Travel Connections

Our favorite spirit is Kentucky Bourbon. To be more precise: We enjoy Woodford Reserve the MOST. Our kids sip it, our parents love it, and we tend to serve it to our guests and friends more than any other adult beverage. We have history and take our bourbon drinking very seriously. Back in 2019, before the world shut down, my husband Craig and I, and two of our best friends, went to Kentucky to discover a new destination, follow The Kentucky Bourbon Trail and to learn more about how bourbon is created. Is a trip to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail on your list too? Ever since our grown kids came home from college loving this delicious Kentucky spirit, I have been paying attention. Our kids' enthusiasm for all drinks made with bourbon was intoxicating and persuasive. Fast forward several years later, my favorite way to indulge is now a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned because I love the aroma and smooth flavor of high-quality bourbon. My husband and I toured The Kentucky Bourbon Trail with our friends Brad and Troy; we visited smaller distilleries, dined at excellent restaurants, and thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Woodford Reserve, where our bourbon of choice is carefully crafted. The art of making fine bourbon first took place on the site of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, a National Historic Landmark, in 1812. The perfectly balanced taste of their Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey comprises more than 200 detectable flavor notes, from bold grain and wood to sweet aromatics, spice, and fruit & floral notes. Mmm, delicious Kentucky Bourbon! During our visit in 2019, we sipped, listened, and toured Woodford Reserve and had the time of our lives. Never in a million years did I dream I would create a podcast and have the opportunity to interview Master Distiller Chris Morris and Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall. Dreams do come true, my friends; I am living proof. (pun intended) Chris Morris is Master Distiller for Brown-Forman Corporation, the seventh since the company began in 1870. A Louisville native, he has spent his working life in the bourbon industry. Chris is responsible for maintaining the award-winning taste of the whiskies produced at the Woodford Reserve and Old Forester Distilleries. He is also one of three generations of his family to work at Brown-Forman and is a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. Elizabeth McCall, CSS (Certified Specialist of Spirits), is the second generation of her family to work in the bourbon industry and one of the youngest female distillers in the United States. When she first began working at Brown Forman, assuming the role she is in today was never the goal. Realizing the excellent opportunity for employment the company offered, Elizabeth followed in her mother's footsteps, starting as a sensory expert and working in the quality department. McCall has a master's degree from the University of Louisville and has been a member of Brown-Forman's R&D Department since 2009. Her ongoing devotion to quality, and interest in all things spirits, eventually led her to become Master Taster in 2015 and, in 2018, Assistant Master Distiller of Woodford Reserve. Today she works directly with Master Distiller Chris Morris and R&D on the innovation and development of new products within Woodford Reserve. In this episode: Personal insights from the experts! Plus, great stories! What is The Kentucky Bourbon Trail? What happened in 1990? What is a fermenter? Red & Blue Corn & Bourbon? ( A super fun story) Innovation at Woodford Reserve Plus, so much more! How Woodford Reserve was a pioneer in culinary pairings with bourbon What is so magical and timeless about Woodford Reserve? This episode is the first of four devoted to Kentucky and The Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Don't miss a new episode every two weeks. Link to Woodford Reserve => HERE Kentucky Bourbon Trail Trip Details How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest – Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store – Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves Hear No Evil Media Podcast Audio Production by Erik Hulslander

Come travel the world with us today! Are you looking to find adventure? You, my friend, are in the right place for an exhilarating 34 minutes! My travel philosophy? Say yes and figure out the rest. I always encourage everyone I talk with to find adventure, and no one exemplifies this philosophy better than my next guest. Scott Eddy has a unique background. Although he began his career in investment banking, he changed his business trajectory and lived in Europe and Asia for 17 years. While in Asia, he started the first digital agency in SE Asia. He is based in Miami now, but he travels full-time as a TV host on Lifetime Television for a travel series called Video Globetrotter. In addition, Scott provides growth-focused marketing strategies to brands, primarily in the world of hospitality, and essentially turns storytelling into solid marketing success. His enthusiasm for life and travel is infectious, and I can't wait for you to meet him. Also! I have a program alert for you! Do you like watching your podcast episodes? Well, you can find this one on my Youtube Channel! Travel the world through amazing stories in this episode: Learn how Scott started the first digital agency in Southeast Asia Travels full-time as a video host and social media marketing expert Visits 20 countries each year Scott Eddy is an EPIC storyteller His Alaskan adventures are extraordinary - The Salmon! The Bald Eagles! "How video brings a brand to life." You will laugh and sit in awe of his stories and adventures. We only scratched the surface of what Scott can share, but come listen and enjoy. This is a fantastic episode! Links to Scott Eddy TV host for Video Globetrotter Visual Storyteller Website: http://www.mrscotteddy.com/ Social Media: @MrScottEddy Twitter Instagram Facebook TikTok YouTube

I am a wine lover, and my wine education and favorites have grown since our kids left the nest. When our children were young, there was little time to indulge in learning about wines, so we chose as best we could and primarily drank wines from California. We lived in California until two years ago when we moved to the state of Washington. Being in close proximity to the wineries is certainly a treat, but people from all over the world drink the delicious wines of Washington State. We are fortunate now to live close, taste more and learn a great deal! As very willing participants, Craig and I have been learning about wines from this great state of agriculture, but I think we have hit the jackpot recently. We were guests at an event hosted by Auction of Washington Wines, also known as AWW. Sharing the love of Washington Wines Since its inception in 1988, AWW has raised nearly $55 million to benefit Seattle Children's Hospital, Washington State University Viticulture & Enology Research, and the AWW Industry Grant. AWW is listed in the top five wine charity auctions in the U.S. by Wine Spectator. Its mission is to support the growth and awareness of the Washington state wine industry through a series of celebrated events benefiting the community. At a recent event, we were introduced to winemakers from several prominent wineries here in Washington. What a privilege to talk with these experts and taste their wines! We learned so much about these wineries and their wines, made new friends, and had a wonderful conversation with Andrew Januik while we tasted wines from Novelty Hill and Januik Wineries. All of the winemakers offered us a taste of an older vintage and compared it with a newer vintage; such a fun idea! During our chat that evening, I kept thinking. I should create an episode on Washington wines! Wouldn't he be a fantastic guest on Travel Connections? Somehow he carved out some time in his busy schedule for us to dive a little deeper into wine and the joys of being a winemaker. Andrew probably has the most fabulous job ever. I think it would be dreamy! I know it's hard work, but sign me up. Let me tell you about Andrew's background. Most winemakers have spent most of their lives in the industry, and Andrew Januik is no different – except that he is only 35 years old. When he was just 13, he started working with wine on the weekends and full-time during his summers. As the son of a world-renowned winemaker, Andrew was born with winemaking in his blood, and the proof is in the pressing! Every wine that Andrew has made since starting his eponymous label in 2011 has been rated above 90 points. His passion for wine is rooted in the state of Washington but has led to nearly a decade of making wine in the Southern Hemisphere, including his own labels in both Chile and Argentina. Here are just a few of the exciting topics we covered in our interview: Why Washington Wines are special The fantastic weather (not similar to Seattle's) in the Columbia Valley provides the ability to produce a wide variety of grapes. The magic of excel spreadsheets and spending time in the vineyards Novelty Hill and Januik Wines "One cannot escape the lure of the wine cellar!" Upcoming Events for Auction of Washington Wines: Here's some information on the upcoming events in August for Auction of Washington Wines: You can enjoy more than 100 wines, global BBQ, and casual fun at the Winemaker Picnic & Barrel Auction, or dress up for the Annual Gala, both held at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, WA. Essential Links in this episode: Novelty Hill - Januik Wines Andrew Januik Wines Auction of Washington Wines Hear No Evil Media, Audio Production by Erik Hulslander How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest – Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store – Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves

A Visit to Camano Island I started this podcast with the dream of talking about and focusing on the connections we make when we travel. Nothing exemplifies this idea more than my trip to Camano Island, Washington. I was invited to explore the island and attend the 23rd Annual Studio Tour by the Whidbey & Camano Island Tourism Board. My hosts had no great expectations other than for me to have a good time and discover the island of Camano and the artists that live there. This unique event is held two weekends in a row in early May. We are lucky to only live about an hour from this beautiful destination, but as of yet, we still had not visited! Camano Island, located 64 miles north of Downtown Seattle is an easy and scenic drive. In This Episode! What does it feel like on Camano Island? Discovering the locals are super welcoming and friendly Art and more art and artists Great food & drink, yes, of course! Beautiful scenery Connecting with nature, artists, and craftsman An in-depth and fun interview with jewelry designer Amy Bush of Loyalsmith Jewelry Both my husband Craig and I had the absolute best time. We knew we would enjoy our time on the studio tour, but it was much more than just a casual walkabout through many studios. Our time there was personal and, at times, moving. For the most part, artists work alone, and sharing their creative space and personal projects must be so satisfying. It sure was for us! We made new friends and purchased gorgeous art for our home, each with a story and a history. Make a plan to visit next year for the 24th Annual Studio Tour on Camano Island and also visit their website. It will direct you to all of the artists I talked about, plus many more. I highly recommend a visit, any time of year. Nature is bold and beautiful, and you can hear yourself think. How lovely is that? Camano Island is the perfect place to relax, reset, rejoice, and rediscover. To find the artists we talked about on the podcast: Go to THIS LINK for Art Lives on Camano Island Loyalsmith Jewelry - Amy Bush Camano Commons Marketplace The Baked Cafe Tapped

A No Vacation, Maui Vacation This episode is a fun one. It's not too long and will provide you with some very unique travel ideas you can use right from your own living room. I share a couple of podcast episode reminders. Have you had a chance to listen to my interview with Linda Miller Nicholson? Her episode is called Colorful Pasta-Making & Italian Travel with Salty Seattle. She shares how she built her unique pasta classes, wrote a cookbook, and changed the world with rainbow-colored pasta. The interview will enlighten and delight you! Also, I offer a sneak peek of my upcoming SUPER BIG Episode of our trip to Camano Island, WA, where we spent two days on the Camano Island Studio Tour. And then... The heart of this episode: My opinion on the current state of travel What is a no-vacation vacation? Back in 2020, when travel was shut down, I was given no choice but to stay home and figure out how to be somewhat relevant in the travel industry. This is what we did: My husband and I created Cocktail Adventures, where we paired a favorite cocktail recipe with a connecting travel memory. We had no idea what we were doing, but it was super fun, and we could still connect with travel that we so dearly loved. You can find our videos on Instagram on my @SuzanneStavert account, and you can also find them on my website, AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com, and type in Cocktail Adventures. I created a solution that would still be perfect today. At the time, I was disappointed by my lack of travel options during the Stay at Home mandate; I needed to change my thinking. I had to look at my current situation and determine just how to move forward when I could not write about future travel or plan any of our own adventures. Like you, I couldn't enjoy a Maui vacation if I wanted to! Imagine the cold-sweet sip of a tropical Mai Tai, Seared Ahi Tuna with Vegetable Fried Rice, and a mound of ice cream covered in chocolate fudge in a decadent slice of Hula Pie. Yes, please! Tell me more. This delicious list is just the beginning of an authentic and tasty Maui Style vacation you can create at home. Can I bring you soft white sand and fresh tropical breezes? No, I can't; sorry about that. Can I suggest where to buy unique products that will get your Maui vacation vibes flowing? Yes, my friends, I can! I don't want to give away all of my Hawaiian gems right here, so make sure you head over to the Guide. Check out the Downloadable Guide ==> HERE: Cocktail Adventures Virtual Maui Vacation Maui Wine Surfing Goat Dairy Farm Ocean Vodka Kimos Hear No Evil Media, Audio Production by Erik Hulslander How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest – Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store – Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves

Pasta-making from the BEST From the moment I stepped into her pasta studio, Linda Miller Nicholson, also known as Salty Seattle, exuded warmth and enthusiasm that was palpable. Her expansive studio is located about 30 miles east of Seattle, and it is super cool! Cleverly designed with a fireplace, chic seating, and rainbow-colored pasta tools. Woodblock counters cover the surfaces of each workstation. On one side of the studio, she has an antique refrigerator that must be 8-10 feet long with glass windows, old-fashioned metal handles, and beautiful wood doors. She has retrofitted the appliance to today's refrigeration standards. You would love this piece! Linda's unique culinary studio is truly a rainbow pasta dreamland. I was a guest of my dear friends at Tuscan Women Cook (Episode #3)for this hands-on class and adventure. We spent hours learning how to make several types of colorful handmade pasta, laughing, and learning while sipping wine. I really honed my pasta-making skills with Linda and my passion for this culinary craft keeps my family and friends eating fresh pasta for days! Linda Miller Nicholson is an internationally recognized pasta-making powerhouse whose work is featured across media outlets, including Saveur, Good Housekeeping, Buzzfeed, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Delta Airlines, the BBC, and Business Insider. She has made pasta art for Katy Perry, The cast of The Chew. And Harry Connick Jr. She's been the subject of several documentaries and works with companies like the Food Network and Buzzfeed's Tasty. I can also attest that she is incredibly delightful and highly talented. I feel super fortunate to have spent quality time with Linda. We talked about so many wonderful things in this episode! Growing up in a bi-racial family Moving from Southern California to rural Idaho as a child How she learned to make pasta at four years old! Her fascinating childhood and how "Slobber the Cow" influenced it How travel shaped her life and career How she created this unique, colorful career in pasta-making How creating Salty Seattle and wildly experimenting with colors helped her tap into her creative side The details of her fantastic online and in-person pasta-making classes Linda's cookbook "Pasta Pretty Please" How to create colored pasta with all-natural ingredients Her pasta "ideas" list- Imagine the "pastabilities"! Linda offers sound advice and insight for other entrepreneurs and how she believes that no one is really ever "stuck" but that we are continually growing and learning. In this podcast episode, her infectious joy for pasta-making comes through even without seeing her! She's a pleasure to interview and to get to know. You will LOVE hearing her engaging stories! I wish I could bottle her energy and enthusiasm! Make sure you check the show notes for all of the essential links and for where to find her book. Pasta Pretty Please. @SaltySeattle - Linda's engaging Instagram SaltySeattle.com - Linda's website for listings of classes and where to buy her book Hear No Evil Media, Audio Production by Erik Hulslander How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest – Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store – Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves

Well, we have another fantastic episode for you! Today, I will introduce you to my friend, author, and fellow travel writer, Sara Broers. I promise you will learn about places you have never heard of and you will love it! But first, let me tell you a little about Sara. She went from Iowa Mommy Blogger to CEO and is a leading advocate and expert in Midwest Destinations. Sara Broers is a travel enthusiast that resides in North Iowa. She is passionate about the Midwest and helping communities grow through one destination visit at a time. Sara is the CEO of Travel With Sara and the Co-Owner of the Midwest Travel Network. In May of 2022, her book 100 Things To Do In Iowa Before You Die will be released! Sara and her husband live on the nearly 100-year-old family farm in North Iowa and enjoy camping, biking, and spending time with their grandchildren. We had a blast talking about all things Midwest, and I credit Sara for most of my extraordinary adventures in this fantastic area of the United States. Without Sara and her travel connections, I may not have enjoyed adventures in North and South Dakota, dined on Kansas City food trails, and experienced the cold April wind on the prairie with wild bison in Nebraska! Here are just some of the topics we covered in this forty-minute conversation! Midwest Destinations to know and love! The BIG Kansas Road Trip Where to find delicious Midwestern dishes Oberlin Kansas - The best bread pudding ever! Midwest Travel Network: How it supports and connects writers and destinations Why is Medora, ND the cutest darn place where you experience intriguing Western history? Where did Teddy Roosevelt spend most of his time? Mt Rushmore and the Black Hills of South Dakota Where can you eat steaks cooked on a pitchfork? What? (It was such an extraordinary experience!) Midwest Road Trip Tips The darling destination of St Cloud Minnesota (I am going soon!) Mason City, Iowa, the Iowa State Fair Clear Lake Iowa and SO MUCH MORE! After listening to Sara tell colorful stories of the Midwest, how many new destinations did you learn about? She is such a wealth of knowledge, and her enthusiasm for small towns and larger ones is so captivating. There is so much beauty, great food, and history to explore there. Have you spent much time in the Midwest? Where have you been? I would love to know! I hope you check out Sara's website and learn where to buy her book. Check the show notes for all of the links we talked about in this episode! There are a bunch! Travel With Sara Epic Outdoor Adventures In Medora 8 Great Midwest Towns You Need To Discover Great Places To Stay In Kansas Along US Highway 36 Sara Broers Midwest Travel Network MTN Conference 2022 - St Cloud, MN (Suzanne will be there too!) Hear No Evil Media, Audio Production by Erik Hulslander How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest – Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store – Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves

Let's talk about equestrian travel and a lot more! Not only do we plan to ride over and talk about equestrian travel, but today is a first for Travel Connections! We have a repeat guest! Laura Fernandez first came on the show during the podcast's launch back in Episode #5. We have asked her back on the show again because there is so much more to talk about! But first, let me give you a little background on Laura. Laura Fernandez is a trailblazer in the audio space, which led her to her current position as SXM Media's Travel + Tourism VP-Head of Industry. Her work has focused on developing media solutions that connect travel brands with their target consumers in innovative ways using the power of SXM Media (SiriusXM, Soundcloud, Pandora, Stitcher, and more). Laura has expertly weaved together SXM Media's assets with the needs and habits of travelers and guided brands to target the audience when they are most engaged. Laura is undoubtedly no stranger to the relationship and similar emotional impact and relief that music and travel can have on people. With both her personal and professional affinity for music, her radio career quickly evolved after joining SXM Media, where she would go on to launch vertical divisions for Casinos, Tourism, and eventually Travel. Laura is passionate about the ever-evolving audio industry and enjoys educating brands on how they can take advantage of the audio platform's captivated audiences. In this episode: Travel is Back! How travel brands are investing in audio Audio is an excellent complement to any marketing plan Equestrian travel The benefits of active travel The importance of being authentic Laura's upcoming global travel plans Laura's new podcast! Listening to Laura offer her insights into travel and the audio experience was such a treat. Her new podcast The 3 Stride Podcast hosted by Laura, Julia, and Molly is a great idea and perfect for anyone who wants to learn, laugh, and hear more about the world of horses. I hope you will go and listen! Check the show notes below for links. Links to people and places in this episode! @lauragailfernandez - Instagram The 3 Stride Podcast - Laura's new podcast with equestrian friends Julia Hanssen and Molly Heroy SiriusXM Soundcloud Pandora Stitcher Wanderful - Beth Santos Hear No Evil Media, Audio Production by Erik Hulslander How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest – Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store – Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves

What is active travel? & How is a podcast created? Today's episode is a two-for-one! I am introducing you to the man behind the mixing board of this podcast, Erik Hulslander. With his expertise, every episode sounds professional and fantastic! We will take you behind the scenes of Travel Connections and how Erik, my audio engineer, is an active global traveler and marathon runner. He loves to see the world on foot, 26.2 miles at a time. How brilliant is that? Here's a little background. Erik Hulslander is a multi-disciplined audio engineer who provided sound for award-winning films, edited dialog for a Best of the iTunes Store meditation app, and worked in a recording studio that helped define the Seattle Grunge Rock sound. And that was all before starting his own post-production company, Hear No Evil Media. He has worked on podcasts for national hospitals, futurists, indigenous peoples, entrepreneurs, and travel writers like me! Erik's music education began in 1986 with an Atari Computer and music notation software. He continued with music and recording into high school, starting college early and earning three degrees in music and recording arts and science. Erik is also an avid marathon participant. He's traveled around the globe to run in races in iconic locations like Qatar, Paris Disney, The Great Wall of China, and many more. He's currently challenging himself to run 20 marathons this year alone. That is impressive! In this episode, you will learn: How is a podcast made? How Erik creates a template with multiple tracks that becomes the episode How we "speak in cursive." The Best of Active Travel What is active travel, and why is it so appealing? Can it be defined in several ways? How running marathons around the world allow Erik to see parts of a city that you may never discover otherwise Running marathons has enhanced his travel experience and he can't imagine any other way to see the world Travel Stories Erik also shares a heartfelt and poignant travel connection story that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Also... In Episode #9, "Walking the Camino de Santiago – An Exhilarating & Inspiring Adventure", I talked with Meg Maloney, author of Slow Your Roll. She shared her remarkable experience walking the Camino de Santiago. Erik shares his unique tale of the Camino as well! It is so fun to see how our travel stories can connect us (even my guests) in so many ways. Links in this podcast: Hear No Evil Media Podcast Audio Production by Erik Hulslander Episode #9 Walking the Camino de Santiago – An Exhilarating & Inspiring Adventure How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest - Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store - Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves

Today's episode is a fun and personal kind of catch-up episode. Did you know that our debut episode for Travel Connections was published on October 1, 2021? We have created 17 episodes thus far! I am so thrilled that I joined this new platform. Have you listened yet? I love talking with other people in the travel space. The podcast gives me a unique opportunity to go even further inside of a tour or a destination and into the hearts of travel experts to hear their personal stories. In addition, we get to hear about their travel connections. This new experience has been an absolute delight! Truthfully, a lot is happening in my world! I don't talk about my travel all that much on the podcast because I would much rather hear from my guests. But on this solo episode, I will offer my travel ideas and Spring adventures! Trips to Remember and Travel Ideas My first big trip after the Pandemic was in September of 2021. I had a glorious time in Italy hosted by Coleen Kirnan of Tuscan Women Cook. I interviewed Coleen in Episode #3, so you must go back and listen! The second part of the trip took us to Milan, where we toured with Alice Salvagnin from Milan Private Tours. I asked Alice to be one of our first guests on Travel Connections, so you are missing out if you have not yet listened to her stories and beautiful accent. My conversation with Alice is on Episode #6. We concluded our trip in dreamy Lake Como. In this Spring-focused episode, you will find: Details of Spring in the Pacific Northwest Hear about a fun itinerary for where to find the daffodil fields, tulip festival, and cherry blossoms! La Conner and Mt Vernon, WA, Skagit Valley, WA Future travel for Suzanne Living in the Pacific Northwest, I have a brand new appreciation for sunshine and seasons. I watch for signs of spring after a long winter, sometimes long wet winter. Living in a climate where the seasons are distinct really makes you appreciate each sprinkle and ray of sunshine. Flower Photos Seeing the rainbow of colors in the tulip and daffodil fields is quite a sight! In my Fine Art America Shop, I offer a few select tulip and daffodil photographs where you can make prints, notecards, t-shirts, pillows, iPhone cases, and even shower curtains. You can go to click => HERE Future 2022 & Travel Ideas Later this year, I will be in Napa Valley, CA, Ireland, and Scotland, and with any luck, my friends in Thailand and Japan will be back open for business! It would be so incredible to see these countries again. I would love to hear about your travel adventures. Please tell me what's happening in your travel world! You can send me an email to [email protected] and share your travel with me. Tell me where you plan to go or where you have been to recently. For the first 20 listeners who email me, I will send you a #findadventure luggage tag. I created these tags several years ago to spread the #findadventure movement! They are super clever, happy, and make your black bag stand out in a crowd! So send me an email, and I will send you a free luggage tag! Don't forget to check out the links in the Show Notes! Links in this podcast: Episode #3 A Culinary Adventure with Tuscan Women Cook Episode #6 Travel to Italy Today: A Conversation with Milan Private Tours Episodes 13, 14 & 15 - The Whidbey Island, WA Trilogy! How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest - Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store - Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves Whidbey & Camano Islands Nell Thorn Waterfront Bistro & Pub - La Conner, WA Christianson's Nursery Genuine Skagit Valley

Tours by International Culinary Tours are perfect for savvy travelers looking for experiential travel enjoyed outdoors with small groups. Does the idea of a culinary tour sound enticing? Since 1990, International Culinary Tours has been one of the premier boutique tour operators specializing in culinary, wine, and cooking tours to Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and Morocco. They have also expanded their tours to include ones with an added focus on wellness, including yoga, pilates, and hiking. There are new tours for 2022/2023 that will take you to Croatia, Greece, Japan & Chile. The world is your oyster! My conversation with International Culinary Tours host and owner Cindy Stephan was so informative and fun! She speaks Spanish, French, and Italian and has traveled extensively worldwide, having created, organized, and escorted over 100 international tours. In this episode, Cindy shares a myriad of inspiring travel stories and why travel is vital to connecting, eating delicious food, and new friendships. Cindy Stephan started Advantage Tennis Tours in 1990, specializing in organizing tours to the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments and other major tennis tournaments around the globe. About ten years ago, when the internet complicated how we purchase sports events tickets, she transitioned to focus on wine and cooking tours with her new company, International Culinary Tours. The relationships she and her team built with tour guides and international accommodations in Italy, France, and Spain for pre or post-tennis tours allowed her to make this successful change for her business. Small Groups, Big Rewards International Culinary Tours are conveniently created to be on the small side, with just 10-14 travelers. This smaller group allows for a slower and relaxed pace, and Cindy and her global team can offer guests unique and special accommodations. Fewer guests allow for intimate and personal settings too. I asked Cindy about her favorite stories and personal travel connections. She has so many, considering she has led over 100 tours! She shared a particularly touching story about taking a small group on the Camino de Santiago in Spain and how closely connected her guests felt while walking the Camino. Walking 14 miles each day, spending time with others, and your thoughts can be quite a moving experience! With travelers deciding where to spend their precious travel dollars, these small group tours could be the key to travel success. Savvy travelers are looking for experiential travel and adventures enjoyed outdoors and with small groups of people. In my experience, having someone else take care of the details is the best way to enjoy a trip to a new destination! Why does Cindy Stephan love sharing her tours? I asked Cindy why she continues to lead these tours and how she successfully managed the challenges of the Pandemic and traveling. She said that she loves the stories her guests shared and is giving them something that would be hard to create on their own. Her passion for travel and her guests is inspiring, and her unique connections with the local tour guides and local accommodations are priceless! This type of travel is just what we need going forward! I can't wait to get back to touring. How about you? This summary is just a small sample of my enlightening conversation with Cindy Stephan. I hope you come over to Travel Connections to listen to the full episode and learn how you can also live the dream of travel through local cuisine and authentic experiences designed by a team of travel experts. Remember to sign up to receive an episode summary when our episodes are published every two weeks! Don't miss the important links to this episode below! Links in this podcast: International Culinary Tours Instagram link: @InternationalCulinaryTours How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest - Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store - Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves

Art & Life on Whidbey Island In Part Three of my special three-part series of Whidbey Island, WA, I have a wonderful conversation with Holly and David Price. The couple moved from Seattle to Whidbey 28 years ago, and they built their dream home on five acres on the South end of the island. David has developed his career as a painter, showing in galleries in California, Oregon, Arizona, and Seattle. His encaustic paintings are now sold exclusively at his own gallery in the town of Langley as a part of the brick and mortar shop they opened eight years ago. Their shop, called "edit." features a curated collection of 80 independent makers of goods the couple use themselves, including a line of Lithuanian linen clothing for women, Not Perfect Linen. So what exactly does "encaustic" mean? David explains that any art created with beeswax, tree resin, and oil pigment is encaustic. We purchased a gorgeous piece of David's and had so much fun getting to know this amazing couple! In this episode, both Holly and David talk about the benefits of living in a more rural environment, yet the proximity to Seattle and urban activities is just a short drive away. Some of the questions they answered for me are: What is it like to live in a tourist destination? What are your favorite places to visit when you aren't at "edit" or creating art? What do you love about owning a unique store like "edit"? How did you manage through the pandemic? This episode is an exciting conversation filled with travel stories, island life, and an insider's view the darling island of Whidbey. You will love Holly and David! To receive the full benefit of the three-part series, please also listen to Episode #13, A Spectacular Weekend on Whidbey Island, WA – I Am Smitten! and Episode #14, A Fantastic Conversation with Whidbey Island Restaurateur Jenn Jurriaans. Remember to sign up to receive an episode summary when our episodes are published every two weeks! Important Links! Go Whidbey Camano Islands edit. , Instagram: @editwhidbey David Price Artist, Instagram: @DavidPriceArtist The Star Store How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest - Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store - Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves #FindAdventure Luggage Tags

In Part Two of my special three-part series of Whidbey Island, WA, I have a fantastic conversation with restaurateur and business owner Jenn Jurriaans. She takes us through her early connections growing up visiting Whidbey Island as a child to their exciting beginnings creating their restaurant Prima Bistro. Prima Bistro is a Northwest Bistro inspired by French Classics located in Langley on Whidbey Island. They offer an impressive wine list, a menu that changes with the seasons, and a full cocktail bar. Jenn and her Executive Chef husband Sieb Jurriaans also own Saltwater Fish House & Oyster Bar and now the newly opened Seabiscuit Bakery. Running restaurants during the Pandemic was obviously an incredible challenge, but Jenn shares how her passionate and capable team managed to pivot and look at their business differently without customers sitting in the restaurant. Everyone joined together to do everything and anything they could! So inspiring! It was such a privilege to learn how it feels to run successful businesses in a destination city. Whidbey is an extraordinary place to visit, and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing where Jenn, her husband Sieb, and her daughters like to get away and a couple of favorite spots to eat as well. Getting to know the people of Whidbey Island has been such a joy for me, and we have one more interview to complete our series! Next up are Holly and David Price, owners of edit, a beautiful boutique featuring products from artisans worldwide. David is also an architect and a talented artist. We talk about that too! Taking you inside of this destination has been such a pleasure! I fell head over heels for Whidbey Island the minute I drove off of the ferry. There is so much to explore and enjoy! Make sure you check the links from the places we discussed. See below! Remember to sign up to receive an episode summary when our episodes are published every two weeks! Find Episode #1 Here -> A Spectacular Weekend on Whidbey Island, WA - I Am Smitten! Important Links! Go Whidbey Camano Islands Prima Bistro Saltwater Fish House & Oyster Bar Seabiscuit Bakery Mukilteo Coffee Roasters Penn Cove Shellfish Freeland Cafe Langley Whale Center How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest - Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store - Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves

This is a personal introduction created just for you and it's all about our spectacular weekend getaway on Whidbey Island, in Washington. On each episode of Travel Connections, I ask each guest: "Travel Connections is about the deeper connections we make when we travel. I would love to hear about special trips and connections or personal travel stories that have made an impact." So this introduction to Whidbey is my travel story for you! During the summer of 2020, my husband and I moved from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest. We now live about 30 minutes east of Downtown Seattle. So we have a lot of exploring and discovering to do and that's exactly what we've done. We have discovered local farms, wineries, small towns, gorgeous places to hike and kayak. There's so much that the Northwest has to offer! Smitten with Whidbey Island My connection to this destination was instant. I knew I had found something unique and I was going to love it. I was so smitten that I decided to create a trio of episodes devoted to Whidbey and a couple of the people who contribute to the specialness of the island. (There are many special people we could talk with, but you know there is only so much time!) In this episode, I quickly take you through our itinerary, a couple of the places we ate, and introduce you to three terrific people that Craig and I personally connected with! My goal is to take you inside of a destination and give you a taste of what it feels like to visit. In my next two episodes, you will meet business owners Holly and David Price who own edit, a gorgeous shop full of eclectic, yet practical items you would use every day. They curate beautiful things that are made by over 80 different craftspeople from around the world. David is also an architect and gifted artist and Craig and I purchased one of his encaustic paintings. What is encaustic? Come listen to the episode to find out! Additionally, Jenn Jurriaans will be my guest on a future episode as well. She is the co-owner of several restaurants Prima Bistro, Saltwater, and Seabiscuit Bakery along with her chef husband Sieb. Jenn and I enjoyed a wonderful conversation and we talked about the restaurant business, family, travel and how they managed to survive COVID lockdowns during the Pandemic. Their team pulled together and their story is quite inspiring! I hope you enjoy this suite of episodes which allows me to dive a little deeper into a destination rather than cover it in just one episode! Remember to sign up to receive an episode summary when our episodes are published every two weeks! Places mentioned in this introductory episode! Go Whidbey Camano Islands The Braeburn Restaurant Callahan's Firehouse Studio & Gallery Inn at Langley Moonraker Books Prima Bistro Saltwater Fish House & Oyster Bar Seabiscuit Bakery Ciao How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest - Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store - Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves Hear No Evil Media Podcast Audio Production by Erik Hulslander

Wow, I had such a great conversation with Marilyn Ball of Speaking of Travel. Through her love of responsible travel and adventures, she uses her podcast Speaking of Travel as a portal for great storytelling from others who have unique travel stories. As a nature lover and environmentalist, Marilyn helps raise awareness of the natural environments of local communities by creating a support network and a community for travel lovers around the globe so we all can all do our part to become more aware global citizens. Marilyn Ball is a maverick in the field of podcasting and created her radio show on iHeart Radio before the platform of podcasting became popular. Her enthusiasm about "finding your purpose" and taking care of the globe is inspiring. She shared personal travel connections through her travel to Cuba and by taking the Honor Flight with US Veterans. What a story! Are you familiar? Podcasting and Storytelling Marilyn shares how the way we market has changed and how important it is for brands to tell their story. Customers want to know why companies do what they do and why it is essential. We can dive deeper into a subject through podcasting to bring more authenticity to the audience. I love this! Responsible Travel Speaking of Travel is an IHeart Radio show and a podcast and today, more than ever, it is an asset for travelers and those who dream of traveling. Travel opens our minds and our hearts. If you love to travel or just dream of someday taking a dream vacation, Speaking of Travel is where to get inspired and learn from others how travel impacts your life. Her podcast brings awareness to the travel and tourism industry that focuses on sustainability and education. People love to travel to forests for hiking, biking, chasing waterfalls, river rafting, birding, and just exploring and enjoying natural places. Today there is so much potential to improve social, cultural, and economic well-being. Speaking of Travel provides a platform within the show to talk about sustainable travel and driving awareness around the impact of travel and how to become more responsible. I was a guest on her podcast on two separate occasions. We talked about life in the Empty Nest and travel and my most recent trip to Italy in September 2021. Check out the links below for all the scoop! Links in this podcast: Speaking of Travel Instagram: @speakingoftravel How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest - Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store - Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves Hear No Evil Media Podcast Audio Production by Erik Hulslander Honor Flight Episodes on Speaking of Travel "A Tribute to the Blue Ridge Honor Flight" "Blue Ridge Honor Flight Unites Military Heroes With Their Legacy" Blue Ridge Honor Flight Gives Back to Veterans" Brothers and Sisters Like These Podcast produced by Marilyn Ball - This is a veteran's writing group featuring members who share stories and poems with each other and the public around our state as a part of their healing. The group is part of the NC Veteran's Writing Alliance Foundation. Each of these groups has the goal of supporting veterans as they heal from their war experiences. Suzanne's Episodes on Speaking of Travel "What to Know About Traveling to Italy Today" "Empty Nesters Can Open New Doors To An Adventurous Life"

The Importance of Good Health for Travel and At Home January 2022 is the perfect beginning to create better health! We all need good health for travel and just for living each day. My special guest Eddie Stone, CEO of Touchstone Essentials, is a health industry expert, someone I trust, and a good friend for many years! I am confident that the more information we gather about our health, the better, and if we're all hoping to travel sometime soon, we should feel as healthy and vibrant as possible. The truth is that we do not eat enough real food, and supplements can help bridge the gaps. Eddie and his team at Touchstone Essentials provide people a choice; they educate and share that eating healthy has a cumulative impact. I have so many fantastic takeaways from this episode! My biggest takeaway from this episode is that excellent health doesn't happen overnight, and we should not beat ourselves up too much. Just start working on it one step at a time. We should attack this challenge incrementally. Set yourself up for success. Pick realistic goals. Pick one meal a day and work at eliminating processed foods. Get out and move, move a little more and then build on that. Each time you succeed, it builds confidence. Take supplements to fill in the gaps. Life gets busy! Small steps add up to big rewards. I have been taking Touchstone Essentials products since the very first day it opened its doors almost ten years ago! I know from research and experience that most supplements are not good for you and filled with chemicals and additives, and not only is your health not improving, but you are wasting your money. These are the Touchstone Essentials products my husband and I take each day: Wellspring - Six powerful, plant-based superfoods in one easy-to-take supplement for your essential fatty acids and antioxidants. For my heart and joints. Essentials - Trust the 26 certified organic fruits and veggies in Essentials to give you the high-quality minerals and nutrients your body needs—the perfect multi-vitamin. Supergreens - Support gut health and your digestive tract with 5 billion probiotics, plant-based enzymes, and a prebiotic to strengthen the microbiome. I can't live without this! Pure Body - Trust nature's detoxifier to cleanse your body and digestive system of toxins, heavy metals, and pollutants. Detox! Touchstone Essentials Gives Back - World Central Kitchen World Central Kitchen uses the power of food to heal communities and strengthen economies in times of crisis and beyond. They're often the first to reach areas touched by hardship and are usually the last to leave. To learn more and donate, click => HERE Receive $50 off your first order of Touchstone Essentials with an unconditional guarantee! Go to LivingHealthy.thegoodinside.com I hope my conversation with Eddie was as inspiring for you as it was for me! I wish you great success and excellent health for 2022 and beyond!

As an Italian food lover, today's episode was extra delightful for me as I interviewed executive chef Michael Lombardi of SRV Boston. We met while traveling to Italy on tour with Oldways in Northern Italy. Although he earned his degree in business, his travels to Europe to study Italian cuisine helped pave the way for an illustrious restaurant career in Paris, Italy, New York, and Boston. Food is family, and Michael's Italian heritage also helped fuel his passion for cooking for others and, coupled with practical restaurant experience, was the perfect recipe for success. At his restaurant SRV, located at the South End of Boston, Michael and his team create Italian dishes inspired by the Venetian style Bacaro and wine bar. We talked about his travel experiences in Australia, Fiji and living abroad in Paris and Italy. Our conversation was full of memorable moments: Michael shares his early chef life stories and inspirations How teamwork in sports helped prepare him for a successful restaurant career His unique recipes for Beet Ravioli and Risi e Bisi (Rice & Peas), both celebrated dishes in Northern Italy. Michael feels so fortunate to spend his life doing what he loves and will be opening another restaurant in Boston called Si Cara, where they will create delicious sourdough crust pizza inspired by his travels and family history from Amalfi, Italy. Are you familiar with Italian amaro (Amari is plural) or digestif? Amaro is an herbal liqueur whose name in Italian means "bitter." While different versions exist throughout the world, amaro is specifically Italian. Michael shares his enthusiasm for these cordials as well at the "Aperitivo Hour." An aperitivo (or apéritif) is often described as being similar to the American happy hour, but in reality, it's much more than that. Michael's New Year's Eve Dinner ideas: Cotechino & Lentils (Italian sausage with Lentils) Use luxury ingredients like truffles, oysters, caviar, and champagne Make celebratory dishes! Don't miss the links below! Links in this podcast: SRV Boston Si Cara - Michael's New Pizza Bar Instagram links: @mlombardijr @SRVBoston Suzanne's Culinary Tour in Italy with Chef Michael & Oldways Oldways - A Food & Nutrition Non-Profit How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest - Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store - Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves Hear No Evil Media Podcast Audio Production by Erik Hulslander Touchstone Essentials

