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Beat the blues at Mardi Gras in New Orleans

New Orleans

New Orleans Street

Beads, beer and blues music, New Orleans’ Mardi Gras is a chaotic explosion of celebration, with music and mayhem pulsating from every crack in the brickwork.

Mardi Gras is French for ‘Fat Tuesday’ and symbolises the last day of indulging before fasting. This is Cajun country, so get acquainted with lively flavours.

Lock lips with an infamous beignet at Café du Monde in the French Quarter, and descend on the bakeries, open pre-dawn, for a traditional Mardi Gras ‘King Cake’. These gluttonous treats are ring-shaped and frosted. Inside there’s a tiny plastic baby – find it and tradition insists you have to buy next year’s cake

“Wear green, purple & gold and join in one of the Second Line Parades around the city. It's a great way to immerse yourself in the Mardi Gras culture. Just remember to wear comfy shoes as dancing along to the brass band is hard to resist!”

Recommended by Carla McKinnon , HOT Whangarei

Carla Mckinnon

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David Williams

David Williams

House of Travel Christchurch City

In the 28 years of owning House of Travel Christchurch City, I have successfully developed a passionate and award-winning team of travel specialists. Our holiday specialists can take you to the destinations that you have dreamed of and let you know inside information that will enrich your travel experience.  The highly experienced business travel division will exceed your expectations leaving no stone unturned to ensure a seamless travel experience every time. We also have a fantastic HOT Events team that can take care of your conference, team building or any event requirement you might have from a planned dinner event to incentive or recognition programme.

From my beginnings in customer sales and service, travelling to over 60 countries, my primary focus is overseeing all divisions, and growing our every popular Sporting Events Programmes.  A highlight is delivering a highly successful games campaigns with our New Zealand Olympic Travel team.  This includes all New Zealand Team Athlete Travel to providing a family and friends programme as well as a world class corporate offering for sponsors.

I am however most proud of the team for us being awarded three top awards at the National Travel Industry Awards - Best Retail Travel Agency in New Zealand, Best Travel Consultant in New Zealand, Best Groups Team in New Zealand.

Great holidays are made better together with the House of Travel Christchurch City team.

David
Madison Richards

Madison Richards

House of Travel Barrington

What makes me stand out as a travel agent is my focus on creating trips that are tailored just for you. I take the time to understand your travel dreams and craft itineraries that go beyond the typical tourist spots, making every trip feel special. With my travel knowledge and personal touch, I ensure your trip is fun, stress-free, and memorable. If you want someone who is as excited about your holiday as you are, I’m here to make it unforgettable.

Madison

Minakshi Sharma

Minakshi Sharma

House of Travel Palmerston North: The Square

Kia Ora/Namaste/ Sat Sri Akal and Hello to fellow travelers and adventurers! Welcome to the world of travel. 

Originally, from the colourful landscapes of India and now completely wrapped in New Zealand's breathtaking beauty, I'm excited to introduce myself as your dedicated travel consultant with 8 years of experience. My passion for travel inspired an interest in me at a young age, that encouraged me to pursue a master's degree in travel and tourism administration.

Being an Indian woman, I have seen both New Zealand's and India's vibrant cultures and amazing natural beauty. With a passion for exploration and cultural exchange, I bring a unique blend of experiences to craft personalized and memorable travel journeys. 

Whether you dream of exploring the bustling markets of Delhi, relaxing on the tranquil beaches of Goa, or embarking on an adventure through the majestic mountains of New Zealand, my goal is to turn your travel dreams into reality. From navigating the complexities of international flights to discovering hidden gems off the beaten path and the roads less travelled, I am here to ensure your travels are seamless and filled with joyful moments.

Let’s create memories that will last a lifetime, because with the right guidance, the world truly becomes your oyster. 

The world awaits - let's explore it together!


Minakshi

Namrata Patel

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

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Beat the blues at Mardi Gras in New Orleans