By Jae-Ha Kim
Tribune Content Agency
March 29, 2016
Born and raised in Sweden, television personality Fredrik Eklund, 38, says one of the reasons he moved to New York is because he remembered a childhood trip he took with his family to the Big Apple.
“I came here from Stockholm as a little boy and was obsessed with the energy of the city,” says the real estate broker. “So, I made the city my life and work. Today, I’m selling the city. I am a part of changing it and its skyline.”
Eklund is one of the stars of Bravo’s real estate reality series, “Million Dollar Listing New York.” Fans may follow him on Twitter at or on Instagram.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. We have so many favorite destinations, since traveling is life itself to me, especially when it comes to white sandy beaches with turquoise waters. Turks and Caicos, Bora Bora, Hawaii and the Maldives are all favorites.
Q. If you were to give recommendations for one of those places, what would it be?
A. For any first-timers (going to the Maldives), I recommend that you go to dive. And I mean, really dive. Dive deep, dive during the nighttime, dive with the sharks. It will change your life. It will turn your perspective upside-down.
Q. What untapped destination should people know about?
A. Scandinavia is still pretty much untapped to most Americans and there is so much to see there, especially during the summer.
Q. What was the first trip you took as a child? And did you love it … or not so much?
A. I traveled pretty much all over the world as a child. I was lucky that way. I loved every single trip. I had my own little travel bag that I brought on the plane with me and always carried a mug of hot chocolate that I made myself the night before. In those days, you were still allowed to bring liquids onto the plane. I was a little dreamer as a child. I used to be up in the clouds on the plane and pretend I could fly.
Q. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A. That I am a citizen of the world and I won’t ever stop traveling. I have also learned that life is so short and I have to eat all of the tasty sandwiches on the smorgasbord we call Earth.
Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A. Turks, Costa Rica, Mexico, Miami — anywhere warm. I’m always chasing tan lines.
Q. I heard you met your husband overseas?
A. Yes. I met (artist) Derek (Kaplan) on Mykonos, the Greek Island.
Q. Would that count as one of your most romantic destinations?
A. Yes! We had some pretty hot nights there. Also, Paris, St. Lucia, Bora Bora and the Maldives. Those four places are dear to me, too.
Q. If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A. I do typically travel for the holidays and Sweden is always the best, because Santa Claus is Swedish. There is snow and lit candles everywhere and I love the feeling of being surrounded by the warmth of family.
Q. What are your favorite hotels?
A. A few of my favorite hotels are Ett Hem in Stockholm, Amanyara in Turks, Hideaway in Maldives and Soho House in Miami.
Q. What are your five favorite cities?
A. New York, Paris, Stockholm, Rio and Venice.
Q. Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A. Canada and New Zealand can both remind me of Swedish nature.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. I am a very frequent traveler and my must-haves are my Apple TV, my music, my headphones and my sneakers.
Q. What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A. If it’s warm, Rosé wine!
© 2016 JAE-HA KIM
DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.
