Passport to Everywhere with Melissa Biggs Bradley

If you want more information on the restaurants mentioned in this week’s episode, click on the links below:    Le Bernardin - From co-owner Maguy Le Coze and Chef Eric Ripert, this luxury seafood restaurant earned four stars from The New York Times three months after its opening, was ranked #1 in the world in 2019 by La Liste, and held a spot on the World’s 50 Best List for many years. Here you ca...

This week on Passport to Everywhere, Melissa is joined by legendary entrepreneur and adventurer Sir Richard Branson.   Renowned for his trailblazing spirit, Branson has carved a name for himself in diverse industries such as music, aviation, hotels, and even space exploration. The episode delves into his remarkable journey, starting from his early days when he left school at 16 to launch his own m...

This week Melissa is joined by Fiona Caulfield for a vibrant and captivating conversation about travel and experiences in the country of India. Known for its rich history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes, India is a sensory overload that leaves travelers wanting more.    Fiona Caulfield is a true connoisseur of all things India. Her journey began when she left her high-profile career in...

This week Melissa transports you to the Pucci Palazzo in Florence, Italy, for a conversation with Laudomia Pucci that covers fashion, food, her family’s legacy in Florence, and much more.   Laudomia Pucci is a native Florentine and the daughter of Emilio Pucci. She became the CEO of the PUCCI brand at just 28 years-old after her father's passing and has been integral to the international expansion...

This week Melissa sits down with longtime friend, India Hicks. India has lived an adventurous and multifaceted life. London-native, daughter of designer David Hicks and Lady Pamela Mountbatten (who was a lady in waiting to Queen Elizabeth II), goddaughter to King Charles III and former Ralph Lauren model. Over the years India has flourished as a designer, author and entrepreneur – publishing four...

This week on Passport to Everywhere, Melissa Biggs Bradley explores the iconic Claridge's hotel in London, often called the "annex of Buckingham Palace." Since opening its doors in 1854, Claridge's has welcomed dozens of beloved royals, foreign dignitaries, and Hollywood stars, earning a reputation as one of the most star-studded hotels in the world.    Melissa sits down with Claridge's archivist...

This week on Passport to Everywhere, Melissa welcomes Dr. Zahi Hawass a formidable figure in Egyptology. As the Former Director of Excavations at Giza, Saqqara, and the Valley of Kings… and two-time Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs, Dr. Hawass has made a number of major discoveries that have shaped the way we understand the ancient world.   Dr. Hawass’s finds include the Tombs of the Pyra...

On this episode of Passport to Everywhere, Melissa Biggs Bradley takes you on a captivating journey to the dazzling Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc along the French Riviera on the Cap d’Antibes.    Known for its storied and star-studded history, as well as the glamorous destination where celebrities stay who attend the Cannes Film Festival, du Cap is one of the most legendary hotels of the world.    Melissa...

This week Melissa sits down with renowned shoe designer Christian Louboutin to discuss his latest venture: a boutique hotel in the scenic hills of Portugal. Christian is widely recognized in the fashion industry for his glamorous footwear line featuring coveted red-bottom shoes. He has now, however, ventured into the world of hospitality with his latest project, the Vermelho Hotel.   Vermelho is l...

This week Melissa is joined by world-renowned tourism visionary and CEO of Saudi Arabia's Diriyah Gate ‍Development Authority, Jerry Inzerillo, about his work to transform Diriyah, which is considered the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, into one of the world’s top international destinations by 2030. Previously the Vice Chairman of Forbes Travel Guide and awarded the prestigious “Tourism...

This week Melissa is joined by her friend Aerin Lauder, who is also the granddaughter of Esteè Lauder and the founder and Creative Director of AERIN, a global luxury lifestyle brand.  In this episode, Melissa and Aerin discuss how Aerin’s travels have inspired her brand, including special childhood trips with her grandmother. Aerin also shares stories and travel recommendations for destinations th...

On this episode of Passport to Everywhere, Melissa Biggs Bradley welcomes Steven Shalowitz, an experienced international traveler and host of the One Way Ticket podcast. Over the past ten years, he’s been interviewing thought leaders in business, travel, art and entertainment around one question: “If I gave you a one-way ticket, where would you go?”   The conversation kicks off with a discussion o...

This week Melissa will transport you to Charleston, South Carolina. Beyond its quaint appearance, cobblestone streets, and pastel-colored historic houses, it is also home to a thriving food scene, charming boutique hotels, and a rich and important history. Surrounded by both pristine beaches and acres of farmland, this southern city is considered one of the most vibrant American tourist destinatio...

This week Melissa takes us to the Caribbean island of St. Barth’s, for a special conversation with the fascinating Charlie Vere Nicoll.  Given Charlie’s fascinating history with St. Barth’s–as guest, hotelier, resident and vicar, he offers special insight into what makes this small volcanic island such a mythical place and a sought-after tropical retreat. The Rockefellers and Rothschilds were amon...

Melissa, an avid skier herself, is joined by renowned ski expert Jackson Hogen, equipment tester and editor of RealSkiers.com, to share his incredible knowledge about national and international ski destinations, overlooked mountains, and advances in equipment technology. Plus, the two will discuss how the industry has changed over the years, trends in the sport, why we’re seeing a surge in ski pop...

Antarctica has become a “Bucket List” destination for many travelers, and in recent years more tour operators have launched operations on the White Continent creating the opportunity for more travelers to visit.    This week Melissa details her recent trip to Antarctica as she’s joined by Director of Indagare Productions, Kathryn Nathanson, giving her first-hand account of crossing Drake’s Passage...

This week Melissa welcomes prolific American novelist and travel writer Paul Theroux, whose bibliography includes The Mosquito Coast, The Great Railway Bazaar, Dark Star Safari, and many more.   The conversation covers how travel has shaped Paul’s storytelling, collecting treasures while on the road, returning to beloved places, what makes for strong travel writing, why he strays off the beaten pa...

The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF) is widely regarded as the world's preeminent organization for fine art, antiques, and design. Every March, leading art dealers from around the world flock to the Netherlands for the foundation's flagship fair: TEFAF Maastricht. The quality of its paintings, jewelry, and decorative objects is so esteemed that the event is known as the place where museums com...

This week on Passport to Everywhere, Melissa transports us to Southeast Asia, shining a spotlight on Cambodia. First, Ginevra Boatto, World Monument Fund's regional representative for Southeast Asia overseeing the Angkor Archeological Park project, joins Melissa to talk about engaging with local communities, restoring sites, expectations of travelers, and more. The WMF is a nonprofit dedicated to...

On this week’s episode, Melissa transports us to the South of France for a conversation with international hotelier Paddy McKillen about art, wine, architecture, and his passion project in Provence, Château La Coste.  Villa La Coste, a 28 suite boutique hotel, sits on the grounds of the extraordinary 600-acre estate, Château La Coste, where you will also find an open-air contemporary art museum an...

This week Melissa welcomes Jessica Nabongo, a writer, photographer, and entrepreneur with over 14 years of experience in the travel industry for a conversation about solo travel, the power of community, and bringing worlds, people, and cultures together. Her luxury lifestyle brand, The Catch, connects people across the world by providing small-scale artisans with a platform on which they can offer...

This week Melissa welcomes the incredible author Patricia Schultz to the show. At a young age, Patricia took a life-changing trip to the Dominican Republic, fell in love with travel, and committed her life to experience as much as she could of the wonders of the world. Since that first trip, she's accrued passport stamps from over 150 of the 190 countries recognized by the UN.    Patricia is a pro...

On this week’s episode, Melissa Biggs Bradley looks back at 2022's incredible, record-breaking year of travel in 2022 including the year's biggest trends and what surprised her most as travel rebounded. The infrastructure of the travel industry wasn’t prepared for the unprecedented demand that hit in 2022, which led to major challenges for airlines, hotels, and restaurants. Despite rising costs, h...

This week on Passport to Everywhere, Melissa Biggs Bradley welcomes Dereck and Beverly Joubert as they discuss their passion and curiosity about the African ecosystem that inspired them to dedicate their lives to conservation. That commitment to protecting and sharing wildlife landscapes led them to become Emmy and Peabody award-winning filmmakers. Beverly and Dereck have produced over 30 nature d...

This week's guest is legendary music producer and hotelier Chris Blackwell. From starting Island Records and bringing Jamaican singer Bob Marley to the mainstream to founding  the Jamaican luxury hotel collection Island Outpost, Chris has dedicated his career to celebrating Jamaica's vibrant culture and natural beauty. Learn why the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame dubbed him “the single person most respo...