Each week at 101 Holidays we interview one of the people behind the world’s finest travel companies. This week it is the turn of Mikael Krafft, the Swedish environmentalist and owner and founder of Star Clippers.

Mikael’s love of the sea began at the age of 10 when his father gave him a 18ft sailing boat. Following a successful maritime career, he launched Star Clippers with three tall ships in the early 1990s. He runs the company from its Monaco base with his wife Ann, daughter Marie and son Eric.

• Where are you planning to go on holiday this year, and why?

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.

• What is your favourite bolthole in the UK, and why?

My favourite UK getaway has to be sailing in the Solent; visiting all the nice little villages and wonderful pubs in the area.

• If you could spend a long weekend in any city abroad, which would you pick, and why?

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.

• Please tell us three items that are always found in your luggage.

Luggage essentials are swimming gear, sun screen and dive mask.

• What one thing would most improve people’s overall holiday experience?

I believe that there should be more offers of itineraries away from mass tourism.

• What has been your worst holiday experience?

Spending a vacation packed together with thousands of other holidaymakers.

• Tell us your favourite hotel: in the UK; in mainland Europe; in the rest of the world.

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.

• What is the most exciting project your company is working on right now?

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.

• Thank you, Mikael.