Have you ever thought about walking the Camino De Santiago in Spain? Are you familiar with this intriguing challenge? Every year thousands of adventurers from around the world, walk part or all of this ancient pilgrimage 500+ miles across Spain. Travelers are drawn to this journey for their own reasons, and author Meg S. Maloney shares her incredible and insightful adventure in her book Slow Your Roll, Ruminations and Reflections on My Walk Across Spain. I absolutely devoured this book in just a few days! In this captivating episode, we discuss her book, the reasons for taking this prodigious adventure, who she met along the way, and how she met this challenge with conviction. Meg shares, "I wrote this book for those considering this challenging trek and those who have already experienced the Camino and want to live it through another pilgrim's eyes. And I'm sharing my tale for those who may simply be curious about this perspective-bending pilgrimage." Here are a few of my takeaways from our conversation: Do whatever it takes and make it happen. The fear of a challenge is normal. The rewards outweigh the discomfort and fear. Just go for it. There is something exhilarating and thrilling about facing a big challenge. Meg met people from many different countries on her journey across Spain. Her inspiring connections with other travelers offer such a feeling of hope and foster global friendship. This episode is just so good! You don't want to miss it! I promise you will come away inspired, enlightened, and so happy you spent quality time listening to our conversation! Meg has continued to make a concerted effort to "Slow Her Roll" by living at a slower pace. Sounds pretty awesome to me. Is walking the Camino de Santiago on your bucket list? You can purchase her book Slow Your Roll => HERE. Links in this podcast: Slow Your Roll, Ruminations & Reflections On My Walk Across Spain How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest - Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store - Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves Hear No Evil Media Podcast Audio Production by Erik Hulslander Touchstone Essentials

Suzy Mighell is a Dallas-based influencer and the personality and content creator behind the popular blog and lifestyle brand Empty Nest Blessed. EmptyNestBlessed.com is where Suzy shares everything from fashion and beauty to travel, wellness, parenting, and more! Known for her joyful spirit, she shares her life with her followers while creating content to encourage and inspire them. Suzy has collaborated with brands including Nordstrom, Proctor & Gamble, Walmart, Johnson & Johnson, General Mills, Draper James, Chico's, and Easy Spirit. In addition to creating content for Empty Nest Blessed, Suzy has appeared in InStyle magazine and written articles featured on numerous websites, made TV appearances, and is a frequent podcast guest. During our lively discussion, Suzy shared her insightful ideas for family travel, connecting with your grown children, and even hostessing ideas for those who don't love being a host. One of her many talents is to inspire women to live purposefully in this second half of life. She feels that "Women are multi-faceted and multilayered, and Empty Nest Blessed reflects this." Just a few of the nuggets you will find in this episode: Holiday Gift Ideas for Empty Nesters and their families Tips for tech, family travel, and style must-haves Encouraging ideas for living your BEST life! Fun & wearable trends for the season Our very own fashion page, just for Travel Connections listeners! Suzy is such a delight and spreads sunshine wherever she goes, and I am so thrilled to have her gift guide to help me buy the perfect gifts this holiday season.! I also really appreciate her creating a page just for Travel Connections listeners where she offers many adorable outfit ideas. Make sure you head over to that page where you can get all the scoop. This is the link => HERE! By the way, I already bought the velvet leggings she suggested; they are a fabulous addition to my holiday wardrobe. Thanks again for listening, and if you enjoy what you hear, please take a minute to leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Hey travelers, Welcome to Episode, lucky number 7. This is a super exciting episode for me! I absolutely love to read, and travel has provided me with the perfect excuse for keeping my nose in a book. I read books made of paper as well as read electronically on my iPad. I am not the one who is downloading and binging on the latest Netflix series. No, I am deliriously happy to sit and read for hours on the plane, guilt-free. The holidays are coming, and everyone is in gift-giving mode, so I thought I would share titles that fill my soul and make me smile - I am sharing my current favorite top eight books that are about food and travel. There are obviously so many to choose from, but these titles are ones you may not be that familiar with the exception of the first one on the list Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. I take you through the list and share what I like about them and offer a few travel connections of my own. Do You Use A Reading Journal? Do you log your reading? I have been keeping a simple reading journal since 2005, but there is a new journal I talk about on the podcast called My Reading Life, A Book Journal by Anne Bogel. I plan to use my new copy very soon and have purchased other copies to give as gifts for Christmas. Even if you are not a big reader, you will enjoy hearing the stories that go along with each of these titles. Earlier this year I wrote a popular blog post on my blog AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com where I share 15 Books About Food & Travel That Saved Me During the Pandemic. So I decided to talk about this list in a podcast episode! Great idea! I only talk about half of them, it was too much book talk for one episode! You can click on the link above to get the full list. Here is the list of my favorite food & travel books in no particular order: My Reading Life, A Book Journal - Anne Bogel Kitchen Confidential - Anthony Bourdain It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time - Moira Hodgson Cork Dork - Bianca Bosker Mastering the Art of French Eating and The Lost Vintage - Ann Mah L'appart "The Delights and Disasters of Making Paris Home"- David Lebowitz Travels with Charley in Search of America - John Steinbeck Slow Your Roll - Meg S. Maloney Make sure you check out the show notes below! Links in this podcast: List of Favorite Books on Amazon A Culinary Adventure With Tuscan Women Cook (Episode 2) How to Find Adventure & Thrive in the Empty Nest - Suzanne's E-Book My Amazon Travel Store - Suzanne's Favorite Must-Haves Hear No Evil Media Podcast Audio Production by Erik Hulslander Touchstone Essentials

I have just returned from a glorious 16 day trip to Italy. It was so important to me to share my adventures with you and tell you the truth of what it's like to travel now in 2021. In this episode, you will find current and practical information for a trip to Europe. Protocols and rules may change, but this will give you some great info regarding Passenger Locator Forms and my experience with COVID tests. Travel to Italy? You bet! The beautiful city of Milan was the focus of the second half of my tour of Northern Italy. I met my husband Craig in Milan, and we had never been to Milan before, so it was imperative to me to utilize the time we had. So I asked another Italian guide that I know, her name is Alice Rossi and she specializes in food and wine in the Emilia Romagna region. She referred me to Alice Salvagnin and her company, Milan Private Tours. I reached out to Alice and asked if she had time to give us a tour, how it all worked, and she was so gracious and so lovely. We had several email exchanges to figure out exactly what we were going to see in the time that we had. My highest priority was to see The Last Supper, and so at the suggestion of Alice, we made that appointment first, and the rest of the tour was scheduled around it. Alice took care of everything! Her commentary on Da Vinci's artistic method was captivating. Did you know that Leonardo created a 3D experience? You will be as intrigued as we were! We spent such quality time touring with Alice, she dazzled us with her knowledge, and it absolutely blew me away how much she knew about the history of Italy and art and architecture. I thought she would be the perfect guest to bring on Travel Connections to talk about the city of Milan. I don't think every traveler thinks of Milan first when they decide to travel to Italy. And I really think they should. Obviously, you need to go to Rome, Florence, Venice, and if there is time to Tuscany and down into the south. And I think that most people are familiar with those big cities; I don't know that every traveler is that familiar with Milan. You are in for a treat. Alice is an expert guide who grew up in Milan, and she will amaze you with her knowledge of the Last Supper and Milan Cathedral, and her travel connection stories are fascinating! Have you heard of this "little" band called Metallica? Wait until you hear how she spent time with James Hetfield; it is such a great story!

