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It’s happy hour on the Taste Toast Travel podcast!

This week, we’re diving into two iconic cocktails: the Mai Tai and the Aperol Spritz.

We explore:

🍹 The intriguing and unexpected histories behind the Mai Tai and Aperol Spritz

🍹 Tips on how to make the perfect versions of each cocktail

🍹 Fun variations and alternatives you can try at home

🍹 Our travel experiences sipping these drinks around the world

To wrap things up, we take you to Siena, Italy, for a look at the Palio di Siena—the world-famous historic horse race that just took place on July 2nd and August 16th. We share a glimpse into our unforgettable experience attending this event in 2018, and why it’s a must-do if you’re planning a trip to Tuscany.

So pour yourself a drink, get cozy, and join us for cocktail hour filled with stories, history, and travel inspiration!

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Join Tara as she chats with Moira Khan, a Grief Coach, educator, and seasoned traveler whose journey has taken her from New Zealand to the UK and now to sunny Spain.

In this inspiring conversation, Moira shares:

✈️ How she navigated expat life in Spain and adapted to cultural differences.

✈️ Her experiences moving across continents with her family.

✈️ The importance of community and connection when living abroad.

✈️ Insights into Spanish culture, including the warm hospitality and slower pace of life.

✈️ Her love for Spanish wine regions like La Rioja and how they compare to others she’s explored.

Whether you’re dreaming about moving abroad, fascinated by cultural shifts, or eager to explore the world’s best wine destinations, this episode offers travel inspiration, practical expat tips, and heartfelt reflections on life outside your comfort zone.

Download our free guides! https://tastetoasttravel.com/freebie

Connect with us and learn more:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_
• Website: https://tastetoasttravel.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Join our mailing list: https://tastetoasttravel.myflodesk.com/subscribe

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Enjoy 15% off at Wine Girl with Tara's discount code! Use this link and code WINE15 when you shop: https://shopwinegirl.com/?ref=tastetoasttravel

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This week, we’re unpacking a handful of headlines in the food, drink, and travel industries, including Wine Enthusiast’s top Napa Valley wineries to visit (and adding our own insider picks you won’t want to miss!).

We’ll also spill the tea on:

🧳 The dirtiest spots in hotel rooms, and even your suitcase

🍺 Why so many Irish pubs are named after people, and the quirky history behind it

🩷 Meghan Markle’s brand-new rosé wine launch making headlines

🍷 A wine heist in London that's straight out of a movie

☕️ The must-try Brazilian coffee cocktail that’ll be your new happy hour obsession

Whether you’re a wine lover, a wanderluster, or just here for the fun facts, this episode is your passport to fascinating travel tidbits, sip-worthy stories, and expert recommendations.

Download our free guides! https://tastetoasttravel.com/freebie

Connect with us and learn more:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_
• Website: https://tastetoasttravel.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Join our mailing list: https://tastetoasttravel.myflodesk.com/subscribe

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Enjoy 15% off at Wine Girl with Tara's discount code! Use this link and code WINE15 when you shop: https://shopwinegirl.com/?ref=tastetoasttravel

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In this crime lovers episode of Taste Toast Travel, we’re unpacking two shocking true crime stories from Northern California’s wine country in Napa.

First, we investigate the infamous French Laundry wine heist in Yountville, CA, where thieves made off with over $300,000 in rare, high-end wine—a burglary of a Thomas Keller restaurantthat rocked the food and wine world before unraveling in an unexpected twist.

Then, we turn to the murder-suicide of vintner Robert Dahl and businessman Emad Tawfilis, a wild tale of greed, fraud, and betrayal that shook Napa Valley to its core.

These real-life events reveal a side of wine country that rarely makes the tasting room brochure—one steeped in deception, desperation, and dark consequences. If you love true crime, wine culture, and behind-the-scenes drama, this episode delivers exactly that. Listener discretion is advised.

TRIGGER WARNING: One of these stories discuss murder and suicide.

Sources:

• https://www.cbsnews.com/news/48-hours-investigates-a-tale-of-money-wine-and-murder-in-napa-valley/
• https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/inside-napa-vineyard-murder-suicide/
• https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/podcasts/french-laundry-restaurant-napa-wine-heist/?srsltid=AfmBOor7oPVFlVAozRWi3hh66LCpc2s86JCS0WzNcUhrtHue3X0FHYJf
• https://www.winespectator.com/articles/two-men-indicted-in-french-laundry-wine-theft

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• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_
• Website: https://tastetoasttravel.com/
• Email: [email protected]
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Enjoy 15% off at Wine Girl with Tara's discount code! Use this link and code WINE15 when you shop: https://shopwinegirl.com/?ref=tastetoasttravel

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In this flavorful episode of Taste Toast Travel, Tara sits down with acclaimed Bay Area chef and restaurateur Paul Iglesias, the creative force behind Oakland, California hotspots Parché and Jaji. 

Known for weaving Colombian and Salvadorian heritage into every dish, Paul takes us on a journey from his roots in Washington, D.C., to the global flavors that shaped his culinary philosophy.

✨ Hear how his mother inspired his artistic approach to food, and how his travels through Colombia, Spain, and beyond influence every plate he serves.

 🌍 Discover the transformation of Medellín from a city of danger to a cultural destination, and how that evolution fuels Paul’s mission to uplift Oakland’s food scene.

 🍽️ Learn about the stories behind his restaurants, the value of authenticity and cultural storytelling, and the power of food to build community and preserve tradition.

Whether you're a food lover, travel enthusiast, or just craving a story with heart, this episode serves up rich conversation seasoned with tradition, innovation, and global flavor.

Connect with Paul:

• https://www.parcheoak.com/
• https://www.jajioak.com/

Download our free guides! https://tastetoasttravel.com/freebie

Connect with us and learn more:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_
• Website: https://tastetoasttravel.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Join our mailing list: https://tastetoasttravel.myflodesk.com/subscribe

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Enjoy 15% off at Wine Girl with Tara's discount code! Use this link and code WINE15 when you shop: https://shopwinegirl.com/?ref=tastetoasttravel

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Today we’re breaking down notable travel changes, including the new TSA policy that finally ends the dreaded shoe removal at airport security.

Then, things take a turn as Tara shares how an order of fried chicken led to the downfall of the infamous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde.

Finally, we’re exploring the top-ranked U.S. and international cities for food and drink—revealing which culinary hotspots made the list, which ones definitely shouldn't have, and where you should plan your next delicious adventure.

Plus, don’t miss a fiery round of “One’s Gotta Go,” where Italian comfort foods and high-end fashion go head-to-head in the ultimate showdown.

This episode has something for foodies, travel lovers, and anyone who’s ever debated between Italian foods and designer goods.

Download our free guides! https://tastetoasttravel.com/freebie

Connect with us and learn more:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_
• Website: https://tastetoasttravel.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Join our mailing list: https://tastetoasttravel.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Leave us a voice note! https://www.speakpipe.com/TasteToastTravel

Enjoy 15% off at Wine Girl with Tara's discount code! Use this link and code WINE15 when you shop: https://shopwinegirl.com/?ref=tastetoasttravel

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Struggling to choose the right bottle of wine without spending a fortune? In this episode, Certified Sommelier John shares expert wine buying tips to help you shop smart—whether you're browsing the aisles of Trader Joe’s, Costco, or your favorite wine shop.

We break down exactly how to choose a great bottle of wine on a budget by decoding wine labels, understanding regions, and knowing what really matters when it comes to:

• Wine regions and origin (Italy, France, Spain, and the U.S.)
• Price vs. quality: what you're really paying for
• Grape varietals and wine styles to look for
• How vintage impacts the wine (and your wallet)
• Label-reading tips to avoid common traps
• Best-value wine picks from Trader Joe’s and Costco
  
  

Whether you're a wine newbie or an experienced enthusiast, you’ll walk away with practical sommelier-approved tips for buying wine confidently and affordably.

Download our free guides! https://tastetoasttravel.com/freebie

Connect with us and learn more:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_
• Website: https://tastetoasttravel.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Join our mailing list: https://tastetoasttravel.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Leave us a voice note! https://www.speakpipe.com/TasteToastTravel

Enjoy 15% off at Wine Girl with Tara's discount code! Use this link and code WINE15 when you shop: https://shopwinegirl.com/?ref=tastetoasttravel

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We’re digging into the infamous 2013 Carnival Triumph disaster, also known as the “Poop Cruise”.

We dive into the chain of events that led to the catastrophic engine fire, the subsequent power and plumbing failures, and how 4,200 passengers were left stranded in unsanitary and dire conditions for five days. 

This (disturbing) tale includes firsthand accounts from crew members, interviews, and reflections on the shocking response from Carnival with look at the legal and financial aftermath for the affected everyone involved.

We also touch on Meghan Markle’s new As Ever Rosé, and the new No Tax on Tips bill that just passed and how that affects employees who heavily rely on tips.

SOURCES: The key source for this episode is the Netflix Documentary, “Trainwreck: Poop Cruise”.

Download our free guides! https://tastetoasttravel.com/freebie

Connect with us and learn more:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_
• Website: https://tastetoasttravel.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Join our mailing list: https://tastetoasttravel.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Leave us a voice note! https://www.speakpipe.com/TasteToastTravel

Enjoy 15% off at Wine Girl with Tara's discount code! Use this link and code WINE15 when you shop: https://shopwinegirl.com/?ref=tastetoasttravel

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This week we're so excited to be chatting with Sunduri Malcolm and diving into her truly inspiring journey, from her birth in New York to adventuring through countless states and countries in between, to her current home in Germany.

Sundari shares her background growing up in Harlem, and this exciting conversation dives into her travels, solo trips, her time living in a tiny home, in a bus traveling across the U.S., and her multiple moves along the way.

She offers such valuable insights into embracing new cultures, the importance of staying open to new experiences, and the profound lessons she's learned through her travels and work as a Death Doula.

This episode is full of inspiration for those considering solo travel, or looking for ways to enrich their lives through new adventures.

Connect with Sundari:

• https://ahealingdoula.com/
• Discover her book: Grief Gems
• https://www.instagram.com/sundaribliss/

Download our free guides! https://tastetoasttravel.com/freebie

Connect with us and learn more:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_
• Website: https://tastetoasttravel.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Join our mailing list: https://tastetoasttravel.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Leave us a voice note! https://www.speakpipe.com/TasteToastTravel

Enjoy 15% off at Wine Girl with Tara's discount code! Use this link and code WINE15 when you shop: https://shopwinegirl.com/?ref=tastetoasttravel

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We’re kicking off Cocktail Conversations on the podcast!

We’re exploring the origins, deliciousness, and nuances of two classic cocktails: the Aviation and the Negroni. 

We start with Tara’s favorite gin-based drink, the Aviation, detailing its Prohibition-era roots that will give you all the 1920’s feels. Then, we dig into John’s Italian favorite, the Negroni, tracing its origins back to one of our most favorite cities: Florence (in 1919, more specifically).

We’re also continuing our Keep, Swap, Trash game going from last week with a fun twist in this episode. This is both a fun (and slightly nerdy) listen for those who love all things cocktails.

Download our free guides! https://tastetoasttravel.com/freebie

Connect with us and learn more:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_
• Website: https://tastetoasttravel.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Join our mailing list: https://tastetoasttravel.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Leave us a voice note! https://www.speakpipe.com/TasteToastTravel

Enjoy 15% off at Wine Girl with Tara's discount code! Use this link and code WINE15 when you shop: https://shopwinegirl.com/?ref=tastetoasttravel