Where Else to Go

By Mary Jo ManzanaresSociety & Culture Places & Travel

Where Else to Go episodes

June 06, 2016 Episode #15 - Where Else to Go: Israel
Welcome back to the Where Else to Go podcast. We took a brief two week hiatus, allowing some time to update our site and take care of other technology related matters.

We're back this week with a practical look at a country that has always fascinated me - Israel. My guest is Susan Schwartz, Managing Director at ConvExx, Susan travels to Israel frequently both with family and to visit family, and shares some recommended sites, dispels the myths of danger, and gets us excited about seeing this country so rich in history.

Thanks for listening! Remember, you can also find the podcast on iTunes, and while you’re there, please take a minute and leave us a rating and review. See you next week.
33 min
May 16, 2016 Episode 2: Where Else To Go: Puglia, Italy
Welcome to Episode 2 of the Where Else to Go podcast. Today I chat with writer and tour leader Victoria De Maio.
So where else does Victoria recommend? Puglia, Italy. If you’ve been to other parts of Italy, or love the slow pace of the countryside, Puglia may be the perfect spot for your next vacation.
La dolce vita for me sums up Victoria’s passion and love for all things Italian.
As a travel consultant, blogger, writer, and published author, Victoria loves sharing practical no-nonsense travel tips and insights as well as her own experiences from a personal and light-hearted point-of-view.
Victoria offers boutique tours to Italy and published her first book, Victoria’s Travel TipZ Italian Style, which is available on Amazon.
What’s on Victoria's bucket list? Spain, Portugal, and going back to Greece.
Learn more about Victoria at her blog, PostcardzfromVictoria. You can find her on Twitter at @LaDolceVita4Me, on Facebook, on Pinterest, on YouTube, and on Instagram.

Join me for episode #2:
Where Else to Go: Puglia, Italy
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0 min
May 16, 2016 Episode #4 - Where Else to Go: Santa Fe
Welcome to episode #4 of the Where Else to Go podcast. Today's guest is Billie Frank who, among the other many hats she wears, owns own a trip-planning and tour business.
Where else does Billie recommmend? Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the United States. Billie blends in the history, culture, and art of the city along with a healthy dose of food. She also answers the questions - red or green?
If you enjoy traveling to experience art, music, Native American and Spanish Colonial culture, sustainable food, and outdoor adventure may find that Santa Fe is a great choice for your next vacation.
Take a listen.
Billie Frank is a freelance travel and food writer based in Santa Fe New Mexico. Her blog, Santa Fe Travelers, is a treasure trove of information on the oldest capital city in the USA as well as her travels beyond. She’s also the Santa Fe Local Expert for 10.best.com. Billie and her husband Steve Collins own The Santa Fe Traveler, a trip-planning and tour business.
You can find Billie on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
If you're enjoying this podcast, you can subscribe on iTunes. I broadcast a new podcast every Monday. And while you're over on iTunes, please do me a favor and leave a rating and review. This is a new show and your reviews help position us where others can see it.
Join me for episode #4:
Where Else to Go: Santa Fe, New Mexico
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29 min
May 16, 2016 Episode #5 - Where Else to Go: Bend, Oregon
Welcome to episode #5 of the Where Else to Go podcast. We appreciate our growing community of listeners and fans and thank you for the support you've shown. Today's guest is Viv Chapleo who leveraged more than 20 years of experience in hospitality and business to create WAVEJourney, an e-zine for women travelers.
Where else does Viv recommend? Bend, Oregon. Along with her partner Jill Hoelting, Viv has made Bend her home for the past 11 years. She came for a vacation, but the Cascade Mountain views, plus all the recreational activities (road and mountain biking; skiing and winter sports; Deschutes River runs through town; 100+ lakes nearby; hiking galore) , craft breweries, golf courses, outdoor summer festivals/concerts/events, quaint downtown, Old Mill District, etc., convinced them to move their and make it home.
Bend is a great four seasons destinations. If you like Palm Springs, you'll like Bend in the summer. If you like Aspen to ski, you'll like Bend in the winter. If you like Missoula, Montana, you'll like Bend all year round. And let's not forget the great craft beer scene.
Viv and Jill have combined their collective passions for travel and meeting people from around the world, and created WaveJourney. Established in 2005 and launched to the public on January 16, 2006, WAVEJourney.com is a women’s travel e-zine that provides valuable firsthand recommendations to a worldwide audience. As women make 80+% of the travel decisions for couples and family travel, this e-zine is written to assist them in their trip planning… “Happy wife = Happy life!”
You can find WaveJourney on your favorite social media platform, including Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re enjoying this podcast, you can subscribe on iTunes. I broadcast a new podcast every Monday. And while you’re over on iTunes, please do me a favor and leave a rating and review. This is a new show and your reviews help position us where others can see it.
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25 min
May 16, 2016 Episode #6 - Where Else to Go: Marco Island, Florida
Welcome to episode #6 of the Where Else to Go podcast. I'm still not sure I have the hang of podcasting yet, but I am having a lot of fun talking about some great travel destinations with some great travelers. If you're enjoying the podcast, please take a moment and give us a rating and/or review on iTunes. That simple little thing helps a lot in getting the podcast noticed by others. Thanks!
Now, on to today's show on Marco Island, Florida.
My guest for this episode is Kay Dougherty. Kay left corporate life in Boston for beach life in Florida and time to travel the world. She talks today about her current home base in Marco Island, Florida, telling us why it's a great where else to go spot for our next beach vacation.
Kay says there are all kinds of things to do on Marco Island - many involving water activities. You can charter boats for pleasure or deep sea-fishing trips. Take day trips to see dolphins, go shelling or to see the sunset or just to explore the 10,000 Islands. There's a ferry to Key West. One thing she's looking forward to doing is taking a seaplane to Key West with Salt Island Seaplanes (out of Naples).
Marco is a good place for adults only or families (not so much for singles or solo travelers). Lots of free activities - music concerts in the park, two beautiful public beacheas, weekly farmers' market, art shows, etc. A really fun thing to do is to go jet-skiiing in the 10,000 Islands with Captain Ron's Everglades Jet Ski Tours. There's an excellent small local museum about the history of the island.
Marco is very low key, the complete opposite of the east coast of Florida.
If you're looking for a low key getaway, Marco Island may be the perfect spot for your next beach vacation.
If you want you learn more about Kay you can follow her on Blonde Brunette travel, a humorous travel blog primarily about international travel with her sister. All continents, cultures, means of travel and experience are considered, explored, critiqued and found to have some humore in them. Kay shares useful information and honest opinions; if she can get you to snort a drink out your nose over something she's written, she considers it the ultimate compliment.
You can also connect with Kay on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, and Pinterest.
Be sure to join us next week when we visit another island, Kauai.
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28 min
May 16, 2016 Episode #8 - Where Else to Go: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Thanks so much for joining me for Episode #8 of the Where Else to Go Podcast. We're on an island theme right now, having already covered Marco Island, Florida and Lihue, Hawaii. This week we're off to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands with Cheryl and Lisa of What Boundaries Travel Media.
The Galapagos Islands recently made the top of Cheryl and Lisa's favorite travel destination after a recent trip to the islands. Getting so close to the flora and fauna of the islands made them feel like they were taking a step back in time. The animals have no fear of humans so they really had a chance to see them in their real habitat. And they add, "One of the highlights was when we snorkeled with the sea lions - they would always come play with us!"
You might think that getting to the Galapagos Islands is too great of a challenge to get to and to see the islands because of the restrictions. However, it's an amazing experience to see the animals up close since they have no fear of humans. You will see some amazing land animals like the land iguana or Galapagos Tortoise, land birds like the Blue Footed Booby, and in the water you will swim with seals and an occasional penguin at the Equator!South
There are many options on how to experience the Galapagos. You can fly into one of the main islands like San Cristobal and make it your home base while planning day trips to the various islands, or you can opt to take a luxury tour with a group like Ecoventura where your yacht is the “home base” and you travel between the islands with a stop at a different island every day. It surprisingly easy to get to the islands - there are many flights through Panama or even directly into Ecuador (another beautiful place), then it’s just a quick flight out to the islands.
Chery and Lisa started traveling pretty much full time in 2007 after leaving corporate jobs and have since visited 6 continents with sights on Antarctica to hit their goal of all 7.
Cheryl and Lisa keep busy traveling and writing for their their three blogs: WhatBoundariesTravel, TheTravelPharmacist, and coming soon, the FloridaSpectator. Their focus is on Gen X and Boomer travel with a goal to provide travel inspiration to their readers. They sum it up simply, "We love to travel and even more, love to share our experiences with others so they feel more comfortable traveling."
Take a listen to learn why the Galapagos Island should be on your where else to go list. Then follow Cheryl and Lisa on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, Instagram and YouTube.
If you've enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe on iTunes. While you're over there, please take a moment and leave us a rating or review. That helps this very new podcast get discovered by others.
See you next week when we we'll be talking about Venice, Italy.
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32 min
May 16, 2016Episode #14 - Where Else to Go: A Japanese Onsen
Welcome to episode #14 of the Where Else to Go podcast. We've just hit the three month mark for the podcast, and I thank all of you - friends, guests, and listeners - who've helped me nurture this podcast from idea to reality.
My guest today is Ramona Flume. Ramona and I traveled together to Japan a couple months ago, and I've been looking forward to having her on the show. We're going to talk about the very Japanese tradition and experience of the onsen (bath). There are thousands of onsens around Japan and they are play an important part in Japanese tourism.
The word onsen originally referred to hot springs and, by law, must include water that contains one of the designated chemical elements and have a temperature of at least 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of its mineral content, the water is often believed to have healing powers.
I can't imagine a visit to Japan that doesn't include a visit (or several visits) to an onsen, and I hope this episode, and Ramona's tips, help get you ready for this where else to go experience.
Some information referenced in this episode:
Hotel New Plaza Awajishima

Tougenkyo-Iya (ryokan)

Hotel Iya Onsen (onsen with funicular access)

The Japanese Spa: A Guide to Japan's Finest Ryokan and Onsen
Ramona is a freelance writer and editor, contributing travel and cultural content for national magazines, newspapers, and websites. You can find more about her work on her website, RamonaFlume.com. She is also the co-creator of Loti, a new travel journal and global marketplace supporting independent artists around the world.
Thanks for listening! Remember, you can also find the podcast on iTunes, and while you're there, please take a minute and leave us a rating and review. See you next week.
Photo courtesy of Ramona Flume.
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34 min
May 09, 2016 Episode #13 - Where Else to Go: Northern Peru
When you think about traveling to Peru, you most likely think about Machu Pichu in the Andes. But today's guest, Chris Backe, wants you to think about visiting the ruins and historical sites in Northern Peru for your next "where else to go" vacation.

Chris is the blogger behind One Weird Globe, which explores the world's offbeat and bizarre destinations, and is the publisher of Choose a Way books, the tap-your-own-adventure guidebooks to real-life destinations. He's been seen in Atlas Obscura, Mental Floss, the Daily Mail, and dozens of other publications. Chris and his wife, a fellow traveler from Canada, have spent time living in Peru, and he shares what we've been missing in northern Peru.

Chris says that northern Peru features an array of authentic, ancient, and well-preserved ruins from both pre-Inca and Inca civilizations. Machu Picchu, for all the attention it receives, ends up putting many worthy places in a big shadow. Offerings like the Huaca de la Luna (the temple of the moon) and Chan Chan (a UNESCO World Heritage) in Trujillo make for a pleasant stay – and having a beach town in Huanchaco only 20 minutes away is a nice bonus as well. Kuelap Fortress, one of the biggest stone fortresses remaining in the world, is located near Chachapoyas and is one of the most easily approached ruins in Peru. Chris has written about some of the other historical sites in this blog post.

If you're ready for something more exotic, a few towns in Peru have "witches markets", selling potions and ingredients that look like they belong in a witches potion! There's also the Guinea pig breeding tour in Puno, the Museo del Cerebro (Brain Museum) in Lima, and a spectacular museum of 100+ cars (in photo above), an easy taxi ride from Lima.

Besides his blog, you'll find Chris on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

If you’re enjoying these podcasts, please take a minute to subscribe on iTunes. And don’t forget to leave a rating (5-stars is always nice!) and/or review.
39 min
April 25, 2016 Episode #11 - Where Else to Go: Oman
Located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, Oman is a travel destination that is surrounded by mystery and myths. Tourism is on the rise in Oman, and it is predicted to soon be one of the largest industries in the Sultanate. Part of the rise in tourism can be attributed to cruise lines making Oman a port of call, but the country's tourism slogan - "Beauty has an address" - is helping to position it as a safe, affordable, and beautiful travel destinaton.
On Episode #11 of the Where Else to Go podcast, I'm joined by Nicole Brewer, a Detroit native, who has been living and working in Nizwa, Oman, for the past three years. She says she's found the locals to be extremely nice and accommodating, and wishes more people would experience the beauty that Oman has to offer.
A couple of the resorts that Nicole loves are the Shangri-La in Muscat and a 5-star resort in the mountains, Alila Jabal Akhdar. And she impresses upon us both the beauty and the cultural aspect of tourism in Oman.
To follow more of Nicole's adventures and travel writing, check out her blog, I Luv 2 Globetrot, and follow her on social media on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
If you're enjoying these podcasts, please take a minute to subscribe on iTunes. And don't forget to leave and rating (5-stars is always nice!) and revivew.
Photo courtesy of Nicole Brewer
31 min
April 23, 2016Episode #12 - Where Else to Go: Chattanooga
With its convenient location in southeastern Tennessee -it's an
easy getaway from Atlanta, Knoxville, Nashville, Hunstsville, and
Birmingham - it surprised me that most people don't think of
Chattanooga. It seems like an overlooked city, a definite where
else to go destination, and it could easily be added on to a visit
to this part of the country.
Joining me on Episode #12 to talk about Chattanooga is Cory
Lee.
Cory Lee was
diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at the age of two, but that
certainly has not diminished his desire to travel - wheelchair and
all. He has been everywhere from Australia to Iceland, just to name
a few, and he blogs about his accessible (and sometimes not so
accessible) travel adventures on CurbFreeWithCoryLee.com. Cory
hopes to inspire others to break out of their comfort zones and
start rolling around the world.
Getting around a city can be a bit frustrating for Cory at
times, as he looks for accessible public transporation and taxis.
He visits Chatannooga frequently as not only is it close to his
home in Lafayette, Georgia, (about a 30 minute drive), but it's a
easy city for him to get around.
Cory says there are plenty of superb restaurants,
attractions, outdoor activities, and even an arts district in
Chattanooga. Its'a a growing city, with new businesses
popping up around the city. It's also near the Ocoee River, where
part of the 1996 Olympics took place, and a short drive from the
Great Smoky Mountains. You'll want to listen to the full podcast
for all the places Cory recommends, but here are a links to a few
stories that give you a little more background.
Rock City - Located at the top of a mountin, the entire site is
not wheelchair accessible. However, there is a special path for
wheelchair usersthat is stair-free, so you can take in the
spectacular views.
Chattanooga Zoo - One of Cory's favorite spots in
Chattanooga.
To follow Cory's travels, and learn more about accessible
travel, check out his website, Curb Free with Cory Lee. You
can follow him on social media at Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
If you’re enjoying these podcasts, please take a minute
to
subscribe on iTunes. And don’t forget to leave a rating
(5-stars is always nice!) and review.
27 min

About Where Else to Go

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A travel podcast that focuses on destinations that you may not have thought about visiting, as well as new ways to see some of your favorite destinations. Let us provide you information for your next…