One of the most creative people in travel, Hyatt vice president and luxury and lifestyle leader Crystal Vinisse Thomas joins Bruce to discuss the joys of unplanned travel, new hotspots at home and abroad, and how a diversifying industry is improving the travel experience for all.

Freeform Globetrotting with the “Punk Rocker of Luxury Travel,” Crystal Vinisse Thomas.

Travel That Matters (named one of the 10 Best Podcasts of 2022 by Men’s Journal) explores the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences and destinations with award-winning editor, writer, and luxury travel expert Bruce Wallin. Bruce’s remarkable guests share inspiring, life-shaping stories about their adventures and cultural explorations, as well as travel tips and recommendations for the best destinations, hotels, restaurants, activities, and more. Their travel tales and insights cover everything from where to find delicious foods and ingredients and the most luxurious resorts and hotels, to the most fascinating modern cultural experiences and historical explorations.
The show’s special Master Chef episodes highlight the travels and tastes of the world’s top chefs, from culinary adventures through Africa with Marcus Samuelsson and exploring remote corners of Japan with Daniel Boulud, to discovering insider spots in Australia with Curtis Stone and relaxing and rejuvenating with Nina Compton on the beautiful island of Saint Lucia, with its stunning beaches and lush rainforests. You’ll even hear stories about great travelers like Anthony Bourdain and get souvenir recommendations, from traditional handicrafts to unique local delicacies.
Episodes of Travel That Matters span the globe, from Sicily, Italy, to Oaxaca, Mexico, to Tel-Aviv, Israel, and beyond. Listeners also learn about the greatest activities around the United States—award-winning wine tasting, the best new restaurants, epic hiking trails, secret skiing and surfing spots, and charming boutiques in places like Healdsburg and Napa Valley (California), Willamette Valley (Oregon), Jackson Hole (Wyoming), and New Orleans (Louisiana).
Listen to Travel That Matters every other Tuesday and gain insider knowledge to impactful adventures, extravagant hotels, top chefs, and secret hideaways, and discover the magic of travel at its very best.

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Wolfgang Puck, the Austrian-American culinary legend, takes host Bruce on a journey through his favorite food and travel spots, full of laughter and unexpected tips.
Wolfgang shares the serendipitous creation of his signature dish, shares his first memories of getting the travel bug, and describes his initial impressions of the United States. He relives the opening night jitters of Spago (Beverly Hills), defines what he calls "California cuisine," and tells us how to cook 120 pounds of camel meat.
Wolfgang also discusses his favorite destinations, from the hidden gem of Bahrain (Asia) to the orphanage his wife established in Ethiopia (Africa). Plus, he reveals his favorite restaurants in Capri and Vienna (Europe), including hidden gems and family-run spots. 
This episode is a delicious blend of Wolfgang's culinary wisdom, travel adventures, and insider tips – perfect for foodies and travel enthusiasts alike!
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You can find out more details about the locations below mentioned in the episode:

Zozobra Festival: https://burnzozobra.com/
Spago: https://wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/spago-beverly-hills/
Hotel Goldener Hirsch (Salzburg, Austria): https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/szglc-hotel-goldener-hirsch-a-luxury-collection-hotel-salzburg/overview/
Steirereck (Vienna, Austria): https://www.steirereck.at/steirereck.en.html
Amador (Vienna, Austria): https://www.restaurant-amador.com/ 
Hospice Alm Hotel (St. Christoph, Austria): https://www.arlberghospiz-alm.at/en/
Bachelor Gulch Ski Resort (Colorado, USA): https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/whrrz-the-ritz-carlton-bachelor-gulch/overview/
Hotel Arlberg (Lech, Austria): https://arlberghotel.at/en/
La Scoglio (Nerano, Italy): https://www.hotelloscoglio.com/en/restaurant
Noma (Copenhagen, Denmark): https://noma.dk/
F. X. Pichler (Wachau Valley, Austria): https://fx-pichler.at/en/vineyards-wines/ 
Schrader Vineyards (Napa Valley, California, USA): https://schradercellars.com/ 
The Vegetable Shop at Chino Farm (Rancho Santa Fe, California, USA): https://www.instagram.com/chinofarms/?hl=en 

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To learn more about Wolfgang Puck, check out his website https://wolfgangpuck.com/ 
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Travel That Matters is a CurtCo Media production.
Host: Bruce Wallin
Producer: AJ Moseley
Marketing: Catrin Skaperdas
Music: Joey Salvia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wolfgang Puck's Top Travel and Restaurant Recommendations: Vienna and Salzburg (Austria), Ethiopia, California (United States), Capri (Italy), and More

The 2023 Master Chef series was such a success that we decided to keep it going for another season!
Prepare your palate for adventure, because Travel That Matters is about to take off (again) with the top tastemakers on a culinary journey around the globe, including Nancy Silverton, Wolfgang Puck, Charlie Palmer, Danny Meyer, Jonathan Waxman, and many more incredible chefs and restaurateurs. 
In anticipation, listen (or relisten) to season 3 of Travel That Matters, the first iteration of the Master Chef series, and hear from Marcus Samuelsson, Amanda Freitag, Daniel Boulud, Gregory Gourdet, Curtis Stone, among others, who share their favorite destinations, inspiring travel stories, and insider tips. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 4 is Coming Soon - Master Chef Series 2024

Getting people to think differently when deciding where to travel next is a specialty of the travel journalist Andrew Nelson, a writer for two decades with National Geographic Travel and a two-time Lowell Thomas prize winner. Andrew joins Bruce on the podcast to discuss places in his new National Geographic book, Here Not There, revealing 100 alternative travel destinations to the ones we've probably all heard about 1,000 times.
Andrew tells us about the places that are overlooked and why they're worth visiting, in addition to the obvious benefit of often being less crowded and less expensive. He guides us to the Miami of the North, the Amsterdam of the Midwest, and a place he describes as the most accessible yet mysterious places he's ever visited. He'll even tell us where you can dance until dawn and drink (responsibly) like a fool.
Andrew doesn't just list places in this Travel That Matters episode, but tells us about the history, the tours and events you can attend, and the food that's there for you to enjoy. He emphasizes the element of surprise in travel, while adding in bragging rights that come with being among the few who have traveled to some of these alternative destinations.
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You can find out more details about the locations below mentioned in the episode:

Zozobra Festival: https://burnzozobra.com/
The Secret Stairs of Los Angeles https://secretstairs-la.com/
San Cassiano, Dolomites https://www.altabadia.org/en/italian-alps-dolomites/villages/san-cassiano.html
Kotor, Montenegro https://www.turismomontenegro.es/ciudades-de-montenegro/kotor/
Alamos, Sonora https://www.gob.mx/sectur/articulos/alamos-sonora
Bottleworks Hotel: https://www.bottleworkshotel.com/

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To learn more about Andrew Nelson, check out his website https://andrewtnelson.com/
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Travel That Matters is a CurtCo Media production.
Host: Bruce Wallin
Producer: AJ Moseley
Marketing: Catrin Skaperdas
Music: Joey Salvia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

100 Unexpected Destinations to Add to Your Travel Wishlist with National Geographic’s Andrew Nelson: Lecce (Italy), Luang Prabang (Laos), Indianapolis, Manchester (England), and More

Embark on an adventure through South Africa with Liam Tomlin (Cape Town chef), Deborah Calmeyer (ROAR Africa founder), and Tiago Sarmento (managing director of Belmond in Southern Africa), whose stories and insider tips on crafting the ultimate travel experience will have you hooked on this something-for-everybody destination.
On his recent trip to Cape Town and Tswalu Kalahari reserve in South Africa, Bruce caught up with Tomlin and Sarmento to talk about Cape Town’s culinary delights, under-the-radar gastronomic and adventure tours, going on safari with children, and other unique experiences beyond the ordinary.
Bruce also spoke with safari expert Calmeyer, who shares tips for first-timers, malaria-free areas, the best farmer’s market in Cape Town, and a two-week blowout itinerary.
You’ll also learn where locals from Cape Town go for vacation—hint: there’s great whale watching—and get fun facts like where you can order half a goat in a car wash. Whether you’re a seasoned safari-goer or planning your first trip, whether you’re going with kids or just adults, this episode has something for you.
Listen and catch the full details of why South Africa is a must-visit, and hear Bruce give his email for anyone who would like his help with planning a safari experience. Wait until the end to hear Bruce share a few of his favorite picks for safari adventures in South Africa and beyond.
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You can find out more details about the locations mentioned in the episode below:
Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel, https://www.belmond.com
Chef’s Warehouse, https://www.chefswarehouse.co.za
ROAR Africa, https://www.roarafrica.com 
Tswalu Kalahari, https://tswalu.com
Delaire Graff Estate, https://www.delaire.co.za
Oranjezicht Farmer’s Market, Cape Town
Singita Sabi Sand, https://singita.com
Cheetah Plains, https://www.cheetahplains.com
Singita Grumeti, https://singita.com
Selinda Reserve / Great Plains Conservation, https://greatplainsconservation.com
Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, https://www.wildernessdestinations.com
Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge, https://www.belmond.com
Belmond Eagle Island Lodge, https://www.belmond.com
Pigcasso, https://pigcasso.org
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Travel That Matters is a CurtCo Media production.
Host: Bruce Wallin
Producer: AJ Moseley
Marketing: Catrin Skaperdas
Music: Joey Salvia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Safari, Wine Country, and City in South Africa: Cape Town Culinary Experiences, Kalahari and Kruger Wildlife Immersions, Itineraries by Locals, and Hermanus and Stellenbosch Excursions

This week, we're recommending a Pushkin podcast, A Slight Change of Plans, where Maya Shankar blends compassionate storytelling with the science of human behavior to help us understand who we are and who we become in the face of a big change.
In this episode, Dr. Richard "Harry" Harris is an anesthesiologist and expert cave diver who was tasked with a seemingly impossible mission: to rescue a boys' soccer team trapped 2.5 miles deep within a flooded cave in Thailand. He talks with Maya about his decision to heed the call. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Freeform Globetrotting with the “Punk Rocker of Luxury Travel,” Crystal Vinisse Thomas.

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