Vacation Station

Exploring The Rose City - Portland, Oregon

From gardens and historic sites to animal encounters and cultural hotspots, it's all about Portland, Oregon on this episode of Big Blend Radio's travel podcast "Journey Jukebox with Lisa." Hear about Lisa's experiences in The City of Roses including the International Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, Pittock Mansion, The Grotto, Mississippi Studios, and Powell's Books, and the Oregon Zoo.
LINKS TO LISA'S PORTLAND ARTICLES- https://rovology.com/united-states/oregon/rediscovering-the-rose-city-portland-oregon/ - https://fwtmagazine.com/a-step-back-in-time-pittock-mansion-in-portland-oregon/ 
LINKS TO PORTLAND SITES- https://www.portland.gov/parks/washington-park-international-rose-test-garden - https://japanesegarden.org/ - https://www.oregonzoo.org/ - https://thegrotto.org/ - https://pittockmansion.org/ - https://mississippistudios.com/  - https://www.powells.com/ 
JOURNEY JUKEBOX MUSIC PLAYLIST on SPOTIFY (updated each episode):  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7humUf03LIW04t8LiJSSN9?si=54c7630328284648 
Portland Photos by Lisa Evans, and courtesy of Travel Portland. 
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/ 
This episode is also featured on our Big Blend Radio "Garden Gossip" and "Vacation Station" Channels.  Check out our Big Blend Radio Network of podcasts here:  https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Castle Hunting Around the World

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with IFWTWA, travel writers Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough talk about their castle hunting adventures around the world. What started as a visit to Trim Castle in Ireland sparked an obsession that would take them to 432 castles and counting. Read their story about their castle adventures, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/the-thrill-of-castle-hunting/ 
Joelle and Ryan are the founders of WanderersCompass.com, a blog that is rooted in immersive travel, and where history, culture, and adventure intertwine to create meaningful experiences. Visit: https://www.wandererscompass.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 

Travel Tips for First-Time Princess Cruisers

It's all about Cruising with Princess Cruises on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quiltripping Travel with Rose" Podcast with travel writer Rose Palmer who has cruised on ten different Princess ships on itineraries that have spanned the globe.
Find out how to choose the right cruise ship and what fare package to purchase, along with packing tips, how and when to make dinner reservations, downloading the Princess App and using Princess’ Medallion technology, and much more. You can read Rose's article outling it all here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/tips-for-first-time-princess-cruisers/  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 

Spring and Summer in Historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with IFWTWA features Mary Grace Kauffman of Destination Gettysburg who gives a spring and summer overview of what you can experience in beautiful and historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, including Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site. 
Spring and summer highlights include the Adam County Blossom Belt, Blossom Festival (April 26); Adams County Festival of Races (April 26-27), Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival (May 15th-18th & Aug. 14th-17th), Gettysburg Film Festival (May 8-11),  Battle of Gettysburg anniversary (July 1-3) and re-enactments (July 4-6), Gettysburg Bike Week motorcycle rally (July 10-13), Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival (July 20-21), plus, the new scenic summer train excursions. Visit Gettysburg and Make Monumental Memories! Filled with welcoming residents and diverse experiences, this quaint town is filled with stories to tell. Discover how Gettysburg captures the imagination, stirs the soul, and continues to draw visitors from around the world to its hallowed ground and beautiful countryside. More: https://destinationgettysburg.com/  
Learn more about the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), here: https://www.ifwtwa.org/  

Whale Watching in Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico

This shared episode of Big Blend Radio's PARKS & TRAVEL Podcast features travel writer Sharon K. Kurtz who shares her whale watching adventures in Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Baja California Sur is a premier whale-watching destination, home to both the blue whales of Loreto Bay National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the gray whale nursery of Magdalena Bay. Read Sharon's article about her whale watching experiences in Loreto, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/top-whale-watching-spots-in-loreto-baja-california-sur/ 
Host of Big Blend Radio's "Wander the World" with Sharon Podcast, Sharon K. 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/. 
This episode is also being shared and featured on other Big Blend Radio Network Channels including "Nature Connection" and "Vacation Station." Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Spring in California’s Sequoia Country

From outdoor adventures and spring flower power to museums, restaurants, events, and family-friendly activities, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Sequoia Country" Podcast focuses on spring fun for everyone in Tulare County, California.
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 - Holly Streit - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm - Suzanne Bianco - Visit Visalia,  https://www.visitvisalia.com/ - Amy King - Tulare County Museum, https://tularecountymuseum.org/ - Julia Dix - Tulare Chamber of Commerce, http://www.tularechamber.org/ 
Plan your visit to Tulare County, at https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/ 

Sustainable Travel and Tourism

Celebrate World Conservation Strategy Day with this special episode of Big Blend Radio focusing on Sustainable Travel and Tourism. Hear what destinations are doing around the world to promote sustainable and eco-friendly practices to safeguard the planet for their local community and future generations, and the ways travelers can be part of sustainable solutions. 
FEATURED GUESTS:- Dan Howard – VP of Communications at Visit Park City: https://www.visitparkcity.com/ - Cheryl Leutjen – Environmental author and speaker: https://cherylleutjen.com/ - Maria Chamberlain –  The Inn at Oxbow Acres: https://www.oxbowacresnh.com/ - Barbara Redding – Travel writer: https://barbararedding.com/ - Jo Clark – Travel writer:  https://haveglasswilltravel.com/ - Glynn Burrows -  Owner of Norfolk Tours UK: https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/ - Sharon K. Kurtz - Travel writer: https://sharonkkurtz.com/ 

Experience North Lake Tahoe, California

North Lake Tahoe, California, offers a retreat into nature, history, and adventure, far from the neon lights and casinos of the southern shore. Lake Tahoe is the second-deepest alpine lake in the U.S., with strikingly clear waters and a fascinating geological history.   
Ohis episode of Big Blend Radio's WANDER THE WORLD WITH SHARON podcast, travel writer Sharon K. Kurtz shares her North Lake Tahoe experiences including Granlibakken Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, Donner Memorial State Park, and Vikingsholm Castle, along with the area's Winter Olympic legacy, and indigenous history of the Washoe Tribe. Learn more: https://www.gotahoenorth.com/ 
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/. 
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://wandertheworldwithsharon.podbean.com/  
This episode is also being shared and featured on other Big Blend Radio Network Channels including "Parks & Travel" and "Vacation Station." Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork