Libsyn Directory

Best of: A California Road Trip Through the Central Coast

Release Date: 10/04/2024

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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,...

More Episodes

Is a California road trip on your bucket list? Have you been? Have you traveled through the Central Coast of California? This episode focuses on a small area of California just north of Santa Barbara. What a place!

In this episode, I share what we did, where we ate, and what we sipped. It was a glorious road trip curated by my daughter-in-law, Kylie. However, I had a BIG reason for creating this adventure! I discovered Elizabeth Poett through her television show called Ranch to Table. Once I learned more about her unique Gatherings at their 14,000-acre ranch, Rancho San Julian, I knew I had to go!

We created a California road trip to the Central Coast all around this special dinner at Rancho San Julian, which is about an hour north of Santa Barbara.

I share the details of this exceptional dinner, highlights of our meals along the way, and excellent wineries you need to visit! I love that this itinerary was specially curated for our taste, but once we went, I knew that you needed to hear all about it. Thank you, Kylie, for your incredible eye for detail and for creating such a fantastic itinerary. Here we go!

Highlights:

Our exceptional experience at a delicious Ranch Table Event at Rancho San Julian with host Elizabeth Poett
Fly into Santa Barbara Airport - It's fantastic!
Travel for a reason
Plan in advance
The benefits of reserving an Airbnb with a small group
Leave room for spontaneity and serendipity in your travels
The unique details of our winery tours and dining experiences in the area are incredible! See the links below!

Next on Travel Connections!

A special interview with Elizabeth Poett from Ranch to Table - Publishing November 1, 2024

Suzanne's Next BIG Trip: South America with Collette! Stay Tuned - There are a few introductory details in this episode! Check out our social media channels to follow along: @suzannestavert on Instagram and @AdventuresofEmptyNesters on Facebook.

Dining on this California Central Coast Road Trip

The Ranch Table

Bar Le Cote

Bell's

Bob's Well Bread Bakery

Wineries: