Cornel Schalkwyk
My expertise
I'm based in
Crowborough
It's Nice To Meet You
Travel has always been so much more to me than simply getting from A to B. It is the thread that runs through my life: the thing I work for, dream about and always have on the horizon. I am a passionate believer in the power of “the next trip” to bring joy, connection and something truly special to look forward to. For families, I also see travel as one of the most enriching forms of education for children: a way to open their eyes to different cultures, wildlife, history and landscapes in a way no classroom ever could.
As an independent Travel Counsellor, my clients are at the heart of everything I do. I offer a highly personal, concierge-style service: from private transfers and handpicked hotels to immersive experiences and those thoughtful touches that make a holiday feel truly “yours”. Whether you are dreaming of, I take time to understand what matters most to you and design every detail around that.
I know that luxury means something different to every person. For some it is barefoot time together on a white-sand beach, for others a meticulously planned family adventure, a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon, an intimate wine-tasting escape, an exclusive safari or a restorative break after a demanding year. Whatever it means to you, my role is to remove the stress and complexity of planning and to curate journeys that feel effortless, personalised and unforgettable.
My own travels began in South Africa, where countless safaris and wine tours sparked a lifelong love of nature, wildlife and wide-open spaces. Since then I have explored much of the world: from the snowy slopes of Scotland and the timeless pyramids of Egypt, to the landscapes of Italy and Portugal, the forests and temples of Bali, the magic of Walt Disney World, and vibrant cities across Europe, Russia and beyond. I have a particular soft spot for islands and beaches, with favourites including Zanzibar, Mauritius, Hawaii, and the Maldives.
I am also an avid scuba diver and snorkeller, and some of my most cherished memories are in or under the water: coming face to face with a whale shark in the Red Sea, listening to dolphins in the waters around Zanzibar, drifting alongside green turtles off the coast of Maui, and witnessing the magical glow of bioluminescence on a night-time experience in Tobago. These encounters give me a deep appreciation of how powerful travel can be, and I bring that same sense of wonder to the itineraries I create for my clients.
From our first conversation to the moment you return home, I am on hand to guide, support and inspire you, with help just a call or message away while you are away.
I would be delighted to work with you to design your next luxury escape and create travel memories you and your family will treasure for years to come.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Bali: A place to unwind, relax and reconnect
In summer 2025 I took my nine‑year‑old daughter on a holiday that both of us will remember for a lifetime: a twin‑centre escape combining the futuristic sparkle of Singapore with the laid‑back, tropical beauty of Bali. If you are dreaming of an experience that blends city thrills, meaningful family experiences and picture‑perfect beaches, this combination works beautifully.
27 Feb 2026 5 min read
Singapore and Sentosa
If you are thinking about visiting Singapore with children, I can promise you this: it is so much more than just a stopover. In summer 2025, I spent five nights in Singapore with my eight‑year‑old daughter, travelling as a single parent, and it turned out to be one of our favourite family trips so far. We used Singapore as a twin-centre with Bali, and it worked brilliantly: fun and excitement fir
27 Feb 2026 5 min read
Surprising Saudi Arabia
In November 2022, I was honoured to be asked to visit Saudi Arabia along with several others in the travel industry. I won’t deny that I had many preconceptions before visiting and thought I knew exactly what to expect… well, I don’t mind admitting how wrong I was and how completely astonished I was by this beautiful country. We were on an organised tour, designed to take in the main Saudi attrac
07 Nov 2023 5 min read
Rodrigues: Stunning, Sustainable and Serene
I was lucky enough to be treated to a trip to the island of Rodrigues in October 2022, courtesy of the Rodrigues Tourism Office. Pronounced Rod-reeg, it is an island territory of Mauritius, 600km to the East and 1.5 hours away by air. I fell in love with Rodrigues before we even landed. It is an absolutely beautiful, unspoilt island, inhabited by fewer than 45,000 people. The island’s language i
30 May 2023 5 min read
Walt Disney World Park Strategy
There are so many parks in the Disney resort that even if you’re not a planner, it’s definitely worth thinking about which park you want to be in on which day. You can spend a lot of time travelling around and between the parks when you could be enjoying the attractions. I’d advise staying onsite in a resort hotel or affiliated hotel. Not only are you in the heart of the action, but onsite hotel g
16 Dec 2022 5 min read
Walt Disney World Park Strategy: Genie+ and Lightning Lanes
Going to Walt Disney World soon? No doubt you’ll want to maximise your time there, going on as many rides and attractions as you can. But the queuing can be legendary, especially in high season, which might mean spending most of your time in queues. Not so much fun, especially with little ones. My top tip would be to plan your visit in advance. When it comes to planning, you don’t need to go over
16 Dec 2022 5 min read
Where to Eat in Walt Disney World: Themed Dining, Quick Service and Bookings
Less formal dining in Walt Disney World falls under themed dining and quick service. Themed dining in particular can really add to your whole Disney experience. Here I'm going to share my favourites as well as some quick service gems and some booking tips. Let's start with the Sci Fi Dine-In Theater, which is a drive-in movie theatre-style restaurant. This one is mainly about the experience. You
09 Nov 2022 5 min read
Where to Eat in Walt Disney World: Character Dining and Fine Dining
Think you know the kind of food that’s served at Walt Disney World? Think again! Yes, there are burgers, but there is so much more. There are more than 200 places to get food, a mixture of quick service food outlets and full service restaurants and it can be difficult to know where to head for and where to avoid. I must say that the food and dining experiences were the highlight of my most recen
28 Oct 2022 5 min read
Winter sun in Tenerife
In October 2019, I travelled with my husband and three-year-old daughter to Tenerife for a much-needed pre-winter break. I could have picked almost anywhere in the world to travel to, so why Tenerife? Well, it’s easily accessible from the UK with plenty of direct flights every day and flight time from London is only 4.5 hours. It’s warm all year round with average October temperatures in the mid-2
18 Dec 2019 5 min read
Walt Disney World - Part 2
Following on from our first two days in Disney, read on for my next diary instalment DAY 3 In my free time in the morning, I went back to Hollywood Studios to meet all the characters and get my autograph book signed. Anyone staying in a Disney resort hotel gets Extra Magic Hours which allow guests access to the parks earlier and later than the general public on certain days of the week. I highly
22 Nov 2019 5 min read
Walt Disney World - Part 1
In July 2019, Travel Weekly, the UK travel industry’s market-leading publication, launched a competition that got the industry buzzing – the 10th and final edition of their famous Cover Stars competition. It was open to all travel agents in the UK and Ireland, including previous winners, and there were 12 prizes up for grabs. 12 of the most coveted prizes going – each winner would feature on one m
22 Nov 2019 5 min read
JetKids™ by Stokke® BedBox®: user review
Any parent flying long haul with a young child in tow can get obsessive about how they’re going to get their child to sleep for at least some of the flight. Stokke® brand, JetKids™, have a well-designed and clever piece of kit to give your child room to lie down and properly rest, the BedBox®. Hand-luggage sized, there’s room inside for your child’s snacks and in-flight activities, alongside a
26 Dec 2018 5 min read
Elephant Hills
Travel Counsellors are currently the fifth biggest seller in the world and as such a preferred supplier of Elephant Hills in southern Thailand. It made perfect sense for me to visit while I was staying in nearby Phuket, to give me first-hand experience of this renowned destination. I was picked up early one morning and driven to Khao Sok National Park, the second largest rainforest in southern
26 Dec 2018 5 min read
Travels in Thailand, Part II: Come to Koh Samui!
Following a fabulous week in Phuket with my husband and daughter, we flew north east to Koh Samui, less than an hour’s flying time. It is Thailand’s second biggest island, after Phuket, and similarly is a very popular destination as it is well-serviced with its own airport making it very accessible, a massively important consideration when travelling with a child. We stayed in Mae Nam on the n
18 Dec 2018 5 min read
Travels in Thailand, Part I: Getting a Feel for Phuket
November saw me take my first trip to Thailand. This beautiful southeast Asian destination is around 13 hours flying time from the UK and, with direct flights to Phuket available, wholly manageable with children. There is a multitude of places to visit in Thailand on both the mainland and the myriad islands, making it a perfect island hop destination. As I was travelling with my husband and two-ye
15 Dec 2018 5 min read
Flying with your baby
Having arranged countless family holidays before, it was still an eye-opener to travel with my own baby for the first time. The amount of luggage you need is staggering, and you quickly adjust to holidaying in the shade, on your sunny beach holiday! During my baby’s first year, we’ve done four countries and time zones, eleven flights, four rental cars, and a number of hotels and self-catering
25 Jun 2018 5 min read
A place of wind, fire and earth
I set foot on Vulcano, quite green in the face after a 40 minute hydrofoil journey from Milazzo. After a week on mainland Sicily, we were heading over to the Aeolian Islands for another week of relaxing. Named after the god of winds, Aeolus, the Aeolian Islands are a volcanic archipelago off the North-East coast of Sicily and comprise of 7 islands: Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Filicudi, Alicudi, Pan
01 Jun 2016 5 min read
Sicily
I stare dreamily at Isola Bella (which means “beautiful island”) across the rim of my Strawberry Colada, soaking up the sun and relaxing with the sound of gentle waves rocking pebbles back and forth across the beach…and I ponder the location of my next exotic seafood meal! I find myself literally just off the toe of Italy’s boot in the beautiful town of Taormina, enjoying Sicilian hospitality and
26 May 2016 5 min read
Danube Delights
I am a converted river cruise fan! Why I haven’t done this before is beyond me; river cruising is without a doubt the best way to see multiple destinations in one trip. You unpack once, you get fantastic views right from your cabin, excellent service, good food, exclusive excursions, on-board entertainment and an all-round unforgettable experience. The trip that got me raving like this, was an
13 Dec 2015 5 min read
Unlimited Luxury in Mexico
Lively, modern and chic – the perfect description for the adult-only haven of Secrets Silversands. Situated in the Riviera Maya on the Eastern Coast of Mexico, this 5 star resort is conveniently located to experience the best that the Cancun area has to offer. Just 15 miles South of Cancun City, the resort is close enough to the city to enjoy the shopping and nightlife, but far enough to esc
22 Jul 2015 5 min read
Celebrity Eclipse cruise to Paris
I feel like a little child on Christmas morning, waiting to tear open all the presents. My camera is already working overtime, clicking away, as I walk from the car park staring at the majestic beauty in front of me. As I get closer I walk into the shadow of the newly refurbished….Celebrity Eclipse. I am met with a glass of champagne as I set foot on board, and the journey of modern luxury begi
11 May 2015 5 min read
Indian Ocean Paradise - Maldives
Hidden in the middle of nowhere, South West of Sri Lanka, the Maldives is an exotic holiday destination. British Airways operates direct flights from Gatwick so it is easier than ever to add this popular destination to your travelling bucket list. However, with nearly 1,200 islands of which almost 120 are resort islands, it can be overwhelming to choose where to go. From a recent visit in October
20 Nov 2014 5 min read
Eating our way through Cape Town
It’s called the Cape of Good Hope, but in my books it’s more like the Cape of Good Food & Wine! Whilst Cape Town and the surrounding areas are widely known as the wine region of South Africa, I will leave that for another blog...let’s talk food first! From our recent trip to Cape Town in April 2014, I would like to share some of my favourite food spots you should be sure to visit when you get t
19 Nov 2014 5 min read
Exploring the Big Apple
It is one of those places that is on many a bucket list. The city that never sleeps definitely lives up to its name, a pulsing hub of 24/7 activity for young and old. The best way to see Manhattan with its famous sky scrapers is probably by hop-on hop-off bus. Different lines cater for Downtown v Uptown, and often includes a boat trip to the Liberty island. Downtown is an amazing experience!
19 Nov 2014 5 min read
“Spa-licious” gems
I’ll admit it; I have a huge soft spot for spas. Getting that stress rubbed out of your shoulders, marinating in thermal water, getting an overload of pampering and a general detox! So here are some of the hidden gems I have discovered whilst exploring these thermal havens... HOTEL VILLA HONEGG, SWITZERLAND Winning the top spot on my list, is Hotel Villa Honegg. What a gem! Against the slo
19 Nov 2014 5 min read
Wine farm hopping in the Western Cape, South Africa
South Africa hosts one of the world’s most famous wine regions in the Western Cape. Without being biased (since this is my home country), it is really a spectacular place to see, with natural beauty, sun, sea and of course...amazing wine! We had the pleasure of spending a whole week in this area in April 2014 and managed to visit seven wine estates in five days, so here is my ranking and recomm
19 Nov 2014 5 min read
Wandering the streets of Venice
Italy has been a favourite of mine for a long time. I have a rule never to go back to the same location twice because there is just so much to see in this world. But with Rome, I have broken my rule twice already. When I finally visited the romantic city of Venice I realised that I have to make Italy an exception to my rule. Venice is an amazing place and hopelessly romantic. If it is not a
18 Nov 2014 5 min read
Diving for the jewels of the Red Sea
If you are looking for guaranteed sunshine, crystal clear waters and world famous diving sites, Egypt is an obvious choice! Sharm El Sheikh is a popular holiday destination to enjoy luxury resorts and sunshine all year round at affordable prices and we had the pleasure of enjoying this Egyptian hotspot in July 2012. We were sadly reluctant to come back! Now, the first thing to say is that July
13 Nov 2014 5 min read
Aloha Hawaii!
Hawaii...a childhood dream, an idyllic destination, dreamy white sands and palm trees, picture-perfect sunsets and colourful cocktails next to bright blue water. It’s been on my bucket list like forever! And I finally got the chance to travel there in November 2013. First question you will probably ask is: “Which island to go to?” Good question! Hawaii is made up of 8 islands, three of which
10 Nov 2014 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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