Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/960495
47 Events maltatoday SUNDAY 1 APRIL 2018 NOW in its fifth year, Frank Salt Real Estate Directors have renewed their commitment to treat the com- pany's top ten highest achievers to an all-inclusive Incentive Trip to a splendid destination. The team travelled to Tuscany, where they spent a glorious week in the rolling hills of the Tuscan coun- tryside. They stayed in a luxurious converted palazzo and they visited some of the major towns in the area, namely Siena, Lucca, San Gimini- ano and Florence, accompanied by expert guides from the area reveal- ing a secret or two. The trip also included an element of adventure when the group had the opportu- nity to experience the thrill of white water rafting in the Lucca rapids! This emerged as a firm favourite with most members of the team, who also saw it as an opportunity to burn off some calories. In fact, eating well was one of the highlights in this trip's itinerary, as the party enjoyed mouth-watering food and Italian favourites such as the Bistecca Fiorentina, not to men- tion delicious pasta dishes, cheeses and cured meats. Another favourite were the visits to some great Tuscan vineyards where the troop enjoyed wine-tasting activities. The group was accompanied by director Douglas Salt and was made up of sales consultants Ritan Grima and Nicholas Portelli; letting consultants Maria Comerford and Neil Gatt Coleiro; heads of Property Management and Homes Interi- ors Divisions Bronia Mercieca and Leonard Grech; Managers Brian Grima and Marcelle Bartoli and branch secretary Alessandra Far- rugia. As is custom, the trip also includes a fair share of brain storming ses- sions and strategy meetings, to help plot the way forward for 2018 and beyond. "These meetings are held in iconic and tranquil surroundings to help set the mood for discussion and dialogue amongst team members" said director Douglas Salt. "It's good to hear and follow what employees have to say and their ideas on how things can be improved. Plus, it is also an excellent opportunity to reward them for their hard work throughout the year", he added. Ideas discussed covered many are- as of operation with special focus on how the company can enhance cli- ent relationships and provide a bet- ter quality service to our numerous clients, as well as improve efficiency throughout all company depart- ments. About his experience, Leon- ard Grech said "It was a fabulous experience sharing time with one of our directors and my colleagues and getting to know everyone bet- ter. We had the opportunity to dis- cuss work matters in a more friendly and casual atmosphere whilst being pampered! Places we visited were interesting and rich in history and the Tuscan setting and culture was to die for." "It was a truly remarkable expe- rience and I am so grateful to the company for giving us such oppor- tunities. I had never been to Tusca- ny before so it was great to enjoy so much of its rich culture with lovely colleagues, some of which I got to know better thanks to this trip" continued Alessandra Farrugia. "I have to say that rafting in Lucca fol- lowed by a thrilling jump into the rapids was my favourite activity, and having one of our directors join us, made it all the more special" she added. ONE of the world's best-loved and most highly awarded actresses and singers, Elaine Paige, will serve as godmother to Seabourn's elegant new all-suite ship, Sea- bourn Ovation. The naming ceremony will take place on Friday, May 11, in the beautiful baroque harbour of Valletta during a spectacular cer- emony that will light up the dra- matic UNESCO World Heritage site and the 2018 European Capi- tal of Culture. Seabourn enjoys a multi-year partnership with UN- ESCO to support their efforts to protect World Heritage at sites around the world. "I am so honoured to have been asked to be Godmother to Seabourn Ovation," said Elaine Paige. "Seabourn's legendary ser- vice has the same DNA as a hit West End show: a dedicated cast of professionals who all come together to deliver a superb per- formance, whatever their role. I can't wait to board the beautiful Seabourn Ovation and send her off into the world!" Elaine Paige's biography reads like a "who's who" of the stage musical. She originated the role of Eva Peron in Evita, followed by Grizabella in Cats and Florence in Chess. She has starred in more smash hit West End and Broad- way musicals than anyone else of her generation - from Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Anything Goes, Sunset Boulevard, to The King & I; Sweeney Todd and Follies - and many more. With an impressive and glit- tering roster of accolades, Elaine bears the unofficial title of "The First Lady of British Musical Theatre." She has defined musi- cals and has simply set the gold standard. In 1995, she was award- ed an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to Musical Theatre by HM