A Luxury Travel Blog

Jack Sarvary is the co-founder and CEO of Itinerie, a flash-sale startup. Itinerie expands on flash-sale sites like Jetsetter and Vacationist by offering full luxury vacation packages, rather than just hotels. All of these luxury one-week packages are fully private and include all accommodations and transportation to 2-4 destinations in a single Latin American country. In addition, we arrange a number of customizable activities for each of our travellers. Before starting Itinerie, Jack worked for the Boston Consulting Group in New York City and Endeavor in Buenos Aires.

What is it that you do exactly?

Every day is different. We are only a few weeks away from launching our first sale and we are finalizing many last details to ensure we enter the market with the strongest product possible. These days, I might spend my morning working with our partner in Peru to decide whether we should offer our customers a photography tour or a cooking class – or both. Later, I likely will spend some time on our website. Which picture should we use on this page? What content do we want in this section? I also routinely check our Twitter account and Facebook page to see if there is any consumer insight to be picked up there. Finally, I am a sucker for data, so I will spend time going through our site usage stats, our subscription growth rate, and our finances to make sure everything is on track.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

Working in the travel industry has been new for me and so far I am a big fan. There is something nice about working with a product designed to help people relax. Also, it is a great pleasure working with my co-founder and partner, Nick Milne. I learn something new from him every day.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

The Inkaterra Lodge in Machu Picchu: After exploring the mystical ruins of Machu Picchu earlier this year, there could have been no better setting to maintain that level of wonder and awe than the Inkaterra Lodge. The property’s beautiful grounds and warm, inviting rooms made it very hard for me to board the train the next day back to Cusco.

Shakespeare’s Sister in Portsmouth, England: one summer in college, I sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, from Newport, RI, to Portsmouth, England, with some family members and a couple old boat hands. After an unbelievable month-long experience, we finally docked in Portsmouth harbor. My bunk that night on our boat Shakespeare’s Sister was filled with such a sense of accomplishment that it will always be one of the best places I have ever stayed.

The Panoramic Hotel in Iguazu Falls: The Panoramic Hotel gave us beautiful views over a very quiet and peaceful Iguazu River, just a few miles downriver from the thunderous falls. Iguazu is an inspirational place, and that river reminded me that while things might get rough sometimes, everything eventually smoothes out a little further downstream.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

When I left New York City to work for the non-profit Endeavor in Buenos Aires, I decided, as a final goodbye to the city of excess, to make a reservation at Del Posto. In the spirit of the night, we ordered the 7-course tasting menu. The NYTimes nailed it in its review, Del Posto’s is a pleasure that lasts, offering memories of flavors that may return later in a dream.� I do still wake up thinking about that divinely simple ball of fresh mozzarella cheese wrapped in buttery-soft prosciutto.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

My celebrity experiences date back to my first job as a caddy at the Golf Club of Purchase, in Westchester, New York. I hustled my way around the course carrying golf bags for the likes of Kenneth Cole and Michael Bloomberg. We haven’t gotten there yet with Itinerie, but we are still young.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

Since I’m a nature and animal nut, as well as a science geek, I have to choose the Galapagos Islands. Given its amazing wildlife and significance in scientific history, it’s a wonder I haven’t been there already.

Thank you for taking part, Jack, and we wish you all the best with your new venture.

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Anupam Dasgupta has been with the IHHR group for over 6 years in several roles and is now the General Manager at Ananda. Ananda, located in the foothills of the Himalayas, is a world-leading spa where a holistic approach is taken towards rejuvenation using the three ancient Indian philosphies of Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedanta. The award-winning retreat combines the best of Eastern and Western practices to leave a lasting impact with their guests, providing them with the tools to live happier and healthier lives. Ananda is located in the hamlet town of Narendra Nagar in the Himalayas, close to the spiritual town of Rishikesh and the holy town of Haridwar, where the river Ganges flow through and where a lot of these ancient Indian philosophies are said to have originated from. The surrounding scenery and nature is ideal for the holistic lifestyle approach of improving the well being of the body, mind and soul.

What is it that you do exactly?

I am paid to basically have a good time! On a serious note, as the General Manager of the property, I am responsible for looking after the day-to-day operations at Ananda. The way I see it, my responsibilities fall into three categories: looking after my guests, looking after the team and maintaining the property. I am also responsible for marketing and sales alongside two of my colleagues who operate from our head office in Delhi. We work in conjunction together as we are still a relatively small young company.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I would have to say the most enjoyable part of my job is interacting with all the guests that visit us here, especially as the wellness market is still such a niche business. Also as you can see not all of our guests are here for wellness so we have a very interesting mix of guests that come here looking for different things from their visit. I have often found myself forming lifelong friendships with many of our guests. We have guests visit us from all parts of the world, usually coming for 7, 14 or 21 nights. They are looking to take more away from Ananda than just memories & photographs. We actually help people change their lifestyles, leaving a lasting impact on their lives and that’s why I feel really good about what me and the team do here each day.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

1) Ananda in the Himalayas, India
2) Chedi Hotel, Muscat, Oman
3) The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambore, India

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

Funnily enough, I would have to say that this was in Goa on the beach at a small beach shack. It was my wedding anniversary and the hotel had organized a secluded romantic candlelit dinner on the beach for my wife and I. They had booked the entire shack for us and we were given the choice of all the seafood that had been caught that day and had it cooked deliciously.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

Through my work, yes. We get our fair share of celebrities at Ananda from all across the globe here as people can come and relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of normal life, without being hounded. There are some guests who request not to be mentioned so I won’t mention them but there are some that don’t mind once they’ve finished their visit. A few that come to mind are Uma Thurman, Hilary Swank, Heidi Klum, Seal, Melinda Gates, Amir Khan, Rekha and Karishma Kapoor.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

It would have to be Africa for a wildlife safari and Spain to taste all the good food that they have there!

Thank you for taking part, Anupam.  We wish you all the best in your role at Ananda.

