Antony Boomer

Owner Operator

Lovely to meet you

I have been in the travel industry since 1987 as a tour leader, travel advisor, traveler visiting the globe, and now Owner Operator of House of Travel Dunedin City.

My travels have encompassed over 100 countries (many on several occasions) initially using all forms of transport from a double decker bus around Europe to rickshaws in Asia to horses in the Middle East and dugout canoes in Central Africa with camels, elephants, donkeys and bicycles in-between.

I am more than willing to travel in a lot more comfort these days visiting the Pacific, Myanmar, India, Vietnam, Ireland, China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan and USA in recent years.

I believe the transition is similar for people of my generation who still yearn to visit anywhere and everywhere but enjoy a bit, or a lot, more luxury. As such I have developed an in-depth knowledge of the whole spectrum of travel options and regularly come up with solutions to the most complex of travel plans.

Tony

My favourite holiday memories

American Samoa

I love it when you have no idea what a destination holds then you are stupendously surprised by the experience. Cruising into Pago Pago harbour was just the beginning of a tremendous day in travel finishing with a fabulous Sail Way parked in the Sunset Bar of the Celebrity Eclipse.
Myanmar

I had wanted to travel to Burma since I came across the Schwedagon Pagoda as a teenager. Finally had the opportunity in 2019 as part of a scenic river cruise along the Irrawaddy. First things first, we had to get there and there was a bit of relief surrounding this photo encompassing a couple of days travel, a dodge hotel and a taxi ride..... ahh the taxi ride! We were in Mandalay and loving it.
Czech Republic

Some days travelling are just a bit better than others. Walking up on an Avalon river cruise in Linz, I wandered into the attractive city centre as the sun rose illuminating the city's multiple spires before returning for breakfast.
India

My wife, Kath and I had wanted to take our boys, Alex and Liam to some slightly challenging travel destinations just to make sure they were reasonably well equipped to look after themselves when the time came for them to head off by themselves. They breezed through Vietnam and clearly not too much bother with India!
India

Travel sometimes involves a bit of luck. On the day we saw this magnificent animal our transport was late and fair to say Kath and I weren't impressed as it meant we would be behind every tourist in the park. As the fates would have it we had to take a different route to the preferred one as there were too many on it .... 5 minutes later we come across a tiger, the only one seen in the park that day.
Africa

Adventure destinations have always been my passion, seeking the seemingly unattainable and finding a way. As an overland guide for 6 years on the road I circumnavigated Africa, South America and the Middle East showing people the wonders of the world in some of the remotest destinations on earth.
Cruising

Cruising has become part of my travels over the last decade with a particular fondness for river cruises. I am a CLIA Cruise Master, the highest qualification available in the cruise industry. Having cruised in Europe, Asia and the Pacific by river and ocean I have an intimate knowledge of a variety of cruise options.

Creating better holidays

Whatever your travel dreams, I will work with you to create the best holiday possible. The holidays I specialise in include:

Adventure - Adventure destinations have always been my passion, seeking the seemingly unattainable and finding a way. As an overland guide for 6 years on the road I circumnavigated Africa, South America and the Middle East showing people the wonders of the world in some of the remotest destinations on earth.
Ocean Cruising - Cruising has become part of my travel over the last decade with a particular fondness for river cruises. I am a CLIA Cruise Master, the highest qualification available in the cruise industry. Having cruised in Europe, Asia and the Pacific by river and ocean I have an intimate knowledge of a variety of cruise options.
Hiking Walking
Coach Touring
Small Ship Cruising
Expedition Cruising
River Cruising
Couples Travel
Family Travel
Luxury Travel
Road Trips
Safaris
Solo Travel
Train Journeys

Where I have travelled to

My travel stories

Postcard from Vietnam

Antony Boomer

I had been wanting to take my boys somewhere extraordinary for ages. We have previously traveled as a family well worn routes through North America and Australia but now my wife and I thought it was time to challenge everything they thought they knew about the world. We decided on Vietnam in the hope it would provide a physical, emotional and sensory experience the boys would never forget. Our journey would take us firstly to Singapore for a gentle introduction to Asia then from the north of Vietnam near the Chinese border south to the Mekong Delta.

Postcards from India

Antony Boomer

I love India. It wasn't an instant love affair. First impressions after crossing the Nepali border in 1989 weren't great. Seventeen years on from that journey Kath and I now had the opportunity to revisit with our two boys Alex (13) and Liam (11) in tow. This time we would head south to the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.