Vacation Station

Asheville is Ready for Visitors

This special live stream (Aired Feb 13, 2025) of Big Blend Radio’s ADVENTURES IN ASHEVILLE Show with Steve and Karen Wilson, owners of The Lion and The Rose Bed & Breakfast, focuses on the rebuilding of Asheville, North Carolina, post-Hurricane Helene, and the many experiences you can enjoy today as visitors to region. 
Big Blend Radio hosts Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith are currently in Asheville and during their stay at The Lion & The Rose B&B, took a driving tour of Downtown Asheville and the Riverside Arts District with Steve & Karen. There is still evidence of destruction from the hurricane however as you can see in the short video, the city is open with a strong and vibrant resiliency, and welcoming visitors with open arms. Video: https://youtu.be/XnXh3aEslZQ  
Traveling to Asheville directly helps support the local businesses and regional community, and there is so much to do from brewery hopping and rooftop cocktails to public art viewing and shopping, chasing waterfalls and hiking, and visiting some of the area’s iconic attractions like the Biltmore Estate, Pisgah National Forest, and the North Carolina Arboretum. The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast is a stunning pink lady in the Montford Historic District. This charming lodging destination is back open and welcoming visitors.  More: https://www.lion-rose.com/ 
Plus, watch for drone photographer Jay Schulz’s “Rekindle the Love” video project that will showcase several of Asheville’s local business. It be featured on Feb 14 on his site, https://www.sidebysidedrone.com/ 
Big Blend Radio’s “Adventures in Asheville” Show airs every 1st Tuesday. Follow the show on PodBean: https://adventures-asheville.podbean.com/  

Pinch Me: Waking Up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward features author and writer Barbara Boyle who discusses her new memoir, "Pinch Me: Waking Up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse.” 
From a high stress career in global advertising to a simple rural life in a barn in an Italian hill town, "Pinch Me" shares Barbara's journey of transformation through love, food and community in Piemonte. Discover how she leaves her life behind in San Francisco and takes apart a 300-year-old stone barn to build a new home, a new life, in Italy. It’s a tale filled with discoveries, disappointments, pleasures, frustrations, and triumphs. And given the gastronomic excellence of the region, she shares some special recipes as well. Get the book or learn more here: https://www.barbaraboyleauthor.com/ 
More about Books Forward at https://booksforward.com/ 

Vibrant and Flavorful Santa Ana, Southern California

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s Vacation Station “Food Wine & Travel Show” with IFWTWA features Wendy Haase, President & CEO of Travel Santa Ana, who shares what visitors can experience in Santa Ana. Hear about this vibrant city's Public Art Guide of over 200 murals, plus its Culinary Passport and Michelada Guide. 
Centrally located in Orange County, Santa Ana is an ideal destination to stay in while experiencing all Southern California has to offer. Here you’ll discover a community rich in culture and pride. An art scene that is a mix of funky and folk. Restaurants serving authentic flavors of Mexico, along with plant-based recipes. Attractions that are hands-on and those that teach. Shopping for brand names and homemade. And events that celebrate all! More at: https://www.travelsantaana.com/ 
This Big Blend Radio show is in partnership with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). Learn more at: https://www.ifwtwa.org/

Winter Adventures In Charleston, South Carolina

It's all about Parks, Plantations, and Gardens in Charleston, South Carolina, on this episode of Big Blend Radio's JO GOES EVERYWHERE! Podcast with travel writer and photographer Jo Clark. 
Hear all about Jo's adventures at Hampton Plantation State Historic Site, Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, Magnolia Plantation, Middleton Place, and Hampton Park, plus, where to eat, sip, and stay. Check out her article about it all here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/winter-in-charleston-south-carolina/ 
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 

Farms, Food, and Flower Power Fun in Tulare County

From farm fun and early spring flower power to fabulous regional food, cultural museums, public art, parks, and gardens, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Sequoia Country" Podcast focuses on the different ways you can explore Tulare County. 
This region is home to charming art and agricultural communities as well as Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Sequoia National Forest, and Giant Sequoia National Monument.
Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include * Suzanne Bianco - Visit Visalia, https://www.visitvisalia.com/ * Alida Verduzco Silva - County of Tulare, https://discovertularecounty.com/ 
Plan your visit to Tulare County, and download the new visitor guide at https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/ 

Fabulous Fiji - A South Pacific Paradise

Nestled in the heart of the South Pacific, Fiji isn’t just about its stunning beaches or vibrant coral reefs. This episode of Big Blend Radio's WANDER THE WORLD WITH SHARON podcast with Sharon K. Kurtz shares how Fiji is a destination where adventure meets serenity, all against a backdrop of rich culture and warm hospitality. 
With 333 islands to explore, Fiji offers something for every type of traveler, and its deep connection to nature and tradition makes it unforgettable. Read Sharon's article about her recent visit, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/fiji-a-south-pacific-paradise/ 
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/  
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/. 
This episode is also being shared and featured on other Big Blend Radio Network Channels including the "Vacation Station." Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Romantic Adventures in Asheville

From brewery hopping, rooftop cocktails, and rejuvenating massages to chasing waterfalls, hiking, ziplining through the forest, and whitewater rafting, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Adventures in Asheville" Podcast covers 25+ romantic adventures you can have in Asheville, North Carolina.
As always the show features Steve & Karen Wilson "Mr & Mrs Wild, who own and run 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/ 
JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL "LOVE IS ALIVE IN ASHEVILLE" LIVE STREAM AT 1PM EST ON FEB. 13, ON PODBEAN: https://tinyurl.com/msn8n8u7 
This episode is also being shared and featured on other Big Blend Radio Network Podcast Channels including "Vacation Station." Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Three Distinct Healthy Travel Experiences

From Tangier, Morocco to Sunny Palm Springs in Southern California and the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania, this episode of Big Blend Radio closes off January (National Staying Healthy Month) and looks toward the renewal of spring with a focus on healthy travel destinations and experiences.
 FEATURED TRAVEL WRITER GUESTS:- BARBARA REDDING talks about her time at the luxurious Fairmont Tazi Palace in Tangier, Morocco. Follow Barbara's stories on her site: https://barbararedding.com/ * Read Barbara's Morocco Stories:- Travel Weekly: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Moroccan-opulence-at-Fairmont-Tazi-Palace-Tangier - Big Blend: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/a-magical-tour-of-morocco/ 
- DEBBIE STONE shares her rejuvenating experiences at The Spa at Séc-He in Palm Springs, one of the most luxurious hot mineral spring spa destinations in the country. Read her story here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/the-spa-at-sec-he-in-palm-springs/ * Follow her monthly podcast here: https://global-adventures-debbie-stone.podbean.com/ 
- KATHLEEN WALLS talks about her nature adventures in the pristine Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania that has its own Grand Canyon, is free from motor traffic, and where you can travel by foot, bicycle, horse, or even in a covered wagon. Read her story on her site: https://americanroads.net/endless_mountains_grand_canyon_121824.htm