The Company & Staff
Flower Travel
We are a small travel agency located in the suburb of Eltham in Melbourne. The trans- Siberian railway is just one of our specialist programmes and we can also help with a range of flight, hotel and cruise bookings both within Australian and overseas.
Flower Travel is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents and is a fully accredited agency with the AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme (accreditation number A10423)
ATAS vets travel agents against strict criteria to ensure they meet certain standards, are reliable, well trained and professional businesses. Before becoming accredited, ATAS agents need to meet high standards of business discipline, training, compliance with Australian Consumer Law and compliance with a strict code of conduct – ensuring your piece of mind when booking travel.
Flower Travel Pty. Ltd
Address:
Suite 1,
286 Bolton Street,
Eltham, Vic 3095.
Postal Address:
PO Box 151,
Eltham, Vic 3095
Heidi Mason
Travel Consultant
Phone: 03 8407 4204
(outside Victoria 1300 654 861)
E-mail: heidi@flowertravel.com.au
About me
I was born and raised in Melbourne, I studied Architecture at university before realising my true passion for travelling (and organising it) after backpacking around Europe as a student. In the early days I worked for Intrepid Travel and travelled widely in South East Asia, the Middle East and Africa. After that I moved to London for a couple of years and worked for Exodus Travels which was a great experience.
While living in the UK I travelled to Scandinavia, saw more of Europe and took a big trip around the USA. Then I returned to Melbourne and spent the next few years working for an adventure travel company in South Melbourne booking more upmarket style travel but still to adventurous destinations. After cramming in as much travel as possible I took a break from the industry to have a family. We moved out to leafy Eltham and I have been with Flower Travel since 2013.
My favourite Destinations
- Tanzania and Zanzibar. Wild Africa, migration on the Serengeti then finish on a stunning beach.
- Sicily and Amalfi coast. Amazing scenery, great food and fascinating history.
- Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, Peru. Amazing!
Best place to stay
At a ryokan in Kyoto, Japan
Favourite airline
Singapore Airlines
Best travel experience
“Swimming in thermal pools in Iceland at night with the northern lights overhead, a surreal experience”
Jenny Flower
Director
Phone: 03 8407 4204
(outside Victoria 1300 654 861)
E-mail: jenny@flowertravel.com.au
About me
I was born in Melbourne and started in the travel business after my first 6 month backpacking trip around Europe in 1988. It’s funny to think back now and remember that I only went because everyone else was. However the ‘bug bit’ and I ended living in the UK for ten years and developing a love of travel and the feeling of stepping out of my world and into someone else’s’ albeit for a short time. I’ve now travelled extensively through Europe, UK, Ireland as well as the States and Canada. I have taken safari trucks around Africa and driven through Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
I have extensive experience travelling and sailing around the Kimberley, which has been my main customer focus in the past few years. I have also been to, Fiji, Vanuatu, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore. I have also travelled extensively though Egypt and touched on Turkey. This year I caught the Tsars Gold private train from Beijing to Moscow.
My favourite Destinations
- The Kimberley region of Western Australia- all Australians should see this magnificent part of our country
- The English Cotswolds – self drive heaven
- New York – you need a minimum of a week to do justice to this wonderful city.
Best place to stay
Kirche Lodge, Masai Mara, Kenya.
Favourite airline
Emirates
Best travel experience
Viewing black bears close up (safely) in the Canadian Rockies.
Simon Flower
Director
Phone: 03 8407 4204
(outside Victoria 1300 654 861)
E-mail: simon@flowertravel.com.au
About me
I was born in Bristol in the UK and lived in london until my mid-thirties. My first big trip was an 8 week hitch-hiking and inter-rail trip around Europe when I was 18. I’ve been hooked on travel ever since and now I have visited all seven continents.
As the person responsible for the day to day running of the business I endeavour to ensure my genuine love of travel and interest in the world, combined with a drive to provide the best service and experience to all our customers, is reflected in all of us here at Flower Travel. I enjoy seeking out new and unusual destinations, and despite being lucky enough to sample several luxury hotels my favourite holidays have usually included a stay in less salubrious surroundings.
My favourite Destinations
- Bhutan (sensational scenery, friendly people and a unique political and economic system – worth the effort)
- Egypt (unfortunately politics makes Egypt a less attractive destination presently but the grandeur of its ancient history will remain for lucky visitors in the future)
- Antarctica (genuinely lives up to the hype)
Best place to stay
W Hotel Berlin (overlooking Berlin zoo)
Victoria Hotel, Angkor Wat
The YHA in Genoa, Italy (perched on a cliff face)
Favourite airline
Qantas (with Singapore Airlines a close second)
Best travel experience
My first sighting of Venice when I was 18. Despite the crowds (and the cost) I still think Venice is an absolute must see for all travellers.
Karen Walkley
Travel Consultant
Phone: 03 8407 4204
(outside Victoria 1300 654 861)
E-mail: karen@flowertravel.com.au
About me
I was born in Melbourne (a long time ago) and have been in the travel industry for over 10 years. My late in life career change was to learn more as I started my own travels and to help others experience the fun of exploring other countries and cultures away from the usual holiday destinations.
I specialise in cruising, with extensive experience and knowledge on Princess, P & O, Cunard, Holland America, MSC cruises, Isabella II in the Galapagos, Orion & Odyssey Expeditions in the Kimberley Region of Australia.
My favourite Destinations
- Vietnam for its friendly people and variety of attractions from the Mekong River in the South for the floating markets, beautiful Hoi An in the centre for the beaches and custom made clothes and the beautiful rice growing hills at Sa Pa in the North.
- Italy for the ancient cities, food and wine. Did I mention the wine?
- South America for the beautiful scenery, Machu Picchu- how did they build it on top of a mountain? The Galapagos Islands for the snorkelling and wildlife.
Best place to stay
Hoi An just outside the old town.
Favourite airline
Singapore Airlines followed by a close 2nd Qatar Airlines
Best travel experience
I never imagined I would see Orang Utans in the wild in Borneo. I just thought they would be around the sanctuaries where they are fed. They really do have personalities just like humans.
Lisa Serrano
Travel Consultant
Phone: 03 8407 4204
(outside Victoria 1300 654 861)
E-mail: lisa@flowertravel.com.au
About me
My love of travel started young and I joined the travel industry straight after completing a Tourism certificate after finishing high school. I now have 20 years experience in the industry, specialising predominantly in high end, independent travel and I enjoy putting together tailor made itineraries and constructing airfares! My first trip to Europe was a whirlwind Contiki tour covering 7 countries in 21 days. I have since travelled many times to Europe, and other countries I have been to include Morocco, Egypt, India, Vietnam, Thailand, South Africa, USA and Canada. I grew up in Bendigo but have lived more than half my life in Melbourne now, and recently took a tree change to Eltham and very happy to have joined the team at Flower Travel in March, 2017!
My favourite Destinations
Spain – Seville in particular. Amazing scenery, beautiful architecture, orange trees, watching flamenco and enjoying tapas and sangria in a sidewalk café watching the world go by.
Italy – no city is the same, beautiful food, architecture and scenery.
New York New York
Best place to stay
Fanari Villas in the village of Oia, Santorini – renowned for the best sunsets in Santorini
Favourite airline
Singapore Airlines
Best travel experience
Two stick clearly in my mind – Walking through the Sun Gate and seeing the beautiful Taj Mahal for the first time.
Also experiencing the quiet sunrise over Abu Simbel in Egypt with the changing colours.
Ice skating in Central Park, New York at Christmas time is also a favourite memory
Experience the Greatest Rail Journey on Earth
The Trans-Siberian Railway Specialists