Karen McIntosh - Travel Specialist

03/07/2025

A morning on the job - helicoptering around the beautiful Sunshine Coast and Glasshouse Mountains.

06/06/2025

As I prepare for a trip to Australia this coming week, my phone memories reminded me that 4 years ago (during those weird Covid times!!) I was privileged to travel to Australia and experience the Red Centre for my first time! Some very fun experiences - my first Segway ride (around Uluru - Ayers Rock), hot air balloon ride (from Alice Springs and from which we could see all the planes that were parked up there over Covid) and many other cool experiences. And of course, I loved all the cool rock formations, of which I did not expect such variety. You definitely need to be prepared for long days when visiting here - up early for sunrise experiences and late for the sunset experiences. Now to go pack for my first visit to the last Australian state or territory I haven't been to before.

10/04/2025

What a fabulous multi island itinerary - it will give you a taster of the Pacific Islands!

02/04/2025

It would appear I have been a little absent on the socials front this year... I'm not sure how we are already 1/4 of the way into 2025! I've been spending time in beautiful parts of NZ with family visiting from overseas. And I've been head down making fabulous bookings for my lovely clients, meeting with suppliers (in Auckland, Hamilton and Melbourne!), inspecting cruise ships, and updating qualifications. I just received my updated cruising certification today... and now dreaming about where I should take my next cruise!

10/02/2025

How cool is this???? And not just for the kids!

This amazing ship launches at the end of March. Who wants to have some fun?

Get ready for the wildest ride at sea with the Aqua Slidecoaster, the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide at sea! This two-person rider launche...

03/02/2025

I hope y'all managed to have a great break over Christmas and New Year. I'm not sure how it is February 2025 already, but it's not too late to make travel plans for 2025.

If you're anything like me you probably have lots of travel ideas floating round in your head. But if not, a little inspiration for travel in 2025 can be found here:

From Dakar to Dominica, these are the vacation spots that Virtuoso travel advisors, travel-industry experts, and Virtuoso, The Magazine editors are excited for in 2025.

23/12/2024

What a year, both professionally and personally! Thank you for all your support. I look forward to booking amazing trips for you and your family in 2025.

I'll be taking some time out to spend with my family over the next couple of weeks, and I hope you are too. From me and my family to you and yours, I wish you a fabulous Christmas and 2025.

20/12/2024

I wrapped up my working year today with a visit on board this lovely ship. The lucky people embarking today will get to enjoy Christmas on board in style.

17/12/2024

This time last year I was enjoying the winter wonderland of Switzerland, complete with Christmas markets, hot chocolates accompanied by Swiss chocolate, journeying by train, a variety of cablecars and gondolas, boat, and skis. I have been asked what my highlight was, and I haven't been able to name just one thing or place - it was all beautiful and amazing!

If you have been to Switzerland, and have a highlight, please let me know below.
Or if you haven't been, where would you really like to go?

10/12/2024

Super important.

A reminder that all of our brokers are bonded by the Travel Agents Association of New Zealand (TAANZ). ✔️

As TAANZ Accredited Travel Advisors, we subscribe to consumer protection arrangements, so you can be assured that your travel plans and funds are in safe hands.

28/11/2024

Looking forward to conference and catching up with my colleagues and suppliers, and learning lots! Probably should go pack...

We are very excited to be heading off to our NZTB Conference tomorrow, where we are looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate and connect!

Can you guess where we are going? 💚

25/11/2024

I am very intentional about meeting regularly with suppliers and making the most of opportunities that come my way for further training and exploring destinations. I believe all of this benefits my clients in many ways.

It means that I can offer benefits, and not just my knowledge/expertise, but also bonuses that aren't accessible online. Sometimes these are in the form of an extra shipboard credit or inclusions or room upgrades, sometimes a deal that is only accessible via me (or another agent) as it is not advertised or bookable online (some amazing cruise deals that came across my desk this week that were only available for our clients booking with us come to mind). So next time you are considering booking your ski holiday or cruise or tour or rental vehicle or yacht charter or resort etc online (or you just don't know what I can book), please contact me - I would love to book it for you and create a fantastic travel experience for you and your loved ones.