Natalie Matthews

It's Nice To Meet You

Travel is the Ultimate Inspiration!

Welcome to my homepage. I am proud to say that I am an Independent Travel Counsellor based in Johannesburg and have been in the travel industry for over 20 years, specialising largely in the leisure travel market.

Working from home as a Travel Professional allows me the freedom and flexibility to meet my clients personal travel needs at any time of the day. My existing client base has been built up largely though client referrals which I believe has come from my ability in being able to tailor-make packages with individual yet professional attention along with me being accessible 24/7 which is a huge advantage in this industry.

I communicate with over 1,900 Travel Counsellors located around the world who can put me in touch with “local” information, and who can provide me with a hotel or restaurant recommendation to make your trip an adventure of a life time, I have access to over 700,000 hotels worldwide, a vast choice of tour operators, airlines, transfers, car rental and visa companies as well as travel insurance.

Working in travel has also afforded me many wonderful opportunities to travel and see the world over the years, experiencing many different cultures as well as many methods of travel which have all added to my expertise. Some of the destinations I have been fortunate enough to travel to include; the UK, Europe, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Israel, Kenya, Mombasa, Seychelles, Mauritius, Mozambique, Zanzibar, Madagascar, Reunion, Zimbabwe, Malaysia, Australia, New York, Miami, Washington and Walt Disney World Orlando, and many more still on the agenda!

I believe that the more of our world we see, the richer we become!

I hope that I can unlock your passion and enthusiasm for travel and I look forward to every new enquiry that comes my way!

Looking forward to the next adventure.

Message Me

Whatever your holiday needs I'm here to help you, so simply give me a call or send me an email with your contact details on and I can get things started for you:-

My Videos

Cape Town Inspiration

09/09/2021

Cape Town is known for its beaches, beautiful nature, food and wine routes, loads of hidden gems and exquisite lesser-known locales.

5 Reasons to trust me with your Business travel plans

28/01/2021

Here's why you can rely on me, a Business Travel Counsellor to help you navigate a new travel landscape.

A World of Good Awaits

28/01/2021

Many magical destinations are desperate for us to explore them once again!

Maldives

05/11/2020

Arial view of the crystal clear waters of the Maldives Islands

Hong Kong Food Market

05/11/2020

Freshness at its best!

Explore South Africa

26/10/2020

There has been no better time than now to explore all that our amazing Country has to offer!

TC Experiences

26/10/2020

Is life not better with more Experiences??

My Travel Blogs

I absolutely love travel! Take a look through my posts - you might find holiday inspiration where you least expect it...

Western Cape Road Trip 2020

21 December 2020

My family and I completed a 2-week road trip from Johannesburg all the way through the Karoo & Eastern Cape up to the Western Cape and I can honestly say that we live in an incredibly picturesque country with ever-changing dramatic landscape to explore! Our stops included the historic town of Nieu-Bethesda where we stayed on a working farm and got to explore the quaint little town including the sculptures at the famous Owl House. We then travelled through the majestic mountain pass of Prince Alfred down to the Garden Route where we stayed in Knysna for two nights enjoying seafood...

Washington DC - A State of Historical Surprises

03 January 2020

When we decided to include a 3-Day Stopover in Washington DC after our week in Orlando, I certainly did not expect to be completely enthralled with all that the City had to offer us. From the abundance of Historial and Modern Museums to the Culinary delights & picturesque character of Georgetown. Our first activity had to be the popular Hop-On Hop-Off Bus so that we could orientate ourselves before we walked the length and breadth of the National Mall where we could enter the various Smithsonian Museums at leisure. Arlington Cemetry & the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum were two of the...

Hong Kong - Seeing the Unseen May '19

14 June 2019

Hong Kong is such a vibrant, colourful destination with so many sights, sounds and smells that entice you to experience something different at any given moment. We spent a ‘long weekend’ in Hong Kong at the end of May, the weather was hot, humid with frequent short showers but this did not deter us in the least. On arrival at Hong Kong Airport it is advisable to purchase an ‘Octopus’ card which will allow you to travel on most of the public transport systems, including the airport express, busses, trains and ferries. You can purchase a card for HK$150...

Sensational Seychelles

26 September 2018

The Seychelles Islands, being only a 4-hour flight away from Johannesburg, definitely has to be on any island holiday bucket list! The main island of Mahe boasts the smallest Capital City of the world being Victoria. The streets are clean and bustling with happy and friendly people. The little market is a gem in the city centre for all your shopping needs, the city even boasts a 'little Big Ben' clock tower. Beau Vallon Bay is one of the main beaches on the island, offering soft, white powdery sand and beautiful sunrises. Take a stroll...

Uk / UAE Celebration

06 August 2017

Not only were we celebrating 20 years of Marriage, but I was also celebrating 20 years of being in the Travel Industry and what better way than an impromptu trip to the UK to see our all-time favorite rock band U2 live in London. This was followed by a road trip through the English countryside up to Scotland and ending with a blast on the fastest roller coaster in Abu Dhabi! While in London, we based ourselves in a small B&B just off Kings Cross which was a perfect location to get to the city centre by foot or metro....

