Vacation Station

Hospitality Insider with Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels

It's all about attention to detail and exemplary customer service on this special Hospitality Insider episode of Big Blend Radio's 4th Saturday “Palm Springs Sunshine Stays” Show. Hear about the unique guest experiences provided by the boutique hotels that are part of Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels. 
FEATURED GUESTS:* Robert Hunt - General Manager of Alcazar Palm Springs. Visit: https://alcazarpalmsprings.com/ * Karima Zaki - Vice President of Operations of Town and Desert Hospitality.  Visit: https://townanddesert.com  * Adam Ramirez, owner of Luxe Hospitality Consulting LLC. Visit: www.luxehospitalityrevpar.com  Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels, a consortium of independently-owned boutique hotels in the desert resort community of Palm Springs, in Southern California. View the hotels and sign up the the monthly Boutiquely Palm Springs newsletter here: https://www.palmspringspreferredsmallhotels.com/  
Follow this Big Blend Radio Podcast here: https://palm-springs-sunshine-stays.podbean.com/ 

Lea Brovedani - End-of-Life Road Trip

Finish this sentence ..... "Before I die, I want to visit _____"
On this episode of Big Blend Radio's SOUL JOURNEY DOULA podcast with death doula Lea Brovedani, Lea talks about fulfilling your bucket list, especially in regards to travel. Even if you are not able to travel anymore, there are still ways to get whet your wanderlust appetite.
Lea's 5 Pillars of Support as a Death Doula:* Spirit - Uphold beliefs and practices* Emotion - Honor feelings* Mind - Life review and gleaning meaning* Body - Increase comfort, health and safety* Practical - Create completions
Learn more about Lea's work at https://souljourneydoula.com/ Follow the podcast here: http://tinyurl.com/b6c9jfnu 

Cheryl Ogle - How to Avoid Travel Burnout

Have you ever needed a vacation after your vacation? Are you trying to balance travel while working remotely? From jet lag to cramming too much on your itinerary, this episode of Big Blend Radio's Vacation Station "Hey Wanna Go" Travel Show with travel advisor Cheryl Ogle, focuses on the various ways you can avoid travel burnout.  
Check out Cheryl's blog on how she balances travel an work, here:  https://tinyurl.com/497t3sv3 
On Big Blend Radio every third Wednesday, Cheryl is a world traveler, accredited travel advisor, and owner of Hey Wanna Go that specializes in travel to Europe and the UK, as well as river and ocean cruises. More: https://heywannago.com/ 

Lost Angel Travel Adventures in Costa Rica

From hiking through tropical rainforests to outrigger surfing, it's all about Costa Rica on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures with Linda Ballou." Hear about Linda's recent 13-day trip to Costa Rica with Overseas Adventure Travel.
You can read Linda's articles about her trip NABBW.org here:- Part 1: From the Lush Rainforests to the Shining Sea: https://tinyurl.com/3x6t9ked - Part 2: A Little Country with a Big Heart: https://tinyurl.com/46p4mrks 
Watch Linda's YouTube playlist of short videos from her recent visit: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUfBG36FykHl4ZkQ5vsX9OVS1BfX8Bj6l 
To learn more about  Linda’s adventures with Active Central/South American tours in Costa Rica, read her essay "Tough Cookies in Costa Rica" in her travel collection "Lost Angel Walkabout" which is available on her site at https://tinyurl.com/yc6y6vmk 
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 

Author Tamara J. Walker - Beyond the Shores

In honor of Juneteenth, this episode of Big Blend Radio features author and writer Tamara J. Walker who discusses her book, "Beyond the Shores: A History of African Americans Abroad," which is a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice.
Part historical exploration, part travel memoir, "Beyond the Shores" reveals poignant histories of a diverse group of African American expats who left the United States (and its racism) behind, building new lives abroad. Learn about Florence Mills, the would-be Josephine Baker of her day, in Paris, Richard Wright, the author turned actor and filmmaker, in Buenos Aires, and more.
Along with being Associate Professor of Africana Studies at Barnard College of Columbia University, Tamara is the author of “Exquisite Slaves: Race, Clothing, and Status in Colonial Lima.” More: https://www.tamarajwalker.com/ 
She is also a co-founder of The Wandering Scholar, a 501c3 non-profit whose mission is to make international education opportunities accessible to students from low-income backgrounds. More: https://www.thewanderingscholar.org/ 

Natchitoches-NSU 44th Annual Folk Festival in Louisiana

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Go to Natchitoches” Podcast focuses on the 44th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival which will be held on Saturday July 20, 2024, in the air-conditioned Prather Coliseum at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Featured Guests are Dr. Shane Rasmussen – NSU Professor of English & Director of the Louisiana Folklife Center, and K. Nicole Connell – Communications Manager of Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau.
This family-friendly festival features a curated showcase of Louisiana folk musicians, food vendors, traditional crafts persons, craft demonstrations, a Kidfest, narrative sessions, a Jambalaya Cookoff, along with the Annual Louisiana State Fiddle Championship, dance lessons, and live entertainment. In honor of this year’s theme, The Old Songs Live Forever, the festival will feature three stages of music. 
MORE INFO:* For a full details and the event schedule, visit https://www.nsula.edu/the-44th-annual-natchitoches-nsu-folk-festival/ * Check out the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@natchitochesnsufolkfestiva3855 * Watch this Big Blend Radio video showcasing the 40th Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival: https://youtu.be/oJdUlGg568k?feature=shared * Plan Your Visit to Natchitoches at https://natchitoches.com/ 
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. More about Natchitoches and its current events at https://natchitoches.com/Follow Big Blend Radio's "Go to Natchitoches" show here: https://natchitoches-louisiana.podbean.com/ 

Janice Sakata-Schultze - The Best of Golden, Colorado

From food and brews, to museums, lodging, and hiking, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s 3rd Monday “Food, Wine & Travel” Show with IFWTWA features travel writer Janice Sakata-Schultze who gives a local's inside scoop on "The Best of Golden, Colorado."  
Highlights include Xicamiti La Taqueria Bistro, Woody's Wood-fired Pizza, Gilden Mill Food Hall, Clear Creek Trail, Coors Brewery Tours, The Eddy Hotel, and Buffalo Bill Museum and Gravesite. 
READ JANICE'S ARTICLES ABOUT GOLDEN, COLORADO:* Coors Brewery: https://tinyurl.com/4x4hcymz * Woody's Wood-fired-Pizza: https://tinyurl.com/3n6j4h6e * Xicamiti La Taqueria Bistro: https://tinyurl.com/3vzmchhp * The Eddy Hotel: https://tinyurl.com/mrx6zbmy * Golden Mill: https://tinyurl.com/4acundhb 
Based in Golden, Colorado, Janice Sakata-Schultze is a travel writer, blogger, photographer, and certified advisor. She specializes in culinary, active adventure and wellness travel.  Follow her adventures at https://www.sanseitraveler.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 

Scott Kendall - Outdoor Adventures in the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

Celebrate Great Outdoors Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with IFWTWA, travel writer Scott Kendall who talks about his week long family vacation exploring the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Hear about the destination's golf, boating, hiking, eating, relaxing, and lodging opportunities. Read Scott's article about his trip, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/adventures-in-lake-of-the-ozarks-missouri/ 
Scott Kendall is Editor of PlayStayEat.com as well as a freelance travel writer, photographer, and videographer based in The Woodlands, Texas. He has traveled extensively throughout the US and Europe, including several trips to Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia, England, Ireland, and France. More: https://playstayeat.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