Vacation Station

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 3rd Monday "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) features Amy Piper who gives an overview of the 2023 Annual IFWTWA Conference. This annual writers development conference will be held October 1-7, 2023, aboard Princess Cruise Lines' The Discovery. It is open to all food wine and travel writers.

WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/nAmmmSUBtQ8 

The ship departs October 1, 2023 from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and arrives in Los Angeles, CA, on October 7 for a total of six cruise nights. The conference will be held on the newest ship in the Princess fleet, the stunning Discovery Princess. Reservations must be made on or before August 31, 2023. For full itinerary details including the networking opportunities, expert speakers and professional development sessions, FAM trips, and cruise rates for members and non-members, visit: https://www.ifwtwa.org/2023-ifwtwa-conference/ 

An IFWTWA Director, Conference Chair, and Publications Editor, Amy Piper is a Lansing, Michigan-based freelance travel writer, blogger, and photographer. She is also the author of "100 Things to Do in Lansing Before You Die." Follow her adventures at https://followthepiper.com/ 

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This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Tuesday "Food, Wine & Travel" Show features Christine Whitney of Visit Kitsap who shares what there is to experience on the Kitsap Peninsula, which is just across from Seattle, and known as the Natural Side of Puget Sound. 

The Kitsap Peninsula is surrounded by 371 miles of shoreline and is officially part of the National Water Trails system, Washington State’s only such designation. Here one can experience an abundance of natural beauty with plenty of opportunities to enjoy safe and healthy outdoor recreational activities all year round. More: https://www.visitkitsap.com/ 

Special thank you to the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) - https://www.ifwtwa.org/

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This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Saturday “Sunshine Stays” Show Celebrates LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in Palm Springs, California.

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/bTfnevq9hRg 

FEATURED GUESTS:

- KENT TAYLOR, GM of Descanso Resort, a newly refurbished, completely reimagined men’s resort in Palm Springs. Visit: https://descansoresort.com/ 

- BILL SANDERSON, co-owner of Townie Bagels and VP of Desert Gay Tourism Guild. Visit: https://www.towniebagels.com/ and https://www.palmspringsgayinfo.com/  

- GREGORY DOUGLASS, singer/songwriter, and writer for Boutiquely Palm Springs Newsletter, and https://www.thepalmspringsguys.com. Also visit: https://gregorydouglass.com/ 

This show airs every second Saturday in collaboration with the Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels (PSPH), a consortium of independently-owned boutique hotels in the desert resort community of Palm Springs, in Southern California. Follow the podcast: https://shows.acast.com/big-blend-radio-palm-springs-sunshine-stays   

Plan your visit and sign up for the monthly Boutiquely Palm Springs newsletter at: https://www.palmspringspreferredsmallhotels.com/ 

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This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Friday "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with IFWTWA features travel writer Paula Schuck who talks about her family's winter snow adventures in Lake Placid, New York.

WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/20ZUoOOOtOA

Located high up in the Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid is home of two Winter Olympics. With a well-known Olympic history, Lake Placid is now embracing a future vision lifting the Olympic Region once again to an enviable position on the world stage. What better place to embrace winter and challenge yourself to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, bobsled, or simply enjoy the outdoors? Read Paula's story here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/lake-placids-renaissance/

Follow Paula's blog at https://www.thriftymommastips.com/

Learn more about the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) at https://www.ifwtwa.org/

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From the Southwest to the Northeast corners of New Mexico, this episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Thursday "New Mexico Bed & Breakfast Association" Show focuses on two remote B&Bs that offer the opportunity to escape and unplug from the busy hustle-bustle of life, and embrace the tranquility of nature to restore, recharge, and rejuvenate.

Featured Bed & Breakfasts:

- Becky O’Connor - Casitas de Gila Guesthouses in Gila, near Silver City. See: https://www.casitasdegila.com/

- Dave Emery and innkeeper Heidi Lewis of Casa del Gavilan Historic Inn in Cimarron. See: https://casadelgavilan.com/

Stay New Mexico True and Visit: https://www.nmbba.org/

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From floating bar and brewery crawls, to hiking and canoeing, this episode of Big Blend Radio's Adventures in Asheville" show focuses on what to experience this Summer in Asheville, North Carolina. 

Featured guest is Cody Kelly, owner of Cedar Rock Adventures, a guided tour company that is committed to sharing the nature, majesty and adventure tucked away in the mountains of Asheville, NC. Whether you’re seeking a hiking adventure or a brewery hopping river tour with friends, their experienced guides are ready to share the beauty, nature and people that make this area so special. More: https://cedarrockadventures.com/ 

Guest cohosts are Steve & Karen Wilson "Mr & Mrs Wild of Asheville," the owners and innkeepers of The Lion & The Rose Bed and Breakfast, a stunning pink lady in the Montford Historic District. This 1898 residence is located in a quiet residential neighborhood within walking distance to downtown Asheville and its many attractions. The Blue Ridge Parkway, PIsgah National Forest, and Biltmore Estate are just minutes away. More: https://www.lion-rose.com/ 

Steve and Karen appear on Big Blend Radio's "Adventures in Asheville" Show every 1st Tuesday. Follow the show: https://shows.acast.com/big-blend-radio-adventures-in-asheville 

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This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Travel Tulare County" Show features Manuel and Olga Jimenez who share what visitors can experience at Woodlake Botanical Garden, located in California's Sequoia Country.

Maintained by Manuel & Olga Jimenez and Woodlake Pride youth volunteers, Woodlake Botanical Garden showcases San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural bounty with fruit trees, row crops, and vegetable patches, along with ornamental shrubs, roses, and flower beds. It is wheelchair accessible, and right next to Bravo Lake. It's a beautiful garden to spend time in, as well as a great place to learn about central California plants. Follow the Garden on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WoodlakeBotanicalGardens 

This episode is part of Big Blend Radio's 1st Thursday "Travel Tulare County" series with the Sequoia Tourism Council. More: https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/ 

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This episode of Big Blend Radio features innkeepers who support veterans and active military through special programs such as providing free and discounted stays and sending baked goods and care supplies to soldiers who are deployed. On this podcast, hear about the inns and the beautiful communities they are located in, and how each inn supports the military.

FEATURED GUESTS:

* Steve & Karen Wilson, The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast in Asheville, North Carolina. https://www.lion-rose.com/

* Tiffany Bertram, Tiffany's Bed & Breakfast near Hot Springs, Arkansas. https://www.tiffanysbedandbreakfast.com/

* Judey Truitt, The Virginia Cliffe Inn in Glen Allen, Virginia. https://vacliffeinn.com/

* Kathleen Panek, Gillum House Bed & Breakfast in Shinnston, West Virginia. https://gillumhouse.com/

* Dana Underwood, Stuart Avenue Inn in Kalamazoo, Michigan. https://www.stuartavenueinn.com

* Mikelyn Wustman, The Bird & Butterfly Inn in Jasper, Texas. https://thebirdandbutterflyinn.com/

* Susan Harman, 5 Ojo Inn in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. https://5ojo.com/

Please visit these websites to learn more about the two main military support programs the inns collaborate with:

* B&Bs for Vets: https://bandbsforvets.org/

* Soldiers Angels: https://soldiersangels.org/

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This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Vacation Station" Travel Show features travel writer Debbie Stone who shares her Barge Cruise experience meandering through the picturesque French countryside along the Burgundy Canal with European Waterways. Read Debbie's story about this beautiful, unique and and slow-paced voyage, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/experience-a-slow-paced-voyage-of-discovery-through-burgundy/

Travel writer Debbie Stone appears on Big Blend Radio every third Tuesday.

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It's all about Food and Wine Destinations on Big Blend Radio's 3rd Friday Travel Writers Show with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). From Switzerland to Spain, and Oregon to Washington State, get a "taste of place" with these two delicious discussions about wine tasting and eating local foods when traveling across the country or abroad. 

Featured Guests:

AMANDA O'BRIEN started publishing "The Boutique Adventurer" in November 2016 after nearly 20 years working for big global companies in marketing. "The Boutique Adventurer" is for travelers 35+ years who are still keen to have adventures but like to end their travel day in a boutique hotel with a high thread count on the sheets and a nice glass of local wine.

STORY LINKS:

** https://theboutiqueadventurer.com/wineries-in-washington/ 

** https://theboutiqueadventurer.com/wineries-in-charlottesville-va/ 

** https://theboutiqueadventurer.com/rioja-wineries/ 

DEBBIE STONE is an established travel writer and columnist who crosses the globe in search of unique destinations and experiences to share with her audience. She’s an avid explorer who welcomes new opportunities to increase awareness and enthusiasm for places, culture, food, history, nature, outdoor adventure, wellness, and more. Her travels have taken her to nearly 100 countries and all seven continents.

STORY LINKS:

** https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/experiencing-a-french-baking-class-is-the-best-souvenir-from-paris/ 

** https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/all-aboard-for-chocolate-and-cheese/ 

** https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/take-a-bean-to-bar-journey-with-a-creo-chocolate-tour/ 

** https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/taste-your-way-through-the-city-of-canals-on-a-street-food-tour/ 

Learn more about the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association at https://www.ifwtwa.org/ 

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