Welcome to part two of our three-part series focusing on Whidbey and Camano Islands. In this series, we talk about how important the concept of regenerative travel can be for the destination and the visitors who spend time there. If you have not had a chance to listen to Part One, you will hear my delightful conversation with Mona Campbell; go ahead and take 30 minutes to listen to how the tourism board of Embrace Whidbey and Camano Islands is implementing this more thoughtful view of tourism. W...
Jul 06, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Just north of Seattle, in the heart of the scenic Salish Sea, sit two of the most charming island destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Camano and Whidbey Islands offer different experiences with each season. A colorful palate of locally owned shops and restaurants provides deep and delicious connections to the community and the land. Off-the-beaten-path trails and beaches share sanctuary, solitude, and a deeper connection with the incredible marine and forest ecosystems that thrive within thes...
Jun 23, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Welcome to a speedy episode of Travel Connections. Summer Travel? Yes, it has begun! The good news is that travel is back, and I am having a blast, but the not-so-good news is that it doesn’t leave time for much else. So instead of an entire episode, I offer you an informative summer travel update and upcoming special guest news. Summer Travel Highlights: We have quite the summer planned. Up first - Travel to Tuscany, Italy, with Tuscan Women Cook. As an ambassador, I am now a part of the team a...
May 24, 2023•9 min•Season 2Ep. 9
We have another fantastic episode devoted to travel! Join me as I go behind the scenes with Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, Collette's President & Chief Customer Experience Officer. My relationship with Collette goes back five glorious years. I have been fortunate to tour with their team on two epic trips. I traveled to Japan on the Cultural Treasures of Japan tour, and the second fantastic tour was to explore Iceland on the Land of Fire & Ice tour. This delightful conversation is packed with fascina...
May 12, 2023•58 min•Season 2Ep. 8
So you want to learn more about cruising? You have come to the right place! My friends and fellow travel writers Ann and Steve Teget have taken over twenty different cruises - all over the world. If you need a question answered, they are just the pair to do it! Ann and Steve began writing about their travels in 2014 when Ann was diagnosed with two chronic illnesses and needed a hobby to lift her spirits. Since then, their blog, PostcardJar.com , has blossomed into a joy-filled site that inspires...
Apr 28, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 7
What is it really like to take a Viking Cruise? This episode is part of a three-part series I created to talk about cruising. I invited friends and colleagues Lina and David Stock of Divergent Travelers to speak with me about cruising in Part One. In this episode, we will discuss my experiences sailing with Viking Cruises . In Part Three of the series, you are going to meet my friends, Ann and Steve Teget, of Postcard Jar . They are travel writers and global travelers who have taken over 20 crui...
Apr 14, 2023•25 min•Season 2Ep. 6
More adventure travel, please! Adventure travel is red hot, and no two people personify this type of travel more than my guests, Lina and David Stock of Divergent Travelers. Holy cow, they are so exciting and have stories that will blow your mind. I am not exaggerating in the slightest. You will also learn how adventure travel and cruising go super well together! We cover a lot of ground during this interview. Our conversation is part one of a three-part series devoted to cruising . Not your gra...
Mar 31, 2023•48 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Farm-to-Table-Talk If you are like me, the words "farm-to-table" make me sit up and take notice. I just love to make and eat food that is fresh and locally sourced. Using ingredients grown and created nearby where I live supports my local community and improves our way of life, but I don't necessarily connect these farm-to-table words to cocktails . However, I sure do now! I am always looking for local businesses doing great and innovative things. It was such fun to read about sisters Venise and...
Mar 17, 2023•45 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Are you looking for small group tours for women? I sure am! Once you meet and hear from my special guest, Shelly Wildman of Walkabout Tours, you will be ready to pack your bags! Shelly and I had the best time talking about all things travel. The demand is high and discerning travelers are looking for just the right tour + adventure! Just imagine that a dear friend has planned a trip just for you and your closest girlfriends where you visit tiny villages, eat local cuisine, and explore historic s...
Mar 03, 2023•35 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Do you travel during the holidays? We love to go somewhere where the holiday decor is bright and sparkling. We don't always leave on December 26th, however! Travel during the holiday season can be challenging, but it is also a unique time of year to see a new destination. We tried something new, and we traveled to Dublin, Ireland, and Edinburgh, Scotland, to enjoy the holiday cheer and spend New Year's Eve watching the fireworks display over the historic Edinburgh Castle. It was EPIC! Was it col...
Feb 17, 2023•30 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Are you looking for more travel inspiration? Well, Hi there, everyone. It's been three months, did you miss me? Over here at Travel Connections , we took a three-month hiatus. I wasn't sure I would like it and was kind of afraid you all might forget me. But this is not true, right?? It was great to have a few months to catch up on other projects and travel! In this opening episode of Season 2, I share that we are celebrating Ten Years of adventures with my blog and website AdventuresofEmptyNeste...
Feb 03, 2023•16 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Exciting News from your favorite Travel Podcast! I am very excited to share this episode with you! I know I say that before every episode, but seriously, this is cause for celebration. In this episode, I will be interviewed by my creative business coach and podcast mentor, Linsi Brownson. We are turning the interview spotlight on me! Linsi has been instrumental in supporting this challenging goal of creating a brand-new podcast! We are celebrating the first anniversary of Travel Connections , an...
Oct 28, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Let me introduce you to Angela Correll, a Kentucky writer, world traveler, and hospitality expert. Welcome to Part Four of The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Series , where we delve into the super popular Bourbon Industry, explore beautiful towns in Kentucky, and talk about the fantastic food scene there as well. My history with Angela is by way of Tuscany! I had to travel all the way to a tiny village in Italy called Montefollonico to meet Angela Correll. Our meeting was kind of accidental but so speci...
Oct 14, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Three words. Ouita is delightful. For those who may not know Ouita, this newest episode in the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Series is an excellent introduction! Anyone you ask about Ouita says the same thing. "She is amazing! Lovely and delightful!" However, just because she is super lovely doesn't mean she isn't uber-talented - Oh, she is VERY TALENTED. I was fortunate enough to talk with Ouita Michel, listen to her insightful thoughts and stories, and discover that we have a lot in common! Not the J...
Sep 30, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Welcome to the second episode devoted to Kentucky and The Kentucky Bourbon Trail. You could say that out of my friendship with my next guest, the idea of this Kentucky Series was created. Heather Sunseri was a part of my audience for my blog Adventures of Empty Nesters , and back in 2019, she learned I was planning to take our first trip to Kentucky to discover The Bourbon Trail. Her knowledge of all things Kentucky was instrumental in our having the best vacation we could imagine. She was so ki...
Sep 15, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 27
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 c...
Sep 02, 2022•51 min•Season 1Ep. 26
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 As...
Aug 05, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 25
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 fortuna...
Jul 21, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 24
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 ...
Jun 24, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 23
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 pas...
Jun 13, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 22
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 gla...
May 27, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 21
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 ...
May 13, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 20
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 p...
Apr 29, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 19
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...
Apr 15, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 18
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, ...
Apr 01, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 17
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. ...
Mar 18, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 16
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 ...
Mar 04, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 15
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 cock...
Feb 18, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 14
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 Sou...
Feb 04, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 13
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 aw...
Jan 21, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 12
