Speaking Of Travel ®

Mark Gordon Smith, founder of Private Italy Tours, shares why travelers fall in love with Italy and why people keep going back to visit. Today Italy is reaping the benefits of travelers wanting to explore this beautiful country. Mark explains the state of travel in Italy today and why unique places like Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria are gaining more attention.With an increased demand in travel to Italy, Mark is not only leading tours to these wonderful locations off the beaten path, he's also focusing on itinerary planning services to provide a more exclusive option to explore Italy on your own.Mark loves to share experiences with the Italian culture so he creates the most perfect, relaxing experiences. Imagine being in Italy in your own villa with visits to small, family-owned wineries and interactive cooking classes. And to get you in the mood for Italy, Mark shares how he puts into words his own memories, now an Italian Trilogy, all providing a uniquely personal look into the beauty of Italy.Discove

Pico Iyer helps bring an understanding of cultural differences to all of us by interacting with people whose culture, experiences, or worldview might differ from his own. For over four decades, he’s written 16 books, translated into 23 languages, on subjects ranging from the Dalai Lama to globalism, from the Cuban Revolution to Islamic mysticism. For Pico, travel is a professional devotion as much as a spiritual one. Pico shares how he discovered wonder and beauty right in his own backyard and why a physical location is not so important as long as you live life as a good human being. He shares how he came to realize why home lies in the things you carry with you vs the ones that tie you down.Travel is a key theme in most of Pico's works. He tries to see within a society or way of life from an outsider's perspective. Pico shares his thoughts and curiosity about the bigger world to help us rethink assumptions and to be mindful about new ideas and insights. Oh, and there's ping-pong too. A special

Australian born singer-songwriter and touring musician with the Smashing Pumpkins, Katie Cole, shares how her emotional honesty comes from a place of determination and persistence. Katie is releasing her new EP, “Rivers & Roads," a love project created during the pandemic and will launch the final single along with a music video. In 2022, Katie did a 32-date tour with the Smashing Pumpkins and supported by Janes Addiction. She shares the excitement of playing Madison Square Garden and a sold-out performance at the Hollywood Bowl. Her grounded confidence and years of hard work are shining! Katie's music is dreamy and seductive. She said, "I just want to make music that makes me excited and proud, and if I'm being truthful in it that will make me really happy. If I’m not doing that, with everything I’ve sacrificed, what would be the point?”A must listen! Also on Speaking of Travel is naturalist and nature photographer, Sharon Mammoser. Sharon loves the night sky and shares how we can app

Jovelle Fernandez knows how it feels to be a fish out of water having navigated through various constraints because of being alienated. She helps us learn and understand about being away from our comfort zones.Jovelle's story includes the unique experiences of a former woman expatriate and the challenges of living and working as a foreigner in academia, in a male-dominated society, and in the corporate world while juggling the demands of work and family as a wife and mother.She shares stories from her new book, The Expat, that are funny, unbelievable, mind-boggling, and shocking, and she helps provide insight into navigating through constraints because of being alienated, even in your own country. Tune in to explore more about why it's important to prioritize what matters most, to continue to define yourself, and to let go.Also on Speaking of Travel is Nicole Foti of Sandy Bee Mine Honey Company, a family owned and operated venture in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, to

Richard Crawford, host of the popular TV show, Leave No Trace TV, and his producer/cameraman, Ben Alcott, recently went to Antarctica to experience the incredible beauty and solitude as polar explorers. When the two returned from White Desert Antarctica's Echo camp, a pioneering luxury experience, their lives were changed. In episode one of their Great Antarctica Adventure, heard only on Speaking of Travel, Ricky and Ben shared how the out-of-this-world location and the magic they felt really can’t be found anywhere else in the world.Because there is no other destination on the planet more incredible, overwhelming or epic as Antarctica, one episode to unpack their experience just wasn't enough. Continuing the conversation about the most adrenalin-fueled adventure ever, Ricky and Ben are joined by special guest Patrick Woodhead, co-founder of Antarctica’s only luxury adventure camp, White Desert Antarctica.Patrick shares how he set about to show the wonders of the interior of Antarctica to people oth

What do you do when a friend asks you to pack your things and take a trip ASAP? For Terri Lynn Queen, you just say YES! Find out how a quick, spontaneous trip to Las Vegas became a most memorable adventure. Terri Lynn is a regional/national media consultant with iHeart Media (for 33 years!) who loves to travel. She shares stories of how traveling with her children when they were young created a special bond on the long road trips with her dad, allowing them to all develop a wandering spirit. Find out how saying yes to traveling spontaneously with friends is sometimes the best fun of all. Terri Lynn shares some travel tips to make your adventure run as smoothly as possible and even save you money! Also on Speaking of Travel, Jen Brooks of RomanticAsheville.com, provides some top picks for everything Spring in and around North Carolina's beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. And Tina Kinsey, VP of Marketing, PR, and Air Service Development at the Asheville Regional Airport, shares how the airport is positioning

If you love being out in nature enjoying beautiful, breathtaking views, you’ll love cycling. Cyclists are generally a friendly group of people and riding bikes can be an excellent way to make new friends and create community. Rob Dull is an avid cyclist and the principal planner at Find The Line Studios based out of Asheville, NC. Rob heads up the firm's master planning efforts around community development and outdoor recreation projects. Rob shares why community is important to our overall wellbeing and how leveraging natural assets with a healthy lifestyle around cycling is a win-win for everyone. Discover how Rob's new project in Costa Rica, Buen Camino Bike Park, is becoming the model for creating community around the great outdoors. The mountain bike park offers trails of all experience levels in a lush, tropical mountain forest in the central valley of Costa Rica. Rob explores how social interactions and building friendships are more meaningful when progressing through physical challenges (and

Nancy Stohlman is a flash fiction writer, a performer, and a professor. She holds workshops and retreats around the world to help you learn about yourself as a writer and a person.Nancy provides professional and aspiring writers the gift of time, a new community, instruction, and the opportunity to reconnect with your own imagination and sense of possibility so you can confidently bring the work inside you to fruition.Nancy shares how her workshops, always held in inspiring locations, provide the perfect backdrop for focusing on your writing practice with like-minded short fiction writers. "The world demands more substance and less filler. Flash fiction is all meat and no fat," said Nancy. Find out how travel inspired her newest book, After the Rapture, a socio-satirical flash novel set in a post-Rapture landscape. A must read! Also on Speaking of Travel, discover why traveling with your family will build life life-long memories and break you all away from the same old-same old routine. Stephanie Ca

The Speaking of Travel + Leave No Trace Series with Richard Crawford, host of the popular TV series, Leave No Trace TV, highlights the importance of conservation, sustainable travel and eco-tourism, and provides tips on how to travel mindfully and why it's important to just say YES! There is no other destination on the planet more incredible, overwhelming or epic as Antarctica. Ricky and his producer and cameraman, Ben Alcott, recently traveled to Antartica with White Desert Antarctica, a pioneering luxury experience, and are here to tell us all about it!Ricky and Ben share what was it like to be there... the cold, adventure, history, remoteness, and other worldly vibe, coupled with science, icebergs, and the deep, deep silence. Discover how this experience created the most adrenalin-fueled adventure, changing their lives forever. And how the magic they felt there can’t be found anywhere else in the world.There are some people who will push themselves to the limit, leading them to accomplish feats we cou

Vincenzo Lodato is a true Renaissance gentleman and skilled at all things he attempts to do. Vincenzo has wide-ranging knowledge in many fields and loves life. Now living in Florence, Italy, Vincenzo shares why being a huge dreamer and putting yourself out there, past your comfort zone, is the best way to live life to the fullest. And Vincenzo provides hands-on tips for even considering a move to Italy. His straight-forward observations will save you much time if living in Italy is on your bucket-list. A must listen!Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Noted motorcycle journalist Neale Bayly had two goals when he went off to Ukraine to bring attention to what journalists are experiencing in this war-torn country and to give victims of the war in Ukraine the chance to tell their stories. He hoped to somehow ease their burden by providing an opportunity to tell their stories.Neale recently returned from a three-week, 6,600-km (approx. 4,100 miles) motorcycle trip across Europe and into war-torn Ukraine under the constant threat of Russian rockets and bombs. He describes Ukraine as a “beautiful country with incredible people standing resiliently against a brutal regime intent on their destruction.” Neale shares his thoughts and feelings of what he saw while riding his BMW GS motorcycle and how this humanitarian adventure in Ukraine reignited his purpose. "My purpose is very simple," he said. "My goal is to help and bring attention to the underserved. I just want to do more good.” Please do not miss this incredible story and find out how you can

Don Bunnell is a serial entrepreneur passionate about the environment and he is the founder of Swank Guide, a travel platform that helps people uncover exotic destinations, unique lodging, and insider activities.Don shares how and why he created Swank Guide and how his background in travel, the environment, energy policy, design, and architecture brought him to the intersection of all those things to create a platform to help others have their best travel adventure.Also on Speaking of Travel, Justin Bellame, founder of the JB Media Group, co-founder of the JB Media Institute and the DIY Tourism Marketing Workshop, and the publisher of Romantic Asheville.com, shares why his deep commitment to the future of sustainable travel is the foundation for his businesses model and how B-Corp companies are benefiting people and the planet.Tune in! Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Michael Juergens is a courageous serial entrepreneur and certified sommelier. As the founder of the Bhutan Wine Company, he is leading the development of the wine industry in the magical Himalayan country.Michael is an adventure race addict who optimized the runners mindset in all areas of his life. He's a sought-after speaker and author and owns the award-winning SoCal Rum company. Add to this he's a professor at the Paul Merage School of Business at the University of CA, Irvine. And remember, he invented the wine industry in the Kingdom of Bhutan. Discover how he defies a comfort zone and looks for adventure whenever, and wherever, he can.Also on Speaking of Travel, Mark Robertson, founder of the destination elopement and micro wedding company, Simple I Do's, shares how his company was founded to bring people together for their special day.And Tina Kinsey from the Asheville Regional Airport shares some groundbreaking news on how the investments for their future are in motion today. Stay tuned

Dee Flower made her dreams come true over her life. Her book, "Where The Wind Wills," tells her story of visiting over 40 countries on six continents and embracing cultural differences while seeing all humanity as one tribe.Dee shares why it's never too late to live the life you have dreamed about and how patience is the solid force necessary for waiting for the opportunities to show up for you to grab them.Also on Speaking of Travel, Kaye Bentley, founder of Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours, has a passion for her town and its history. And bringing people together. Find out why taking a tour provides the opportunity to learn about the destination and the culture.Tune in to these wonderful conversations! Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Spanish-born Jambo Naphula is a traveling artist and troubadour who goes around the world performing and making music and art to make people happy.  Jambo shares why his love of travel and performing brings him much joy and why his belief that travel facilitates understanding between people of different racial, cultural or national origin promotes world-peace. Discover why Jambo is passionate about promoting inclusiveness, the values of a culture of tolerance, peace and non-violence.Also on Speaking of Travel, Jen Brooks of RomanticAsheville.com, the popular online travel guide to the mountains and foothills surrounding Asheville and Western North Carolina, shares why your winter-destination vacation in the Blue Ridge Mountains with cozy accommodations, mouthwatering restaurants, and breathtaking scenery, is a must!Tune in!Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

The Speaking of Travel + Leave No Trace Series with Richard Crawford, host of the popular TV series, Leave No Trace, continues. Ricky shares some exciting upcoming news on a huge adventure he's embarking on that will push his boundaries and even take him out of his comfort zone. He's off to Antarctica, a bucket list destination!Discover how Ricky stays inspired to put his dreams and plans into action leading to this amazing journey. And find out how Antarctica is more than just a sprawling white landmass and how it plays a vital role in supporting life around the world. Also, Ricky answers your questions about sustainability, global warming, and what lessons we can learn from nature. And he has some helpful tips for you on how to create sustainable solutions right in your own backyard. A must listen! And be sure to watch Season One of Leave No Trace TV on BingeNetworks.Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a mo

With long-lasting traditions of winemaking, culinary delights, awe-inspiring landscapes, and certified organic wineries, Tuscany is a shining star.Mary Shea is the Director of Marketing and Hospitality at the organic winery and agriturismo, Querceto di Castellina, in the Tuscan region of Chianti. Mary shares how this handcrafted, sustainable winery began in 1998 and how they are intensely focused on the art of great Italian winemaking and equally passionate about the Earth. From the process of pruning vines to the selection of grapes, today all the wines are certified organic. And she explains why hospitality is so important at Querceto. With a heartfelt goal to  make their guests feel relaxed, renewed and reconnected, Mary shares why providing an exceptional guest experience is paramount. Also on Speaking of Travel is Clark Lovelace, Executive Director of Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority in Western North Carolina, to share why this region in the Blue Ridge Mountains is so rich in nature and

This year marks a milestone for Speaking of Travel... 10 years! And more good news... While people are totally wired to visuals, the podcast industry just continues to grow over the years. Adam Stoker, President and CEO of Relic, host of the Destination Marketing Podcast, and founder of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network, explains how to use the destination’s resources to plan your trip. Adam recounts his backstory and why owned media is so important in tourism today. And find out some of Adam's favorite destination podcasts. Also on Speaking of Travel is Kevan Frazier, one of the co-owners of Well Played Board Game Café in Asheville's South Slope, to share why playing games just leaves you happy and why playing board games is a thing!And Tina Kinsey at the Asheville Regional Airport shares how airports prepare and keep you safe during the winter months and offers up some tips to make sure your flying experience is awesome.Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net

HATCH founder Yarrow Kraner is a pioneer of social networking and a creative alchemist with a long history of building communities.Yarrow is a change maker and with his vision and HATCH community unites creative leaders for a better world through mentorship in creativity and innovation. Think of it as an ecosystem of transformative experiences helping to create a beautiful, sustainable, and just world.Yarrow shares how his early memories of travel impacted his world view and how he incorporated travel into HATCH. He explains how creativity is a critical leadership skill in the new innovation economy. Growing up in Montana helped Yarrow imagine a bigger world. He said he would "think big and wonder what's on the other side of those horizons." Follow Yarrow as he tells his recent story of going down the Nile River with extraordinary people while hatching a better world for us all. Find out more about HATCH and the important work the organization is doing to help preserve and protect our planet an

Larry Bleiberg is a delightful, curious and imaginative travel writer who uses all his senses to engage his readers to feel the human experience. He is thoughtful and honest with a passion to inspire others to travel more.  Larry is an eight-time Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award winner and was honored for editing the best newspaper travel section in the country. He served on a Pulitzer Prize team, is past president of the Society of American Travel Writers, and he writes for some of the top publications. Larry shares how he created his passion project, CivilRightsTravel.com, a travel guide to historic sites from the Civil Rights movement. And find out why traveling with a purpose today is more important than ever before. You won't want to miss this show!A must listen!Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.