Travel Guru | Eleanor van Zyl
A travel inspiration is what Eleanor van Zyl from Hermanus Travel is! With a open approach to travelling to all parts of the word you are bound to be encouraged to venture to places that weren’t originally on your bucket list. Eleanor can guide you through a myriad of options and provide you with possibly the best adventure that you will ever have!
See what this local lady had to say to us…
When did you come to Hermanus?
My family and I relocated to Hermanus in 1995.
Why did you decide on coming to Hermanus?
My husband, Richard, and I had spent the better part of our working lives in Johannesburg. Richard was the GM of Air France and I was the in-house travel manager for Nestle. That said, we both grew up in the Western Cape. Richard was schooled in Stellenbosch and his family always kept a holiday home in Onrus. When we decided to quit the corporate rat race we both agreed that Hermanus would be the ideal place to raise a family and found our own travel orientated businesses.
What made you decide to become a travel consultant? After matric I took a gap year and visited my family in Holland. Using Holland as a base I travelled Europe and the UK extensively. Upon my return to South Africa I was smitten by the travel bug. When I was offered a position at Indo Jet Sport Travel I didn’t hesitate for a moment.
The best part of my job is…
Sharing my travel expertise with my clients to compile an enriching and unforgettable holiday experience according to their particular desires and requirements. Every person is unique and personalizing their holiday adds hugely to my overall knowledge and experience. I like to believe that I add not only real value for money, but also life experiences and memories that no money can buy or replicate.
Hermanus is…
Arguably the most beautiful coastal holiday and retirement town in the world, given its unrivalled sea and landscapes. The people too are charming, interesting and hospitable.
I love Hermanus in the…
All year-round as each season offers its own distinctive environmental attractions and social activities.
My favourite thing about Hermanus is?
Its natural scenic splendour, idyllic climate and wonderful people.
My best memories …
Do not comprise of singular happenings but rather the recollections, mystery, marvels and magic of my collective experiences. More like a giant puzzle, where every piece of the puzzle comprises myriad fragments of information, images of places, memories of people, smells of cuisine, strange languages, exotic cultures and places of grandeur and poverty.
I wish I knew then what I do know about…
Places and people. “Ongoing learning in today’s world is no longer a lifestyle option but a lifelong necessity”. The travel industry is indeed one of constant change and the true test of any travel consultant’s worth is his or hers ability to adapt to change.
Every part of the planet has merit and is worthy of visiting!
What are your top 3 musts when it comes to travelling?
Research the “overall” history and dynamics of the country you will be visiting, learn some phrases and words of the lingua Franca, and do remember to travel light.
What is the most important advice that you could give to a person travelling abroad?
Be of open mind and responsive to all that is new, don’t be presumptuous or judgemental and treat everyone with the due respect and courtesy. After all, being a tourist means being a guest in a foreign land.
I have been to some amazing places in the world, the most memorable was…
New York. I was on an educational trip and my companion had already prepped herself and adjourned to the pub to meet up with our fellow colleagues. Neither of us had a curling iron, but I knew that another friend – in a room directly opposite the corridor from ours – had one. I wrapped myself in a big fluffy towel and stuck my head into the corridor which was still and empty. I scampered across and knocked loudly on her door. No answer. Then I heard the sound of my own bedroom door shutting after me. Locked out I needed to contact concierge. Then the lift pinged and a rowdy bunch of male delegates from “whatever” conference emerged. Although my predicament was quickly sorted out in a most decorous manner, I felt that a thousand eyes were glued upon me when I went for breakfast the next morning.
Is there any part of the world you would not visit and why?
No way! The world is your oyster and I truly believe that every part of our planet has merit and is worthy of visiting. That said, one does have to be circumspect when travelling during times of conflict, natural disaster or disease.
What are currently the top 3 international destinations that you would recommend South Africans take and why?
People travel according to their own budget, whim or will, however, with the Rand’s current weakness I would suggest visiting any of the Eastern Europe or Far East countries. There are still fantastic bargains to be got due to supply exceeding demand. Ski (or winter) holidays to Eastern European countries are selling well right now: visit http://www.piste-cats.com for some ideas.
What are the top 3 local destinations that you would recommend to anybody visiting S.A. and why?
Foreign visitors primarily visit: game lodges & national parks, the Garden Route and the Western Cape (i.e. Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Point and myriad wine routes). My advice for locals is to get off the beaten track: contrary to the many 4 X 4 vehicles so prevalent in Gauteng 95% of what South Africa has to offer can be visited and viewed using any standard vehicle. Mozambique remains a hot destination, whilst Botswana, Zimbabwe (Vic Falls) and Namibia attract their fair custom.