Passport to Everywhere with Melissa Biggs Bradley – Details, episodes & analysis

The iconic St. Regis celebrates its 120th anniversary this year, and to help tell its epic story, Melissa is joined by three key members of the brand: Amanda Nichols, the global brand leader of St. Regis; Octavia Marginean-Tahiroglu, the general manager of The St. Regis New York; and Israel Kelly, who’s been on the frontlines of the respected butler team for 29 years. Together, they discuss how the prestigious collection of hotels set a new standard for luxury hospitality, starting with the opening of The St. Regis New York in 1904. From the Astor family’s original vision to the rich traditions that still thrive today, the three explore how this timeless legacy evolved over the years, including renovations that preserve its cultural heritage, the ever-refined service of the butler team and what the future has in store. Tune in to discover the secrets behind this timeless brand and what makes the flagship truly special (hint: a famous morning cocktail was crafted on site).

Follow St. Regis

Website: st-regis.marriott.com

Instagram: instagram.com/stregishotels

Follow The St. Regis New York

Website: marriott.com/en-us/hotels/nycxr-the-st-regis-new-york

Instagram: instagram.com/stregisnewyork

Follow Indagare

Website: indagare.com

Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel

Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel

Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder

Bill Bensley is an avid traveler, visionary architect, interior designer, artist and landscape designer. After studying landscape architecture at Harvard, he left for Asia in the early 80s and founded his company BENSLEY in 1989. He now has offices in Bangkok and Bali, and his team has crafted over 200 extraordinary projects spanning 30 countries. He brings a creative, curious approach to his work on iconic hotels, resorts, spas, homes and palaces around the world. Melissa and Bill explore the inspiration behind Shinta Mani Mustang in Nepal, Shinta Mani Wild in Cambodia and Capella Ubud in Bali—as well as one of his new, exciting projects in the Republic of the Congo. He shares how curiosity took him on his unexpected career journey and how travel has impacted his landscape architecture and design style. He also reveals how he approaches each project while respecting Mother Nature, the local surroundings and communities and his work through the Shinta Mani Foundation (including daring stories of the rangers of the Wildlife Alliance). Bill’s philosophy is simple, yet revolutionary—tune in to discover how he’s creating lasting change in the world of design and regenerative tourism. 

Follow Bill Bensley

Website: bensley.com

Instagram: instagram.com/billbensley

Follow Shinta Mani Mustang

Website: shintamani.com/mustang

Instagram: instagram.com/shintamanimustang

Follow Shinta Mani Wild

Website: shintamani.com/wild

Instagram: instagram.com/shintamaniwild

Follow Indagare

Website: indagare.com

Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel

Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel

Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder

Steve Schwartz is the founder, CEO and Master Blender of Los Angeles-based tea company, Art of Tea. Through the brand's 20 year existence, he’s worked with a number of big names, including Vera Wang, The Peninsula Hotels, and Wolfgang Puck restaurants, and he published his debut book, Art of Tea: A Journey of Ritual, Discovery and Impact, in 2022. During this episode, Steve shares how tragedy launched his unexpected journey into Ayurvedic healing which then led him to discover the art –– and science –– of tea. He shares stories from his encounters with tea farmers in Israel, Thailand, Laos and beyond. Tune in to hear Steve debunk misconceptions around tea, to get his top tea recommendations and to learn how tea serves as a window to other cultures. Plus - Melissa reveals her latest intel from a recent trip to London including exciting restaurants, new hotels and noteworthy shops.

Follow Art of Tea

Website: artoftea.com

Instagram: instagram.com/artofteala

Follow Steve on Instagram: instagram.com/steveschwarx

Follow Indagare

Website: indagare.com

Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel

Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel

Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder

Fashion icon and designer Trina Turk shares the lessons she learned in creating her optimistic, colorful line at the age of 34. She explores how growing up in California influenced her dreamy brand and her favorite destinations in the golden state. She also reveals her favorite flea markets in Los Angeles, her love for Palm Springs, tips for vintage shopping and more. Together, Melissa and Trina explore some of the places they’re most excited about - from Mexico City to South America - and dive into Trina’s joy of architectural tours while traveling (hint: Hollyhock House). She also reveals why she believes brick and mortar stores are “due for an upswing” and tips for aspiring fashion designers. Plus- don’t miss this week’s Indagare Insight on Melissa’s California Road Trip recommendations!

Follow Trina Turk

Website:  trinaturk.com

Instagram: instagram.com/trinaturk

Read Trina’s Insider’s Guide to California: indagare.com/article/insiders-guide-to-california-trina-turk

Follow Indagare

Website: indagare.com

Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel

Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel

Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder

Krug Champagne has continued to set new standards for quality, creativity, and excellence since 1843 when Joseph Krug laid the foundation for the globally recognized Champagne house. In this week’s episode, Melissa is joined by Olivier Krug, sixth generation of the Krug family and current Director of the House. The two dive into Krug’s techniques and innovations, including the Krug Single Ingredient, an initiative founded in 2015 that invites chefs from around the world to craft recipes around each Krug Grande Cuvée and Krug Rosé Édition. This year’s ingredient, Flower, will be highlighted in three upcoming Indagare Insider Journeys. Each bespoke itinerary includes exclusive gastronomic journeys and affords guests the opportunity to taste some of Krug’s rarest cuvées. Together, Melissa and Olivier discuss these special trips, the Krug Family House in Reims, the stringent tasting criteria and more. Plus on this week’s Indagare Insight, Melissa and Olivier reveal champagne tips and insider knowledge you won’t want to miss including the proper glass from which to drink it… Spoiler: it’s neither a flute nor a coupe!

Follow Krug Champagne

Website: krug.com

Instagram: instagram.com/krugchampagne

Facebook: facebook.com/krugchampagne

Follow Indagare

Website: indagare.com

Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel

Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel

Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder

Located in Indonesia an hour east of Bali, NIHI Sumba is an extraordinary place that fuses nature, beauty and wellness in a thoughtful, soulful way. The hotel has been named the ‘Best Hotel in the World’ for two years in a row by Travel & Leisure and has mastered the art of transformative, luxurious simplicity. CEO and co-founding partner James McBride joins Melissa to explore what makes this hotel so special and how its magic came to be. After growing up in South Africa, he spent over two decades leading some of the world's most incredible hotels and has been recognized as ‘One to Watch’ by Bloomberg Businessweek, Bloomberg 50, as well as awarded the Independent Hotelier of the World  by Hotels Magazine. He shares insight into NIHI’s unique wild wellness program - from equine therapy with sacred horses to surfing in one of the world’s most iconic destinations, butterfly meditation lounges and more. Plus, Melissa shares some of her favorite wellness retreats on this week’s Indagare Insight.

Follow James McBride

Instagram: instagram.com/bapakjames

Follow NIHI Sumba

Website: nihi.com

Instagram: instagram.com/nihi

Follow Indagare

Website: indagare.com

Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel

Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel

Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder

The visionary John Hardy has led a legendary career in jewelry, hospitality, design and education. In today’s episode, he takes Melissa through the thrilling journey of his life – from the beginning of his iconic jewelry line to the Green School (which gained global recognition from his TED talk) to the innovative boutique hotel, Bambu Indah. He shares his thoughts on why Bali is unlike anywhere else in the world, and why he believes bamboo is the hope for the future. Plus- on this week’s Indagare Insight Melissa shares her insider tips for jewelry shopping abroad.

Follow John Hardy

John Hardy Jewelry: johnhardy.com

Carina Hardy Jewelry: carinahardy.com

Green School: greenschool.org

Bambu Indah: bambuindah.com

Bamboo U: bamboou.com

Bamboo Pure: bamboopurebali.com

Ibuku: ibuku.com

Follow Indagare

Website: indagare.com

Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel

Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel

Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder

Before Princess Mabel van Oranje was a royal, a prominent human rights activist and serial entrepreneur for social change, she grew up in a typical Dutch Family. In fact, it was her father, whom she lost far too young, who inspired the activist in her with his stories of far flung destinations and the challenges certain communities face. On this week’s episode, Mabel talks about the path that led her to founding VOW for Girls; the organization, borne from a friend’s wedding, strives to build a world with no child marriage. She and Melissa also discuss some of the most transformative travel experiences she’s had through her work with VOW. In keeping with the theme of the episode, Melissa discusses Indagare’s impact strategy, and how luxury travel affords so many opportunities to give back during this week’s Indagare Insight.

Follow VOW for Girls:

Website: vowforgirls.org

Instagram: instagram.com/vowforgirls

Follow Mabel van Oranje:

Instagram: instagram.com/mabel.vanoranje

Follow Indagare:

Website: indagare.com

Indagare Impact: indagare.com/mission

Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel

Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel

Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder

Award-winning travel writer Francisca Matteoli has authored over a dozen books and collaborated with the likes of National Geographic, Conde Nast Traveller, and Louis Vuitton, but what is now a fulfilling and celebrated career was once just a passion. Francisca was raised in a family of travelers –– in fact, her grandfather once had the bill for an entire year at the Hôtel du Louvre waived because he was such a cherished guest –– and, she’s been collecting and telling stories for her entire life. Tune in to this week’s episode to hear about her unique childhood, as well as her time traveling with her husband to areas beset with conflict and instability, like Rwanda immediately after its 1994 genocide. Listen to her speak about how she infuses the spirit of a place into her work, like her latest book, Copacabana Palace: Where Rio Starts, as well as tease what she has on the docket for her next project. And in this week’s Indagare Insight, Melissa shares some of her favorite house museums and gardens, as well as an exciting new change coming to air travel.

Follow Francisca Matteoli:

Website: franciscamatteoli.com

Instagram: instagram.com/francisca_matteoli

Follow Indagare:

Website: indagare.com

Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel

Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel

Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder

Father-daughter duo Roberto and Marie-Louise Scio of the Pellicano Group sit down with Melissa to discuss the legacy and the future of their triumvirate of three iconic Italian hotels: Il Pellicano, Mezzatorre and La Posta Vecchia. The episode is full of Italian storytelling at its finest as Roberto recounts memories from his first overnight and his early days as a guest of Hotel Il Pellicano, through to his decision to purchase the hotel and to expand the collection. Marie-Louise explains how she fell very naturally into the role of Creative Director –and now CEO–merely by “making the walls talk” at Pellicano. In recognizing and preserving the property’s rich history throughout the process of bringing it up to date,  she also expanded the brand into the lifestyle site ISSIMO, a digital extension of the hotel group. And for this week’s Indagare Insight, Melissa highlights some of her favorite collaborations featured on ISSIMO’s site now.

Follow Pellicano Hotels:

Website: pellicanohotels.com

Il Pellicano: hotelilpellicano.com & instagram.com/hotelilpellicano

La Posta Vecchia: postavecchiahotel.com & instagram.com/lapostavecchiahotel

Mezzatorre: mezzatorre.com & instagram.com/mezzatorrehotel

ISSIMO: issimoissimo.com & instagram.com/issimo

Follow Indagare:

Website: Indagare.com

Instagram: instagram.com/indagaretravel

Youtube: youtube.com/@indagaretravel

Follow Melissa on Instagram: instagram.com/indagarefounder