Consultant Profile: Wendy Harrison « The Crossing Outlet Page

Personal Details

Position:Retail Manager

Email:wendy.harrison@hot.co.nz

Phone:7-543-9142

Address: 2 Taurikura Drive
Tauranga

Why ME?

I'm literally obsessed by travel, and looking for new ways to feed not only my wanderlust, but that of my clients. It's the desire to see new places, meet new people, and experience those once in a lifetime pinch yourself moments.

Image Gallery

The Great Wall Half-Marathon done and dusted...
A stunning day in Queenstown
Snorkelling with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands
Hobbiton Movie Set
Another beautiful sunset in Samoa
Dune Desert Safari in Dubai
Great seats at the Australian Open
My over water bungalow on Lake Inle
Halloween in Chelsea Markets, New York - my eyes look a little scary
Las Vegas by night
Paris with Fat Tire Tours
Sheraton Kauai - bliss!

Where on Earth do you still want to go?

Everywhere I haven't already been!
Iceland
Phillippines
Sri Lanka

Useful Apps & Gadgets for Travel

iPhone - there are so many great apps you can download to make travelling easy
House of Travel App - it's incredible!
Multi Plug Adapter - that has USB ports
Travelex Cash Passport

HOT Awards & Qualifications

Fiji Matai Specialist
CLIA Cruise Accredited
NZQA - National Certificate in Travel Level 3 & 4
Winner of the 2013 Group of the Year Award - New York City Marathon
Winner of the 2012 Group of the Year Award - Las Vegas Incentive
MEET (Melbourne Exclusive Events Team) Incentive Winner 2011
House of Travel Rugby Incentive Winner 2009
House of Travel Group Sales Award 2009 and 2008
Winner of the 2007 Magnetic South Top Achiever Award
House of Travel Gold Sales Award 2007
House of Travel Bronze Sales Award 2006

What I always take on holiday

A sense of adventure - I love returning with a great travel yarn

Where I've Been

Favourite Holidays

Queenstown

After spending years travelling the world it almost seemed criminal that I'd never been to Queenstown before, and what better excuse than a girls getaway. Some of our highlights included a bike ride from Arrowntown into the stunning Gibbston Valley where we spent the afternoon savouring the best of Central Otago's wines (I can definitely recommend the wine and chocolate tasting menu!), before enjoying a spa treatment at the Hilton Queenstown's Eforea. Taking off from the top of the Skyline Gondola and experiencing the ultimate in free flight as we soared over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. A night of cool entertainment and illuminated art at LUMA 2016 in the Queenstown Gardens. And our daily visit to Fergburger and Fergbakery - that pork belly pie - DELICIOUS!

When you can't travel internationally... Go overseas to Waiheke!

We enjoyed an amazing weekend at the Full Circle Yurt retreat in the secluded Onetangi Vineyard Valley. I had always wanted to stay in a yurt and oh my gosh it didn't disappoint! We meandered through the vines to sample the local wines at 5 different vineyards all within walking distance, and then wandered to dinner at Casita Miro Restaurant, and honestly you would've thought you were in Spain.

On our 2nd night we did the full glamping experience where we lit the pizza oven and enjoyed wood-fired pizza with a glass (or 2) of some of the local wines, then gathered around the outdoor fire and roasted marshmallows under the stars.

I'm Bubble Ready... Rarotonga here I come!

Once that bubble opens, you'll find me back in the Cook Islands for my 6th visit. What I love the most about Rarotonga is it's like one big resort. One of my best friends is currently living there, and I have serious Facebook and Instagram envy, and if you're wanting an insight into the best of the best in Rarotonga check out her Top 5 Tips on instagram #top5_cookislands, I know I can't wait to do a quality control check on her donut picks once I get back up there.

I'm been lucky enough to fly out to Aitutaki twice and each time I've stayed for a few nights, after all it is like 'holiday heaven', it's jaw-droppingly beautiful, and honestly if you have a chance to incorporate it into your holiday, you won’t be disappointed.

Just across the ditch...Australia

Australia is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world... I've lost count of the number of times I've been, but with every trip, I still find something new to love. I've visited: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Cairns, Port Douglas, Tasmania, Adelaide, Perth, and Kalgoorlie.

And some of my favourite experiences include: snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef; watching the All Blacks play live in Sydney and Melbourne; seeing Peter Brock race around Mount Panorama; dining in Bruce Wayne's residence at Movie World after closing time; having breakfast with the Polar Bears at Sea World; riding on the back of a Harley Davidson up to the Gold Coast Hinterland; supporting the Blues sideline in a State of Origin game; visiting the preserved penitentiary of Port Arthur; and living in the seaside town of Lorne which is popular destination on the Great Ocean Road.

The absolute highlight was watching Roger Federer win his 20th Grand Slam title at the 2018 Melbourne Tennis Open.

Weddings in the Islands

I love the concept of combining your wedding and honeymoon into one incredible trip to a beautiful location, and for your guests what better excuse for a holiday! I've had the very special privilege of organising and being a guest at weddings in Fiji, Rarotonga, and Samoa, which have allowed me to escape back to my two favourite beaches in the world - Lalomanu (which is on the east coast of Upolu in Samoa), and Tapuaetai (One Foot Island in the Aitutaki Atoll.

The Galapagos Islands

Seeing the Galapagos Islands is like touring Mother Nature's playground itself. ... The South American islands are paradise for animals and animal-lovers alike.

I snorkelled with sea lions, giant tortoises, sharks, manta rays, and schools of some of the most beautiful fish in the world, and then got to soak up the sun with iguanas while marvelling at the natural beauty that surrounded us

If you're after a trip that offers a 'circuit break' from your busy life, the Galápagos archipelago does just this - it is quite simply unlike anywhere else in the world

Feliz Navidad from Cuba!

There are so many great reasons to visit Cuba: the vintage cars; the beaches; the culture; the food; the landscapes; the music; the Cuban rum and of course the Cuban cigars.

I travelled with G Adventures and did their Cuban Encounter trip, which was quite simply amazing!

Some of the highlights of my trip included cruising Havana in the vintage cars; being amazed by the talent at the Buena Vista Social Club; staying in Casa Particulars; horseriding through organic tobacco farms in Vinnales; sipping mojitos in the hot Caribbean sun; and dancing the night away at the Casa de Musico in Trinidad.

I absolutely fell in LOVE with Cuba, and would go back in a salsa beat!

Kauai & Oahu

If I could live in Kauai I would! In 2014 I stayed at the Sheraton Kauai in Poipu, which is on the Southern Shores of the Island, and is home to Old Koloa Town. Kauai is sometimes called the "Garden Isle" which is an entirely accurate description. But it was the island's laid-back atmosphere and rich culture in its small towns that made me really fall in love with it. It was the perfect place to space our days exploring the beautiful beaches - sunbathing, swimming, and snorkelling. After we were nice and relaxed we headed back to Oahu for a few days where we based ourselves amongst the hustle and bustle of downtown Waikiki. Waikiki has it all, and I absolutely want to go back, a few days here was never going to be enough!

Myanmar with Peregrine

I'd literally jump at the chance to go back to Myanmar (formally known as Burma) again! The food is to die for, the beaches are beautiful, and it’s so steeped in history and rich culture. Biking amongst some of the 2,200 pagodas in Bagan, visiting the Shwedagon Pagoda coasted with its 27 tons of gold and topped with an eye popping 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies, and exploring Lake Inle by long boat, are just some of the reasons Myanmar quickly became one of my favourite destinations. My advice - go now! Until fairly recently Myanmar has been off limits to wanderlust westerners, but now tourists are starting to flock, curious to explore its majestic temples and unspoilt beaches. Back your bags and hit the road while there’s no McDonald’s or Starbucks in sight.

China

I've been lucky enough to travel to Beijing three times, and it's a very cool city with its vibrant mix of history and modernity. Each time I go one of the first things I do is jump on a rickshaw and spend the afternoon exploring the narrow-street neighbourhoods of the Hutongs, which offer a rare glimpse of bygone Beijing, they're also home to some of the city's best bars and restaurants. As well as running (or should I saw crawling!) the Huanguaguan section of the Great Wall while doing the Great Wall Half-Marathon, I've also walked three other sections - Badaling, Mutianyu, and Jinshanling. I always recommend that if you have the time that you go out to Jinshanling - it's
less developed and in a more "natural" state than the sections closer
to Beijing, and the photos that you get out there are incredible! Other
must do's while you're there include the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven. And if it's great food that you're after try the
famous Peking duck or dine out on dumplings. Next time I’m there, I really want to do a side-car tour of the city, I’ve heard that it’s a fantastic experience.

Las Vegas & LA

Quite simply an unforgettable trip! We created a whole series of unique experiences for a corporate company's incentive trip. After we'd successfully executed it and left them with the most amazing memories, we took the time to create some of our very own. We walked the red carpet at Jason Derulo's appearance at Pure Night (it felt like we were on E!), saw Cirque du Soleil's ONE show, heard Celine Dion live during her residence at Caesars Palace, and dined at Guy Savoys (this restaurant boasts so many awards!). My biggest regret and the reason I need to go back again - a helicopter trip out to the Grand Canyon. We then stopped over in LA for a few days where we ticked off all of those must dos - Universal Studios, Warner Bros, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Santa Monica, the list goes on... We hired the latest cadillac convertible making it easy to get around, including driving to Dodger Stadium to see the LA Dodgers live in action. The amount of shopping we did was just insane, two extra bags each later...

New York, New York

New York is one of the most amazing places in the world, and New Yorkers will tell you, you can spend a lifetime exploring and never really see it all. And after taking not one but five bites out of the Big Apple, I can totally see why! A sixth trip is definitely in order for me. Some of my favourite things to do include: taking in a live game whether it be NBA (basketball), NHL (ice hockey), or NFL (football), seeing the latest Broadway Show, walking or biking across the Brooklyn Bridge, getting a bird’s eye view of the city at night from either the Empire State Building or the Top of the Rocks, wandering along the High Line which is an urban park made from a converted train track, and shopping up a storm! For me personally the most amazing experience was running through the five boroughs in the world’s largest sporting event - the New York City
Marathon. Actually if I’m to be honest it was probably celebrating on the open air roof top terrace at The Skylark. The Skylark is located in the Garment District and it has the most incredible views of the Hudson River, Times Square, the Empire Station Building, and the best of Midtown Manhattan.

River Cruising in Burgundy & Provence

I've just returned from cruising the Rhône and Saône rivers onboard Uniworld's S.S. Catherine, and what a way to enjoy this region's incomparable wine and cuisine whilst discovering its many treasures.

From the medieval wonders of UNESCO-designated Avignon to Lyon’s lively river banks. We strolled the very streets of Arles made famous by Van Gogh; experienced a “Village Day” in enchanting Viviers, including a recital of music composed by Bach and Handel; we kayaked on the tranquil Gardon River under the UNESCO-designated Pont du Gard; hiked the steepest vineyards on the Rhône before sampling some of their local wine; and pedalled through the city designed with bike riders in mind while in Lyon.

UK & Europe

In 1991, England was co-hosting the Rugby World Cup and we spent our days going from local village to local village taking in the games at different pubs along the way, as we cruised along the canals in our narrow boat negotiating the many locks. It was a seriously fun trip.

In 2004 I decided to start my Eastern European adventure in Turkey (I'd been there before and loved it) and travelled through Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and then back through to the UK. I finally settled in Chapelizod, Dublin, Ireland. During mini break holidays I saw the All Blacks v France at the Stade de France, ate copious amounts of gelato in Rome, and attempted to ski in Lillehammer, Norway. And life in Ireland was full of lots of great adventures - I went to Madonna at Slane Castle, tried to understand the crazy games of Garlic Football and Hurling. and crazier still was watching my first ever game of International Rules (a cross between Gaelic Football and AFL).

In 2013 I returned to Paris for my third visit, this time to run through the
streets of the City of Lights in the Marathon de Paris. Enroute I had the
most amazing stopover in Dubai, and I travelled back via London to visit
friends and do some celebratory shopping in Oxford Street.

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