This week, Eye on Travel  broadcasts from The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, California. Peter has the latest on the Boeing 737 Max investigation. The New York Times‘ Elaine Sciolino, Author of The Seine, The River that Made Paris, talks about her new book and the little-known secrets and never-told stories of this great, historic river. Hugo Martin from Los Angeles Times, with a report on crime and sexual harassment in the travel industry and what the big hotels are doing about it – plus TripAdvisor’s recent decision to stop tickets sales to attractions that display and hold whales, dolphins or porpoises. Tom Donovan, Managing Director at The Resort at Pelican Hill, discusses the evolving definition of luxury travel and how Pelican Hill is adjusting to guest needs — and ever-changing expectations. Paul Burnett, Author of Surfing Newport Beach: The Glory Days of Corona Del Mar, discusses growing up surfing in Orange County and how the culture of surfing has changed in the region — but is bigger than ever. There’s all this and more as Eye on Travel  broadcasts from the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, California.

Elaine Sciolino, Author of The Seine, The River that Made Paris, talks about her new book and the historical and current importance of the Seine. She states that there never would have been a Paris without the Seine. Currently, there’s a green movement to use the river for the transport of goods. It’s cheaper and cleaner than train traffic or street traffic. She shares that she drank from the source of the Seine and swam in it and says it’s incredibly pure water. It was once a Gall-Roman healing center. When you go there, she explains why you’ll discover an entirely different river than what you probably know about the Seine. And did you know that over 100 songs were written by the Seine?

Hugo Martin, Journalist at the Los Angeles Times, opens the show by discussing the sexual harassment of hotel employees and what the big hotels are doing about it. Hotel employees are the backbone of the industry. Hugo and Peter then dive into the recent announcement by TripAdvisor that it will stop selling tickets to attractions or destinations that display and hold whales, dolphins or porpoises. Hugo then shares how some of these places are having an identity crisis because this sort of “entertainment” attracted guests.

Jeff Boyles, Fire Chief at Newport Beach Fire Department, shares some surprising facts about Newport Beach, including its unique challenges and topography. He also shares some of the mistakes that new visitors make. The Chief then reveals his favorite breakfast, lunch and dinner spots in town and what he orders.

Scott Hermes, President of the Resort Properties at The Irvine Company, speaks about the expansive property that the Resort at Pelican Hill sits on and the history behind it, which dates back to 1864. Scott then discusses wanting to preserve most of the land in the area and a commitment to sustainability via the complex engineering system that maintains water on the resort. He also explains the world’s largest Tesla battery – self-replenishing – at a resort and what the company is planning to do with it. Finally, he talks about anticipating guests’ needs before they even have to ask.

Jean-Pierre Dubray, the Executive Chef at the Resort at Pelican Hill, answers Peter’s famous menu question and then shares some of the things it has to look out for when accommodating guests with allergies and health concerns. Jean-Pierre argues that chefs are like entertainers and then shares the recipe for a favorite dish with lots of truffle.

Tom Donovan, Managing Director at The Resort at Pelican Hill, joins the program to discuss luxury travel and how the five-star resort’s unpretentious Italian-inspired luxury fits the description. He speaks about multigenerational travelers and how millennials are enjoying the resort just as much as older generations.

Paul Burnett, Surfer and Co-Author of Surfing Newport Beach: The Glory Days of Corona Del Mar, dishes on surfing in Orange County and the notable names that grew up surfing there. He talks about how the culture of surfing in the region has changed. Paul also talks about dangerous swells, Corona del Mar, and the knowledge he’s passing along to the newer generation of surfers. He says you should never turn your back on the ocean and to always appreciate what you have and try to protect it.

Sara Hall, Managing Editor at the Newport Beach Independent, shares all the things that have changed (and stayed the same) in the city and how the demographic has changed along with it. For example, old money is meeting newer, younger families. She talks about her favorite charcoal coconut latte in town, the best breakfast, lunch, dinner and a place that drenches everything in cheese at Balboa Island.

Shirley Pepys, President of the Balboa Island Museum, speaks about the history of the fairly new museum and what she did when she joined at its inception. Shirley also talks about the community’s cooperation with the museum and some of the museum’s surprising artifacts.

Andrew Bennett, Guest Experience Concierge Supervisor at The Resort at Pelican Hill, discusses experiential travel. Everything from cooking classes to custom experiences, you can have here. Bennett then speaks about an outrageous sweet 16 birthday request, potbellied pigs and thinking a step ahead of guests at all times.

Dr. Bill Hoffman, Architecture and Urban Design Tour Guide, tells the story of Orange County’s young age and how the suburban boom took it by storm. He says there’s no more room to grow. He chats about the land that the resort sits on now, the wonderful local state park and the intriguing story behind the bungalows that sit on the beach. Dr. Hoffman further shares the best bike paths in the region and his favorite, historic eateries in the county.

By Alessandra Taryn Bea for PeterGreenberg.com