When traveling, I strive to perceive the world through the same romantic lens that inspired many great writers from Wordsworth to Theroux.
Our Story
For Von Graffenried founder Ried Stelly, discovery runs in the family. His parents named him after his Swiss ancestor Christoph von Graffenried, a low ranking noble from Bern who ventured to the New World in 1710 to make his fortune, ultimately founding the city of New Bern, North Carolina - the first permanent colonial capital. He was ambushed by pirates en route, and later captured by Tuscarora natives. They spared him a death sentence only because he was so well dressed they mistook him for the governor. His friend wasn’t so lucky. Although Christoph returned home to Switzerland just four years later penniless, his sense of discovery, adventure, and perseverance has always been an inspiration.
Ried’s passion for traveling originated with his first trip abroad, to Paris, to celebrate his 13th birthday. The entrancing power Paris possesses led him back to France when just days after his 16th birthday he journeyed to a small rural village nestled in the gentle hills of Alsace to immerse himself in the local language and culture. Upon graduating college, he set out on his next big adventure, this time to China - as his grandfather did in 1946 - seeking new opportunities in an unfamiliar world. Living abroad unlocked a new and empathetic view of the world, and ignited his never-ending quest to discover the magic our world has to offer.
Prior to founding Von Graffenried, Ried spent nine years delivering service to high net-worth clients in China and the United States, most recently at esteemed New York travel company Indagare. It was there he was able to marry his service-oriented mindset with his passion for travel under the direction of Melissa Biggs Bradley and her phenomenal team of travel experts.
meet Ried
To me, travel is about adventure – the tastes, the sites, the sounds, the comfort – immersion into art, culture, history, and cuisine. Yet, I find it is also about rejuvenation in the form of relaxing on a beach, hiking through majestic mountains, or embracing my inner flâneur in Paris. I work with a small, select clientele who understand the journey is as important as the destination. Their love and passion for unique, one-of-a-kind experiences parallels my own and makes each trip its own reward.
meet Megan
Megan’s inspiration for travel comes not only from the excitement of fresh experiences and breathtaking sights, but the chance to interact with different cultures. This eagerness to explore led to Megan living in India, China, and Germany. During her time abroad, she created enduring memories connecting with the cultures of each country, in addition to traversing other countries in Asia and Europe.
meet Alex
Being an avid scuba diver, enthusiastic foodie, and photographer are just a few of many passions that have influenced his travels across six continents. Paired with years of industry experience as a personal butler at both Park Hyatt Beijing and Raffles Beijing, including completion of the prominent Hotel Golden Key International program, Alex’s approach to hospitality and service is meticulous and wholesome as demonstrated by the numerous VIPs he once served.