Travel That Matters

There are countless reasons to love travel, but for many people, the magic of a great hotel experience drives their passion. Marriott International’s Senior Vice President of Luxury Brands, Chris Gabaldon, joins Bruce Wallin to talk about some of the more than 130 new Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and other hotels that his company will be opening in the coming months and years—but also about his personal love for hotels and travel. Gabaldon points out that many historic hotels, such as the St. Regis New York, have lived through multiple wars, pandemics, and other human tragedies. Their presence today, he says, is comforting, landmarks that have stood the test of time and continue to bring guests and staff together. But for Gabaldon, the primary draw of travel is to explore something new. He does not need it to be a glamorous experience; he wants it to be different and something he hasn’t seen before. In the last year, traveling for him has been about getting in the car and driving up the New England coast to discover smaller towns he’s never visited before. Gabaldon believes that our newfound love of local travel isn’t going away anytime soon. We are going to continue to see an increase in travel to the ‘second-tier cities.’ But he also believes that bucket-list travel is starting to reemerge.  Of the many new openings in Gabaldon’s portfolio of brands—which, in addition to Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis, includes the Luxury Collection, W Hotels, and more—he’s particularly excited about the upcoming W properties in Rome and Nashville. The brand, he says, is going through a rebirth, and he’s eager to see the new design come to life. He also cites the St. Regis Chicago, which will be the city’s tallest hotel, and Ritz-Carltons in Mexico City, the Riviera Maya in Mexico, the Maldives, and Paradise Valley in Arizona. In the Luxury Collection—which he describes as incredibly localized hotels that have much more freedom with their design, culinary, and culture to truly become immersed in the destinations—he talks about new properties in Tasmania, Budapest, and Nashville.   Finally, Gabaldon discusses the launch of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. He speaks to the challenges of launching a cruise brand during a pandemic and how there have been several unforeseen factors such as the disruption of the supply chain. Despite these hurdles, the brand is on course to launch in May of 2022 and in so doing, he says, will usher in a unique experience on the seas. Additional Links: W Rome W Nashville the St. Regis Chicago  Ritz-Carlton Mexico City Ritz-Carlton Cancun Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley, Arizona The Tasman, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart Matild, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nashville Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection ----------------------------------- Learn more about the podcast: https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters Hosted by: Bruce Wallin Produced by: AJ Moseley and Darra Stone Music by: Joey Salvia A CurtCo Media ProductionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Few hotels combine exclusivity, luxury, and sustainability like the Brando does. In the first of our miniseries focusing on the best hotels and resorts in the world, we take a closer look at this remarkable private island property set on the Teti'aroa atoll near Tahiti. The vision for the resort began with Teti'aroa’s owner—and French Polynesia’s most famous resident—Marlon Brando. After falling in love with French Polynesian culture, Brando bought his own piece of paradise in 1967. After years of enjoying the biodiverse beauty of the multi-islet atoll—which is protected by a coral reef that encircles the islets—he decided that Teti'aroa had to be shared. In 1999 Brando began working with Richard Bailey, an American hotelier living in Tahiti. Bailey, who is also the founder of the nonprofit Teti'aroa Society, at first struggled to reconcile Brando’s “crazy ideas” about how to build a self-sustaining resort that did more good than harm. But he eventually embraced the then-pioneering concepts of Brando—whom he calls one of the “first earth champions”—and went to work building a resort unlike anything the world had ever seen. Bailey joins Bruce to share Brando stories and how the actor’s vision comes to life at the Brando, which opened in 2014. Thanks to features like a seawater air-conditioning system, solar power, and coconut oil, the resort today is carbon neutral from an energy standpoint—and yet still delivers one of the most exclusive and luxurious vacation experiences on Earth.  