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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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)

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Email us: TheLastResort@travelweekly.com

Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
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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

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Email us: TheLastResort@travelweekly.com

Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Karen Urosevich, founder of Well Placed Travel, about her recent visit to Australia and New Zealand and her stays at the Saffire Freycinet in Tasmania and Flockhill Lodge in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Urosevich talks about how these two luxury lodges deliver personalized service that justifies their premium pricing, and shares details on the unique experiences—like shucking fresh oysters, herding sheep during lambing season and enjoying “food theater” at Flockhill’s award-winning restaurant—that made her trip especially memorable. She also offers tips on navigating these off-the-beaten-path destinations and talks about which travelers might find these remote, all-inclusive accommodations worth the journey.

Currently in its third 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 1st episode of the fourth season will be posted on January 12.

Further resources:

Karen Urosevich

• Well Placed Travel

Saffire Freycinet

Flockhill Lodge

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Email us: TheLastResort@travelweekly.com

Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with luxury travel advisors Limor Decter and Kim-Marie Galloway of Embark Beyond about their visits to the Canaves Collection properties on Santorini.

The pair shares why Canaves Epitome has become their go-to recommendation over the traditional Caldera properties, thanks to its horizontal layout for easier mobility and sunset views at the infinity pool. They also discuss Greece’s hospitality challenges over the past summer, the logistics of island-hopping that DIY travelers often underestimate and why the Canaves team excels at creating “surprise and delight” moments for clients.

Currently in its third 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 12th episode of the third season will be posted on December 8.

Further resources:

Limor Decter

Kim-Marie Galloway

Canaves Collection

Tourism is starting to shake off Santorini quake scare (Travel Weekly)

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Email us: TheLastResort@travelweekly.com

Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Stephanie Rizzolo, co-founder of Sette Travel & Lifestyle, an affiliate of Embark Beyond, about her recent visit to Sardinia’s northern coast and her stays at the W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu, Aethos Sardinia and Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel.

Rizzolo reveals why the new W Sardinia is surprisingly sophisticated, shares the stark differences in beach access across luxury and lifestyle properties (some require boats!) and explains why shoulder season is the secret to experiencing this emerging Italian destination. She also discusses how Sardinia offers a fresh alternative to over-touristed hotspots like the Amalfi Coast, with Delta’s recently launched direct flight to Olbia making the destination more easily accessible.

Currently in its third 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 11th episode of the third season will be posted on November 10.

Further resources:

Stephanie Rizzolo

• Sette Travel & Lifestyle
  
  

W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu

Aethos Sardinia

Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel

Sardinia hotels to join Belmond and Cheval Blanc portfolios (Travel Weekly)

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Email us: TheLastResort@travelweekly.com

Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Joe Casciola, founder of New Orleans-based Destinations Travel Advisors, about his recent visit to Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands.

Casciola shares insights on the property’s dramatic comeback following Hurricane Irma’s devastation in 2017, revealing how the eight-year closure has resulted in a completely reimagined resort with renovated accommodations and revamped dining concepts. He discusses the resort’s beachfront positioning, which allows guests to literally step from their rooms onto pristine sand, and the 22,000-square-foot Falcons Nest villa that he calls “celebrity-worthy.” He also shares why he believes the property offers exceptional value for today’s luxury villa clients.

Currently in its third 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 tenth episode of the third season will be posted on October 13.

Further resources:

Joe Casciola

• Destinations Travel Advisors

Peter Island Resort

Peter Island Resort to reopen after six-year closure (Travel Weekly)

Peter Island Resort joins Preferred's Legend Collection (Travel Weekly)

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Email us: TheLastResort@travelweekly.com

Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Marc Telio, owner of Vancouver-based Entree Destinations, about his recent visit to the Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest.

Telio talks about what makes this intimate nine-cabin property stand out among luxury wilderness lodges, from its signature helicopter salmon fishing experiences to its innovative floating docks with wood-burning saunas. He also discusses his process for managing soft adventure expectations, navigating the destination’s seasonality and crafting mountain-to-ocean itineraries that may start in Whistler and end with seaplane arrivals at Nimmo Bay.

Currently in its third 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 ninth episode of the third season will be posted on September 8.

Further resources:

Marc Telio

• Entree Destinations
  
  

Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort

Luxury fit for royalty on British Columbia trip (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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.