Boat dock next to Caribbean sea

Our Story

At Blue Bee Odysseys, we've been rooted more mindfully and sustainably to explore the world since 1995 when the first retreat was done at a Mexican eco-resort next to the Caribbean. Staying in one place with day trips, being immersed in learning about local history, culture, and food, nurturing deep relaxation, meaningful conversations, and free time to explore is still the best model of travel. Slow travel is an immersive learning experience, a time for renewal.

Char Selsvold sitting next to a tree.

Founder

Charlene Selsvold, LCSW, RYT

Growing up in rural Minnesota nurtured a lifestyle filled with nature hikes, music, and literature. My imagination stimulated travel dreams. After completing a post-graduate degree, I created my first international adventure, backpacking for 6 weeks in Europe. Upon returning, I started my psychotherapy career, later completing another graduate degree, yoga training, and extensive study of dream analysis at the C.G.Jung Institute of Colorado. My dreams indicated a return to adventure.

Our Hive

Blue carpenter bee

Blue Bee

Blue Bee Odysseys is a metaphor for sustainable travel adventures, with a mission of preserving and regenerating the ecosystem for bees and life on Earth. Char renamed the tours during her yoga teacher training, inspired by symbols in Indian mythology. Odyssey means a journey and in particular a journey of return, a journey of transformation. Vishnu is one of a pantheon of Indian Gods known as the "preserver," and in one of the myths, Vishnu emerges as a Blue Bee from a lotus flower, an ancient symbol of life. Bee sustainable and embrace all of life.

Diane Magliolo sitting at a Sicilian outdoor cafe overlooking the sea

Diane Magliolo, MA

As a dual Italian/American citizen, Diane enjoys sharing her cultural heritage and the spirit of ancient lands. She is the chief curator of journeys in Italy and shares her wisdom on many other odysseys. Diane has an MA in Wellness Psychology, is a practitioner of Auricular Acupuncture, and a practitioner of Holotropic Breathwork since 1989 when trained by Stan and Cristina Grof. In ancient times throughout the world, the Melissae or bee goddesses were the divine messengers who nurtured human civilization. Diane is the chief Melissae Bee.