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 u...
Mar 30, 2021•32 min
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 ...
Mar 26, 2021•38 min
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 Busi...
Mar 23, 2021•39 min
Today we’re discussing one of my favorite countries, Colombia, and all the riches it has to offer. While it may have been known previously for it’s dark past, Colombia is quickly being discovered by some of the world’s most discerning travelers. It is too beautiful, too diverse, and too historical to cover in just one episode… but we give it a shot! My guest today is the lovely Cristina Consuegra, Co-owner and founder of Galavanta Travel. She’s a local to the Cartagena region and is just burstin...
Mar 16, 2021•34 min
Today we’re chatting about what I think is one of the most fascinating countries on the planet - Japan. It’s on one hand a total sensory overload and on the other hand, such a refined experience that without the very best of guides, you might totally miss the point. From owl cafes in Tokyo, to powder skiing in Hokkaido, to behind the scenes with a Geisha or Samurai warrior in Kyoto - Japan is a world unto itself. Our guest today is Avi Lugasi, a long time resident of Japan and owner of my go to ...
Mar 05, 2021•36 min
Our guest today is Fernando Polanco, the Managing Director and Co-Owner of Hacienda Zuleta in the Andean highlands of Ecuador. Someone I’ve wanted to have on the show for a long time. Fernando is a storm of energy, and one of the most passionate hoteliers I’ve ever met. He comes from a long line of Ecuadorian patriots and Spanish explorers before that. His home, Hacienda Zuleta, was a sacred place for the Caranqui indegenous tribes for hundreds of years, the building itself was initially constru...
Mar 02, 2021•45 min
Our guest is Dave Guenther, Founder & President of Roadtrips - my go to partner when planning luxury travel centered around sporting events. Dave’s 30 years in business gives him insider access to events like the Olympics, the World Cup, Formula 1 Races, The Masters, The Superbowl, The Kentucky Derby and more. Whatever your sport is, Dave & I can work together to get tickets before they go on sale, secure the best rooms in the most coveted hotels, and get you insider access to the VIP pa...
Feb 26, 2021•33 min
Our guest today is Michael Hoffmann, the Managing Director of Inn at Perry Cabin. This slice of Americana is nestled into a cove on the Eastern shores of the Chesapeake Bay, near the historic town of St. Michaels. To get here, you cross the bay on a beautiful private yacht with the wind in your hair. By the time you arrive, your stress has melted away and you can truly enjoy this historic property. Whether you choose to learn sailing, go crabbing, spend time golfing, or just relaxing - you’ll le...
Feb 23, 2021•30 min
Hermitage is a wildly authentic collection of cottages set up against a hillside on a white sand beach, that is lapped by calm, crystal clear water. This is the place you go when you need to do nothing. After a day of soaking up the beautiful surroundings, swimming in your plunge pool while hummingbirds flit around you, or exploring the island… sounds of live music start to fill the outdoor areas and guests begin congregating to enjoy the company of each other and the warm local staff. Andy tell...
Feb 19, 2021•29 min
We have a very special guest joining us today. Valentina de Santis is the owner and CEO of Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como - which is often listed as one of the top hotels in Italy. The ethos of Grand Hotel Tremezzo is too much to put in one short intro. From the crystalline waters of Lake Como, to the art nouveau palace interiors, to the floating pool, and the beautifully landscaped grounds - this has got to be the birthplace of la dolce vita. What’s more - this has been a family run hotel fo...
Feb 16, 2021•38 min
Today we’re discussing the country of Turkey - a land that has been at the crossroads of ideals both Eastern and Western, for thousands of years. While the country is known for its historical sites in Istanbul like the Hagia Sofia, and it’s Instagram perfect photos of hot air balloons in Cappadocia - there is so much more depth to explore. From enjoying the Aegean Sea by Gulet, to sipping on world class wines, to taking a roadtrip through tiny villages, or getting off the beaten path to visit th...
Feb 12, 2021•30 min
Our guest today is Francesco Galli Zugaro, the Founder & CEO of Aqua Expeditions - a truly visionary company that has led the way in melding expedition destinations with luxury. This is not your average cruising company - of Aqua Expeditions 4 vessels, the largest one has only 20 suites. Whether you find yourself diving with whale sharks in the Spice Islands of Indonesia, kayaking through floating villages in Cambodia, or spotting pink dolphins and macaws in the Peruvian Amazon… you can be s...
Feb 05, 2021•42 min
If you’ve ever enjoyed a luxury, wellness, or sustainable travel experience - chances are that experience was shaped by the vision of today’s guest. Sonu Shivdasani is the owner & CEO of Soneva Resorts in the Maldives and Thailand, and the founder of Six Senses Resorts. The ideas that he’s developed over the last 25 years have forever impacted the face of luxury travel. Now as for Soneva Resorts - they are some of the finest island resorts in the world. Complete with over water bungalows, wa...
Feb 02, 2021•40 min
My guest today is Narelle McDougal, GM of Silversands Grenada. Silversands was the first luxury hotel to be built on the spice island of Grenada in over 25 years. It is the antithesis to stuffy luxury set far away from the locals and boring properties that all start to look the same… and just might be the most photogenic resort in the Windward Islands. Here you can swim the longest pool in the Caribbean, walk 3 minutes down the way to a hopping beach bar, have fresh grown produce in a breezy res...
Jan 29, 2021•31 min
Today we’re chatting about Italy, one of the most iconic destinations in the world. The country’s riches in terms of art, history, food, wine, and stunning landscapes have lured millions of visitors per year. So a true luxury experience in this part of the world means having the insider connections to get off the beaten path and experience the true heart of Italian culture. Spend your days sipping aperol while overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean sea, picking lemons from an orchard, or zoomi...
Jan 26, 2021•36 min
I’m thrilled to have Olivia Richli on the show today, who is the General Manager of Heckfield Place in Hampshire, England. If you grew up loving Jane Austen, or reveled in Harry Potter, or binge watched Downton Abbey like I did.. This episode will fill your heart with romantic notions of the English countryside. Heckfield Place is a painstakingly restored Georgian style estate sitting on over 400 acres of rolling hills. Redefining what it means to be a hotel, Heckfield is where you go to get awa...
Jan 22, 2021•33 min
My guest today is Nick Yarnell, the General Manager of Six Senses Douro Valley. This hotel is one you just have to see to believe. It’s set in a completely renovated 19th century manor house, high on a hill. While lounging at the pool, doing yoga, or sipping port on the patio - you’ll look down onto the shimmering Douro River flanked by lush green, terraced mountains growing some of the most under appreciated grapes in all of Europe. This is the kind of place where doing nothing but enjoying, is...
Jan 19, 2021•39 min
Our guest today is Ellen Bettridge, President and Global CEO of Uniworld River Cruises. Uniworld has 1200 employees and 21 ships and counting - and it’s also the first cruise line to be featured on our show. But In my opinion, sailing with Uniworld is more like being in a floating boutique hotel than being on a cruise line. While the average ocean cruise takes 5,000 passengers - Uniworld ships clock in at about 120! After you unpack and relax into one of the finest made beds in the world, you ca...
Jan 15, 2021•31 min
Today we’re discussing the British Isles - known for the pomp and circumstance of the British Royals, fascinating wartime history, beautiful landscapes and villages so cute you could pinch them! The magic of the UK, Ireland, and Scotland isn’t in finding something new (it’s all, in fact, very OLD) but in discovering it in new ways and unpeeling those onion layers. Our guest today is my friend Nicola Butler, who… in the travel world… is pretty famous for the crazy behind the scenes experiences sh...
Jan 12, 2021•25 min
Our guest today is Kenton Jones, the General Manager of Sir Richard Branson’s islands in the BVIs which include Necker Island. Richard Branson purchased the deserted island in the late 70s. Over the next several years he built a personal retreat on the island which truly became a family home. Ideas like Virgin Galactic were born here, along with gatherings of some of the greatest humanitarians in the world like Kofi Anan and Nelson Mandela. Today Necker Island can be rented by luxury travelers a...
Jan 08, 2021•28 min
My guest today is Sven Von den Brook, the GM of Aman Sveti Stefan, a property nestled on the darling coastline of Montenegro. If you love a modern blend of history and luxury, you’ve got to add this property to your list. The hotel comprises an entire island and part of the mainland that made up a 15th century fishing village, a home of former Queen Maria, and a government run hotel in the time of Tito. Staying true to heritage, as Aman always does, Sveti Stefan renovated its rooms right into th...
Jan 05, 2021•31 min
Our guest today is Salvatore Ferragamo, the owner and CEO of Il Borro, an iconic estate in the heart of Tuscany. The property has a 1,000 year history and its walls have seen historical characters like the Medicis, Alessandro dal Borro, European Royalty, German occupational forces during WW2, and of course now - Italy’s most famous fashion family, The Ferragamos. Today Il Borro is an oasis of charm and is made up of a medieval village and several stand alone villas dotted along the rolling hills...
Dec 30, 2020•30 min
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 ...
Dec 23, 2020•30 min
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 o...
Dec 16, 2020•26 min
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 successfu...
Dec 09, 2020•33 min
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 ...
Dec 02, 2020•38 min
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 a...
Nov 25, 2020•29 min
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 work...
Nov 18, 2020•28 min
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 ...
Nov 11, 2020•31 min
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...
Nov 04, 2020•28 min
