Travel Connections

Welcome to Season Three! I so appreciate you joining me as we head into 2024 with the Travel Connections Podcast. Once again, our episodes will be filled with fascinating people sharing unique stories. You will be enlightened and entertained and gain knowledge you didn't know you needed! This episode is the perfect way to add to your research for your next trip.

In today's episode, we begin a three-part series featuring our recent tour of Southern Africa with Collette.

I have been traveling as a Brand Ambassador with Collette for the past six years, where I have been to Japan, Iceland, and now Africa. Everyone at Collette does a superb job planning and executing their tours. To learn more about my first two tours, visit AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com and type Japan and Iceland in the search bar. The link is also listed below.

My husband Craig and I were invited to join a small group tour called Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari By Land & By Water. Oh my goodness, I can't say enough about this experience. It was a dream trip and exceeded all of my expectations, and you will have the opportunity to hear so much in this episode, as well as Episodes 2 and 3.

But first, let me tell you a little about my husband, Craig Stavert. Craig and I met in high school, went to different colleges, and will celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary in October. Where did the time go? We have been traveling together since our honeymoon to Maui & Kauai.

We did not travel that much when our kids were younger due to school activities and sports obligations. However, once the kids left the nest, it was game on, and we have not stopped exploring the world.

Craig's business career has been in the tech industry, running global sales organizations. He was traveling a great deal, and since the kids were grown, it was time for me to get back out there. I created the Adventures of Empty Nesters blog ten years ago. I was initially writing about life in the Empty Nest but then pivoting to writing about my travel experiences. Now, I work with global travel brands, sharing their destinations and stories through my podcast.

Now that you have a little background on the two of us, here are some of the episode's highlights!

Highlights:

• Why is Africa a bucket list destination?
• What is a typical day like on safari?
• Lunch at the home of a local woman named Audrey in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
• The astounding access to wildlife in their natural habitat
• The power, size, and magnitude of Victoria Falls
• "Ellies at night" - The extraordinary gift
• The special benefits of small group tours and how Collette gets it right
• Craig explains his quote, "You go to Africa for the wildlife, but it's the people that you remember the most."
• PLUS SO MUCH MORE!

Important Links:

Wildnerness of Southern Africa: Safari By Land and By Water

Travel Connections Podcast

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Facebook:

Collette

Iganyana Tented Camp

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Instagram:

Collette

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Suzanne Stavert

Are road trips on your radar? Are you looking for US destinations that are "off the beaten path" and super interesting? You are in the right place. Today's special guest will probably make you laugh as well as enlighten you with his vast knowledge of road trip destinations.

Bill Clevlen of Bill on the Road, is the king of road trips; he has written five books about it to prove it! I feel like everyone recently has jumped on the road trip idea as part or all of their travel plans. Craig and I have done much more road-tripping in the last couple of years, have you?

Also, totally random information, Have you ever wondered where Pickleball began?? Well, Bill can answer those questions as well and will share some fun and exciting tips for road trips across the United States.

But first, I will offer you a proper bio for Bill Clevlen.

"Bill On The Road" was born in 2013 after long-time St. Louis radio broadcaster Bill Clevlen became fed up with reading negative stories about cities and states. Bill launched a website focusing on road trips and highlighting only the positives.

Clevlen's Bill On The Road stories can be heard on popular syndicated radio programs like RMWorld Travel and The Travel Planners Radio Show as well as television stations and traditional media outlets across the U.S. Bill is also a regular contributor to a national audience on SiriusXM satellite radio.

He is the author of five travel books, including The Ultimate American Music Bucket List. He's a frequent guest speaker for conferences and a lecturer on travel topics for The Smithsonian.

Bill regularly produces digital video content for major tourism organizations and has worked with hundreds of destinations nationwide. From Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco and everywhere in between, Bill On The Road has helped roadtrippers find unique and exciting things to do while driving across America.

Highlights in this Episode:

• How Bill went from a 20-year career in radio to travel writing
• Why did Bill successfully sell his house and stay "on the road" full-time
• The Origin of Pickle Ball
• Bill's 262-day road trip - Just the highlights...
• Valuable tips for how to miss the crowds when traveling
• Favorite destinations in the US

Books By Bill Clevlen

The Ultimate American Music Bucket List

Finding The American Dream – A Guided Tour of Places Where Americans Changed History

100 Things To Do in America Before You Die

Driving Across America

An American Road Trip For Kids

Important Links:

Bill on the Road

Travel Connections Podcast

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Facebook:

BillontheRoad

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Instagram:

Billontheroadusa

Suzanne Stavert

Adventures of EmptyNesters

Hello, and welcome to our newest episode of Travel Connections. If you have been following me for a while, you will probably know that I discovered Tuscan Women Cook back in 2016. I had a friend in common with today's special guest, Coleen Kirnan. Our friend Brenda connected the two of us, and boy, do I owe her a lot!

In 2017, Coleen invited me to go and experience TWC for myself, and I have been enamored with everything related to this beautiful destination ever since. I was so impressed and delighted with the entire experience.

I have been back to the program numerous times, and in June of 2023, Coleen and her team invited me to be an Ambassador with Tuscan Women Cook. I assist the guests and do everything I can to support the experience by helping with the cooking classes and even with some translation. Yes, it is a dream job, and I am lucky enough to have it.

However, you too, can experience the joys of Tuscan Women Cook by signing up to attend a week in this Italian paradise.

Coleen Kirnan owns and hosts Tuscan Women Cook. You may recognize her name and remember her from Season One of the podcast. Coleen was one of my first guests on Travel Connections! You can listen to our first episode in Season One, Episode 3.

Her first career was as a successful commercial real estate business owner. While raising her family, she represented top-tier companies in multi-million dollar real estate transactions for over 30 years. As her kids grew up and moved out of the house, Coleen decided it was time for a change. She sold her thriving business and bought Tuscan Women Cook, a weeklong cooking/immersion school in a medieval Tuscan village.

A dream job, owning an Italian cooking school!

Since 2016, Coleen has grown the business tremendously and curated the program to find the perfect places to dine, cook, and discover. Tuscan Women Cook tours Pienza, Montepulciano, Siena, and many other fantastic local spots. There are wine tastings, dinners with wine pairings, honey tastings, lunches by the pool, dinners by candlelight, and incredible Italian food making.

In addition, she travels all over Italy and Europe to find the next best thing for her guests, whether it's part of the program or to share as recommendations.

Highlights in this episode:

• Coleen is celebrating 9+ years of owning Tuscan Women Cook
• How Tuscan Women Cook Italian Cooking School is the original regenerative travel experience
• What is it really like on a tour?
• How is Suzanne part of Tuscan Women Cook?
• What does it feel like to visit an 800-year-old wine cellar?
• Details of the cooking experience with the nonne (Italian grandmas)
• The magic of Tuscany

Who is ready to go back to Italy with Coleen and me? Coleen and the team handle every detail; your job is to get to Italy. As you have heard in this episode, I love this experience so much.

I am also super glad that Coleen and I were able to talk about the importance of responsible travel, as well as regenerative travel. The idea of giving back to the local destination and offering respect and admiration as a traveler is paramount.

Please check the links below for more information! Ciao for now!

Important Links!

Tuscan Women Cook

Travel Connections Podcast

Facebook:

Tuscan Women Cook

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Instagram:

Tuscan Women Cook

Suzanne Stavert

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Are you familiar with a place called Skagit Valley? When I first visited in 2016, I honestly didn't even know how to pronounce it! I went to see The Tulip Festival, which takes place in the Valley in April. I wasn't even living in the Pacific Northwest on that first visit. I fell in love with this area way back then.

Fast forward to today, I have lived in the Pacific Northwest for three years and have become a kind of groupie of this spectacular Northwest destination. I have learned so many new details about this area, and it's only about an hour north of my home. The farmland is incredible, and I've come to make friends with people who live there. I visit, I buy from my long list of favorites, including blueberries, zucchini, tomatoes, and strawberries, and then purchase oysters and delicious cheese while I am there.

The brilliant idea of Farmstand Fresh

Are you aware of Farmstand Fresh? You can discover the diverse and bountiful crops of the Skagit Valley in July and August by exploring its produce stands and farm stores. You can meet a farmer and connect to an exceptional agricultural community growing over 80 commercial crops. At the same time, you can enjoy the Skagit countryside with unsurpassed vistas of the San Juan Islands, Olympic Coast Range, and North Cascades.

That is a little of my history with Skagit Valley, and now I am really excited to introduce you to my special guest. We will go on a deeper dive devoted to this special place with Chef Christy Fox.

Christy is a chef and restaurant owner who weaves 30 years of professional experience into her fresh and popular meals. She is highly committed to utilizing local ingredients, and Chef Christy supports numerous Skagit producers in both her sweet and savory menu creations.

In this episode, Christy shares the details of her journey as a chef, how it evolved into multiple restaurants and offers insights into why knowing where your food comes from is so important. She is also a great storyteller; I know you will enjoy hearing from her.

Highlights in this episode

• An intriguing introduction to the Genuine Skagit Valley
• Chef Christy's journey from culinary school to creating new restaurants
• Why is it called "Magic Skagit"?
• Learn about Persimmon Bistro and Bow Sanctuary
• The importance of community and giving back
• Making delicious food from local sources
• When is the best time to visit Skagit Valley? (Hint: Any season!)

For more information about Skagit Valley, Farmstand Fresh, and Chef Christy Fox click the important links below!

Persimmon Bistro

Bow Sanctuary

Genuine Skagit Valley

Farmstand Fresh

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Travel Connections

Instagram:

Persimmon

Genuine Skagit Valley

Bow Sanctuary

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Suzanne Stavert

Let's travel to Thailand! Travel is back, and it is time to plan your next vacation! You will learn so much from my special guest, and I promise you will be well-informed and inspired for your next (or first) trip to this fantastic destination.

This episode is a bright and shiny conversation with Candy Krajangsri from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. She is knowledgeable, inspiring, exciting, and funny, and she even gets a little bit emotional near the end of the episode as she shares a story about a personal travel connection.

Candy is a part of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Los Angeles Office marketing team and oversees PR and digital marketing initiatives. Over the last several years, she has managed to combine her passion for food, travel, and content creation to help promote varying aspects of Thailand. And she never leaves home without her hair in a messy bun and her camera by her side.

I have known Candy for over five years and have even had the great pleasure of traveling to Thailand with her. She's fantastic!

Highlights in this episode:

• Delicious food details, colorful flower markets, gorgeous temples, inspiring sunsets & charming people - Everything you need to know!
• Where to find the best travel deals to Thailand
• The allure of Bangkok
• Practical travel tips for Thailand - Where to go, what to see, travel deals!
• Customize your Thailand experience
• First-timer tips
• The importance of being a thoughtful traveler

Are you ready to go to Thailand? Have you already traveled there? Are you thinking about it? Make sure you check the links Candy shared with us. TAT and its partners want to help you plan your next trip! You can find all of the links below!

I plan to head back to Thailand too! Let me know your thoughts and questions! You can DM me through Instagram @suzannestavert.

Important Links

• Official Tourism of Thailand Instagram - @thailandinsider
• Travel to Thailand Travel Deals, trip planning & coupons - Here
• Customize your experience - Here
• Suzanne's Thailand Experience - Link to Posts Here & Here
• Suzanne's Instagram: @suzannestavert

Hello, and welcome to another fantastic episode of Travel Connections. In this episode, we talk with Krista Loercher, Co-Owner of Whidbey Island Kayaking in the Pacific Northwest. This interview is part three in a series where we dive deeper into tourism and the benefits of giving back to a destination when we travel.

Are you familiar with the term regenerative tourism? My friends at Embrace Whidbey and Camano Islands created a new tourism framework to preserve and improve the islands for residents, and it is an invitation to co-create richer experiences for visitors and harness tourism's power as a force for good. One of regenerative tourism's primary goals is to connect the guest with the local residents and businesses. Let's go deeper when we travel.

What kind of traveler are you? Do you give consideration and thought to the people who live in a destination? Is preserving nature and supporting local business part of your vacation agenda?

We created this series of three podcast episodes to share the captivating story of Whidbey and Camano Islands through the lens of three local business owners. In Episode One, you meet Mona Campbell, whose family started Kristoferson Farm on Camano Island back in 1912 and who now also runs Canopy Tours NW, a ziplining company.

In Episode Two, I had a great conversation with Chef Vincent Nattress, who co-owns Orchard Kitchen and Farm, where he creates a fine dining experience right on the farm.

Let me share a little about today's special guest, Krista Loercher. Krista has lived on a coastline for most of her life, first in New York, then Seattle, and since 2008, on Whidbey Island. She has been a lifeguard, a swim coach, a Red Cross water safety instructor, and an open water swimmer. As an ACA-certified kayak instructor, she loves introducing newbies to kayaking and open-water swimming.

My husband and I went kayaking with Krista and her team along the coast of Whidbey Island and spent a spectacular day enjoying nature and engaging in the "blue mind." You will hear more about the idea of the blue mind in our conversation.

Highlights of this episode:

• Krista shares her love of the quintessential island life
• How the people of Whidbey Island connect in so many ways
• The Guiding Principles of Whidbey Island Kayaking
• What is the concept of the "blue mind?
• How meaningful connections happen when the "whole self" is engaged
• Krista's insightful travel tips - Don't miss this!

Travel books mentioned by Krista:

Midnight in Sicily by Peter Robb

The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch

West of Here by Jonathan Evison

I hope you enjoyed this three-part series where we aimed to get you thinking more about your travel experiences. I firmly believe that travel opens your mind and enlarges your heart. Don't you agree?

Please share this idea with all of the travelers you know! I would greatly appreciate it!

Episode One - Mona Campbell - Here

Episode Two - Vincent Nattress - Here

Important Links Whidbey Island Kayaking Embrace Whidbey & Camano Islands Adventures of Empty Nesters Travel Connections

Instagram: Whidbey Island Kayaking Embrace Whidbey & Camano Island Adventures of Empty Nesters Suzanne Stavert

Welcome to part two of our three-part series focusing on Whidbey and Camano Islands. In this series, we talk about how important the concept of regenerative travel can be for the destination and the visitors who spend time there.

If you have not had a chance to listen to Part One, you will hear my delightful conversation with Mona Campbell; go ahead and take 30 minutes to listen to how the tourism board of Embrace Whidbey and Camano Islands is implementing this more thoughtful view of tourism. We are sharing the story of these idyllic islands by talking with three business leaders, and today's episode follows the path of my guest Vincent Nattress. He and his wife Tyla have created Orchard Kitchen on the south end of Whidbey Island, just about an hour north of Seattle, WA.

Fine Dining on Whidbey Island

I had the pleasure of visiting the farm, dining at the restaurant, talking to the farm manager Savannah Reid, and having an insightful conversation with Vincent. If you have listened to my interviews with chefs in the past, you will know that I am a super fan of chefs, restaurant owners, and cooks whose passion is to create flavorful meals directly from the farms - I just love to hear all of the details. Vincent shares his philosophies about farming, menu planning, and passing on the love of food to his guests and the staff he works with.

Vincent Nattress grew up on Whidbey Island. At 16, he began his restaurant career as a dishwasher in a fast-paced, local fine-dining restaurant. He quickly moved up the ranks, eventually leading the hot line.

The fall after graduating high school, Vincent took his first trip to Europe. He quickly fell in love with the rich culinary history he found there. Over the next several years, he would return three times, culminating in a three-month Stage in a Michelin-starred restaurant in Provence.

This internship served as his Senior Project for his Bachelor of Arts degree, "A Cultural and Historical Perspective on the Culinary Arts." After returning to the States, he spent 16 years working in Napa Valley, opened a restaurant in St Helena called Roux, and then in 2005, joined Meadowood Napa Valley as Executive Chef.

Eventually, Vincent and Tyla returned to Whidbey Island with the desire to create a culinary destination of their own. This dream became a reality in 2015 with the opening of the Orchard Kitchen, a teaching kitchen and dining room on their five-acre organic farm in Langley, Washington.

Highlights of this episode:

• Vincent's fascinating 40-year career in food and wine
• What does farm-to-table really mean?
• Menu planning and how they should always have a flow, rhythm, & progression
• Orchard Farm's master plan for the best and most delicious ingredients
• How Vincent has been a pioneer in regenerative tourism on Whidbey Island by preserving the farm and sharing his passion
• The importance of passing on his love of farming and food to more and more people - Connecting with one another through food.

To read the complete summary, click HERE

Just north of Seattle, in the heart of the scenic Salish Sea, sit two of the most charming island destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Camano and Whidbey Islands offer different experiences with each season. A colorful palate of locally owned shops and restaurants provides deep and delicious connections to the community and the land. Off-the-beaten-path trails and beaches share sanctuary, solitude, and a deeper connection with the incredible marine and forest ecosystems that thrive within these communities. A rich history and a healthy dose of local color in all mediums are provided by the region's many artists.

As new residents of the area, my husband and I have enjoyed fantastic long weekends where we relax, unwind, and truly embrace the natural surroundings on both Whidbey and Camano. I also took my dear friends on a girl's weekend to Whidbey Island as well! We had a blast eating great food, enjoying the landscape, and discovering the Whidbey Island charm.

This spring, Island County's tourism board unveiled a new strategic direction inviting the community to build a regenerative tourism approach. Formerly known as Whidbey and Camano Islands Tourism, a new name and brand were created to reflect a shift to reimagine tourism. They will now be called Embrace Whidbey and Camano Islands.

Guided by the Transformational Travel Council experts across an 18-month period, this new framework was created to preserve and improve the islands for residents and is an invitation to co-create richer experiences for visitors and harness tourism's power as a force for good.

I really love this idea and was so excited that Embrace Whidbey and Camano Islands asked me to help share their story. This philosophy makes so much sense to me, and I want to spread the word. Don't you want to flourish in your travel life? I sure do!

We created this series to tell the captivating stories of Whidbey and Camano Island by interviewing three business owners who embrace this travel philosophy. In this episode, you will hear from Mona Campbell, whose family started Kristoferson Farm in 1912 and then created Canopy Tours NW, a zipline tour company located on the farm on Camano Island.

Mona is the Director of Marketing for Canopy Tours Northwest and is responsible for marketing, finance, and guest relations. She was previously Vice President with JP Morgan Asset Management based in New York and London. Mona graduated from Hamilton College and Harvard University, obtaining a Master of Landscape Architecture Degree.

In Episode Two, you will meet and hear from Vincent Nattress, the chef and Owner of Orchard Kitchen on Whidbey Island. And in our final episode, I have a fantastic conversation with Krista Loercher, Co-Owner of Whidbey Island Kayaking.

Highlights of this regenerative travel episode include:

• Mona shares her inspiring family history and how Kristoferson Farm began in 1912
• Learn more about Canopy Tours, the family zipline company
• How regenerative and transformational travel improve not only the destination but the travelers' experience as well
• How Island County Tourism had the vision to embrace the Transformational Travel Council's process and insights
• Mona shares an authentic travel connection while traveling in Mexico City
• How an open mindset will enhance your vacation
• What is Glassquest?

Check the links below for more information

Embrace Whidbey and Camano Islands

Kristoferson Farm

Canopy Tours NW

Transformational Travel Council

AdventuresofEmptyNesters

More about Travel Connections Podcast

Welcome to a speedy episode of Travel Connections.

Summer Travel? Yes, it has begun!

The good news is that travel is back, and I am having a blast, but the not-so-good news is that it doesn't leave time for much else. So instead of an entire episode, I offer you an informative summer travel update and upcoming special guest news.

