Today we're heading to one of the most complex, energetic, and endlessly fascinating cities in the world. Hong Kong.

The city is layered, fast moving, deeply local, and full of contrasts. Towering skylines and quiet temples. Global finance and everyday rituals. World class dining and wild, unexpected nature just beyond the city streets.

Joining me today are two people who know Hong Kong from very different, deeply personal perspectives. Gerald Hatherly, who has lived in Hong Kong for decades and helped shape how travelers experience Asia, and Yim Tom, a Hong Kong based artist whose work bridges history, craftsmanship, and contemporary design.

We talk about everything from food and art to unspoken cultural rules, nature escapes, pop culture, and what Hong Kong reveals about the world when you really take the time to see it.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy this interesting episode of Luxury Travel Insider.

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Today we're wrapping up our Romantic Travel series with a destination that can reset your nervous system and your relationship at the same time. We're talking Africa, from epic safaris and wildly romantic lodges, to the winelands, beaches, and adventures that make this continent feel like nowhere else on earth.

Joining us today is one of my partners in the region, Tamsyn Fricker. Hailing from South Africa, Tamsyn has spent her career designing once in a lifetime journeys across the continent. We chat about what makes Africa so powerful for couples, our favorite regions and properties, and the moments that deepen relationships in a way only Africa can.

So get cozy, and come with us to Africa on Luxury Travel Insider.

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Today we're romanticizing everyday life, finding inspiration through art and beauty, and leaning into a little nostalgia in two of the world's most iconic cities.

Joining me are two true insiders from Paris and Rome: Leah Walker of Garnier Creations and Fulvio de Bonis of Imago Artis. We discuss how world-class cities just have a way of making romance feel effortless. Whether you're wandering along a river, lingering over an indulgent meal, or experiencing something new - timeless moments like these bring couples closer together in ways everyday life rarely allows.

So pour yourself a glass of Bordeaux or Brunello, and enjoy this Paris vs. Rome episode of Luxury Travel Insider.

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As part of our February series on romantic travel, today we're focusing on tropical destinations. We dive into why this type of destination has the power to help us reconnect, slow down, and be fully present with the people we love.

We're heading back to French Polynesia, to the private atoll of Tetiaroa, and home to The Brando. It's a place where nature sets the pace, privacy is built into the experience, and connection tends to happen without trying.

And today, I'm honored to be chatting with Richard Bailey, the owner of this famed hotel. We talk about everything from the early days of his partnership with Marlon Brando, to the island's deep commitment to sustainability, to unforgettable encounters with the natural world.

So settle in, and let's escape to Tetiaroa.

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February feels like the perfect moment to talk about trips designed to celebrate love. Honeymoons, anniversaries, proposals, babymoons, and the journeys couples take when they want to reconnect, not just get away.

All month long, we're exploring romantic travel in its many forms. Not just where couples go, but why and how travel has always played such a powerful role in love stories.

Today's episode is our big picture conversation. We're talking about the history of honeymoons, how romantic travel has evolved, what couples are craving right now, and the design details that turn a nice trip into something unforgettable.

Later this month, we'll dive into specific styles of romantic travel, from tropical escapes, to iconic city breaks, to soulful journeys through Africa. But today is about setting the stage.

Joining me for this discussion is Jim Augerinos, an expert in honeymoon travel.

So imagine yourself with a loved one somewhere beautiful, and enjoy this fun episode of Luxury Travel Insider.

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

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Today we are taking a very special trip into the heart of Norwegian Fjordland. And when I say the heart, I don't just mean the heart of the land. Because today we're chatting with two locals who are so enthusiastic about welcoming you to their homeland, that you can't help but feel the love.

My friend Steinar Soerli is the fifth-generation owner of the wildly luxurious Amot in Western Norway, and we are joined by Kesia Yansen, the General Manager of the property.

We'll hear their stories about the transformation of this homestead into a luxury destination, explore the breathtaking fjords of the region, and learn more about the local community and homegrown cuisine.

Get ready to be captivated by Norwegian hospitality as we discover the magic of the destination on this episode of Luxury Travel Insider!

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Today we are heading to Victoria Falls, one of the most awe inspiring places on the planet. Known locally as Mosi oa Tunya, the Smoke that Thunders, this is a place where mist hangs in the air, the earth vibrates beneath your feet, and nature puts on a show unlike anywhere else in Africa.

I am joined by Sara Gardiner, owner of Matetsi Victoria Falls, a beautiful lodge just minutes from the Falls and surrounded by incredible wildlife. Sara and I chat about the legends that shaped local understanding of the Falls, what those first explorers must have felt when they encountered this massive curtain of water, the rewilding of the Matetsi reserve, and her favorite ways for travelers to experience both the adventure and the quiet magic of this region.

I hope you enjoy this inspiring conversation with Sara Gardiner.

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Today we're heading to Cambodia, a country shaped by ancient civilizations, deep spirituality, and an extraordinary sense of resilience and warmth. Our focus is a private island retreat where jungle and sea set the rhythm of daily life.

Joining me is Ateeb Shreshta, the General Manager of Six Senses Krabey Island.

Together, we explore Cambodia beyond Angkor Wat, from Khmer worldviews and traditions to the experiences that define life on this island, including wildlife encounters, bioluminescent waters, and the quiet moments that stay with guests long after they leave.

Please enjoy this relaxing episode of Luxury Travel Insider.

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Today, we're diving into the trends that are shaping the way travelers are exploring the world. I'm joined by my good friend Jonathan Epstein, of Celebrated Experiences, one of our partners for curating authentic and luxurious travel experiences in Europe.

We're diving into everything from travel as a way to escape mental overload, to how people are using trips to mark life moments. We go deep on the evolution from wellness travel to overall wellbeing travel and the expansion of where and when our clients are traveling.

It's a fun, forward looking conversation, but a very practical one, grounded in what we're actually seeing happen in the world right now.

Grab a drink, sit back, and enjoy this deep dive into the trends that will define how we travel in 2026.

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Joining me this year are Hao Tang and Simon Jones. The Besties episode is where we get together for a very honest, very fun year in review conversation. All three of us are professional travelers, spending an incredible amount of time on the road each year.

It's our job to be discerning, to notice the details, and yes…. To have opinions. And because we're friends, nothing is off limits. Together we dish on everything from our favorite destinations of the year, to top hotels, safari moments, food obsessions, and those "I can't believe this is my job" moments.

But before we dive in, I want to say thank you. Thank you for listening for another year, for sharing the show with friends and family, for sending in your thoughts and feedback, and for trusting me and Bell & Bly Travel with your most important experiences. It's such an honor to inspire your adventures!

So please enjoy this year's Besties episode and here's to an incredible 2026 filled with meaningful experiences and memorable travel.

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/

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