True Travel Talk

What happens when your first trip overseas is a last-minute journey to East Africa? In Part 2 of Jill’s conversation with Michelle, True Travel Talk continues the story of Michelle’s very first abroad adventure - a trip she said yes to before she felt fully ready. After the travel chaos of getting to Tanzania, this episode moves into the moments that made the leap worth it: beautiful stays, shared...

26. What if your first trip overseas was not something you planned for years, but a last-minute leap to East Africa? In this “Unpacked” episode of True Travel Talk, Jill sits down with friend Michelle to talk about saying yes before you feel ready - and what happens when the trip tests you before you even arrive. Michelle’s first international trip was a last-minute journey to Uganda and Tanzania,...

25. This episode takes us to Philadelphia for a food-focused conversation with Jill’s friend and colleague, Jen Floyd, about experiencing a city through what you eat, where you wander, and the stories you collect. Philadelphia is known for its iconic traditions, but this conversation goes beyond the obvious. Jill and Jen talk about the joy of building a trip around local flavor - from classic Phil...

24. This episode brings Jill’s Germany story full circle. After beginning the trip in Garmisch-Partenkirchen - the place that inspired the very first episode of True Travel Talk - the family splits off in different directions, with Jill’s travel team heading toward one of Germany’s most storybook regions: the Black Forest. Along the way, they stop in Ulm, revisit favorite sights like the Ulm Münst...

23. In the final installment of their South Africa family adventure, Jill and her son Luke discover why the vibrant coastal town of Cape Town is considered one of the world’s most beautiful destinations. From African penguins at Boulders Beach to sweeping views atop Table Mountain, Cape Town showcases the perfect blend of culture, adventure, and natural beauty. Along the way, the family discovers...

22. In part two of our South Africa family adventure, Jill and her family trade safari vehicles for vineyard views as they explore the spectacular wine regions of Franschhoek.  Often called the food and wine capital of South Africa, Franschhoek combines centuries-old vineyards, dramatic mountain scenery, world-class restaurants, and charming small town streets. Over several days, they experienced...

21. Join Jill and her family as they journey from Cape Town to Gondwana Game Reserve for an unforgettable stay at this private retreat, featuring game drives, a personal guide, and sweeping mountain views. From early morning safaris to evenings around the braai, this episode captures the excitement, beauty, and quiet family moments that made the experience memorable. Along the way, Jill, husband P...

20. Join Jill and her friend Whitney as they check off a true bucket-list moment from their girls trip: heading into and out of Machu Picchu in style aboard the iconic Belmond Hiram Bingham Train. Named after the explorer, Hiram Bingham, this isn't just transportation, it's an experience in itself. The journey blends old-world glamour with Peruvian culture; polished wood interiors, live music, ele...

19.2 Join Jill and her crew, including friends Amy and Kelly, as they continue their journey through Peru’s Sacred Valley - where the experience goes deeper than the views and into the heart of the Andean culture. In Part 2 of the Sacred Valley, this girls trip shifts from adventure to connection - exploring what it means to truly experience a place, not just see it. From wandering through the las...

19. Join Jill and her crew, including friends Amy and Kelly, as they head to Peru’s Sacred Valley - where the views are unreal, the culture runs deep, and yes…there are a lot of alpacas.  As the fourth stop in our Peru series (after Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Lima), this episode proves the Sacred Valley isn’t just a pass-through - it’s the moment you exhale, settle in, and really feel the magic of P...

18. Join Jill and her son Graeme as they share their spontaneous family trip to Miami, exploring beaches, iconic landmarks, and local culture. From watching manatees right outside their hotel window to walking to a Miami Heat game, the trip blended big moments with simple joys. Traveling with kids, navigating unexpected changes, and making unforgettable memories showed us that sometimes the best t...

17. In this episode of True Travel Talk, Jill heads to Burgundy, France, for a wine-filled escape rooted in friendship, incredible food, and unforgettable experiences. Chatting with her friend Brad Gibson, they reflect on traveling through Burgundy with a group of close friends - from landing in Paris and road-tripping into the countryside, to Champagne waiting upon arrival, and evenings spent aro...

16. In this episode, Jill and her soon-to-be sister-in-law Emily continue the Africa Adventures series with an unforgettable journey into Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to endangered mountain gorillas. After traveling across Uganda by charter flight, Jill and her group trek deep into the rainforest to spend time with the Rushegura gorilla family, observing babies climbing trees, teenage...

