Travel That Matters

Dr. Tara Stoinski, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund President, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer, joins Bruce to discuss the fascinating scientific and conservation work the organization does in the mountains of Rwanda, as well as the fund’s brand-new Ellen DeGeneres Campus—a facility that will not only change how we study and protect mountain gorillas but also enhance what is already one of the world’s epic travel experiences.

Continuing the work of the legendary Fossey—who was murdered in Rwanda in the 1980s—Stoinski and her team of scientists have piloted what is one of the rare success stories for a critically endangered species. The foundation has monitored six generations of mountain gorillas over the years, and in that time the estimated population in the wild has gone from 240 specimens to more than 600.

Stoinski discusses why mountain gorillas—which also reside in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda—are so important to protect, including the fact that they are the “gardeners” of the rainforest, helping to take care of these critical ecosystems through their foraging. She also talks about poaching, snares, and some of the other challenges gorillas face, as well as the effective measures the Rwandan government has taken over the past years to ensure their recovery.

Stoinski also talks about one of the most impactful travel experiences you can have—and one that is sure to convince anyone that mountain gorillas must be protected.

Learn More:
Go2Africa: https://www.go2africa.com/
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund: https://gorillafund.org/
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This episode was first published in March of 2022.

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.

John Robert Sutton didn't always know he wanted to travel through 124 countries and be the best exotic food trader, but we're glad he did! This episode is packed with the most interesting stories, like where vanilla is really from and how it grows in its natural state, what the most potent and natural antioxidant on the face of the earth is, what volcanoes have to do with the best culinary destinations in the world, what herb is the secret ingredient to staying active over the age of 100 and where to find it, where tomatoes are from (hint: it's not Italy), and more.

You'll also learn what John's number one destination recommendation is for top ingredients and cuisine, where John draws the line on if a place is too dangerous to visit at that time, and how John got started in this line of work that brings him across valleys and deserts in search of unique items that chefs and people use all over the United States.

Listen to the end because you'll also hear from Claudia Hanna, Mediterranean Culinary/Lifestyle Expert and host of If This Food Could Talk. She teaches us all about olives and olive oil, including why there's no difference between a green and black olive, takes us through a day on Cyprus (it sounds magical), and gives us tricks of the trade for getting off the beaten path while traveling.

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.

“From a hidden region of Colombia to a high-profile hotel debut in London, this episode is for adventurers, foodies, escapists, and big-city lovers—basically anyone who cherishes travel and is interested in exploring new places,” Bruce says.

Throughout the episode, you will hear the insights and advice of luxury travel leaders whom Bruce Wallin, Travel That Matters host and award-winning travel writer and editor, surveyed at the annual Virtuoso Travel Week, the world’s leading luxury travel conference. You’ll also hear the reactions and analysis of Bruce and his guest, fellow travel journalist Jackie Caradonio. While the better-known locations were not forgotten, like New York City, Boston, London, and Tokyo, Bruce and Jackie take listeners to Lamu and Ko Yao Yai, Riga and Dubrovnik, and far beyond. 

Listeners of this Travel That Matters episode will be ahead of the travel curve, discovering new hot spots to visit before they’re on everyone’s vacation radar. Some of the destinations will shock you! Plus, listeners learn things like which country has the largest variety of bird species, where the first Blue Zone was, where the 2026 Olympic Winter Games will be held, how you can cycle over 900 miles across six prefectures, and other unique facts about this beautiful world we love to explore.

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Travel That Matters would like to thank Virtuoso, the leading global network of luxury travel advisors, for including us at the annual Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas.

You can find out more details about all of the locations mentioned in the episode, below: 

Dolomiti Superski - https://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en/home

Sella Ronda ski circuit - https://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en/Experience/Sellaronda-Grande-Guerra

Via ferrata mountaineering circuit - https://www.dolomitemountains.com/en/resources/dolomites-tips/via-ferrata-climbing-the-iron-paths-of-the-dolomites

Rosa Alpina - https://www.aman.com/resorts/rosa-alpina

Hotel Cristallo - https://www.hotelcristallo-altabadia.it/en

Hotel de Lën - https://hoteldelen.it/en/hotel-de-len/

Alpinn Food Space & Restaurant - https://alpinn.it/en/

Hotel Ciasa Salares - https://www.ciasasalares.it/en/

Jannah Lamu - https://www.jannahlamu.com/

White Sand Villas Zanzibar - https://www.whitesandvillas.com/

The Surrey - https://www.corinthia.com/new-york/

Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi - https://www.tatiananyc.com/

The Hispanic Museum & Library - https://hispanicsociety.org/

Good Food Festival Dubrovnik - https://tzdubrovnik.hr/lang/en/news/good_food_fest/index.html

Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica - https://www.fourseasons.com/costarica/

Hacienda Altagracia, Auberge Resorts Collection - https://aubergeresorts.com/altagracia/stay/

Nayara Springs - https://nayarasprings.com/

Rocco Forte Hotels, Liscia di Vacca - https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/liscia-di-vacca-sardinia/

Nordic Luxury - https://www.nordicluxury.is/

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino - https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/costa-navarino/messenia

Kempinski Grand Hotel Riga - https://www.kempinski.com/en/grand-hotel-kempinski-riga

Seabourn Cruises - https://www.seabourn.com/en/us

Raffles Boston - https://www.raffles.com/boston/

Raffles London at the OWO - https://theowo.london/

Four Seasons Hotel Boston - https://www.fourseasons.com/boston/

The Newbury Boston - https://www.thenewburyboston.com/

O Ya - https://www.o-ya.restaurant/

ICAA New England - https://www.classicist-ne.org/

Grace by Nia - https://www.gracebynia.com/

Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas - https://www.anantara.com/en/koh-yao-yai-phuket

62 Nord - https://www.62.no/en

Secret Atlas - https://www.secretatlas.com/

Pacific Cycling Road Japan - https://www.mlit.go.jp/road/bicycleuse/good-cycle-japan/national_cycle_route/pacific_en.html

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve - https://tswalu.com/

Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel - https://www.belmond.com/hotels/africa/south-africa/cape-town/belmond-mount-nelson-hotel/

Rebecca Masri - Little Emperors - https://littleemperors.com/

Pavia Rosati - Fathom - https://www.fathomaway.com/ 

Andrea Grisdale - IC Bellagio - https://icbellagio.com/

Javier Arredondo - Virtuoso - https://www.virtuoso.com/travel

Amanda Elder - Kempinski Hotels - https://www.kempinski.com/en

Omer Acar - Raffles - https://www.raffles.com/home/ and Orient Express - https://www.orient-express.com/

Ian di Tullio - Minor Hotels - https://www.minorhotels.com/en

Deborah Frank - Luxury Magazine - https://www.luxurycard.com/magazine

Gilberto Salcedo - ProColombia - https://procolombia.co/

Pradeep Raman - Corinthia New York - https://www.corinthia.com/new-york/

Christian Leibel-Cote - Collette - https://www.gocollette.com/en

Mina Agnos - travelive - https://www.travelive.com/

Bobby Huebner - Skylark - https://skylark.com/

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To learn more about what Jackie is up to, be sure to follow her https://www.instagram.com/jackiecaradonio/ or check out her website https://www.jackiecaradonio.com/

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.

"I came to Thailand when I was just a teenager and chose never to leave," said guest Bill Heinecke, collector car enthusiast, experiential traveler, and billionaire founder and chairman of Minor International PCL, which owns and operates hotel brands including Anantara and Tivoli. Host and award-winning travel writer and editor Bruce Wallin guides Bill through his stories of the incredible aspects of different corners of the globe, starting with Thailand.

From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the idyllic beaches of Krabi, Bill shares his insider tips on the best places and things to go, see, and eat in the amazing country he now calls home. Bill demystifies long-held beliefs and cliches about Thailand that are untrue; he talks about the country's unique food culture, like its fresh produce markets, street food, and fine dining options (including the location of a Michelin-starred food stall); and he reveals where you should visit as a first-time visitor vs. a veteran visitor to Thailand. Bill goes on to share his other journeys from around the world, like where he's seen the most amount of wild dolphins in his life and where in Africa you can have breakfast with giraffes and zebras and then go spend the day having one of the world’s great wonders virtually to yourself. He focuses his attention on the most interesting destinations that are not easy to get to, saying, "The most interesting places you want to go to are the places that you can't get to very easily." But don't worry; Bill guides listeners through how to reach these hidden gems.

This episode is packed with useful information for adventure, specifically luxury adventure, in places like Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe/Zambia), Papa New Guinea, Mae Hong Son (Thailand), Krong Siem Reap (Cambodia), Quy Nhon (Vietnam), Pemba (Mozambique), and more. For an unbeatable experience, you can't go wrong pairing your trip with some of the great stays:

NH Collection New York Madison Avenue https://www.nh-collection.com/en/hotel/nh-collection-new-york-madison-avenue

Anantara Royal Livingstone (Victoria Falls) https://www.anantara.com/en/royal-livingstone

Avani Quy Nhon Resort https://www.avanihotels.com/en/quy-nhon

Avani Pemba Beach https://www.avanihotels.com/en/pemba

Elewana The Manor at Ngorongoro (Tented Camps Tanzania) https://www.elewanacollection.com/the-manor-at-ngorongoro/at-a-glance 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Bruce Wallin explores the transformative power of travel with guest Esme Benjamin, a wellness and travel journalist and host of the podcast The Trip That Changed Me. They start by talking about wellness programs in Italy (The Ranch) and Cuba (Mhai Yoga). We learn why Fiuggi water has been celebrated for its healing powers and why Cubans are gathering in public spaces dancing nearly every evening.

Then we learn about the trip that changed Esme, a year-in-the-making five-month-long road trip across the United States with her husband and corgi dog. She starts by telling us the things that happened in her life that led her to take this life-altering adventure. We hear about her path through the following incredible places: Black Hills & Badlands (South Dakota), Glacier National Park and Bozeman (Montana), Cody (Wyoming), Boulder, Rocky Mountain National Park, Gateway Canyons Resort and Spa (Colorado), Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, and the Grand Canyon (Arizona), Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana), San Francisco and Los Angeles (California), and more!

At the end of her trip, Esme got a BIG surprise.

Esme's story is a reminder that travel can be a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation.

To listen to Esme's podcast The Trip That Changed Me, click here and look out for the episode with our host Bruce coming soon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-trip-that-changed-me/id1488501080

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chef Richard Sandoval was and still is an instrumental force in the proliferation and elevation of Latin American cuisine across the globe. Born and raised in Mexico City—and once an aspiring professional tennis player—his journey into the world of culinary delights began early, setting the stage for a lifetime of epicurean exploration.

In this week’s episode, Travel That Matters sends you from the vibrant streets of Mexico City to surprising corners of the globe, showcasing Chef Sandoval’s adventures in authentic Mexican cuisine. Serbia, Dubai, Malta, Lima, Denver—he takes us on a whirlwind tour of flavors and shares several of his favorite spots worldwide.

Don’t forget to stick around for the wrap, where Bruce shares why everyone is talking about Mexico City, and why you should consider it for your next travel adventure.

A special thanks to Stonestreet Estate Vineyards for sponsoring the show today. Don't forget, listeners of the Master Chef series can receive exclusive access to Stonestreet wines and experiences including some unique sets chosen by Bruce, along with a complimentary Single Vineyard tasting for two at the estate. Head over to Stonestreetwines.com/Travel to access these incredible wines—and don’t forget to use code TRAVEL to book your complimentary tasting.

Thank you also to the MGallery Cures Marines and The Purist: Retreat and Spa for sponsoring this episode of the Travel That Matters’ Master Chef series. To learn more about the The Purist: Retreat and Spa at the MGallery Cures Marines, visit www.lescuresmarines.com.