Queen Elizabeth II. Seabourn Ovation is the fifth ultra-luxury ship in the Seabourn f leet. With stunning contempo- rary interiors by design icon Ad- am D. Tihany, culinary expertise by Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller, specially commissioned entertainment by Sir Tim Rice and an exciting program of on- board speakers, Ovation will sail on a variety of voyages in and around Europe between May and November 2018, hailing at ports throughout Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Seabourn Ovation will expand and build on the line's award- winning and highly acclaimed Odyssey-class ships, which revo- lutionized ultra-luxury cruising with enhanced accommodation and innovative amenities when they were introduced between 2009 and 2011. A sister ship to Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ova- tion will maintain the line's high ratio of space per guest, enabling highly personalised service. Alfa Romeo Stelvio is 'New Car of the Year 2018' THE Alfa Romeo Stelvio wins yet another top award. Chosen by Quattroruote readers by a large margin, the Alfa Romeo brand's first SUV wins the monthly magazine's most coveted prize "New Car of the Year 2018". On the award's roll of honour, Alfa Romeo Stelvio's name comes straight after the Giulia sports sedan, which won the last edition The award ceremony took place this week in Milan, on "Quat- troruote Day". Before an audience of leading personalities from the industry, journalism and the au- tomotive sector, the award was presented to Alfredo Altavilla, Chief Operating Officer FCA Emea. With 34.2% of the votes cast by Quattroruote readers on the magazine's website, the Alfa Romeo SUV swept aside stellar competition, finishing ahead of no fewer than 12 models from different segments and brands. The victory is even more im- pressive in view of the large gap separating Stelvio from the sec- ond and third placed cars (with 10% and 9.2% of the votes re- spectively). First held in 2000, the com- petition has been won by a to- tal of twelve FCA models, most recently last year by the Giulia sports sedan, the trailblazer for the new Alfa Romeo generation which, like the Stelvio SUV, rep- resents the excellence of Italian automotive design and engineer- ing worldwide. What's more, in FCA's view, readers' passionate in- terest in this title also underlines the standing of Quattroruote it- self and its entire editorial staff. The "New Car of the Year 2018" award confirms Stelvio's undis- puted appeal for a vast public. Naturally, this is thanks to its elegant, sporty style, combined with its superlative handling and the supreme performances it de- livers. Stelvio therefore expresses the genuine "Alfa spirit", embod- ied in a sport utility vehicle for the first time in over a century of history. The model also stands for unbeatable safety, ref lected by the sought-after Euro NCAP five star rating, and proudly holds the title of "fastest SUV around the circuit" after Stelvio Quadrifoglio set the lap record at Germany's legendary Nürburgring. Firstunited Insurance Brokers Ltd - donation to inspire foundation FIRSTUNITED Insurance Brokers presented a donation of €1,800 to Inspire Foundation. The funds do- nated will be used towards various programmes initiated by this foun- dation. "Inspire's mission is to help every child and adult with a disability to achieve equality and inclusion in society" Shirley Zammit, Inspire's Fundraising Manager explained. "This foundation believes that this is a fundamental right and people with disabilities should get all the help possible to fulfill their poten- tial. Thanks to government support and extensive fundraising activities by Inspire's fundraising team and volunteers, these services are pro- vided at a very subsidised rate and sometimes even for free." "FirstUnited made it possible for Inspire to help even more people who are experiencing financial difficulties. It is thanks to initia- tives like this that Inspire can keep on reaching out to more and more people who need its help and get- ting closer to its goal of achieving equality and inclusion for all," con- cluded Zammit. FirstUnited said that Inspire makes a big difference in the life of many people. It is why it takes pride in its close relationship with Inspire and strongly believes in supporting Inspire's good cause. Out of their own initiative, FirstUnited employ- ees contribute directly towards their own charity fund, which is further supplemented by the com- pany. From right; Shirley Zammit of Inspire Foundation, together with Lara Michelle Camilleri and Maria Camilleri of FirstUnited Insurance Brokers Ltd. Highly acclaimed singer and actress Elaine Paige to Christen new 'Seabourn Ovation' in Malta Actress, singer, producer and presenter will preside over the Naming Ceremony for Seabourn's newest ultra-luxury ship Work hard play harder Frank Salt 2017 Incentive Trip winners jet off to Tuscany