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

David Kanarens took over the helm at QHotels The Queens in Leeds last year, having previously been General Manager at the Crowne Plaza Nottingham and QHotels Nottingham Belfry.  The four star hotel has 217  bedrooms, 16 conference and banqueting rooms and an award-winning restaurant, which not so long ago underwent a £10m refurbishment to return it to its former 1930s Art Deco glory.

What is it that you do exactly?

As a hotel manager I enjoy an extremely varied life, but first and foremost I must ensure my team lives and breathes great service. It’s all about the people – our team and our guests – and it is my job to keep my team motivated and focused on ensuring that all our leisure and business guests have a great time. I also have a regional role in which I oversee three other hotels, looking strategically at their businesses and offering a different perspective.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

The variety, pace and constant change. I know it’s a cliché but every day really is different. It makes for a very interesting job. You never quite know what you’re coming into each morning because so much has happened since you left the previous evening. Everything moves at speed with lots of different events happening simultaneously. The Queens is a very big conference hotel so you often need eyes in the back of your head to see everything – but that’s where a great team comes in. Hotels are constantly evolving and we need to move fast just to keep up with ever-changing demands. The ability to anticipate guests’ needs before they realise it and have a solution waiting for them is a very valuable skill.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

As a hotelier, I rarely visit hotels in my own downtime and I’m just as happy in a tent as I am in five star luxury. However, if I had to choose three experiences they would be Bali, Skiathos and Oxford.

After a wonderful Far Eastern tour, I once visited my sister who was living in Bali and part of my time was spent in a small beach hut in the remote north of the island. Early in the morning we would meet the fishermen after their first catch and they would take us in their hollowed out ‘tree boats’ to swim with the turtles. It was truly idyllic.

I’ve also been visiting a very small private place in Skiathos for some years, run by a talented English artist who’s developed a handful of exquisite villas in beautifully landscaped grounds. The attention to detail is excellent.

Finally, I was once ‘banged up’ in a genuine prison cell at the Malmaison in Oxford, which is a converted prison. The landing area is like a scene from Porridge, but with Champagne. It was a great and unique experience.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

I’ve been lucky enough to dine in some spectacular restaurants and hotels during my career, but a recent experience really stands out. The Queens has a long standing relationship with HMS Ark Royal, the Royal Navy’s flagship air craft carrier on which my wife and I were invited to join the captain and his senior officers for dinner. It was only a short time before that I remembered it was my wife’s 40th birthday on the same day so I arranged for us to stay at Sat Bains in Nottingham the night before, where we enjoyed a fabulous seven course taster menu with accompanying wines, before travelling to Portsmouth. Either night would have been wonderful in isolation, but together they made a truly memorable 48 hours.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

All the time. My job has brought me into contact with royalty, at least three Prime Ministers, sports stars and a variety of people from the entertainment world.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

Without a doubt the Galapagos Islands.

Thank you for taking part in our interview, David.

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Andrew Dunn is the Founder of Scott Dunn which he started as a luxury ski company in 1986 and which has since become a tailor-made tour operator of luxury holidays around the world.

What is it that you do exactly?

If I’m not going to our London office, I’m up by 6.45am and drive my children to school. I’m usually in the office for 8.30am to look at emails and catch up with my PA to run through the appointments for the week ahead, answer letters and sign off any paperwork. I tend to travel a lot, developing our relationships with overseas suppliers. We are presently developing more Scott Dunn Children’s Clubs and OurSpace (a complete management solution for five star resorts who value professional childcare). Another aspect of my work is meeting with key suppliers such as British Airways and hotel groups. I also handle all key relationships with partners such as Mercedes Benz and Laurent-Perrier. At the end of day, I review the days’ sales figures, then after supper clear down emails and plan for the following day.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

Overseeing the entire Scott Dunn experience and product offering. I’ve always been passionate about the details and ensuring our guests have the very best holiday. I’m now spending time looking after our loyalty programmes as our repeat business is phenomenal.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

I love skiing and I have wonderful holidays in Chalet Artemis in St Anton – the wellness area there is to die for. Africa is my second passion and the tranquillity and endless plains of the Masai Mara and Serengeti never ceases to amaze me. With a planet of six billion people it is just astounding how alone we can feel in Africa; there is something magical and godly about the place. I recently visited the Maldives for the first time and it is the consummate bucket and spade experience of the very highest order and truly sublime.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

I’ve been lucky to have eaten at a few chefs tables over time but the most memorable was sharing a joint 40th with friends at Gordon Ramsay’s Maze; however, we did walk out of there after countless delicious courses feeling twice the size.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

The answer is yes, but the one thing you should know about Scott Dunn is that we never talk about our guests.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

Peru is very high up on the wishlist. I’ve yet to see Machu Picchu – which is incredible given the length of time we’ve had a Latin America programme.

Thank you for taking part in our interview series, Andrew, and well done for not ‘tripping up’ with the penultimate question!

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

The Rembrandt Hotel and Towers, one of the most renowned hotels in Bangkok, has undergone a new makeover this year. This also resulted in the promotion of Simon P. Rindlisbacher to the position of Hotel Manager – one of the youngest hotel managers in town. Simon’s rise in the ranks has been quite meteoric. From his start in the industry as a waiter whilst still at school in Switzerland, his homeland, he raced up the career ladder to his current position. Simon graduated from the Hotel Management School Belvoirpark, in Zurich in 2002, and speaks German, French, Spanish and English. It’s a perfect background for a hotelier, especially in cosmopolitan Bangkok.

What is it that you do exactly?

I am responsible for the entire operation at the Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok, making sure that all our guests are happy and want to come back and recommend our hotel to their family, friends and colleagues. It’s  lots of fun to work closely with all the different Heads of Department towards the same goal of offering outstanding guest services.

Competition is huge, but because of the Rembrandt’s more than 17 years’ experience, combined with the famous Thai hospitality, our international clientele enjoy a guaranteed “above my expectations” experience.  During the last four years we have also renovated all our guest rooms, lobby area and bar.  We’ve also completely re-done our wellness area with “The Rembrandt Spa”, fitness centre and swimming pool,  with which I have been very actively involved. I also work closely with the Rembrandt’s General Manager, Mr Eric Hallin, whose  great experience helps me to further develop myself.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

To be privileged to do what I am passionate about. I love all the various aspects of a large city hotel. It’s the contact with the guests at the lobby, welcoming them to our executive lounge, inviting people  for an exciting wine dinner in one of our award winning restaurants, as well as working with my colleagues and associates. I am proud of what I do, and of the hotel I work for. When you feel that you are representing a brand like this, then you just can’t go wrong.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

The Beau-Rivage Lausanne in Switzerland.  This is a must-visit, even if you don’t stay there, to enjoy all the little details in an environment of very beautiful scenery.

Six Senses Hide Away on Koh Samui, as it was a great experience in enjoying something different. I also like their way of living their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibilities).

My parents’ home in Gossau, Switzerland.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

A birthday dinner, which was “tailor made” especially for me and my closest friends at the “Le Normandie” of Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.

A BBQ in the rain forest close to the “Angel Falls” (tallest waterfall in the world) in Venezuela. Don’t ask me what food it was but it just tasted unforgettably good.

OK, this probably won’t surprise you, but also my Mum’s food.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

Yes, and it is always nice to see that they very much appreciate if we treat them as “one of us”. For sure there are some, who like the big bang or just need the polite distance, but I believe it’s nice for them too in just having a quiet time. Here at the Rembrandt Hotel, Bangkok, the Prime Minister is a frequent guest. We also have many Ambassadors and famous entertainment personalities from Switzerland, due to the hotel’s strong and well-known brand there.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

I love being in cities, such as Singapore,  and seeing their continued development, but would really enjoy being up the mountains back home in Switzerland for a couple of weeks. Living away for over eight years makes my home country really beautiful again. Living the life of a farmer, making cheese, getting up with the sun and being with my family and good friends. All this without  TV and Internet, etc.

Thank you for sharing your experiences, Simon. I wish you all the best in your current position and look forward to hearing more great things about your achievements in the future.

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Todd Harris is Senior Vice President for Hospitality and Member Services at Exclusive Resorts, a luxury destination club offering members hundreds of vacation residences around the world. He supervises all aspects of the member experience. Previously Todd spent 14 years with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, serving as General Manager of some of their most acclaimed hotels, including The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch in Beaver Creek, Colorado and international properties in Singapore, Japan and South Korea.

What is it that you do exactly?

I oversee the overall service experience at Exclusive Resorts, to ensure that our members have a first-class vacation every time they travel with us.   This includes responsibility for the travel planning services our members receive from their dedicated Member Services Managers, as well as the in-residence experience they enjoy when they are staying with us in our homes.   I spend my day speaking to members, reviewing their feedback, and supporting hundreds of service staff (housekeeping, concierge, and property maintenance) across nearly 40 destinations in the U.S., Caribbean, Europe, Mexico and elsewhere.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I love my relationships and connections with my staff.   As you can imagine, with on-site service personnel supporting nearly 400 club residences as well as our Denver-based Member Services Managers, we have quite a team.   I’ve really enjoyed building our service model, finding enthusiastic and expert service professionals to add as we expand, and working with all of them to identify new ways to not only continue enhancing our the services we offer, but also to surprise and delight our members on their vacations.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

To me, the best travel experiences are often to celebrate important family occasions.

1.      Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica – In addition to my role with Exclusive Resorts, I’m also a member of the club.   About two years ago, my wife and I were fortunate to share a memorable wedding with a small group of close friends and family at the Exclusive Resorts “enclave” in Peninsula Papagayo.   The homes were stunning, the wildlife and landscape fascinating, and working with our onsite concierge team in Costa Rica on all the details made everything simple, so we were really able to relax and enjoy that special weekend.

2.      Hawaii’s Big Island -We took my wife’s family to Kohala Coast on the Big Island to celebrate her mom’s 60th birthday recently. None of my wife’s family had ever traveled to Hawaii before, and I was happy to be able to help organize a trip that brought everyone together for a family reunion in a destination that was new to them and has long been a favorite of mine.

3.      Sea Island, Georgia – My wife and I invited all eight members of my immediate family for a fantastic family reunion in Sea Island, Georgia. The Cloister at Sea Island is truly an exceptional resort property, with a terrific array of activities, five miles of private beach, and the amazing 65,000 square foot Cloister Spa.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

I think the most memorable dining experience I’ve had was probably when I was living in Japan. As an expatriate hotel manager for a five star hotel brand, I was fortunate to be able to travel around Japan and experience many unique aspects of their culture. I specifically remember one dinner in Fukuoka where I couldn’t communicate with the local staff so I asked for the “set menu”. One dish included them pulling a live squid out of a tank in the middle of the restaurant and clipping off its tentacles and serving them directly onto my plate. I had the hardest time picking them up with my chop sticks as they were still squirming and jumping all over my plate.   I loved trying the local cuisine while living abroad, and this particular meal has definitely remained vivid in my memory.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

Andre Agassi and his wife Steffi Graf are members of Exclusive Resorts, and I have had the opportunity to spend some time with them at a couple of club destinations where they were conducting tennis clinics for their foundation.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

This one is easy because we’ve been planning a trip for our members here at Exclusive Resorts, as part of our unique Once in Lifetime program, that is at the top of my personal list:   a South African experience, combining a stay in Cape Town, South Africa with a luxurious safari experience in Kruger National Park. To go on a world-class safari (complete with luxury accommodations and private guides) and enjoying the local beaches and wineries of Cape Town sound like a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.   Experiencing the many different aspects of South Africa on a trip like that is something I would love to do someday.

Thank you for taking part in our interview, Todd.  I can appreciate how a plateful of squirming tentacles must have stuck in the memory!

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Julian was appointed Managing Director of bmibaby on 1st April 2010. He previously held the position of commercial director for two years, responsible for marketing, revenue management, public relations, network planning, e-commerce and customer services. Prior to this Julian spent two years working for IATA in Montreal where he was responsible for marketing and business development opportunities within the airline sector. His initial entry into the airline industry however was with Jet2.com, where he was involved in the business planning and launch of the airline. After a term as business development manager for Jet2.com, he moved to MyTravelLite as Head of Marketing and Development, though soon took over as Managing Director of the airline. Prior to entering the airline industry, Julian had ten years of management experience within the entertainment industry, working with both Virgin and Blockbuster.

What is it that you do exactly?

Working at bmibaby there is no such thing as a typical day! We work in such a fast paced environment my day can vary hugely. I am responsible for the oversight of the airline’s ongoing business, from day to day management, through to longer term strategic planning. My team look after the commercial side, which encompasses sales and marketing, network (where we fly and when), pricing, customer service, and e-commerce. Others areas include operations (the day to day delivery of the flights), engineering (making sure the aircraft are safe and fit to fly), cabin services (offering the in-flight service we pride ourselves on), and ground services (the airport activities we undertake).

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

My background is more commercial, but I really enjoy the actual flying and travelling aspects of the job. I try to fly as often as possible to interact with the crew and customers and this keeps it real for me in seeing the business come to life. I also enjoy the challenge of keeping the business prominent in the eyes of the consumer, and so enjoy interacting with media and doing promotional activity.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

Fiji: I did some consulting work for an airline there for a few months, and grew to love the place and the atmosphere. Relaxing in a hammock on the beach, watching the sunset while reading a book after a hard day in the office can’t be beaten!

Montreal: I lived there for two years, and came to know the place as home. The city is one of the friendliest and most exciting cities I’ve ever known, and was such a great mix of North America meets Continental Europe.

Las Vegas: The fountains of Bellagio are one of my favourite places on this planet! You can lose yourself in the grandeur of the place, and provided you take it all with a healthy pinch of salt (and are sensible with the chips!), you can have the most amazing time!

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

A Beef Teriyaki dinner in the Bahamas, when a group of us sat around the chef’s hot plate and ate from the edges as he prepared the food. I’ve always tried to find Teriyaki that tasted that good since, but am still looking!

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

In my time as a cinema manager I met a few celebrities. On one occasion I had to ask Stephen Gately what his name was (I knew he was in a boy band, but that was all I knew!). I also had to escort U2’s ‘The Edge’ out the back door once as word had got around he was there, and so he needed to escape! My most memorable encounter though was escorting Pierce Brosnan around the cinema during a premiere – I had given the staff explicit instructions not to trouble him, but then went and did it myself by asking him if he’d have his photograph taken with my girlfriend (I got good brownie points for that though!)

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

I want to do a long overland expedition one day – taking a few months to travel from a to b. I’d like to overland it to the Far East from Europe or from North to South America perhaps. I will one day!

Many thanks, Julian, and good luck with your new role at bmibaby.

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Formerly with Skyscanner, Aaron Ritoper is the Vice President of Business Development at Fly.com, a website which scours major airlines, international carriers and online travel sites, and helps people easily sort and refine results by criteria such as number of stops and departure times and traveller class.

What is it that you do exactly?

I’m in charge of developing the Fly.com business across Europe. This means I manage our all commercial relationships, ensure we achieve our targets, and communicate across markets to spread the word on Fly.com (sharing the latest flight deal insights). Travelzoo travel producers are very knowledgeable, so I spend time with them to review the latest bargains.

On the technology side, the flight search experience is constantly developing, and hours are spent with the team to build the flight search product of the future.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

It’s not every day that you get the chance to build a global brand with the talent and resources of a company like Travelzoo. I love the challenge and the reward that we see as people discover how much better Fly.com is at finding cheap flights compared to legacy websites.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

Méribel – Is fantastic place for a ski vacation. The last time we went “hors-piste” with a ski guide, and when he handed out avalanche beacons and put a snow shovel in his backpack that definitely made a lasting impression.

Iceland – Seeing the Northern lights was definitely high on my list. I stayed out in the countryside outside of Reykjavik and around midnight green oscillating light filled the sky.

Hawaii – A wonderful place for a family vacation, we stayed at the Grand Hilton in Waikoloa and found it very family friendly. The dolphin pool in particular was a big hit.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

Probably the time I ate barbequed buffalo on an Indian reservation in New Mexico. They had the whole animal roasting on a spit and there were demonstrations of traditional dances with rhythmic music – it was very festive!

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

I’m constantly on airplanes so I’ve run across quite a few celebrities along the way. Within the travel world, I enjoyed speaking with Stelios Haji-Ioannou not too long ago just before my easyJet flight from London to Nice, France. I happened to be one of the first people on the plane, so tipped off the flight attendant that an important guest would be following me.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

It’s about time for a surfing trip, so I’m hoping to spend some time in Biarritz, France soon.

Many thanks, Aaron. Having experienced the Northern Lights in Greenland myself, I can understand how that might be up there as one of your highlights.

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

A relative newcomer to Kuala Lumpur’s restaurant scene, Albion restaurant is quickly gaining a reputation as a top place to eat. I described it elsewhere as “probably the best place to eat in KL”, so I wanted to be sure that A Luxury Travel Blog readers gained the benefit of the insider knowledge too. Here Albion co-owner James Grierson talks about his life, and his latest venture, Albion.

What is it that you do exactly?

I co-own a restaurant called Albion located in the Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I run front of house whilst Colin, my partner, runs the kitchen.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I have a great passion for food, drink and people. Involvement in this industry sates my appetite for all three. Every day is different. Every day is hugely gratifying. To meet new people and experience, vicariously, their enjoyment of what we offer at Albion is what it’s all about. When they return for more, I know we are on the right track.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

Bachelor Hall, St James, Barbados – It’s a mansion right on the beach and one memorable evening I watched the sunset with a glass of whisky in one hand and my Walkman playing Beethoven in the other. Bliss!

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel [formerly the Oriental], Bangkok, Thailand – An obvious choice, I know, but it is amazing with gorgeous French and riverside restaurants. I love being pampered and took full advantage of the facilities. Service is impeccable.

The Park Hotel, Kenmare, Ireland – On the ring of Kerry and steeped in near-prehistorically calm countryside. This is an expertly run hotel with a terrific restaurant. It is in a stunning location and if you can’t relax here you need a shrink or a few glasses of Paddy!

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

Eating Marco Pierre White’s food at his first venture called Harvey’s in Wandsworth, London. Powerful, sexy, imaginative brilliance. His signature dish was a Stuffed Pig’s Trotter. Wow! The Guvnor. I was very touched at the kind words he said about Keith Floyd after Floyd’s death last year. I am a huge fan of Floyd.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

Yes, lots. I was a professional musician for 20 years prior to coming into this industry so met a plethora of stars: Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, Sir Bob Geldof (who was my neighbour in London), Ozzy Osbourne, Annie Lennox, Nigel Kennedy, Sir Cliff Richard and Sir Elton John. Sounds like I won’t meet anyone who isn’t titled!

As a restaurant manager I served Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Sir David Frost (there I go again!), Lord and Lady Gilmour, Diana Princess of Wales, The Duchess of York, Nigella Lawson, The Spice Girls, Lord Pinter, Lord Webber, Michael Gove MP, The Monty Python team, Alan Parker and Delia Smith.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

I have a great yearning to visit India and Nepal. This will take up a lot of my time to do comprehensively and time is something I don’t have at the moment, as I’m running a new business with a view to expansion. But, the dream is there and once Albion has washed its face(s), Colin and I can pack our bags and head for the airport. My previous employer, Camellia Panjabi, was Marketing Director of Taj Hotels and she would love to be our guide in India!

Many thanks, James, for so generously giving us your time when we visited Albion restaurant recently. We wish you every success with your new venture, and have no doubt that once the word spreads Albion is going to be well known as the top destination restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Formerly an actor with the RSC, Grant Thatcher began the series of LUXE City Guides back in 2002. There are now more than 30 guides, including the best of the best from 20 in-the-know residents in each location.

What is it that  you do exactly?

I’m Editor in Chief which encompasses everything from designing the covers and handmade box sets, to overseeing our blog LUXEtasy.com, and our new LUXE City Guides Mobile apps which span seven different handset brands including iPhone, BlackBerry, Nokia and 34 models. It’s no wonder my hair is grey!

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

When you consider that so many people in the world today don’t get to travel at all, the fact that I do it for a living is a great luxury. We’re the only city guide series in the world that sends staff editors to the city we’re researching to work hand in glove with our city resident editors, checking and refining the draft until we have the perfect LUXE mix, so even though research tends to be really expensive and grueling (14-16 hour days are the norm) we do at least get to see a horde of things that most visitors would never experience. Add to that our fascination with shopping, artisanal, bespoke and custom-made goods and at least we get to window shop while we work!

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

Tricky! Because of my job I’ve been fortunate enough to stay in some pretty amazing places around the world and the very best of them are special not because they are expensive or exclusive (quite often the contrary) but because they have that essential ‘It’ factor which may be personality, service, location or quirk. Im not remotely interested in gold taps and Rolls Royces, but seeing as this is a blog devoted to luxury, then my choices would be Villa Feltrinelli, The Connaught, and the Tirta Enning suite at CSE Estate in Bali – but I had a fab time campervanning around New Zealand not so long ago (if you don’t count the chemical loo…!)

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

I loved the rustic, super-simple, eat with your fingers Indonesian food at Waroeng Tugu in Bali. It’s tiny and very basic, you sit at heavy wooden trestles, in an open-sided, traditionally-styled kitchen, the chef decides what he will cook and you will eat – it’s delicious, quiet, romantic and far from the madding crowds.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

My lips are sealed. When I travel for LUXE I always like to stay under the radar as you get to observe better, and for the most part I think the truly rich and famous are the same. I imagine being really famous must be a royal pain in the butt – incognito is the new luxury.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

Syria. Im a nut for archaeology and am longing to visit Palmyra, and get down to some serious souk retail therapy in downtown Damascus.

Thank you, Grant.  I wasn’t familiar with Palmyra but Googled it and it does indeed look amazing.  Good luck in getting there.

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

A true travel connoisseur, CEO and Founder Drew Patterson brings more than a decade of experience to Jetsetter, the private sales site that helps leisure travellers discover and purchase some of the world’s best vacations.

An industry pioneer, Patterson was part of the founding team at Kayak.com where, during his five-year tenure as Vice President of Marketing, he played an integral role in reshaping the online travel landscape by evolving the distribution model and initializing the concept of “search”.  Prior to that, Patterson cut his teeth as Director of Distribution and Revenue Management at Starwood Hotels, where he forged new distribution channels with online travel agents, including Expedia and Travelocity.

Patterson received his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University before earning his Masters in Business from Columbia Business School.  He resides in New York City.

What is it that  you do exactly?

No two days are the same for me. I might start the day building partnerships with suppliers on the inventory side or marketing partners that might get Jetsetter in front of new customers on the audience side. Then, I might have a meeting with our engineering team to talk about new functionality or the marketing team to talk about new products. Jetsetter is growing fast, so I spend a lot of time these days reviewing resumes. In my downtime, I surf the web to see what competitors are doing, what the media is saying about the travel space, and what consumers are talking about in Twitter or Facebook. Finally, I pour over the numbers, making sure the business is on track to beat expectations and communicate progress to our investors.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I really love working with the team I’ve built here at Jetsetter. We have a really smart, experienced, hard working team. But, I also look for people with personality and we spend a lot of time laughing which is what makes me excited to go to work each day.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

Casas Brancas, Búzios, Brazil: There is just something magical about Buzios which is a very relaxed and charming destination. Casas Brancas is more than just a beautiful boutique hotel. The people who run the hotel are incredibly warm and hospitable.