The true luxury in Bailey’s eyes comes from being in a location where you are secluded and can enjoy the island’s beauty, history, and culture. The resort of course has a world-class spa, a wide range of water sports, first-rate cuisine, and even its own private plane and airstrip, but for many guests of the property’s 35 villas—each of which has its own private pool and beach area—the immersive view of the island through archeological tours and jungle walks are what connects them to the Brando. The resort has hosted everyone from celebrities to former U.S. Presidents, all enjoying this unique resort both for its exclusivity and ecological mission, which is best summed up by Marlon Brando’s son, who said, “Save Teti'aroa, save the world.”  ----------------------------------- Learn more about the podcast: https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters Hosted by: Bruce Wallin Produced by: AJ Moseley and Darra Stone Music by: Joey Salvia A CurtCo Media ProductionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bruce speaks with adventurer, conservationist, and Journeys by Design founder Will Jones about the best safari destinations for different types of travelers. From first timers to seasoned vets of the Sub-Saharan circuit, Jones has led clients like Ralph Lauren and other high-profile people on countless adventures that combine conservation, cultural immersion, and high-adrenaline action. With his new Off-Google trips, he is starting to take those clients deeper—and on more meaningful journeys—than ever before. Jones, who grew up in seven different African countries, suggests travelers start with “Classic” safari destinations such as Tanzania, Botswana, or South Africa. He says travelers are “spoiled for choice” in such destinations, citing a number of luxury camps, including Great Plains Conservation’s Zarafa Camp in Botswana’s Selinda Reserve, among the options. He also suggests the wilds of northern Kenya, where a handful of exclusive buy-out villas and ranches provide perfect settings for families and multi-generational trips. These types of trips frequently include private guides and vehicles, and the ability to add private helicopters and other over-the-top amenities. However, he believes the cultural interactions—whether it’s meeting a Maasai warrior or kids at a local school—make the greatest impact on travelers, especially on children.  Journeys by Design’s “Rare” trips take Jones’ expertise and connections to a whole new level, venturing to places like Chad, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, the company has invested in projects like Lale’s Camp in the Omo Valley, a rarely visited region where some tribes still practice infanticide. The camp has helped create jobs and an ownership stake for local communities, an example of what Jones puts forth as a “trade, not aid” model. Jones’ journeys, however, also emphasize philanthropy, particularly in the form of wildlife conservation. He works in tandem with organizations such as African Parks and the World Wildlife Foundation to help protect remote wild spaces—and gain access to those spaces for his clients. Some of the Rare regions Jones discusses with Bruce include a new project near the “Pole of Inaccessibility” in Central African Republic where “goliath” tiger fish lurk in the rivers, and deserted islands in Eritrea where Jones didn’t see another traveler for two weeks. He shares that he has approximately 50 experiences he can take guests on that are not found on Google, but rather, reside primarily in his head. Even as an expert planner, however, he wants people to enjoy and discover what happens when you go off plan, because that, he says, is where the magic happens.   Additional Links: Journeys by Design  Lale’s Camp  Zarafa Camp (Great Plains Conservation) Arijiju in Kenya African Parks  Time + Tide King Lewanika  ----------------------------------- Learn more about the podcast: https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters Hosted by: Bruce Wallin Produced by: AJ Moseley and Darra Stone Music by: Joey Salvia A CurtCo Media ProductionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are all dreaming of the next place we want to travel, and for many, Italy is at the top of their list. But is it time to reconsider our relationship with the world’s most beloved destination? On this episode of Travel That Matters, travel journalist and Italy expert Maria Shollenbarger shares her secrets on how to experience the very best of the country in a more meaningful, sustainable, and insiderly way.   Maria was an editor at large at Condé Nast Traveler and a senior editor at Travel & Leisure before taking on her current role as the travel editor for the Financial Times’ How to Spend It. She has lived in several cities throughout Asia, Europe, and the U.S., and she’s currently based in London and Rome. She speaks with Bruce about what it was like to be in Italy at a time when other Americans weren’t able to visit, and how travelers can achieve that sense of insider access in the future. For one, Maria recommends finding the right travel designer, someone like Emily Fitzroy of Bellini Travel. But even with an expert’s support, you need to do your research. Don’t just walk into any pizza spot in Venice; take the time to find that hidden spot that’s serving authentic Venetian cuisine. Her favorite way to enjoy Venetian fare isn’t at a restaurant at all, but rather aboard a yacht called the Edipo Re, which takes guests and top local chefs far beyond the city to explore the lagoon and Adriatic and sample local delicacies along the way. Maria also offers up fabulous tips on Sicilian wine country, the Umbrian countryside, the island of Ischia, and more. But even with all the great insights on Italy, Travel That Matters wants more! Bruce encourages you to write to him on Twitter @TravelwithBruce or email him at [email protected] and share some of your favorite destinations and secret spots throughout Europe. We know our listeners are experts, and we want to hear from you!  Additional links and locations mentioned in this episode: Sujan Sher Bagh in Ranthambore Wilderness Safaris’ Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp in Namibia Edipo Re yacht in Venice Tasca d'Almerita Capofaro Villa Tasca Regaleali Mozia  Mezzatorre on the island if Ischia Corte della Maesta in Tuscia Castello di Reschio in Umbria Rocco Forte’s Villa Igiea in Palermo ----------------------------------- Learn more about the podcast: https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters Hosted by: Bruce Wallin Produced by: AJ Moseley and Darra Stone Music by: Joey Salvia A CurtCo Media Production  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No one knows your family like Sue Hills does. A longtime director on the TV show Who Do You Think You Are?, Hills is the founder of the genealogical travel company Ancestral Footsteps. While DNA testing and genealogical tours have become popular in recent years, Ancestral Footsteps takes you several steps further, diving deep into your family history and leading you on a personal, highly customized adventure to discover your specific origin story. In this episode of Travel that Matters, host Bruce Wallin is joined by Sue and special guest co-host Lisa Sweetingham, a New York Times bestselling author—and Bruce’s wife—who traveled with Ancestral Footsteps to discover her family’s past. Lisa shares her story of working with Sue and her team to uncover a family mystery about her maternal grandmother, a German immigrant who was shot and killed by her Mexican American husband—Lisa’s grandfather—before he turned the weapon on himself. While traveling with Lisa through Europe, Sue revealed information Lisa never knew about her grandparents and unraveled some of the mysteries behind the tragic murder-suicide story. Perhaps the greatest revelation came when Sue introduced Lisa to an unknown relative—a connection that required a considerable amount of research and ingenuity to make. Bruce and Lisa speak with Sue about the extensive knowledge and planning that go into creating some of the world’s most private and personalized journeys. These are far more than tours; they are intricately researched and orchestrated experiences that bring family stories to life. Sue and her team search through archives, speak with locals, and—in Lisa’s case—even take out stories in local newspapers to glean even the tiniest details that can lead to major breakthroughs in your family story. As with any good story, Sue saves some of the biggest reveals for last. Throughout each of her journeys, however, you will learn—and experience—fascinating tales from the past and moments in time, whether visiting the former home of a long-forgotten family member, discovering an ancestor’s signature in a dusty old archive, or even meeting a living relative you didn’t know you had. Additional Links: http://www.ancestralfootsteps.com/ Lisa Sweetingham's Story on her experience with Ancestral Footsteps ----------------------------------- Learn more about the podcast: https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters Hosted by: Bruce Wallin Produced by: AJ Moseley and Darra Stone Music by: Joey Salvia A CurtCo Media ProductionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Preferred Hotels & Resorts CEO Lindsey Ueberroth has visited more than 100 countries, and she oversees a company with 700-plus hotels worldwide. So where does she want to go next? Not surprisingly, Ueberroth has a long list of places she’d like to visit—and that she recommends for fellow travelers—as the world reopens. With her lifelong experience—she grew up with parents in the travel industry—and her leadership position in the luxury space, Ueberroth has a unique perspective on how we might travel differently moving forward. She believes the concept of a bucket list is dead, with people preferring to pull the trigger on big-ticket trips now instead of putting them off for some far-off date in the future. One big-ticket trip at the top of Ueberroth’s list is Africa, where she believes you need to visit again and again to appreciate the diversity of its destinations and experiences. She’s dreaming of heading back to Botswana in particular, where she cites the new Xigera Safari Lodge in the Okavango Delta not only for its superior wildlife experience but also for its deep commitment to conservation. Ueberroth also sees us returning to popular destinations