Travel Talkk

By KK RobbinsSociety & Culture Education Leisure Places & Travel How To

Travel Talkk episodes

March 07, 2024 Malta: Blue Grotto to Blue Lagoon
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KK hires a boat and charts a custom course between two of Malta’s islands from the Blue Grotto to the Blue Lagoon.

SHOWNOTES -

Places KK mentions in the show:

The Embassy Valletta Hotel -KK’s go to hotel with rich, sultry rooms, some with sea view balconies, and a rooftop pool overlooking the Madonna Basilica.
https://www.embassyvallettahotel.com/

Grano - Epic sandwiches Instagram.com/granomalta

Oriel Windows - Iconic painted window boxes on buildings

Marsaxlokk - the fishing village with colorful wooden boats called Luzzu

Grazzi ħafna! Thank you very much! (For Captain Marcellino)

Blue Grotto - Group of arches and caves that have been carved into the cliffs by the sea currents, with small boat tours from shore.

Um El-Faroud Wreck - Popular diving site near The Blue Grotto

Dingli Cliffs - White cliffs on southwestern side of Malta

Popeye Village - The original film set of the 1980 film Popeye with Robin Williams

Comino - The smallest of Malta’s three islands and home to The Blue Lagoon

Cominotto - An even smaller islet with beach near Comino

St Paul’s Bay - Cove near St Paul’s Island where Apostle Paul shipwrecked

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Join KK next Tuesday when she will counter the myth that there is nothing to see in Napoli!

We will also start sessions of Q and KK…where KK will answer your burning travel questions.

Saħħa! Sah-ha! Cheers!

Find KK at kkrobbins.com
Follow on IG and FB @traveltalkk
Contact via email [email protected]

Take the guesswork out of planning. Let our team of travel experts to plan your perfect itinerary. Just shoot us a text @ 1-512-273-7275
15 min
March 05, 2024 Malta: Knights and Nights
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KK shares just a few of the reasons why everyone should experience the Mediterranean islands of Malta .

SHOWNOTES -
Places KK mentions in the show:

The Republic of Malta -A small nation made up of the three islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino -

Valletta - the main city named after Grand Master Valetta who helped lead the Knights to victory against the Ottomans

Barraka Lift - an elevator from the Grand Harbor to the Upper Barraka Gardens

Upper Barraka Gardens- Small garden with WW2 command center underneath and with views over the entire Grand Harbor and Three Cities

Knights of Malta- or Knights of St John - a Catholic military order that was formed in the 11 century.

Pastizzi… traditional savoury pastries filled with ricotta or curried peas

St John’s Co-cathedral -Massive cathedral with tombs of former knights and the famous Caravaggio painting, ‘The Beheading of St John the Baptist’

Triton Fountain - Marking the entrance of Valletta at the City Gate, and hub for the central bus depot with service throughout the main island of Malta

Mdina - The Silent City KK visits for lunch and “meditation” due to the quiet, pristine streets.

Markus Divinus …the boutique winery from which KK orders a Zafrana cuvée, their take on Sauvignon Blanc with local Girgentina grapes

Mdina Glass - Exquisite hand blown local glass
https://www.mdinaglass.com.mt/en/home.htm#.Y_4REezMI_W

Sliema…. The town across the opposite side of Valletta where KK scours Zara for her next outfit

The Embassy Valletta Hotel -KK’s go to hotel with rich, sultry rooms, some with sea view balconies, and a rooftop pool overlooking the Madonna Basilica..and where KK ends her night. https://www.embassyvallettahotel.com/

The Harbor Club - Mediterranean with a French influence restaurant with terrace down at the Grand Harbor https://www.theharbourclubmalta.com/

Rabbit - Brought here by the Phoenicians, and on practically every menu including the national dish, Rabbit Stew

The Bridge Bar - Jazz club with outside tables on staggered street steps, where KK listens to Etta James and reminisces about her love of Malta.

Join KK in two days, and continue through these Maltese Islands only this time on a private boat wandering in and out from the sea.

Bomba! YES! (When an plan comes together perfectly)

Find KK at kkrobbins.com
Follow on IG and FB @traveltalkk
Contact via email [email protected]

Take the guesswork out of planning. Let our team of travel experts to plan your perfect itinerary. Just shoot us a text @ 1-512-273-7275
15 min
February 29, 2024 Sicily: Cefalù and the Sea
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KK escapes to the medieval town of Cefalù on the northern coast of Sicily finding plenty of food and drink along the way.

SHOWNOTES -

Places KK mentions in the show:

La Rocca: The Rock. 270 meters high. Like Gibraltar it dominates the tiny village

Caldura Bay: a much less crowded beach and coves on the quieter side of Cefalù

Hotel La Calette: KK’s go to hotel surrounded by Mediterranean gardens overlooking the sea.

Calvetta Selvaggia: A secluded swimming cove

Calette Reef Club: Elevated “beach” club with day beds and water sports in protected cove

Duomo: Cefalù’s Cathedral with Golden Mosaic of Christ

Mandralisca Museum : Antonello da Messina’s ‘Portrait of a Sailor’ that is said to follow you with his eyes

KK’s favorite upscale eateries:
Cortile Pepe
instagram.com/cortilepepe
https://www.cortilepepe.it/

Triscele
instagram.com/triscele_ristorante

Mandralisca Sedici
instagram.com/mandralisca16

Brama
instagram.com/brama_cefalu

Porta Marina: Grand archway and one of Cefalù’s most photographed spots that opens onto Spiaggia del Porto Vecchia…a small manicured beach

Lavatoio Medievale : Ancient Arab Laundry

Enoteca Le Petit Tonneau: a wine shop with tiny balcony over the sea where we had Etna Bianco - Giovanni Rosso and formaggio
Instagram.com/lepetittonneau
http://www.lepetittonneau.it/

Via Mare: seaside path along the rocks

Jureka Wine Bar: Cocktail heaven…
Instagram.com/jureka_winebar

Go to instagram.com/traveltalkk for Jureka reels and recipes

Join KK next week as we leave Sicily and fly 200 miles south, to the islands of Malta.

Arrivederci amici- goodbye, friends!

Find KK at kkrobbins.com
Follow on IG and FB @traveltalkk
Contact via email [email protected]

Take the guesswork out of planning. Let our team of travel experts to plan your perfect itinerary. Just shoot us a text @ 1-512-273-7275
15 min
February 27, 2024 Sicily: Towering Taormina
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KK walks the ancient town of Taormina, abuzz from being the location for season 2 of The White Lotus.

- Shownotes

Places KK mentions in the show:

Catania: Large city to the south, and closest airport to fly into.

Mount Etna: Italy’s largest and most active volcano

Villa San Giovanni: A small town on the mainland that sits at the entrance of the Strait of Messina and where the train ferry begins/ends.

Strait of Messina: The narrow body of water that divides Italy and Sicily and home to Scylla and Charybdis

Messina: The city on the Sicilian side with a Golden Madonna guarding the port entrance

San Domenico Palace: The Four Seasons property that is the setting for The White Lotus in season 2

https://www.fourseasons.com/taormina/

Corso Umberto: The main thoroughfare which runs the length of the village

Porta Catania & Porta Messina: The two “gates” at each end of the upper town

Piazza IX Aprile: The center piazza, distinctive with checkerboard marble tiles and expansive views

Via Naumachia: The lane leading to the roman wall and city gardens

Testa Di Moro: 11th century folkloric colorful statues

Lady Florence Trevelyan : English Gardener with storied past

The Beehive: Known on maps as Villa Comunale di Taormina, it was Lady Florence’s most impressive garden pavilion

Belvedere (di Via Pirandello): The scenic viewpoint overlooking the beaches of Mazzaro and Isola Bella

Isola Bella: The tiny island once owned by Lady Florence

Salita Castello: The trail leading to Taormina Castle and the Chiesa (Church) Madonna della Rocca

Teatro Antico di Taormina: A dramatic ancient Greco- Roman theatre that is Taormina’s main attraction

Andrea Bocelli: The worlds most beloved Italian tenor.

Tickets https://www.ticketone.it/event/andrea-bocelli-taormina-2023-teatro-antico-di-taormina-16544492/

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Join KK this Thursday in our next Sicilian seaside, the town of Cefalu.

Ciao, Bella! Bye, beautiful!

Find KK at kkrobbins.com
Follow on IG and FB @traveltalkk
Contact via email [email protected]

Take the guesswork out of planning. Let our team of travel experts to plan your perfect itinerary. Just shoot us a text @ 1-512-273-7275
15 min
February 20, 2024 Paris : Hidden Gardens and Underground Art
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KK reveals hidden gardens and artistic metro stations, all while stopping for souffles along the way.

________________
Shownotes

Places KK mentions in the show:

Le Récamier : A garden terrace cafe and KK’s go to for soufflés. Lerecamier.com

Musée Carnavalet: The free museum of Parisian history with secret access to THE garden. The main garden restaurant is now under new ownership as FABULA and will reopen in Summer 2023. Carnavalet.paris.fr / www.fabula.paris

Hotel Les Tournelles: Charming, very reasonable hotel with exceptional A/C near Place des Vosges lestournelles.com

Place des Vosges: Popular large square with cafes and center park.

Jardin de l’Hotel du Sully: Sully’s secret garden behind the red door, in one of the corners of Place des Vosges

Hôtel de Sens: another lovely garden near Pont Marie

Ile St Louis: the smaller of two islands in the Seine. Where KK likes to stay and she ate lunch at…

Sorza: cozy restaurant on Ile St Louis with a prix fixe menu. KK loves the Parmesan Soufflé and pastas.

TOP THREE METRO STATIONS WITH ART:

Place de la Concord
You must arrive on or track down the number 12 line to find a Crossword

ARTS ET MÉTIERS
Arrive via the number 11, to be in a submarine.

Louvre - Rivoli
Take Line 1 to this stunningly intimate “gallery” full of replicas from the Louvre

Musician Joe Santoni - IG @joe.santoni

Bonne nuit- - good night!

Find KK at kkrobbins.com
Follow on IG and FB @traveltalkk
Contact via email [email protected]

Take the guesswork out of planning. Let our team of travel experts to plan your perfect itinerary. Just shoot us a text @ 1-512-273-7275
15 min
February 14, 2024 Paris: Love Is In The Air
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KK takes you on a Tournée Romantique (Tour of Romance) with perfect stops for two throughout the City of Love.

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Places KK mentions in the show:
Hotel Château Voltaire in the Saint-Honoré quarter, near Place Vendôme, the Louvre & Jardin du Tuileries https://www.chateauvoltaire.com

Dear Jane, a coffee café set up to look and feel as if you are in your friend’s cozy kitchen instagram.com/dearjanebakery

The Wall of Love in Montmartre, an area of Paris with sweeping views and cobblestoned streets

The Instagrammable Café Le Vrai Paris - The Real Paris http://levraiparis-bistrot.com/

Montmartre Cemetery with Michel Berger and France Gall

L’Hotel Particulier Montmartre near the idyllic Villa Léandre https://www.hotelparticulier.com/

Museé Rodin - The sculpture garden was in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris https://www.musee-rodin.fr/

Pont des Arts to Cour Carrée, the square courtyard in the Louvre Palace

Le Café Marly - a brasserie under the Louvre Arcade https://cafe-marly.com/

Flâner (an aimless stroll) through the Jardin des Tuileries

Georges - Rooftop Restaurant at The Centre Pompidou https://restaurantgeorgesparis.com/

Chez Francis - café with tables facing Eiffel Tower https://chezfrancis-paris.com/

Chateau Voltaire’s sultry bar…
La Coquille d´Or

Soixante Quinze cocktail - A (French) 75

A Bientot! See you soon.
Find KK at kkrobbins.com
Follow on IG and FB @traveltalkk
Contact via email [email protected]

Take the guesswork out of planning. Let our team of travel experts to plan your perfect itinerary. Just shoot us a text @ 1-512-273-7275
15 min

About Travel Talkk

From the publisher's feed

Listen in as The Voice of Travel, KK Robbins highlights a her favorite destinations…sharing travel tips, anecdotes, and her favorite stops along the way.