Speaking Of Travel ®

Reptile expert Bruce Shwedick of the Crocodilian Conservation Center of Florida is a member of the IUCN- Species Survival Commission Crocodile Specialist Group, the world’s largest organization focused on the conservation and management of the world’s crocodilian species. Bruce shares his travel experiences in Sri Lanka when he attended the 22nd World Crocodile Conference and explains how biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health helps support the balance of the planet.Bruce began attending meetings in southern Africa that included many CSG members back in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. In addition to attending CSG meetings in other countries, such as Argentina and Colombia and in Gainesville, Florida, Bruce also submitted reports and photographs of his work with crocodiles to the CSG’s quarterly newsletter.In 2002, Bruce was formally invited to become a CSG member and has served on the steering committee since 2008. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tip

Tonya Fitzpatrick is the co-founder of World Footprints, a socially conscious travel media platform that includes the award-winning World Footprints podcast. Tonya is a 3x TEDx and international speaker, lawyer and author. World Footprints is one of the most reputable sources for meaningful, socially-minded travel content. Tonya and her husband Ian bring history to life, share unique treasures from the destinations they visit,and inspire, educate and connect communities around the world.Tonya shares the WHY behind the mission of World Footprints and discusses the transformative power of travel. She also explores the future of travel post-coronavirus and how the world will be changed. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Ken Druse is a celebrated lecturer and an award-winning author and photographer known as “the guru of natural gardening.” Ken has written over 20 garden books published over the past 25 years. He shares tips from his most recent book, The Scentual Garden: Exploring the World of Botanical Fragrance.Working with perfumers’ classifications, Ken Druse develops 12 master scent categories that range from floral and fruity to spicy and medicinal. His encyclopedia of fragrant plants includes hundreds of familiar and unusual flowers, shrubs, and trees, with photographs and detailed notes about scent and suggestions for their use. Ken also explains how and why plants produce fragrances, how perfumers capture floral scents, how to smell plants (almost like wine tasting), and much more.In addition, find out why the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, established the Ken Druse Collection of Garden Photographs.  Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and

Now is the time to plan for your future. Suzan Haskins and Dan Prescher of internationalliving.com are specialists in retiring overseas, particularly in Latin America, although they’ve spent a good bit of time traveling the world in recent years. Suzan and Dan are the go-to experts for those of us looking to retire soon and considering doing that overseas. They explain why now—when we can’t travel—is the perfect time to do your research. Find out the best places and top considerations for someone wanting to retire overseas. They have the important resources for making your life-changing choices. Suzan and Dan's books, The International Living Guide to Retiring Overseas on a Budget and Live Richer, Spend Less: International Living's Ultimate Guide to Retiring Overseas, are also perfect resources to get going. Visit internationalliving.com for more information. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy t

Mike Andress, founder of Exploration Local, understands first-hand how much the experience of being outdoors in nature reduces stress and increases mental health. Mike explains how his belief in the positive health benefits of nature helped him become intentional about getting outdoors and experiencing local businesses as he created Exploration Local.Also a recap of the week in aviation and what's happening at the Asheville Regional Airport with Tina Kinsey, Director of Marketing, PR and Air Service Development at FlyAVL. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Be swept away with Roland Colton, an author, pianist, attorney and world-traveler. His groundbreaking novel, "Forever Gentleman," mates music with the written word in a style reminiscent of 19th century authors. Some of the compositions in the e-version of the book had never been written (since they are composed by characters in the story). Find out how Roland came up with the idea for a music e-version and what process he used to create the amazing compositions. Roland discusses how he chose Victorian England (circa 1869-1870) as the setting and what research he performed for writing "Forever Gentleman" and how he immersed himself in 19th-century literature. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Dayna Reggero of the Climate Listening Project details her new documentary, "Planet Prescription." The film connects science and stories and offers hopeful solutions for humanistic health care for a healthier future. “Planet Prescription” centers around the Southeast: rural Tennessee, city of Atlanta, Georgia, suburbs of North Carolina, listening to an epidemiologist, pulmonologist, intensive care unit nurse, cardiovascular surgeon, internist, immunologist, registered nurse health navigator, social worker, counselor, and pediatric pulmonologist. Dayna and her team follow healers where they work: at huge hospitals, community hospitals, an elementary school, a university wellness center, a doctor’s office in a suburban mini mall, a Southeast Narrative Healthcare Symposium, and a Mothers and Others for Clean Air Grand Rounds Training.  For more Speaking of Travel + Climate Listening Project series episodes, visit speakingoftravel.net/climateseriesThanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speaki

In these times of uncertainty, pulling together as a community is crucial to the health, well-being and stability of our local friends and neighbors. Some communities need help more than ever. And although it may seem daunting at first, there are ways to lend support, funds or even a helping hand.New Belgium’s Community Ambassador Mike Craft gives us info on the New Belgium Bar & Restaurant Relief Fund supporting food and beverage communities in their hometowns of Fort Collins, CO and Asheville, NC, who are in need of financial assistance due to the COVID-19 economic disruption.  Mike explains ways the company comes together to support the community and also provides info on One Buncombe, WNC for The Planet and the synchronized firefly experience in the Great Smoky Mountains. Also an update from Tina Kinsey, Director of Marketing, PR and Air Service Development at the Asheville Regional Airport. Tina describes how the airport is working diligently to keep the airport safe and operational during this uncer

Jeff Greiner, owner of the Adventure Center in Asheville, managing partner at Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours and member of the Wildwater Adventures family, provides tips on how to keep everyone active during challenging times by planning activities together, being outdoors and reconnecting with your youth.Jeff provides a historical overview of how his family's original outdoor adventure business, Wildwater Adventures, along with its expansion from mostly a rafting focus, evolved into aerial adventures as a result of the family traveling both times they expanded into broader services. Jeff explains how a family doing things together, being outdoors and challenging themselves, is the key to staying optimistic and healthy in these challenging times. Also on the show is an update form Tina Kinsey, Director of Marketing, PR and Air Service Development at the Asheville Regional Airport. The dedicated team at AVL is working diligently to keep the airport safe and operational during this uncertain time. And join D

Speaking of Travel provides updates on the coronavirus crisis and ways airports are focusing on safely transporting passengers who need to travel and how to best make changes to their travel plans with guest Tina Kinsey, Director of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development for the Asheville Regional Airport. Also onboard is Michael Poandl, Development Coordinator of the WNC Aids Project, as he discusses what was learned from the AIDS epidemic and how they are responding to COVID, along with current protocols and ways we can all help our communities. Fellow traveler Doc Lawrence, host of The Gourmet Highway, gives us a nostalgic review of where we've been over the past two years and how to prepare for new adventures moving forward.The world is coming together and Speaking of Travel is here to bring updated information for you, while acknowledging the spiritual wonder of travel with a commitment to seek new places and faces to enrich our lives. Stay safe and healthy. And remember, Don't Postpone Jo

Gabe Swinney, founder of Swinney Creative, shares how a pilgrimage is not about the destination but rather a journey of the spirit. He explains how a pilgrimage enhances a person's beliefs and faith and reminds us to live our lives in harmony. Being at a crossroads in our lives, there is no better time to think about how to create a deeper sense of spirituality, healing and forgiveness. Gabe tells us about his pilgrimage on the Way of St. Andrews in Scotland, how he learned about it, and his near death experiences. Later he traveled on the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage in Japan. Find out about this spiritual journey and a history of the route. Also on the show are special segments with William Dissen, owner and chef at the Marketplace Restaurant in Asheville who shares ways we can help our local economy at this time, and a conversation with Johnny Jet who gives us some important travel information on what is happening in the travel industry and why we must keep dreaming and planning for traveling in the future.

A few years ago, I had what I then believed was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was a dream trip on an African safari. And I can tell you, there isn’t much to prepare you for the sheer scale and natural beauty of this amazing landscape and the different sights and sounds you’ll encounter.Now is the time to make your dream trip come true. Toby Brown, marketing director and lead safari coordinator of Outdoor Africa, an on-the ground private safari operator in South Africa offering custom-designed and privately guided tours all over southern Africa and beyond. Toby explains why there really is nowhere else on Earth quite like Africa and why traveling into the natural parts of Africa is to travel into the heart of Mother Nature in all its raw beauty. At the very least it is amazing, and at the most, life changing. From what I’m hearing, you can never get bored in South Africa and the country loves to surprise you. Toby tells us about all there is to see and do besides seeing animals on safari and that you can

What makes a river cruise different from an ocean cruise is the emphasis on the places visited and the experiential experiences provided. Kathy Brock with Ama Waterways explains why river cruising is a bucket list vacation idea. Times are changing on Europe's rivers as operators are investing in new ships that incorporate more of today's contemporary features. Find out the essential reasons to take a river cruise and discover the ways shore touring is central to the concept of river cruising. Not to mention the food, wine and fellowship! Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Australian singer/songwriter Katie Cole is not afraid to rock the boat with the stories she tells, the emotions she shares and the subjects she covers. Katie’s emotion comes from a real place and people all over the world can relate and ultimately find themselves moved by her emotional honesty. Katie tells us about her epic 2019 world tour with the Smashing Pumpkins and how her life will never be the same. While she was in Europe she also embarked on a two week tour opening up for Billy Corgan in various countries, joining him during his set. Wow! And that's not all. They also played a month of shows in America and Canada. Last year Katie visited a total of 19 countries! She is living the dream! And is an inspiration to us all.  Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

James Ziskin discusses his newest novel, Turn To Stone, a 1960s-era locked-room mystery taking Ellie Stone to Italy, a seemingly idyllic setting, which in this case has sinister undertones. The story puts an inventive twist on Boccaccio’s Decameron and takes the reader on a richly-imagined and entertaining journey to Florence and the Tuscan countryside. Jim's books have been finalists for the Edgar, Barry, and Lefty awards. He worked in New York as a photo-news producer and then as director of NYU’s Casa Italiana before spending 15 years in the Hollywood postproduction industry, running large international operations in the subtitling and visual effects fields. He also spent four years in India and speaks Italian and French. Turn To Stone is the seventh in the Ellie Stone series and a must read!  Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

If you love sparkles, smoothies and rock-n-roll, you’re going to love Taraleigh Weathers. With her desire to maintain the magic of live music every day, she helps guide you to rock your most healthy self. Taraleigh does songwriters retreats, retreats with musicians for their fans and curated getaways for live music-loving friends who want an intimate and bonding experience. Live music is what makes her tick which is why she works with people who are in love with live music and want to tune into their best selves. Taraleigh and her husband run a retreat center in Vermont called This Wonderful Place where they put on their own retreats and events as well as host others. With her training and schooling, she's skilled at using her unicorn magic to guide you to rock your most healthy life with her blog and online coaching programs. Check her out at rockinglife.com Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy travel

Sisters Katie and Nancy Moore take us along their journey of travel, education, adventure, cheese and cider, culminating in their tours to a region with deep roots and a thriving local food culture. Katie is the executive director of the WNC Cheese Trail, and she and Nancy combined their education and travel experience to create an exciting tour to Northern Spain. The WNC Cheese Trail was started by a small group of local cheese makers who wanted to be sure people learned about the amazing cheese being made in Western North Carolina. The Trail’s mission is to promote the production and sale of WNC artisan cheeses, facilitate consumer education, and encourage tourism to the region to benefit member producers. They also feel strongly about the preservation of farmland and the important role small cheesemakers play in that preservation. Highlights from their tour of Northern Spain includes meeting local food producers and entrepreneurs, the geography  going from central Spain to the northern coast and learning t

Steve Henderson, a Vietnam War vet and Marybeth Burns, a board member of the Blue Ridge Honor Flight, explain how Brothers Like These provides healing for vets through the arts and creative writing. The Blue Ridge Honor Flight is honored to partner with The NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation to present Brothers Like These, a staged reading by Vietnam War Veterans who perform their own written stories through poetry, prose, and nonfiction essays. These stories of selfless service and unimaginable courage unite us in our shared humanity. It’s an enduring testimony to their sacred sense of community, love and brotherhood. Established in 2006, Blue Ridge Honor Flight’s mission is to transport America’s veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honor the sacrifices of themselves and their comrades.   Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Ida and Bernie are heading home to Washington, D.C., after a quick trip to Asheville for Ida’s birthday. Bernie travels regularly for work, and he picked up a few helpful tips along the way.“I’m always trying to stay hydrated,” Bernie said. “It’s healthy for you, and it helps if you’re going to be on long flights. Bring your own stainless steel, reusable water bottle. [Then you] have… the ability to fill up your canister with filtered water, so you’re not having to buy plastic bottles.”Flying out of AVL was the perfect way to end Bernie and Ida’s Asheville adventure. “It’s very clean, and everyone is helpful and friendly,” Ida said. “The TSA agents were great getting us through with our luggage. It’s been a great experience.”Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Desiree is New York bound for business. She travels regularly for work and leisure, so this frequent flyer knows her way around AVL.“I am always ready to just get home,” Desiree said. “So, I park on the highest [level of the] parking deck. I know exactly where my car is and can find it without forgetting.”Desiree knows that flying AVL means flying home, and she loves the ease and familiarity of the Asheville Regional Airport. “I really love… the new parking deck. [It] is really helpful getting in and out,” she said. “I also appreciate the designated pre-check lane. For people like me, it is everything. I’m always able to come in, have a little bit to eat or do some email before my flight. It’s an easy-to-navigate airport.”Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.