Luxury Travel Insider

I’m thrilled to take you back to New Zealand today, the home of the worlds most magnificent landscapes, the cuddliest kiwi birds, and heart-pumping adventure activities. Specifically we’re learning about some of the country’s top luxury lodges - Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers on the North Island and Matakauri near Queenstown. Whether you’re helicoptering to an alpine lake for a special picnic, exploring the Cliffs of Hawks Bay by can-am, or golfing one of the top 100 golf courses in the world - you will surely be wowed at every turn. Joining us is Jay Robertson, CEO of Robertson Lodges. We discuss everything from conservation, to fly fishing, to the local can-do 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/    Learn more at www.luxtravelinsider.com Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Today we’re discussing the regions of Normandy and Brittany - a land that has hosted Vikings, Celts, and Roman Invaders. While Normandy is certainly steeped in the emotional remains of WWII - it is also a beautiful reminder of the freedom we all enjoy today. Digging a bit deeper here you can find delicate lace, superbly fresh mussels, ancient megalithic ruins and medieval works of art. If there’s one thing that rings true about the Bretons and the Normans - it’s that they continue to honor their cultures and remain the backbone of France. Our guest today is Adrienne O’Donoghue. While originally from Maryland, Adrienne met her French husband in college while helping with the harvest in Bordeaux. In addition to living in Normandy for 25 years, being married to the Mayor of Chambois, and raising four children there - Adrienne was a 19th century antiques dealer for 10 years! She now partners with luxury travel advisors like me to craft amazing itineraries for our mutual clients. Adrienne and I discuss the history of this special region, impressionist art, crepes, and how to just get lost in the countryside. 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 discussing three gorgeous landscapes dotted across the country of Chile, with one of the owners of the iconic Tierra Hotels, Ellen Marie Guidera. Tierra Hotels are more truly lodges than hotels - with gorgeous architecture built to blend into the landscape, the friendliest local guides to make your stay unforgettable, and world class spas built to wow. Regardless of whether you’re set in Patagonia overlooking the mountain landscape, Chiloe exploring local villages on the lake, or in Atacama contemplating the universe - you’ll enter a Tierra state of mind. Ellen and I chat about what it means to be a family business, why Chile is such a fabulous destination, and why a lodge based vacation might just be your best trip yet.  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 to take you around the world to the fascinating destination of China. In a country so vast and so varied - you could presumably stay for months and still barely scratch the surface. So here to help us decode what a trip to China could look like, is Mei Zhang. Mei grew up in the western city of Dali in the Yunnan province. After graduating from Harvard Business School, and working at McKinsey, she decided to help travelers experience her homeland in a different way. In this episode, Mei paints pictures of gorgeous landscapes, dispels myths about China, and reminisces about her hometown of Dali. We also discuss up and coming fashion and art, Chinese TikTok, and technology. 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

We’re headed to the countryside today, deep in the heart of Vermont to chat with John Graham, the Managing Director of Twin Farms. Thinking of Vermont conjures up images of fall foliage glinting fiery orange, red, and gold. You might also smell sweet maple syrup or warm apple cider, and imagine yourself in an historic general store, covered bridge, or barn. At Twin Farms, one of the most talked about hotels in America, you can experience all this and much more. The 300 acres making up the farm was purchased in the 20s by Nobel Prize winning author, Sinclair Lewis as a wedding present for his journalist wife, Dorothy Thompson. Their story and the story of owners before and after - add to the charm of the experience. John and I discuss hidden secrets about the property, what Vermont is like in spring, and how this little farm in the middle of nowhere offers some of the most luxurious service on the continent.  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 discussing the multi-faceted destination of Mexico. If you’re not reevaluating what you think you know about Mexico by the end of this episode we’ll have to have a chat! Whether you’re witnessing the miracle of the monarch butterfly migration, hiking the Copper Canyon, eating mole in Oaxaca, or swimming with whale sharks - you’ll be enchanted by the Mexican culture and all the diversity this country has to offer. A true luxury experience in Mexico isn’t just about glitzy hotels in the Baja - it’s about diving deeper and finding the unexpected. Our guest today is Zach Rabinor, an expert in crafting insider experiences in Mexico. We chat about his favorite surf spots, the breadth and depth of Mexican food, and some off the beaten path destinations to try for your next trip. 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 thrilled to take you on a journey around the world to the countries of Zambia and Madagascar today. While most safari goers think first of South Africa or maybe Kenya - Zambia offers a wilder experience. One where you can dip your toes in the sand of the African bush, experience wildlife eye to eye, and immerse yourself in untouched wilderness. Then trading one wild place for another, you can fly to Madagascar to enjoy one of the most luxurious private islands in the world, while catching glimpses of lemurs, baobab trees, and chameleons. Joining us today is Bruce Simpson - CEO of Time + Tide in Zambia and Miavana in Madagascar. In his career Bruce has done everything from guiding in South Africa to managing a private island in the Seychelles. His journey from guide to CEO means that he has more stories to tell than we could cover on this show! We discuss sleeping under the stars, how Time + Tide gets its guests truly immersed in nature, and touching stories from everyday people. 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 headed back to Costa Rica - but this time deep into the jungles of Turialba and the Osa Peninsula. Our guests today are Luz Caceres and Roberto Fernandez - owners of Pacuare Lodge and Lapa Rios. Both lodges offer incredible experiences like white water rafting to check-in, close up encounters with nature, and insights into indigenous culture and sustainability. Lapa Rios is set in the most biologically intense place on EARTH, and Pacuare is so deep in the jungle that Roberto had to transport tractors and logs there via white water raft to build the lodge. Everything about these places and the people is incredibly special. We discuss how Roberto’s vision became a reality, how the pair thinks about sustainability, and some crazy stories from the early days. I hope you enjoy this fun dive into the rainforests of Costa Rica. 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 excited to welcome our guest today, Vincent Billiard, the General Manager of the fabulous Rosewood Hotel de Crillon in the beating heart of Paris.  With it’s official designation as a Palace Hotel - a marker of the finest service and luxury anywhere in the city, you’d think Hotel de Crillion could err on the extremely traditional side.  But it doesn’t. It has all the trappings of 5* service, along with an incredible history, contemporary design, and a sense of warmth designed to bring you in, and lull you into a Parisian state of mind.  The hotel has hosted the likes of Marie Antoinette, Neil Armstrong, Karl Lagerfeld, Woodrow Wilson, and Queen Elizabeth. While you sip your champagne, overlooking the twinkling Eiffel Tower - you can feel that you’re in the company of greatness.  Vincent and I discuss how Paris has evolved during the pandemic, how to find hidden gems in the city, and special details about the hotel.  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