Premier Aussie Specialist
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Shel Hansen
La Crosse, WI Travel Agent· 25+ Years of Experience
A full-service Travel Leaders Associate Agency
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26 reviews
100% Recommended
25+ Years of Experience
5.0
(26)
100% Recommended
Shel is the best at answering all of our questions, addressing any concerns, and paying attention to the tiniest details to make sure our traveling experience... Read More >
Areas of expertise
Destinations:
Australia, Sydney, Great Barrier Reef, Kings Canyon, Uluru National ParkInterests:
Adventure, Animals & Wildlife, Escorted Tours, Wine Country Vacations, Outdoor Activities & SportsSuppliers:
Travel Answers, Globus, Delta VacationsAbout Me
During my 34 years in the travel industry, I have been an Aussie Specialist for over 25 years of them. With my sales experience, extra-curricular (Aussie-related) activities, including hosting and conducting an annual Aussie Night and other Australia events, I have earned my way to the top and have been a Premier Aussie Specialist as well.
Having visited Australia on a regular basis (9 times) and experiencing different areas each time, makes me a great resource for you.
Whether your travel plans include:
- “liveaboard” diving experience
- Visiting some of the world’s oldest trees in the rainforest
- A hot air balloon ride
- Aboriginal experience in the Outback
- Holding a 20- foot python
- A private surfing lesson
- Private yachting experience,
- Overnight at your favorite winery, blending wine at Penfolds Winery,
- Swimming with sharks
- Holding a Koala
I have firsthand experience in all of the above and I can help turn these dreams into reality.
I would love to help you plan your trip of a lifetime down under!! I have also traveled to New Zealand multiple times, along with Fiji and Tahiti. I know that I have the qualifications to help you plan your dream trip!
Areas of expertise
Destinations:
Australia, Sydney, Great Barrier Reef, Kings Canyon, Uluru National ParkInterests:
Adventure, Animals & Wildlife, Escorted Tours, Wine Country Vacations, Outdoor Activities & SportsSuppliers:
Travel Answers, Globus, Delta VacationsREVIEWS
Rating: 5.0
26 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 26 reviews
Amazing destination wedding!
Reviewed By Dena - Holmen, WI | Traveled to Negril ~ Jamaica ~ Caribbean
Shel is the best at answering all of our questions, addressing any concerns, and paying attention to the tiniest details to make sure our traveling experience is the absolute best it can be! She is also great at finding the best deals and piecing the whole itinerary together so it is fun, safe, and efficient in every aspect. She responds quickly to emails which is awesome when you're so excited to plan your vacation! If you're looking for an experienced travel agent - look no further than Shel Hansen!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
60 of 92 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Best travel agent in the business
Reviewed By Happy traveler because of Shel - lacrosse wi | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
We have been working with Shel for around 20 years. She has suggested and sent us on some wonderful trips. Shel has always given us 120% when working on adventures for us.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
40 of 59 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
A Great Travel Agent
Reviewed By Tracy - Onalaska, WI | Traveled to Jamaica ~ Caribbean
Shel is great at what she does and goes above and beyond to ensure everything is in order when she books your trip and she will work with you if you have any special accommodations you may need while traveling or on your trip/destination.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
51 of 82 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Fantastic trip down under!
Reviewed By Patty - La Crescent, MN | Traveled to Australia & New Zealand
Shel was great to work with . She planned all the details with us and gave great tips on our destinations. I am planning another trip with Shel because of the great experience I had. With her.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
42 of 70 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
The best trip of our lives so far!
Reviewed By Dick and Pat - Onalaska, WI | Traveled to Australia & New Zealand
All good. When we had a slight problem in Morea she dealt with it over night. Also she answered questions from Sydney
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
42 of 72 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Certifications & Awards
Aussie Specialist
Travel Leaders Certified Travel Specialist
Master Cruise Counsellor
My Places
When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.
Client Testimonials
A Wonderful Trip of a Lifetime
Thanks to Shel Hansen, Travel Leaders Australian Specialist, we had a fabulous trip to Australia and New Zealand. We shared with her what we wanted to do and see; she set up an incredible agenda. Highlights included: a few days stay at our favorite winery resort, fishing off of a yacht in Sydney harbor and a safari to a wild life preserve, Kangaroo Island, with our own private guide.
We saw cultural museums, landmarks such as Uluru, National Parks, the Outback and the beautiful Blue Mountains. We were transported by planes, trains, cable cars, boats, submarines and for a few days our own rented auto. Everything was well-coordinated with drivers and guides waiting to help us with the next connection. It was a wonderful trip of a lifetime.
Tom and Doris D., Onalaska, WI
So Glad I Connected With Shel at Travel Leaders
My daughter and I had dreamed of taking a trip to Australia and New Zealand since she was a child. Our dream nearly slipped away from us until I connected with Shel at Travel Leaders. This was our dream trip and I wanted it to be perfect; Shel was very patient with me and my endless e-mails. I entrusted her to come up with an itinerary that would include the list of things we hoped to do within a budget we could afford. Complications arose along the way but Shel went out of her way to help smooth out the wrinkles.
Our long-dreamed-of trip finally came true in January! From holding a live koala bear in our arms, to SCUBA diving on the Great Barrier reef, to touring the Sydney opera house, to seeing the beautiful landscapes where scenes from the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed, to zip-lining down a mountainside--we did it all and much, much more. Thanks to Shel’s hard work, our dream trip became a reality, and now our memories will last this mother and daughter a lifetime!
Ruth W., Onalaska, WI
I Found the Perfect Person With Which to Work!
My husband and I began planning a trip to Australia to visit our son who had moved there. We didn’t know where to start, and trying to book a trip of a lifetime by ourselves via the Internet seemed daunting.
When I called Travel Leaders, they directed me to their Australia expert, Shel Hansen. I couldn’t have found a more perfect person to work with on a trip like this. I found out Shel had been to Australia six times and knew all the ins and outs of traveling there.
She was amazing! Her knowledge and first-hand experience of traveling to Australia made it so enjoyable and fun to plan the trip. Now I always tell people to contact Travel Leaders rather than doing it on their own.
Teresa N., Hokah, MN