Luxury Travel Insider

Today we’re diving deep into the history, culture, and passion that make Sonoma County, California such a special place. While known for being the birthplace of Californian wine, Sonoma has so much more to offer. From beautifully wild coastlines and Redwood Forest groves to some of the freshest produce, oysters, and creameries found anywhere in the world. We have two guests today, Paul Sloan - owner of Smallvines Wines and Joe Bartolomei - owner of Farmhouse Inn - a family run, luxury boutique hotel in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Both Joe and Paul’s families have been farming the land in Sonoma for multiple generations. We discuss everything from wine making and Michelin stars, to whale watching and weddings. Though Joe and Paul won’t say it - It’s worth pointing out that family ties and deep roots shape the experience in Sonoma vs the more corporate experiences you’ll find with their neighbors over in Napa.  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

My guest today is Nicholas Clayton, the CEO of Capella Hotel Group, a constellation of some of the finest hotels in the world. Whether you experience a Capella stay in Singapore or Sydney, Bangkok or Bali - you’ll be treated like a star. The team at Capella Hotels goes out of their way to help you engage deeply with the culture around you. From the design elements and local foods served within the hotel, to connecting you with locals outside the hotel. And you don’t have to take my word for it. Travel & Leisure just ranked Capella Hotels the number two hotel brand and Capella Ubud as THE number one hotel in the world. Nicholas and I discuss the brand ethos, some of his favorite details across the different hotels, hawker stands in Singapore, and 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

I’m so excited to have my friend, Christine Gaffney on the show today to talk about the Nordic Region of Scandinavia, Greenland, Iceland, and Finland. Mention of the Nordic region might conjure up images of Vikings, Fjords, Northern Lights, and Ice Hotels - and you’ll be sure to find all of that goodness when you visit. But the key to a fabulous experience is going deeper - finding secret spots to call your own, enjoying the world class cuisine, and taking home with you perhaps the most important souvenir of them all - the sense of peace and living slowly that our friends in this region do so well. Christine and I discuss how vast this region of Europe actually is, some lesser known spots to visit, and a few wildly authentic ways to experience the wilderness. 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

My guest today is Jose Koechlin, the Founder and President of the iconic Inkaterra Hotels in Peru. Jose’s life's work has been to preserve the biodiversity of his country. Starting with media projects like movies and documentaries, Jose realized he could use public interest to fund deep and meaningful research and conservation efforts. Whether you stay deep in the heart of the Amazon with experienced researchers, enjoy the trappings of a 16th century home of a conquistador in Cusco, or tuck into a warm soup while bird watching near Machu Picchu - you’ll be surrounded with the friendliest of staff and all the luxury amenities you’re used to. Jose and I discuss his long term friendship with Mick Jagger, the next hotel in Inkaterra’s collection, and his deep passion for the natural world around us. 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

Not only today’s guest is the Founder and Chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels, some of my favorite properties in all of Europe, but he’s also been Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II herself! Rocco Forte Hotels are able to achieve the very rare combination between extreme sense of place, luxury service, and amazing design. The company is also family owned and run - with Sir Rocco’s sister doing design, his son selecting locations, and daughters building the vision for bar, culinary, and spa services. When you stop into a Rocco Forte hotel, it might be like visiting a Forte family home. With everything, including much of the staff, hand selected by the family. Located in the heart of Europe’s major cities like Rome, Berlin, Brussels, and London, you’ll be hard pressed to find better locations with more interesting history. Sir Rocco and I discuss how he blends family and work, some behind the scenes stories of the different properties, and some crazy guest requests. 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 heading to the magnificent country of India. With a full quarter of the earth’s population living in South Asia - a visit here is a must if you intend to understand the world today. India in particular is a continent unto itself - so different from tip to top that you could spend months here and only scratch the surface. We have two guests today, Shonali Datta - the Managing Director of Banyan Tours and Jaisal Singh - the founder and owner of Sujan - a collection of luxury wilderness camps which provide the perfect backdrop to see tigers, leopards, and reconnect with nature. Jaisal and Shonali weigh in on intriguing new experiences, misconceptions about India, and tell some fantastic stories about tigers, temples, and traditions. 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 one of my favorite destinations, the country of Portugal. This destination is chock full of so many amazing landscapes, tiny villages, charm, and fantastic food that you almost won’t believe it. Whether you’re shopping local in Lisbon with the cool kids, drinking wine under 2,000 year old olive trees in Alentejo, or noshing on a cheese plate on your private boat in the Algarve - you’ll be appreciating the one thing that makes Portugal so special - the warmth and hospitality of its people. Our guest today is Luis Sousa, a former tax lawyer turned passionate advocate of all things Portugal. Together with his wife, Luis left his job and started a company to show off all that his country has to offer. We discuss off the beaten path destinations, ungoogleable experiences, and of course some of Luis’ favorites.  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

My guest today is Jeremy Goring, CEO of the famous Goring Hotel in London. While the property is a true five star gem and impeccably English, it is also the only remaining family run luxury hotel in London. Built by Jeremy’s great grandfather, Otto in 1910 - the hotel has played host to every British monarch and every prime minister since. When you stay at the Goring you’ll be pampered with some of the best service in the world, experience one of the largest private gardens in London, and soak up the history with a cocktail before dining in a Michelin starred restaurant. Jeremy and I discuss the property’s famous sheep, Her Majesty the Queen, riding in the Cardinal-mobile behind the Pope, and many more fun stories from 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

My guest today is Dietmar Mueller-Elmau, the third generation owner of famed retreat in southern Germany, Schloss Elmau. The property is set at the foothills of an unimaginably beautiful stretch of the Bavarian Alps, where you can hike, bike, swim, visit castles, and enjoy the spectacular views. Then you can relax in one of the 6 world-class spas and dine in a Michelin star restaurant. But these trappings of typical 5* hotels are not what defines Schloss Elmau. We talk a lot about contradiction in this episode but after reflecting on what Dietmar says, I think the place is more about intense individuality. Each visitor experiences Elmau in a different way. For intellectuals coming to meet others in lively discussion the property boasts the biggest hotel bookstore in the world, for music lovers, Elmau is the 2nd largest promoter of classical music in Germany and hosts almost 200 concerts per year. And families, outdoor enthusiasts, spa lovers, couples - Dietmar has made it possible for you to create your own experience as well. We discuss everything from Angela Merkel to fine dining, German-Jewish relations to the ideal pool temperature, and from WWII history to the architecture of King Ludwig II. 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 magical destination of Morocco. Whether the word Morocco conjures up golden images of the Saharan Desert, the smell of scrumptious food, or intricately designed tilework in a breezy riad in Marakesh - you’d be right. But Morocco has so much more to give. The confluence of modern infrastructure and deep historical roots means you can enjoy learning about the world and yourself by making a visit. Our guest today is Hicham Alaoui, a former Google employee and Harvard Business School student, who like me, turned his passion into his business. We discuss Moroccan culture, common misperceptions, and ungoogleable experiences.  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