The Hotel Gritti Palace encompasses charm and history along the Grand Canal in Venice. I was traveling with a group of friends for art opening and the stars just aligned to create a memorable vacation: great friends, fantastic dinners, spectacular art, no crowds. Perfetto!

After several weeks traveling through India, The Westin Singapore was exactly what the doctor ordered. I can still remember how good it felt to take a hot shower; sleep in a big, comfy bed; and eat a Western-style breakfast.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

My brother’s friend interned at Per Se, arguably the best restaurant in the US. As a thank you from the restaurant, he was invited to bring friends for a complimentary dinner. This was more than a dinner, it was a six-hour tour through the most amazing ingredients and flavors I’ve ever experienced or will ever experience. In addition to the usual tasting menu, the kitchen prepared about 18 other courses. Food was ethereal. Service unimaginable.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

I am not the guy who notices celebrities. But, I was in LA and checked into celeb magnet Chateau Marmont alongside Jarvier Bardem (before he started dating Penelope Cruz unfortunately). We went to dinner at Nobu that night and were seated next to Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

I would like to go to Alaska before it melts.

Thank you, Drew.  That’s been a great insight. And even if you read the most pessimistic reports, I think you’ll find you’ve still got ample time to ’see Alaska before it melts’.  Afterall, it is home to more than half the world’s glaciers.

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Alison Scott is the Commercial Director for Elegant Resorts.  She has been at Elegant for just over a year and prior to that was Head of Product at ITC in Chester. Her background has always been in travel. She started in travel after she left University, as a Rep overseas, and has stayed in the industry ever since. Working mainly in Product and Ops for luxury tour operators, including 7 years with Simply Travel in London.

What is it that  you do exactly?

No day is the same. My responsibilities at ER are to manage the Product, Aviation and Marketing side of the business. Anything supplier facing. I am also responsible for looking at our Commercial reporting and we are constantly working ahead and planning to ensure business levels going forward. There are always day to day issues/problems and opportunities to deal with that can take over and need to be dealt with. In todays challenging market, nothing is more important than reacting to changes in demand and being flexible with marketing planning and product offering.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

Everything! But Product has always been my specialty and I love looking forward and working with the Product managers on new growth and destinations. I also love being able to work with the other Directors and Senior Managers at ER to directly influence the future of the business … we have a great deal of input into strategic planning and being in charge of your own destiny is very empowering.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

I have stayed in so many wonderful places but most recently:

Vancouver – Canada. I just felt very at home in the city. Loved the atmosphere and it is a very interesting place, plus you can go up into the mountains, and be skiing in 2 hours. Stunning scenery.

Rio – Brazil. Just a really edgy city, with a great vibe. So much to see and do and the first place I have been handgliding (and first and last!). Rio is a must do for any traveller, a fabulous experience.

Anguilla – Caribbean. I loved the laid back atmosphere of the Island and everyone was so friendly. Some of the most beautiful beaches I have seen.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

Sushi at the beach restaurant at Le Prince Maurice in Mauritius. I love sushi and I love the beach… it was an ideal combination.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

At Elegant Resorts we are very discreet   about our celebrity clients. However did recently attend the 10^th anniversary party for the Burj Al Arab in London which was hosted by Bruce Forsyth… my Mum was very jealous!

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

I have never been to Australia or New Zealand or any of the islands in that part of the world – so they are on my to do list.  Also would love to go to Madagascar – looks and sounds stunning and unspoilt.

Thank you, Alison.  Madagascar is on my wishlist also… one day, perhaps!

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

A ’skateboard/punk rocker’ in his youth, David Sutcliffe is now one of three partners who run a small travel agency in Harrogate, England called Traveltalk. Specialising in luxury, tailor-made and adventure travel, Traveltalk was created 25 years ago by David’s colleague, Christine Thompson. After much hard work establishing the company in the area they developed a large core client base and are now, according to David, the leading agency in Yorkshire.

What is it that  you do exactly?

My primary task is to be there for our clients, whether it be dealing with a new enquiry or ensuring that their travel plans run smoothly. Beyond that I do the administration tasks necessary to make sure that the agency runs smoothly, allowing the other members of staff to concentrate on dealing with their clients.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I’m a self-confessed travel geek, so I enjoy all aspects of the industry. I love reading the magazines, watching the travel channels and talking to clients about my favourite destinations, but most of all I love having the opportunity to visit places I wouldn’t otherwise be able to. I’ve seen parts of the globe that most people never will and I’m very grateful to be in such a position.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

Savute Under Canvas, Botswana – I stayed at 4 of the &Beyond properties in this amazing country, but this was the highlight for me. Staying in a tent whilst outside you could hear lions and hyenas close by was an experience that will stay with me forever. It was also the first time I’d seen a leopard on safari.

Baltschug Kempinski, Moscow – We arrived late into Moscow and didn’t get a real impression until the following morning when I looked out of my bedroom window across the Moscow River to St Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square and the Kremlin. Whilst Moscow might not be as pretty as St Petersburg, you get a real feeling of being somewhere special, somewhere important.

Four Seasons Sayan, Bali – After a long journey this was a real sight for sore eyes. Beautifully set in the Ayung river valley near Ubud, this was the perfect place to relax.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

If you ever find yourself in Ibiza you must visit the Cardamom Club in Santa Eulalia. Superb Indian cuisine in a wonderful setting – chicken jalfrezi with a cold beer, outdoors under a canopy of trees on a Mediterranean evening……paradise!

