Every year since 2006 Maxine Harrison has been recognised by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the world’s Top Villa Specialists.
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 travelers. I am constantly on the lookout for properties that will help me fulfill 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.