Summer Travel Highlights: We have quite the summer planned.

1. Up first - Travel to Tuscany, Italy, with Tuscan Women Cook. As an ambassador, I am now a part of the team and will support the tours and assist during the cooking demos and while touring. I interviewed Coleen Kirnan, owner and host of TWC, in Season 1; you can listen Here!
2. Meeting my husband in Rome, then travel to Southern Italy to Naples and Amalfi Coast.
3. Travel to Montana for the Fourth of July! We loved our time last year and scheduled this trip once again! After finishing the holiday festivities, we will take a road trip to Canada.
4. Banff, Lake Louise, and Calgary, Canada - Excited to see this beautiful area and have a first-time experience at the Calgary Stampede.
5. Southern California for a special wedding and 80th Birthday.
6. September: Back to Italy for Suzanne and Tuscan Women Cook!
7. Safari with Collette Travel - Wilderness of South Africa: Safari By Land & Water
8. South America! Continent #6!

Also, in this episode, a preview of my upcoming podcast series focused on regenerative travel and Whidbey and Camano Islands, WA. Regenerative travel occurs when visitors arrive with a mindset to leave a place better than before. Why not connect on another level with your visit? Travelers can participate by helping to build a flourishing future for the destination.

This series will showcase three business owners on the islands and how they integrate this thoughtful travel philosophy with their guests.

The new series begins June 23. Thanks for listening! Make sure you check out the important links:

Tuscan Women Cook

Calgary Stampede

Safari with Collette

Collette

Embrace Whidbey and Camano Islands

We have another fantastic episode devoted to travel! Join me as I go behind the scenes with Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, Collette's President & Chief Customer Experience Officer.

My relationship with Collette goes back five glorious years. I have been fortunate to tour with their team on two epic trips. I traveled to Japan on the Cultural Treasures of Japan tour, and the second fantastic tour was to explore Iceland on the Land of Fire & Ice tour.

This delightful conversation is packed with fascinating travel stories, news, ideas, and inspirational travel itineraries.

Let me share some background about my special guest.

Jaclyn Leibl-Cote is Collette's President and Chief Customer Experience Officer. As an accomplished Collette Team Member, she has been a tour guide, worked inside the customer care center, designed US and Australia tours on the product development team, and so much more.

Her leadership style stems from years of tackling every corner of the business, asking questions, and evolving so that Collette can continue being a leader in travel. Not surprisingly, she's never encountered a challenge that didn't excite her – because obstacles are often the best opportunities. If you ask her, she'll tell you that from 1918 to today, you must grow, change, and always stay true to your values.

Overseeing the Product, Tour Management, IT, Marketing, and People & Culture teams, she still finds time to travel. After a lifetime of exploration, New Zealand remains her #1 recommendation and favorite destination. And she did a bungee jump there in 2005 because… "when in Queenstown." And now, she's brought her love of travel to a new generation. She loves exploring the world with her husband and three children and believes the best gift is family travel memories. She hasn't been to Antarctica yet, but it's on her list.

We covered a lot of ground in this interview, but here are some of the highlights!

1. Collette celebrates 105 years!
2. What is the power of travel?
3. How the guest experience is the most essential part of the Collette business.
4. The importance of product design. What does this mean exactly? How is a tour created?
5. Why are the tour guides one of the most impactful aspects of a tour?
6. The beauty and splendor of Iceland!
7. Jaclyn's Finland adventures
8. Details of my upcoming Safari with Collette (Can't wait!)

2023 is shaping up to be one of our most amazing travel years ever! I am so excited to share it all with you. Where will you be going? I would love to hear about it. Please email me at [email protected] - Maybe you have an idea for an upcoming episode?

Check out these important links!

Collette

Collette Instagram

Collette Facebook

Adventures of Empty Nesters

Travel Connections Podcast

Collette YouTubeChannel

Travel Unpacked (Collette's new podcast)

Suzanne Stavert YouTube Channel

Wilderness of South Africa: Safari By Land and Water

Suzanne's Tour of Iceland

Suzanne's Tour of Japan