What if some of the most fascinating stories in the world are right in front of us and we simply aren’t noticing?

On this episode of Speaking of Travel, I’m joined by award-winning travel journalist and National Geographic contributor Ronan O’Connell, author of Hidden in Plain Sight. Ronan takes us beyond the postcard view to uncover the forgotten stories, mysteries, history, and human experiences hidden within some of the world’s most iconic places.

Our conversation becomes a deeper exploration of curiosity and what happens when we slow down enough to really see what’s around us. Ronan is thoughtful, wise, funny, and endlessly curious, and his perspective may make you look at familiar places, and perhaps even your own life, a little differently.

As Ronan reminds us:

“Even in this modern age, there’s still a lot of mystery. There’s still a lot of things right in front of your face you might not be noticing that are fascinating and important.”

Maybe one of the greatest gifts of travel is not simply seeing somewhere new, but learning how to truly notice.

Tune in and discover what you may have been missing, hidden in plain sight.

Only on Speaking of Travel! 🎧

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler. 

Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, we continue to remember the lives that were lost and the lives forever changed by that day.

And that's why I’m revisiting a very special conversation with Abigail Carter, a gifted writer and artist whose husband was killed in the 9/11 tragedy.

For years, grief became part of the landscape of Abigail’s life. But eventually, something inside her began to whisper that it was time to go. Not to forget. Not to leave the past behind. But to find a way forward.

That journey led her to a château in the southwest of France, where the quiet beauty of the countryside gave her something she desperately needed: space. Space to breathe, to create, to dream, and eventually, to discover pieces of herself she thought might be lost forever.

Among sunflowers, rolling fields, old stone walls, and the gentle rhythm of French country life, Abigail began to imagine a different chapter.

Her story is not about leaving grief behind. It’s about learning to carry it while making room for life again. As we mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, this conversation feels especially meaningful. 

Abigail reminds us that healing doesn’t follow a straight path, and sometimes a new beginning begins with the quietest voice inside us saying, It’s time. This is a story about loss, courage, reinvention, and the possibility of finding beauty again even when you never imagined you could.

Tune in and never forget. ❤️

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler. 

What if the life you've been imagining is waiting for you to take the first step?

Sarah Aviram didn't stumble into a year of travel. She created it. She made the bold decision to leave behind the familiar and designed a plan to travel through 12 countries in 12 months while continuing to work remotely. And she trusted herself enough to make it happen.

In this episode of Speaking of Travel, Sarah shares the remarkable story behind her upcoming memoir, The Scenic Route: Following My Inner Compass Across 12 Countries in 12 Months. Along the way, she immersed herself in new cultures, formed unexpected friendships, embraced moments of uncertainty, and discovered that some of life's greatest rewards come from taking chances.

Sarah shares what it really takes to turn an idea into reality and how stepping away from routine can open the door to new ways of thinking. More than a story about travel, this is a conversation about possibility and giving yourself permission to dream bigger, think outside the box, and recognize that the life you want may be closer than you think. 

Whether your next adventure takes you around the world or simply in a new direction, Sarah's story is a reminder that meaningful experiences begin with a single decision to say yes.

"The biggest risk wasn't leaving home. It was wondering what might have happened if I never said yes."

If you've ever wondered whether it's too late or simply too impractical to follow a dream, this episode offers a refreshing perspective. Sarah's journey proves that adventure isn't reserved for a lucky few. It's available to anyone willing to be curious and embrace the unexpected. And of course taking that first step.

A must listen. Only on Speaking of Travel.

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler. 

Some places capture your imagination. Italy captures your heart. If you've ever dreamed of experiencing Italy beyond the guidebooks, this is the journey you've been waiting for.

Join Becky and Marcello Simone of Viaggi Italiani, together with Anne Robichaud, your expert guide to the hidden treasures of Umbria, on an unforgettable 10-day Fall 2026 Small Group Art & Cultural Tour through the heart of Italy. Carefully designed for travelers who value authentic experiences, meaningful connections, and the joy of slowing down, this experience is an invitation to experience Italy as a welcomed guest. 

You'll enjoy exclusive experiences that include private guided walks, cooking alongside local chefs, wine tastings at family-owned wineries, visits with artisans, hidden villages, Renaissance masterpieces, and extraordinary meals that celebrate the flavors and traditions of Italy. You'll even be part of the historic 800th anniversary commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi, a once-in-a-generation celebration filled with cultural and spiritual events. 

Adding another extraordinary dimension to the journey is Jane Adams, President and CEO of Artemisia Gold, whose work restoring the forgotten masterpieces of Renaissance women artists has inspired an international movement. Throughout the tour, you'll discover the remarkable legacy of Plautilla Nelli, the first known woman painter of Florence, while helping support the preservation of these priceless works of art. 

Becky, Marcello, Anne, and Jane share the stories behind this remarkable journey and why they created it. And find out what makes it so different from traditional tours and why 2026 is an extraordinary time to experience Italy.

This isn't about rushing from one famous landmark to another. This amazing tour is about wandering medieval streets, sharing meals with new friends, discovering hidden artistic treasures, meeting the people who keep Italy's traditions alive, and returning home with memories that will stay with you forever.

Space is intentionally limited to create an intimate, personalized experience and reservations are now open.

If Italy has been calling your name...

This is your invitation.

Listen to the episode then reserve your place on this extraordinary Fall 2026 journey with Becky, Marcello, Anne, and Jane for the journey of a lifetime. 

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 Cowan has lived many lives.

