Helen Shelver
My expertise
I'm based in
Alberton
Looking for help with your business travel? Find out how I can help here
Your Concierge in travel
Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore. Andre Gide captured exactly what travel has meant in my life.
Over the course of my career, I’ve had the joy of travelling far and wide: racing on high-speed trains in Shanghai, exploring the buzz of New York, revelling in the sights and sounds of London, discovering the history, food and beautiful cities of Italy, experiencing the charm of Greece and its islands, taking in Norway’s spectacular scenery and fjords, sailing on a yacht across Sydney Harbour, lazing on a sunny beach in Mauritius, learning to tango in Argentina, pausing for a cool drink on the promenade in Rio and striding down the marble road to the great library at Ephesus.
There has been plenty of fun and adventure too: politely skipping past Kari Sousouri (fruit bat stew) in the Seychelles, screeching like a kid while attempting to sandboard in Dubai, getting soaked in an Auckland downpour, crouching and crawling through underground tunnels in Vietnam, and riding a rather smelly camel at the pyramids in Egypt.
These are just some of my memories from travelling through the USA, United Kingdom, Europe, Russia, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, Egypt, South America and the Indian Ocean islands, among others. And then there is Alaska, still firmly on my bucket list.
I also have a huge crush on cruising. How else can you visit multiple countries, eat as much as you like, shop until you drop, work it off in the gym, relax by the pool, watch a show, mingle or slip away to a quiet corner, enjoy a pedicure, climb a rock wall, dress up or dress down… and only unpack once?
Travel should never be limited by your age, who you travel with, or whether you choose to go it alone. I love helping solo travellers set off with confidence, creating comfortable and rewarding journeys for senior travellers, and bringing generations together for those special trips where shared experiences become family stories. The secret is knowing when to slow things down, when to add a little adventure and how to make sure everyone gets something memorable from the journey.
If your dream destination has an airport and a port, I am here for it. Whether it is a cruise or a tailor‑made holiday, skiing in the Alps, chasing the aurora, wandering around museums or simply lying back and basking in the sun, please put my years of experience to use. I love nothing more than seeing the world through the eyes of my travellers.
So, what is the new ocean on your bucket list? Whatever your destination, I would be delighted to help you turn your travel dreams into memories you will treasure for a lifetime.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Why Groups and Incentive Travel are secret Superpowers
Forget boring conference rooms, limp lanyards and trust falls in the rain. Group and incentive travel, done properly, is your secret weapon for turning “just another work trip” into something people talk about for years. From reward getaways that really motivate to business events with genuine wow-factor, here is how cleverly planned trips can boost your brand, your team spirit and your results, w
08 Sept 2026 6 min read
Up Close and Unfenced in the Masai Mara
There is a moment on every safari when Africa catches you completely off guard. It might be the first time you hear lions calling in the distance, or when you realise that the rustle outside your tent is not the wind, but something very large and very real. For me, it happened in Kenya, in a beautiful, unfenced camp on the banks of the Mara River, where luxury, wilderness and a healthy dose of hum
08 Sept 2026 5 min read
From Panic to Peace of Mind: A Real ‘With Us, It’s Personal’ Story
From cancelled flights and dead mobile phones to a frantic mum thousands of miles away, this is the kind of situation that really tests what “personal service” looks like in real life.
08 Sept 2026 2 min read
Cruising - a fabulous way to travel
Why cruise? Why not! Cruising today is clever, fun and wonderfully flexible. It is absolutely not “one size fits all”
04 Sept 2026 4 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 4 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 3 min read
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Why use a Travel Counsellor
Let's plan your dream trip together
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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