THE ELYSIAN ‘DREAM WEAVERS’
Every year since 2006 Maxine Harrison has been recognised by
Condé Nast Traveler as one of the world’s Top Villa Specialists.
http://www.elysianholidays.co.uk/?Module=Links
It seems a long time since the solitary days of my kitchen
table business and there have been many changes over the last 20+ years.
My passion for travel and personal vision of providing a
wonderful personal service for all my clients, whatever their requirements,
remains unchanged.
The basic philosophy at the core of the business also still
remains - quality, sustainable, low-impact tourism coupled with the expertise
and knowledge to help all my clients choose exactly the holiday they desire.
Destinations and properties are carefully chosen, researched
and visited personally. I only take on properties that I have actually visited
or which come highly recommended by owners and clients. This reputation for
quality and exceptional service has been noted by most of the major magazines
and national newspapers and numerous properties have frequently been featured
in the highly regarded travel magazine,
Conde Nast Traveller, and many other
publications.
As the years have passed and the business has grown I have
proved that it is possible to maintain this high standard and have never lost
the personal touch. Once a ‘Dream Weaver’ always a ‘Dream Weaver’!
Personal service and a great deal of care are put into each and
every booking – these are my trademarks and I am very proud of the excellent
reputation and the high regard in which Elysian is held. Having worked long and
hard to achieve this reputation, I know that every client can book their
property in the confidence that they will receive the very best care and
attention.
Recently, I started to help people find their dream home abroad. After years of
my advice being sought by clients wishing to purchase abroad, I decided to make
it part of the business and formed Elysian Property Sales. I can now put
potential purchasers and agents or vendors together with the added bonus of
being able to offer a holiday rental service to the purchaser should the
introduction be successful.
Ultimately though, for all of us, a holiday is one of the major
highlights of our lives and it is becoming increasingly difficult in this
highly stressful, hurly-burly world of ours to even find the time to take a
holiday. Understandably most of us have huge expectations for our cherished
holiday and this is where I come in. I am passionate about getting it right for
my clients and I do my very best to ensure that the property and location are
at the very least, exactly what they need and desire.
ABOUT THE TEAM
Maxine
Founder/Owner/Travel Consultant
Born and brought up abroad and having lived in a number of
different countries I have never lost the 'wander-lust'. It was a lucky
coincidence that led me to the business of travel, a business that has enabled
me to keep travelling and visiting new and wonderful places and all in the name
of work!
I started Elysian Holidays over 20 years ago when neighbours on
a Greek island asked me to market their beautifully renovated village houses.
From the experience of letting my own house, I knew what was possible and
didn’t hesitate to say ‘yes’. For me they represented all that I think is
important in a holiday property – character, comfort and quality. They have to
be in a special part of the world, somewhere that really lifts the spirits and
washes away the stresses of modern life.
From the beginning I wanted to provide my clients with quality
accommodation, at all levels, whether a simple beach house or luxury villa. I
have dedicated the last 20 years to carefully selecting properties and
destinations that match my strict standards and the demands of seasoned
independent travellers. I am constantly on the lookout for properties that will
help me fulfil my passion for finding the ideal dream villa for each client's
quite unique wishes. To my great delight and satisfaction, customer feedback
(see below) confirms that this is what Elysian consistently manages to achieve.
Barbara J. Dalpra
Operations/Finance/IT
Barbara started her career in the more traditional role of
accounting (auditing, accounting, financial analysis), from which she moved
into the IT industry (business process engineering, IT consulting, IT
project/programme management, and business project/programme management),
before qualifying as a coach and moving her focus into the world of coaching.
Barbara has spent her life living and working in various parts
of the world – Africa, Europe, USA, and Canada, and is currently emigrating
from the UK to Madeira, Portugal. Her experience has been gained (accountant,
IT professional, qualified and accredited coach), through working in a wide
range of industries – a small selection of these include Agriculture, Airports,
Auditing, Banking, Distribution, Engineering, Manufacturing, Oil,
Pharmaceuticals, Property, Retail, Telecommunications, Television, Travel, and
Warehousing. As such, she has a strong knowledge of international business
practices, incorporating the excitement of travel with international cultures
and emigration.
Barbara combines her extensive background and experience with a
keen insight into the demands of balancing the personal and the professional.
She is an advocate of achieving in every arena of life.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US:
"To me, you and your Elysian team are Dream
Weavers; your efforts result in magic and memories that last a lifetime."
"An exceptionally beautiful house in a breathtaking location which is going to
be a very difficult act to follow. Claudia, the house manager was extremely
friendly and helpful. You have surpassed your excellent standards which we
didn't think was possible. What can you find for us for 2009 which will match
or surpass this property and location in Tuscany!? This really is a very, very
special place to spend a holiday. In addition, people need to be informed about
the excellent attention that you give to your clients. Thank you again for the
wonderful personal service that you provide."
"We had a great time and just loved it. The villa was perfect and choosing your
company in the first place was maybe our best choice! Your website is what
caught our attention and your speedy response to our endless inquiries was
impressive and most appreciated."
"I can't thank you enough for finding such a brilliant place. I had a wonderful
week, far better than I had hoped, and I feel as though I have been away for
weeks. Soul soothed and sense of humour restored !"
"Thank you to Elysian – your personal touch leading up to our holiday was
really appreciated. What a refreshing change from the ‘BIG’ holiday companies!
Thank you Elysian."
"We had a great holiday - thanks for all your help along the way. Your
responses were always super helpful. Everyone connected with Elysian was
excellent and the local contacts were great."
"From the moment we discovered your website, the help and advice we received
from Elysian Holidays and the local agents was faultless."
"This was our first time using your service, which I found on the internet. It
was a very pleasurable experience, as everything was taken care of and went off
without a hitch. The Villa was lovely, and was represented on the internet page
just as we found it. There were no tricks or hidden surprises awaiting us. The
villa was immaculate, the service was top notch, the pool was beautiful and the
owner, Kostas, was such a delight to meet. He came and offered helpful
suggestions and was welcoming and friendly. I would rent this property again
from you and have already passed on your name to several people who are
thinking of holidaying in Greece. We are already talking about going back to
the same place in the near future, as this was such a positive experience. We
have travelled a great deal over our lifetimes, and this was one of the best
experiences we have had in a long long while. Thank you. Special thanks to
Maxine, and of course to Kostas in Greece. Thank you."
"I would like to thank Elysian Holidays for the way you handled our booking.
Your service has been second to none!"
"Thank you for your excellent service. I will definitely be recommending you to
friends and look forward to using your services again in the future."
"In short the holiday was great, villa great and beyond expectations and
service from elysian hols fantastic. We will be looking at your site again in
the future."
"We’ll absolutely be recommending your company to anyone we know who’ll
appreciate a delightful holiday."
"I would like to thank you for your fantastic service. It is so nice to come
across a company who can carry out the business they need to do in such a
helpful and charming manner."
"Just wanted to say thank you for your recommendations – we had a holiday that
we will never forget."
"Thank you so very much for all your help arranging our holiday to Skopelos. It
is a magical place, the villa was all we could have wished for, and our
memories of forests, glorious scents, biblical olive groves, wild cyclamen, off
road driving, brilliant sunsets and the clear warm sea may well take us back
there again. We loved it. Thank you."
"Thanks for your prompt reply - it is great to be dealing with you again as I
know you represents value and fantastic personal service. We have been
delighted every time we have booked with you and are always recommending you to
friends."
"The whole week was great. We all had a superb time. The villa is perfect. We
did not want to move from it. The only downside was the fact that we only
booked 1 week. Should have been 2!!"
"The villa was beautiful, the scenery was out of this world and again your
fantastic service and idyllic locations ensure that we will return again and
again. Thank you."
"We stayed at Casa Vieja in Gaucin as a family of 5 and found the accommodation
excellent. The views were outstanding and the decoration was high quality
bohemian chic; it was more like going to stay in someone's home rather than a
commercial let. This makes for a deeper experience, which we thoroughly
enjoyed. We will definitely use you again in the future."
"We had a great time and the Villa was everything we had hoped for. The owner
who lives on site was wonderful, very relaxed and helpful. We all had a great
time and many thanks to you for all your help. It really was a fantastic week
in a fabulous location - definitely to be recommended."
"Probably our best holiday in 20 years ! Thanks so much for all your help –we
will be back for more !"
"The whole holiday exceeded our expectations. The villa was top quality and the
location perfect. It is one of the very few places we would visit again. In
all, for us, you have got it very right!"
"I would have no hesitation in using Elysian Holidays again. I found your
Website and booking procedures totally painless and totally hassle free due to
your excellent and well organised staff. I will be recommending your company to
friends, and I have already started saving my pennies for the next one!"
"As far as the vacation was concerned…FANTASTIC! Tobago itself is a perfect
place to get away. Montgomery House was everything that I hoped it would be.
The pool is great, the bedrooms are large and all have a sea view, the staff
are wonderful and the birds can sing a bit too!"
"Excellent stay, the villa and the services proveded were great. The swimming
pool is beautiful. One of the most beautiful villas on this island and a
perfect villa for a family or several couples. Everybody has their own
comfortable space. Best regards to you all."
"We had a phenomenal time at an amazing location with beautiful surroundings
and excellent service. From the moment we booked with Elysian, we received the
best care and attention and we weren't disappointed when we arrived. Crete was
beautiful and the people so friendly - we would definitely recommend Elysian
and the villas. Thank you!!"
"I just wanted to thank you SO much for arranging such a glorious holiday for
us. The views, breezes and feeling of space at Montgomery House are
breathtakingly beautiful and restorative."
"The position is fabulous, comfort great, island and area totally fab and
restful, and for the time of year amazingly quiet. Booking procedure and
Elysian staff were excellent. I would so recommend the villa to anyone going.
All our guests loved it and the views were outstanding."
"Pandora was faultless!! House, view, pool, breakfasts, staff, meeting, car,
all went perfectly. The views were amazing and the Island lovely and unspoilt.
Ermoupolis was great as were the little beach resorts. Many thanks for all your
help."
"The holiday was one of the best we've had. The accommodation was really very
good. It was a wonderfully attractive place, comfortable and clearly a personal
space of the owner's. In fact my daughter felt that the place was better than
it appeared on the website! Our maid was lovely and the breakfast she provided
and the general cleaning was fantastic!"
"Your service has been fantastic throughout."