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Best time to go.

The best time to visit Greece and Turkey is from May to October, when the weather is warm and dry, ideal for enjoying the beaches and historical sites.

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Time difference.

Greece and Turkey are 9 hours behind New Zealand. The time difference will require some adjustment, but it’s manageable.

Our favourite things to do in Greece & Turkey

Floating monasteries

See magical "floating" monasteries

Visit the monasteries at Meteora, perched atop giant rock pillars.

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Cyclades islands pier

Go Greek island hopping

Why settle for one Greek island when you can explore three?

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Restaurant Greece

Eat like a local

Bring your appetite – you’re in for a delicious adventure!

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Paintings at market

A hidden gem in Athens

Your new favorite sweet escape in the heart of Athens!

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Acropolis

Step back in time at the Acropolis (a Must-Do!)

Visiting the Acropolis is an absolute must when in Athens.

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Sunset in Oia

Best. Sunset. Ever!

Get ready to witness a Santorini sunset like no other in Oia.

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Hot air balloons in Turkey

Float above Cappadocia and sleep in a Cave hotel

A once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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Boats in the bay in Turkey

Sail through Turkey on a traditional gulet

Hop aboard a traditional Gulet for a sailing adventure through Turkey’s stunning coastline!

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Gallipoli

Experience the ANZAC Dawn service at Gallipoli

For Kiwis a visit to Gallipoli is a once in a life-time trip.

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Wine glasses

Visit a local winery in Crete

Experience the charm of Crete by visiting a local winery, where you can taste exquisite wines and meet local families

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Meet our Greece & Turkey specialists

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Jared Wilson

Jared Wilson

House of Travel Christchurch City


No. of countries visited: 40+ 

Favourite place to visit: Anywhere in South America

Next place on the list to visit: Kenya


Quote: “Never pass up a bathroom”

About me: With over 2 years of solo travel across 40+ countries, I am passionate about immersing myself in new cultures and uncovering the unique experiences each destination has to offer. Fluent in Spanish, Latin America is my particular area of experience and expertise. Whether you're after an exciting adventure or a peaceful getaway, I’m committed to designing a memorable and seamless trip tailored specifically to you. 

Why I love travel: It allows me to escape the sometimes repetitive nature of daily life. I enjoy experiencing new places or returning to ones that I love. I like making connections with people from places around the world and having experiences that can’t be replicated.

My travel tips:

  • Meet the locals Almost all of my favourite and most cherished travel experiences have involved meeting and making friends with the local people. It is a sure-fire way to have a more unique and intimate holiday experience.
  • When in Rome A cliché but one to that will enrich your travel, observe how the locals live and learn from it. Try the local brew or dish, join in on the fun. Also respect local customs and traditions, this will allow a richer and safer experience.
  • Expect the unexpected- Be ready for unforeseen circumstances that will inevitably occur at some point during a trip. If you are expectant and prepared for troublesome scenarios you can save yourself a lot of grief. After all, you want to make your break from reality as stress free as possible.

My top 3 favourite destinations:

  • Colombia- An up and coming travel destination, a country cursed with the reputation earned from its past. It is extremely geographically diverse and amazing bang for your buck. I still haven’t found a country with warmer and friendlier people.
  • Spain- A country full of amazing destinations to discover, with a rich history and a world class gastronomical scene. The fun loving people, the nightlife and the picturesque towns with uniquely their Spanish architecture are a must experience.
  • Mexico- Mexico is a country which is truly fascinating, an amazing place to get to know. It’s a big country with lots to explore - like the US it is made up of states (32), the more you see the more you’ll want to see. It is full of the most beautiful places you’ve never heard of. The locals are extremely friendly and of course the cuisine one of the best and most famous on the globe.

What’s in my suitcase:

  • Spare phone, cables and a travel adaptor- Fact is electronics are a very important travel tool and to be prepared is important so you don’t have to go in the dark.
  • A Journal- A great way to record all the little details and memorable moments. When moving fast and or experiencing a lot we naturally forget things. Writing it down will help to recall in future and also to have what you’ve written forever is something special.
  • Travel cubes- Will help you to keep your suitcase nice and organised for easy packing and ultimately will save you time making things easier to find.

My most memorable travel stories:

  • Walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain together with part of the Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Porto – totalling 1200kms. My hiking shoes broke so I did the last 1000kms in Sandals.
  • Doing a 32 day Top Deck bus tour around Europe. Easily one of the best months of my life full of laughs and all round good times. I made some strong friendships and saw a lot in such a short space of time.


Jared

Angela Taverner

Angela Taverner

House of Travel Hamilton City

With over 40 years of travel experience, including 30 years living and working in the USA, I’ve developed a deep passion for showcasing the beauty and diversity of the United States. But my love of travel goes far beyond that. Travel is not just a career for me—it's a lifelong journey that has shaped my understanding of the world and its many cultures.

I thrive on helping my clients discover unique, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and I have a special fondness for authentic, remote locations that offer a genuine connection to the culture and landscape.

My adventures have taken me to the vast sands of Morocco and Egypt, where I’ve explored ancient ruins and vibrant markets. I’ve trekked the Inca Trail in Peru and hiked to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, experiencing firsthand the stunning landscapes and welcoming communities. 

Whether it’s trekking through the mountains of Nepal or uncovering hidden gems in Peru, I love guiding travellers to places that offer more than just sightseeing—they offer a chance to truly connect with the world.

I find great joy in helping my clients turn their dream holidays into reality, whether they’re after iconic landmarks or remote locations that are rich in culture and adventure.

Through my work as a travel agent, I create experiences that go beyond the ordinary, helping travellers discover not only new places but new perspectives.

Let me help you craft a journey that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home.


Angela 

Rhonda Bignell

Rhonda Bignell

House of Travel Ferrymead

Travel is a passion for me, I have been in travel for quite some time (too long to remember) from Corporate to Leisure. 

I aim to help people no matter what their plans are to create the best holiday experience possible. I enjoy being part of our travellers experience and making the whole process as easy as possible & to create fantastic memories that are special and will last a lifetime for themselves and their families.

I have travelled to some amazing places, but one stands out, the 6 months I spent working on Antarctica at McMurdo Station is a highlight & backpacking through India was a challenge.

From visiting the many aspects of Australia, Asia, South Africa & South America to basking in the sun on the Maldives or hitting the beaches and shopping in Thailand I would love to help you create some new stories & memories. I love active holidays and have followed the Moto GP / Formula 1 and the Isle of Man TT was particularly exciting. Followed by walking up on Mt Kinabalu was another eventful trip.

However, every great adventure starts with a plan, and I would be honoured to help you with that plan, whether you take the road less travelled or one of the many roads that lead to Rome.

I look forward to helping you to create more wonderful stories and memories in the coming years.

Rhonda

Lisa Grunsell

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

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