Travel and Investment Opportunities at Select event

Last night we hosted a successful event in our Stockholm premises, together with Carnegie Private Banking. Carnegie's fund broker Mona Stenmark told us about the fund HQ Emerging Markets, where it is possible to invest in selected businesses around the wold.

Fredrik from Select Collection then took us on a different inspirational trip around the world by telling us about exotic and far away destinations Madagascar and Sri Lanka as well as one hideaway more close by; Alva Park north of Barcelona.

The evening ended with test treatments in our beautiful spa where the therapists performed short scalp and foot massages - all to the liking of our clients!

Lovely Moments

Back to the cold, flipping through my pics and remembering some lovely moments from Kamalaya at Koh Samui in Thailand

Best time for me to relax on the beach is at 5 pm

When the sun starts setting

Afternoon tea with healthy snacks

At the lounge, where the view is stunning

Or just walking around looking at some pretty arrangements is relaxing.

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A Magic Master

Dr. Song Qinggeng is a true master of everything from TCM to Thai Chi and Qi Gong. Click and read more

He is not just a doctor but a warm hearted and lovely person.

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Lucky Day

Have you heard the etymology of the White Elephant...
White (albino) elephants were regarded as holy in ancient times in Thailand and other Asian countries. Keeping a white elephant was a very expensive undertaking , since the owner had to provide the elephant with special food and provide access for people who wanted to worship it. If a Thai King became dissatisfied with a subordinate, he could give him a white elephant. The gift would, in most cases, ruin the recipient.

I got a very sweet white elephant made of a towel, on my bed at Kamalaya this morning after breakfast, but I don't think it was from the King...

But perhaps the beautiful flowers I received after lunch was from a Prince

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A Healthy Lunch Meeting

The other day Ulrika and I had a great lunch meeting at Kamalaya with the Managing Director Marc-Antoine Cornaz and Gaby Gubler, the Sales Manager. We are looking into a close partnership which will give our clients unique benefits.

Marc is a lovely person and joined Kamalaya as a partner 2003. He is very much hands on and you can see that he is here to ensure that the original vision is delivered with authenticity, integrity and quality.

The lunch restaurant Amrita has a beautiful view facing the beach and it's open until 6 pm. It's perfect for guests having treatments and wanting to eat later.

The menus include extensive vegetarian options as well as seafood, poultry and lamb dishes, along with customized meals for those undertaking detox programs or with special dietary requirements.

The food here is amazing - the cuisine is healing in function and tantalizing in form.

My favorite is the black cod.

And being in Thailand, I always long for the green papaya sallad

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Another day in Paradise

I will tell you later about all exciting treatments Kamalaya can offer but just walking around the beautiful property gives you energy and puts you into a spiritual mood.

Kamalaya integrates the surrounding landscape into the simple elegance of its architecture and design.

Kamalaya's sixty accommodation options range from Hillside rooms to spacious Villas

Very tropical vegetation

And exotic gardens

And the beach of course

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We look forward

As I mentioned before there are so many wonderful improvements at Kamalaya, so it will certainly be a product for the new Select Collection. Kamalaya is in our Spa Brochure at the moment and we have negotiated great deals for our valued customers.  Please contact our professional staff for information and special rates for select travellers.

You can read more at www.Kamalaya.com

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A Perfect Start

Open your heart, rest your mind, engage your spirit and nurture your body..at Kamalaya

My first thing in the morning (after the hot water with lime) is the watermelon.

Before lunch it's time to select lovely healthy drinks...the green one is my favorite; Kamalaya Detox Juice, coconut water, fresh pineapple and fresh Thai basil leaves. Coconut water replenishes and cools the body while basil and pineapple support digestion. A good accompaniment before the meal.

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Life's Potential

I'm staying at Kamalaya, Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa. I was here quite many years ago for a short stay and decided to pay a second visit and I have now fallen in love with this unique place. It has been improved in many ways and I (being quite an expert in spa and health:)) can highly now recommend Kamalaya, if you want to make a Wellness Journey.

Kamalaya translates as 'Lotus Realm', an enduring symbol for the unfolding of life's potential.

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Escaping the cold

Arriving this morning to the island of Samui in Thailand after 14 hours of travel but finally meeting the warm weather

The airport transportation at Samui airport is all open and fun

The terminal building is open as well

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For your eyes only

The Jamaican estate where Ian Fleming created James Bond just opened recently as an exclusive hotel. The islander Chris Blackwell is the owner, who is known for the Island Outpost Hotels.

I used to work closely with the group many years ago and I still recommend Pink Sands Resort in Bahamas on Harbour Island, as long as you don't compare it with some of our other five star resorts. It's an intimate,beautiful secluded boutique beach resort that needs a bit of renovation.



The way Sophy Roberts at FT describes this new resort, makes me want to visit the place very soon. " Golden Eye is more than cinematic cliche; it's about luxury, style and heritage but it also speaks to people who seek something true to Jamaica now"

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First Day 2011

Wish you all a Happy New Year!

A nice start on the New Year; Asian Brunch at Berns

Lovely chocolates

Great atmosphere

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Last morning of 2010

Stockholm is white, sunny and beautiful (-2) and no disruption at airports :)

Taken from my window at 9 am

The Strauss Orchestra at Berwaldhallen in Stockholm at 5 pm

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Traditions

The word tradition comes from the latin word 'traditio' which means 'passing on'.  Together with my son and our closest friends we have created a tradition to meet on December 26 at our place, to celebrate a long lasting friendship.

All set for guests to come. This year we served a meat fondue. It's easy to start or pass on traditions - you just need to be consistent...

Christian and me...it started as business 20 years ago.

Christian's wife Lena is not just a lovely lady but always a helping hand.

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Christmas Dinner in Oslo

Last week I enjoyed Christmas in Oslo with our lovely Norwegian Team.


They all wanted to eat very traditional Norwegian Christmas food, which was very interesting and I felt we were back to the 11 th century with a touch of the Viking history.


Pinnekjött, very salty sheep...Hmm..nice but a bit of a barbarian feeling..


Lutefisk is a traditional dish for Christmas for the Nordic countries. It's made from stockfish (air-dried whitefish). Its name literally means 'lye fish'. I'm sure the Vikings had this as well. They were very tall and handsome consuming large quantities of protein.

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Lifelines

It was lovely to come to office yesterday after all travelling and all difficulties with weather, causing problems for our clients, to find a Christmas lunch waiting.

So far we have managed to find solutions for all passengers, who have shown great appreciation to our staff.

A big thank you too British Airways and Lufthansa who have worked hard, rerouted and paid for new tickets for our valued customers. Thank you also for keeping the hotline open for Select!

My lifeline Hanna had set a healthy lunch for us.

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Staff accomplishment

This very wintry winter has caused problems at the airports around Europe, making our staff work hard to make sure our valued clients reach their destinations in time to celebrate Christmas. They have all done an amazing job and I want to say thank you to my staff in all offices!

Christmas party in Stockholm

Last night we had the yearly Christmas Party for our Stockholm Staff. This year we had assigned a Christmas Party Committe consisting of four people from our great staff. They did a wonderful job putting together a memorable night for us. The evening began with drinks in the Clock Suite at Berns, with the traditional Christmas gift swapping, and continued with a dinner in the beautiful restaurant at Berns.  



Max, Pat and Emma

Fredrik with a happy smile

Hanna and me

Asian Christmas buffet at Berns







One & Only

The hotel group One & Only hosted a lovely dinner at the well recognized Palm D'Or restaurant at Hotel Martinez

A beautiful presentation of foie gras as a starter.

Lisa Bovio Executive Director of One & Only Also a good friend since 19 years when I first started Select Travel.

Alan Liebman, the Vice President together with Olivier the GM from Royal Mirage in Dubai

Lore, the Director of Sales and our daily contact, here together with Christoffer from Germany

Kip from Atlantis in Dubai was my entertaining dinner partner.

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Luxury Feeling

I'm staying at Carlton Intercontinental in Cannes, my favorite hotel in Cannes and also part of our Select Collection

I'm pampered, having the honor to stay in one of the beautiful suites. I feel special. This is the feeling and atmosphere we want our valued clients to experience when they travel with us.

It's a great feeling to wake up and feel the sea and the palms of the French Riviera outside. Today it's plus 14 and sunshine :)

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