About us – France Vacations

Who We Are

At Hawthorn Travel, we’ve been helping people plan memorable holidays since 1984. What started as a small local agency has grown through word-of-mouth, loyal clients, and a genuine love for what we do.

We know travel can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here—to take the stress out of planning and make sure every detail runs smoothly. Whether it’s a family getaway, a honeymoon, a cruise, or something more complex, our experienced team is with you every step of the way.

We work closely with trusted partners around the world and take the time to get to know your needs, so your trip feels personal and effortless. When you travel with Hawthorn, you’re not just a booking—you’re part of the journey.

Trevor Jones

Co-Founder & Director

Trevor began his career with Ansett Airlines before moving into wholesale travel. In 1984, he and Sonia established Hawthorn Travel, driven by a passion for authentic, high-quality travel planning.

Since then, Trevor has served on various boards, notably the Worldwide Advisory Board for American Express in New York, the Travelscene board, and in 2008, with two other colleagues, Trevor founded the Magellan Travel Group with the intention of bringing a much greater degree of integrity back to the travel industry. The incredible success of this group was based on the same principles that Trevor and Sonia apply to Hawthorn Travel.

In more recent times, Trevor co-consults using his vast knowledge to create great itineraries.

Sonia Jones

Co-Founder & Director

Sonia’s love for France inspired a career built on cultural insight and boutique travel. She co-founded Hawthorn Travel and is known for crafting elegant, immersive European experiences.

Sonia has sought out those special places to go, stay and experience what is so good about France. She brought luxury boutique barging to Australians, which has been highly successful. Along with Trevor, she started Hawthorn Travel in 1984. She now also owns and operates France Vacations and Barge Vacations.

Nadine Jones

General Manager

Born into a travel-loving family, Nadine’s passion for discovery began early. With a sharp industry mind and a love for adventure, she ensures every trip is meaningful and well-managed.

Her love for the travel industry is matched by her passion to find suppliers who can give clients the essence of their destination. Trained by the best from Qantas Holidays, she understands the supply chain of the travel industry, the meaning of great staff and what it takes to make sure a company is viable. She has an adventurous spirit — just ask her about her trips to Sudan, Rwanda, Mozambique and Madagascar, to name a few.

Tracey Fidone

Office Manager

For over 30 years, Tracey has been ensuring that every Hawthorn Travel itinerary runs smoothly. She’s known for her attention to detail and deep understanding of client needs.

She is an outstanding travel technician and knows how to extract the best options for your travel dollar. Her organisational skills have been part of the backbone of Hawthorn Travel for over 30 years.

Heather Testro

Travel Advisor & Master Cruise Consultant

Heather brings decades of experience and is one of Australia’s top cruise experts. Her knowledge spans continents, making her a trusted advisor for complex and luxury trips.

Heather’s clients benefit from the vast amount of knowledge she has acquired. If you want to know about cruising, she is the person to ask. Her skills go far beyond cruising, as is evident by the well-travelled repeat clientele who love to challenge her with exotic destinations.

Alycia Burke

Travel Advisor

Alycia brings warmth and expertise from years at American Express and extensive travel through Europe. She’s dependable, enthusiastic, and always ready for the next challenge.

She worked her way up to a management role before taking a break to raise her family. She has been, for a number of years, an important part of the Hawthorn Travel team. Alycia is enthusiastic and friendly and will take on any challenge put in her way.

Eloise Tropea

Travel Advisor

Eloise’s passion for travel is lifelong, with experience across global adventure brands. She creates thoughtful, exciting journeys inspired by years of exploration and creativity.

Having lived in Western Australia and worked ski seasons in Mt Hotham and Canada, she returned home to begin a travel career with STA Travel and G Adventures. During this time, she explored the world, creating unforgettable memories — with Jordan, Alaska, Japan, and Burma standing out as a few of her favourite destinations.

Following eight rewarding years in the events industry, she returned to the travel world in 2025. Being back in the industry she loves feels like coming home — doing what she’s truly passionate about: creating unforgettable journeys for others.

Travel with Insight, Guided by Experience

Who We Are

Trevor Jones

Sonia Jones

Nadine Jones

Tracey Fidone

Heather Testro

Alycia Burke

Eloise Tropea

Exceptional Service, Every Step of the Way