Speaking Of Travel ®

Travel writer Joshua Jung traveled to Uzbekistan as a tourist and before long he began to feel as though he was being treated like a local. Josh shares why sometimes it's better to stand out as a tourist.Josh describes why being immersed in the life, culture, and language of another country through the lens of a local is the experience travelers search for. But for Josh, being an American – Korean-American, he's quickly outed as a tourist and proceeds to have a classic "tourist" experience.Discover why Josh chose Uzbekistan, a country with a rich culture and one of the last hidden gems in the backpacking community. Also on Speaking of Travel are Lisa Vann and Ben Krueger, owners of Huli Sue’s BBQ & Grill in Asheville, NC. They share how their long-time success with a restaurant in Hawaii keeps the spirit of Aloha alive and well in their lives. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy tra

Connie Berry’s dream of becoming an archaeologist ended when she learned there was more to it than discovering the tombs of lost pharaohs. Instead, she created the Kate Hamilton Mystery series, set in the UK and featuring an American antiques dealer with a gift for solving crimes.Her sense of place and love of the British Isles sets the tone for adventure and mystery.  Connie shares how she first fell in love with the British Isles and what  part the setting plays in her novels. Also on Speaking of Travel, Jen Brooks, the editor of RomanticAsheville.com, the most popular online travel guide to the mountains and foothills surrounding Asheville and Western North Carolina, shares what to see and do this summer and gives us a sneak peek into what we can expect this fall. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Andy Teirstein composes for film, opera, and movement theater and he finds inspiration in the folk roots of modern culture and as a folk fiddle and banjo player. His new album, “Restless Nation,” reflects, musically, on his many travels.Andy's early life reflects an eclectic background comprised of music, clown work, exploration, and acting. A vagabond by nature, his travels have helped bring strangers together, shatter stereotypes and open our minds to limitless possibility.  The Village Voice said Andy's music "seems to speak in celestial accents of some utopia whose chief industry is dancing." A must listen! Also on Speaking of Travel is Tina Kinsey from the Asheville Regional Airport to share tips on what you will need to know about air travel this summer.Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Marilyn Ball, host of Speaking of Travel, and Richard Crawford of the Amazon Prime show, Leave No Trace TV, share current travel stories and tips to help you become a savvy traveler and equip you with skills to make travel easy. Even pre-pandemic, there was a surge in consumer consciousness and places were being built on sustainability. Ricky shares tips for choosing certified sustainable accommodations and what standards we should look for.Marilyn and Ricky also explore sustainable travel and comfort. Today there are ecolodges and tour companies doing their part to protect their communities and preserve cultural traditions that also offer private, luxury accommodations and world class dining. Find out how to be a more savvy traveler, how to prepare, research, explore and keep an open mind. Relax. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Mark Collins, partnerships manager with RomanticAsheville.com, is at the center of creating successful partnerships in the travel and tourism industry and shares how cooperation and partnerships are used to achieve business and community goals.Mark shares how the resiliency of the travel industry over these past few years has helped turn us more into sustainable tourists, with an aim to travel with a light environmental footprint, to support local communities and to help protect culture and heritage. Many traveler’s today have a desire to experience history and culture wherever they travel. Mark's hope is to see curious, compassionate, open minded, educated travelers of tomorrow who are finding their own solutions to be kinder and more compassionate.Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Diana Ralston is the founder and executive director of Can’d Aid, a national nonprofit that is creating a movement rallying people to become catalysts for change in their own communities through an unconventional approach to giving back.Diana’s many years of experience in the nonprofit sector and her entrepreneurial approach is changing the way people think about philanthropy. Can’d Aid's roots were founded along with Oskar Blues Brewery during a natural disaster with a fundamental belief everyone has the ability to give back and do good. Today their mission of creating a movement of do-gooders generates a ripple effect of goodness.  Diana believes we are all in this together and encourages community connection through small acts of kindness. And it's working!  Also on Speaking of Travel, Galen Marshall-Clark, the co-owner of Liminal Equus, an immersive trail riding and naturalist experience in Barnardsville, NC. Liminal Equus is a women-owned cooperative business based on connection with land, peop

Dayna Reggero of the Climate Listening Project is collaborating with Gulf Coast locals to help protect the place they love from oil and gas development through filming and making art to lift up the truth tellers.The Gulf Coast is not a sacrifice zone for pollution with already existing oil and gas development and now with 24 proposed LNG gas export terminals. This will be very harmful for the fragile environment and will be a hardship for the people living there. The Gulf Coast is home to beautiful people and communities. It’s a place people love to travel and is important for migratory birds. The Climate Listening Project is bringing the impact of what this would mean to the people and visitors along one of the most important shore lines in the world. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Richard Crawford, host of the Amazon Prime TV show, Leave No Trace, shares his recent journey to Australia and what it's like to travel today, addresses some of the challenges for sustainable tourism, and provides tips for becoming a more mindful traveler.Richard is passionate about the health of our planet and helps us highlight the importance of conservation, sustainable travel and eco-tourism and inspires our actions through environmental stewardship.In his television show, Richard travels the world unearthing extraordinary eco-friendly tourism destinations, giving us unprecedented insiders access to places and experiences that are on everyone's bucket list. Today, more than ever, travelers need resources and solutions to become more mindful when visiting destinations. Richard shares stories and experiences from the locations he visits and shows us why it's important to get to know the people and listen. And he provides tips to make your travel experiences easier and less stressful! Thanks f

At 15, Hilde Lysiak believes you can accomplish anything, regardless of age or gender. In her memoir, Hilde on the Record, she shares her journey in finding her voice and discovering what is most meaningful in her life. At age seven she launched a newspaper and realized kids can plunge into the world and take action. Today she feels like her own world is just beginning.Hilde is an American journalist and is a gifted young woman with an open-mind who is bringing her energy, ideas and courage to some of the most complex and important challenges facing the world today. She is already understanding the big picture better than older generations and has a vision for the future of journalism. Hilde's hope is by telling her story she can help others find their voice and discover what is most meaningful in their own lives.Also on Speaking of Travel, new data shows the restaurant industry is coming back stronger than ever and the opportunities presented during these past couple of years will ultimately have a high

Sonya and Frank DiPalma recently spent time in Sardinia, Italy, as part of Sonya’s research for a book about the Homeless European Land Project (HELP) which provided refuge for about a dozen displaced persons in the late 1950s thanks to actress Hope Lange and actor Don Murray. HELP served as a model for the United Nations for resettlement of refugees and it also influenced the creation of the Peace Corps. Frank planned the trip around the island from Cardedu, Oristano, Simaxis, Sorso, Porto Torres, Castelsardo, Alghero, Sassari, Bosa, Olbia, Costa Smeraldo, Porto Cervo, San Teodoro and then Cagliari. Sonya and Frank share their journey, along with a history, of this ancient island some call paradise on Earth.  Also on Speaking of Travel, Justin Bellame, founder of the JB Media Group and the publisher of Romantic Asheville.com, shares why vacation and short-term rentals are seeing an uptick and what it means to local economies. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel t

Born in Siena, Italy, a small medieval city in the heart of Tuscany, Marco Caratelli paints traditional Sienese art reprographics, replicating the work of the Sienese painters of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Every piece Marco creates is different, special and unique.Marco specializes in the egg-yolk tempera technique, as described in the famous manual on painting by Cennino Cennini (14th century). He reproduces the world-renowned "Biccherne" panels which were painted, wooden covers placed over the accounting ledgers of the City of Siena from the 13th to 16th centuries. The panels were painted by such famous masters of the Renaissance as Duccio di Boninsegna, the Lorenzettis, Simone Martini and Sano di Pietro. As with the originals, Marco's recreations are painted on aged, quality wood and covered in pure gold leaf.  Following in the extraordinary tradition of famous classic painters, Marco shares his inspiration and passion for antique techniquesAlso on Speaking Of Travel, Clark Lovelac

Georgette Blau, founder of On Location Tours, offers the only TV and movie-themed bus and walking tours in NYC and Boston. Discover why her tours are a unique part of tourism and the phenomenon of TV and movie tours.Georgette founded On Location Tours in 1999 and  it has quickly become one of the East Coast’s most popular tourist attractions serving over 100,000 tourists and locals annually.  On Location Tours provides an opportunity to straddle fiction and reality so you feel as though you are part of the TV show or movie, ultimately bringing you closer to the characters themselves. Fun times ahead!Speaking of tours, also on Speaking Of Travel is Kaye Bentley, founder of Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours, a one-of-a-kind tour showcasing the most spectacular views, craft cocktails and historic landmarks in the Blue Ridge Mountains. And did you know the Asheville Regional Airport has a critical role in unlocking the growth potential of the entire region? Tina Kinsey from the Asheville Regional Airport shares how the

Toby Brown, the U.S. partner, director of marketing, and head safari coordinator at Outdoor Africa, shares how traveling to this special place of the world provides amazing and life-changing experiences.Toby began 2022 with trips to Tanzania and South Africa and was thrilled to be back to places so near and dear to his heart. Whether you are planning your first safari or a return visit, the team at Outdoor Africa provides deep-seated connections to help you plan a trip created uniquely for you. And be sure to consider (and sign up) for the Speaking of Travel + Outdoor Africa trip to South Africa in March, 2023. Visit speakingoftravel.net for all the info and come along on this small-group adventure! Also on Speaking of Travel, Mark Collins, Partnerships Manager for RomanticAsheville.com, shares how the economic impact of the Outdoor Industry helps in preserving and protecting, and promoting, responsibly what we have for future generations.  Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.ne

The Speaking of Travel + Leave No Trace Series With Richard Crawford, continues. Like many modern-day explorers, Richard has the unique ability to blend adventure with a conscious effort to use his show, Leave No Trace TV, as a platform to raise awareness of environmental issues and sustainability that challenges our world. His passion for the environment leads him on some very impressive adventures. Richard shares his most recent adventures to Belize and Fogo Island for season two of Leave No Trace TV.  From the rainforest to the far reaches of Newfoundland, Richard explains how people are creating sustainable solutions around local community and doing their part to help save the planet. A must listen! Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

I’ve heard from many people over the years that riding a motorcycle gives you the total blending of your mind and body and you can actually have a meditative and somewhat spiritual experience. Michael Gouge, editor of Blue Ridge Motorcycling Magazine and senior lecturer of mass communication at UNC Asheville, shares how motorcycling is a stress reliever and a confidence builder and helps boost your wellbeing. Also Kyle Ellison, founder of Wai Mauna SUP Tours, explains how paddle boarding lets you feel grounded in the moment and more alive. And offers so many ways to feel more connected to nature.And discover how the Asheville Regional  Airport's long-term design project will culminate in  a new, modernized airport to meet the needs of the region for decades to come.   Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Katie Wilson, Director and CEO of Grow Abroad Asheville, is a born teacher and life-long learner with a purpose to connect people, places and ideas. Grow Abroad Asheville helps create future agents of change and global citizens. “It is my purpose on this planet to connect people, places, and ideas. I believe in the necessity of empowering one another and believe it is done through fun, play, and support." Katie shares how Grow Abroad Asheville provides opportunities for intercultural learning and sharing. Find out how you can become a host family and become part of a diverse community where cultural immersion is the name of the game! Also on Speaking of Travel, Kim Murray, the new Executive Director of the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association, shares how a culture of collaboration and stewardship goes a long way to keep the kitchens cooking and the tables set. And if you are beginning to travel again, Tina Kinsey from the Asheville Regional Airport,explains how airports continue to move forward w

Jenny Cressman is an author and occasional travel agent living in Canada who specializes in Cuba. Jenny shares how her recent trip provided an insider’s look at the resourcefulness and resiliency of the Cuban people.Jenny shares how one of the key reasons for this trip was to deliver some humanitarian aid – mainly basic “medicine-cabinet” items such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen and naproxen. And some interesting news on the medical front regarding what the Cubans are doing to stay safe. Jenny provides the most current information for how to travel back to this special and enchanting country.  Also on Speaking of Travel is Jen Brooks from RomanticAsheville.com to share how to best plan a spring vacation in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills surrounding Asheville and Western North Carolina.  Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Dayna Reggero is a documentary film director and founder of a collaborative storytelling effort called the Climate Listening Project. Kelly Sheehan is the Senior Director of Energy Campaigns for the Sierra Club, where she leads a national effort to advance climate justice and a transition off of fossil fuels. With huge strides being made in the quest for climate action and the general wellbeing of the planet, Dayna and Kelly highlight what it will take for the population in the Gulf to have a better lifestyle by making of improvements on as many physical systems as humanly possible so they can survive. Also on Speaking of Travel, if you love science and space, join Tim DeIsle, Director of Software Engineering and Melanie Crowson, Director of Education and Astronomy, from the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI). PARI is located in Rosman, NC, and  began as a 1960s NASA station. Today PARI is a nonprofit astronomical observatory specializing in STEM education and dedicated to radio astronomy, archives

The Speaking of Travel + Leave No Trace Series continues with Richard Crawford, host of the Amazon Prime series, Leave No Trace. Richard reviews principles of ecotourism and provides knowledge on how to create a sustainable way to travel. As we get out and begin traveling again, it's time for all of us to know the difference between green, eco-, and sustainable tourism. Richard shares how important it is to pay attention when you travel after the pandemic and think about choosing certified hotels, tour operators, and other providers of tourism services so we can move towards becoming more sustainable tourists and how to travel with a lighter environmental footprint.As Richard moves into Season Two of Leave No Trace TV, he offers up some of the best green destinations and tips for traveling to help save money, sleep better, get off the beaten path, meet locals, and just be a better traveler. It’s time to get out there again and try new things. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftr

Nineteen-year-old James Parton is a photographer and filmmaker and is creating a movie about ecology and the connectedness of global ecosystems. The project focuses on less known issues and brings them into the spotlight to help provide solutions for all of us. James plans to show what we can do to help combat these situations. His stories are uplifting and inspiring as he creates a collective community to help make a positive change.  Also on Speaking of Travel, Garrett Martin, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, outdoor photographer, conservationist and owner of the production company - VentureLife Films, shares his newest venture, THE GREAT FOREST, which follows conservationists throughout southern Appalachia as they look to manage two of the most biodiverse and visited national forests in the country. And, a conversation with with Tina Kinsey at the Asheville Regional Airport. With so many state and national parks in this country, you might find yourself flying somewhere to be outside someplace else.