Luxury Travel Insider

This time I'm taking you to Singita's Pamushana Lodge in remote, Southeast Zimbabwe. Perched high on a sandstone ridge, overlooking a shimmering lake full of hippos, this is one of the most inspirational safari destinations I have ever had the privilege of visiting.  The lodge is set on the Malilangwe Reserve which is now famous for its rhino and ecological conservation efforts, its absolutely awe...

Our guest today is Malik Fernando, Founder and Managing Director of Resplendent Ceylon, a collection of luxury boutique hotels in Sri Lanka. It's hard to even call Malik's properties hotels. They're more like beautiful places to rest your head wrapped into a full on experience of living life and diving into Sri Lankan culture. From the palm fringed shores of Cape Weligama, to relaxing on a working...

Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here:  https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out:  https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/     Learn more at www.luxtravelinsider.com   Connect with...

Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here:  https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out:  https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/   Learn more at www.luxtravelinsider.com   Connect with m...

Today we're diving into the world of Auberge Resorts with CEO Craig Reid. Whether you are skiing in Aspen, horseback riding in Costa Rica, or harvesting mushrooms with the chef before dinner - Auberge delivers an experience based kind of luxury that's hard to find anywhere else. Craig had a long career at some of the most storied brands in luxury travel. In talking to him, you can sense that comin...

Today we're diving into the paradox that is the country of Israel. In such a small nation you can be surrounded by tech entrepreneurs, holy men and women from multiple faiths, geopolitical conflict, world class nightlife, and natural wonders like the Dead Sea AND the Mediterranean Sea.  To try to unravel some of this beautiful complexity, we have three guests on our show today. My friend and partn...

Today I'm whisking you away to experience the greenest of countryside, the freshest of salt air, and the purest heart of hospitality. A visit to Ireland will give you all this and much more.  My guest today is Crothúr Murphy, a long time expert not just in tourism to Ireland, but in the history, culture, and soul of its people. Crothúr grew up here and has been showing his country off for nearly 3...

If you've been paying attention to the mental health and wellness space, you know that psychedelics have burst onto the scene in a big way. Major universities like Johns Hopkins, Yale, and Berkeley are studying their effects on PTSD, anxiety, depression, and more.  Many guides and shamans in this space describe the use of psilocybin, MDMA, and other substances together with integrative therapy ses...

My guest today is Tom Rutherford, the Regional Director for three gorgeous Aman hotels in Southeast Asia - Amansara in Cambodia, Amantaka in Laos, and Amanoi in Vietnam.  When you head to this region of the world, especially away from the hustle and bustle of the major cities… time just seems to slow down. Here there is enough time for the Laotian farmer to tend to the animals, the crops, break br...

We're talking about travel insurance and other forms of travel protection. I can't tell you how many myths abound about this aspect of travel - from thoughts that claims don't get paid anyway, to not fully understanding why it's so important.  We insure our cars, our watches, our dog's vet bills - and even though luxury travelers are spending MUCH more on their trips than on these items… they don'...

Today we find ourselves on "The Ice" deep in the heart of Antarctica. And I mean the interior of Antarctica, land of majestic mountains, the Emperor Penguin, and the magnetic south pole.  Though you once had to go on months long expeditions to reach these destinations, you can now fly five hours on a Gulfstream from Cape Town and experience all the Great White has to offer from the comfort of a lu...

Today we're chatting with Bob Lepisto, President of Sea Dream Yacht Club. SeaDream owns two mega yachts, each with about 50 cabins. The biggest no no when talking about SeaDream is to call it a cruise!  Bob has been with the company for 20 years so we get to chat about the history of the cruise industry and how with SeaDream they wanted to start something different. Something where you wouldn't ha...

We're shaking it up today with a panel of food and beverage experts from one of our favorite hotel brands, Belmond! Together we'll explore the skill and hard work that goes into creating some of your favorite drinks - from the shorelines of Italy to the palaces of St. Petersburg.  Our guests today are: Tommaso Mansi and Nikita Yurin. Tommaso is the head bar manager at the stunning Belmond Caruso h...

Imagine looking up at a blanket of stars, the sound of the ocean lapping, and the smell of sea air mixed with sweet pine. Then picture another scene - crowds squealing with excitement, bulls rushing by, and a cup of sangria refreshing your soul.  Today we're discussing the country of Spain - a place so diverse it may as well be a hundred different destinations in one! Whether you're here to focus...

Today we're discussing the iconic destination of New Zealand. Known for sweeping vistas, life-giving hiking, sumptuous food and wine, and ridiculous adventure activities. Though famous for towns like Queenstown - the real magic of New Zealand happens when you get to have vast open spaces all to yourself. With the right planning and guides, that can happen quite easily! Our guest today is my friend...

Today we're talking about a particular type of travel that is gaining popularity around the world - villa rentals.  In the past this kind of travel was reserved for the uber wealthy and very well connected. Finding amazing villas in Italy or San Tropez was a nightmare, and imagine renting something so expensive sight unseen or with one photo sent you  in black and white and via fax machine!  Then...

Today we're headed to Provence in Southern France to be well, soak up the sun, and inhale the scent of lavender.  This special region has so much to offer, from intense outdoor activities to easy bike rides, to impressionist history, and of course a refreshing glass of rose'.  Our guest today is Alain Bachmann, the GM of a special property near Luberon called Coquillade. This gem was originally bu...

Today we're touching down in the Alps… the Swiss Alps to be precise. In this most stunning of landscapes we'll encounter over 7,000 lakes, four different spoken languages, some of the world's best chocolate, and an abundance of charming villages and towns.  Switzerland is a mecca for cultural tourists, spa goers, and anyone who appreciates the majestic outdoors.  My guest today is Mario Wuersch, S...

Our guest today is Chris Prelog, President of Windstar Cruises - a small ship cruise line that focuses on sailing vessels… yes.. With actual sails!  Imagine yourself on deck of one of these magical ships, pulling out of port, the 1492 Conquest of Paradise song playing, sails unrolling, and heading into the open ocean. What nostalgia for a time gone by! Except on Windstar you're also met with every...

Today we're chatting about Panama and all its beauty, diversity, culture, and history.  Believe it or not this small country has shaped the course of our entire planet. Scientists say that the formation of the isthmus is what changed the climate to allow ideal conditions for humans to thrive, and today that same isthmus boats a certain canal that has a lot to do with making your daily Amazon purch...

Today we travel to a very special corner of the world, called Gleneagles. Set amongst lush, green, Scottish countryside in the shadow of Stirling Castle, Gleneagles drips with history, elegance, and flair. Over the last one hundred years this estate has hosted Presidents, Lords, celebrities, Wimbledon champs, and of course the everyday luxury traveler like you and me. Whether you are visiting for...

Today we're exploring the country of Australia, famous for its icons like the Sydney Opera House, the Outback, and the Great Barrier Reef. The dazzling landscape is fit for the movies from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. To try to understand the country at a deeper level, we have three guests with us today. My friend and partner in the region, Stuart Rigg - an expert in luxury Australia itinerari...

I'm excited to uncover the Puglia region of Italy with you today.  While visiting Puglia, you might feel like you're stepping back into the Italy seen in the movies of the 50s and 60s. You'll stroll through charming villages, meet locals who still do things the traditional way, sample ultra fresh burrata cheese and olive oil, and of course enjoy the gorgeous waters of the Adriatic. Our guest today...

Today we're whisking you away to a vast and varied land. Where you'll find lush rainforests, Arctic tundra, mountain peaks over 19,000 feet, cosmopolitan cities, great open plains, vivid turquoise lakes, and rugged coastal beauty. Where is this magical land you might ask? Look no further than our beautiful neighbor to the north, Canada.  My guest today is Marc Telio, founder and CEO of Entree Dest...

My guest today is Audeline Witjaksono, the Regional Director for several Aman hotels in Asia, as well as GM of Amanpulo in the Philippines. Just speaking with Audeline and soaking up the vibes from her location calmed me and brought my always on the go energy down a couple notches… so imagine actually being there! Amanpulo is set on a far flung private island, nestled in the western part of the Ph...