Vacation Station

End-of-Summer Fun in Festive Natchitoches, Louisiana

Celebrate American Adventures Month and the End-of-Summer with this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Go to Natchitoches” Podcast. From the Cane River Zydeco, Big Foot, and Meat Pie Festivals to the Natchitoches Parish Fair and a new Corn Hole Tournament, Paige Alost and K. Nicole Connell of Natchitoches Tourism  share what to experience at the end of August and throughout September in Natchitoches. 
Founded in 1714, Natchitoches is the original French Colony and oldest settlement in Louisiana. Celebrating a vibrant blend of French, Spanish, African, Native American, and Creole cultures, this charming city is part of the Cane River National Heritage Area and Louisiana’s No Man’s Land.  Plan Your Visit to Natchitoches and check out the event calendar at https://natchitoches.com/ 
Follow Big Blend Radio's "Go to Natchitoches" show and check out the past episodes here: https://natchitoches-louisiana.podbean.com/ 

Sandra Bornstein - Keep Moving and Live Without Regrets

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s 3rd Monday “Food, Wine & Travel” Show with IFWTWA features travel writer and author Sandra Bornstein who shares her personal story of travel and skiing while grieving the loss of her husband, Ira. 
In 2020, their world was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, terminal brain cancer. Even though he was diagnosed with only 12-18 months to live and they were coping with COVID restricted travel, Ira and Sandra adopted the motto—Keep Moving and Live Without Regrets. Even though Ira is gone, Sandra has continued to live by his motto through travel and skiing, which have helped her tremendously. She hopes that her lifestyle choices will encourage others to embrace life when they are faced with a spouse's terminal diagnosis and subsequent death. Read her recent stories that focus on traveling and grieving: * https://www.wanderwithwonder.com/the-magic-of-skiing-while-grieving/ * https://www.travelworldmagazine.com/2024/06/a-respite-from-grief-a-week-at-hilton-health/ 
Sandy Bornstein, a Colorado based travel writer, has visited dozens of countries, and lived as an expat teacher in Bangalore, India. She is the award-winning author of "May This Be the Best Year of Your Life" which is a resource for people contemplating an expat lifestyle, and "100 Things to Do in Boulder Before You Die."  Keep up with her at https://thetravelingbornsteins.com  and https://sandrabornstein.com 
Learn more about the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) here: https://www.ifwtwa.org/ 
Follow this Podcast Channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1chVylr9kzBMftUgBoLS-m 

Wildlife Safari in Etosha National Park, Namibia

We're going on a wildlife safari through Etosha National Park in Namibia on this episode of Big Blend Radio's JO GOES EVERYWHERE! Podcast with travel writer and photographer Jo Clark. 
Etosha is the largest salt pan in Africa, and is Namibia’s largest wildlife sanctuary that's home to a wide variety of birdlife as well as lions, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, two different zebras, hyenas, springboks, elands, Black and White rhinos, and the elusive leopard. Read Jo's article about her experience here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/etosha-national-park-safari/ 
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 

Travel Writer Barbara Redding Explores Wonderful Wales

From Castles and Roman City Walls to the lively capital city of Cardiff, Snowdonia National Park, and the Wales Coastal Path, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with IFWTWA travel writer Barbara Redding focuses on what you can experience in Wales. On a recent visit to Wales, Barbara quickly discovered that this small country of 3.2 million people is rich in historic castles and fortresses, natural wonders, crescent beaches, coastal trails, vibrant cities with Michelin-recommended restaurants, and more sheep than Scotland. Read her article abut her experiences, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/wales-rich-in-castles-natural-wonders-and-the-lively-capital-of-cardiffLearn 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 

Exploring Vienna - From Majestic Palaces to Coffeehouse Culture

It's all about Historic Vienna on this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's WANDER THE WORLD WITH SHARON podcast with Sharon K. Kurtz.  Vienna, Austria’s capital, is where history, art, and culture come together. With its stunning architecture, grand palaces, and top-notch museums, it’s a city that captures the imagination. 
Vienna is a perfect blend of rich history, classical music, and architectural wonders, making it a must-visit for culture lovers. Read Sharon's article about her experiences in Vienna, including learning about Elisabeth, Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary from her marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph I on 24 April 1854 until her assassination in 1898. More: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/exploring-vienna-majestic-palaces-to-coffeehouse-culture/ 
Big Blend Radio's "Wander the World with Sharon" Podcast features award-winning travel writer and photographer Sharon K. Kurtz. New episodes air every first Wednesday at 12pm CST at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1ALXeV1vR6H10EtkPvgDW5 
Sharon Kurtz is an accomplished travel writer and award-winning photographer based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to exploring the world and sharing her adventures through compelling storytelling. Her travels have taken her to more than 50 countries on six continents—her carry-on is always packed, ready for the next adventure. Enjoy Sharon’s writing at https://sharonkkurtz.com/ or follow her on https://www.instagram.com/shar_kurtz/ 

August Adventures in Asheville, North Carolina

From the Pisgah National Forest and Great Smoky Mountain National Park to Wellness Retreats and Foodie Fun, this episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Tuesday "Adventures in Asheville" Show celebrates the month of August as American Adventures Month.
Featured Guests are Big Blend Radio regulars Steve & Karen Wilson, owners and innkeepers of The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast, a stunning pink lady in the Montford Historic District. More: https://www.lion-rose.com/ 
Big Blend Radio's "Adventures in Asheville" Show airs every 1st Tuesday. Follow the show on PodBean: https://adventures-asheville.podbean.com/ 

End-of-Summer Family Fun in California's Sequoia Country

Celebrate American Adventures Month in Tulare County, California! From park adventures and downtown public art and walking tours to concerts, fairs and festivals, museums, and where to shop, eat and play, it's all about end-of summer family fun on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Sequoia Country" Podcast. 
Located in Central California, Tulare County is home to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest, and charming art and agricultural communities including Visalia, Tulare, Exeter, Dinuba, Porterville, Three Rivers, Lindsay, and Woodlake.  
Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include Sintia Kawasaki-Yee - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Suzanne Bianco - Visit Visalia,  and Cassidy Collins - Tulare Chamber of Commerce.
 Plan your visit with these websites mentioned in the podcast:- Sequoia Tourism Council: https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/ - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm - Visit Visalia - https://www.visitvisalia.com/ - Tulare Chamber of Commerce: http://www.tularechamber.org/ - Big Blend Radio interview with painist Hunter Noack: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/classical-pianist-hunter-noack-in-haleakala-national-park/ 

Small Ship Cruising in Japan with Heritage Expeditions

Today's episode of Big Blend Radio's VACATION STATION Travel Show features travel writer and photographer Rose Palmer who shares her 10-day small ship cruising experience on the Sacred Japan and South Korea route with Heritage Expeditions. Read her article and watch the short video highlighting the Heritage Adventurer flagship, and the places she visited, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/small-ship-cruise-with-heritage-expeditions-in-japan/