Bon Voyage Besties: Travel and Friendship

Join Rosa and Rachel as they explore the magic of Tuscany with Vanessa Gordon, CEO of East End Taste. From charming hilltop towns and unforgettable meals to transportation tips and local experiences, this episode is your guide to making the most of a trip through one of Italy’s most beloved regions. Vanessa shares her insights on which Tuscan towns are worth visiting, how to experience the region...

What if you don’t need more vacation time, but simply need to use the time you have more intentionally? On this episode of Bon Voyage Besties, Rosa and Rachel are joined by Mel Schaffer, founder of BRB Travel Blog, for a practical conversation about making travel work when you have a full-time job and limited PTO. With more than 20 years of experience living in Montreal and exploring Quebec, Mel s...

In this episode of Bon Voyage Besties, Rosa and Rachel joined by Flavia, a Peruvian-American travel blogger and tour operator who empowers women—especially women of color—to travel the world with confidence. Flavia shares her journey into travel content creation and how her own experiences shaped her passion for helping women overcome travel fears and embrace solo adventures. We chat about some of...

Rachel and Rosa welcome Christopher Rudder, the award-winning creator behind Rudderless Travel, for a lively conversation about experiencing Toronto beyond the typical tourist checklist. Christopher shares what makes Toronto unique, from its laid-back personality and incredible diversity to the neighborhoods that give the city its distinct local identity. From Chinatown, Little Italy, Little Portu...

Planning a trip to Granada, Spain? In this episode of Bon Voyage Besties, travel writer Laura Dolci shares the ultimate Granada travel guide packed with expert tips, local recommendations, and hidden gems that go far beyond the famous Alhambra. Discover why Granada is one of the best places to visit in Andalusia, from its fascinating Moorish history and stunning architecture to its lively neighbor...

Have you ever dreamed of walking the Camino de Santiago but wondered if you were fit enough, had enough time, or knew where to begin? In this episode of Bon Voyage Besties, Rachel and Rosa chat with Colleen Sims, an English traveler living in France, who shares how surviving cancer inspired her to take on one of the world's most famous pilgrimages. What started as a personal challenge became a...

Join Rosa and Rachel for an inspiring conversation with Emese Maczko, a Hungarian travel writer and photographer who has spent most of her summers in Croatia since 1995. Having witnessed the country's remarkable post-war rebirth, Emese fell in love with its welcoming people, historic towns, and incredible cuisine. Drawing on more than 20 years of firsthand experience, she shares why skipping t...

In this episode of Bon Voyage Besties, Rachel and Rosa discover why Luxembourg deserves a spot on every traveler’s European bucket list with travel expert Kateryna. Often overlooked in favor of its larger neighbors, Luxembourg is packed with fairytale castles, charming villages, scenic vineyards, and a fascinating blend of cultures. Kateryna shares what makes this small country so memorable, from...

Dreaming of Italy? Join us as we journey to the heart of the Mediterranean — the enchanting island of Sicily — with travel expert Sarah Murdoch, founder of Adventures with Sarah. With more than 26 years of experience as a tour guide and travel journalist, including years working with Rick Steves Travel, Sarah shares her insider tips for discovering Sicily beyond the typical tourist trail. From cha...

You know how much we love Japan — and today we’re diving into one of our favorite topics: exploring Japan as a solo female traveler! Join Rosa, Rachel, and special guest Sequoia Armstrong as they share their experiences, insights, and practical tips for planning a safe, meaningful, and unforgettable adventure through Japan. In this episode, we chat about what it’s really like traveling solo in Jap...

Join Rachel and Rosa as they chat with travel journalist and content creator Annmarie Gajdos about how to experience Paris beyond the typical tourist checklist. After visiting more than 35 countries, Annmarie shares how travel became both her passion and career, along with how her perspective on Paris completely changed after learning to embrace the city more like a local. In this episode, the tri...

In this episode, we sit down with Mélissa Monaco, a travel blogger, podcast host, and solo travel advocate who has been inspiring travelers since 2010. As one of the pioneers of travel blogging in French-speaking Belgium, Mélissa has built a platform dedicated to uncovering hidden gems, sharing unforgettable city breaks, and encouraging women to explore the world with confidence. She is also a con...