He's been an attorney, educator, businessman, musician, songwriter, and now, an author. His debut novel, John B. Peoples, is proof that some of life's most meaningful adventures begin long after we think we've settled into who we are.

In this episode of Speaking of Travel, Michael shares what inspired him to finally write the novel that had been quietly waiting inside him, why France, and especially Paris and Marseille, became such important settings, and how travel has shaped both his storytelling and his perspective on life.

Together we explore what it means to keep growing, embrace curiosity, redefine success, and discover new purpose through every season of life.

Whether you're dreaming about your next journey, considering a new creative path, or wondering if it's ever too late to begin again, this conversation is a reminder that the best chapters are sometimes the ones we never saw coming.

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. 

Travel has the power to change us. But what if it could also help change the world for the better?

On this episode of Speaking of Travel, join Jared Sternberg, founder and CEO of Gondwana Ecotours, for a thoughtful conversation about what it really means to travel with purpose. Jared shares how an unexpected journey took him from law school and backpacking adventures to building an international ecotourism company, challenging the idea that travel is simply about seeing new places.

Together we explore how every trip we take leaves an impact and why the communities we visit should benefit from our presence. Jared invites us to think differently about travel, not just as something we experience, but as something that can strengthen communities and inspire positive change.

This episode is an invitation to look beyond the itinerary and consider a bigger question: What kind of traveler do we want to be?

"Travel isn't just about where you go. It's about recognizing that your presence has an impact and choosing to leave people and places better because you were there."

Join us for a conversation that may forever change the way you see the world and your place in it.

Only on Speaking of Travel. 

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler. 

Some conversations feel like catching up with an old friend. And that's exactly what it was like welcoming Katie Cole back to Speaking of Travel. 

Katie is not only a remarkable singer-songwriter, she's one of the kindest, most genuine people you'll ever meet. From her years touring with the Smashing Pumpkins to performing the iconic music of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit before audiences around the world, she's inspired countless people through both her extraordinary talent and her generous spirit.

In this episode, Katie shares the deeply personal journey behind her upcoming album, FOREST, a collection of songs shaped by love, loss, healing, and discovering who we become after life changes us. 

Her honesty is inspiring and her music stays with you long after the last note. Katie's story is a beautiful reminder that even through life's hardest seasons, hope is never far away.

"Healing isn't about finding your way back to who you were. It's about learning to love the person you've become." 

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. 

The world teaches us how to move forward, but it rarely teaches us how to heal. But healing may be one of the most courageous adventures we ever undertake.

On this deeply human episode of Speaking of Travel, meet Anthony Dyer, whose extraordinary journey from military service to healing is a powerful reminder that our most important journeys are often the ones no one else can see.

Originally from Sylva, North Carolina, Anthony spent more than a decade flying high-risk missions around the world, where split-second decisions could mean the difference between life and death. 

His extraordinary service earned him multiple honors, including the Air Force's prestigious Jolly Green Rescue Mission of the Year in 2018. But Anthony's most important journey began after the missions ended.

Drawing from his memoir, Moon Child, Anthony shares the invisible challenges many veterans carry long after returning home, from trauma, PTSD, addiction, isolation, to the difficult process of rebuilding an identity beyond military service. Together we explore how true strength isn't found in carrying pain alone but in allowing ourselves to heal.

Whether you're a veteran, someone navigating your own challenges, or simply seeking inspiration, Anthony's story is a powerful reminder that even after our darkest moments, there is always a path forward.

Some stories change the way we see the world. Others change the way we see ourselves. This conversation with Anthony Dyer may do both.

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. 

What happens when a love of food becomes a passport to the world? On this episode of Speaking of Travel, we're joined by Liisa Andreassen and John Godts, the husband-and-wife team behind Cottage Cooking, whose adventures have taken them across six continents and more than 40 countries.

What began as a creative way to fund their travels has evolved into a meaningful journey centered on food, storytelling, cultural exchange, and human connection. John and Liisa have discovered that food is one of the world's most universal languages.

In this conversation, we explore how travel has expanded their perspective and inspired them to create experiences that bring people together. We discuss the ways curiosity can lead us beyond our comfort zones and how some of life's most memorable moments happen when we slow down and truly connect around a table.

At its heart, this conversation is about connection. It's about saying yes to new experiences and embracing the unfamiliar. Liisa and John show us how some of the most meaningful moments in life happen when we gather around a table and listen with an open heart. 

And allow ourselves to be transformed by the journey.

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. 

Some journeys change the way we see the world. On this episode of Speaking of Travel, we're setting sail along the coast of Maine with Justin Schaefer and Jocelyn Schmidt, owners and captains of the historic Schooner J. & E. Riggin.

Together they've created an experience where the wind sets the pace and the sea shapes each day. And how the simple moments become the memories that stay with us long after the journey ends.

As proud members of the Maine Windjammer Association, Justin and Jocelyn are helping preserve a treasured maritime tradition while inviting travelers to reconnect with a slower, more meaningful way of exploring the world.

Sustainability is woven into every voyage, from traveling under sail to supporting local communities and celebrating the natural beauty of Maine's coast. And we also talk about one of the highlights guests never forget... the food. As the schooner's chef, Jocelyn crafts memorable meals inspired by locally sourced ingredients.

Whether you've always dreamed of sailing the Maine coast or simply find yourself longing for a different rhythm of life, this episode is a reminder that some of the most meaningful adventures aren't measured by how far we travel, but rather by how deeply we connect with a place and with ourselves.

"There's nothing quite like that moment when the wind fills the sails and everything else simply falls away."

Join us and discover why sometimes the best way to move forward is to let the wind lead the way. 

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.