Nicky Henden - Travel Broker

07/05/2024

You will no longer have to remove liquids and laptops from your carry-on bags for security screening on international flights from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.

New Computed Tomography (CT) scanning machines will create high-quality 3D images that allow aviation security officers to more quickly assess baggage, while still maintaining strong security measures.

Passengers travelling with camera film now need to pack their film in checked luggage to avoid damage from the CT scanner.

05/05/2024

Venice now has a new tourist fee in place at certain times of the year. The fee is €5 and will only apply to visitors who travel for the day to the ‘old city’.

It’s a small contribution towards preserving the city’s beautiful charm and heritage, and a great reminder to do what we can to support the sustainability of one of the world’s most beloved destinations!

02/05/2024

How beautiful is Rarotonga? It’s the perfect place for an easy holiday, great for families & multi-generational groups with lots of self catering accommodation options. My family group recently returned and shared these stunning photos. Let me know if i can help you plan a multi generational family holiday. Email me at [email protected]

28/04/2024

Interesting, who would have named this line up 🤩

24/04/2024

I’m sure the significance of my clients seeing these poppies far from home, while exploring Italy, is not lost on any of us today.
Lest we forget

22/04/2024

There is so much to do in the beautiful city of Cape Town. These are a few of my favourite experiences .

Gold Restaurant, Spice Experience - This is more than a dining experience, learn about the people, hear their stories and amazing voices as they sing to you. Sample flavours from all over the African continent over 16 courses with local wine included. Enjoy a behind the scenes tour of the kitchen and drumming experience. A very entertaining evening & highly recommended.

Table Mountain Hike with Awol - There are many walking tracks to choose from depending on your ability and how you feel on the day. You can hike or choose to go in the cablecar. There are short routes on the top of the mountain and many around the mountain. The views are spectacular and offer a different perspective of Cape Town with each hike.

Cape Sidecar Adventure - Take in the sights, blow out the jetlag cobwebs in a unique way. This is a great tour option. There are multiple tour options from half day to Chapmans Peak or full day which includes a picnic to cape peninsula or the Winelands.

Cape Malay Food Safari Cape Town - Learn about the cape Malay culture, people and Bo kaap area before an immersive cooking class and enjoy what you’ve made.

Thinking about a holiday to South Africa, contact me at [email protected]

18/04/2024

The Davinci Hotel Johannesburg is in a great location in Sandton. The hotel offers beautiful rooms, a lovely swimming pool and great bar with coffees & cocktails. Opens up to Nelson Mandela Square with a lovely ambience and where there are a great selection of restaurants. Attached to a huge shopping mall which is accessed by the hotel lifts and offers the perfect location for last minute shopping.

Thinking about a holiday to South Africa, contact me at [email protected]

expeditions

16/04/2024

Sun City – This is a fun place to stay for a couple of nights. A gated resort, located 2½ hours drive from Johannesburg. Known as the ‘Vegas of Africa’ there are multiple accommodation options, restaurants, pool & spa facilities as well as the Valley of the Waves pool, world class golf, and is host to many events. A good place to relax, swim and recover from your jetlag.

It is next to Pilanesberg National Park where you can take a safari ride and see elephants, hippos, zebras, rhinos and so much more.

Thinking about a holiday to South Africa, contact me at [email protected]

15/04/2024

11/04/2024

First email of the day … “You’re a bloody legend, thanks Nicky!”

May the good vibes continue 🤩

11/04/2024

It was an absolute honour & privilege to stay at Sanctuary Mandela in Johannesburg. This is the house that Nelson Mandela lived in for 6 years. It is a boutique 9 room hotel and every guest is welcomed “home” on arrival. All guests are given a tour of the residence and the history of the house is discussed in depth. The onsite restaurant menu is designed by Mandela’s chef of 25 years. Perfect for a short stay in Johannesburg when transferring between regions. The Mandela Foundation is just down the road and certainly worth a visit – this can be combined as part of the city tour.

Thinking about a holiday to South Africa, contact me at [email protected]

expeditions

10/04/2024

🦒🦏Tswalu Private Game Reserve🦁🦓
Well, where to start! This is an amazing private game reserve. 150,000 hectares of arid savannah - gorgeous red sand contrasting the blue sky. Here you will see so many animals – rhinos, giraffe, lions, baboons, hyenas, cheetahs, wildebeest, water buffalo, mountain zebra, tree snakes and if you time it right you might also see meercats & pangolin - plus so much more! The Reserve offers 3 properties, each with its own swimming pool for the humans and watering hole for the animals – watch them come and drink while you’re sipping your coffee or cocktail throughout the day. Tarkuni, is an exclusive use 5 bed/bath home (fully serviced). Motse, luxury safari camp for couples and families & Loapi Tented Camp. Whether you are single, couple or family you will have your own ranger & vehicle and all excursions are tailored completely to you. Try an evening safari or safari by horseback. Treat yourself to an exquisite meal at Restaurant Klein Jan – South Africas answer to Michelin star dining. Expect the unexpected 😊

Thinking about a holiday to South Africa, contact me at [email protected]

expeditions

09/04/2024

🥂🍷 Who loves wine🍷🥂
Hazendal Wine Estate is a great option to base yourself in the Stellenbosch Winelands, located 30 minutes from Cape Town. The rooms are modern and spacious and beds super comfortable. A big swimming pool to relax with loungers and for those who enjoy a game or two, have a round of table tennis at the poolside. There is much to see & do, with a classic car collection, golf course, wine experiences, and loads for the kids. You can enjoy Franschhoek Wine Tram, culinary experience where we experienced a full day adventure where you can visit 3 wine estates with tastings as well as a 3 course lunch with wine pairing. No driving required, try different wines, visit a cellar and learn a little.
Thinking about a holiday to South Africa, contact me at [email protected]

expeditions

08/04/2024

Okay, it’s time to shine the light on the individual, incredible hosts of my recent South Africa trip. These upcoming posts are a snapshot of the beauty of the accommodation, the scenery and the country as we experienced it. Thank you so much to for the pleasure & privilege of this experience.

More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel & Residence in Capetown - We stayed in one of the More Quarter ‘residence’ properties. Located in Capetown, this 4-bedroom residence is a home away from home – comes complete with your own butler & swimming pool! For couples and smaller families they also offer one & two bedroom apartments. They offer many more beautiful properties across South Africa including residence, hotels & Safari Lodges in Game Reserves. They offer the perfect solution to any family dynamic.
Thinking about a holiday to South Africa, contact me at [email protected]

04/04/2024

It was lovely to catch up with my client today and hear the highlights & see his photos from his recent ‘bucket list’ trip to Antarctica & South America. Lucky for him crossing the Drake Passage was considered crossing the Drake Lake, not the Drake shake 🌊. Now to carry on with that bucket list & plan his next trip. Do you have a bucket list you need help with, I’d love to help you 😊. Contact me at [email protected]

02/04/2024

01/04/2024

Just a girl & her new bff 🥰

31/03/2024

Sunrise, Sunset or Moonrise ??

28/03/2024

Happy Easter folks! 🐰

Just a note that we will be closed on Friday and Monday due to the Easter holidays.

We hope the Easter bunny visits a garden near you!

27/03/2024

The paper Passenger Arrival Card is being phased out at the end of March.

Going forward everyone entering New Zealand needs to submit a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) online before departure.

Travellers who have been unable to complete it digitally will be able to complete a paper version on arrival.

25/03/2024

“Islands now on sale” … it’s a good time to think about your next holiday. Contact me for more info [email protected]

21/03/2024

Vietnam has so much to offer - beautiful people, countryside, food & very interesting history… it’s a firm favourite of mine

Enjoy the best of Vietnam on this 10-day tour. Visiting Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, & Ho Chi Minh City.

From visiting the Thein Mu Pagoda, to sailing Halong Bay, to exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels and so much more, immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of this exquisite nation.

Contact me to find out more or to tailor make your own itinerary …
[email protected]

20/03/2024

This is a good question … for me it’s the people & the cocktails 🍸🍹 🏝️

15/03/2024

Screensavers popped up on my phone tonight…. Ah, this time 2 weeks ago 🧡🦒🧡

01/03/2024

Days 4-6 … days 4 & 6 were big big travel days, but still enough time to fit in a safari after we arrived in the late afternoon & before we left at 8.45am on the day of departure. More resort photos to come in a different post, but so good to be out in the fresh air, 38+ deg cel, tracking & spotting animals in this beautiful place. Tswalu Private Game Reserve … absolutely beautiful on so many levels!

Expeditions

28/02/2024

Day 3: After a leisurely breakfast prepared by our chef & butler at we boarded our mini van & made our way to Franschhoek. The cutest little town about 45 mins drive from Cape town. From here we boarded the Wine Tram where we visited & tasted wine at Lynx Winery, Rickety Bridge Winery & Labri Winery. All amazing with locket wine & food. Overnight tonight at the luxury Hazendal Lodge - luxury at it’s finest 🤩
Expeditions

27/02/2024

Day 2: A gentle walk (not) up Table Mountain. The plan was to walk up & cable car back down, but unfortunately due to high winds the cable car wasn’t running. This also made Table Mountain difficult to access, so we ended up walking up one of the 12 apostles. OMG wow, glad I did a bit of endurance training before I came, it’s was tricky terrain, we climbed so slowly my watch kept asking if I had completed my workout - not even close! Anyway, spectacular views from 3/4 of the way up. In the afternoon we did a bit of a city tour and then finished off with a cooking school. Another full on but amazing day.

Expeditions on

26/02/2024

Day 1 … after about 30 hours we finally arrived safely in Capetown, South Africa. Straight into it with lunch & a hotel inspection. Followed by a sightseeing excursion by motorbike & sidecar and brilliant dinner at Gold Restaurant.