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UK & Ireland

Castles, Pints, and Scenic Splendour!

United Kingdom Belle Tout Lighthouse

A blend of historic charm and scenic landscapes

Are you ready for an adventure that will take you across two of the most amazing and diverse islands in Europe? Journey to the UK and Ireland, where you will discover a world of wonders, from bustling cities to breathtaking scenery, from ancient history to modern culture and from Christmas markets to summer river cruises.

Whether you want to shop till you drop in London, chase Nessie in Scotland, sip Guinness in Dublin, or explore the Game of Thrones locations in Northern Ireland, you’ll find something to suit your fancy in these two islands. 

The UK and Ireland are full of surprises and delights. Chat to our UK & Ireland travel specialists and together, let’s start planning your perfect holiday today!

DID YOU KNOW?

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Flight time.

Flying from Auckland to the UK & Ireland usually takes around 24 hours, including a stopover. It’s a long journey, but historic cities, rich culture, and unforgettable landscapes await you

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Best time to go.

The best times to visit the UK and Ireland are during late spring to early summer (Late March to June) and early autumn (September to October). These months offer mild temperatures, longer daylight hours, and ideal conditions for exploring cities, countryside, and costal regions.

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Time difference.

UK & Ireland are 12 hours behind New Zealand in winter (Apr-Sep) and 13 hours behind New Zealand in summer (Oct-April), so plan for a noticeable time difference.

Our favourite things to do in the UK & Ireland

Warner Bros Harry Potter

Visit Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio

While in London make sure you go to to the Warner Bros. Studio – The Making of Harry Potter Tour. It is incredible, even if you are not huge Harry Potter fans.

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Rainbow behind Stonehenge

Best. Daytrip. Ever!

Take a daytrip to Stonehenge.

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Buckingham Palace

A rare peek inside Buckingham Palace

A "must-do" when in London!

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Castle in Ireland

Stay in a castle

Live like royalty!

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Train

All aboard the Harry Potter experience!

The Jacobite Steam Train is hands down one of the world’s most epic rail journeys, taking you on an 84-mile round trip through the breathtaking Scottish Highlands.

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West End London

Catch a classic show in London’s West End!

Ready for a spectacular night out?

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Penny Lane Liverpool

Dive deep into "Beatlemania"

Beatles – Liverpool experience

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Seats at Anfield Stadium

Feel the thrill of the Premier League Live

Join in with the chants at an atmospheric football match.

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Canterbury Canal England

A must-do British experience

Think canal cruising in a narrowboat is boring? Think again—it's the perfect way to enjoy a British summer!

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Sample some local brews

Discover how the world-famous brews are made at the Guinness Storehouse or Jameson Distillery Bow St.

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Your Europe adventure starts here - Download our Europe Brochure

Packed with expert tips, insider info and bucket-list inspiration for your next unforgettable Europe getaway

Meet our UK & Ireland specialists

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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

Alisha Lockie

Alisha Lockie

House of Travel Ferrymead

As a travel expert with over 10 years experience in the industry, and a personal passion for adventure, I'm dedicated to helping you create truly unforgettable journeys. 

Having travelled to 47 countries (and still counting), I bring a wealth of personal experience and industry know-how to help you cut through the noise and explore the world in a way that's tailored just for you. 

Travel isn't just about booking flights and hotels, it's about navigating the unexpected, something that's more important than ever in today's post-COVID world. With disruptions becoming more common, having an expert on your side can make all the difference. Whether it's rebooking flights, rearranging plans, or finding local solutions, I'll ensure your trip is smooth and stress-free, so you can enjoy every moment. 

To me, travel is more than seeing new places, it's a chance to connect, learn and grow. Wherever your next adventure takes you, I'll  be here to make sure it's stress-free, seamless, and everything you've dreamed of. 

Alisha

Minji Park

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.

Years in the industry: 14
No. of countries visited: 30+
Favourite place to visit: Japan
Next place on the list to visit: Safari in Africa

"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

Fiona Muir

Fiona Muir

House of Travel Whanganui

You know how some people collect handbags or shoes, well I have a love of collecting passport stamps! I developed a bit of a passion for adventure travel since working in the States at a summer camp in my early 20’s. I have travelled to over 40 countries, doing everything from eating scorpions in China, snorkelling the Silfra fissure in Iceland, to skydiving in Namibia.

Fiona


Customer holidays snaps

Best. UK & Ireland Holidays. Ever!

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