A Ten-Year Travel Dream Come True: Chiloé Island, Chile
Travel Connections
This is the story of a destination we waited ten years to experience — and why it was worth every moment. Truly a travel dream come true. As we begin 2026 - and publish this special destination episode, we’re taking you to one of the most remote and magical places we’ve ever traveled: Chiloé Island, located off the southern coast of Chile. This journey has been more than a decade in the making, ever since my husband Craig first discovered a remarkable hotel called Refugia Chiloé. Once again, Craig Stavert is back to share his colorful insights and fun sense of humor! After a recent...
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Tuscany Awaits: Stories, Slow Travel, and One Fabulous Tour
Travel Connections
Welcome to another inspiring episode of Travel Connections! If you’ve been following along, you know how excited I am about our upcoming Travel Connections Tours to Tuscany, launching in spring 2026. Our home base for these unforgettable experiences will be iCastagni, a lovingly restored inn nestled in the storybook hilltop village of Montefollonico. iCastagni is owned by my partners—and dear friends—Tim and Jan Rawlinson, two British expats who have lived around the world before settling into their dream life in Tuscany. They’re charming, insightful, and endlessly passionate...
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Village Life in Tuscany with Author Angela Correll
Travel Connections
Life in Tuscany Today’s episode truly is something special—and not just because my guest has become a cherished friend of the show. Angela Correll is back for her third conversation on Travel Connections (yes, she officially holds the record!), and every time we talk, it feels like slipping into an easy, meaningful conversation over a cappuccino in a sunny piazza. Angela and her husband Jess have been traveling to Italy for more than 25 years, and recently, they restored a former horse stable within the medieval walls of Montefollonico, a tiny Tuscan hilltop village. Their love of this...
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Walking the Camino: An Adventurer’s Journey with Erik Hulslander
Travel Connections
Have you heard of the Camino de Santiago? This centuries-old pilgrimage across Spain draws thousands of travelers each year, each with their own reasons for taking on the journey. The most well-known route, the Camino Francés, stretches more than 500 miles and offers not only a physical challenge but also moments of reflection, connection, and discovery. In this episode, I sit down with Erik Hulslander to hear about his unforgettable experience walking the Camino. You may remember Erik from a —he's a marathon runner, avid traveler, and master storyteller who explores the world one step at a...
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Savoring Summer Cocktails with the Simple Goodness Sisters
Travel Connections
The Simple Goodness Sisters Return with Summer Cocktails! — Sip, Savor, and Celebrate with “Drink Your Garden” The delightful Simple Goodness Sisters are back on Travel Connections, and they’re bringing a bouquet of flavor, fun, and farm-to-glass inspiration with them! Venise Cunningham and Belinda Kelly join us to share all about their brand-new book, : Recipes, Stories and Tips from the Simple Goodness Farm—a gorgeous guide for anyone who loves to mix drinks with intention, beauty, and heart. Plus cocktails and recipes for all seasons, not just for summer. In this lively episode,...
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The Wild Wonders of Morocco
Travel Connections
In this exciting episode, we're taking you deep into the heart of North Africa to explore the enchanting and unforgettable country of Morocco. Have you ever dreamed of off-roading through the Sahara, riding camels through towering dunes, or drinking cocktails on a sun-drenched rooftop in Marrakech? If Morocco has ever been on your travel wish list, or even if it hasn't, this episode might be just the thing to inspire your next adventure. We're calling in The Travelers for this one: Brad Bermingham, Troy Mendenhall, my husband Craig, and me—four longtime friends. We have been exploring the...
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Big Adventures, Big News & A Tuscan Dream Come True
Travel Connections
Welcome back to Travel Connections! In this special update episode, I’m catching you up on what’s been a whirlwind first half of the year—and sharing some truly exciting news! From holiday travels in London and Paris to an awe-inspiring adventure through South America and a recent return from Morocco, it’s been nonstop exploring (and yes, I’ll be sharing all the juicy details soon). I also reflect on some deeply personal moments, including the recent loss of my very special stepfather, and how these experiences only fuel my passion to seize the day and keep finding adventure wherever...
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Getting to Know The Hamptons with Vanessa Gordon
Travel Connections
Welcome to another exciting interview with Travel Connections. My special guest today is Vanessa Gordon—a dynamic and knowledgeable force in the world of culinary travel. As the CEO and Publisher of East End Taste, Vanessa curates a digital publication that explores sustainable and international culinary travel, with a strong focus on seasonal coastal destinations. Her passion for food and travel is infectious, making her a go-to expert for anyone looking to enhance their travel experiences. In 2018, Vanessa launched the Hamptons Interactive Brunch, an annual summer event series that has...
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Inspiring Stories of Life in the Italian Countryside
Travel Connections
Welcome to a fantastic new episode of Travel Connections! In today's episode, we will cover many of the things that I love most! What are they, you ask? Let me give you a small list. Learning about a delightful new book, traveling to Italy, memorable Italian food and wine, discovering and exploring new destinations, and living a life devoted to less stress and more calming views of Italy. How does that sound? In today's episode, I talk with Barbara Boyle. Barbara enjoyed a colorful worldwide career as a creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi, Grey, Lowe, and other advertising agencies,...
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More Adventures in Patagonia with Special Guest Craig Stavert
Travel Connections
Today's episode is near and near my heart. It is part two of the highlights of our tour of Patagonia with our friends from Collette. The tour's name is Patagonia: Edge of the World, and trust me, we actually made it to the edge of the world, and it was exhilarating. In this episode, I will interview and talk with my husband, Craig. He was on tour with me, and it's just a perfect addition to the first conversation I had with Sol Maranon, our Collette tour guide in Part One. If you haven't had a chance to listen to , you should; she's fantastic. She offered her vast knowledge of Patagonia,...
info_outlineWelcome to another episode of Travel Connections. Once again, we hit a home run with our next guest. Aurora Echo lives on Whidbey Island, WA, and owns a delightfully successful business called Wildly Beloved Foods.
It's interesting; Aurora only validates that every time I visit Whidbey Island, WA, I meet someone new who impresses me. I am once again reminded of how exceptional this destination truly is. My husband and I have visited the island many times, rain or shine, during the summer or while the snow is falling. It is located only about an hour north of Seattle, depending on traffic and ferry wait time. We absolutely love it.
Whidbey Island and the people who live there are so fascinating that you will find that we have created several podcast episodes in which I have interviewed many intriguing guests who all live on the island. What better way to share a destination than to tell the story through the locals who live there?
Artisanal Pasta on Whidbey Island, WA
Recently, I had the opportunity to meet a powerhouse of a woman who created her own business out of necessity and from a passion for culinary adventures. Aurora Echo created Wildly Beloved Foods, where she makes delicious pasta with healthy, organic ingredients. The minute I met her, I knew she had to come on the podcast and tell her story. It's just too good! Her tenacity and strength to overcome many challenges and succeed to where she is right now inspires me!
Highlights in this episode:
- How passion and tenacity helped to create an organic pasta business
- Why organic food matters- What is the 'Dirty Dozen'?
- Aurora shares sage advice about starting a new business
- How does Whidbey Island fit into the success of Wildly Beloved Foods?
- What are some of the challenges that female business owners face?
- Why is environmentally friendly packaging important to Aurora?
- Suggestions for a trip to Whidbey Island, WA!
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Other Podcast Episodes Featuring Whidbey Island:
A Spectacular Weekend on Whidbey Island - I am Smitten!
A Conversation with Restaurateur Jenn Jurrians
Art & Life on Whidbey Island with Holly & David Price
Kayaking and Island Life on Whidbey Island