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.

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Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years may be celebrated around the world, but how they look and feel can be completely different. From snow and darkness to sunshine and summer evenings, culture and landscape shape the season in powerful ways.

This year, I'm chatting about holiday traditions with our partners in Chile and Iceland, Mauricio Vergara and Erling Aspelund. Two countries often described as lands of fire and ice, in opposite hemispheres, celebrating the same holidays in very different ways.

We talk about family traditions, food, lights, Santas, bonfires, and New Years rituals, plus what it's really like to experience Christmas and New Years as a traveler in each destination.

So grab a festive drink, settle in, and enjoy this global holiday celebration on Luxury Travel Insider.

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Today we are heading to Chiloé, a misty island world in southern Chile where nature, mythology, and culture come together in the most enchanting way.

I am joined by my friend Ellen Guidera, from the owning family of Refugia Chiloé. This beautiful lodge blends contemporary design with local craft, and offers days spent exploring quiet islands by wooden boat, tasting seafood pulled straight from the sea, and soaking up landscapes that genuinely lift your spirit.

Ellen and I chat about the folklore of Chiloé, its UNESCO listed treasures, the power of art and nature to boost happiness, and the behind the scenes stories that make Refugio so special.

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're heading to the northern tip of Ibiza, a part of the island that feels worlds away from the dance floors and beach clubs you might picture.

Long before Ibiza was known for nightlife, the island became a refuge in the 1940s for writers, artists, and free thinkers. This influx planted the seeds for the island's long tradition of individuality, artistry, and living life on one's own terms.

Joining me to explore all of this is David Mulin, the General Manager of Six Senses Ibiza, a stunning sanctuary focused on wellness, sustainability, and creativity.

We discuss what makes northern Ibiza so distinct, the rituals and experiences that capture the soul of the property, and how the island's bohemian history still shapes everything from its food to its community to its energy.

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're viewing Italy in a different light, from a sweet Palazzo in Rome to a romantic train journey that glides through green hills and azure coastlines. It's the Italy of poetry and piazzas, of espresso and elegance, of that ineffable thing the world calls La Dolce Vita.

Joining me today are my friends Simone Giorgi, General Manager of the stunning Orient Express La Minerva in Rome, and Marco Girotto, General Manager of La Dolce Vita Orient Express, the new luxury train that's redefining slow travel across the country.

We chat about the deeper meaning of La Dolce Vita for Italians, the artistry behind reviving a legendary brand, hidden corners of Rome and of the rails, and what makes travel through Italy as emotional as it is beautiful.

So pour yourself a Campari Spritz or a glass of Franciacorta, and enjoy this gorgeous journey on 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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I'm excited to have my new friend, Lucie Weill on the show today. After a career in fashion at Givenchy, Lucie left to join her father (founder of the French equivalent of CNN) to create a beautiful getaway in the South of France.

Lily of the Valley is set on a cliff, surrounded by gorgeous Cypress trees, overlooking the glimmering Mediterranean Sea. While St. Tropez is known for being flashy and indulgent, here you can relax, soak up the natural beauty, and strive for that ever elusive thing we all call "balance."

Lucie and I discuss the designer Philippe Starck, Lily of the Valley's definition of "healthy," and how her family has been enjoying this unique slice of heaven for 50 years.

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're heading to the Tuscan coast - to the chic seaside town of Forte dei Marmi, where marble mountains meet golden beaches and life revolves around la dolce far niente - the sweet art of doing nothing.

My guest today is my friend, Salvatore Madonna, owner of the beautiful Hotel Byron. Salvatore grew up here and believes true luxury is rooted in authenticity - in people, place, and the effortless rhythm of Italian life.

We chat about everything from the vintage vibe of Forte dei Marmi to the easy pace of nearby Lucca. And of course Carrara - where marble from this small corner of Tuscany has brought beauty to the world, a fitting legacy from a place where beauty is simply a way of life.

I hope you enjoy this sunny 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're doing something a little different. Instead of taking you halfway across the world, we're taking you inside Bell & Bly Travel - to share what it's like to work here, what makes our culture so special, and announcing a brand-new role on our team. If you've ever been curious about what it's like to work in the travel industry - this will give you a little taste!

I'm joined by two of the most wonderful humans I know - our General Manager, Rachael Armstrong, and one of our Senior Coordinators, Ana Manrique. Rachael runs our award-winning design team and is an operations guru. While Ana has been promoted twice in just three years, and brings more enthusiasm to planning travel than anyone I've ever met!

Click for the hiring role on this link https://dynamitejobs.com/company/bellblytravel/remote-job/client-growth-partnerships-manager

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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This year, we're taking our ghostly adventures to one of the most storied and mysterious cities in the world - Rome.

My guest today is Cristiana Ventura, an art historian, archaeologist, and one of the top guides in the Eternal City.

Together, we explore the city's most famous ghosts - emperors, noblewomen, and executioners - and uncover what these stories say about the Roman soul itself. Because in a city built on layers of history, myth, and faith, the veil between the living and the dead feels just a little thinner.

Cristiana leaves us with a beautiful reflection - that in Rome, as in life, you can't have light without shadow. To truly see the beauty of this city, you must also understand its darkness.

So wherever you are this Halloween season - whether you're lighting a candle, wandering under the full moon, or dreaming of your next Roman holiday - I hope you enjoy this special 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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We're taking you on a journey today to the inspirational country of Rwanda. While not often first on the list of most travelers, those who make it here are absolutely captivated by the people, who have rebuilt their lives and their country so authentically.

After a warm welcome, visitors to this nook of Africa will then be further blown away by likely the most impactful wildlife experience of their lives - sitting face to face with an endangered Mountain Gorilla.

And, luckily for these travelers, they can do it in style at One & Only's two gorgeous properties - Gorilla's Nest and Nyungwe House.

Today we have two very special guests, Craig Storkey who runs One & Only Rwanda, and Propser Uwingeli who is the Chief Park Warden of Volcanos National Park.

Prosper and Craig both share their love of Rwanda, how and why conservation is thriving in the country, and some incredible experiences with the amazing Great Apes.

I hope you enjoy this magical 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

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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