On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Rebecca Bullen, a Smartflyer-affiliated luxury travel advisor and self-described Italy obsessive, about her recent visit to Collegio alla Querce, an Auberge Resorts Collection property in Florence, Italy.

Bullen makes the case for why this property deserves a spot in every Italy specialist’s toolkit, from its surprisingly accessible hillside location just 10 minutes from the city center to its sizable swimming pool, a rarity in Florence. She also shares her broader read on Italy demand, the off-season opportunity she’s increasingly pitching to clients and the upcoming Italian openings she’s watching most closely, from a Rocco Forte in Naples to Four Seasons taking over the Danieli in Venice.

Currently in its fourth season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The 4th episode of the fourth season will be posted on April 20th.

Further resources:

Rebecca Bullen Travel

Collegio Alla Querce, Auberge Collection

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Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Lauren Pronger, president and founder of Well Inspired Travels, about her multiple visits to SHA Mexico, the SHA brand’s first property in the Americas and what Pronger calls her “wellness Disneyland.”

Pronger breaks down what sets SHA Mexico apart from other luxury wellness resorts, from its diagnostic, science-backed programming and signature hydrotherapy circuit to its deeply personalized approach. She shares insights into who makes an ideal SHA guest, how she curates experiences for her high-profile clientele, including professional athletes, and why the property’s proximity to major U.S. cities makes it a gamechanger for the Americas wellness travel market.

Currently in its fourth season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The 3rd episode of the fourth season will be posted on March 23rd.

Further resources:

Lauren Pronger

• Well Inspired Travel

SHA Mexico

Hotels tap healthy demand for luxe longevity offerings (Travel Weekly)

Want to share feedback on the last resort you visited?
Email us: TheLastResort@travelweekly.com

Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
License

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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Erica Gragg, lead travel designer and founder of Escape Artists: Luxury Travel Advisors, about her recent visit to New York’s Hudson Valley and the Berkshires in Massachusetts, including her stay at the Prospect Berkshires.

Hudson-based Gragg shares insider perspective on the region and discusses how the Prospect Berkshires and other properties deliver nature-focused experiences without sacrificing comfort. She also highlights a few favorite Hudson-area restaurants, explains which travelers might find these accessible destinations worth the journey from New York City and Boston, and shares observations on how the arrival of major brands like One&Only and Six Senses will shape the Hudson Valley's future.

Currently in its fourth season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The 2nd episode of the fourth season will be posted on February 23rd.

Further resources:

Erica Gragg

• Escape Artists: Luxury Travel Advisors

Prospect Berkshires

Glasco BLCK Creek

Want to share feedback on the last resort you visited?
Email us: TheLastResort@travelweekly.com

Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
License

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.