Truly laid back...

GoldenEye resort. Relaxed as you can only get on Jamaica. Laid back as if there is no stress in the world...

These were the words of Linda Isberg, one of my valued sales consultants, after a stay at GoldenEye resort on the island of reggae. She found that GoldenEye is a perfect place for honeymooners with its simply chic decor and gorgeous surroundings. And just the place for sipping cocktails that are shaken (and not stirred) – it is here many of the James Bond novels were written by author Ian Fleming.

I am happy that we at Select have been given an exclusive contract for this great property. Here I am meeting  with Scott Mercado the representative of Golden Eye in Scandinavia, together with Fredrik our managing director. 

And here we celebrated our coming cooperation with  Golden Eye. This event at Select Collection offices was described in a  previous blog.

 

Surprise move

I gave my Stockholm staff some surprise news last week. It started with a message to all staff to meet by our display of paradise beach sands. Fredrik and Max stood there with big bottles of Pol Roger, ready to set the corks popping.



And...

 

When we each had a glass of bubbly, I said...

"We are going to move!" To Stockholm’s most desirable address at street level on Grevturegatan 8  in Östermalm. With us will come all the departments at headquarters, along with our popular spa.

Sketch of the premises

Currently in Norrlandsgatan, we have extensive and very beautiful offices. The new headquarters and spa will be just as beautiful, but different...and will enjoy being on street level among exclusive retailers, and Stockholm’s most discerning shoppers.

The move will take place in May and June next year. Hanna will play an important role as project leader...

Hanna with one of the bubblies

 

 

Celebrating happily with Stockholm Sales
Manager Ulrika, who has been with Select
for 18 years

It is all part of the flow. We are going from strength to strength, based on our idea of luxury at every step along the way...

Stavanger opening party

We had a party to remember, to celebrate the opening of the new Select Collection travel boutique in Stavanger, Norway. With a warm and homely interior it just invites people to step in from the street, where it is nestled among designer shops.

An inviting interior seen from the street

Travel Agency and Gallery Boutique

 

Amidst this warmth and beauty, 50 guests got a chance on Wednesday evening to meet our Stavanger office manager Petra Humppila Nordbo and her sales consultant Laila Ånestad,  along with other Select staff.  

Here together with Petra

 

And here guests are listening:

...to a great speech by Petra

And here - just happy...

 

 

 

 

Invited to this memorable  occasion were local clients who have been booking their holidays through our Oslo office, along with other local dignitaries and airline representatives. No shortage of flights from oil city Stavanger – with its North Sea weather and well-heeled inhabitants.

 

Fredrik Ottosson, managing director Select
together with
Terje Grue, Country Manager Norway Lufthansa
Maritha Nerstad, Key Account Manager Lufthansa
Håvard Sveen, Account Manager Norwegian

More Select people to welcome our guests…

 

Erland from our Oslo office together
with my partner Åke

 

Also from our Oslo office, Ada together
with country manager Dag-Åge

The delicious eats added to the sense of  what we stand for .... luxury …

 

All in all a lovely start to our new venture. Satisfied we gather afterwards, enjoying our beautiful homely travel agency and gallery boutique...

Wrapped round by a warm and inviting map of the world.
A great place to be,
and a great place to order a trip to the sun...

Jim & Alexander

They know the secrets of originality and charm. I have just visited Jim and Alexander at their delightful new house and shop in Simrishamn called Vacker Vardag (Lovely Day). These talented friends have helped me with many design projects, including Select Collection’s travel boutiques and restaurant Coba.

Vacker Vardag - interior design and antiques

Their house

Jim & Alexander

Exciting place to hunt for something special

Among old and new

Treasures



Simrishamn is a fishing harbour on the southern coast of Sweden facing the Danish island of Bornholm.

Select strikes oil...

An exciting step forward. On Monday Select Collection opens in Stavanger, the oil capital of Norway. With the highest per capita income in Europe and some of its worst weather, Stavanger supports Travel with a capital T. Here we are on our way to get the last things ready in our new boutique, perfectly placed among all the designer labels...

Next stop Stavanger

Last touches to our Select office

Aiming for perfection

And charming chic interior

At street level among designer shops

Creating desire to travel...

Stavanger here we come - our second Travel Agency and Gallery Boutique opens in Norway on Monday...

Select surprises

Costa Navarino is one of Europe's best kept secrets - beaches for miles and a wonderful resort complex, built like a village. Sharing shops, restaurants, spa and great sporting facilities including raquet club and golf course, the family friendly Westin and the elegant and serene Romanos offer a carefree holiday where you can just chill if you want that...

Relaxing place to be - a happy couple

A pristine coastline

For those interested in Greek antiquity, this mountainous area is a treasure trove of ancient ruins.

Meanwhile the resort itself is luxury with clean modern lines.

 

A wonderful few days with a second birthday to celebrate. My beloved got to experience something Select Collection does perfectly down to every detail:

...surprises

Select Greece secrets

Costa Navarino is a great combination with the Athens Riviera, and we had a wonderful stay there after my 4-day birthday celebration at The Margi. Some 3.5 hours drive from Athens on a pristine coastline the Romanos makes a soothing hideaway. There is lots to do too, especially for sporty people. Or you can just chill out…

We arrived to warm hospitality.

Thanos Economou Director of Sales/Leisure
and Andreas Kottas Leisure Sales Manager
Romanos & Westin Costa Navarino

 ... and were invited to a stunning lunch at this wonderful beach bar:

View from the beach restaurant

...with a constant refreshing breeze

The beach is endless with no other hotels…

... and sparkling clear water

 

Here we see someone lovely who travelled with us ...

 

Ilse Nyman Country Manager Finland ... enjoying lunch

And a  happy couple :)

 

Add to that authentic Greek food:

 

Red mullet

Grilled prawns

 

And then a surprise ... see my next blog