This week, we're celebrating our home state of New Jersey! With America commemorating its 250th anniversary and New Jersey proudly standing as one of the original 13 colonies, we thought it was the perfect time to spotlight the Garden State. Join Rosa and Rachel as they share what makes New Jersey so special—from charming small towns and diverse communities to hidden gems that often fly under...

In this episode of Bon Voyage Besties, Rachel sits down with wellness traveler and content creator Malikah Kelly to explore the growing world of wellness travel and how travelers can create more intentional, restorative experiences. Malikah shares how her background in fashion eventually led her toward wellness-focused travel and explains the difference between a traditional vacation and a trip de...

Join Rosa and travel journalist Carley Rojas Avila for an insider's guide to one of Latin America's most exciting cities. Carley shares how Medellin has transformed from its turbulent past into a thriving cultural hub, and why its warm community spirit keeps travelers coming back. The conversation covers the city's best neighborhoods, from El Poblado and Laureles to hidden gems beyond...

In this episode of Bon Voyage Besties, Rachel is joined by award-winning travel expert and author Danielle Desir Corbett to share practical tips for traveling to Iceland on a budget. Known for its stunning waterfalls, glaciers, geothermal lagoons, and black sand beaches, Iceland is often considered an expensive destination, but Danielle explains how travelers can experience the country affordably...

In this episode, Rosa and Rachel dive deep into the phenomenon of travel FOMO by exploring how social media, societal pressures, and personal expectations fuel the fear of missing out on travel experiences. Through personal stories, honest reflections, and practical strategies, they help listeners navigate these feelings in a healthy and grounded way. The conversation kicks off with a look at the...

Join us in this episode as seasoned traveler and travel photographer Julie Diebolt Price shares her extensive experience planning and executing a six-week trip across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Whether you're a solo traveler or planning a long journey, get inspired by her practical tips, cultural discoveries, and travel lessons. This episode delivers actionable travel insights, heartfelt st...

It's a MDW surprise! Join us as Amy shares her passion for Route 66, exploring its history, iconic stops, hidden gems, and culinary delights. Perfect for travel enthusiasts and history buffs alike, this episode offers a comprehensive guide to one of America's most legendary roads. You can give Amy a follow at @amybizzarri and don’t forget to check out her books “The Best Hits on Route 66:...

Welcome back to Bon Voyage Besties—your go-to podcast for friendship, travel inspiration, and a little humor along the way. In this episode, we’re heading off the beaten path to explore the vibrant and underrated city of Tucson, Arizona. From breathtaking desert landscapes to a rich and diverse culinary scene, Tucson offers the perfect warm-weather escape filled with charm, culture, and unforgetta...

What if you could land in any city in the world and immediately have a trusted local woman by your side? That's exactly the vision behind Greether. This week, Rachel and Rosa sit down with its founder, Vanessa Karel, to hear how she turned her own travel experiences into a global platform connecting women across more than 100 countries. Vanessa opens up about the personal moments on the road t...

In today’s episode, Rachel and Rosa chat about one of their favorite Pennsylvania getaways: the charming town of New Hope in Bucks County. From scenic strolls and local hotspots to the best times to visit, they’re sharing everything you need to plan the perfect quick escape. Tune in for insider tips, must-do activities, and a few hidden gems that make this riverside town so special. Don’t forget t...

Thinking about booking your first cruise but feeling completely overwhelmed by all the options? In this episode of Bon Voyage Besties, hosts Rosa and Rachel sit down with cruise expert Theresa Russell for an in-depth conversation packed with first-time cruiser tips, honest advice, and everything you need to know before setting sail. Theresa breaks down the biggest benefits of cruising, how to choo...

In this episode of Bon Voyage Besties, Rosa and Rachel dive into the less glamorous side of travel: the unexpected disasters that can derail even the most carefully planned trips. From flight delays and cancellations to lost luggage and last-minute friend cancellations, they unpack the reality that travel isn’t always picture-perfect. They also explore how social media often portrays travel as sea...

In this episode of Bon Voyage Besties, we’re joined by outdoor TV host Misty Wells, who shares how she turned her love for adventure into a full-time career in travel television. Her series, "Let's Take it Outside," is an award winning TV show connecting readers and viewers with the great outdoors. From planning and choosing filming destinations to building authentic connections with...