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Getting people to think differently when deciding where to travel next is a specialty of the travel journalist Andrew Nelson, a writer for two decades with National Geographic Travel and a two-time Lowell Thomas prize winner. Andrew joins Bruce on the podcast to discuss places in his new National Geographic book, Here Not There, revealing 100 alternative travel destinations to the ones we've probably all heard about 1,000 times. Andrew tells us about the places that are overlooked and why they're worth visiting, in addition to the obvious benefit of often being less crowded and less expensive. He guides us to the Miami of the North, the Amsterdam of the Midwest, and a place he describes as the most accessible yet mysterious places he's ever visited. He'll even tell us where you can dance until dawn and drink (responsibly) like a fool. Andrew doesn't just list places in this Travel That Matters episode, but tells us about the history, the tours and events you can attend, and the food that's there for you to enjoy. He emphasizes the element of surprise in travel, while adding in bragging rights that come with being among the few who have traveled to some of these alternative destinations. --- You can find out more details about the locations below mentioned in the episode: Zozobra Festival: https://burnzozobra.com/ The Secret Stairs of Los Angeles https://secretstairs-la.com/ San Cassiano, Dolomites https://www.altabadia.org/en/italian-alps-dolomites/villages/san-cassiano.html Kotor, Montenegro https://www.turismomontenegro.es/ciudades-de-montenegro/kotor/ Alamos, Sonora https://www.gob.mx/sectur/articulos/alamos-sonora Bottleworks Hotel: https://www.bottleworkshotel.com/ --- To learn more about Andrew Nelson, check out his website https://andrewtnelson.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.

Embark on an adventure through South Africa with Liam Tomlin (Cape Town chef), Deborah Calmeyer (ROAR Africa founder), and Tiago Sarmento (managing director of Belmond in Southern Africa), whose stories and insider tips on crafting the ultimate travel experience will have you hooked on this something-for-everybody destination. On his recent trip to Cape Town and Tswalu Kalahari reserve in South Africa, Bruce caught up with Tomlin and Sarmento to talk about Cape Town’s culinary delights, under-the-radar gastronomic and adventure tours, going on safari with children, and other unique experiences beyond the ordinary. Bruce also spoke with safari expert Calmeyer, who shares tips for first-timers, malaria-free areas, the best farmer’s market in Cape Town, and a two-week blowout itinerary. You’ll also learn where locals from Cape Town go for vacation—hint: there’s great whale watching—and get fun facts like where you can order half a goat in a car wash. Whether you’re a seasoned safari-goer or planning your first trip, whether you’re going with kids or just adults, this episode has something for you. Listen and catch the full details of why South Africa is a must-visit, and hear Bruce give his email for anyone who would like his help with planning a safari experience. Wait until the end to hear Bruce share a few of his favorite picks for safari adventures in South Africa and beyond. --- You can find out more details about the locations mentioned in the episode below: Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel, https://www.belmond.com Chef’s Warehouse, https://www.chefswarehouse.co.za ROAR Africa, https://www.roarafrica.com  Tswalu Kalahari, https://tswalu.com Delaire Graff Estate, https://www.delaire.co.za Oranjezicht Farmer’s Market, Cape Town Singita Sabi Sand, https://singita.com Cheetah Plains, https://www.cheetahplains.com Singita Grumeti, https://singita.com Selinda Reserve / Great Plains Conservation, https://greatplainsconservation.com Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, https://www.wildernessdestinations.com Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge, https://www.belmond.com Belmond Eagle Island Lodge, https://www.belmond.com Pigcasso, https://pigcasso.org --- 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.

This week, we're recommending a Pushkin podcast, A Slight Change of Plans, where Maya Shankar blends compassionate storytelling with the science of human behavior to help us understand who we are and who we become in the face of a big change. In this episode, Dr. Richard "Harry" Harris is an anesthesiologist and expert cave diver who was tasked with a seemingly impossible mission: to rescue a boys' soccer team trapped 2.5 miles deep within a flooded cave in Thailand. He talks with Maya about his decision to heed the call. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Divia Thani is an incredible and inspiring source of information on how best to explore the many different regions of India, from the Himalayas in the north to Chettinad in the south. In this episode of Travel That Matters, Bruce speaks with Divia, the Global Editorial Director of Condé Nast Traveler, about her home country of India, inclusive of the bustling scene in Goa, the best time of year to visit, where to find the best jewelry, and the thrills of a tiger safari (and how it’s different than the safari experience in African countries). Divia gives useful tips like how to see India without falling into a tourist trap, if you should see the Taj Mahal or skip it, where to go if you have particular hobbies such as hiking or skiing, and how to find authentic food in India. Divia also tells us about her favorite Indian dish, mentions a few specific restaurants in India that you'll want to try, and talks about Indian cuisine in London, where she lives today. --- You can find out more details about the locations mentioned in the episode below: NAAR (Chef: Prateek Sadhu) BiBi (Chef: Chet Sharma) --- 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.

Our love of travel and food converge in spectacular fashion in this exploration of Mexico and its many regional cuisines with chef and TV host Pati Jinich. As the host of the 3x James Beard Award-winning PBS television series “Pati’s Mexican Table,” resident chef at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C., and a cookbook author, Pati is the perfect person to lead us on a culinary adventure through the country, diving into its regional specialties, under-the-radar restaurants, and the Mexican dishes foreigners don't know about that they should seek out. This episode is packed with specific foods you'll want to try when you're in Mexico—from cochinita pibil (a personal favorite of both Bruce’s and producer AJ’s) to the exceptional shrimp of Sinaloa—and Pati's explanations of exactly how some of these dishes are made will leave your mouth watering. She includes important details like why some Mexican dishes can be re-created deliciously in other countries around the world, while others need to be tasted at the source because of the ingredients and techniques. Pati’s passion for Mexican culture and cuisine is contagious, as she takes us from a remote family restaurant in Halachó in the south to the modern streets of Monterrey in the north—a city that surprised even her! In addition, she teaches us what malinchista means and why the cuisine of Mexico making it to the UNESCO list has helped the people of Mexico gain a new appreciation for their traditional foods and techniques. She also talks about how to stay safe while visiting Mexico’s most popular and more remote regions. Listen to the end to find out what Bruce's favorite places and foods are in Mexico! --- You can find out more details about the locations mentioned in the episode below: Niddo Cara de Vaca Ya'axche (Chef Wilson Alonzo) La Fina Cocina del Barrio Sonorita Pepe’s Taco Pancho’s Takos Doña Chela Mercado Cleofas Mota Tequila --- To learn more about what Pati is up to, be sure to check out her website: https://patijinich.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.

This week, we're recommending a podcast for Scotland-lovers by award-winning travel blogger Kathi Kamleitner. This clip is of her conversation with Mark Williams, a forager and foraging tutor with over 30 years of experience. Originally from the Isle of Arran, Mark lives in Galloway these days and runs foraging classes and workshops all over Scotland. In the episode, Kathi and Mark cover...      •     How Mark became a full-time forager      •     His favorite plants, mushrooms and seaweeds to forage      •     Tips for aspiring foragers in Scotland (and beyond)      •     What he loves most about foraging      •     What foraging and traveling have in common      •     Tips for a lovely trip to Galloway See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ ----------------------------------- 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. --- 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/bel

"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.