Travel Connections

In this episode of Travel Connections , Suzanne welcomes Kimi Mendenhall and Erin Talafus, two adventurous nurses and world travelers, who joined the Spring 2026 Travel Connections Tour in Tuscany. From the moment they arrived at iCastagni in the charming hilltop village of Montefollonico, they knew this would be more than just a vacation—it would be an immersive experience filled with authentic c...

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, ev...

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 dea...

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...

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 Hulsl...

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, Drink Your Garden : Recipes, Stories and Tip...

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 j...

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 reflec...

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...

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...

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...

Welcome to an exciting new episode filled with information about a place I would describe as other-worldly and epic. My husband Craig and I traveled to South America to explore the region of Patagonia. Are you intrigued by glaciers, quiet and unspoiled landscapes, warm and welcoming locals, and delicious food? Have you ever wondered what it was like to speed across the ocean in zodiac boats to see...

Welcome to another new season of Travel Connections. We are now beginning Season Four, and I'm excited to bring you more travel conversations about intriguing destinations, incredible adventures, and captivating insights with inspiring guests. We will continue to dive beneath the surface of travel, and I can't wait to share it with you! London and Paris at the Holidays? Sign me up. I planned the p...

When I think of a quintessential Pacific Northwest setting, I envision nature in abundance! Walking on the beach and strolling through deeply wooded forests with lovely hiking trails, scenic roads, and peaceful breezes are the perfect combination for every traveler. On Camano Island, in the state of Washington, located just over 60 miles north of Seattle, in Possession Sound, you will find all of...

Welcome to a wonderful new episode of Travel Connections. My special guest is a personal travel connection for me. On a sunny summer afternoon, my family and I attended the most spectacular Gathering on a ranch called Rancho San Julian, just north of Santa Barabara. We enjoyed a delicious dinner as we sat at long ranch tables under the shady canopy of 150-year-old vines. It was just dreamy! Elizab...

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 a...

A Road Trip to Banff! Welcome to another of my Best of Series of episodes . This is where I talk about the highlights of a fantastic travel itinerary. In this episode, I describe our tremendously successful road trip from Whitefish, Montana, to Calgary, Canada, which includes the most picturesque destinations of Banff, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake. It was really well planned , not too hard to exe...

Are you familiar with the Italian phrase "La Dolce Vita"? It means "enjoying life's pleasures, indulging, and cultivating joy." In this episode, I am thrilled to share our adventures in Italy with you. We just returned from a jam-packed adventure that lasted 12 days. The good news is that we traveled through Italy for 12 days! The bad news is that I covered a lot of ground—maybe too much. After on...

Welcome to a special episode of Travel Connections. The original subject of this episode was initially scheduled to focus on our fantastic trip to Puglia, Italy. However, something incredible and unexpected happened to me, and I thought it would be fun to share a little behind the scenes! I decided it was a good time to change direction and report this exciting news! Hello - Good Morning America C...

Wisdom from a Travel Expert! Today's episode is an important topic near and dear to my travel heart. Are you an intentional traveler? Have you given this idea any thought? I have connected with Susie Chau, a creative go-getter in the travel world.  She helps Entrepreneur Moms take month-long summer sabbaticals and consistent vacations to strengthen family bonds through travel. Susie and I met over...

Have you been on a cruise to Alaska? Welcome to a very special episode of Travel Connections. Why is it so special? Well, it's because I am interviewing my daughter, Alex Karlen. Alex and I took our very first ocean cruise on the Celebrity Edge. And I thought, who better to tell the story and add her colorful insights than my exceptional and clever daughter? We have not traveled together in quite...

Are you looking for a couple of ingredients for a successful summer trip? Welcome to this minisode or mini-episode. Do you have 8 minutes? In this quick episode, we catch you up and provide a few bite-size bits of travel news! I share some fun information, and you can check out the highlights below: Episode Highlights: I'm catching you up on my fantastic cruise to Alaska with my daughter Alex. I'l...

Embracing Life - You never know what is around the corner. Today's guest is a very special someone and my personal Travel Connection. She is the queen of embracing life even when it is really hard. I met her not too long ago, in September 2023, while I was a host with Tuscan Women Cook in Tuscany. You may remember from a prior episode my interview with Coleen Kirnan , the owner of Tuscan Women Coo...

So you want to save money on travel? Yes! Me Too! Hello, and welcome to another fantastic episode of Travel Connections. My special guest today is Cindy Greenstein, also known as  The Points Mom ; she will share with you several brilliant opportunities you may not have known existed. After this interview, you will be excited to dive into your current credit card capabilities and create rewards and...

This is a fun, informative episode. It came about because two weeks ago, I did a road trip episode called Our  Epic Road Trip in Arizona . In it, I talked a lot about what we did specifically and gave you the details of where we stayed and what activities we enjoyed. Sharing this itinerary was so successful and well-received that I thought I'd do one more. Spending time in such a fabulous city lik...