New Years Cruise aboard the MSC Sinfonia

27 January 2017

What better way to end off a hard working year with a bang! The 11 night New Years Cruise aboard the MSC Sinfonia will tick all your boxes in terms of entertainment & relaxation. To begin with I would recommend booking either an outside cabin with a view or alternatively the spacious Balcony Cabins where you have an outdoor balcony to welcome the fresh air and scenery. Teenagers can also be booked in a cabin next door to adults on a special 'Tandem' rate, Senior Citizens also receive discounts as do children sharing with adults. Secondly the VIP or Fastpass...

Magical Mauritius with Beachcomber

03 February 2016

After spending a week in Mauritius on a memorable Educational with Beachcomber Tours, I experienced all that the island has to offer from sunshine, humidity, cyclonic weather activity to perfect sunshine once again and the most friendly faces of the locals. Our trip began checking in at the British Airways counter for our flight from OR Tambo to Mauritius with the full use of their Business Club Lounge prior to boarding where cappuccino's and breakfast snacks were in abundance. On arrival in Mauritius we were met by the ever friendly staff of Maurtourico who transferred us to the 5 Star...

Mauritius on a Spoil!

28 August 2013

How fortunate to have visited Mauritius for the 6th time and it never ceases to amaze me with its beauty and friendly atmosphere! On this particular trip I was able to visit and stay at a range of hotels from 3 Star to 5 Star Plus! The 3 Star Hotels that really stood out for me would be the Recif Attitude, an intimate boutique style hotel located right on the beach in the North West of the Island, close enough to the little village of Grand Baie. This hotel boasts a restaurant & bar with uninterrupted views...

Tantilizing Thailand

22 July 2013

Thailand - one of the most compelling trips that I have ever been on. My experience began with Thai Airways, a seamless check-in and an enjoyable flight to follow. After an 11 and a half hour flight we began to see the sun rising over Bangkok. As we made our descent we could see little islands popping out of the bay area and wetlands began to appear making way for the Metropolis City of Bangkok! True excitement was in the air! Our airport transfer to the Chatrium Riverside Hotel took just over 45 minutes allowing...

Las Vegas In a Week!

09 October 2012

You can only imagine my level of excitement after learning that I had been invited to travel to Las Vegas! I was quite impressed with the International flight on Delta Airlines from Johannesburg to Atlanta, the aircraft was in a good condition, the seats were spacious and services on-board were excellent. Check in was easy and our transit in Atlanta through to Las Vegas was seamless. During our 5 night stay, we were fortunate enough to stay at the Flamingo Hotel which is one of the most centrally located hotels on the Strip! I loved the...

SHANDRANI RESORT & SPA, MAURITIUS

17 May 2012

We were extremely fortunate to be able to hold our Annual Travel Counsellors Conference at the Beautiful 5 Star Shandrani Resort & Spa. Shandrani is best known for its 5 Star All Inclusive packages, located just 15 minutes from the airport, you arrive in no time to enjoy this stunning hotel. Shandrani consists of 327 Rooms in total that includes 110 Superior Rooms, 69 Superior Beachfront Rooms, 108 Deluxe Rooms, 36 Family Apartments, 2 Senior Suites and 2 Family Suites. It is a great resort for both the businessman and families alike. It also has 5 Restaurants for a...

The Spice Island of Zanzibar

12 November 2011

I can honestly say that Zanzibar is an Island that has something to offer everybody. From soft sandy white beaches, to a range of water sports, cultural tours, shopping, spa's and the list goes on. We flew with 1Time Airlines who have direct flights to Zanzibar every Saturday and Tuesday which means that you could easily go over for a quick break of 3/4 nights or extend to 7/10 nights. After obtaining a visa on arrival for US$50 we were whisked away by our Ground Handler through the middle of Stone Town to our first Hotel inspection at the...

My trip to Mauritius

19 November 2009

I was fortunate enough in November to be invited on a 5 night trip to Mauritius with The Holiday Factory, one of our approved suppliers to view a few of their properties. We flew on Air Mauritius and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised at their aircraft, having last flown with them 13 years ago! Their aircraft was modern, with touch screens behind each seat and the service was excellent. Our first two nights were spent at the La Plantation Resort, a 4 Star Deluxe property located just North of Grand Baie on the...

Blue Train Experience

15 June 2009

I have just experienced one of the most luxurious adventures our Country has to offer, a trip aboard the Blue Train with an additional two nights in Cape Town. Our journey began on a Monday morning, a professional check in followed by an escort to our Deluxe Cabin with the luxury of a personal Butler at our beck and call. Brunch, consisting of a 3 course meal accompanied by our choice of beverage and followed by a cheese platter. This is either served at 10h30 or 12h30. High tea is served at 15h30 consisting of...

