Celebration...

Celebrating lovely Gillian…

Gillian has worked with me since Aktiv-Resor days, the company I had for more than 10 years both in Sweden and Finland, before starting Select in 1992. It has been a wonderful journey.

My first idea was selling sport tours as I love to play tennis. Next step up was to arrange round the world trips from an office in Stockholm’s old town (Gamla Stan) – this catered for everyone from backpackers to discerning travellers.

But finally I sold Aktiv to go all out for the luxury niche, to put heart and soul into creating perfect unique journeys for my customers.  We spread from Sweden to all the Nordic countries and the UK.

And so 20 years later we gather here to celebrate Gillian, with my lovely staff in Stockholm.  We have a beautiful work environment and wonderful people in all our offices, and that too is worth celebrating…

Part of the lovely team, snapped in the kitchen.

 

 

One Minute of Silence

Picure* from the main square in Oslo where thousands of people have left flowers and farewell messages. 

Today at 12:00 noon the Scandinavian countries had a silent minute to honour the victims of the horrible attack in Oslo. So did we at Select Collection. Today we send our warmest thoughts to the people of Norway.

*This picure is from DN 2011-07-25

  

A White Farwell

To Alla,

Only when you drink from the river of Silence, you can really sing.

Only when you reach the top of the mountain you can start the climb.

Only when you return your body to Earth, you can truly dance.

"Kahlil Gibran"

Thank you for the moments you touched my heart as a mother, which I miss.

Love, Leija

Alla, the mother of my good friend Julia, was not only a valued client but also a great admirer of Select Collection. The first time we met was more than 10 years ago at Four Seasons George V in Paris, a hotel that we both love.

Julia and her husband Garman had arranged a beautiful funeral ceremony all in white

Memories

Following the devastating news from Japan makes one appreciate the happy moments in life.

Yesterday I got great feedback from valued clients staying at the stunning W Hotel in Barcelona. Here in picture my son and me enjoying tapas in Barcelona last summer.

-- Post From My iPhone

Romantic memories and good investments

To sit back and relax at home a Saturday night in rainy Stockholm is almost a bliss.

When the discussion of investments come up I try to convince and tell my friends; please invest in Travel! Travel is a long-term investment with high yield short-term dividends.

Travel memories are something that nobody can take away from you - tonight, for me, it's wonderful to think back and be filled with warm thoughts of Marrakesh!
















-- Post From My iPhone

Missing summer

Oh, how I miss summer and seafood at one of my favorite outdoors restaurants Pontus by the Sea. In this picture I'm enjoying a great long lunch with my dear friend Charles Bland, Sales Director at Dorchester Collection, and his great husband Colin Schabort.

Mallorca in July

I spent a wonderful week in Mallorca in July. Two girlfriends, good food, and wonderful hotels. Mallorca has really re-positioned it's image since the 70's and 80's when it was number one charter destination with a somewhat dubious reputation. Today the island is not only popular with famous people and the royals, but also golfers and couples who want's to spend a weekend in a romantic boutique hotel. And of course we like it, three happy Swedish women on vacation.

My own favorite area is around Deja where Hotel La Residencia is my first hand choice. There one can enjoy a fabulous view over the mountains and the nature and scenery is breath taking. A cooling breeze helps you keep cool even when it's hot, and it can easily get up to 35 degrees in the summer in Mallorca. It only takes ten minutes down to the sea where the water is crystal clear.

When I'm closer to Palma I like to stay at the Hospes Maricel, an old private chateaux newly refurbished as a five star boutique hotel. The main building is contemporary design in a historic environment. The suite I stayed in unfortunately didn't have a balcony and the windows were quite small. The hotel has also extended to the other side of the road (connected via a tunnel) with new buildings in very modern style. One of my friends had a deluxe room with a large terrace and small plunge pool, the sea view was nothing to get excited about, but the upper floor rooms didn't on the other hand have a terrace. Room 113 is therefore the room I recommend if the suite with balcony isn't available in the main building. The breakfast at the hotel is fantastic and you can have a 10-course tasting menu, but that is only recommended if you're really hungry in the morning.

The best food in Mallorca in my opinion is found at restaurants in Puerto Portales, even if it's a bit touristy resembling Puerto Banus on the mainland, with all the luxury yachts in the harbor. Tristan has a Michelin star, but I actually prefer Flanningan next doors because they find a solution to even the most demanding needs and funny orders a guest can have. I will return to the matter of demanding orders, we are world champions in that field.

In Palma Old Town there's a fantastic small tapas restaurant Forn de San Juan. It's always full, but try to get a table in the bar which is the coziest place to mingle with locals. After that you can have a drink nearby at the swedish owned hotel Puro. The clientele is great, a mixture of locals and tourists, from 35 and up. Unfortunately they don't have any great wines or champagne by glas, but someone told me the drinks are good, so Go for the drinks folks.

Mallorca is well worth a visit also during autumn. Good food, if you know where to go, and the flight is short from Scandinavia and the UK.


Hospes Maricel
La Recidencia