15.2 Travel rarely goes exactly as planned - especially when you're traveling with kids, grandparents, and a full itinerary. In Part 2 of this Unpacked series on when travel goes wrong, Jill and her husband, Paul, revisit another side of travel reality: losing things and navigating unexpected medical moments on the road. From backpacks left on trains in Norway to phones sliding off the roof of a c...

15.1 Travel rarely goes the way you want it to - especially with kids, grandparents, and a full itinerary. In this episode of True Travel Talk, Jill and her husband, Paul, unpack years of real-life travel mishaps across the all-too-relatable theme: delays and disruptions. Some moments were stressful. Some were funny in hindsight. A few were genuinely hard. But over time, they’ve learned something...

14. Sometimes the best way to experience Palm Springs is with great friends, a full tasting glass, and a little desert sparkle. Jill is joined by friends Todd Davis and Shari Young for a sun-soaked weekend in Palm Springs - complete with wine festivals, art sightings, and a few unexpected detours (including showing up at the wrong dinner venue). From blind Pinot tastings and VIP terraces at Pasion...

13. Sometimes the best way to experience Healdsburg is to slow down, wander, and follow your tastebuds. In this episode, Jill and colleague Jen sneak in a wine country getaway into a work trip - exploring downtown Healdsburg, the rolling Dry Creek Valley, and a few unexpected local gems along the way. From a bucket-list dinner at three-Michelin-star SingleThread to honey tastings at La Ruche, oliv...

12.2 In Part Two, Jill and Deanna continue their conversation, reflecting on a festive trip through Germany’s Christmas Markets with lessons learned, favorite moments, and practical tips. From Augsburg and Ulm to Würzburg and Frankfurt, this two-part conversation focuses on the feel of winter travel: navigating cold weather, moving at a multigenerational pace, and leaning into the magic (and misha...

12.1 There’s something special about winter travel – especially when it’s shared across generations. In Part One of this two-part episode, Jill is joined by her longtime friend Deanna Vogelsong to reflect on a festive trip through Germany’s Christmas Markets with husbands, a “third grandmother,” and a 19-year-old son in tow. From Augsburg and Ulm to Würzburg and Frankfurt, this conversation focuse...

11. Connecting with people from different cultures is one of the best things about traveling. That cultural connection played a starring role in our recent trip to Tanzania. Join Jill and her guest, Josie Russell (a high school senior at the time of the trip), to reflect on their life-changing philanthropic journey to Tanzania. In this heartfelt conversation, they share stories from visiting Maasa...

10. Looking to escape the big city? Head to Cusco, Peru. In this episode, Jill and her friend and neighbor, Amy, share another chapter of their Peru adventure – from a tipsy train arrival to an almost-disastrous departure.  They cover Cusco’s hidden gems and lessons learned, including the Santo Domingo Convent, the iconic 12-Angle Stone, and the vibrant San Pedro Market, along with their honest ta...

9. Sometimes the best trips aren’t planned around big landmarks – they unfold through shared stories, good meals, and the people you travel with. In this episode, Jill joins California winemaker and friend Bill Williamson for a three-day road trip through France’s Loire Valley, filled with unforgettable winery visits, river views, perfect meals, and plenty of laughter. From a goat-filled gas stati...

8. In this Unpacked episode, Jill sits down with family friend Donna, fondly named the third grandmother, to explore how travel evolves through every stage of life – from raising kids to retiring, from traveling as a couple to adventuring with grandkids in tow. From paragliding in Austria to a luxury ranch stay in Montana, Donna shares honest reflections on slowing down, staying curious, navigatin...

7. Sometimes the best way to experience New York is to slow down, wander, and follow your curiosity. In this episode, Jill and friend/colleague Jen sneak in a cozy fall escape before a work trip – exploring Greenwich Village, the artists’ haven, and home to some of the best pizza slices on Earth. From a 30-year Times Square hotel tradition to cappuccinos at a 1927 Village institution, a private to...

6. Sometimes the best trips aren’t perfectly planned – they just flow. In this episode, Jill recounts with husband Paul about their escape with friends to California’s Wine Country for three unforgettable days of vineyards, great meals, and good company. From the family legacy of Sonoma’s Sangiacomo Vineyards to the artistic design of Three Sticks and the rebellious spirit of Tank Garage in Napa,...