Episodes
From world-class museums, world-class gastronomy and a whole host of red carpet-approved experiences, we’ll be giving our audience all the tools, tips and tricks to start planning their Los Angeles adventures. Whether they’re seasoned visitors or first-time travellers, we’re lifting the lid on the best spots for brunch, art exhibitions not to miss and the beaches locals want to keep a secret.
Published 12/07/22
Grammy-nominated musician Justin Jesso and lifestyle, fashion and beauty tastemaker Sangyay Chen delve into their European travels and let us in on the under the radar destinations that the jet set don’t want you to know about.
Published 08/19/22
Charlie and Jess of The Travel Project are here to prove there’s more adventure waiting for us in our back gardens than we may think - it’s time to cancel that plane ticket and explore your own stomping ground. Tune in as the couple detail their Achievable Adventure project where they’ve set out to discover 52 UK destinations in the span of 52 weeks. From coastal foraging in Wales to breathtaking hikes in Scotland, Charlie and Jess have gained a greater appreciation for the land they call...
Published 07/27/22
Tune in to hear the story of Santiago Lastra, the chef behind the UK’s first Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant reveals his favourite spots for late-night tacos in Mexico City, how Mexican cuisine is evolving and how a Ritz cracker started his culinary career.
Published 07/13/22
Listen in as Tété-Michel Kpomassie, author of Penguin Modern Classic Michel the Giant: An African in Greenland, recounts the gripping true story of his ten-year expedition from a village in West Africa to the Arctic Circle. Plus, The Upgrade co-hosts Fleur Rollet-Manus and Amira Hashish delve into their travel memories for a nostalgic ride.
Published 07/01/22
The Upgrade co-hosts Amira Hashish and Fleur Rollet-Manus are West Hollywood bound for a special dinner party and live panel recording with a glittering audience. In partnership with Visit California and joined by a panel of LA's finest creatives, they're celebrating the diverse, artistic landscape of the Golden State. Join Amira as she chats to fashion pioneer James Flemons of PHLEMUNS; House of Aama mother/daughter design duo Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka; Danny Guerrero from The...
Published 04/27/22
From its rugged coastline to lush landscapes, Monterey County is brimming with natural beauty. Little wonder there is a big sustainable drive at the core of Monterey Bay Aquarium. Whether you are drawn in by the Big Sur, the cute cottages of Carmel-by-the-Sea or the vine-to-glass grapes of the Santa Lucia Highlands, this destination has adventure-seekers hooked. We guide you through the highlights with the help of our friends on the ground.
Published 04/12/22
Famous for its modernist architecture, Greater Palm Springs is brimming with chic hotels, acclaimed restaurants, vintage boutiques and a thriving art scene. Not to mention the nearby verdant wineries, soaring mountains and cactus-strewn landscapes. We are here for this desert oasis in every sense. Here’s our guide to the most exciting spots to check in and check out.
Published 04/11/22
Whether you are seeking eccentric cuisine, an immersive cultural experience or a laid-back, beach escape, San Diego has so many layers to uncover. Fancy hitching a Lowrider ride and soaking up those rays? Here’s our guide to exploring the destination that has earned itself the reputation of America’s Finest City.
Published 04/10/22
Ticked off Tokyo? Checked out Kyoto? Go beyond Japan’s iconic hotspots to lesser-known prefectures that showcase the country’s cultural, coastal and culinary traditions. Eager to explore the Land of the Rising Sun? Here’s how to travel hidden Japan.
Published 12/15/21
Off-grid adventures, avoiding tourist traps in Italy and destinations to visit in 2022. Join us as we chat to SUITCASE’s newest team member, Rachael McKeon, about her standout travel experiences, the hotels we should check into and the trips she’s got on-radar for the new year. Plus, she gives us the lowdown on Florence’s lesser known foodie hotspots, the trips that shaped her and why train travel reigns supreme.
Published 12/09/21
We’re taking you on a food pilgrimage through Tenerife. Stopping by secret “guachinches”, new-wave wineries and the rustic restaurants serving the island’s most delicious traditional cuisine, we’re digging into Tenerife’s gastronomy. Planning a trip to the island? Listen up because we’ve got a host of insider recommendations. Here’s where to drink and dine in Tenerife.
Published 08/02/21
Join our Editor-in-Chief India Dowley and Editor Fleur Rollet-Manus as they shine a light on the under-radar places you need to know in Tenerife – be it a boutique hotel, hip coffee shop or up-and-coming vineyard. Plus, they’ll be joined by two island eco experts who share their insider recommendations too.
Published 07/18/21
Self-care secrets, skin-saving science and must-visit Moroccan travel tips. As part of our partnership with cult beauty brand whind, India and Fleur will be joined by founder Hind Sebti. Join us as Hind reveals how to get that envious desert-glow, spotlights her Moroccan travel tips and tells us just what it takes to start a cult beauty brand.
Published 07/01/21
We’re raising a glass to the UK wineries that are shaking up the English wine-making scene. Dipping our noses into homegrown grapes, we’re spotlighting the UK vineyards championing community and locality. Plus, we’ll be joined by Renegade Urban Winery’s Warwick Smith who shares his must-visit UK producers, under-the-radar wine regions and how to bluff your way through a wine tasting.
Published 05/20/21
Burnout. Exhausted. Fatigued. Lethargic. The list goes on. That’s why we’re giving our bodies the TLC their craving and booking a wellness retreat for our first post-lockdown trip. Alongside sharing the retreats we’re securing a spot on, we’ll be talking to Artah founder and former Psycle CEO Rhian Stephenson about her transformative travel experiences, how we can extinguish the flames of burnout and what the future of wellness looks like.
Published 05/06/21
We’re catching up with the founders of Italy’s coolest crash pad, Villa Lena, who’ll be sharing their Tuscan recommendations, under-the-radar restaurants in Rome and where to (hopefully) sip rosé this summer. Plus, we’re revealing the hedonistic hideaways we can’t wait to visit with our support bubble. Flaking on post-pandemic plans? Us? Never.
Published 04/22/21
Frustrated by “postponed until further notice” flights putting the brakes on your travel plans? Us too. That’s why we’re ditching the traditional flight-and-hotel model and riding the campervan trend as soon as travel gets back on the road. Join us as we deep-drive into why a holiday-on-wheels is the hottest new way to travel.
Published 04/07/21
Work and holiday – two words that needn’t be contradictory. As multi-hyphenates look at new ways they can blur the boundaries between work and play, we’re deep-diving into how a generation of slashies and side-hustlers are choosing to holiday. Spoiler alert: you don’t need to leave the day job behind.
Published 03/25/21
As 2020 draws to a close, we’re looking forward to hitting the road in 2021. Join us as we share the destinations we can’t wait to explore, the hotel openings on our hotlists and the travel trends that are taking over. We’ll also be chatting to travel influencer and content creator Olivia Lopez about her travel philosophy, the first place on her agenda and why she’s obsessed with all things Italian.
Published 12/17/20
The Upgrade by SUITCASE Magazine has joined forces with Krug Champagne to bring you a glass-clinking celebration of creativity, collaboration and culinary greatness. For this winter-special episode of The Upgrade x Krug, co-hosts India Dowley and Fleur Rollet-Manus have handed over their mics to Chef-Patron of The Man Behind the Curtain, Michael O’Hare and Mark Sansom, Editor of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and Bars, who discuss the future of fine dining, the changing face of luxury and...
Published 12/08/20
In the first of our trio of winter specials, we’re discussing the B-word – and no, we don’t mean Boris or Brexit. We’re talking about burnout, a word that strikes fear into the hearts (read: invoices) of freelancers and creatives across the globe. At a time in which burnout is all too common and creativity can be hard to muster, we’re helping you reignite your spark. We’re joined by Chris Penn, the co-founder of Birch – the UK’s hottest hotel opening of 2020 – and The Coven founder Sapphire...
Published 12/03/20
In our season finale we’re spotlighting the London independent brands and stores that we love. We catch up with Paul Firmin, one half of the dynamic duo behind hip, Hackney lifestyle brand Earl of East, and Max Tobias, founder of London’s best socially conscious bakery, Dusty Knuckle. The London locals share with us their favourite neighbourhood haunts, the antiques market we must visit and how indie shopping is changing the face of the British High Street.
Published 09/15/20
Incoming: we’ve got a whole host of UK staycation recommendations because, in case you missed the memo, exploring your home turf is 2020’s most sought-after adventure. In this episode, we find out which self-catering homes our editors are booking now, including humble bothies, honey-coloured Cotswold cabins and an avant-garde architectural gem in the South Downs.
Published 09/01/20