Luxury Travel Insider

Here's the inside scoop on this episode. In late 2021 I traveled to the Galapagos and thought it would be fun to try something new on the pod.  My goal was to capture the stories of locals, guides, and even some of the wildlife through sounds and live experiences.  So what you're about to hear is a compilation of interviews, live sounds from our explorations, and hopefully a whole lotta inspiratio...

Robert Bowe is one of the top guest experience managers at Ashford Castle in Western Ireland. Ashford may be an 800 year old castle, but it's also a modern day icon in the world of luxury travel. Driving up to the castle, you'll feel like you're in Camelot - you'll first see the lush green grounds set next to the ocean. Then you'll discover the history, the secret passageways, and the fine silks a...

Today we're headed into the heart of Burgundy for an education on French cuisine and hospitality.  We'll start by meeting an infinitely interesting cast of characters - first, my guest Bérangère Loiseau. Then we'll learn about her mother, Dominique (a biochemist turned top hotelier) and finally, Bérangère 's world-famous chef of a father, Bernard Loiseau.  Along the way we'll learn interesting tid...

Today we're discussing the historical destination of Malta. This small chain of islands in the Mediterranean Sea has been smack dab in the middle of African, Arab, and European conquests for over 7,000 years.   If the word Malta conjures up cute white puppies and James Bond like movie scenes, I think you'll find that's not quite the truth.  Our guest today is Damon Camilleri Allan, our partner in...

Today's show is about the evolution of travel - from the golden age of plane travel starting in the late 40s, to the excesses of the 80s, to the rapid changes brought about by the internet, 9/11, and the Covid-19 Pandemic.  My guest today is one of the most influential people in the luxury travel world, Matthew Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso Travel.  Matthew tells stories of how travel planning was don...

Imagine yourself standing in a huge square… light glinting off gilded gates adorned with sun shaped medallions. The scent of lemon trees and orange blossoms fills the air. You're surrounded by the spirit of some of the most important historical figures who have ever lived.  When you realize you're not in a dream, you'll see that you're standing at the Palace of Versaille. And shortly thereafter, b...

This week we're exploring the most remote corners of the world. In Antarctica - heading deep into the continent to uncover the South Pole. In the Pacific - diving the depths of the Mariana Trench, and in the tropics - visiting uninhabited islands that few people have ever stepped foot on. All this and more can be had with the advent of Expedition Yachting - the ability to charter a private vessel...

I'm so excited today to be speaking with travel lover and true renaissance man - Bill Bensley. If you haven't heard of Bill, you've CERTAINLY heard of some of the hotels he's designed. World renowned projects like Capella Ubud, Four Seasons Tented Camp, Shinta Mani and more. Before any of these were notable on the world's stage, before any of them were even built - Bill was there. Soaking in the c...

Today we find ourselves strolling along the coastlines of Taormina, the historical walkways of Palermo, and in the shadow of the gorgeous Mt. Etna. I'm so excited to be chatting with my friend, Barbara Iaccarino to dive into the fascinating island of Sicily. Any mention of Sicily conjures up mafiosos eating cannoli and stunning coastal vistas - but Barbara helps us go a bit deeper and to understan...

I'm so excited today to be chatting with the CEO of a place that is near and dear to my heart, Canyon Ranch. Canyon Ranch is a pioneer in the wellness industry, a place where you can get away from the stress of everyday life and focus on what is most important. That focus is different for everyone who visits the ranch - whether you need a mental break from work, you're focused on improving your he...

I'm so thrilled today to be speaking with travel Guru, Wendy Perrin. When I first met Wendy, I was totally fan-girling, and was even more surprised when I asked her to come on the show and she enthusiastically and quickly said.. Yes!  I've since found that this enthusiasm defines Wendy. From her desire to help promote travel, to excitement about learning new things, to helping people of all backgr...

Today we're visiting the most bio geographically diverse country in the European Union to explore dazzling waterfalls, UNESCO protected medieval villages, snow capped mountains, and sandy black sea beaches. But you may have never heard of these treasures as they are all hidden in plain sight, behind the large as life myth of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Romania is a country not of vampires and werewolve...

Today you'll come face to face with a polar bear, see a herd of twenty elephants passing by your picnic setup, and hear the wings flap of 500,000 monarch butterflies. The topic of today's show is nature travel, and my guest is Ben Bressler, Founder and CEO of Natural Habitat Adventures - a company that achieves their mission of conservation through helping you explore the wilderness. Whether you'r...

Imagine yourself floating in crystal clear, turquoise waters with fringes of palm trees rustling in the breeze, and not a soul in sight.  This may sound like a fantasy but it happens with regularity in the Maldives. This gorgeous chain of atolls sprawling across the Indian Ocean is one of the best places on the planet to disconnect and feel immersed in nature. And when you've had your fill of rela...

I'm excited to take you to one of my favorite countries today, the Sultanate of Oman. Located on the edge of the Arabian Peninsula, this hidden gem boasts rugged mountain ranges bursting with roses, terraced orchards of pomegranates, vast sand dune deserts, and date palm fringed oases dotted with crystal clear limestone pools of water. One of the best ways to experience Oman is by camping and spen...

We're shaking it up today with a panel of experts on one of my favorite countries, Thailand! Together we'll explore the bustling capital of Bangkok, stunning national parks, and the culture of this fascinating country. Our guests today are: James Beard Award Winning Chef, Andy Ricker, who lives in Chiang Mai and is an expert in Northern Thai cuisine. Oh, and he showed Anthony Bourdain around the a...

Today we're whisking you away on a captivating journey aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express. With a history dating back to 1883, this train route has transported aristocrats and historic figures like Tolstoy, Trotsky, Marlene Dietrich, and Lawrence of Arabia. Many of the cars of the Venice Simplon are original cars from the 1920s and all are painstakingly restored to preserve the charm of the...

Today's show is about Alaska and two of it's top luxury lodges, Winterlake and Tutka Bay Lodge. But it's also about so much more! Our guest is owner and chef, Kirsten Dixon and after our recording I was asking her to be my mentor! Alaska is a destination that captures the imaginations of people from all over the world. It's pristine beauty and rugged wilderness have so much to teach us. Travel has...

Today we're traveling the globe searching for unexpected experiences, off the grid lodges, and truly customized adventure activities. One of my favorite places to look for this unique combo is to my friends at Eleven Experience.  With Eleven you don't have to sacrifice the comforts of luxury to experience some of the world's most breathtaking landscapes and unique cultures. With lodges in remote p...

Today we're whisking you away to Scotland, the land of castles, whiskey, and tartan. But there's more to experience here than just the typical stereotypes. Whether you're coming for magnificent neolithic ruins, to cycle across the country, or to revel in some of the most authentic festivals you'll find anywhere in the world - Scotland has something for everyone. Our guests today are Paul Easto and...

Our guest today is Robin West, Vice President and GM of Seabourn Expeditions - one of the first ultra-luxury companies to dive into expedition cruising. Whether you find yourself in a state-of-the-art submarine, basking in the Northern Lights, enjoying a gourmet meal onboard, exploring the untouched coastlines of Greenland, or indulging in a world-class spa treatment - you'll be unmistakably Seabo...

With Canada re-opening its borders soon to tourism, I'm excited to welcome our first Canadian guest on the show. We're headed into the countryside of Quebec today to chat with Jason Stafford of Manoir Hovey, one of the top hotels in all of Canada. Though it's set in French Canada, Manoir Hovey was actually designed after George Washington's estate by a businessman from Georgia in the year 1900. In...

Today we travel to a very special corner of the world, called Ballyfin. Set amongst lush, green, rolling foothills, an hour outside of Dublin, Ballyfin drips with history, beauty, and charm. Over the last two hundred years this mansion has been a family home, hosted glamorous parties for nobility, and used as a boarding school before falling into disrepair. In the early 2000s the future of one of...

We're heading to Southern California today, to be whisked away from all our worries and unhealthy influences at Cal-a-Vie Health Spa. Cal-a-Vie is situated in a sun-dappled valley just north of San Diego. When arriving here you'll be greeted by lavender fields, sunflowers, and vineyards and then treated to some of the best service and luxury accommodations in the industry. Though the property was...

Today we're journeying to the historic lands of Germany. What was once a country of independent principalities, is today a major European power. But those individualistic roots still shine through - in the art of winemaking outside Geisenheim, in the intricate porcelain craftsmanship of Saxony, and the friendly competition to make the best local variety of sausages.  Whether you're coming to Germa...