Vacation Inspiration – Details, episodes & analysis

Are you ready to make 2025 the year you finally check that dream destination off your bucket list? In this episode of the Vacation Inspiration podcast, I’ll guide you through the process of planning your ultimate bucket-list trip.

From breathtaking safaris in Africa to the serene landscapes of Antarctica, and the cultural wonders of Japan, we’ll explore trending destinations and unforgettable experiences. Plus, I’ll share tips on why planning early is the key to creating a truly extraordinary journey.

Whether you’re dreaming of adventure, relaxation, or a little of both, this episode will inspire you to start planning now. Let’s turn those travel dreams into reality!

Tune in and discover:

• Why early planning is essential for luxury travel.
• Top bucket-list destinations for 2025.
• How to choose a trip that speaks to your heart.
• The benefits of working with a luxury travel advisor.

Where will your 2025 bucket list take you? Let’s dream big together!

Black Dog Luxury Travel Website: https://blackdogluxurytravel.com/

Want to connect? I'd love to hear from you!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdogluxurytravel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackdogluxurytravel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogluxurytravel/

Join me as I share my unforgettable journey to Antarctica with Atlas Ocean Voyages aboard the World Navigator. From crossing the Drake Passage to marveling at rare Emperor penguins, kayaking among icebergs, and even taking the polar plunge, this episode is packed with the magic and mystery of the White Continent. Hear about the intimate experience of a small-ship expedition, stunning landscapes, and the thrill of nature at its most raw and untouched. If you've ever dreamed of visiting Antarctica, this episode is for you!

Episode Highlights

• Crossing the legendary Drake Passage
• Exploring Tierra del Fuego National Park
• Encountering wildlife: penguins, seals, whales, and more
• Adventurous excursions: Zodiacs, kayaking, and snowball fights
• Life aboard the World Navigator: cuisine, camaraderie, and comfort
• Why Antarctica is a must-visit destination

Black Dog Luxury Travel Website: https://blackdogluxurytravel.com/

Want to connect? I'd love to hear from you!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdogluxurytravel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackdogluxurytravel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogluxurytravel/

I fell in love with this amazing property in Ireland as soon as I learned about it.  Take this opportunity to check it out for yourself!

Cashel Palace Hotel

Website: https://www.cashelpalacehotel.ie/

Relais & Chateaux Website: https://www.relaischateaux.com/us/ireland/cashel-palace-tipperary

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashelpalace/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cashelpalacehotel/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cashel-palace-hotel/

General Manager:  Adriaan Bartels 

Adriaan was born in Kenya of Dutch parents and first came to Ireland in 1978 to attend Clongowes Wood College, in County Kildare. 

Having decided that a career in Hotel Management would enable him to fulfil his desire to travel the world, he graduated in 1988 from DIT, Cathal Brugha Street and Trinity College with a Degree in Hotel Management and ended up working in the Park Hotel Kenmare and The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin in the early part of his career. 

After two years working for Giuseppe Pecorelli in Surrey at Pennyhill Park Hotel in Surrey, he returned to help open Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare as Deputy Manager. 

Four years later he took on the challenge of running the exclusive Royal Scotsman Train in Scotland for two years before being called back to help open an extension of 21 rooms in Sheen Falls Lodge as General Manager. The next ten years were spent establishing the property as one of Ireland’s premier country resorts. 

Prior to his appointment as General Manager of the Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, Co Waterford, in 2008, he spent the previous two years developing The Marlbrook Resort in Clonmel, Co Tipperary. During his time in CLIFF he was also in charge of the running of the Cliff Townhouse in Dublin, a sister property to the hotel in Ardmore and was involved in the operation of the newest addition to the CLIFF family, Cliff at Lyons in Celbridge, Co Kildare, as Group General Manager. 

He is now General Manager of the Cashel Palace Hotel in Cashel, Co Tipperary. Adriaan was awarded a Certificate in Executive Management Development from Cornell University in 2005 and graduated with a Masters Degree in Hospitality Management from Dublin Institute of Technology, Cathal Brugha Street in 2008 to add to his Bachelor Degree. 

He was honored to be named the Irish Hospitality Institute ‘Hotel Manager of the Year’ in 2003.



#ireland #hotel #travel

Black Dog Luxury Travel Website: https://blackdogluxurytravel.com/

Want to connect? I'd love to hear from you!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdogluxurytravel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackdogluxurytravel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogluxurytravel/

Join me for this discussion with Wendy Harrop, master cookie maker, B&B owner, podcast maven, flower farm manager and designer of trips you WANT to be on!  

Wendy Harrop curates opportunities for women to say YES to themselves. Virtually through her Entertaining with Ease membership or in person through workshops and farm stays at her historic New England small flower farm in rural Massachusetts or in France on one of her luxury, culinary guided trips. She is also the host of the Say YES to yourself! podcast where she shares conversations with women who are implementing this self care practice in their daily lives in big and small ways.

