Lisa Patel - Flight Centre Travel Expert

10/09/2026

Day 3 - Santorini, Greece

Today we arrived to the stunning island i have been wanting to visit for years.

A Volcanic island, which has many earthquakes most days

Thira is the main island, where we explored around Oia (pronounced E-ya) and Fia

White walls made with limewash to be antibacterial and to keep the house cool, this is the most photographed island of Greece.

Did you know?
It also has many vineyards, the volcanic earth helps with the vineyards, housing 21 w**eraries on the island

When you drink w**e you say yamos “to our health” as well as the notion in celebrating together

Sounds pretty good to me!! 🥂

08/09/2026

08/09/2026

‼️Warning‼️
The below post will make you hungry 😝

NCL Viva ship - Specialty dining

Tonight we tried the Food Republic which is an Asian shared style restaurant

Food was fantastic, we got to pick 4 courses each!
So much food we came out so full

Check out what we ate below! 🍲🍝🥟

08/09/2026

Day 2 - port of Kusadasi, Turkey

Today we had a slow start with a sleep in and breakfast at the Surfside cafe.

After we got ready to head out to see the ruins of Ephesus

This is 2000 years old city which was the 2nd biggest after Rome in its time and had 240000 people.

It was hidden under the ground for many years and currently only 10% of it has been excavated.

It will take 30mins to get from port to the site
NCL has buses ready to go from ship to site, making it a seamless journey for those with shore excursions pre-booked 🚌

Top sites there:

The Ordian is the political theatre (small theatre)
The grand Ampitheatre holds up to 24000ppl, and has previously housed many famous singers such as Diana Ross and Sting 🎤

Lisa’s Top tip!!
Please wear griped shoes as marble walkways can be slippery. Apparently they have ambulances (6+) on site as many people slip 🚑
Bring water to hydrate, its super hot and no wind

Make sure to see:
The medusa archway is stunning! Shes the face of starbucks 🐍

Check out the ‘NIKE’ goddess 😝✔️
There is a walkway from top of the hill to the library which they call the It is 2000 years old

There is a walkway from top of the hill to the library which they call the Ephesus version of rodeo drive, used to be where the top jewellery stores were (Sariya is modelling in this pic) 💍

The library archway is beautiful and nearly wasnt found as a parking site. 📚📚

The romans back in the day were sariyas height (approx 120cm)
The sarcophagus use to be made taller by 30cm for extra cash to be added in so you can buy a good house in heaven for the family

After the site we went to Turkman where we saw how Turkish rugs were made which was quite fascinating in itself with the time it can take to make and process

A great day of learning a new culture 🇹🇷

Follow me for tomorrow as we visit the island that spurred my trip….Santorini! 🏝️

07/09/2026

All aboard!!! 🛳️🛳️🛳️
Come follow me as i sail from Istanbul to Rome on the stunning Norwegian Viva ship.
Here’s a few pics of embarkation day, as we get into relax mode

07/05/2026

Ever wanted to know more about River cruising?
Tune into Getaway this Saturday 9 May to uncover the Heart of Europe Along the Danube.

Talk to us about booking a Scenic River Cruise today!

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06/05/2026

If you live in Christchurch, come check out the new pop up store!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1GSorb23iV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

18/03/2026

Homeward bound! Yay the strikes didn’t affect us and excited to see my wee girl soon 😘

14/03/2026

Arrrgghhh the polar dip!!!!

Lisa Patel - Flight Centre Travel Expert
Flight Centre Queensgate

14/03/2026

Quick liquid courage before the polar plunge!! 🥶😮
And our last landing in Antarctica 😩🥺