Holiday Special | Holiday Traditions from Chile and Iceland
Release Date: 12/17/2025
Luxury Travel Insider
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
info_outlineHanukkah, 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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