Can audio change your life? I think it can, how about you? Wow, did I have an exciting and fun-filled discussion with Laura. Let me introduce you! Laura Fernandez is a trailblazer in the audio space, which led her to her current position as SXM Media's Travel + Tourism VP-Head of Industry. Her work has focused on developing media solutions that connect travel brands with their target consumers in innovative ways using the power of SXM Media, which includes SiriusXM, Soundcloud, Pandora, Stitcher, and more. Laura has expertly weaved together SXM Media's assets with the needs and habits of travelers and guided brands to target them when they are most engaged effectively. Laura is no stranger to the relationship and similar emotional impact and relief that music and travel can have on people. With both her personal and professional affinity for music, her radio career quickly evolved after joining SXM Media, where she would launch vertical divisions for Casinos, Tourism, and eventually Travel. Laura is passionate about the ever-evolving audio industry and enjoys educating brands on the various ways they can take advantage of audio platform's captivated audiences. Many positive benefits of audio While many industries were hit hard during the pandemic, the business of audio saw 32% growth! Do you know why? Laura shared how audio is a mood booster and that listening to your favorite music or podcast between zoom calls or while exercising makes you feel happy! I completely agree! We sure did search for happiness-enhancing vehicles during 2020, didn't we? Laura and I talked a lot about the importance of business travel and how we see an increase in this area of travel. Nothing can replace the personal connections we feel with others by talking with them in person. Doing business virtually has been the best way to keep business moving forward, but people need people! Amen to that! Those of us in the travel space continue to support each other as best we can by adapting new protocols to keep each other safe and continue nurturing these relationships. As Laura said, "The Travel Industry is family." She also shares a poignant story about how travel connects her with others in the travel space and her experience hosting a webinar in New York City just before the world shut down in March of 2020. It was such a compelling story! Make sure you listen all the way to the end of the episode where we talk about her passion for riding her show horses Contact and Garcon and how her jumping competitions provide another way to explore sports tourism. What a fun reason for travel! I hope you join me by exploring the world of podcasts and music and the vast array of opportunities we have to find them. SXM Media offers so many fantastic options like Soundcloud, Pandora, SiriusXM, and Stitcher.

Sara Baer-Sinnott is President of Oldways and it is a nonprofit food and nutrition organization helping people live healthier, happier lives, through cultural food, traditions and lifestyles. She has been an instrumental figure at Oldways since its early days, joining the staff in 1992. Oldways was created to preserve and promote traditional foods and traditional ways of eating. The founder Dun Gifford, through travel had found that a lot of the "old ways" were being lost. So he founded Oldways to preserve and promote them. The mission is to help people live healthier, happier lives, through cultural food traditions, like the Mediterranean diet, which was one of the first programs Sara assumed the presidency of Oldways in May 2010 where she develops company strategy, oversees all Oldways projects and programs and works closely with the members of the Oldways staff. Sara shared that Oldways has lots of wonderful friends all over the world that help spread the word of healthy eating. Although obesity has increased, she is very hopeful because so many more people care about where their food comes from, and they want to learn more. To eat really great food is to value the people that helped to produce it, and that they do it with care and love and she has found that people who are in the food world really care and are loving, sharing people! To continue creating awareness for healthy eating and the Mediterranean diet, Oldways created "Culinarias" where chefs from around the world help educate, and demonstrate from local ingredients. Suzanne enjoyed a tour with Oldways to the Veneto where she learned directly from chefs in addition to touring the local sights and hearing from local food purveyors. This idea is such a valuable and exciting way to celebrate cuisine through travel! Come hear more on the podcast!

Coleen Kirnan is the host and owner of Tuscan Women Cook. Suzanne enjoyed the tour four years ago and had an incredible time there learning to cook the most delicious Italian dishes. Imagine having a best friend in Tuscany, who knows all the best places to cook, to dine, and to shop. She is on a first-name basis with the best gelato makers and has exclusive access to the most spectacular vineyards where they'll create personal wine tastings just for you. This friend also is a master travel planner who takes every detail off your plate and creates an insider's itinerary filled with friendly, knowledgeable tour guides, translators, drivers, and private cooking classes. Only a local resident would know about can you believe this is real? I promise you this is really real I lived it and I loved it. Tuscan Women Cook has been in existence since the year 2000. and they are one of the original farm to table immersion cooking schools where the nonne (or Italian grandma's) do the instructing. Just imagine learning 5-7 dishes each day, while enjoying all of your cooking and touring the extraordinary countryside of Tuscany! Coleen shares her deep friendships with the lovely local people of Montefollonico, the newly renovated accommodations of I Castagni and how the connections the guests make here last a lifetime. Learn about incredible Italian wines, pair them with delicious local dishes in the finest local restaurants and even learn more about the world of organic beekeeping. Your days are filled, yet there is still time to enjoy the views of the Tuscan hillside towns, local historic architecture and indulge in a little shopping at the market in Siena. Sheer perfection.

In this solo episode about the transformative powers of travel, Suzanne shares how her first trip abroad as a UCLA college coed fueled her passion for travel, why she created Travel Connections, and what you can expect to hear in the coming episodes. How did she manage to see The Rolling Stones with tens of thousands of Austrians in a football stadium outside of Vienna? This life-changing moment was part of this European tour she took at just 19 years old. Her interviews with fascinating & adventurous people will bring you inside the world of travel and spark your curiosity to learn more. The pandemic has thrown travel into a brand new spotlight. Companies are scrambling to keep up with what is right and what doesn't feel good. There is no correct answer. But if there was a way for her to support and help this industry, talking about travel and the connections we make through travel, it was a great way to do it. Every two weeks she will publish an interview with someone in the field and talk about what they do in this fantastic industry. Is there anything better than delightful storytelling? To visualize faraway places, tickle your taste buds for authentic local cuisine, or laugh at a fun and personal anecdote? She will talk with some great people and learn a whole bunch about things we never knew existed. She plans to share some super fun details of her travel adventures and dive deeper into the guests' stories as well. You will be introduced to people and companies you may not have heard of, or heard from before. Suzanne is always looking to find adventure and find new things and new places. And that's one of the reasons that she listens to podcasts. You can find all of that here on Travel Connections every two weeks.

I invite you to come with me to discover and celebrate the people and experiences that make travel so special. Through our stories and connections, our world expands as we grow closer.