Based in Brooklyn

Petroné Schoeman

Looking for help with your business travel? Find out how I can help here

It's Nice To Meet You

Welcome to my personal leisure website. I'm an independent Travel Counsellor in Pretoria. I studied BCom Hotel and Tourism Management and subsequently entered the exciting world of travel in 1997.

During my initial years in travel I serviced mainly corporate travellers, this entailed always being under pressure to offer top service with a smile and to find the most competitive prices and to provide fast and accurate information. I left the travel industry after seven years to pursue another passion of mine, gastronomy. I soon realised that travel is in my blood and returned to the industry two years later.

I then worked for the next three years in a busy retail travel agency with my focus in the leisure travel market and gained valuable first-hand knowledge on a vast spectrum of holiday destinations. During my twenty year travel career I experienced many travel opportunities to the UK, Europe, the Mediterranean as well as many fascinating countries like Morocco, Egypt, Thailand, Bali, Singapore and island destinations such as Mauritius and Seychelles, to name just a few. I have also travelled extensively through our beautiful country South Africa.

Travel is about making dreams come true. This can only be achieved by offering exceptional service and exceeding expectations. I am now part of the Best Travel Company in the World, Travel Counsellors. They offer complete back-up support from their head offices in Cape Town, combined with support from their UK Head Office, as well the advice & assistance from over 1700 Travel Counsellors represented in South Africa, Australia, Belgium, Netherlands, the UK, Ireland and Dubai. I have access to the most competitive airfares, hotel rates and technology. From my home environment I am available to offer you a professional travel service 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, or alternatively at a location that suits you best, be it in the comfort of your home, at the office, etc. I offer a comprehensive professional one-stop service, which entails offering the best airfares, deals and advice in arranging transfers, hotel accommodation, car rental, visas, foreign exchange, etc.

If you do not have any immediate travel requirements, feel free to send me an e-mail, to receive interesting travel information and specials. Remember travel is always the pursuing of a personal dream based on reliable information and good advance planning!

I look forward to hearing from you!

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Contact 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:

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My Blog

I absolutely live and breathe travel and I love to write about my experiences! Please take a look through my posts - you might find your own holiday inspiration.

Dazzling Dubai

08 October 2013

Dazzling Dubai I got to experience 5 days in Dubai, compliments of Emirates Airlines, JW Marriott Hotels and Travel Counsellors in-house tour operator, Phenix. Emirates Airlines got us there in time and in style. They offer 5 flights daily to and from Dubai, including direct flights from Cape Town and Dubai. Their in-flight entertainment system has been voted best in the world, for 9 years running. Needless to say, the flight was too short to experience ICE, as it is called, in all its brilliance. The Dubai Airport is an experience by itself, being the 4th busiest airport in the world, in terms of international passengers and offer amongst others, duty-free shopping that is beyond comparison. Be sure to allow for enough time before your flight departs back to South Africa, to experience this amazing airport. Whether you are a shopaholic, a sun-sand-water-sports adrenaline junkie, a culture vulture, an ecological or architectural tourist, a connoisseur of fine foods, or perhaps a combination of all of these – dazzling Dubai is the place for you. Must do’s - Shop till you drop at high end malls (e.g. Dubai Mall / Mall of the Emirates / Ibn Battuta Mall), soaks, Dragon Mart (Dubai’s China Town) and bargaining for genuine fakes at Karama. - Take a piece of Dubai home with you : Carpets / Dates and camel milk chocolates / Fabrics and Pashmina Shawls / Gold and pearls / Scents and other souvenirs e.g. Bedouin jewellery, miniature dhows and the “Seven Sands of the UAE” a glass frame or bottle containing the seven sands of the different Emirates. - Munch your way around world, from refined cuisine to lip-smacking snacks from street vendors. On Fridays, the famous Dubai Brunch is on offer at most hotels, eat and drink as much as you can. - Water fun: With soaring temperatures, the myriad of waterparks are very popular and offer some of the best rides in the world. Don’t miss out on Aquaventure, the biggest waterpark in the Middle East or Wild Wadi. - Fun in the dunes: Enjoy a roller coaster ride over the dunes, followed by a camel ride and dine under the stars, seated in a Bedouin style camp, entertained by belly dancers - Ski Dubai: Indoor skiing at Dubai Mall, on 5 runs of varying difficulty levels and Snow Park presents fun-filled moments for the whole family. - Enter the Guinness Book of Records: Undertake the ‘At the Top” journey that takes you to level 124 of Burj Khalifa, towering above the city at 828m, the tallest building in the world. - Stay at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai Hotel, the world's tallest hotel, a 72-storey, 355 m twin-tower skyscraper complex, budget allowing. - Try out the Dubai Metro: Launched in 2009, it is the world’s longest driverless automated system and covers the length and breadth of the city. Otherwise the easiest way to travel from Old to New Dubai is in one of the 7000 government regulated taxis, which is cheap and convenient. Look out for the ladies only versions: with a pink roof and interior. - Ladies nights: Most bars and pubs have ladies nights on Tuesdays / Wednesdays, offering discounted prices on drinks. Don’t you think your purse deserve a break? - Be sure to visit Barasti, one of Dubai’s most iconic bars, located at Jumeirah Beach. - Spend a relaxed evening on-board a traditionally decorated wooden dhow as it sails along the Dubai Creek under the moonlight. The Tour includes dinner and soft drinks. - Take a stroll through one of the many beautiful parks in Dubai, e.g. Al Safa Park. You will forget that you are in the middle of the desert. - For a bit of culture, visit the Dubai Museum, it is located inside the majestic Al Fahidi Fort which was built in 1787. It exhibits spectacular life size dioramas that depict life in the emirate before the discovery of oil. When you book a hop on hop off Dubai tour, it has inclusions like entrance to Dubai Museum and a Dhow River Cruise – recommended. How does the saying go: so much to do, so little time! Go and experience Dazzling Dubai for yourself, either as a stopover en-route to your final destination or make Dubai your final stop and be dazzled!

SHANDRANI – PLAYGROUND OF THE KINGS

31 May 2012

I was privileged to exchange the cold South African winter for a few days in Mauritius with its all-year-round mild climate, to attend the annual Travel Counsellors Conference, from 17 – 20 May 2012. We stayed at the Shandrani Resort and Spa, a 5 Star Beachcomber property. The Hotel, only 10 minute’s drive from the airport, has a prime location on the east coast and is ideal for conferences and incentive groups. Internet connection is free of charge in the bedrooms and there are also Wifi-hotspots around the main restaurant. The standard of dining is superb and guests have the choice of dining in five different restaurants offering a wide variety of menu’s. The all-inclusive Serenity package includes all meals, drinks, most sport activities, recreation and entertainment. It was my first exposure to the all-inclusive concept and I am undoubtedly fully converted. Mauritius imports most of its food and beverages, resulting in high consumer prices. It is therefore a sensible choice, which is definitely to be recommended to clients, to take an all-inclusive package which will ensure total peace of mind about additional costs for drinks and meals excluded from the normal halfboard package price. To be able to order French champagne by the glass, or a pina colada or pizza for lunch, without any concerns about the cost, is an absolute bonus. The Shandrani is set in lush tropical grounds, bordered by three separate beaches, each with its own ambience and character, creating an atmosphere of peaceful seclusion. The accommodation is superb and offers a range of suites, family apartments and standard rooms. The deluxe rooms will be undergoing a “soft refurbishment” during the course of the year, to maintain the high standard of luxury and comfort for which the hotel is renowned. A wide range of activities is available for guests of all ages, including sports and nature programmes, sailing lessons, La Source spa by Clarins, a childrens’ mini-club and a 9-hole golf course. During our leisure time we were taken on a detailed site inspection of a second property. I was fortunate to be part of the group that visited the World Leisure property, Long Beach, which is celebrating its first birthday this year. Between the 80+ Travel Counsellors we really gained expert knowledge about various properties in Mauritius, which we are able to share amongst one another, including actual photo’s of the properties and detailed information. The advantage of firsthand product knowledge is that it enables me to sell a destination with confidence and I really look forward to receiving your holiday requests for Mauritius. You can also read more about Long Beach on a different journal which I am busy posting on my website. I was once again totally infatuated by the charm of Mauritius and the value for money which it offers to visitors. You can also experience this magical paradise, within easy reach, a mere four hours flight from South Africa. Will it be the Shandrani, the” Playground of the Kings”, or one of the many other irrestible resorts, just waiting for you?

My customer stories

Sent by Neels Campher

We are seasoned world travellers and have been fortunate to visit 63 countries of the world, of which the USA is one, but toured 30 of its states. There are also countries that we have been to several times. Our latest tour was to Vietnam and Cambodia during February 2020. We recommend Petroné without hesitation to all our family and friends as you can be assured that all your arrangements will be problem and hassle free. Petroné always has your best interest at heart. I can be demanding yet Petroné always remains calm, friendly and professional. Petroné also adds the “personal touch” e.g. when we boarded our flight to Singapore, the cabin crew handed to us (in economy class) a bag full of goodies to enjoy during the flight and on tour. The cherry on top was a personal card from Petroné in her own handwriting wishing us a safe journey and an enjoyable tour. This has never happened to us before on all our many trips and her kind gesture left us both in tears. We can wholeheartedly recommend Petroné as your Travel Counsellor! You won’t regret it.

Sent by Ananda Steinmann

Petrone Schoeman has been our travel expert since 2016 and it is always a pleasure to work with. She is friendly, professional and well informed. She responds very promptly to requests. She gives amazing customer service. Thanks for making our journeys effortless without any worries. It is greatly appreciated.

Sent by Kitty Du Preez

Goeie more. Hiermee wil ek graag onder u aandag bring dat ek besonder goeie diens van Petroné Schoeman ontvang het tydens my soektog na kwotasies vir 'n vakansiepakket. Ek het nooit lank gewag vir terugvoering van haar kant nie en sy het pertinent op my vrae geantwoord. Ek gaan haar aanbeveel by vriende, kennisse en familie wat 'n reisadviseur se dienste benodig. Vriendelike groete Kitty du Preez

Sent by Riaz Adam

A short “hartelike baie dankie “ we all have our passports and visas and tickets. You are an amazing travel agent and the best one I have come across in my life and your work is absolutely brilliant. Thanks for playing a valuable part of making my dream come through of visiting these countries with my wife God \-willing. I look forward to chatting with you again in a few months time.

Sent by Wilma Pretorius

Hallo Petroné Ja, terug by die huis na ‘n wonderlike sorgvrye vakansie. Net weer ‘n woord van groot dankie aan jou vir al jou reëlings wat jy so professioneel korrek en tydig tref om dit vir ons gewone mense ‘n onvergeetlike vakansie te maak! Nogmaals dankie en as ons ooit weer so iets sou wou aanvang sal ons beslis weer aan jou deur kom klop. Intussen bly ons julle aanbeveel by almal wat hoegenaamd net lyk of hulle lus het vir vakansie! Groete en mooi wense Wilma Pretorius

Sent by Jacques The Auditor General, Canada

I want to thank Petrone for all the fine work you did in arranging mine and Kathleen's travel in South Africa. You have been enormously helpful and have given us fine advice and great service; and in fact the lodges you set up for us in Kruger promise to be a truly memorable holiday, and the highlight of our trip. It has been a pleasure dealing with you. You are an exceptional travel agent! Best regards Jacques Lapointe

Sent by Wilma Pretorius

Baie dankie vir jou uitstekende diens en jou bereidwilligheid om te help. Dit was die tweede keer dat ek van jou dienste gebruik gemaak het en as ek in die toekoms weer wil reis, sal jy die een wees om my reelings te tref.