Luxury Travel Insider

Our guest today is Michael Mesdag, owner of Galapagos Safari Camp. Michael and his wife, Stephanie Bonam Carter bought the land on a whim almost 20 years ago, and set out to create a luxury experience that still maintains the raw beauty of the Galapagos. With just 9 gorgeous tents and a comfortable lodge - this is THE place to unwind and connect with nature. If you’re lucky enough to experience this magical setting, you’ll spend your days hiking, exploring, and snorkeling. You’ll come literally face to face with sea lions, giant tortoises, cormorants, and blue footed boobies. Then after it all, you’ll head back to camp, soak in the pool overlooking the national park, and enjoy some of the friendliest service and best food in the country. Michael and I discuss the great lengths they’ve taken to ensure sustainability, the emotions you’ll feel when you can see evolution with your own eyes, and some interesting tidbits on chocolate, guiding, and the local community.  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 show notes, photos, and listener perks HERE.   Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Our guest today is my friend Hytham Atwan, owner and CEO of Nubia Tours in Egypt. Egypt is certainly not a destination that needs an introduction, but if you haven’t thought much about it - I want you to know that it’s more than the pyramids of Giza and getting your Insta photo air kissing the sphinx. It’s a complicated country - where to see it RIGHT, you need to have relationships on your side. Otherwise you’ll miss that dinner in the home of a local and access to otherwise “roped off” areas of the pyramids, or find yourself on a crowded Nile cruise being herded around vs a private experience. Hytham and I discuss some tidbits on insider experiences you can have in Egypt, why it’s such an important destination, some Celebrity guests Hytham has entertained, and how the country is a microcosm of our wider world. 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 show notes, photos, and listener perks  HERE.   Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Joining us today is Liz Biden, Owner of The Royal Portfolio in South Africa which includes some of the top properties in all of Africa - like The Silo in Cape Town and Royal Malewane in Sabi Sands. Though renowned for the GORGEOUS interiors and world class guides, Liz’s hotels are really a family affair. Her husband, Phil and her son Matthew help to run the hotels - but what you may not know is that 3 of them were actually family homes before Liz got the itch to convert them! Liz had a successful career running a fashion business in South Africa that she sold at the age of 50, and then started dabbling in hotels. Today, she’s arguably more famous for her work with these gorgeous lodges - and is well known to be one of the leading hoteliers in all of South Africa. Liz and I discuss how she hand picks each item in all of the hotels, the family philosophy behind the brand, and some fantastic experiences you might not think of when you think about a visit to Africa. 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 show notes, photos, and listener perks  HERE.   Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Our guest is Rocco Bova, the General Manager of Chable Yucatan - a revived hacienda in the heart of the Yucatan jungle.  Each casita and villa is nestled into the Mayan jungle, and built in contemporary design using rich local woods and stone. Relax in your private plunge pool, indulge in your outdoor shower, or experience a revival at one of the best spas in Mexico.  When you’re fully immersed into this beautiful locale, you can experience one of the most impressive collections of craft tequilas in the country, sample fine Mexican chocolate, meet with and learn from local artisans, or participate in a traditional temazcal ceremony.  Rocco and I discuss how Merida is the “new” San Miguel de Allende, why visiting Chable is like coming home, and life changing moments in the heart of the jungle.  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 show notes, photos, and listener perks HERE.   Connect with me on social: Instagram LinkedIn

Today’s guest is Karen Emanuel, owner of Jicaro Lodge in Nicaragua. Jicaro is a stunning collection of 9 villas set on a tiny island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua near Granada. To get to the island you’ve got to take a speedboat and until you’re right at the threshold, you can’t even tell it’s inhabited. When you step onto this isle of tranquility you’ll see the pool set amongst boulders shining in sapphire and emerald, the tropical gardens, and smell the fabulous food coming out of the open air kitchen and restaurant. Karen herself is the consummate entrepreneur - she is also the CEO of a successful vinyl pressing company in the UK and she tells the story about how she came to buy an island, in the middle of a lake, and commence on her journey to create something sustainably beautiful. Karen and I also discuss thrilling activities in the area, Jicaro’s community projects, and why Nicaragua is a destination you NEED to visit. Jicaro Lodge is currently fundraising for Nicaraguan families displaced by the two recent Category 4 hurricanes that hit the country. Check out their page to contribute HERE.  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 show notes, photos, and listener perks  HERE.   Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Today we’re chatting about one of my favorite countries for active travelers, Iceland! While luxury in other countries may mean five star hotels and spas, true luxury in this corner of the world looks more like private guides inviting you into their homes, having parts of the other-worldly landscape all to yourself, horseback riding to a private picnic near a waterfall, or helicoptering up to hike on a glacier. Our guest today is Erling Aspelund, Owner of Iceland Encounter. After many years working in the corporate world in the US, Airling and his family traveled home to pursue their passion for travel and design a better Icelandic travel experience. Today Iceland Encounter is probably the top luxury travel company in Iceland. Erling and I discuss secret hikes, the fabulous landscapes and wow moments he’s created for travelers. We also touch on how the Icelandic culture lends itself to working together, and how that will help the country recover quickly post-Covid. 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 show notes, photos, and listener perks  HERE.   Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Today we’re speaking with Arnaud Zannier, Owner of Zannier Hotels - a collection of 6 properties from the intimate Le Chalet in France, to the famed Phum Baitang in Cambodia Zannier is the epitome of luxury for the traveler who wants to feel immersed in a culture. While other luxury hotels may box out the local culture to create a sense of home within their walls - Zannier turns that on it’s head - inviting the local culture in. Arnaud comes from a famous French fashion family and owned and ran his own footwear brand. Eventually he decided to go another way and with Zannier Hotels, he created something brand new in the world of travel. Arnaud and I discuss his style and hunting for antiques. We also talk through creating emotion for guests, cover a certain celebrity guest of his, and hear what to expect next from the brand. 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 show notes, photos, and listener perks  HERE.   Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Today’s guest is Stefano Barbini, owner of San Lorenzo lodges in Italy - White Deer in the Dolomites, Holy Deer in Rome, and Blue Deer which is actually a custom built, luxury catamaran that Stefano likes to call his “sea lodge.” If you like authentic travel, San Lorenzo lodges are the stuff of your dreams. White Deer is a 16th century hunting lodge, previously owned by a Bishop, that the Barbini family reclaimed. Holy Deer is an expansive apartment in Piazza Novona - which was once inhabited by a Pope and his mistress. Stefano himself had a 25 year career in fashion, and was the CEO of Escada in Italy and France. His wife, and co-owner Georgia comes from a well known fashion family in Italy as well. Leaving fashion to start anew in hospitality - they knew they wanted to do something differently.  Stefano and I discuss how he and Georgia found these incredible jewels, how they play host to their guests personally, and the secrets to discovering the heart of Italy. 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 show notes, photos, and listener perks  HERE.   Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Our guest today is Calvin Cottar, the owner and director of Cottars 1920s Camp. The Cottar family is iconic in the world of safari, as they were one of the first families to pioneer the safari experience we all now enjoy. Cottar’s Camp itself sits on the edge of the Maasai Mara in Kenya and conserves over 7,600 acres of land. While the camp is gorgeous, full of modern luxuries, and amazing service - you can tell Calvin’s passion lies in the experience and conservation of land. Calvin and I discuss why a visit to Africa is so emotional and the role these luxury safari lodges play in preserving wildlife for future generations. 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 show notes, photos, and listener perks  HERE.   Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Our guest on this episode is Markos Chaidemenos, co-owner and Managing Director of Canaves Oia luxury properties in Santorini, Greece. Canaves is a collection of 6 of the top luxury properties in Santorini, all set in the whitewashed town of Oia, overlooking the sapphire Aegean Sea. After a day of wine tasting, bike riding around the island, or visiting centuries old ruins you can relax in your private plunge pool with a glass of champagne overlooking one of the most iconic views in the world. At Canaves you can also be sure that you’ll have privacy and excellent service - something that’s not a given at other properties on the island. Markos and I discuss how his family played a major role in creating Santorini as a destination, secret spots on the island that he loves, and what to watch out for when booking in Santorini. 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 show notes, photos, and listener perks  HERE.   Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn