I suggest you watch this video | WTN – Le Sirenuse | Highlight – Brisbane, Australia | October 30, 2024

WHERE TO NEXT?

Dear Traveler,

WOW, this VIDEO really shook me. I saw it on LinkedIn, but found it on Instagram for you too.

I see videos on social media on a regular basis (my feed is full of travel and dogs). It’s a rare occasion when one makes me reflect.

Watching it made me happy I’d just returned from my midwest tour enjoying Indiana University football with our kids, spending time with my brother and sister-in-law, catching up with business school classmates at the Kellogg Global Women’s Summit, and walking along the shores of Lake Michigan and going out to eat with dear friends.

Over seven nights I stayed in six different places. That was a lot of moving, even for me. But it was so worth it! I included some of my reflections on the Kellogg Summit below.

A few weeks ago I filled out the details to renew my global entry card. My new one came in the mail in just over two weeks. Super speedy.

Do you know when yours expires? Look right now!

You don’t want to arrive back in the US and get bounced from the fast lane.

The November/December edition of the Virtuoso Magazine is out. What’s included?

Articles on…

Cambodia, Vietnam, Austria, Norway, the Ritz Carlton mega yacht, Australia, Egypt, Namibia, book recs for you next flight, Chile, Senegal, Dominica, Hudson Valley, Bolivia, Jackson Hole, Peru, Sweden, Italy, Indonesia, Zanzibar and the aurora borealis.

Click the image below to read it digitally. Or if you are “on my list” you’ll get it in the mail in the next few days. Reach out if you’d like to be included, as I add a handful of new subscribers each quarter.

P.S. Reminder – the last year+ of newsletters are now fully searchable (the prior ones are just searchable on the title), so head over to this page and type in a destination you are interested in or a topic to see what’s been written about it. 

Below:

• Highlight – Brisbane, Australia
• Where to Next? Le Sirenuse
• Kellogg Women’s Summit highlights
• Articles to Inspire+Inform

BRISBANE

“We are going to change your itinerary a bit. I really want you to experience Brisbane. But that means we need to have you depart the Great Barrier Reef a day early.”

Really?! Depart early from the Great Barrier Reef to city a moderate sized city? Hmmm. My first thought was – no thank you!

But I didn’t know what was in store for us.

When Emma, my partner/mate in Australia, mentioned a few months before our trip she wanted to add Brisbane to our itinerary, my initial thought was “why?” Brisbane is not typically at the top of people’s lists when they go to Australia.

I trusted her. We changed our flights. We left the Great Barrier Reef a day early to make it happen.

Well, I am SO happy she suggested it!

#1 After being there for just a couple of days I said confidently “I could easily live in Brisbane!” It just feels so livable!

It is such a beautiful city – on a gorgeous river with miles of paths right on the riverfront. One morning I woke up early and went out to explore. Walking under the shade of trees, people pushed baby strollers, runners jogged by, bikers – solo and in groups were out for a ride. Many stopped for a little respite at Coffee at the Kombi, in a tiny trailer (I loved this!) with gorgeous views and a vibey atmosphere.  Check out this short video to get a feel for the river front.

The paths are lined with restaurants ranging from Italian to Turkish.

This area is the central art hub of Brisbane and includes:

• Gallery of Modern Art
• Natural history museum
• Performing arts center
• Theaters
• Indoor and outdoor concert venues
• Nepalese Pagoda
• Maritime museum

As well as…

• Lagoon pool with a beach (Check it out here. I think it is the nicest wide open public pool I’ve ever seen and it’s located right next to the river)
• Ferris wheel
• Community garden
• Arbor walkway
• Rainforest
• Brisbane sign
• Playground
• Openair yoga platform

I loved this walk so much I suggested colleagues come with me the next day and I did it again!

The weather was perfect.

The vibe was fun and active.

Kids were playing on the playground.

Adults were running and biking.

Rowers were out on the river in sculls.

The ferry called the City Cat was shepherding passengers to stops along the river. Its smaller ferry cousin was too – it is called the KittyCat 🙂. Love that bit of humor on public transportation. It gives you a sense of the place.

Nearby is the super cool, chic area of Fortitude Valley. We had one sliver of free time the day before we left for Brisbane. We chose to wander through FV. The shopping and restaurant scene is incredible!

Our last night we ate at Agnes for dinner. We enjoyed a tasting menu in the dimly lit room overlooking the dining room below. The fire focused restaurant also has an a la carte menu. The chef came out to introduce each dish and the wagyu steak was some of the best I’ve ever had – so tender, it melted in my mouth. Put it on your list for dinner!

We didn’t have time for this, but I would 100% put it in an itinerary I design for you (and go on it myself when I return) – a progressive dinner around town where you have cocktails in one bar, then move on for appetizers, then again for dinner and finally end up at the best gelato place in town. And not to worry – it all works seamlessly as you have a reservation at each place and your well-connected mate will treat you like a long lost friend as she takes you to her favorite places to try her favorite dishes.

But wait, there’s more!

We hopped aboard a helicopter for a flight out to one of the islands off the coast. First a flightseeing adventure where our pilot flew around the islands so we could see the stunning coastline, oyster farms, sandy beaches and huge sanddunes.

Upon landing I felt like I was in Africa. In Africa often you have to do two passes to land your plane – to buzz over the heads of grazing zebra or giraffe to get them off the runway.

In Queensland there are no zebra but there are…kangaroos! And they love grazing on the grassy runways. Since we were in a helicopter and not a plane it was a bit easier. As we landed we spied the resident kangaroos hopping around to find a less windy patch of grass. So fun! (click the video below to see them)

First up – a seafood bbq on the beach. Fresh local Moreton bay bugs (like small lobsters), oysters harvested from the sea just hours before, local beverages owned by an entrepreneurial indigenous family.

As we relaxed and enjoyed our bbq on the miles and miles of white sandy beach, people rode by on fat tire bikes, parents pulled their kids on skimboards in the surf and birds soared above. 

Our guide, from the Quandamooka people, shared her family’s history on this island. 

It was absolutely magical. 

From there we were off to see more sites and learn more about the aboriginal history on Minjerribah (the aboriginal name for the island).

We walked along the edge of a steep gorge, staring out at the sea while surfers caught waves.  

My colleague excitedly pointed at the sea below “Look over there!” We could see a giant turtle swimming in the water. It is so clean and clear!

As we were walking back to the car we encountered kangaroos grazing in the field next to the playground. I took the opportunity to get my picture snapped with one….

I love wildlife!

As we were driving back to the helicopter our guide suggested a quick stop. We looked up in the trees – another lucky encounter – there was a koala happily chilling on a branch.

When the day was over, we were sad to leave. I could have spent days on this island. 

The only issue with this island is there are not any great hotels. But there is a special experience for the adventurous – we can set up glamping tents. If you are a family with older kids/teens/college kids – I highly recommend! 

And another experience we didn’t have time for – harvesting our own oysters. But we can make the time for you to do it. You walk out into the mudflats to harvest your very own oysters that you will eat moments after coming from the sea!

Our heli pilots were standing by as we returned from this incredible day. We hopped in and they treated us to a flyover above Brisbane so we could see it from the air. 

Laughing with one of my favorite mates, Alex…

I would not hesitate a moment to put 2-3 nights of your itinerary in Brisbane. And by the time you go – Delta will have their non-stop flights to Brisbane making it the absolute perfect place to start or end your adventure in Australia!

If you want more beach time relaxing or surfing, Brisbane is just one hour from the Gold Coast. Go to Snapper Rocks for a view that is breathtaking. Lounge on one of the many beaches like Greenmount Beach or take surf lessons. 

And lastly – guess where the 2032 summer Olympics are? In Brisbane! It is a wonderful time to see this area of Australia before the crowds come. 

🌟 One of our favorite hotels on the Amalfi Coast is Le Sirenuse in Positano.  In June, we sent our clients and their four adult children for five spectacular nights at this beautiful hotel. 

Why is Le Sirenuse so special?

• Perched on a cliff in Positano, the hotel offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Mediterranean. Guests can enjoy the vibrant blue waters from their rooms, the pool, and the restaurants.
• Each room is distinct, showcasing unique touches, views and history. As the hotel describes, “Every room is a little world of Italian seaside simplicity, charm and elegance,” making it fun to explore the descriptions and photos to find your perfect fit.
• Being family-run, the hotel prides itself on attentive, personalized service that makes each guest feel special and catered to throughout their stay.
• Savor fine dining at the Michelin-starred La Sponda or enjoy a more casual meal at Aldo’s terrace or the poolside bar. After dinner, relax with a cocktail and dessert at the seductive Don’t Worry Music Bar.

Do as much or as little as you like:

• Unwind by the infinity pool and soak in the stunning views while enjoying attentive poolside service. 
• Join a guided tour to discover nearby highlights like Pompeii, Ravello or the picturesque streets of Positano.
• Embark on a scenic hike along the coastal paths, offering breathtaking views of the cliffs and sea. 
• Learn to prepare traditional Italian dishes in a cooking class or indulge in a curated wine tasting featuring the region’s finest selections. 

‼️ Don’t miss…. exploring the Amalfi Coast aboard the hotel’s magnificent boat, the Sant’Antonio. Experience the stunning coastline from a unique vantage point on this family-owned traditional fishing vessel. You can even take a trip to Nerano, a charming seaside village known for its exceptional restaurants and trattorias, perfect for a delightful lunch.

📷 Le Sirenuse

Kellogg Global Women’s Summit Highlights

The conference at my business school was powerful.  Normally I attend experiential and luxury travel conferences (which are very rewarding and a lot of fun), but the Global Women’s Summit was rewarding in similar but different ways.   Some highlights…

🌟Gwynne Shotwell, (President of SpaceX) seek out the real GAME CHANGER in your industry (for them – going from 1 time use rockets to reusability), fail fast, how to build cathedrals (focusing on goals we may not see in our lifetime), own your path and a reminder to focus your work on what brings you joy. 

🌟Victoria Husted Medvec (Kellogg Professor) whose passion and energy makes me want to go back to business school and take her class! She’s a skilled interviewer, moderator and host – who reminded us that life is full of moments that are negotiations and we can all get more skilled at handling them – whether at work or at home with my husband and college kids. 

She also talked about her expertise on the POWER OF REGRET and importance of taking action instead of inaction at key moments in our lives – so that we will not regret the road not taken later on. 

🌟Janet Foutty (Deloitte) about the importance of using your own POLITICAL CAPITAL to help other women & whose book, Arrive and Thrive, is on my coffee table ready for me to dive in & learn more. 

🌟Thasunda Brown Duckett (CEO, TIAA) who inspired us to not lose the plot – the CULTURE of your company is more important than leaning on a policy. 

🌟Jenny Just (Founder, Poker Power) who encouraged us all to TAKE MORE RISKS. She puts her money where her mouth is – having created Poker Power to teach poker skills to women & girls so that they increase their comfort level in taking risks, thereby changing their trajectory.

🌟Esther Choy (Leadership Story Lab) master storyteller, whose tag-teaming breakout session with Gina Fong, 2023 Kellogg Professor of the Year, about creating Gina’s Kellogg graduation speech was a masterclass in FINDING STORIES IN THE EVERYDAY moments. 

Gina’s “obsession with gift giving” reminded us that paying attention to the emotions of others is a driver for doing so. 

Esther’s tips:
1) be present while telling your story
2) IRS – an Intriguing beginning, Riveting middle and Satisfying end
3) practice practice practice (100x a good goal).

🌟And the culminating event – a keynote with Oprah Winfrey, who reminded and taught us that EVERYONE WANTS VALIDATION, to open the aperture of your life by aligning your intention with your passion & to live authentically. 

Favorite quote “People may not make sense to you, but they always make sense to themselves.” – Gina Fong

INSPIRATION

Forbes Travel Guide’s Inaugural Luxury Air Travel Awards,
Forbes Travel Guide

Here’s Why Madeira Is Called “The Island of Eternal Spring, Virtuoso

The Best Time to Visit Madrid, Condé Nast
I’ve been there all 12 months of the year, and I have an opinion! Agree with the author comment “it depends.”

Think Hotel Restaurants Are Overpriced and Boring? These Might Change Your Mind, WSJ

In the French Riviera, Hotels Are Turning Wellness Into a Year-Round Affair, Robb Report

8 Spooky Hotel Soirees to Celebrate Halloween in Ghoulish Style, Robb Report

A Local’s Guide to Hudson in 2024, Vogue

The 25 best places in the world to travel to in 2025, National Geographic

48 hours in Geneva: The 12 best things to do in Europe’s peace capital, Vacations & Travel

27 of the best Christmas markets in Europe, Vacations & Travel

36 Hours: Moab, NYT

By Ferry or Floatplane, 4 Enchanting Coastal Getaways From Vancouver, NYT

4 Can’t-Miss Towns in an Often Overlooked Corner of Japan, NYT

The magic of seeing the northern lights in Norway,
The Washington Post

13 luxe Bangkok hotels for exploring the Thai capital,
Gourmet Traveller

What It’s Like to Stay at Hotel Yellowstone, a Wyoming Resort That Blends Rugged Mountain Views With Lavish Comfort, Robb Report
(WY has no state income tax. Consider if looking for your next primary residence)

SAFARIS

On a Family’s Second Trip to South Africa, New Perspectives Beat New Destinations, Virtuoso

INFORMATION

How to Plan Family Trips That Both Kids and Parents Love, AFAR

6 Ways to Prevent Altitude Sickness, AFAR

A World of Travel Tips From WSJ Readers, WSJ

Jet lag doesn’t have to ruin your trip. Here’s what you can do, National Geographic

Is It Possible to Become an Outdoorsy Person? I Backpacked for a Weekend to Find Out., WSJ

The Secret to Better Rewards Flight Deals: International Frequent-Flier Programs, WSJ

New rules for airlines could help you get speedy refunds,
The Washington Post

(If you aren’t able to access an NYT or Washington Post article, send me a note and I’ll send it to you in a PDF.)

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