Helen Shelver
I'm based in
Alberton
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It's Nice To Meet You
Hello and welcome.
Andre Gide said: “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore”.
Over the course of my career, I’ve had the good fortune of travelling on high-speed trains in Shanghai, exploring New York, revelling in the sights and sounds of London, sailing in a yacht in Sydney harbour, lazing on a sunny beach of Mauritius, learning to tango in Argentina, stopping for a cool drink on the promenade of Rio, striding down the marble road of the library in Ephesus. Oh yes and there was the polite declining to partake of a stew of bats in Seychelles, screeching like a kid on the sand dunes of Dubai, getting soaked in the rain in Auckland, crouching/crawling through underground tunnels in Vietnam, riding a rather smelly camel at the pyramids…
…aah just some of the memories of travelling far and wide through USA, United Kingdom, Europe, Russia, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, Egypt, South America, Indian and Ocean Islands among others. Oh and then there's Alaska – its on my bucket list – still working on it!
Ooh and did I tell you that I've a huge crush on cruising!!! How else can you visit more than one country, eat as much as you like, shop until you drop, gym until you’re slim, relax at the pool, watch a show, mingle or find a quiet spot, have a pedi, climb a rock wall, dress up, dress down….and unpack only once!
So what is the new ocean on your bucket list? There is nothing I love more than seeing the world through the eyes of yet another excited traveller, so please put my years of travelling and industry experience to the test and let’s work on your dream together.
I look forward to working with you soon and wherever you are on the globe right now, may you have a fabulous day (or evening).
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Southern Sun Elangeni Hotel, Durban
I was fortunate enough to attend our national Travel Counsellors conference 02 – 05 May 2019. After a short, seamless and comfortable flight on Kulula, we arrived at King Shaka Airport where we were met and transferred by private vehicle to the Southern Sun Elangeni Hotel in Durban. We received a warm, friendly and professional welcome on arrival. The refreshing welcome drink went down a treat
10 Jun 2019 5 min read
MSC Sinfonia Durban-Portuguese Island 09 March 2018
We had our national conference in March and being a cruise--fanatic, I was especially delighted at it being on the cruise ship, MSC Sinfonia and I wasn’t disappointed. I got up on the day of departure way before the birds starting chirping – well I didn’t want to be late for my flight you see. I did my on-line check-in for my flight on Mango, the night before and once safely buckled up in my “
17 Apr 2018 5 min read
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town
I never fail to get excited when our national conference comes around and this year was no exception. In fact the excitement was even higher, given that it was a celebration of 10 years of Travel Counsellors in South Africa and we were going to Cape Town and the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, no less! Circling above Cape Town before touch down, the sheer visual beauty of Table Mountain, the blue
22 Sept 2017 5 min read
CRUISING – A FABULOUS WAY TO TRAVEL
Why cruise? Why not? How else can you visit more than one country, eat as much as you like, shop until you drop, gym until you’re slim, relax at the pool, watch a show, mingle or find a quiet spot, have a pedi, climb a rock wall, dress up, dress down….and unpack only once! Cruising is innovative and progressive and a fabulous way to travel, be it your honeymoon, an incentive, an art or bo
11 Jun 2017 5 min read
Ilha da where..?
Sometimes the best holidays happen in the most unexpected places! Back in the day when our national carrier was still refuelling long-haul flights on the island of Ilha do Sol, my then boss decided to package the island as a holiday destination. We thought he was crazy. Ilha do where? So where is Ilha do Sol? Well, it’s an island that forms part of the Cabo Verde (pronounced Kabu Verdi) cha
22 Sept 2014 5 min read
Going the extra mile for my clients
A client of mine (a mom) called me on Monday morning in a bit of a panic. Her son's flight out of Charles de Gaulle Airport on Sunday had been cancelled, his cell phone had died and she hadn't had any further contact details and was concerned. I tried every avenue that I could think of to find the info for my client. I checked the Air France website – but couldn’t find any info. I couldn’t get
24 Jul 2014 5 min read
Eeek.......there's a snake in my bed!
I boarded a light aircraft in Nairobi high with excitement and just a little trepidation – well it was a really small aircraft! After a faultless take off, our young lady pilot had us happily floating above vast plains on our way to the Masai Mara. Have you ever noticed how close the ground looks when you’re in a small plane? Have you ever noticed how grown men can shriek one minute and instantly
11 Jun 2014 5 min read
Don't be late - the ship won't wait!
I had a boss who was totally off-the-wall. Not just off the wall but mad, creative genius off the wall. A fabulous asset when you’re selling incentive travel. After all, the best incentive trips are those where you’re doing things you would never in a lifetime do as an everyday tourist. Occasionally and much to the boss’s delight, he encountered an off the wall client. The result? Magical. For
05 Jun 2014 5 min read
Oh no, where is my luggage!
