Horizon Travel by Nigel Bennett

Horizon Travel by Nigel Bennett I’m Nigel Bennett, owner of Horizon Travel. With 15 years in the industry, I’ve created unforgettable holidays to every corner of the globe.

Based in North Canterbury, I make travel planning effortless, personal, and stress-free from start to finish. Your Local North Canterbury Travel Specialist

Hello, I’m Nigel Bennett, your dedicated North Canterbury Travel Specialist, based right here in Kaiapoi! As a remote, mobile travel agent, I’m here to make your travel dreams come true—whether you're planning a weekend getaway, a family vacat

ion, or an exciting international adventure. I work under the trusted House of Travel High Street Lanes office, offering all the expertise and support you’d expect from a major agency but with the convenience and personal touch of a local specialist. Whether you prefer to meet in person at a cozy café or at the comfort of your own home, I’m flexible and can come to you—no matter where you are in North Canterbury. With my personalized service, I take the time to truly understand your travel needs, curate tailored itineraries, and handle all the details—from flights and accommodation to tours and experiences—ensuring your journey is smooth and stress-free. Feel free to reach out to chat about your upcoming trip, and let’s start planning your next great adventure together! Send me a message or give me a call, and let's make your travel dreams a reality! DDI: +6433665638
WhatsApp: +64272578757
Email: [email protected]

If you would like to discuss your travel needs via video call, you can via this link https://house-of-travel.24sessions.com/nigelbennett/initialconsultation

14/08/2026

Lisbon has a great mix of history, food, shopping and plenty to explore, whether you’re here for a couple of days or staying a little longer.

Start around Praça do Comércio, right on the Tagus River, and walk through the impressive Rua Augusta Arch into the heart of the city. From here, Rua Augusta and the surrounding streets are packed with restaurants, cafés, shops and some beautiful historic buildings. It’s an easy part of Lisbon to spend a few hours wandering, stopping for something to eat or drink along the way.

Head out to Belém and you’ll find two of Lisbon’s most recognisable landmarks. The Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) sits on the waterfront and celebrates Portugal’s explorers and its incredible maritime history.

Further along is the beautiful Belém Tower (Torre de Belém), built in the early 1500s on the banks of the Tagus. Originally constructed to help defend Lisbon, it’s now one of the city’s most famous historic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

And of course, you can’t visit Lisbon without having a Pastel de Nata 🇵🇹 These Portuguese custard tarts are everywhere, and they’re even better served warm with a little cinnamon on top. One is rarely enough!

Historic buildings, waterfront walks, great food, shopping, impressive monuments and plenty of streets to explore.

Lisbon is definitely a city worth allowing a few days for. 🇵🇹✈️

09/08/2026

Sitges was somewhere I had been before, and one of the reasons I wanted to go back was actually for the octopus! I still remembered how good it was from my last visit, so a return was definitely on the cards.

What I wasn’t expecting was just how different Sitges felt from what I remembered. It was much livelier, busier and had so much more going on, while still having that relaxed Mediterranean feel that makes it such a great escape from Barcelona.

I loved wandering through the narrow streets and old town, along the palm-lined promenade and down by the beach, with plenty of stops along the way for good food and a drink or two. And yes, I got my octopus again!

Sitges has a fantastic atmosphere and a huge LGBTQ+ scene, with bars, restaurants and nightlife mixed in with beautiful beaches, historic buildings and those gorgeous little Spanish streets. You can have a lazy day by the water and then find the town completely comes alive at night.

It was great going back and rediscovering somewhere I thought I already knew. Completely different from the Sitges I remembered, and definitely somewhere I’ll be returning to again.

09/08/2026

Barcelona is one of those cities I always love coming back to, and there is always something new to see or experience!

The Sagrada Família was a real highlight for me this time. Construction began way back in 1882, and when I last visited Barcelona its famous central towers were still very much under construction. More than 140 years after work began, 2026 has finally seen all six of the central towers completed, including the incredible Tower of Jesus Christ, which now forms the highest point of the Basilica. Seeing the transformation since my last visit was pretty special!

I spent plenty of time exploring the city again, taking in Barcelona’s incredible architecture, the Arc de Triomf, waterfront, beautiful old buildings and some of its different neighbourhoods. I also visited the stunning Hospital de Sant Pau, which is definitely worth adding to the list if you haven’t been before.

And of course, Barcelona isn’t just about sightseeing. Great food, wandering the streets, stopping for a drink and finishing the day with cocktails on a rooftop watching the sun go down over the city. Pretty hard to beat!

Barcelona really does have a bit of everything. Incredible architecture, history, beaches, great food, nightlife and a fantastic atmosphere. It’s a city I’ve visited before and will happily keep going back to.

22/06/2026

One of the unexpected highlights of Lisbon was spending the evening at a traditional Fado restaurant. There is something incredibly powerful about hearing music that tells stories of love, loss, longing and life, even when you don’t understand every word.

Fado has been part of Portuguese culture for more than 200 years and is often described as the soul of Portugal. The emotion in the performances speaks for itself.

A huge thank you to G Adventures for organising this experience. It is not something I would have thought to book myself, but it ended up being one of those special travel moments that stays with you long after the trip is over.

20/06/2026

I only had a short time in Palma de Mallorca, but it was enough to leave a good impression.

What stood out most was the contrast between the beautiful waterfront and the historic city rising behind it. The beach was buzzing, the Mediterranean was looking its usual stunning self, and everywhere I turned there seemed to be another impressive building or view worth stopping for.

The cathedral is undoubtedly the star of the show, towering over the city and serving as a reminder of Mallorca’s long and fascinating history. Even with limited time, it was easy to see why Palma has become such a popular destination.

Sometimes you don’t need days to appreciate a place. Sometimes a few hours is enough to leave you wanting to come back and explore more.

19/06/2026

Dubrovnik has been on my list for a long time and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

Often referred to as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik’s Old City dates back centuries and is surrounded by some of the most impressive fortified walls in Europe. Walking through the limestone streets, past churches, palaces and hidden alleyways, it is easy to see why the city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of my favourite discoveries was the bar tucked away on the cliff face outside the city walls. Perched above the crystal clear Adriatic, it is the perfect spot to sit with a drink and watch the world go by. Or in this case, watch a steady stream of brave souls hurling themselves off the rocks into the sea below!

What I really appreciated was learning about the efforts Dubrovnik has made to manage tourism. At one stage the city was seeing as many as six cruise ships a day, but that has now been reduced to a maximum of two. Even with those restrictions in place, the city was still absolutely packed, as you can probably tell from the photos. It really highlights just how popular Dubrovnik has become over the years.

Crowds aside, there is something very special about this place. The architecture is beautiful, the setting is spectacular, and everywhere you look there is another postcard view waiting around the corner. Dubrovnik is one of those destinations that lives up to the hype.

AdriaticSea CroatiaFullOfLife TravelCroatia EuropeanSummer CruiseLife TravelPhotography Wanderlust TravelGram InstaTravel TravelTheWorld UNESCO WorldHeritage BeautifulDestinations PassionPassport ExploreMore

18/06/2026

Zadar was one of those places that I didn’t really know much about before arriving, but it ended up being a real highlight.

The old town is full of charm, with its stone streets, waterfront promenades and relaxed atmosphere. It’s the sort of place that’s best explored without a plan, just wandering and seeing what you find.

The standout for me was the Sea Organ. Sitting by the water listening to the sounds created by the waves was unlike anything I’ve experienced before. Such a simple concept, but incredibly clever and surprisingly calming.

Add in a fantastic little wine bar and a few glasses of Croatian wine, and it was an afternoon very well spent.

Zadar may not be Croatia’s most famous destination, but it certainly won me over.

08/06/2026

Venice never seems to be the same city twice.

With temperatures reaching 28°C today, I spent the day wandering canals, bridges and hidden corners, soaking up the atmosphere of one of the world’s most unique cities. Every time I visit Venice, I leave with completely different memories and a new perspective.

I’ve been here before, but this visit felt completely different. Less about ticking off the sights and more about enjoying the atmosphere, getting lost in the back streets, and appreciating why people keep coming back.

08/06/2026

Venice never seems to be the same city twice.

With temperatures reaching 28°C today, I spent the day wandering canals, bridges and hidden corners, soaking up the atmosphere of one of the world’s most unique cities. Every time I visit Venice, I leave with completely different memories and a new perspective.

I’ve been here before, but this visit felt completely different. Less about ticking off the sights and more about enjoying the atmosphere, getting lost in the back streets, and appreciating why people keep coming back.

# Venice

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