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

We do have a few high profile clients, but best to respect their privacy. I’ve been shouted at by the late Hughie Green in a hotel in Edinburgh if that counts, but it was a case of mistaken identity, he apologised and even bought me a drink. I’ve also met Iggy Pop and John Peel. Oops, almost forgot… I am currently in an awkward relationship triangle with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Carmen Electra…

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

This changes on an almost daily basis, but at the moment I would love to see Norway, preferably on a Hurtigruten cruise. The scenery looks like it would literally awesome.

Thank you, David. I can heartily recommend Norway – it’s been 20 years since I was there but I still have fond recollections of the scenery.

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Julie Byrd is the Director of Sales for Earth, Sea & Sky Vacations. They are the leading luxury travel provider in Los Cabos and represent over 140 private villa rentals and 50 resorts. They’ve specialized in the region for over 20 years, so they’re intimately familiar with the destination and have built long-standing relationships with the best local vendors and properties.

What is it that  you do exactly?

I oversee an incredible team of Sales Agents. Many of our clients find out about us either via our website or by word of mouth. In keeping with the very  high-end nature of our offerings, we don’t sell any “cookie-cutter” packages; we customize each travel experience for each client, matching them with the best villa, helping them select villa services such as private chefs, mobile spa services etc, arranging activities, etc.

A typical day involves fielding sales opportunities and assisting my team in fulfilling these leads. I work intimately with our villa owners to address client concerns, develop effective marketing plans and make suggestions for property improvements. I also work very closely with our Marketing Department to ensure our message is consistent.

A typical day involves fielding sales opportunities and assisting my team in fulfilling these leads. I work intimately with our villa owners to address client concerns, develop effective marketing plans and make suggestions for property improvements. I also work very closely with our Marketing Department to ensure our message is consistent..

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I absolutely love helping our sales agents plan exceptional vacations for our clients. I really love the personalized nature of our services, and that we are helping each and every client achieve their personal vision of a dream villa vacation; creating a memory they will never forget.  Building strong relationships is very important to me. Nothing makes me more pleased than a return guest who appreciates the personal touch we offer. And, of course, I love that I’m able to travel to Los Cabos, a destination that is very dear to my heart.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

Villa Grande – it was my first experience staying in a luxury villa in Los Cabos. I felt like royalty and was thrilled to be able to share it with my friends and family. After this first taste of the villa experience, I was hooked!

Villa Cielito – this is such a unique and magical estate, located on the best snorkeling beach in Cabo. The house had everything there was to offer and I loved the serenity of walking down the steps from my villa and along beautiful Chileno Bay. The villa is simply gorgeous, surrounded by palms and with these magnificent walls that open to magnificent Sea of Cortez views.

Hacienda Santa Cruz – I felt like I stepped back in time to Mexico in the 50s, and I have never been more relaxed my entire life. Hacienda Santa Cruz is located at Rancho Las Cruces, an exclusive and remote resort located about an hour outside of La Paz on the East Cape of Baja.  The community has its roots in the mid-twentieth century, when Hollywood greats like Bing Crosby and Desi Arnaz built vacation homes here, along this stunning stretch of coastline. The resort’s hotel offers family style dining and we met the most fascinating group of people there. The beach couldn’t have been better and I spent many hours just floating in the Sea of Cortez.  The villa has that incredible mid-century style, with a brick patio overlooking the beach. Divine!

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

On that first memorable trip to Los Cabos, I had the luxury of having dinner at Edith’s Restaurant in Cabo. There were 4 servers for our table of 10; the most incredible service I had ever experienced. We had the Wally Special, which included locally caught fish, shrimp and lobster. Not only was the service top of the line, but the atmosphere and food was exceptional, and most of all I felt it was a very authentic Mexican experience.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

In fact, we’ve have had many Hollywood stars, entertainers and high-profile sports figures stay in our private villas. They tend to appreciate the anonymity that goes along with staying in a private estate in a gated community. It is because we keep their confidence that I can’t drop names; we’ve been very successful in keeping the media away from them.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

To stay at Villa Bellissima, the newest and most luxurious villa in the private gated community of the Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas. The Pedregal is Cabo’s most exclusive address and is home to multi-million dollar mansions. It’s a great spot because it feels very private but is just minutes to all the action of downtown Cabo and the marina. This villa is a contemporary masterpiece, perched dramatically on the granite hills overlooking the Pacific. It also comes with two swimming pools, an ocean-view gym, 8 gorgeous suites and a home theater with an 112” screen.

Thank you, Julie. 112″ screen…?! They call that a cinema where I’m from!

Shira Lazar currently hosts Mahalo’s This Week In YouTube and is the Editor-At-Large for CondeNast’s Jaunted.com travel blogging from around the globe. Previously, Shira hosted NBC’s 1ST LOOK and OPEN HOUSE, DirecTV’s HAVOC ON THE 101 and was a correspondent on Reelz Channel’s DAILIES. She has developed and hosted online video content for Movies.com, Hollywood.com, Live Earth, Yahoo! TV, Verizon VCAST and more. She was recently the official video blogger of Internet Week, red carpet host for the 2009 Webby Awards and participated as a social media maven on Ashton Kutcher’s 24 HOURS AT SUNDANCE. Shira is a frequent guest on Fox News Channel, CBS and CNN as an entertainment and travel correspondent. As a crossover personality and hybrid journalist, Shira Lazar continues to bridge the gap between old and new media and be a voice for the millennial movement.

What is it that  you do exactly?

On an ideal morning, after checking and answering Eastcoast emails on my crackberry and laptop, I enjoy starting it off with a workout- I either go to the gym to train, jog outside or do bikram yoga. I also love green tea in the am- that’s my go-to energy booster. Then it’s off to meetings and shoots typically around the entire city. I work on a lot of projects at once, so I’m never really in one place. Currently, I am working with MasterCard on their “Break in Their Jeans” promotion.

Sometimes, I get called in the AM for a last minute live shot for CNN or Fox News. I live very much on the go, so I have to be ready for whatever comes my way. I always keep the essentials on me to the point where at times it looks like I’m living out of my car. My evenings are typically packed too- sometimes I have to cover a red carpet or host/moderate an event. If I have time, I’ll set up a business dinner at a fun spot. By the time I get home in the evening, if I’m not too tired I’ll continue emailing, blogging and tweeting up a storm. Then it all starts again the next morning.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

The amazing people I get to meet that constantly inspire and challenge me. I also love to simply make people happy and bring them access to individuals, stories or experiences they don’t have access to or otherwise wouldn’t know about. Bringing my voice to bigger issues that create a positive impact for the world is also truly rewarding.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

Patagonia, Chile – When you look around you all you see are snowcapped mountains, acres a flat green land and aqua lakes. The air is so fresh too. They don’t call it a hikers paradise for no reason.

Kauai, Hawaii – This is my ultimate vacation spot. The moment you get off the plane, it exudes this calming energy. The island has this jungle vibe complete with fresh fruit stands and incredible beaches, which make you feel like you’ve really escaped reality. I usually get a beach house on Anini beach, where you can wake up and within a few steps be lounging in the water.

Tarifa, Spain – Tarifa is located at the southernmost tip of Spain, and is the ultimate surf town. The white-sanded beaches stretch for miles, where you can also hike and take a dip in some amazing natural ponds. After dinner, I would sit on the beach, look out onto the horizon and see the lights of Morocco. It’s a very special and quaint spot.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

I’m friends with a lot of chefs so this is a hard question, because I’ve had so many incredible dining experiences. One of my longest dining experiences went from noon until 6pm at one of my favorite Italian lunch spots in Los Angeles, Café Mauro. I also had the most amazing one-of-a-kind cured salmon recently at the Beverly Hills Hotel that sells for over $100/pound. One of my most authentic dining experiences though might have recently been in Chile where we went rock climbing and then set up an entire picnic in a cave looking out onto the mountains and lake. It was low-key, but such a memorable moment.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

Being in Hollywood and working in entertainment news, I’ve had countless encounters with many celebs. I’ve been drinking at Four Seasons and Britney Spears flies by. I’ve worked closely with Ashton Kutcher at the Sundance Film Festival and interviewed everyone from the classics like Al Pacino and Steve Martin to Angelina Jolie and George Clooney.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

Space travel. I want to go with Richard Branson on Virgin Galactic in Space and live-stream the entire experience.

Thank you, Shira. You are clearly a very busy person and I appreciate you taking the time to take part in an interview on A Luxury Travel Blog.

Jeni Matthews created Red Balloon Travel and Consulting with the goal in mind to provide spectacularly unique French holidays.     After graduating from Northwestern University in Communications and International Studies, she headed straight to France, and has been living in the little known Rhone-Alpes region ever since.   She uses her first-hand knowledge and close business relationships to provide her clients with a very intimate and unforgettable experience.     Tourists from around the world flock to the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Pope’s Palace in Avignon.   However,   very few people know about the delectable truffles of the Drome that are shrouded in mystery, or the rich tannins that characterize the red wines from the exclusive Cornas appellation.

What is it that  you do exactly?

I organize custom holidays for people who are interested in a completely original French experience.   Basically,   I design a client-specific itinerary that includes restaurants, hotels, excursions, transportation, and whatever else is needed to provide the ultimate vacation.     I first speak at length with the client in order to understand what are, for him, the most important aspects of the trip.   Equipped with this information, I contact each service provider to lay out a program that will both include all the clients’ wishes and add a few pleasant surprises.   I have personal relationships with each business with which I work, thus enabling me to offer unique experiences that usually surpass the highest of expectations. Once everything is organized, I personally greet the client to make sure he has arrived safely and has settled in to his new surroundings.   I am on call for the entire trip, should any questions arise or last minute changes be necessary, which provides a little extra reassurance to the client.  

When I am not working on specific programs, I devote my time to discovering new people and places to add to my portfolio.   I’m always on the lookout for something new and original.   This often involves my spotting an interesting building or sign, which leads to further investigation, which in turn develops into the discovery of a fantastic restaurant, or hotel, adventure that simply must be shared with others (although not too many, of course).   It is very important to me that I have personally experienced each service I offer, so that I know my clients will enjoy only welcome surprises.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

What I enjoy is twofold.   I love being able to impart my knowledge to other people.   It’s such an incredible feeling when a client is enthralled by his meal in a tiny, off-the-map bistro where I have been dining for years.   But I also love when I make a new discovery to add to my portfolio.   It’s as if I have happened upon a marvelous secret that is only begging to be shared.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

Kauai – the island is absolutely beautiful, with its hidden waterfalls, enormous beaches shaded by cliffs, and the amazing snorkeling!

Stockholm – the city is so alive, and the people incredibly hospitable.   We had a fabulous dining experience at “Grill” right in the city centre.

Maison de la Pra – this B&B in Valence, France is a remodeled 15th Century private mansion.   The owner has done everything himself, from the cast-iron light fixtures, to the dining room table, to the impressive wine-tasting cellar.   Henri-Jean is so enthusiastic about his creation and his city, it’s impossible not to enjoy it!

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

A recent lunch I had in Saou, France was remarkable in every sense of the word.   The setting was breathtaking, with the Pre-Alpes mountains as a backdrop and the main square of the tiny village as the restaurant terrace.   The service was exceptional, as the owner took care of us and made sure everything was to our liking.   The food was divine; I had a ingenious dessert of aubergine sliced paper-thin served over an avocado and hazelnut purée. Finally, the company was fabulous, which is always primordial.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

One of the essential elements of Red Balloon Travel is that very few people know of the places I send my clients.   While Brad and Angelina are not far away in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, my clients often feel it is much more interesting to partake in something a little more personal and exclusive, far from the flashbulbs and glory.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

I would love to visit Peru.   I love France, but it is my home now, so it’s always interesting to see other countries.

Thank you, Jeni. If you don’t mind, I  might just have to ‘pick your brains’ a little before I next visit France.