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Greece & Turkey

Greek Islands and Turkish Delights.

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!

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.

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.

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

See magical "floating" monasteries

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

Go Greek island hopping

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

Eat like a local

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

A hidden gem in Athens

Your new favorite sweet escape in the heart of Athens!

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

Visiting the Acropolis is an absolute must when in Athens.

Best. Sunset. Ever!

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

Float above Cappadocia and sleep in a Cave hotel

A once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Sail through Turkey on a traditional gulet

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

Experience the ANZAC Dawn service at Gallipoli

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

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

Small groups big adventures

Delve into rich cultures, histories and cuisine with a fully-coordinated guided tour. Professionally led and planned to perfection, you're in great hands.

Milestone celebration holiday ideas

Whether you’ve got a big birthday coming up, planning a 3G holiday (aka a fun trip with three generations), or making the most of your family time before the kids head out into the world, we’ve got you covered!

6 destinations our consultants can't stop talking about

From Albania to Iceland here are the 6 must-visit destinations our consultants are raving about.

ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Gallipoli

Middle East

Go Greek Island Hopping!

Greek Islands

Greece: Know before you go guide

A holiday packed with sunshine, salt air and endless shades of blue.

7 reasons why you should visit Greece in winter

You might not know it, but many parts of Europe aren’t solely splendid in summer.

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

"She answered our questions quickly and within a couple of hours had flight options ready for us."

Dorothy

"She is very obliging and knowledgeable. She knows her stuff really well. Although I deal with her in a different city, her online help is second to none. Nothing is a problem even though I have had to change bookings."

Sarah

"Was able to answer all our questions and make suggestions."

Gregory

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Meet our Greece & Turkey specialists

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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

Petra Otte

House of Travel Wellington City

Having spent 40+ years, 30 owning my own HOT outlet here in the heart of Wellington, in this exciting and ever changing industry you could say that extraordinary resilience is at the top of my skite sheet given the many and varying challenges that have faced travellers over the years.

My clients and colleagues describe me as a passionate people person, who endeavours to get the best out of a traveller's investment.

It is important for me to be inclusive of everyone within a travelling party, to hear the voice of each traveller, and ensure everyone's wishes are met.

Having been to all continents bar Antarctica which is high on my list, I have also travelled in all styles from budget overland backpacking to luxury cruises which allows me to relate to all clients and work with you for what is best for you.

Petra

Angelique Anderson

House of Travel Rotorua

Walking into a travel agency as a teenager it immediately sparked a passion for travel. Being able to explore various countries, experience different cultures, seeing iconic landmarks right down to getting off the beaten track still fuels this great love of mine.

I have 20 years of travel experience in South Africa where I specialized in Corporate Travel, Groups & Incentive Travel. Winning the ASATA Diners Corporate Consultant South Africa 2013 is one of the biggest highlights of my career.

After 3.5 years out of the industry, I am ecstatic to be back in the intriguing travel industry. It is a privilege to create dream holidays to South Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Botswana Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique & Swaziland which were once on my doorstep.

With Europe being an overnight flight from South Africa I had some great opportunities to travel to Europe and visit London, Ireland, France, Greece, Turkey but my all time favorite European destination is Spain.

The Cayman Islands is one of those destinations I often heard of and never dreamed I would visit, but when my brother moved there my family and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to visit this iconic island.

My husband, our 2 young daughters and I immigrated to New Zealand in 2019. We thoroughly enjoy travelling throughout New Zealand, exploring and experiencing the beautiful scenery wherever we go.

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”

Angelique