Experiences

Inspired Travel

Explore my collection of favorite travel, wellness, and adventure experiences. Whether you’re an independent traveler who likes to make their own arrangements or someone who prefers to have a travel expert manage all their vacation planning, these are the people and places I’d recommend in a heartbeat. Discover their warm hospitality, delight in their guest-first approach, and take home plenty of wonderful memories.

Telo Island sunsets. A prop plane to get there and boat to get back. This is where time stood still with my favorite people.

Fora – A modern travel agency. Curated luxury experiences with insider benefits. Dip into their destination guides for elevated travel inspiration, and have every aspect of your vacation managed by a personal travel advisor.

Global travel services for vacations, tours, cruises, and more

TribalTourist – 100% Adventure Africa. Take a trip of a lifetime with rare earth journeys and tailor-made wildlife experiences supporting conservation and sustainable tourism programs. Venturing off the beaten path, you will find true hidden gems and genuine encounters.

African safaris and adventure travel experts

Uluwatu Surf Villas – A boutique cliff-front resort in Bali with private beach access to world-renowned surf breaks, a dream board rack to play with and boat charters all for its guests and visiting professional surfers to enjoy. Each custom-designed villa features refined rustic touches, and the yoga shala and restaurant offer unparalleled views of the Bukit.

Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia

Escape Haven – A luxury women’s retreat in Bali. Rejuvenate with award-winning wellness, spa, yoga, surf, and fitness packages in a beautifully appointed retreat space, and thoughtfully designed accommodation with many personal touches for your rest and comfort.

Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

Real Watersports & Watermans Retreat – The lesson center has got you covered for kiteboarding, surfing, and foiling, offering private instruction and ‘zero to hero’ camps. Stay at the Waterman’s Retreat waterfront suites, cabanas, or their cottage hideaway. Kick back to watch all the watersports action and soak in the spectacular sunsets at the Waterman’s Bar & Grill.

Waves, Hatteras Island, Outer Banks NC

The Inn on Pamlico Sound – Tucked behind martitime oaks, this waterfront hotel is an elegant coastal home away from home with endless views of the sound’s tranquil waters. Their ethos is to simply to eat, sleep, and celebrate. Cafe Pamlico for fine dining Outer Banks style, individually designed accommodations, yoga and spa services, and event spaces for all your special moments.

Buxton, Hatteras Island, Outer Banks NC

The Atlantic Inn – The first hotel on Hatteras was lovingly restored to preserve its historical setting. This century-old inn offers guests a place of refuge with modern comforts and charming decor. Meeting the owners, you’ll hear their stories about island life and fulfilling a dream away from their past corporate lives.

Hatteras village, Hatteras Island, Outer Banks NC

Afishionado – She’s a fifty-foot custom Carolina boat is purpose-built for sportfishing charters into the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream. Soon enough you’ll be catching tuna, mahi-mahi, sailfish, blue marlin, and white marlin with Captain Jack at the helm. He’s been featured on National Geographic’s hit TV show “Wicked Tuna” and has traveled the world fishing professionally. Crossing paths with this big character in Indonesia, and later through a twist of fate, is how we ended up on Hatteras Island.

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Outer Banks NC

Surf or Sound Realty – Premier vacation home rentals on Hatteras Island. Planning your Outer Banks vacation and getting away from it all couldn’t be easier with over 600 beach houses and condos to choose from.

Hatteras Island, Outer Banks NC

El Encuentro Surf Lodge – A friendly boutique hotel and beach bungalows, walking distance to Playa Enceuntro’s surf breaks. Attentive staff, tropical gardens, amazing breakfasts, yoga, surf lessons, a skatepark, and beach horseback riding to keep the family entertained.

Playa Encurentro, Cabarate, Dominican Republic

Olas de Cerritos – A boutique hotel only two minutes walk from the beach, the landmark yellow “hacienda” on the point, and all the fun surf. Back at the property, the refreshing pool and shaded gardens are a welcome respite from the midday sun. Enjoy Baja’s charm and wild coastal desert vibes with your hosts, a world-traveled surfing Kiwi family who made Mexico their home.

Playa Los Cerritos, El Pescadero, Baja California Sur, Mexico

African Perfection – A beachfront guesthouse right on Supertubes. Seriously, you can’t get closer than this! The friendly and hands-on team ensures you’re all set to eat-sleep-surf with hearty breakfasts, comfortable rooms, sick views, a quiver for guests, and orders for custom surfboards available on site.

Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Amber Light Beach Cottage – Amber Light is a quaint rondavel-style guest house with flexible living and entertainment spaces. The property can be booked as five separate suites or as an entire property that sleeps twelve, offering a great option for families or groups. Overlooking the common, a coffee shop next door, and walking distance to the beach and restaurants, it’s the perfect place to make your base in Wilderness.

Wilderness, Garden Route, Western Cape, South Africa

The Karoo Moon Motel – A must-stop on a Route 62 road trip. Artfully themed, Diesel and Crème is famous for breakfasts, burgers, and killer milkshakes. The adjacent two-room motel from the 1890s transports you to a dusty highway border town with quirky design features and luxury touches for a very comfortable night’s stay.

Barrydale, Route 62, Western Cape, South Africa

Bulgari Resort Bali – Overlooking the Indian Ocean, this secluded collection of villas, gourmet dining, and spa marries sophisticated Italian design with traditional Balinese elements for the epitome of upscale quiet luxury in a tropical setting with breathtaking views.

Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia

Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape – Lush jungles and majestic mountains form an endless backdrop to this unforgettable ‘no walls, no doors’ luxury hotel concept. Being one with nature, you can awaken your senses in this totally immersive stay experience like no other.

Payangan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Como Shambhala Estate – An award-winning wellness resort near Ubud, Bali, nestled in the forest between two mighty rivers. The property’s inspired residences and state-of-the art facilities present fitness, yoga, Ayurvedic treatments, and holistic therapies to cleanse, restore balance, and nurture your inner peace.

Payangan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

The Grand – Elaborate Victorian architecture and sweeping staircase embody the refinement of a bygone era. The original ‘palace by the sea.’ features elegant dining, a glamorous cocktail bar, and high tea on the terrace are met with every modern convenience, luxurious rooms, the Express suite, and the Grand Spa appealing to discerning guests.

The Seafront, Brighton, England, UK

Drakes – Overlooking Brighton’s Palace Pier, the spectacular pair of Regency townhouses ooze contemporary British style. The ultimate in personal service, sink into huge beds, and soak in their bathtubs with views, exquisite cocktails and fine dining, offering a touch of decadance with achingly cool.

Kemptown, Brighton, England, UK

Hotel du Vin & Bistro – Unpretentious modern luxury, twinkling chandeliers, and art deco touches come together with coastal cottage comfort. The hotel’s bar, pub, and restaurant can be found behind the mock Tudor facade, and mere steps from the cobbled and twisted Lanes, Brighton’s boutique shopping and entertainment district.

The Lanes, Brighton, England, UK

Artist Residence – A creative and bohemian boutique hotel featuring vintage furnishings, eclectic decor, and original art. Individually curated rooms by local artists make for a uniquely fresh and funky stay, and Blake’s Bistro & Bar is a flourishing neighborhood hangout for hip Brightonians.

Regency Square Brighton England, UK

Scotland Retreats – Relax, renew, and reconnect with your purpose. Holistic wellness practices, transformational coaching, inspiring talks, and self-development workshops at handpicked venues and places of outstanding natural beauty across Scotland.

Scotland, UK

Hideaway Arugam Bay – The charming family-owned retreat, features bungalows and a heritage villa with wide verandahs. There’s a pool, yoga shala, and Ayurvedic treatments for your wellbeing needs. The restaurant, cafe, and lifestyle boutique focuses on healthy, sustainable and ethical practices. Adventure seekers can organize a tuk-tuk or Landrover surf safari to the top spots in the area, as well as seek out a few hidden waves.

Pottuvil, Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka

Telo Island Lodge – This remote location between the Mentawais and Nias islands became our island home for a few very blissful weeks. Originally an old surf outpost, the lodge captures the laid-back free spirit of the early surf adventures to the region. A slow travel experience, it’s a true getaway where you’ll find surf, simple pleasures, local island communities, sunsets, and yes, more surf.

Batu Islands (Telos), West Sumatra, Indonesia

Togat Nusa Retreat – A private tropical island with surf, yoga, and coral garden conservation—this is the closest you’ll get to being a real Robinson Crusoe. Each cottage was lovingly handbuilt using recycled timbers, driftwood, and natural local materials. Along with pioneer John Ocean and up to eight guests on the island at one time, you’ll find yourself barefoot, salty, and smiling.

Mentawais Islands, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Pulse Surf Charters – This solid, custom-built catamaran with spacious cabins and powerful engines is the boat you’ll want for an Indo wave-hunting adventure with solid sessions. My old neighbors, Marcus and his family, have been living the dream for over twenty-five years between the boat, Afulu Nias Surf House in Sumatra, and stop-offs back in Bali.

The Banyaks and North Sumatra, Indonesia

Anugerah Surf & Dive Resort – Far-flung and friendly, Rote island may only be 310 miles off the Australian coast, but it takes a long journey through the Indonesian archipelago to reach this surfer’s paradise. This family-run resort has simple rooms, a pool, palm groves, the beach, and the infamous T-land right out back. Anugerah was once a luxury back when the island would only have electricity for a few hours a day. And their old-school charm still stands up against today’s Instagram-ready hotels and new resorts on the island.

Nembrala, Rote, East Nusa Tenggara, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia