Luxury Travel Insider

Ernest Hemingway once said, “In order to write about life, first you must live it.” And as we all know, he went to live his life in the vibrant country of Cuba.  Now, Cuba has both dramatically changed and stayed the same since Hemingway departed in 1960, but nonetheless it still offers one of the best travel experiences in the world. Here you can combine authentic interactions with locals, great food, beautiful beaches, and of course all the rum and cigars you can stomach.  Joining me today is the always intriguing David Lee, Owner and Founder of Cultural Cuba, our partner in the country. David and I chat about everything from the politics and legalities of entering Cuba to grabbing a bite with a local Cuban entrepreneur, and all the amazing experiences in between.  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 me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Our guest today is Michael Ungerer, the CEO of Explora Journeys, one of the best known travel companies that has yet to formally launch!  If you haven’t heard of Explora yet, you soon will. They are pioneering a new niche in ocean going travel, so much so that they don’t actually refer to it as cruising. The family owned company has started from scratch, learning from tens of thousands of next generation luxury travelers what they might want in a mega-yacht experience.  Explora Journeys launches in 2023 with Explora I, where you can expect a focus on health and wellness, truly immersive experiences, anchoring near off the beaten path destinations, and the largest suites in the industry.  Michael talks to us about the vision for the company, some fun tidbits of what it’s been like to grow a new luxury brand during Covid, and a few insider hints at what to expect next. 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 me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Today we’re mixing things up a bit to hear how you can bring the luxury hotel experience into your own home.  Darcy Guttwein has spent two decades building a lifestyle concept she calls Hotels to Home. She’s traveled the world taking inspiration from luxury hospitality brands and figured out a way to incorporate many of the aspects that you love about traveling into the everyday.  Darcy and I discuss simple and affordable “hacks” to creating this lifestyle, all the way to elaborate and elegant changes that can be made to the home.  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 me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn  

I’m so excited today to be speaking with two amazing travel and remote work experts, Matt Kepnes and Dan Andrews. Matt is the founder of the successful blog, Nomadic Matt and is a New York Times bestselling author of two books. Dan hosts the successful podcast, Tropical MBA, co-founded Dynamite Circle to connect and empower digital entrepreneurs, and also founded Dynamite Jobs.  Both of our guests have spent years as digital nomads. This episode is a bit of a departure from our typical shows but I think it holds some golden lessons and amazing insights for us all.  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 me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

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 inspiring anti-poaching team, and of course the world class service of Singita.  Since I’m in the field for this episode vs. sitting in the studio, you’ll hear some of the sounds of an actual game drive, and enjoy an authentic conversation with our accomplished guide Tengue and the Lodge Manager, Valerie. Both are local Zimbabweans and I was truly honored to spend this time with them.  We discuss so much in this episode from the area’s spectacular growth in rhino population, to specialty cocktails, to hyper-inflation, to Zimbabwean culture. I hope you’ll enjoy this exciting episode of Luxury Travel Insider.   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 me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

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 tea plantation in the mountains, to being on safari at Wild Coast Tented Lodge - you can’t get more immersed than this. Malik’s father is a famous figure in Sri Lanka, having founded Dilmah Tea which is exported to over 100 countries around the world. When Sri Lanka opened up to tourism, Malik noticed an increasing number of tea drinkers reaching out to ask to come visit… so he renovated some bungalows and invited them to come along. Today his 3, and soon to be 4 hotels are the top luxury options in the country. Malik and I discuss why Sri Lanka is such an underrated destination. He also tells insider stories about the building of the lodges, their passion for community development, and why true luxury is about feeling pampered AND being immersed in the local culture. 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/    See photos, show notes, and listener perks  HERE. Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

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 me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

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 me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

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 coming to Auberge was like coming home to what he feels is the heart of hospitality - simple every day pleasures, luxury in the form of thoughtful gestures, and cultivating meaningful experiences for guests.   Craig and I chat about off the beaten path destinations, historical landmarks, Bob Hope, and much more!  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 me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn  

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 partner in the region, Yoav Gal - an expert in luxury Israel itineraries; Eyal Riess - a Rabbi in the mystical Jewish tradition of Kabbalah, and Libbi Cohen- an expert in Tel Avivian history, culture, and nightlife.  We discuss everything from Israel’s new cultural revolution, to spiritual experiences in caves, to Bauhaus architecture - and of course hummus!  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 me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn