Vacation Station

Big Blend Radio travel podcast featuring expert interviews and conversations covering Travel and Leisure, Destinations, and Event News.

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Episodes

10 hours ago

Join us on this episode of Big Blend Radio’s VACATION STATION Travel Show as we chat with photographer Steve Piacente about his recent visit to Saudi Arabia. From the vast desert landscapes to the vibrant streets of Riyadh, Steve shares his experiences capturing the essence of the region through his lens, and the meaningful connections he made with the local people.
Hear about the unique challenges and rewards of photographing in the desert, the warmth of the Saudi people, and how travel can deepen personal perspective and storytelling. Steve's passion for visual storytelling shines as he talks about capturing the soul of a place through his camera.  
Along with being a photographer, Steve Piacente is the owner of Next Phase Life Coaching. He is an author, former journalist, and Director of Training at The Communication Center in Washington, D.C. His novels include, “Bella,” “Pretender,” and “Bootlicker.” His latest non-fiction book is “Your New Fighting Stance: Good Enough Isn’t, and You Know It.”  
📸 View and purchase Steve's photography at https://www.piacentephotos.com/  📘 Learn more about his coaching services at https://www.stevepiacente.com/ 📚 Steve’s books are available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Steve-Piacente/author/B004LJX2C4? 
🔔 Subscribe to Big Blend Radio for more inspiring travel interviews, cultural insights, and life-changing stories! Visit: https://bigblendradio.podbean.com/ 

2 days ago

In this exciting episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" podcast, travel writer Debbie Stone takes us on a cultural deep dive into Minneapolis, Minnesota — a city brimming with creativity, community, and charm. It also happens to be a destination on the historic Jefferson Highway!
🌟 Discover the iconic Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, an eleven-acre urban oasis filled with world-class art installations and lush scenery. Debbie shares her firsthand experience strolling through this must-visit destination that blends nature and creativity in the heart of the city.
🚶‍♀️ Plus, get an insider's look at the fascinating Minneapolis Skyway System, the largest contiguous skyway in the world. Learn how these second-story walkways connect 80 city blocks and offer a unique way to explore the city, rain or shine.
🎨 From arts and culture to architectural wonders and walking tours, this episode is a must for curious travelers, art lovers, and anyone planning a trip to Minneapolis.
📖 Read Debbie’s articles:* A Visit to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/a-visit-to-the-minneapolis-sculpture-garden/ * Take a Minneapolis City & Skyway Tour: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/take-a-minneapolis-city-and-skyway-tour/ 
 
🔗 Listen & Subscribe to Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" Podcast here: https://global-adventures-debbie-stone.podbean.com/ 
🖼️ This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Arts” and “Vacation Station” travel channels. Explore more inspiring episodes on the Big Blend Radio Network, here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Adventures in Ojai, California

Wednesday Apr 16, 2025

Wednesday Apr 16, 2025

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures with Linda Ballou" Podcast, Linda talks about her recent day trip to Ojai, California where she experienced art, nature and hiking trails, and some fun food and wine destinations. 
You can learn more about the Ojai Studio Artist Tours here: https://www.ojaistudioartists.org/ 
Follow Linda Ballou's adventures at https://lostangeladventures.com/ and learn more about her books at http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/ 
Listen to Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures" Show every 3rd Wednesday at High Noon PST,  here on YouTube:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm3Bmktgu8osUzx2VOF35dgO&feature=shared 
This episode is also featured on our Big Blend Radio "Vacation Station" Travel Channel. Check out our Big Blend Radio Network of podcasts here:  https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork  

Cruising the Caribbean

Tuesday Apr 15, 2025

Tuesday Apr 15, 2025

It's all about Cruising the Bahamas on this episode of Big Blend Radio's travel podcast "Journey Jukebox with Lisa." Plus, hear about various cruise options for all travel wants, budgets, and age groups, and how a travel advisor can save you time and money when planning your vacation
CHECK OUT LISA'S NEW YEAR CARIBBEAN GROUP CRUISE: https://writerlisa.com/2025/04/14/celebrate-new-years-in-belize-on-a-cruise/ 
HEAR LISA'S PODCAST ON CRUSING THE BAHAMAS: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/experience-the-bahamas-with-msc-cruises/ 
JOURNEY JUKEBOX MUSIC PLAYLIST on SPOTIFY (updated each episode):  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7humUf03LIW04t8LiJSSN9?si=54c7630328284648 
LISA EVANS is a travel writer and photographer, travel advisor, and author of "100 Things to Do in Coastal Mississippi Before You Die."  More at https://writerlisa.com/ and https://www.gosmart.travel/advisors/lisa/evans 
New episodes of Big Blend Radio’s ”Journey Jukebox with Lisa” Podcast air every 3rd Tuesday at 12pm CST. Follow the podcast from your favorite platform here:  https://journeyjukebox.podbean.com/ 

Monday Apr 14, 2025

Enjoy this inaugural episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wanderers Compass" Travel Podcast with Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough, digital content creators, freelance travel writers, photographers, founders and publishers of Wanderers Compass Travel Blog.Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a grand adventure across continents, Joelle and Ryan believe that travel is more than just a trip; it is an opportunity for discovery, learning, and personal growth. Check out their Travel Writer Success Insider Q&A here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/travel-writer-success-insider-joelle-machia-and-ryan-slough/ Wanderers Compass is rooted in immersive travel—where history, culture, and adventure intertwine to create meaningful experiences. Through curated itineraries, firsthand storytelling, and a commitment to uncovering the world’s hidden gems, Joelle and Ryan share their journeys with the hope of inspiring others to explore with purpose and curiosity. Follow their adventures at https://www.wandererscompass.com/ New episodes of Big Blend Radio's "Wanderers Compass" Travel Podcast air every second Monday at 4pm PST / 7pm EST here: https://wandererscompass.podbean.com/ 

Sunday Apr 13, 2025

It's all about Gwinnett County on this episode of Big Blend Radio's JO GOES EVERYWHERE! Podcast with travel writer and photographer Jo Clark. 
Located less than 10 miles from Atlanta, Gwinnett County is in the northern part of Georgia and holds sixteen distinct cities that form part of the metro-Atlanta area including Duluth, Norcross, and Lilburn. 
As Jo shares on this episode, Gwinnett County has a variety of things to do that will delight travelers looking for parks and hiking trails or live music and craft cocktails. Explore the walkable areas and cute shops in these outlying cities that make traveling fun. Plan your visit with Jo's article about her experiences in Gwinnett County, here: https://recipestravelculture.com/unique-gwinnett-county-near-atlanta/  Jo Clark is a travel writer and photographer based on South Carolina’s Grand Strand. She has a thirst for knowledge, history, great food, and wine! Her Big Blend Radio podcast "Jo Goes Everywhere!" airs every 2nd Sunday at 7pm EST. Follow the show on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/yfkjm8sd 

Friday Apr 11, 2025

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with IFWTWA, travel writer and author Kathleen Walls talks about her experiences in beautiful and historic Wytheville, Virginia. 
For a small town, she visited a huge array of diverse attractions, ranging from the home of a woman who was once acting President of the United States to a safari where the animals run loose and you are enclosed in a bus. Read her story about it all, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/experience-the-one-and-only-wytheville/ 
Kathleen Walls is publisher/writer for American Roads and Global Highways at https://www.americanroads.net/. A member of the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association, her articles and photographs have appeared in numerous magazines and online publications. She is also an author of numerous travel books, online travel guides, and fiction novels. Learn more about her books at https://katywalls.com/. 
Learn more about the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) at https://www.ifwtwa.org/ 
Follow this podcast here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1chVylr9kzBMftUgBoLS-m 

Rose Palmer - Exploring Spain

Thursday Apr 10, 2025

Thursday Apr 10, 2025

From carnivals to historic landmarks it's all about Exploring Spain on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quiltripping Travel with Rose" Podcast with travel writer Rose Palmer. Hear about her experiences in Cadiz, Sitges, Madrid, Segovia, Avila, Andalucia, Seville, Cordoba, and Granada. Follow Rose's adventures on her site: https://quiltripping.com/ 
Follow Big Blend Radio's "Quiltripping Travel with Rose" Podcast here: https://quiltripping-travel.podbean.com/ 
This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Vacation Station" Channels. Check out our Big Blend Radio Network of podcasts here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

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BIG BLEND RADIO'S VACATION STATION TRAVEL PODCAST 

Travel America and Explore the World with Big Blend Radio’s ”Vacation Station” Travel Channel. Enjoy podcasts, interviews, and expert panel discussions covering travel advice and destination stories. Watch the podcasts interviews on YouTube or follow the shows here on Podbean, or on Apple, Spotify, TuneIn, ListenNotes, iHeartRadio, Rephonic, Deezer, and more.

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Big Blend Radio podcasts are hosted and produced by Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter publishing team behind Big Blend Magazines, and full-time travelers on the Love Your Parks Tour.

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