like Greece, but with a new perspective on how to experience them. Greece was one of the first countries to reopen its boarders to tourists and has seen significant demand ever since. To avoid the crowds, Ueberroth suggests heading outside of the typical Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos, and exploring less-touristed areas such as the forested mountains and coasts in the country’s northern regions, where Preferred recently added the new Aristi Mountain Resort, Greece. Closer to home, another popular spot that’s primed for a renaissance is Puerto Vallarta, where new hotels, beach clubs, and restaurants up and down the coast are bringing a fresh energy to a classic Mexican coastal destination. For a more secluded tropical vacation, Ueberroth suggests French Polynesia, specifically the Brando Resort. The private-island resort, set on the atoll long owned by Marlon Brando, is known both for its innovative sustainability practices and its extravagant luxury. As appealing as far-flung destinations are, however, Ueberroth believes the trend of traveling close to home will continued long after the pandemic. Her top pick? Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which she describes as a more “laid-back version of Aspen.” Preferred has added an impressive 40 hotels to its portfolio in recent months, including La Esperanza in Grenada, Spain, and the Hotel Metropolitan Premier Taipei in Taipei, Taiwan. Ueberroth discusses these and other properties in the portfolio, as well as her thoughts on cities reopening and the need to be around a bustling metropolis. Now is the time, she believes, to immerse yourself in communities and embrace the many things we missed about travel.   Additional Links to Hotels Mentioned in this Episode:  Beyond Green: Bentwood Inn Xigera Safari Lodge Three Camel Lodge The Brando Aristi Mountain Resort Preferred Hotels & Resorts: Casa Di Langa ModernHaus Soho Lago Resort Menorca – Suites del Lago 5* La Esperanza Granada Pendry Chicago Montage Healdsburg Hotel Metropolitan Premier Taipei  Puerto Vallarta & Surrounds Maxwell Residences Conrad Punta de Mita Las Alamandas Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo One&Only Mandarina ----------------------------------- Learn more about the podcast: https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters Hosted by: Bruce Wallin Produced by: AJ Moseley and Darra Stone Music by: Joey Salvia A CurtCo Media ProductionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extraordinary Adventure Club Founder Calum Morrison joins Travel that Matters to talk about the truly transformational travel experiences he curates for his clients. The former British Royal Marine and his team of life coaches, trainers, survival experts, and other specialists create highly personalized journeys of self-discovery for their clients—but the clients have no idea where they’re going. After an initial retreat in a secret wilderness location, the EAC team assesses the individual’s needs and goals before crafting a long-term program of personal fulfillment. Core to that program is an extended adventure to an unknown destination—the participant usually finds out where they’re going once they arrive at the airport and are handed a large black envelope with instructions. Calum’s team has taken clients across the Sudan by camel, through Southern Africa on motorcycles, across the frozen tundra by dog sled, and into the Ecuadoran jungle, where they lived with an Amazonian tribe. Whatever the destination, the surprises continue throughout the journey. During his conversation with Bruce, Calum shares fascinating tales of his time in combat zones, his years growing up in the Scottish Highlands, and how he came to start the Extraordinary Adventure Club. He also addresses how the uncertainty baked into the EAC’s trips plays a large part in teaching travelers to let go of their preconceived concepts. Not knowing what is going to happen next—and being okay with not knowing—is an integral part of the process. Calum believes that where you take people is less important than what you do at the location—and that it’s essential to be able to change plans on the fly. He is clear on the fact that the EAC is not an adventure travel company; it is a personal development company that uses travel as a tool for self-improvement. Having the flexibility to adjust certain aspects of a trip to cater to an individual’s progress is essential to the process. The EAC journeys may be life-altering trips for clients, but they are for Calum as well. He shares some of his own memorable experiences and the bonds he forms with the people who travel with him—and how they extend far beyond the trip itself. Additional Links:  Read about Bruce’s Extraordinary Adventure Club experience here: https://robbreport.com/travel/destinations/extraordinary-adventures-clubs-life-changing-trips-2826254/  Extraordinary Adventure Club: https://extraordinaryadventureclub.com/  ----------------------------------- Learn more about the podcast: https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters Hosted by: Bruce Wallin Produced by: AJ Moseley and Darra Stone Music by: Joey Salvia A CurtCo Media ProductionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emmy-award winning filmmakers, conservationists, and luxury-safari pioneers Dereck and Beverly Joubert speak with Bruce about their incredible adventures, their efforts to document and preserve African wildlife, and how to get the very best out of a safari experience.   The Jouberts’ safari company, Great Plains Conservation, manages some of Africa’s most exclusive camps—in locations from Botswana’s Okavango Delta to the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe and the Chyulu Hills of Kenya. Part of the environment—and set on a massive private concessions—the camps offer almost unprecedented access and proximity to animals of all kinds. One such creature, a mother leopard they call Fig, is the star of the Jouberts’ latest film, Jade-Eyed Leopard (narrated by Jeremy Irons). The big cat was so comfortable in the area around Great Plains’ Mara Plains camp that she gave birth under one of the tents.   In addition to prime wildlife viewing, Mara Plains and other Great Plains camps offer an opulent experience for guests, with dining and accommodations that have earned many of them Relais & Chateaux membership. But it is the wildlife experience that stands out most—and the Jouberts explain why. They dive into the benefits of private concessions versus public parks, not only for the safari experience but for the ability for guests to have a more positive impact—and meaningful interactions—with local communities.   Although much of the story revolves around a love of wildlife, the Jouberts’ tale at its heart is a story about their love for each other. Their bond has been forged over years living in the bush. And while they have their own harrowing tales—including near-death experiences that have brought them closer together—their commitment to documenting and conserving African wildlife has never diminished. For More Information Visit:  https://greatplainsconservation.com/ http://www.wildlifefilms.co/dereck-beverly ----------------------------------- Learn more about the podcast: https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters Hosted by: Bruce Wallin Produced by: AJ Moseley and Darra Stone Music by: Joey Salvia A CurtCo Media ProductionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Virtuoso CEO Matthew Upchurch joins Bruce to talk about international luxury travel in thepost-pandemic world. Virtuoso is a leading name in luxury travel with a network of nearly20,000 advisors worldwide. As people were stuck at home, many of those travel advisors—a term Upchurch much prefers to ‘travel agents’—pivoted to help their clients plan big-tickettrips in the distant future. But as borders open, Upchurch says Virtuoso is seeingunprecedented demand for this summer and beyond. Now that we’re ready to venture internationally again, how will we do it, where will wego, and what will we find? Will we return to our favorite destinations—some of which we were guilty of loving too much in what Upchurch calls the pre-pandemic Golden Age of Travel—or will we take advantage of our renewed freedoms to explore new and off-the-beaten-path destinations? Upchurch dives into issues of over-tourism, the lasting impacts of the pandemic, which destinations are booming—and which ones aren’t—and the fundamental question of why people travel for leisure. He also shares some of his own travel plans, including the trip he’s most excited about: a journey into space on one of Virgin Galactic’s inaugural flights. Locations Mentioned in the Wallin Wrap-Up: Peru Aqua Nera river cruiser from Aqua Expeditions U.S. Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans Spain The Ritz Madrid, which recently reopened under the Mandarin Oriental flag Villa Magna, which is reopening as a Rosewood Hotel Four Seasons Madrid Japan Aman Kyoto Park Hyatt Kyoto Hotel the Mitsui, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi   Learn more about Virtuoso and book your next trip with a Virtuoso travel advisor: https://www.virtuoso.com/travel ----------------------------------- Learn more about the podcast: https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters Hosted by: Bruce Wallin Produced by: AJ Moseley and Darra Stone Music by: Joey Salvia A CurtCo Media ProductionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explore the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences with award-winning editor, writer, and luxury travel expert Bruce Wallin (National Geographic, Departures, and longtime editorial director at Robb Report). Each episode will inspire you with fascinating stories about unique, life-shaping journeys—and connect you to the remarkable people who make them possible. Gain insider access to extravagant hotels, impactful adventures, and secret hideaways, and discover the magic of travel at its very best. Learn More: curtco.com/travelthatmattersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.