Nepal | Sangita Einhaus Shrestha: Dwarika’s, Where Guests are Gods

Today we’re venturing into the Atlantic, making stops on the islands of The Azores and Madeira. Imagine stunning verdant volcanic landscapes, dramatic coastal cliffs, and temperate weather all year round. Don’t forget incredible food and a unique expression of Portuguese culture. 

My guests today are Filipe Fraga from Madeira and Beatriz Sousa from The Azores. We chat about the differences and commonalities between these two destinations, the unique environment, and the authentic experiences offered by each. If you’re looking for a unique destination in Europe, either of these destinations will be sure to impress. 

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My guest today is Rudi Schreiner, co-founder and President of AmaWaterways. AMA has been sharing its passion for river cruising around the world for more than 20 years, but Rudi has a deep history going back to the very beginnings of this type of travel. 

Rudi shares with us the history of river cruising, his fascinating personal history, some entrepreneurial stories from the early days of AMA, and more. 

We also hear about his favorite stops along some of the world’s most famous waterways, behind the scenes details about the ships, and about some up and coming new destinations as well. 

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Today we’re headed to experience a tapestry of turquoise lagoons, emerald-green islands, and coral-fringed shores. 

Whether you’re diving with sharks, climbing the ridge of a volcanic peak, or relaxing in your overwater bungalow - French Polynesia, or Tahiti for short - is sure to be nothing short of spectacular. 

We have a fun show for you today, with my friend and partner in the region, Raphael Bernard. Raphael has lived on a couple different islands in the archipelago and eats and breathes it every day. We talk about everything from the local stereotypes of each island, to the more off the beaten path ways to visit, to the food, and the unique culture. 

I hope you enjoy this tropical episode of Luxury Travel Insider. 

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The date of recording for today’s show is February 7th, 2024. That’s important because our show today is very topical and time sensitive. 

As some of you may know there has been a crackdown on organized crime and drug trade in Ecuador over the past month. Sadly for me and my friends and partners in the region, this crack down and the resulting sensationalization from the media has resulted in many visitors cancelling trips to this beautiful country… at exactly the time that Ecuadorians need visitors the most. 

Joining me today are Stephanie Bonam Carter, the owner of Galapagos Safari Camp, Fernando Polanco Plaza, the owner of Hacienda Zuleta who you’ll recognize from past shows, and my friend Clark Kotula who is an expert in the region and works with top properties across Latin America. 

We start the episode talking about the situation and the history, but please listen through to the parts where we discuss daily life in Ecuador, how things are just as they’ve always been, and all the positive things that are happening in the country. 

I’m a bit emotional after recording this episode because I want you all to know that at the end of the day, travel, like life, is imperfect. You have to go to a place to experience it, to understand the nuances, and to know the heart of a people. It upsets me when the media portrays one side of a situation, thereby hurting locals, and in this case, some of my dear friends. 

So please listen to this episode with an open heart and an open mind.

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Today we’re headed to the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. While all three countries are different in culture and in language, what they share is having borne witness to the same history and the courage to protect their individual identities through centuries of tumult. 

This is a fascinating region of the world to visit, not only because of the history, but because of the unspoiled coastlines and forests, charming traditions, and world class cities. 

My guests today are Greg Tepper, our partner in the region, and Grigorijs Salnits, one of our top guides in Latvia. We chat about everything from the emotional history of the 20th century, to over the top festivals, to foraging for mushrooms. 

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Today we’re indulging in fine cuisine, going behind the scenes of couture fashion houses like Chanel and Dior, and delving into some of the world’s most important traditions in art. Paris, the City of Light, has always been at the forefront of luxury, indulgence, and craftsmanship. 

Joining me to chat on all things art, fashion, and history are my friends Leah Walker and Philippe Hertzberg, two of our partners for ultra-special experiences in Paris.  

We discuss everything from art history, to the nostalgic periods of the Belle Epoch and the 20s, to fine jewelry houses and mixology. 

Grab a flute of your finest champagne, and enjoy this Parisian episode of Luxury Travel Insider. 

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We have a fun episode for you today, centered around Costa Rica and family travel. As one of our most popular destinations, we’re always working to find new and interesting ways to explore this beautiful country and to help families make lasting memories. 

Joining me on this episode is my friend and partner in the region, Javier Echecopar. Javier also brought along his 15 year old daughter, Fiore, to give us a bit of perspective on life in Costa Rica for kids and teens and to share some of her favorite travel experiences. 

We chat about everything from bioluminescence, to the best way to travel around the country, to some interesting ways to immerse in the local culture. 

I hope you enjoy this fun episode of Luxury Travel Insider. 

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Today we’re headed deep into the American West to discover magical deserts, epic adventures, impossibly big skies, and wildlife you just can’t see anywhere else in the world. This is a land of contrasts - from the hottest desert, to the largest trees; from the longest canyon, to the world’s most epic super volcano. And aside from the natural wonders, we’ve got surfers, cowboys, Native Americans, and a melting pot of cultures in between. 

My guest today is Kevin Jackson, our partner for ultra-luxury, special experiences across the western part of the US. If you can dream it up, we can plan it. Kevin and I chat about everything from mountaineering to visiting with a Navajo Code Talker, to private luxury camps set up in beautifully remote landscapes. 

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Today we’re peeking into the world of survival travel - taking trips to learn important survival skills and putting them into practice in a real life setting. If you’ve ever been curious about truly getting back to nature,  this episode is for you! 

My guests today are my friends Tom Williams and Roman Chiporukha. Tom started an experience company called Desert Island Survival and was the recent winner of the hit survival reality show, Alone UK. Roman has been a past guest of the show and works with clients to provide city focused survival experiences. 

We discuss everything from the various survival skills, to the best foods to eat in the wild, to where to go to learn these types of skills. But perhaps the most important conversation was about how getting back to nature in this way provides a gratitude reset, allowing you to be more excited about and thankful for the things you do have in your life. 

We started out chatting about survival, but end up having a deeper conversation about life, gratitude, and meaning.

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Today we’re whisking you off to a set of secluded islands in the Indian Ocean. This special place is so beautiful and remote, that it is often touted as the original Garden of Eden. 

Joining me to chat all things Seychelles, is our partner in the region Tomas Cochrane. 

Whether you’re looking for a far flung, relaxing, tropical paradise, or a more active adventure complete with interesting wildlife, hiking, and island hopping - the Seychelles really has something for almost everyone. 

Tomas and I chat about the different personalities of the various islands, the history, pirate inspired treasure hunts, and of course some of the gorgeous hotels.

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