Welcome to another of my Best of Series of episodes. This is where I talk about the highlights of a fantastic travel itinerary. In this episode, I describe our tremendously successful road trip from Whitefish, Montana, to Calgary, Canada, which includes the most picturesque destinations of Banff, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake.

It was really well planned, not too hard to execute and I did learn some tips along the way that I do think will help you a great deal. You can take what I've done and mold it to what you like to do, and hopefully, this gives you a framework for how to build your road trip through such a remarkably beautiful landscape.

• What makes a trip successful?
• How to use this episode as an inspiration for your next road trip to Banff and beyond
• Don't miss Glacier National Park in Montana!
• The beauty of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
• How tourist crowds can affect your trip
• Why stepping out of your comfort zone can enhance your travel experience
• What is the Calgary Stampede, and why should you go?

Glacier National Park

• Lake McDonald Lodge
• Russel's Fireside Dining

Banff, Canada - Favorite Dining/Bar Experiences

• Lupo
• The Bison
• Banff Springs Fairmont Hotel - Rundle Bar

Calgary, Canada

• Calgary Stampede
• Hyatt Regency Calgary

Are you familiar with the Italian phrase "La Dolce Vita"? It means "enjoying life's pleasures, indulging, and cultivating joy."

In this episode, I am thrilled to share our adventures in Italy with you. We just returned from a jam-packed adventure that lasted 12 days. The good news is that we traveled through Italy for 12 days! The bad news is that I covered a lot of ground—maybe too much.

After one night in Rome, we took a high-speed train to Bari, rented a car, and drove south through Puglia. In Puglia, you are literally in the heel of Italy's boot, and our itinerary was ambitious. We stopped in Lecce, Alberobello, Polignano a mare, Monopoli and Matera.

Truthfully, if you have yet to research or plan to go to this region of Italy, these names will sound like any other Italian village. However, once you hear me describe them, you should be ready to decide whether you want to see them too! Let's look at this as an introduction. I wish I had access to a podcast episode like this one when planning my trip!

• Where is the region of Puglia, and why should I go there? (Hint: It's spectacular!)
• Tips to create your own itinerary
• Hot tip about Rome
• The most amazing hotel we have ever stayed!
• Craig's "Best Breakfast of his life"
• What are trulli?
• How to enjoy La Dolce Vita!

This episode is meant as an introduction to another wonderful region of Italy. Each region offers its own kind of magic, culinary focus, and traditions. You will find that each region is so special, as are the people who live there!

Which regions of Italy have you been to?

Important Links:

Travel Connections Podcast

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Instagram:

Suzanne Stavert

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Facebook:

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Suzanne’s Amazon Shop

Rome

The Tribune Hotel

Lecce

Palazzo Maresgallo

Matera

Sexitantio

Montefollonico

iCastagni

Welcome to a special episode of Travel Connections. The original subject of this episode was initially scheduled to focus on our fantastic trip to Puglia, Italy. However, something incredible and unexpected happened to me, and I thought it would be fun to share a little behind the scenes! I decided it was a good time to change direction and report this exciting news!

Good Morning America reached out to me and asked if I would do an interview focusing on Empty Nesters. What? Let me think about this! I started my website, Adventures of Empty Nesters, ten years ago. So, obviously, empty nesters are a favorite subject of mine! From start to finish, the entire experience with GMA was uplifting and validating. I thought it would be fun to share how it all happened. The producer also asked for family and travel photos and videos to include in the piece.

In this short but fun episode, I share how this all came about and how it all connected to my life as an Empty Nester. What a thrill!

• How did the GMA episode come about?
• Why are empty nesters so important?
• Tips to Succeed in the Empty Nest
• The Best of Adventures of Empty Nesters
• Future possibilities with Good Morning America

You can find the GMA episode in several locations:

AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com - (Just scroll down a little)

YouTube

Suzanne's YouTube Channel

Good Morning America

Today's episode is an important topic near and dear to my travel heart. Are you an intentional traveler? Have you given this idea any thought? I have connected with Susie Chau, a creative go-getter in the travel world.  She helps Entrepreneur Moms take month-long summer sabbaticals and consistent vacations to strengthen family bonds through travel. Susie and I met over eight years ago at a conference, but I saw a recent video of hers on Instagram. I loved what she was saying and knew I had to ask her to come on Travel Connections!

As a travel expert, Susie Chau's perspective on intentional travel is unique and inspiring. A Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist since 2021 and a Certified Travel Designer by the Transformational Travel Council, she brings a wealth of experience to the table. Her journey began in 2016 when she founded Carpe Diem Traveler after a year-long sabbatical to all seven continents with her husband. 

As Susie and I both believe, travel can be so much more than just an escape. It's about relaxation, exploration, and, most importantly, personal growth. When done with intention, travel can have many layers, each offering a unique experience.

We talk at length about what makes a travel experience go even deeper. And also, how can your travel be a positive experience for the places you go and the people you meet? Does every traveler realize how they contribute to a destination? These ideas about travel are so exciting and can bring a travel experience to an even higher level of enjoyment!

Come join in the conversation!

