Anita Coetser

Head of Content

Who are you and what drew you to work at Firefly Collection?

I am Firefly Collection’s content manager. I have a great love for travelling and relocated from South Africa in 2005, which has been a huge adventure. Having started my career in the UK in property, I took a break from the corporate environment to look after my young family. I returned to work in a more content-focused role, and I love working with all the charming properties of the Firefly Collection.

Why do you love to travel?

Travelling is just a magical experience and there isn’t any other feeling quite like it. Experiencing new countries, their cultures and the places they hold valuable, puts a new perspective on how we see our own lives.

Which is your favourite villa?

I’m a huge fan of the gorgeous Villa La Bergerie on the Terre Blanche estate in Provence. It manages to capture that Provençal ambience, whilst being a modern villa built to the highest specification. The gardens are beautiful and the service is outstanding. It’s the perfect villa for a luxurious country escape.

Another absolute favourite villa of mine is Villa Bayview, perched high on the hillside overlooking Cap Ferrat on the Côte d’Azur. Ultra contemporary and ultra stylish, Villa Bayview has what must be one of the best views of any villa.

Where is next on your travel list?

The next place on my travel bucket list is Tuscany. I would love to see the rolling hills and ancient olive groves all bathed in the golden Tuscan sunshine. The delicious cuisine certainly has a large appeal too.

Which is your favourite villa?

Last year I was lucky enough to visit Villa Atokos in Corfu. This simply beautiful villa exudes luxury but also has the most welcoming atmosphere at the same time. The villa staff are welcoming and guests can feel the undeniable synergy they have. Corfu’s clear turquoise waters, just a short walk down from the villa and viewed from one of the two infinity pools, are hard to leave once you’ve been there.

Which is your favourite ski chalet?

I love Chalet La Fenice due to its calm blend of traditional and contemporary. The fantastic views of the Matterhorn are best enjoyed from the hot tub with something delicious in hand.

Where is your favourite holiday destination and why?

Taiwan, specifically Chihpen. Driving through this beautiful part of the world, we got to see the mountains, which are simply breathtaking. The natural hot springs and serene beauty of this area provide a truly exceptional experience.

What is your first ski memory?

Snowboarding (having never been on a board of any shape or size or skies for that fact) in the Dolomites, Italy. My husband, being a skateboarder, had a desire to go snowboarding. We thought a few lessons on the dry slopes would be enough. Well, I guess, in the end, it was. By the end of our holiday, we were both flying down the pistes. Luckily it was the end of the season and there weren’t too many witnesses to all our epic fails along the way.

Why do you love to travel?

I love it for so many reasons. Seeing new places and experiencing new cultures holds an endless fascination, but on another level, I now love to take my children places and letting them discover the wonder of new landscapes and new experiences.

And for ski trips it’s not just the fun of the skiing itself (which is great of course), it’s the bonding you get from having a shared amazing experience on the mountain, be it with family or friends. That’s hard to beat.