Website: https://www.phineaswrighthouse.com/

IG https://www.instagram.com/phineaswrighthouse/?hl=en

FB https://www.facebook.com/phineaswrighthouse/

Say YES to yourself podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/say-yes-to-yourself/id1597346416?i=1000590136486 

Black Dog Luxury Travel Website: https://blackdogluxurytravel.com/

Want to connect? I'd love to hear from you!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdogluxurytravel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackdogluxurytravel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogluxurytravel/

Join us for this enchanting discussion with Heli Mende about her home country of Finland!   Learn about all the fun things you can do while visiting Finland, Heli's personal favorite activities.  From the traditional sauna to the northern lights, learn  why they've been voted the happiest country in the world for five time in a row! 

For more information about visiting Finland:  www.visitfinland.com

 and business opportunities:  www.businessfinland.fi

Heli Mende is the Head of Visit Finland in North America at Business Finland based in New York City.

Prior to her assignment in the US, she has worked as Director of global sales promotion being responsible for all Visit Finland global B2B activities,as Stopover Finland program director, and as Senior Advisor and Senior Consultant at Finpro advising and consulting.

Finnish companies in internationalization.  She also has gained extensive international experience in her previous positions within travel industry in sales, marketing and general management in airline, hotel and travel agency businesses.

Black Dog Luxury Travel Website: https://blackdogluxurytravel.com/

Want to connect?  I'd love to hear from you! 
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/blackdogluxurytravel/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blackdogluxurytravel

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogluxurytravel/

Black Dog Luxury Travel Website: https://blackdogluxurytravel.com/

Want to connect? I'd love to hear from you!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdogluxurytravel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackdogluxurytravel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogluxurytravel/

Many people have asked how I got into this industry after so many years in the health field.   Here's the story and why the trips my clients take are so important to me.   

Black Dog Luxury Travel Website: https://blackdogluxurytravel.com/

Want to connect?  I'd love to hear from you! 
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/blackdogluxurytravel/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blackdogluxurytravel

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogluxurytravel/

Black Dog Luxury Travel Website: https://blackdogluxurytravel.com/

Want to connect? I'd love to hear from you!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdogluxurytravel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackdogluxurytravel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogluxurytravel/

It can be so frustrating to spend hours online researching vacation options and still not know if you're going to the right places or booking the right things.   The Vacation Inspiration podcast is here to help ease the frustration of your vacation planning for all time.   

Black Dog Luxury Travel Website: https://blackdogluxurytravel.com/

Want to connect?  I'd love to hear from you! 
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/blackdogluxurytravel/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blackdogluxurytravel

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogluxurytravel/

Black Dog Luxury Travel Website: https://blackdogluxurytravel.com/

Want to connect? I'd love to hear from you!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdogluxurytravel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackdogluxurytravel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogluxurytravel/

All the feels as 2024 came to an end.   What will your 2025 bring? 

Black Dog Luxury Travel Website: https://blackdogluxurytravel.com/

Want to connect? I'd love to hear from you!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdogluxurytravel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackdogluxurytravel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogluxurytravel/

If you've ever wondered how travel agents get paid, this episode is for you.   

Your vacations are such an important part of your life.  Please use a reputable agent for these important memories!

Black Dog Luxury Travel Website: https://blackdogluxurytravel.com/

Want to connect? I'd love to hear from you!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdogluxurytravel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackdogluxurytravel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogluxurytravel/

If you're like most Americans, Machu Picchu is on your bucket list!  But Peru has so much more to offer and experiences that will enrich your life and bring you closer to the ones you love.   Join me for this chat with Edson Chacón-literally one of the nicest people on the planet! 


Edson Chacón
Co-Founder & Executive Director – Kindle Journeys

Born in Cusco, Edson has always been passionate about Tourism. 

With over 18 years of experience, he has worked for many leading companies including Peru Experiences By Orient Express, Lima Tours, Journeys in Peru by Belmond and Inkaterra Experiences. He started off as a Concierge Supervisor in Peru Experiences by Orient Express and later took a role of an Operations Supervisor where he managed a team but also trained them on providing excellent Customer Experience. In his latest Experience where he was the Executive Director at Kuoda Travel, he lead the company to grow from 50-60 clients a month to a hundred clients a month. All of which has given him first hand experience and the know how to about the diversity and richness that lies hidden in an admirable destination - Peru. He started Kindle Journeys in 2014 bringing all of his knowledge and Experience Under a Brand that ‘Kindles’ a deep emotion of meaning and value in every customer journey through Peru.

He and his team at Kindle Journeys strongly believes that “By providing unique travel experiences and unforgettable moments, one is able to encourage travel and exploration. A transormative and meaningful travel experience comes when everyone involved is able to provide the ‘WOW’ moments while being kind to the environment. 

With Kindle Journeys, clients not only discover the place, learn about its history and all which is outlined in the itinerary but they can also choose to make random stops and capture moments that are unique and meaningful to them. Ones which Kindle joy, serenity and leaving our clients with a deep feeling and a special value within them. Kindness begets kindness, even when we share a bread with a child or any person in need along the way, we aren’t ending world hunger, but to help any hungry person is to water the seeds of compassion.

All the links!

https://kindlejourneys.com/

FB:
https://www.facebook.com/KindleJourneys
IG:
https://www.instagram.com/thekindlejourneys/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/KindleJourneys 

Casa Huaran:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/casitahuaran/

Black Dog Luxury Travel Website: https://blackdogluxurytravel.com/

Want to connect? I'd love to hear from you!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdogluxurytravel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackdogluxurytravel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogluxurytravel/