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 just the thing to inspire your next adventure.

We're calling in The Travelers for this one: Brad Bermingham, Troy Mendenhall, my husband Craig, and me—four longtime friends. We have been exploring the world together now that our kids are grown and our calendars are a bit more flexible. From the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to the visually stunning Lake Louise and Banff , our adventures have taken us far and wide, but Morocco was unlike anywhere we've ever been.

• Is Morocco the right destination for you?
• How Cindy Stephan of International Culinary Tours curated a once-in-a-lifetime itinerary
• What it's like to ride a camel at sunset in the Sahara
• The wild sights of the Medina in Marrakech - motorcycles and donkey carts, oh my!
• What is a hammam, and should you try one?
• What's a shush and why you'll want one for your desert ride
• How stepping outside your comfort zone can completely transform your travel experience

This episode is full of laughter, stories, and tips for planning your own Moroccan getaway—or just enjoying it vicariously through our eyes (and sand-filled shoes).

Important Links:

International Culinary Tours

Suzanne’s Instagram

Suzanne’s Amazon Store

Travel Connections Podcast

Adventures of Empty Nesters

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 reflect on some deeply personal moments, including the recent loss of my very special stepfather, and how these experiences only fuel my passion to seize the day and keep finding adventure wherever I can.

And now… the BIG news! I’m launching curated boutique tours to Tuscany, Italy, starting in 2026! After decades of visiting this region, I’ve partnered with dear friends and local hosts to create magical, week-long experiences in the charming village of Montefollonico. These intimate tours (just 10–14 guests!) offer unforgettable food, wine, culture, and community—all with me as your host. Our Fall 2025 tour is nearly sold out, and Spring/Fall 2026 dates are now open! Get all the details and join the waitlist HERE!

Plus, I’ve launched a brand-new home for my writing on Substack! It’s a curated, ad-free space where I’ll share travel stories, tips, and inspiration—delivered straight to your inbox. Find me there at Find Adventure with Suzanne Stavert.

• Patagonia magic with our amazing tour guide, Sol Maranon
• A heartwarming trip recap with my husband, Craig
• An inspiring story of renovating a 300-year-old Italian farmhouse with author Barbara Boyle
• Exploring the Hamptons with local expert Vanessa Gordon

Thanks for tuning in—there’s so much more to come. Adventure is calling… will you join me?

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 is infectious, making her a go-to expert for anyone looking to enhance their travel experiences.

In 2018, Vanessa launched the Hamptons Interactive Brunch, an annual summer event series that has become a must-attend gathering for food enthusiasts and notable personalities. With her finger on the pulse of the Hamptons lifestyle, she is often sought after for her insights on travel, personal finance, and parenting, establishing herself as a trusted voice in these areas.

Her expertise has been featured in prestigious outlets such as The New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, BBC Radio, and more. Whether she’s sharing her insights in Success Magazine or contributing to Parents Magazine and Psychology Today, Vanessa's writing resonates with a diverse audience, inspiring them to embrace a life filled with adventure and mindful living.

- How Vanessa curates sustainable travel narratives through East End Taste - Her engaging personality and extensive knowledge of global experiences, travel, and exciting adventures - Insights into events in Italy, including delicious details about Florence Cocktail Week - The joys of meeting collaborators in person rather than just communicating online - Secrets to Vanessa’s organizational skills - A discussion on whether Albania is the "new and exciting" travel destination - And so much more!

Tune in for a captivating conversation filled with insights and inspiration!

Important Links:

East End Taste

Instagram

East End Taste

Vanessa Gordon

Suzanne's Instagram

Suzanne's Amazon Store

Travel Connections Podcast

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 that sound?

In today's episode, I talk with Barbara Boyle. Barbara enjoyed a colorful worldwide career as a creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi, Grey, Lowe, and other advertising agencies, creating commercials and stories for Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Mars Inc., and dozens of other marketers. Always a writer, this is the first time she has had the time required to author a book.

Her inspirational new memoir, "Pinch Me: Waking Up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse," is an evocative account of leaving the frenetic life of an advertising creative director to create a dream life in the faraway hills of Northern Italy. This book tells the story of how she leaves her life behind in San Francisco and takes apart a 300-year-old stone barn to build a new home, a new life, in Italy.

Newly retired and traveling through Europe, Barbara stumbles upon the ancient Italian hill town of Monforte.  She is enchanted by the castles and the sweeping vistas reaching out to the Alps, captivated by the region's cuisine and confounded by its extraordinary culture of kindness. And then, one morning, she awakes and looks out over the valley, and she realizes that she longs to be there in her own home, drinking her coffee and watching the sunrise. To live a life in the Italian countryside.

• Imagine trading the hustle and bustle of a corporate career for the gentle rhythms of an enchanting Italian town
• Barbara's leap into retirement was not just a change of scenery but a plunge into a deeper, richer existence.
• What is it like to wake up in a fully renovated 300-year-old Italian farmhouse?
• Details of a memoir filled with food, friendships, and scenes of Italy
• How can we learn from Barbara's bold life change?

Barbara Boyle's Website 

Barbara's Substack Letters from a 300 year old farmhouse

Barbara's Instagram 

Suzanne's Instagram

Suzanne's Amazon Store

Travel Connections Podcast

Adventures of Empty Nesters

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 first conversation I had with Sol Maranon, our Collette tour guide in Part One.

If you haven't had a chance to listen to Part One, you should; she's fantastic. She offered her vast knowledge of Patagonia, and I loved talking with her. And now, in this episode, if you have not listened to my husband Craig before, he's been on two other podcast episodes with me. One was about our tour of Southern Africa last year, and then we recorded an episode of our trip to London and Paris this season. I found that it's a great way to tell a story when your travel partner is there, embellishing and helping to fill in the details.

As a way of introduction, Craig is an executive in the tech industry and occasionally gets the chance to travel with me to these extraordinary destinations. He's a really great guy and offers his colorful opinions quite freely. This conversation is a lot of fun and quite lively.

• Craig shared memorable anecdotes and insights from our tour to Patagonia
• Favorite experiences in Buenos Aires
• Glacier sightings and breathtaking landscapes
• Craig's impressions of the visit to the sheep farm
• Why small group tours are an excellent way to travel
• Quote from Craig: "Collette sets you up for a view you would never find on your own."
• Vivid descriptions of life on the ship as we sailed through the tip of South America
• Extraordinary hiking among the 1,000 islands of Chile

An Extraordinary Tour of Patagonia with Collette

London & Paris at the Holidays - 100% Yes!

An African Safari to Remember

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 penguins living in their natural habitat?- We did it all and so much more.

We were invited to join a Small Group Explorations Tour with Colette. The tour is called Patagonia: Edge of the World. We traveled so far that at one time, we were sailing at the southern tip of South America; we were only 500 miles from Antarctica. This journey was filled with unique experiences that left us feeling like true explorers, just like Magellan.

In this episode, I interview Sol Maranon—an outstanding tourism professional with 36 years of experience. Sol grew up in Chile and knows practically everything you need to know about Patagonia; plus, her knowledge of glaciers is impressive!

• Details of the spectacular itinerary
• Descriptions of the incredible national parks on the tour - Torres del Paine, Tierra del Fuego, plus others
• The grandeur of Perito Moreno Glacier - Ice calving!
• A visit to a sheep ranch, enjoying time with locals, and viewing the extra-special herding skills of Fayo, the sheep herding dog!
• What is a guanaco?
• Details of the unique architecture of the accommodations (Suzanne's favorite)
• Climbing on Magellan's ship
• Riding in zodiac boats to see the penguins in their natural habitat

This is Part One of our two podcast episodes devoted to our tour of Patagonia. There is so much to share that we created TWO! Next up, I interview my tour partner and husband, Craig Stavert. We will dive deeper into what it really feels like to travel to the End of the Earth! This episode will be published on Friday, March 7th. It is EPIC!

Important Links

Tour - Patagonia: Edge of the World

Travel Connections Podcast

Adventures of Empty Nesters

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!

I planned the perfect eight-night (4+4) trip about a year in advance, and luckily for both of us, it turned out superbly! Who better to talk about this fantastic couple's trip than with the person I traveled with, my husband, Craig Stavert? Craig has been a guest on the podcast once before, early last season, when we talked about our glorious tour with Collette to Southern Africa. Now we are dishing up holiday adventures in London and Paris! Why are we talking about Christmas travel in February? There are several important reasons. Listen for tips!

• Tips for planning holiday travel with miles & points - Get started!
• Flying on Christmas Day - Yes or No? (Spoiler alert: YES!)
• Our perfect 4 + 4 itinerary
• London: Extraordinary Lights, National Portrait Gallery, Fortnum & Mason, Hatchard's (1797), Christmas with the Queen - Suzanne's travel book
• The travel experience from London to Paris on the Eurostar high-speed train
• Why embracing and engaging other travelers is a MUST.
• Paris Highlights - New Year's Day - Views from the Eiffel Tower, Museè D'Orsay, E. Dehillerin, Le Gallerie Dior, Notre Dame

For links to all of the places we visited - Click here!

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 this, with just one more thing - buried treasure.

No, I'm not kidding; for the past 16 years, the creative people of Camano Island have celebrated the thrill of the hunt. Northwest Glass Quest is celebrating its 16th year and will be held February 14-23 this year. The Camano Chamber of Commerce organizes the event. And for 10 days, businesses and parks throughout Stanwood & Camano Island hide plastic clue balls. You win a limited edition Hand-Blown Glass Ball when you find a plastic clue ball. These glass ball prizes are one of a kind and so beautiful. It is a fantastic activity for all ages, and there is an excellent website where all your questions and tips for a successful quest can be answered. The website is called NorthwestGlassQuest.com.

In this episode, I invited Amy Bush, a jewelry designer and owner of Loyalsmith Jewelry and the current president of the Camano Arts Association, back to the podcast.

• What is Glass Quest, and how does it add to Camano Island's unique all-season visitor experience?
• The importance of regenerative travel - How to give back while traveling!
• What are "kind" questors?
• Additional super fun things to do while participating in Glass Quest
• Where to eat while on Camano Island
• Suzanne's enthusiasm for the PNW Winter Wonderland of Camano

Important Links:

Northwest Glass Quest

Loyalsmith Jewelry

Camano Arts Association

Tapped Camano

The Baked Cafe

Camano Commons Marketplace

Blue Heron Kitchen & Bar

Short Term Rentals, Inns and Cottages

Suzanne's Favorite Cottage

The Camano Shop

Camano Cookies

Canopy Tours Northwest

Arrowhead Ranch

Camano Island State Park

Cama Beach Cafe

Related Episodes:

A Visit to Camano Island, Washington: An Artists' Studio Tour

An Invitation to Discover Regenerative Travel with Embrace Whidbey & Camano Islands

Kayaking & Island Life on Whidbey Island

Orchard Kitchen: Farm Focused Fine Dining on Whidbey Island, WA

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!

Elizabeth Poett is a seventh-generation cattle rancher, author of the bestselling cookbook The Ranch Table, and star-host of the cooking and lifestyle show Ranch to Table, one of the founding shows of the Magnolia Network. Elizabeth was born and raised on Rancho San Julian, her family's historic 14,000-acre cattle ranch on California's Central Coast. In 2007, Elizabeth started Rancho San Julian Beef, a business selling her family's ranch-raised, grass-fed beef directly to chefs and consumers. Her meats quickly became popular with California cooks and local chefs and have been served at restaurants across California. Elizabeth is also the author of the blog The Ranch Table and hosts a number of Ranch Table events, cooking workshops, educational events, and intimate farm-to-table meals throughout the year.

In this episode, you will hear all of the details of The Ranch Table from the lovely Elizabeth Poett.

• What is the origin of The Ranch Table?
• How does Elizabeth inspire people to have fun in the kitchen?
• Why cooking doesn't have to be perfect
• How her cookbook was a year-long journey created right on the ranch
• What happens at a Gathering at Rancho San Julian? Hint: It's fantastic and delicious!
• How farmer's markets influenced Elizabeth's passion for cooking
• How our connection through food brings people together
• The 2025 dates for Gatherings at Rancho San Julian with Elizabeth Poett

Related Episode

A California Road Trip Through the Central Coast - A companion episode to the interview with Elizabeth Poett. In this episode, I share the road trip itinerary that was created around our dinner at The Ranch Table.

Important Links:

The Ranch Table

Travel Connections Podcast

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Instagram:

Elizabeth Poett

Suzanne Stavert

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Facebook:

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Suzanne’s Amazon Shop

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 adventure! I discovered Elizabeth Poett through her television show called Ranch to Table. Once I learned more about her unique Gatherings at their 14,000-acre ranch, Rancho San Julian, I knew I had to go!

We created a California road trip to the Central Coast all around this special dinner at Rancho San Julian, which is about an hour north of Santa Barbara.

I share the details of this exceptional dinner, highlights of our meals along the way, and excellent wineries you need to visit! I love that this itinerary was specially curated for our taste, but once we went, I knew that you needed to hear all about it. Thank you, Kylie, for your incredible eye for detail and for creating such a fantastic itinerary. Here we go!

• Our exceptional experience at a delicious Ranch Table Event at Rancho San Julian with host Elizabeth Poett
• Fly into Santa Barbara Airport - It's fantastic!
• Travel for a reason
• Plan in advance
• The benefits of reserving an Airbnb with a small group
• Leave room for spontaneity and serendipity in your travels
• The unique details of our winery tours and dining experiences in the area are incredible! See the links below!

Next on Travel Connections!

A special interview with Elizabeth Poett from Ranch to Table - Publishing November 1, 2024

Suzanne's Next BIG Trip: South America with Collette! Stay Tuned - There are a few introductory details in this episode! Check out our social media channels to follow along: @suzannestavert on Instagram and @AdventuresofEmptyNesters on Facebook.

Dining on this California Central Coast Road Trip

The Ranch Table

Bar Le Cote

Bell's

Bob's Well Bread Bakery

Little King

Peasants Deli

The Hitching Post II

Wineries:

Future Perfect

Liquid Farm

Brave and Maiden

Spear

The Hilt Estate

Sea Creatures

Other Road Trip Episodes Mentioned in this Episode:

Kentucky:

A Conversation About Bourbon with The Experts at Woodford Reserve

Delicious Southern Food & The Kentucky Bourbon Trail - Ouita Michel

Angela Correll: Kentucky Writer, Traveler & Hospitality Innovator

Hidden Gems in Kentucky and Other Compelling Stories

From Montana to Calgary

Best of: Our Road Trip to Banff, Lake Louise & Calgary, Canada