1. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My Name is Harley I live in Sigtuna Sweden which is a very special place in the countryside in Stockholm County. I am originally from New Zealand. I work as a purchasing specialist in the men’s department at H&M. Travel, history, art and interiors are my true passions though fashion is just somewhere I ended up.
2. What does ”escape” mean to you?
Escape means happiness for me, ever since I was a child I have been an escapist, whether it was holidays, reading books, or just daydreaming. I am always happy when escaping into something I love.
3. Do you have a summer ritual?
Swimming daily! One of the joys of living in Stockholm is that we are surrounded by water. Every neighborhood is nearly an island. Now that I am living in Sigtuna it is further in but I live amongst lakes here.
Living by the water is a must for and it is something I really struggled with not having when I was in London.
4. Where is it you escape to habitually for true downtime?
This has changed alot since 2020.. it used to be Hydra in Greece every summer and sometimes Symi or Kastellorizo and the Aeolian Islands in Sicily. Salina is very special, but I think after 2020 when we were all able to move about freely again everywhere has become too popular. I like places that are simple, with no cars and abundant nature but that still retain an element of elegance. I think a true talent is being able to see the beauty in any place, this is really something I learnt from my mother.
5. How long have you been visiting this place, and what draws you to it?
As I said previously it’s really changed and I am looking for something new. I haven’t quite found it yet.. I think the most memorable vacations I have had in the past 12 months though have been Georgia, Albania and India. All three I loved immensely.. The one city though that hasn’t changed for me and is still my absolute favorite is Istanbul! Just all the layers, I love every part of the city. Everything is so beautiful and so different, it truly is a magical place and I will be back there this August.
7. What about the best to: Do, see, stay, eat and drink at this particular escape?
For me the cities/Places that encapsulate this are for me:
Istanbul
Athens
New Delhi
Jaipur
Udaipur
Gjirokastër & Berat in Albania were very underrated, I was completely wowed by everything.
Stockholm
Tbilisi
All of these cities have every aspect I look for in a trip; architecture, history, great food, and amazing cultures. As far as a place to stay, the Hotel that has impressed me the most the past year was the Rooms Hotel in Kazbegi, Georgia. An incredible location for adventure skiers.. If it were a summer place to stay I would say the Hotel Signum in Salina, the Aeolians are a really special place.
6. Do you have an anecdote or unforgettable memory to share?
My unforgettable memory would be taking a taxi from Tbilisi to Kazbegi in the winters and truly feeling the immensity of Mother nature on the roads in Georgia, breathtaking and frightening at the same time.
8. Who are your favorite summer escape travel partners and why?
I am guilty here. I really love traveling alone! So it is me my 40th will be a new challenge for me 😊
9. What’s a new summer escape you embarked on this summer?
Apart from going to Istanbul I will be going back to Georgia to celebrate my 40th with friends in Tbilisi and do some Hiking in the Adjara Mountains, which I am most excited about, it looks so green there! And I’m looking forward to seeing some new Vineyards in Georgia..
10. What’s your ultimate escape soundtrack?
Gosh that’s hard. I love so much music and all different kinds from Indian to Turkish, Opera, hip-hop, R&B, and everything from the 90s. I guess it depends on the escape. My favorite artists are Lil Kim, Adina Howard, Maria Callas, and Fairouz.. it’s a hard question, it depends on the escape.
11. What about this summer’s read?
The Master & Margarita Bulgakov is my favorite book since High School.
12. Which film do you revisit for the summer?
Betty Blue
13. Where do you hope to head next?
I would really love to go to Pakistan, it looks incredible
14. Whom would you like to nominate for this feature, considering their passion for traveling?
I will come back to you on that one I just need to check with who I am thinking of..
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