Speaking of Travel® With Marilyn Ball

Mark and Patrick took a trip of a lifetime to Patagonia and added challenge and excitement to their lives. They ventured outside of their bubble of protection to live this adventure to the fullest and explain how the trip unfolded and why they chose to go there. Find out why this epic journey was so worth all the effort to make it happen and the gifts they received for this incredible experience....

Mike Aiken is a musician whose love for singing, songwriting, and sailing has taken him all over the world. He talks to us about sailing the world in search of music, what it's like to view the world from the deck of a sailboat and his newest album, Wayward Troubadour. And he reminds us that no matter where you travel, there are good people everywhere! Thanks for listening to Speaking of Trav...

Are you longing to get happy, kick back and have a real California beach experience? Kelly Miller, President of Visit Huntington Beach, the official destination marketing organization for Surf City, USA, (which by the way was recently ranked one of the happiest places to live), explains why Surf City's endless summer is the place for you. Kelly is a longtime travel professional who loves to r...

Danielle Visco and Ryan Rabidou are entrepreneurs who took a turn leading Airstream’s Endless Caravan. Danielle and Ryan traveled to the best snowboarding spots in the US like Jackson Hole, Big Sky and Sun Valley. They left their schedule purposefully flexible to chase winter storms over the two-month journey. Find out what it’s like to take an adventure-packed winter trip living a nomadic lifesty...

The Speaking of Travel Climate Listening Project Series continues with Dayna Reggero and guests Carl Chesick of the Center for Honeybee Research and Phyllis Stiles of Bee City USA. We discuss how places are working to be pollinator friendly, how climate change is impacting bees, why pollinators are important for food and biodiversity, why bee research is important and more! Thanks for listening to...

Although Jane Kramer’s roots are in the traditional music of Appalachia, she tells us how traveling influences her songwriting and explains her method for tapping into the soul of each place she visits. And she sings for us too! Jane's newest album will be released this fall. www.janekramermusic.com Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel ! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, trave...

Bistra Hristova is a photographer who grew up in Bulgaria and has lived in the US for 20 years. Her interest in traveling is fueled by a connection to nature and a desire to explore a simpler way of life. Bistra talks to us about travel, hiking and how art is a big part of her upbringing. She also explains what it was like coming to the states and finding her true self. Thanks for listening to Spe...

I’ve lived in Western North Carolina for 40 years and had never been to MerleFest until a few weeks ago. And I'm here to tell you MerleFest is one of the most organized music events I’ve ever attended with an amazing lineup of talent. This was the 31st year and it's like a big camp for musicians and music fans held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina....

What is Green Travel really? The Speaking of Travel Climate Listening Project Series continues with my guests Dayna Reggero and Sam Ruark-Eastes, director of the Green Built Alliance. We discuss why and how to offset travel carbon, what to look for in green travel destinations, how hotels can be greener, how Airbnb homes can be green built certified and more! Sustainable travel is about creating a...

MerleFest, founded in 1988 and one of the best music festivals in the country, is an annual homecoming for musicians and music fans, held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, NC. Learn about the history of the festival and hear from some of the top performers, including Town Mountain, The East Pointers and Nu-Blu! A fun time is always had by all so get to MerleFest! Thanks for...

Michele Laub believes the path of transformation is often revealed on a journey to a sacred site and she leads guided spiritual journeys to Teotihuacan, The Pyramid City in Central Mexico, the Ancient Home of the Toltecs, known as Artists of the Spirit. Michele explains the history of Teotihuacan and what happens to a traveler on a spiritual journey, the connection of don Miguel Ruiz, author of Th...

Imagine traveling the world with your bestie who is your twin! Gregg and Ross Levoy take a month-long trip every year and they have fun stories to share! Traveling with your twin does have benefits! Gregg and Ross tell us about the advantages of traveling as twins, their hunger for novelty and why they travel for a month out of every year... (hint--because they can!) and why they love getting clos...

Mary Jaeger-Gale, GM at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park, is back in the studio with an update on all things Spring! Park Improvements, Hiking Adventures, Photo Workshops, Mother’s Day Weekend Special, Spring Break Family Fun, Earth Day, SprinGo in Chimney Rock Village and Memorial Day Weekend Family Fun! One visit will just not be enough! Photo credit: Dave Johnston Thanks for listening to...

Jonna Kwiatkowski has researched and taught about the psychology of creativity and aesthetics for 22 years and recently took a sabbatical on the island of Mallorca. What she experienced is transforming. Jonna and I talk about why she took take a sabbatical and how she decided to go to Mallorca. We also talk about what it was like to live somewhere she didn’t intend to live for long and how the set...

Imagine being able to meet and make new friends while learning how to cook! Liisa Andreassen and John Godts have a passion for cooking and travel and decided to combine the two. Their cooking classes are interactive and their intimate home setting makes people feel comfortable. Liisa, John and I have a lively conversation about food, traveling and how to make a living doing what you love to do! Th...

The Speaking of Travel Climate Listening Project Series 2018 launches the year with Dayna Reggero of The Climate Listening Project. Dayna will join me in the studio and we’ll be featuring guest experts connecting climate change and travel. Today's conversation is around climate change, travel, words, poetry and an incredible journey to Scotland with Laura Hope-Gill, founder of the Asheville W...

Kim Giovacco is the founder of Veg Jaunts and Journeys, a full-service tour company specializing in travel for vegans. The good news for vegans is there are many places accommodating to your life-style! Kim explains how to travel confidently with her small group tours and discover all the exciting new vegan places sprouting up around the world. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel ! Visit sp...

Randy Fluharty, president of the Carolina Mountain Club in Western North Carolina, along with members Elaine Tennen and Carroll Koepplinger, loves to hike. There is so much to know about the physical, mental health and spiritual aspects of taking a good hike, and they explain why a good hike is good for us, where to go, what to wear and how to get going. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel...

Tebbe Davis is an artist and history geek with a Welsh lineage. His upcoming History & Mystery Tour of the Scottish Borders with Mark Nicol will uncover the history, intrigue & mysteries of the Scottish Borderlands on this exciting guided tour. Feel the thrill of standing on sacred ground where Scottish clan battles were fought, Romans once walked and ancient ceremonies were held. Mark Nic...

George Steinmetz loves to travel and has a restless curiosity for the unknown like remote deserts, hidden cultures and the mysteries of science and technology. He's a contributor for National Geographic and a TEDX speaker. George talks about his journey from his early years of knowing he wanted something more from life and leaving college, to hitchhiking through Africa with a borrowed camera,...

Susan Portnoy is known for her lush photography & unique storytelling. Susan loves life-changing experiences and is out there doing what she loves ... celebrating the magic of world travel and using her award-winning photography and original storytelling to inspire us to go have adventures and make connections wherever we go! She talks to us about some of her fabulous adventures, like taking a...

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park in Western NC is the best of the mountains in one place! Mary Jaeger-Gale shares updated info about new hiking trails, winter specials, seasonal photo contests and more! The Naturalist Niche series, special guided hikes, are offered each month, March – December. You can start signing up to participate now. They also have winter specials at the Old Rock Café...

Wouldn't you love to come away from your vacation refreshed and re-charged and remember your vacation as a fulfilling experience and a great time of true happiness? Nina Zapala's new book helps travelers plan vacations in a way that caters to their specific needs and desires. Nina explains how her book provides a personalized travel blueprint designed to reduce stress triggers and help y...

Buongiorno! Thinking about Italy? Mark Gordon Smith founded Private Italy Tours in 2003 and has traveled across Italy for over 35 years and is the author of several books about his experiences of traveling in Italy. The heart and soul of Private Italy Tours is Mark’s unwavering commitment to providing unique and unforgettable experiences to his clients. Find out the best ways to travel around this...

Dale Stewart is a naturalist, an explorer and a savvy traveler. He explains why taking a microadventure and stepping out of your comfort zone is an excellent way to get more travel into your life! Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel ! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.