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House of Travel Upper Riccarton

Let’s connect

Cnr Riccarton and Waimairi Road
Upper Riccarton
Christchurch
8041
Monday
9:30am - 4:00pm
Tuesday
9:30am - 4:00pm
Wednesday
9:30am - 4:00pm
Thursday
9:30am - 4:00pm
Friday
9:30am - 4:00pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Welcome to House of Travel Upper Riccarton


House of Travel Upper Riccarton was established in 1988 and is owned and operated by Dalwyn Sinclair and Debra Carnahan who have a combined total of over 50 years travel industry experience.

When you're planning a dream holiday, you want to be able to talk with professionals who have been there, done that and know how it feels.

The consultants at House of Travel Upper Riccarton are exactly that. They are passionate about travel, and because they are travellers too they have loads of experience & knowledge they’d love to share with you.

Whether you dream of an Amazon adventure, a French villa stay in Provence, exploring Vietnam, or a Pacific Island escape you can feel confident the team at House of Travel Upper Riccarton will guide you to make the right decisions to truly enhance your holiday experience.

Debra & Dalwyn

Owner Operators


Meet the team

Sharing my travel experiences, is the inspiration to create current and unique holidays for clients. We all crave a deep connection to a destination when we travel, through the local food, people and those "surprise and delight" experiences.
Sharing my travel experiences, is the inspiration to create current and unique holidays for clients. We all crave a deep connection to a destination when we travel, through the local food, people and those "surprise and delight" experiences.
With 30 years in the travel industry I would love to have the opportunity to share my experience with you and help you create your holiday dreams, then I also have a corporate side that enjoys the challenges of constructing business itineraries.
With 30 years in the travel industry I would love to have the opportunity to share my experience with you and help you create your holiday dreams, then I also have a corporate side that enjoys the challenges of constructing business itineraries.
My goal is to ensure that all of my clients have an amazing experience wherever they are in the world and that their trip exceeds expectations.
My goal is to ensure that all of my clients have an amazing experience wherever they are in the world and that their trip exceeds expectations.
Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen - Benjamin Disraeli
Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen - Benjamin Disraeli
I am very passionate about travel that can immerse us into the cultures of the country we visit. Being sustainable and giving back to these communities whilst we travel is so important to me and I have many tips and experiences to help do this on all holidays.
I am very passionate about travel that can immerse us into the cultures of the country we visit. Being sustainable and giving back to these communities whilst we travel is so important to me and I have many tips and experiences to help do this on all holidays.
Experiencing travel through the eyes of my daughter, has given me a whole new perspective and thirst for travel. It enables me to slow my pace, look around and just enjoy being in the moment as she interacts with local people.
Experiencing travel through the eyes of my daughter, has given me a whole new perspective and thirst for travel. It enables me to slow my pace, look around and just enjoy being in the moment as she interacts with local people.

What our customers have to say

  • I recently travelled to Africa with the help of Helen Ashton the Senior Travel Consultant. Absolutely amazing service. Not one fault or issue, I would highly recommend, Helen was prompt at responding to emails even when I was overseas with several questions. I will 100 percent be back for my next trip. Can not recommend enough.
    Sophie
  • Great business 2 deal with always very helpful
    Gavin
  • Just the best ,,had to change flights ,,very quick ,,just what you want ,,will go back for next trip
    Mac
  • We have just recently returned from the Ghan Rail Journey from Darwin to Adelaide. Way more than a train trip, this was a package of multiple new experiences each day visiting stunning locations, being guided by local experts, enjoying relaxed and comfortable cabins and lounges and the wonderful fine dining on and off the train. Helen was the ‘magic ingredient’ making it all happen smoothly with additional trips and stop overs before and after the Ghan. I cannot speak highly enough of her ‘can do’ attitude – always accompanied by a smile and helpful suggestions. She is super-responsive and always willing to do whatever she can to make the travel experience as relaxed and enjoyable as possible
    Rose
  • We have used Helen for a number of family trips. Helen is great to deal with - she is friendly, offers great advice and took care of everything for us - from booking flights, accommodation and activities and nothing was a hassle. Thanks so much Helen.
    Lucy
  • Helen is simply the BEST travel agent at House of Travel. She offers friendly, professional advice and is an authority on so many destinations. She listens to my needs and plans accordingly, giving me, the client, excellent value for my dollar. She has the ability to think outside the square and is full of ideas. A five star recommendation.
    Margaret
  • Helen has been instrumental in arranging our trip to Europe next year, After our initial brief she put together an itinerary that met every aspect of our wishes. Throughout the process she has made some excellent recommendations, helped organise accommodation and provided her worldly insights into the locations that we will be visiting. Helen has an amazing knowledge which she is happy to share.
    James and Gina
  • We have been looking for a flight to Europe with other travel agents for a long time now with no success in getting into our budget. But Leanne asked us if we could shift our dates and she found us a family ticket even cheaper than we expected, with options to stay over in SAN Francisco, my bucket list city since I was a kid. Once we decided, the whole process took less than 48 hours. Super efficient. Leanne is very knowledgeable about the places and made us feel super satisfied and happy with our purchase. We will buy the travel insurance soon, well done Leanne, thanks very much. Marlon, Luna and Mary.
    Mary
  • Excellent service, prompt response to questions and she organized an excellent looking holiday for my wife and myself. She made sure we would get the maximum time on Samoa by finding flights that arrived and departed at approximately mid-day and recommended we increase the holiday by 1 day at very little cost, from the basic brief I gave her she exceeded my expectations.
    Ken
  • Leanne listened to our plans and has booked everything we wanted and suggested a heap of extra things we didn’t know were options. This is our first family holiday and she has given us lots of ideas and hacks based on her own experience, making us feel more at ease and excited!
    Amy
  • Leanne was approachable, professional, completed the quote & finalized my trip in a short time. Recommendations were made for inoculations & followed up. Amazing experience. Keep up the good work.
    Sami
  • We have dealt with Kellie Worters senior travel agent here for many years and have always had excellent service. Her attention to detail has ensured our travel has been correct and we have taken her advice on numerous occasions on different activities and tours to take while away. We thoroughly recommend this branch and especially Kelly for all your travel arrangements.
    Ken & Anne
  • Laura is the most helpful and pleasant agent. Who is helping us to book the way to UK via Bangkok or China. We are going next August and not all options are available so she is looking around and her help has made us definitely want to book with her.
    Veronica
  • Debra hit it out of the ball park again when our student daughter had panic day before visa and flight issues created by embassy officials last week. In one phone call and within one hour, Debra had sourced and ticketed new flights on a new airline, re routed her via the embassy, organised a refund on her orginal flights and still texted our daughter on the day to ensure she had made all the connections and was on her way. Our daughter is so grateful she did not use the internet for her original booking, as the benefits of being able to call Debra and get help were priceless. We highly recommend Upper Riccarton House of Travel and Debra Carnahan.
    Ken
  • Debra has been very helpful sorting four trips for different reasons . Four long haul travels in 12months. NOT ALL PLANNED, and changes to airlines and flight bookings. She has given time to sort our problems. It's much appreciated
    Brenda
  • I went in and spoke with Debra. She asked me what I wanted and when I wanted to travel. she got onto it straight away and came back within 24 hours with a travel plan and bookings ready for me to confirm. Fantastic service. She asked what we wanted. Looked at options and provided me with a great travel plan. She offered travel insurance but I elected to go with Police Travel Insurance as I am a retired police employee.
    Gavin
  • She works to achieve all our requests for our travels.
    Zena

News and events

  • Slide 1

    Ever tried airplane karaoke?

    Swifties are taking the world by storm and especially Kiwis. Taylor Swift has finished one of her shows in Melbourne where Kiwis flying back home didn't let the energy dial down just yet. Passengers onboard the 4 hour NZ128 flight back home from Melbourne had one of Taylor's hits "Shake it Off" playing during the flight with the Eras concert goers were singing and standing during the flight.
  • Slide 2

    4 wheels or 2? Here's one of the best destinations to explore using a scooter!

    When you think Italy you probably think Ferrari. Well, we think you should choose... Vespa! Italy is home to one of the most historically beautiful countries and monuments in the world. Flying by in your Ferrari won't let you enjoy the views. Slow down and take it in with a 2-wheeled wonder. The urban streets filled with culture and the Italian countryside, either of which are perfectly suited for the iconic moped and is definitely a must-do on your bucket list.
  • Slide 3

    Kings Cross has a new boutique hotel opened in this iconic location.

    Sydney's iconic Coke sign has a new boutique hotel finally opened. The boutique hotel has lavish rooms with a hint of timeless heritage in a modern twist. The offered luxury is something to see. Hotel Indigo Potts Point is the name and it's taking Sydney by storm as it sits right behind the iconic "Coke sign" in Sydney. The hotel brings past and future together in a boutique and luxurious way.
  • 12 Feb

    New Maldives resort just 15 mins from international airport

    SO/ Maldives is opening a luxury resort in the heart of the islands of Maldives. It’s been the talk of the town as it’s only 15 minutes away from an International airport. The resort lies within the Emboodhoo Lagoon, with access to the Male Velana International Airport via speedboat. This luxury opportunity upholds amazing experience for couples and families looking to unwind and relax in style. The resort has a variety of suites with the classic overwater villa being a key feature.
  • 12 Feb 2

    Boring Museums? Not in Japan!

    One of Japan’s coolest museums recently reopened to public. teamLab’s digital art collective has an array of immersive art installations which operating using cutting-edge technology. International tourists are drawn to teamLab’s art exhibitions and museums for the awe-inspiring and memory making experiences. It’s a definite Must-Do!
  • 12 Feb 3

    Living life on the rails.

    The world’s most famous train has just opened a brand new route. Crossing from Paris to Portofino, the 2 day journey won’t only give you an experience of a lifetime, it will also set you back $8,500 one way. The heritage and prestige onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has never seen the Ligurian coast in its lifetime. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience which should not be overlooked.

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Our HOT Deals

  • Fully Escorted

    EUROPE RIVER CRUISING 2024

    Departing 11 Jul 2024 - 24 day tour from
    $19,369
    per person share twin
    Includes: Return economy class flights from Christchurch to Europe on Singapore Airlines, 2 night stopover & sightseeing in Singapore, 4 night stopover & sightseeing in Budapest, 16 day River Cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam on Avalon’s suite ship Imagery II in a twin or double deluxe stateroom, all meals onboard, add wine with lunch & dinner, Airport taxes, Port Charges & Gratuities.
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