“101 Holidays” recently conducted an interview with Mikael Krafft, owner and president of Star Clippers. The UK Web site provides a unique selection of some of the world’s greatest travel experiences.

It’s not your typical interview about running Star Clippers, but more about Mikael and his personal likes. We thought you would enjoy getting to know the man behind the company.

101: Where are you planning to go on holiday this year, and why?
MK: I am planning to set sail from Rhodes to explore Southern Turkey in order to prepare and fine-tune a new itinerary for one of the Star Clippers sailing vessels next summer.

101: What is your favourite bolthole in the UK, and why?
MK: My favourite UK getaway has to be sailing in the Solent; visiting all the nice little villages and wonderful pubs in the area.

101: If you could spend a long weekend in any city abroad, which would you pick, and why?
MK: Bonifacio in south west Corsica. It is stunningly beautiful with nice small hotels, restaurants, secluded beaches, fantastic water and fascinating sea grottos. It also has a great golf course with stunning panoramic views, where you can see the entire archipelago of Bonifacio in the horizon.

101: Please tell us three items that are always found in your luggage.
MK: Luggage essentials are swimming gear, sun screen and dive mask.

101: What one thing would most improve people’s overall holiday experience?
MK: I believe that there should be more offers of itineraries away from mass tourism.

101: What has been your worst holiday experience?
MK: Spending a vacation packed together with thousands of other holidaymakers.

101: Tell us your favourite hotel: in the UK; in mainland Europe; in the rest of the world.
MK: In the UK: I would go for Rocco Forte’s Brown’s Hotel in London. In Europe, I enjoyed my recent stay at the Hotel Papadopoli in Venice, and in the world, the Hotel Atlantic Kempinski in Hamburg.

101: What is the most exciting project your company is working on right now?
MK: The preparation of a new itinerary for our vessel Star Flyer. During the winter season 2010/2011 we plan to explore the unspoilt waters and breathtaking natural environment of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast.

Welcome to Star Clippers’ new blog. The Star Clippers Blog Web site will serve as the portal for news and information, images and video, gossip and discussion about Star Clippers and its fleet of three tall ships. We’re happy to have you browse through our pages and read all of the latest news about Star Clippers.

While a large number of posts will come from the ships’ staff, we encourage guests to send in posts as well. If you sailed on a Star Clippers ship and took some photos you’d like to share, please send them to us with your name, who is in the photo, what ship you sailed on and where you are if in port. You can send these to info@starclippersblog.com. Don’t worry about sizing, we’ll take care of that.

We also invite you to send in questions or post comments on the different entries. To post a comment, you’ll need to register, but your information will not be shared with anyone. Our goal is to make this the most interactive blog possible and to create an online community of folks who are fans of Star Clippers.

We’re very excited about this new adventure, and we hope you enjoy reading the blog as much as we enjoy producing it. Again, welcome!