Have you ever had that horrible, sinking feeling of being the last person at the luggage carousel? Momentarily mesmerised by the snaking carousel as it silently, ominously weaves its way around, out into the unknown, in again, out again, in again, out again, finally grinding to a shaky, noisy halt? Ever been that one who saunters over to that hole in the wall and muscles up a heavy rubber fla
12 May 2014 5 min read
Remember your first flight?
Remember your first flight? Way back in the 80's I took my first flight and oh boy do I vividly remember the breathless excitement of the moment my boss telling the then young, impressionable, naive, excitable me that I was going to Malawi. An involuntary screech erupted out of my mouth, cascading eventually into a giggling squeak, or squawk if you will! I had never been further than 500 km
06 Apr 2014 5 min read
Dinarobin Hotel Golf and Spa
Shush ……..don’t wake me – I’m living the most exquisite dream right here in the plush, but elegantly understated Beachcomber Dinarobin Hotel Golf and Spa located in South West Mauritius. Backed by the majestic Le Morne Mountain, fronted by azure blue Indian Ocean and cradled in lush, tropical gardens, my junior suite is spacious, cool and airy and oh so comfortable. What bliss to relax in the
27 May 2012 5 min read
Mauritius, Beau Rivage
I recently had the good fortune of joining a group of fellow travel agents on a tour of Naiade Holidays properties on Mauritius. From 3 Star to 5 Star hotels, from one end of the island to the other, we tested their facilities, dined on their cuisine, walked their beaches, enjoyed their entertainment, got first hand opinions from the little people using the kiddies clubs, rated the resorts entert
03 Jul 2011 5 min read
Mauritius, Merville Beach
I recently had the good fortune of joining a group of fellow travel agents on a tour of Naiade Holidays properties on Mauritius. From 3 Star to 5 Star hotels, from one end of the island to the other, we tested their facilities, dined on their cuisine, walked their beaches, enjoyed their entertainment, got first hand opinions from the little people using the kiddies clubs, rated the resorts entert
03 Jul 2011 5 min read
Mauritius, Les Pavillons
I recently had the good fortune of joining a group of fellow travel agents on a tour of Naiade Holidays properties in Mauritius. From 3 Star to 5 Star hotels, from one end of the island to the other, we tested their facilities, dined on their cuisine, walked their beaches, enjoyed their entertainment, got first hand opinions from the little people using the kiddies clubs, rated the resorts entert
03 Jul 2011 5 min read
Mauritius, Legends
I recently had the good fortune of joining a group of fellow travel agents on a tour of Naiade Holidays properties on Mauritius. From 3 Star to 5 Star hotels, from one end of the island to the other, we tested their facilities, dined on their cuisine, walked their beaches, enjoyed their entertainment, got first hand opinions from the little people using the kiddies clubs, rated the resorts enter
03 Jul 2011 5 min read
Mauritius, Tamassa
I recently had the good fortune of joining a group of fellow travel agents on a tour of Naiade Holidays properties in Mauritius. From 3 Star to 5 Star hotels, from one end of the island to the other, we tested their facilities, dined on their cuisine, walked their beaches, enjoyed their entertainment, got first hand opinions from the little people using the kiddies clubs, rated the resorts enter
03 Jul 2011 5 min read
Dubai
I had the good fortune of attending the Travel Counsellors 2011 Gold Counsellors Conference in Dubai this past weekend and was reminded again just how far this "fishing village" has come on it's journey to super stardom! I remember first visiting Dubai many, many years ago when there was one main road and a few hotels. It was amazing then......you should see it today! My senses are at once
25 May 2011 5 min read
Cuba, Havana
Not in my wildest dream could I have imagined the incredible essence and beauty of Havana, capital of Cuba. A mere speck in the Caribbean Ocean this grand old lady has a larger than life personality, her derelict narrow streets and wide avenues vibrantly alive with the bustle of people spilling out of dilapidated yet intrinsically refined buildings, washing hanging out to dry on crumbling balcony
24 May 2011 5 min read
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Tailor-made for you
Your holiday isn’t just a trip away. It’s a longed-for escape, time to reconnect with loved ones, or a dream adventure you never thought possible. That’s why I take the time to truly get to know you and understand your hopes and expectations, then use my experience, connections and passion for the destination to create a trip that makes those dreams a reality.
Personalised service. Always
When you plan a holiday with me, you’ll be given my personal mobile number from the very first call. I’ll listen to your thoughts and ideas like I would a friend and arrange accommodation, activities, and flights that are all personalised to you. And I’ll share my personal tips and recommendations, so you can experience the true beauty of each destination.
Stress-free travel, and more time for what matters most
I believe your time away should be stress-free, easy, and seamless from start to finish. So, I take care of all the details for you - from ATOL protection, insurance, and flexible payments to access to the myTC app, which keeps everything in one place.
Support when it matters most
If the unexpected happens, you can rest easy, knowing that I’ll handle any last-minute changes, flight cancellations, or disruptions before you even pick up the phone. So you always feel happy, carefree, and ready to make the most of every moment.
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