To learn more about Richard Sandoval or any of his many projects, check out: https://www.richardsandoval.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Jackson of Stonestreet Estate Vineyards and Jackson Family Wines (Kendall-Jackson) joined Bruce to talk about all things wine, including why Healdsburg, California, is the best wine town to visit in America, the truth about how the family business got started (and how it was pretty much a “catastrophe”), and other wine destinations he loves and why you should visit them. Should Sonoma Valley be your first choice over Napa? 

Before revealing what regions the Jackson family feels represent the future of wine (and why a shift in wine regions proves climate change is real), Chris talks about what makes Stonestreet Estate and its 54,000 acres so unique, what wines you'll taste on the Stonestreet Mountain Excursion, why Stonestreet releases wines five years of age minimum, and how the Jackson family makes decisions centuries, if not decades, out. He then takes us on a wild tour of McLaren Vale and gives us a taste of his top spots in Italy and Oregon. Impress your fine-wine-loving friends by sending them this earthy and elegant episode! 

A special thanks to Stonestreet Estate Vineyards for sponsoring the show today. Don't forget, listeners of "Travel That Matters" can receive exclusive access to Stonestreet wines and experiences, including some unique sets chosen by Bruce, along with a complimentary Single Vineyard tasting for two at the estate. Head over to Stonestreetwines.com/Travel to access these incredible wines—and don’t forget to use code TRAVEL to book your complimentary tasting.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anne-Cecile Degenne is the executive corporate chef for Accor’s Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery, and Emblems hotel brands, overseeing more than 100 boutique restaurant concepts around the globe. Her work and personal travels—which include trekking through Mongolia for two months—have given her a unique perspective on global cuisine, which she shares in this fun and informative interview with Bruce.

Classically trained in France, Anne-Cecile has taken her talents from the Caribbean and New York to Korea and Vietnam. She shares her tips and tricks on how to discover the best authentic food culture in every new city she visits, as well as some of the lessons she’s learned about kitchen culture in different countries and how it has influenced her as a chef and traveler. 

Anne-Cecile also talks about a number of the exciting new hotel and restaurant projects from Accor, including a new Sofitel in Benin, an MGallery in Nairobi, and a Sofitel Legend in Panama.

Finally, Chef Degenne tells a story about her most memorable meal in Korea, one that many people might get pretty squeamish about!  

Thank you to Accor for being the exclusive sponsor for this episode. To learn more about any of the hotels, food concepts, or upcoming projects mentioned today, visit https://group.accor.com/. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Including a long list of restaurants in New Orleans, Nina Compton (James Beard award winning Saint Lucian chef currently living in New Orleans and 2nd place winner of Top Chef) gives listeners of this "Travel That Matters" episode countless travel tips for culinary destinations, including Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

As Saint Lucia is her home country, she dives deep into tasty local spots most tourists don't know about, what her Saint Lucian family eats for Christmas, and how her journey to becoming a chef started in Saint Lucia. (Fun fact: Nina's dad was the first Prime Minister of independent Saint Lucia!)

Now she's been calling New Orleans home for over 8 years and gives us insider tips of where to eat and what types of food you can find in New Orleans, if you know what to look for. She also gives chef recommendations of what to order at her restaurant, Compere Lapin.

Of course, she also talks about her experience on Top Chef, and much more.

In the wrap, Bruce sits down with John Cox, preeminent contemporary Bahamian artist and executive director of arts and culture at Baha Mar.

John tells us about the Bahamas Culinary & Arts festival at Baha Mar this October and why the Bahamas (and all of the Caribbean) is an exciting place to be as an artist right now.

A special thanks to Stonestreet Estate Vineyards for sponsoring the show today. Don't forget, listeners of the Master Chef Series can receive exclusive access to Stonestreet wines and experiences including some unique sets chosen by Bruce, along with a complimentary Single Vineyard tasting for two at the estate. Head over to Stonestreetwines.com/Travel to access these incredible wines—and don’t forget to use code TRAVEL to book your complimentary tasting.

Thank you also to the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel Hotel and the Frame Brasserie for sponsoring this episode of the Travel That Matters’ Master Chef series. To learn more about the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel Hotel, visit pullmanparistoureiffel.com. Also, check out framebrasserie.com to book your Eiffel-tower-view table today.

Relevant Links: Bywater American bistro https://bywateramericanbistro.com/ Compere Lapin (New Orleans) http://comperelapin.com/ Addis Nola (Ethiopian New Orleans) https://www.addisnola.com/ Dakar (Senegalese New Orleans) https://www.addisnola.com/ Jewel of the South (Cocktails New Orleans) https://www.jewelnola.com/ Marjie’s Grill (New Orleans) https://www.marjiesgrill.com/ Fritai (Haitian New Orleans) https://fritai.com/ Fond Doux (Saint Lucian Resort) https://fonddouxresort.com/ Baha Mar Culinary Arts Festival https://bahamar.com/bahamas-culinary-arts-festival/ Alice Yard (Trinidad Art Collective) https://www.instagram.com/aliceyardinsta/ Fresh Milk (Barbados Art Collective) https://www.instagram.com/freshmilkbarbados/?hl=en

To learn more about Nina Compton or any of her projects, check out https://www.instagram.com/ninacompton/?hl=en

To learn more about John Cox, check out:  https://www.instagram.com/iamjohnedwardcox/?hl=en

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hawaii, Burgundy, Australia, and California are just some of the places internationally known chef, TV host, entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author and chef-owner Curtis Stone talks about on this episode of "Travel That Matters" with award-winning travel writer and editor Bruce Wallin.

Curtis shares insider tips on all the amazing, unknown places in Australia he’s been to and what's special about the Australian cuisine and the traditions that accompany it. Curtis goes into detail about the foods and ingredients you need to eat when you’re in Australia and where to find them, because you won’t find them anywhere else.

Everyone knows Italy has delicious food, but Curtis shares tips on where to find new culinary experiences beyond the hot spots like Rome, Florence, and Sicily. In fact, he provides an actionable step you can take to find authentic food in all of the countries you’re visiting and shares advice on how to plan your next vacation.

Curtis also tells listeners about his latest projects and the new spots where you can find his delicious cooking.

In the wrap, Bruce sits down with acclaimed Michelin starred Chef George Mendes. Chef Mendes joins Raffles Boston, opening later this summer, as chef to open the signature restaurant Amar and lead the culinary program, which also includes a sleek day to night bar and terrace, and a street side cafe. He was previously the executive chef at the New York Michelin-starred restaurant Aldea. 

To learn more about Raffles Boston and the culinary program, visit https://www.raffles.com/boston

To learn more about Curtis Stone or any of his projects, visit https://www.curtisstone.com/

To find out more about George Mendes. visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-mendes-31b3281bb/

A special thanks to Stonestreet Estate Vineyards for sponsoring the show today. Don't forget, listeners of "Travel That Matters" can receive exclusive access to Stonestreet wines and experiences including some unique sets chosen by Bruce, along with a complimentary Single Vineyard tasting for two at the estate. Head over to Stonestreetwines.com/Travel to access these incredible wines—and don’t forget to use code TRAVEL to book your complimentary tasting.

Thank you also to Accor and Girafe restaurant by Paris Society for sponsoring this episode of Travel That Matters. To learn more about Girafe, visit https://girafe-restaurant.com/

Links and mentions:

• Maude: https://www.mauderestaurant.com/
• Gwen: https://www.gwenla.com/
• Marques de Riscal: https://www.marquesderiscal.com/en/marques-de-riscal-reserva 
• Belmond Hotel, Maroma: https://www.belmond.com/hotels/north-america/mexico/riviera-maya/belmond-maroma-resort-and-spa/
• Indian Star: https://www.indianstar.com.au/
• Topanga Social: https://www.eatplaytopangasocial.com/
• Amar, Raffles Boston (Opening Summer 2023): https://www.raffles.com/boston/dining/amar/
• Long-Bar, Raffles Boston: https://www.raffles.com/boston/dining/long-bar-and-terrace/
• Girafe: https://paris-society.com/en/table/girafe/

Travel That Matters is a CurtCo Media Production:

• Host: Bruce Wallin
• Producer: AJ Moseley
• Marketing Director: Catrin Skaperdas
• Music: Joey Salvia

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.