• Why travel can be so much more than a means to escape
• What is transformational travel and the Transformational Travel Council?
• How Susie created a course for entrepreneurial Moms
• Why should we travel with intention?
• What does the acronym S.O.U.L stand for? (Hint: It's brilliant!)

Important links:

Carpe Diem Traveler

Instagram

Linked In

Travel Connections Podcast

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Suzanne's Amazon Shop

Instagram:

Suzanne Stavert

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Facebook:

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Have you been on a cruise to Alaska?

Welcome to a very special episode of Travel Connections. Why is it so special? Well, it's because I am interviewing my daughter, Alex Karlen. Alex and I took our very first ocean cruise on the Celebrity Edge. And I thought, who better to tell the story and add her colorful insights than my exceptional and clever daughter? We have not traveled together in quite a while, and I was thrilled she could clear her calendar to come with me!

Her fantastic husband, Brent, took care of their four-year-old twins while she and I embarked on our unique Alaskan Adventure.

In her work world, Alex is a Director and Branch Manager for the Pacific Northwest in the creative space. She is a fantastic baker, an excellent home cook, and a voracious reader when she has any spare time.

You will hear us talk about Ann and Steve Teget. Ann and Steve organized this special group of guests for a Friends of Postcard Jar Cruise. They are experts on cruising and have written a lot about it on their website, Postcard Jar. They are my go-to people for cruising.

I was curious if I would be a good fit for an enormous, 3,000-person ocean liner, but this incredible ship was perfect for me to see if we liked it. We loved it! The ship design was over the top incredible, the service was top-notch, and Alaska—oh wow. Nature on such a grand scale is a sight to behold. And the cruise embarked from our hometown of Seattle! It was kind of a no-brainer!

• What is it really like on a Celebrity Edge Cruise to Alaska?
• Alex and Suzanne pro-tips!
• All of the amenities on The Celebrity Edge
• What is a flair bartender?
• Why Alaska is a MUST-see!
• Details of the Spectacular Dawes Glacier!

Let me know what you think about cruising! Have you been to Alaska? I'd love to hear about your experiences.

Essential links in this episode:

Postcard Jar - Fantastic news of cruises and travel by Ann & Steve Teget

Travel Connections Podcast

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Instagram:

Suzanne Stavert

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Facebook:

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Suzanne's Amazon Shop

Are you looking for a couple of ingredients for a successful summer trip? Welcome to this minisode or mini-episode. Do you have 8 minutes? In this quick episode, we catch you up and provide a few bite-size bits of travel news!

I share some fun information, and you can check out the highlights below:

1. I'm catching you up on my fantastic cruise to Alaska with my daughter Alex. I'll give you some highlights and let you know that I am creating a special episode devoted to the cruise, which will be published on July 26th.
2. Our podcast team is taking a mid-season hiatus because everyone is traveling simultaneously! We will reconnect later this summer.
3. I share my summer travel plans with you!
4. I offer three summer travel tips for a happy vacation. Make your plans early, as it is crowded everywhere!

• Look for personal travel connections
• Be patient - Seriously, this is a must!
• Learn to pivot

This quick and "newsy" episode is a speedy highlight travel reel. We will take our travel break and see you on July 26th with a brand-new regular format episode.

Safe travels, friends!

Instagram:

Suzanne Stavert

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Facebook:

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Suzanne's Amazon Shop

Today’s guest is a very special someone and my personal Travel Connection. She is the queen of embracing life even when it is really hard. I met her not too long ago, in September 2023, while I was a host with Tuscan Women Cook in Tuscany. You may remember from a prior episode my interview with Coleen Kirnan, the owner of Tuscan Women Cook.

JeriLynne Clifford and her husband Scot were part of a group participating in a week-long immersive experience in Tuscany. We learned cooking techniques from the local Italian nonnas or grandmas, sampled delicious local ingredients, and visited other neighboring towns.

Meeting this special couple was a treat, but what you don't know is that we learned prior to their arrival that JeriLynne and Scot's house burned down while they were traveling in Italy. Lightning struck the house, and they lost absolutely everything.

Embracing life with gratitude even through the tears

Understandably, our first encounter was during probably one of the more difficult times of her life. Impossible to imagine, right? However, she was gracious and inspiring and I couldn't believe how engaging they both were. The entire week was a tremendous success and the two of them fit in with the group seamlessly. JeriLynne talks about how Italy was instrumental in the start of the healing process for them.

JeriLynne is known as The Hill County Bon Vivant and has been a tastemaker for as long as she can remember. She was 16 when she catered her first wedding and continued to cater full and part-time throughout her life. She first realized her love for adventure in food, entertaining, and traveling when she started planning family vacations and events.

In this episode, she shares her personal (and inspiring) saga and then gives us the delicious details of her new weekly subscription, Mastering the Ease of Home Cooking. Every week, she shares a new menu, recipes, and a grocery and prep list to help you be successful in the kitchen.

• How to move forward when tragedy happens
• Living with gratitude
• What is a bon vivant?
• How Italy helped start the healing process
• What the arches in her new home will mean to her
• What is the secret to success in the kitchen
• The importance of learning to pivot
• What is Mastering the Ease of Home Cooking?

For all of the details of JeriLynne's new business Mastering the Ease of Home Cooking - Click HERE!

Important Links:

The Hill Country Bon Vivant

Mastering the East of Home Cooking

Other episodes featuring Italy:

Travel to Tuscany Stories From the Heart - Angela Correll

The Italian Cooking School of Your Dreams - Coleen Kirnan

Travel to Italy Today - Alice Salvagnin

Hello, and welcome to another fantastic episode of Travel Connections. My special guest today is Cindy Greenstein, also known as The Points Mom; she will share with you several brilliant opportunities you may not have known existed. After this interview, you will be excited to dive into your current credit card capabilities and create rewards and travel possibilities. I am so inspired.

Let me tell you a little about Cindy. During her more than 20 years of marriage, Cindy Greenstein, also known as (The Points Mom) has used credit card points to travel the world while rarely paying for airline flights and hotel rooms. Some of her five-figure family travel savings include trips to Aspen ($26,000), Greece ($23,000), and London ($15,000). Cindy, an attorney and former certified public accountant, founded The Points Mom to share her credit card rewards program expertise with family, friends, and small business owners who don’t have the time to learn how to maximize their points.

• Why did Cindy Greenstein create The Points Mom?
• The benefits of accumulating points and miles
• The benefits of a flexible reward card
• What is a multiplier, and why is it important
• The advantage of traveling during the nonpeak seasons
• How you can save BIG money through these programs - SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL!

This episode is enlightening and will absolutely help you begin your credit card rewards journey. I learned so much and have already implemented her suggestions! This episode is so packed full of great information that you may want to listen twice!

Important Links!

The Points Mom

Instagram: ThePointsMom_

Facebook: The Points Mom

Travel Connections Podcast

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Instagram:

Suzanne Stavert

Adventures of Empty Nesters

This is a fun, informative episode. It came about because two weeks ago, I did a road trip episode called Our Epic Road Trip in Arizona. In it, I talked a lot about what we did specifically and gave you the details of where we stayed and what activities we enjoyed. Sharing this itinerary was so successful and well-received that I thought I'd do one more.

Spending time in such a fabulous city like Seattle is always a fun experience. Several years ago, I shared a blog post on my blog, Adventures of Empty Nesters, titled A Girls' Trip Itinerary in Seattle. It has become one of my most popular posts, sparking the desire to create another satisfying itinerary. Interestingly, this time, the adventure was shared by three men and me. This recent visit is still fresh in my mind, and I'm thrilled to share it with you. The best part? The entire day's itinerary is within a short walking distance, offering unique experiences at every turn, making it an easy and fun day of exploration.

Itinerary:

• Space Needle
• Lunch at The Bar Chihuly Garden and Glass
• Visit Chihuly Gardens and Glass
• Museum of Pop Culture - Also known as MoPop
• Day extension: 
• Olympic Sculpture Park
• Tilikum Place

The episode offers some great history about the Seattle Center and some excellent logistical tips, like starting your day early and parking in the lot adjacent to the Space Needle.

Seattle offers so much! Here is the link to The Girls Trip Itinerary. All of these suggestions can be combined with other activities. 

Check out my other episodes featuring other destinations like Whidbey and Camano Islands, and the Skagit Valley, which are only a short drive from downtown Seattle. 

Travel Connections Podcast

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Instagram:

Suzanne Stavert

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Other episodes mentioned:

A Girls Trip to Seattle

Our Epic Road Trip in Arizona

Whidbey Island: Orchard Kitchen with Chef Vincent Nattress

Camano Island: Discover Regenerative Travel

Skagit Valley: Featuring Chef Christy Fox

Welcome to today’s episode devoted to our epic road trip in Arizona. Don't miss the links at the bottom! If you would like to go straight to the highlights and links to restaurants and activities just scroll on down!

This episode was not originally on the editorial calendar. But to be perfectly honest, I planned such a fantastic itinerary for this Spring Training, great food, beautiful landscapes, Grand Canyon Adventure, that I had to share it with you. Imagine us just sitting together over a cup of coffee or a craft cocktail and you saying, "So, how was your trip to Arizona?"

I am kind of embarrassed to admit that we had never been to Sedona or the Grand Canyon, but I soon learned that many of you hadn't either! Now you will have an itinerary to use as a base for your next epic road trip in Arizona!

Every detail of the itinerary went perfectly! We are always open to learning about new places to visit, and we used several suggestions from various sources to create this long weekend vacation.

• Spring Training do's and don'ts - "Hot" Tips too
• Fantastic restaurants
• A new to us hotel that was once a private home
• Learning to navigate rain while traveling
• A spectacular chapel built in the red rocks of Sedona
• A distillery with postcard views that will blow your mind
• Seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time during a light snowfall - Epic!

Important Links:

Travel Connections Podcast

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Instagram:

Suzanne Stavert

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Phoenix:

Tratto

Pizzeria Bianco

Mastros Ocean Club

Royal Palms Hotel

Sedona:

L'Auberge de Sedona

Mariposa

Dahl and DiLuca

Redwall Distillery

Wildflower

Pink Jeep Tours

Chapel of the Holy Cross