By Indagare Travel
Join Indagare Travel Founder and CEO Melissa Biggs Bradley as she transports you across the globe to dream destinations and the world’s most legendary hotels, shares travel tips, news and advice an
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The podcast currently has 30 episodes available.
Villa La Coste, located just outside Aix-en-Provence in the South of France, has become one of the most legendary hotels in the world. Melissa sits down with Paddy McKillen, the mastermind behind the 28 suite boutique hotel to explore its varied history. Villa La Coste sits on the grounds of the extraordinary 600-acre estate, Château La Coste, where one also finds an open-air contemporary art museum and winery. The property is a labor of love – a product of Paddy’s passion for art and architecture and thoughtful collaboration with his closest friends, who also happen to be some of the world’s most renowned artists. Paddy shares what he believes is the key to hospitality success, and the passion it takes to serve others. In this Passport to Everywhere archival episode, discover how a 300-year-old winery in the South of France was transformed into an incredible contemporary art park with a boutique 5-star hotel — and learn the reasons why Melissa returns year after year.
The iconic St. Regis celebrates its 120th anniversary this year, and to help tell its epic story, Melissa is joined by three key members of the brand: Amanda Nichols, the global brand leader of St. Regis; Octavia Marginean-Tahiroglu, the general manager of The St. Regis New York; and Israel Kelly, who’s been on the frontlines of the respected butler team for 29 years. Together, they discuss how the prestigious collection of hotels set a new standard for luxury hospitality, starting with the opening of The St. Regis New York in 1904. From the Astor family’s original vision to the rich traditions that still thrive today, the three explore how this timeless legacy evolved over the years, including renovations that preserve its cultural heritage, the ever-refined service of the butler team and what the future has in store. Tune in to discover the secrets behind this timeless brand and what makes the flagship truly special (hint: a famous morning cocktail was crafted on site).
Follow St. Regis
Website: st-regis.marriott.com
Instagram: instagram.com/stregishotels
Follow The St. Regis New York
Website: marriott.com/en-us/hotels/nycxr-the-st-regis-new-york
Instagram: instagram.com/stregisnewyork
Follow Indagare
Website: indagare.com
Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel
Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel
Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder
Bill Bensley is an avid traveler, visionary architect, interior designer, artist and landscape designer. After studying landscape architecture at Harvard, he left for Asia in the early 80s and founded his company BENSLEY in 1989. He now has offices in Bangkok and Bali, and his team has crafted over 200 extraordinary projects spanning 30 countries. He brings a creative, curious approach to his work on iconic hotels, resorts, spas, homes and palaces around the world. Melissa and Bill explore the inspiration behind Shinta Mani Mustang in Nepal, Shinta Mani Wild in Cambodia and Capella Ubud in Bali—as well as one of his new, exciting projects in the Republic of the Congo. He shares how curiosity took him on his unexpected career journey and how travel has impacted his landscape architecture and design style. He also reveals how he approaches each project while respecting Mother Nature, the local surroundings and communities and his work through the Shinta Mani Foundation (including daring stories of the rangers of the Wildlife Alliance). Bill’s philosophy is simple, yet revolutionary—tune in to discover how he’s creating lasting change in the world of design and regenerative tourism.
Follow Bill Bensley
Website: bensley.com
Instagram: instagram.com/billbensley
Follow Shinta Mani Mustang
Website: shintamani.com/mustang
Instagram: instagram.com/shintamanimustang
Follow Shinta Mani Wild
Website: shintamani.com/wild
Instagram: instagram.com/shintamaniwild
Follow Indagare
Website: indagare.com
Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel
Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel
Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder
CEO and founder of the Canadian foundation Shorefast, Zita Cobb is also the creator and innkeeper of the Fogo Island Inn. Located in the subarctic on an island off an island, or as Zita says, “far away from far away,” the Fogo Island Inn remains one of the most captivating hotels in the world. A daughter of a local fisherman, Zita grew up on the island and returned home after paving a successful path in business with the aim of giving back. The powerful, wild geography of the Labrador current, the unique culture of the island and a forward-thinking business model has shaped the hotel’s identity. In this Passport to Everywhere archival episode, Zita shares her inspiring hospitality vision, what one can expect on Fogo Island, her thoughts on AI and her approach to regenerative tourism.
Zita says that Fogo Island is “genetically predisposed to hospitality,” and if you want to experience the magic of Fogo for yourself, explore our Insider Journey happening in 2025.
Follow Fogo Island Inn
Website: fogoislandinn.ca
Instagram: instagram.com/fogoislandinn
Follow Indagare
Website: indagare.com
Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel
Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel
Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder
Pablo Carrington is the founder and CEO of Marugal, the hotel management company in Spain that owns one of Indagare’s most beloved hotels, Cap Rocat. Originally a 19th century military fortress, the hotel opened in 2010 reflecting the essence of the island in its mystical rooms carved in rock overlooking the dazzling Mediterranean Sea. Pablo joins Melissa to share his unexpected path into the hospitality industry, and how capturing a “sense of place” became essential in offering guests an authentic experience. They explore Spain’s tumultuous history and how it’s reflected in both Cap Rocat and the bustling port of Palma, and he reveals insider travel tips, including one of his favorite textile companies on the island (Artesania Tèxtil Bujosa). Plus — don’t miss discovering why Pablo believes February is the sweetest season in the Balearics, how he approaches sustainability, why Formentera is the island that “hasn’t lost its soul” and how Spain’s diversity offers something for every traveler.
If you enjoy this conversation, be sure to listen to the episode on Hotel Vermelho, another one of Marugal’s properties in Portugal created by Christian Louboutin.
Follow Pablo Carrington
Instagram: instagram.com/pablocarrington
Follow Cap Rocat
Website: caprocat.com
Instagram - instagram.com/cap_rocat
Follow Maragal
Website: marugal.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/marugal
Follow Indagare
Website: indagare.com
Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel
Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel
Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder
Jeff Galak is an expert in decision making, consumer behavior, and consumer psychology. He’s spent decades studying how people maintain happiness and has used his findings to understand what this means for travelers. With a Bachelors of Science in Marketing and Economic Theory, Master of Philosophy in Marketing, and Ph.D. in Marketing all from New York University’s Stern School of Business, Jeff now serves as an Associate Professor of Marketing at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business. In this episode, Jeff reveals practical, research insights you can apply to your next vacation in order to maximize your long term enjoyment. He joins Melissa to explore the science behind designing the most gratifying travel experiences, including the basics of choice overload, why doing less is actually doing more, tips for traveling with children, itinerary planning and more.
Follow Jeff Galak
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeff-galak-768a193a
Carnegie Mellon Profile: scholars.cmu.edu/2187-jeffrey-galak
Wall Street Journal: How to Have a Great Vacation: What Science Tells Us
Follow Indagare
Website: indagare.com
Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel
Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel
Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder
Elizabeth Lesser is a spiritual coach, bestselling author, and co-founder of the Omega Institute, a specialty retreat center located in New York. She’s led multiple Insider Journeys with Indagare, including two on the Camino de Santiago. The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of Saint James, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Spain that has attracted pilgrims for thousands of years. Elizabeth shares her experience walking the Camino – from what she expected and how she prepared to how it surprised and transformed her. As a spiritual seeker, she explores the gift of walking and ways it can be used for meditation and prayer. She also dives into the history of the ancient route, the daily rituals, packing tips, books recommendations and what type of traveler is best fit for the journey. Plus- Melissa gives insight into the Camino and the various routes you can take, the shared humanity she’s discovered and her reflection on why the Camino is unlike walking anywhere else.
To join Elizabeth on a spiritual journey, discover the Mii Amo Retreat she’s leading next January.
Follow Elizabeth Lesser
Instagram: instagram.com/elizlesser
Follow Indagare
Website: indagare.com
Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel
Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel
Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder
Plan your trip to the Camino de Santiago with Indagare: Custom-Planned Travel, Self-Planned Travel
Italian hotelier Valentina De Santis has turned dreams into reality at Passalacqua on Lake Como. Often referred to as the Italian Eloise at the Plaza, she grew up running the corridors of her family’s hotel, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, and was instilled with a love for hospitality at a young age. She joins Melissa to share stories of her magical childhood, her deep rooted love for hotels and the unexpected, serendipitous journey of her family’s latest endeavor, the mystical Passalacqua. After opening in 2022, the intimate, family-owned villa was recently named the “World’s Best Hotel” by the World’s 50 Best, an achievement Valentina says goes beyond the family's wildest dreams. Through tangible passion, Valentina reveals the vision behind Passalacqua, the history of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, her advice for making the most of your time on Lake Como and the power of filling your life with beauty.
Follow Valentina De Santis
Instagram: instagram.com/valentinadesantisss
Follow Passalacqua
Website: passalacqua.it
Instagram: instagram.com/passalacqualakecomo
Follow Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Website: grandhoteltremezzo.com
Instagram: instagram.com/ghtlakecomo
Follow Indagare
Website: indagare.com
Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel
Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel
Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder
Plan your trip to Lake Como with Indagare: Custom-Planned Travel, Self-Planned Travel
The Managing Director of Paris je t’aime Tourist Office, Corrine Menegaux, joins Melissa to explore everything happening in Paris in anticipation of the 2024 Olympics. Paris has spent years transforming in preparation for the opening ceremony on July 26th, and Corrine shares an inside look at how Paris has invested in new initiatives to make this one of the world’s most exciting games yet. They discuss the iconic monuments hosting competitions, exciting events to look out for and how Paris plans to make sustainability a part of its Olympic hosting legacy. She also reveals exhibitions to have on your radar, including SPOT24, the Olympics exhibition paying tribute to the six new Olympic disciplines located near the Eiffel Tower. Plus- Melissa shares tips for navigating Paris if you’re one of the lucky ones to be there in person for the global games.
Follow Paris je t'aime - Tourist office
Website: parisjetaime.com, my.parisjetaime.com
Instagram - instagram.com/parisjetaime
Follow Indagare
Website: indagare.com
Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel
Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel
Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder
Quick Facts
Keep an eye out for these venues in top tourist attractions
Shanghai-born artist and designer Jiang Qiong Er joins Melissa to explore cross-cultural exchange and innovative art. To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, Musée Guimet invited Jiang Qiong Er to put together an exquisite installation titled Guardians of Time. Before diving into the meaning behind her latest work, Jiang Qiong Er shares stories from her childhood during a unique period of China’s history and reveals how painting played a pivotal role in shaping her international life. She then describes in detail her choices on the daring project in Paris including the messages behind her mythical creatures, the meaning behind the colors, and how artificial intelligence played a pivotal role. Through monumental, visionary installations, Jiang Qiong Er has created history as she challenges the viewer to rethink and reflect on time. Discover why her exhibition is created on an urgency the world needs today, and what you can expect if visiting.
Follow Jiang Qiong Er
Website: jiangqionger.com
Instagram: instagram.com/jiang_qionger and instagram.com/qej_studio
Follow Musée Guimet
Website: guimet.fr
Instagram: instagram.com/museeguimet
Follow Indagare
Website: indagare.com
Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel
Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel
Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder
The podcast currently has 30 episodes available.
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