Discovering Dubai

12 September 2008

I was very fortunate to be able to visit Dubai in September 2008. I had been hard at work finding the most suitable destination for my family where every one of us would be able to enjoy an aspect of an exciting new Destination. Dubai was the ultimate option, having excellent weather during September, stunning swimming beaches, an exciting water park and of course an abundance of shopping malls and markets. We flew direct to Dubai on Emirates Airlines which was perfect for the kids; they have so many movies and gaming options onboard....

My customer stories

Natalie is amazing, she is always willing to help, nothing is too much trouble for her. Would definitely recommend!

Natalie Matthews has always been extremely professional and a pleasure to work with. She always goes the extra mile to assist us in our requests and our holiday experiences have never disappointed. We would never use another agent and would definitely recommend her.

Natalie has been arranging a number of our trips for us. We were never disappointed!! We can always contact her from anywhere in the world and nothing is ever too much for Natalie. We never leave this country before consulting Natalie. We can only sing her praises!!!

I just wanted to say congratulations on your fabulous new app. It works brilliantly and I’m sure will prove valuable while traveling.

Hello Natalie Thank you very much for the work done so far. Truly a positive, enthralling experience. Excited to receive the doc’s.

Natalie is efficient, accurate and honest. I couldn't ask for her to be any more efficient and professional than she already is!

Nats is one in a million! I will not use anybody else, she is on top of her game, She always gives good advice and the perfect recommendation. Natalie knows exactly what we like, she has all the patience in the world, nothing is ever too much and she is available 24/7 - 7 days a week and this is never a problem for her. She is Professional, Honest and always has our best interest at heart.

I highly recommend Natalie, she has been nothing but incredible helping us find the perfect holiday package. She is always informative and helping us wherever needed. I will definitely recommend Natalie to fellow friends and college her service is phenomenal. Thank you so much.

Natalie was great, she was very fast to respond to emails and answered all of my questions. She is the best Travel Counsellor ever!

Hi Natalie We are back safely and rested from our amazing trip. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your effort and assistance with arranging the trip for us. From start to finish everything was perfect. The pre-booking of seats on our flights helped a lot as we had an open seat next to us for 3 out of our 4 flights which made a world of difference on the long flights. I will and have already recommended you to friends to book any trip nationally or internationally with you. And I will most definitely use you again in future. Once again thanks a million and enjoy your boat cruise.

Natalie is most professional, friendly and efficient. She always goes the extra mile.

I deal with Natalie Matthews - I would highly recommend doing business with Natalie from Travel Counsellors - it has been an absolute delight doing business with Natalie. A big thank you - for all your help and assistance. What a pain free exercise.

I have been dealing with Natalie Matthews for years and I will never change. Nothing is ever too much trouble for her. She is number 1.

Hi Natalie, Thank you, we had a WONDERFUL time. YOUR ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS ARE AMAZING! Everything was perfect! Thank you, Hein and Audrey Ueckermann.

Hi Natalie Our trip was wonderful - a dream come true for me. Your bookings were perfect - in fact everything went off without a hitch. You can plan the same trip for anyone wanting to go to Italy, and hopefully for us again. I would recommend this same trip to anyone who is planning to go to Italy, we saw everything plus much more than we expected!

Hi Natalie, Thanks so much. We had an absolutely wonderful holiday. Everything was above expectation. The accommodation in Vic Falls and Botswana was fantastic. Thanks once again for organizing another wonderful trip for us! From Kelly & Graeme Arnold.

Thank you for all your assistance and arrangements As always – perfect!

It was awesome – I loved the personal touch at Thorntree – you feel very special and they organise everything and keep you updated. Thanx a million for your contribution to a fabulous funny moon!

What a spectacular holiday! The resort was top class. Stunning views, beautiful hotel, the friendliest staff you could wish to meet! They made a total fuss of all guests, and made Martin’s birthday dinner a night to remember forever! Thanks for your recommendation! We had a total blast! Thanks again!

We have booked several holidays through Natalie at Travel Counsellors for both personal and business. Every holiday has been fantastic and extremely well organised. Natalie always goes the extra mile to make sure the holiday suits your needs and expectations. I highly recommend Natalie whether you live near or far.

Sharm El Sheikh is an underwater paradise, and our snorkelling experience there was a life-changing one. We cannot thank Natalie enough for the seamless arrangements and whose professional attention made our entire trip completely stress free in both Sharm el Sheikh and Cairo.

Natalie has taken care of our tours abroad and local trips for as long as I can remember and she has always taken care to plan our trips down to the very last detail, whilst keeping control of unnecessary expenditure. We have never had a hiccup and I have had no hesitation in recommending her to all our friends, family and business associates.

I would like to thank Natalie Matthews for her great service. She gave us the best price and service we could have asked for. She kept contact when needed to get our passports and insurance sorted. We are very happy!! Regards Gert and Carol