Passport to Everywhere with Melissa Biggs Bradley – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Find new Passport to Everywhere episodes every Thursday at Noon east on SiriusXM Channel 132.  Or anytime on the SiriusXM App.

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This week on Passport to Everywhere, the focus is on the charming, mystical country of Ireland. Melissa is joined by Indagare Destinations Director John Cantrell as they swap tips for making the most of a trip to the Emerald Isle. John – with his decades of trip planning experience –– speaks about some of his favorite castle properties, top activities (don’t miss the Trinity College Library or the Ballymaloe Cookery School), and other itinerary musts. From Northern Ireland to Dublin and across to Galway, John and Melissa dive into everything you need to know before planning your visit.  

Melissa also speaks with Liam Krehbiel, the co-owner of Ballyfin, one of Ireland’s most historic and spectacular hotels. Located in County Laois (approx. 90 minutes by car from Dublin), the grand country estate was built in the 1820s. After a love at first sight experience, the property was purchased by Liam’s father in 2002, and he spent nearly a decade restoring it and shaping it into the refined 5-star luxury hotel it is today. Liam and his brother have continued their father’s legacy at Ballyfin, and the hotel remains in a class of its own with its one-of-a-kind rooms, stunning gardens, impressive art collection and romantic library. As they walk through the history of the grand yet intimate property, Liam and Melissa explore the culture and approachability of Ireland. He also reveals his favorite golf courses, speaks to the Irish art scene, shares what’s exciting him most in Dublin and more. Tune in to discover not only how this “fancy house in a Jane Austen novel” still feels warm and approachable, but also to determine what to do on your next trip to Ireland.

For more on Ireland, head to Indagare.com to check out our destination guides and sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest travel news and tips.

For more information about Liam Kreihbel and to learn more about Ballyfin and its offerings, visit www.ballyfin.com. To stay up to date with the hotel check out @BallyfinDemesne on Instagram and DemesneBallyfin on Facebook. 

To take part in the Power of Travel global survey, which enters you for a chance to win a three-night stay in Paris, click here.

Twin Farms is as legendary as it gets on the American hotel circuit. Located in picturesque Barnard, VT, just 1.5 hours from Burlington and 20 minutes from the charming village of Woodstock, this landmark hotel sits on 300 acres of pristine Vermont land. The hotel is intimate and historic with a sense of place few hotels in the U.S. have managed to capture. In fact, the Main House itself is an 18th century farmhouse purchased by writer Sinclair Lewis and famed journalist Dorothy Thompson in the 1930s (turned into a hotel in 1993). 

To tell the story of this iconic place John Graham, longtime Managing Director, joins Melissa. The two will speak about the hotel's museum worthy art collection, its incredible culinary program, the activities and experiences one can do on and off property, and the legendary figures who have shaped the history of the hotel. And - just in time for the hotel’s 30th anniversary - Twin Farms is launching eight spectacular and serene Treehouses, the newest accommodation on property bringing the total room count from 20 to 28 (the first two launch on September 14th and the next six will follow through the fall). John will share details of these new beautiful new rooms and speak to the evolution of the hotel. 

In case you want more of Twin Farms - Join Indagare as we celebrate the hotel’s 30th anniversary with a special video series, we’ll share a first look of the Treehouses and will be launching an interactive 3-part culinary series in the coming months. The video series will kick off with our live virtual conversation, Why Go Now: Vermont with John Graham on September 28th at 1pm EST.  For more information and to sign up, visit www.Indagare.com. 

For more information about Twin Farms, to reserve your stay, and to view the on-and-off property activities, visit www.twinfarms.com. 

To follow Twin Farms and its adventures, check out the hotel on Instagram @twinfarms and Facebook www.facebook.com/twinfarms. 

The upcoming Indagare and Twin Farm’s virtual video series celebrating the hotel’s 30th anniversary begins on September 28th at 1pm EST with the conversation, Why Go Now: Vermont with John Graham. Sign up online at www.Indagare.com. 

Dr. Frank Lipman is an author, doctor and pioneer in the field of Functional Medicine. He’s written numerous bestsellers covering sleep, mindfulness and healthy habits including How to Be Well: The 6 Keys to a Happy and Healthy Life and The New Rules of Aging Well. He’s been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, Women’s Health and appeared on Today, The Dr. Oz Show, and more. In today’s episode, he shares his expertise for healthy living and reveals simple tools you can use both at home and while traveling. Tune in to learn why the gut is referred to as the second brain, techniques for improving anxiety and depression and discover why he’s a fan of saunas, cold plunges and intermittent fasting. He also shares the supplements he recommends for brain health (including what he puts in his daily coffee), the science behind peptides, and what to look for if considering using therapeutics. Plus- Melissa and Dr. Lipman will look at wellness trends, techniques and ways of life around the world; they’ll dive into what we can learn from the slow pace of life in Italy, Ubuntu in South Africa, and the future of wellness in travel. 

Melissa ends the episode with a round-up of practical, simple tips from Dr. Lipman for living healthier, happier and more connected lives.

For more tips on healthy living and aging well from Dr. Frank Lipman, head to drfranklipman.com or check out his books How To Be Well: The 6 Keys to a Happy and Healthy Life andThe New Rules of Aging Well.

Jim Manley is the founder of the world’s first-ever Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Ranch, the Ranch at Rock Creek, located in one of Montana’s most spectacular valleys. At 10 years old, he told his father, “When I’m older, I’m going to get a horse, a rifle, and a ranch.” Forty-three years later following a successful career in finance, his childhood dream came true. After looking at hundreds of ranches, he finally settled on a property between Yellowstone and Glacier National Park surrounded by white-capped mountains, green meadows and pristine valleys. Yet just after one year, Jim realized his plans for owning a private ranch were destined for something much greater. 

In today’s episode, Jim details his journey in creating the Ranch at Rock Creek, and how he combined the spirit of the west with exceptional luxury service. He shares his vision in creating a place for rugged adventure that also feels like home. Melissa and Jim also explore America’s obsession with the idealism of the western frontier, and why man’s desire for wide open spaces is a part of the country’s identity. Plus -  he uncovers the misconceptions about Big Sky Country, shares some of his favorite ranch activities and reveals how an all inclusive philosophy and no vehicle policy changed the guest experience. 

Melissa ends the episode with a travel hack on the new ETIAS requirement for American travelers heading to Europe in 2024. She breaks down what you need to know, how much it costs and how it will affect your travel plans. 

To learn more about The Ranch at Rock Creek or to make your reservations, visit www.theranchatrockcreek.com. 

To follow along the adventures on the property, check out: Instagram @theranchatrockcreek, TikTok @ranchatrockcreek, and Facebook at facebook.com/theranchatrockcreek. 

Updates about ETIAS can be found on the official ETIAS website at www.etias.com , travel-europe.europa.eu  or through Indagare’s newsletter, available for subscription at www.Indagare.com. 

Luke Russert is an Emmy-award winning journalist who left his career covering American politics on NBC Nightly News, TODAY, and MSNBC to travel the world. After the death of his father, the legendary journalist Tim Russert, Luke set out on a three month trip that turned into three years as he traveled to six continents covering 67 countries. He journaled every step of the way, and it was only upon returning — in his grandmother’s kitchen in San Francisco — that he realized his journey was much greater than his trip. He turned his journal entries into a NY Times Bestseller, Look for Me There, which details how travel helped him process his grief and ultimately led to self-discovery. 

Through beautiful storytelling, Luke shares the greatest lessons he learned on his adventure around the world. From profound moments of awe in New Zealand to his travels in the birthplace of wine in Tbilisi, Georgia to the best meal he (and Melissa) have ever eaten in Uruguay; Luke shares a deeply personal, internal journey and reminds us of the power in travel. 

For highlights of Luke’s travel advice and more information on where to find his book, Look for Me There, see below:

Luke’s Travel Takeaways

• Don’t wait to travel because you may be able to participate in certain activities now that could become more challenging later in life due to health and physical limitations.
• Be curious and think critically about how new environments differ from your own.
• The more you travel and push yourself outside your comfort zone, the more comfortable you will become in uncertainty. This gives you the ability to explore any uneasy thoughts with more clarity. 
• Build moments around the day to give yourself downtime, whether it’s unwinding in your hotel room or enjoying leisure time in a cafe.
• Ensure that everyone is on board with the daily activities planned. Be mindful that what you desire may not be what your travel companion desires.
• Embrace spontaneity while traveling as schedules can change while on the road. Having the ability to adapt to the changes will make your trip more enjoyable.
• Ultize travel as a way to decompress from the constant hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute-mindset. This time will allow you to process deeper emotions. 

To read more about Luke’s road to self-discovery, check out his NY Times Bestseller book, Look for Me There available on Bookshop, HarperCollins, and Amazon.

To follow along Luke’s journey, check out his Instagram @lukerussert.

Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur Liz Lange revolutionized maternity fashion in the 1990s when she founded Liz Lange Maternity. She’s now the CEO and Creative Director of Figue, a women’s luxury label, where she’s working to breathe new life into the lifestyle brand, which describes itself as having a ‘global nomad-meets-jet-set’ spirit. In today’s episode, Liz shares her journey – from changing the mindset around maternity clothing to her work transforming Figue. She reveals fascinating stories about her high-profile family (which is further detailed in her true crimes podcast, Just Enough Family),  including her early travels in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. She explores the relationship between fashion and travel and shares her favorite shops around the world from Paris and Milan to Tokyo. Plus, Melissa and Liz discuss her iconic and historic home, Grey Gardens, in the Hamptons and how she remodeled it alongside renowned Interior Designer, Jonathan Adler, who is also her dear friend. 

To learn more about Liz Lange, Figue, and the shops mentioned in today’s episode, click the links below:

Figue is the fashion brand acquired and relaunched by Liz Lange in 2021. The line features bohemian-influenced clothing, handbags, footwear, accessories, and home design.

Grey Gardens is the iconic East Hampton house purchased and restored by Liz in 2017, and decorated alongside Johnathan Adler; the home and its history are featured in the 1975 documentary Grey Gardens. You can read more about this property in Veranda here. 

Boutique stores recommended by Liz in the episode:

Tokyo, Japan

• Ships

Paris, France

• Crimson
• La Tuile à Loup
• Talmaris
• Dior
• LVMH

Milan, Italy

• Arjumand's World 
• Ginori 1735

For more on Liz go to  @lizlangeofficial on Instagram.

Catharina Hedberg is the co-founder of the legendary Ashram, a boot camp retreat, nestled in the Santa Monica hills of Calabasas. Originally from Sweden, Cat and her business partner (the late Anne-Marie Bennstrom) opened The Ashram in 1974 decades before the boot camp concept became popular. Almost 50 years later, it continues to book out months in advance, welcoming both new visitors and return guests. Cat has created an environment for nurturing the mind, body and soul through yoga, hiking, farm-to-table community meals and simplicity. 

In today’s episode, Cat shares her philosophy with Melissa. She discusses how her childhood influenced her approach, the necessity of nature and how she strives to meet the needs of every individual who stays at the Ashram. She also discusses the latest weight loss fad: ozempic and shares her thoughts on the drug. With contagious joy and enthusiasm, she dives into the exciting future of wellness tourism. She reveals how the Ashram continues to expand around the world with retreats in Mallorca, Iceland, the Camino de Santiago and Japan. 

To learn more about The Ashram and the wellness practices discussed in today’s episode, see below:

Activities at The Ashram include hiking, yoga, breathing exercises, meditation, massages, gym sessions, pool volleyball, spending time in nature and more.

Guests can enjoy mindful meals, incorporating farm-to-table cuisine, whole foods, and vegetarian ingredients.

The Ashram hosts seasonal retreats to Mallorca, Iceland, and the Camino de Santiago.

To honor The Ashram’s 50th anniversary, journeys will be offered to the Camino de Santiago along the Portuguese route, as well as to Kumano Kodō, a Japanese pilgrimage. 

If you’re looking to try some of The Ashram’s recipes, keep an eye out for the restock of The Ashram’s cookbook: The Ashram: The Way We Eat.

Michael Smith is one of the leading interior designers and decorators of our time. Honored as an AD Hall of Famer and Elle Decor’s Designer of the Year in 2003, he’s done apartments and homes for the likes of Shonda Rhimes, Cindy Crawford, and even the Obamas during their White House tenure. Each project he works on is deeply thoughtful and also unique. His career has taken him all over the world, with one of his most interesting projects being his redesign of the U.S. embassy residence in Madrid. 

Michael’s move to Madrid with his partner, the former U.S. Ambassador to Spain, James Costos began a lifelong love affair with the country. He now has an apartment in Madrid and a home in Mallorca. In today’s conversation, he talks about how he uses interior design to create cultural dialogue and immersive, impactful experiences. He tells stories from his dream-like career, and explains how his job fuses his love for architecture, history, textiles and contemporary art. He also shares his passion for the Spanish capital as he reveals what’s so uniquely special about the lively, elegant city. And don’t miss his idea of a perfect day in Madrid - from breakfast in Retiro Park to the cafe where he took the Obamas and his favorite museums.

Melissa ends the episode with some of her personal recommendations for Madrid, including top hotels, where to buy the coveted espadrilles and some of her top picks for restaurants. 

For more information about Madrid and the hotels, museums, parks, restaurants, and shops mentioned in today’s episode, click the links below:

Hotels

• Mandarin Oriental Ritz
• Four Seasons
• Santa Mauro
• Rosewood Villa Magna 

Museums

• Museo del Prado
• Museo Reina Sofía
• Museo Thyssen
• Museo Sorolla
• Museo de Arte Contemporáneo

Parks

• Retiro Park
• Temple of Debod

Flamenco Dancing

• Corral de la Morería
• Tablao Las Carboneras

Restaurants

• Breakfast or Lunch 
• For Pincho de Tortilla
• For Paella
• Rooftop
• Dinner
• Drinks

Shopping

• Carmina
• Sesaña
• Cocol
• Pez
• Antigua Casa Crespo
• Casa Hernanz 
• Entredós Antiques 
• El Rastro Market

Shopping for Food

• Mercado San Miguel
• Formaje

“Travel brings out the best version of ourselves, it’s a version that’s very curious and open-minded and open-hearted. And having your children being able to see you in that mode, and you being able to see them… is a very powerful thing,” Eliza Harris shares in this week’s episode on family travel. 

Indagare Editorial Director Annie Fitzsimmons and COO Eliza Harris join Melissa this week on Passport to Everywhere to explore the joys, magic, challenges, pains and practicalities of traveling with family. Annie has a four-year old daughter (who has already traveled to three continents), and Eliza has three sons ranging from high school to college who have traveled the world with her, and during this episode the Indagare trio shares some of their favorite hotels, must-have airplane essentials, destinations ideal for various ages, and questions to consider before planning a trip. They also exchange their own favorite family travel stories - from moments with the Masaai in Tanzania to seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time through a child’s eyes - and discuss how these trips have transformed each of their lives. 

See below for more information on the family travel tips mentioned in today’s episode:

What to take into account when planning a family trip:

• Ages
• Schedules
• Preferences
• Goals
• Stamina for activities
• Time zones and jet lag
• Length of your stay
• How often you’re changing hotels
• How independent your kids are
• Events and sporting activities
• Cultural differences
• Time of day you plan activities
• Involving your kids in the planning process

Kid-Friendly Hotels:

• Four Seasons
• Belmond
• Marbella Club Hotel
• Märchenhotel Braunwald
• Victoria-Jungfrau
• Disney

Keep an eye out for Annie Fitzsimmons’ book with National Geographic and Disney Publishing: 100 Hotels of a Lifetime which releases in 2024.