Can a luxury Amazon cruise actually protect wildlife and empower local communities?

In this episode on sustainable luxury travel, we explore how Delfin Amazon Cruises and Relais & Chateaux are redefining regenerative tourism in Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.

Host Amy Wald sits down with tropical biologist and sustainability lead Gabriela Orihuela of Delfin Amazon Cruises to unpack what it really means to cruise with purpose in the Amazon. From pink river dolphin research and giant river otter sightings to community-driven “BioRest” reforestation with native species, this conversation spotlights nature-based tourism that restores ecosystems and culture.

You’ll learn how Delfin’s Relais & Chateaux partnership elevates eco luxury travel through seasonal, locally sourced gastronomy; why keystone species like river dolphins matter; and practical ways travelers and hoteliers can avoid wildlife trafficking, reduce impacts, and turn sustainability into a richer guest experience. Whether you’re a conscious traveler, hotelier, or brand leader, you’ll take away field-tested ideas for sustainable hospitality, community-based conservation, and storytelling in hospitality that inspires action.

Timestamps / Episode Breakdown

00:00 - 00:57: Redefining Luxury in the Amazon — pristine rivers, biodiversity & culture

00:57 - 02:42: Delfin Amazon Cruises × Relais & Châteaux — sustainability at sea

02:42 - 04:39: Tropical biologist’s perspective + Peru’s Ramsar wetland & migratory birdlife

04:40 - 10:25: From community handcrafts to BIOREST — women-led impact & native reforestation

10:25 - 18:45: Aboard Delfin III — food heritage, seasonal landscapes & what river luxury means

18:46 - 26:49: Citizen science & wildlife conservation — pink dolphins, giant otters & trafficking threats

26:49 - 31:05: Partnering with the National Reserve + conscious traveler tips (what not to buy)

31:05 - 38:03: Biophilic ship design & Amazonian gastronomy with Relais & Châteaux standards

38:03 - 45:18: A day in the life on Delfin — sunrise skiffs, wildlife talks, community visits & how to get there

45:18 - 51:21: Hotelier playbook anywhere — water & energy savings, sustainable menus, sourcing responsibly

51:21 - 54:06: What to pack for the Amazon + guest takeaways (guides, culture, cuisine)

54:08 - 56:30: Why sustainable tourism matters + closing thoughts

Guest Intro

Gabriela Orihuela is a tropical biologist and the head of sustainability at Delfin Amazon Cruises, the first Amazon cruise line partnered with Relais & Chateaux. She leads community-based conservation, citizen science on pink river dolphins, and Delfin’s BioRest program restoring forests with native, culturally significant species.

Learn more: https://www.delfinamazoncruises.com

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Can luxury and sustainable hospitality truly coexist—and even drive profitability?

Step into Casa di Langa in Piedmont, Italy, for a masterclass in sustainable luxury hotels, storytelling, and community impact.

In this episode, we explore how a Beyond Green property brings regenerative design, local heritage, and guest delight together—without compromise.

This Conscious Check-in takes you to northern Italy for a behind-the-scenes look at Casa di Langa, a Beyond Green boutique property redefining sustainable hospitality in the Piedmont region. Host Amy Wald is joined by General Manager Eva Codina and Krause Group Director of Sustainability, Jessica Hinman, to unpack how shared value, ESG strategy, and community-first design show up in real operations—from curated local minibars to biodiverse landscaping and white truffle experiences. You’ll learn how Casa di Langa combines regenerative practices with quiet luxury, why integrity is a non-negotiable across the Krause Group portfolio, and how hospitality leaders can start (and scale) sustainability in authentic, profitable ways.

Whether you’re a conscious traveler or a hotel executive, this episode offers practical inspiration on guest experience innovation, sustainable luxury, and building a brand that travelers love—and remember.

Timestamps / Episode Breakdown

• 00:00 – 00:01:10: Welcome to The Conscious Check-in: sustainable hospitality meets unforgettable travel and conservation storytelling.
• 00:01:10 – 00:04:07: Destination spotlight: Casa di Langa in Piedmont, Italy—heritage, hospitality, and sustainability with Beyond Green.
• 00:01:33 – 00:04:07: Minibar done right: curated local products, Alta Langa sparkling from Enrico Serafino, and place-based guest amenities.
• 00:05:05 – 00:08:19: Why Beyond Green? How Casa di Langa aligned with Preferred Hotels & Resorts and built sustainability into the DNA from day one.
• 00:06:59 – 00:11:39: Kraus Group’s philosophy: businesses as a force for good, shared value, and aligning to the UN SDGs.
• 00:12:26 – 00:15:32: Opening a hotel during a pandemic: hiring locally, building culture, and retention through purpose.
• 00:16:23 – 00:18:02: Stewardship over ownership: preserving heritage across brands and regions without “Americanizing” local identity.
• 00:18:54 – 00:22:06: Leadership, values, and animal energy: the horse (Eva) and the octopus (Jessica)—adaptability, EQ, and empowering teams.
• 00:23:22 – 00:26:23: Designing soulful service: warmth, spontaneity, and guest touchpoints that feel human (not “penguin” formal).
• 00:27:23 – 00:32:01: ESG that works: integrity as a non-negotiable, public CSR reporting, and proof beyond checklists.
• 00:32:28 – 00:34:16: Storytelling and sense of place: how conscious travelers recognize authenticity—and return for it.
• 00:34:16 – 00:41:29: What guests feel: slow travel, biodiversity in the landscape, cuisine rooted in terroir, and deep belonging.
• 00:42:00 – 00:44:23: Truffle capital: Alba’s white truffle season, responsible truffle-hunting with trained dogs, and cultural heritage.
• 00:44:50 – 00:46:07: Closing reflections: why sustainability in hospitality matters—and why quality means caring for people.

About our Guests

Eva Codina, General Manager, Casa di Langa (Beyond Green). A veteran luxury hotelier, Eva leads with warmth, empowerment, and precision—shaping a guest experience that’s both elevated and deeply human.

Jessica Hinman, Director of Sustainability, Krause Group. Jessica guides ESG and CSR strategy across a multi-brand luxury portfolio—operationalizing shared value, transparency, and regenerative practices.

Learn more about Casa di Langa: https://www.casadilanga.com

Learn more about Krause Group:...

This episode shows how nature-based tourism can deliver bucket-list safaris while creating real impact for wildlife, communities, and the planet.

Go beyond the Big Five with a purpose-driven look at modern safaris. Amy sits down with Liesel van Zyl, Head of Positive Impact at Go2Africa (a B Corp) to explore how luxury, conservation, and community can thrive together.

Learn how to plan a safari that feels indulgent yet regenerative—from choosing accredited partners to tailoring hands-on experiences for your interests and values. You’ll also hear practical tips for maximizing your impact, questions to ask operators, and how guest dollars translate into biodiversity protection and community uplift.

• Reframing “bucket list” safaris into journeys of connection, culture, and purpose

• What B Corp and third-party accreditations signal (and why they build trust)

• How Go2Africa vets partners for regenerative impact (beyond sustainability)

• Practical planning tips: share interests early; ask how your dollar benefits locally

• Nature-based luxury: low-volume, high-impact models, farm-to-fork, plastic reduction

Liesel van Zyl is the Head of Positive Impact at Go2Africa, where she helps redefine what a luxury safari can be by aligning conservation, community development, and exceptional guest experiences. Her work spans partner vetting, NGO collaborations, and guest education—turning every journey into a force for good across Africa’s diverse ecosystems.

Learn more about Go2Africa: https://www.go2africa.com/

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