Cobblestones and Castles

Spellbound in Scotland: Walking Where the Witches Walked

Between 1563 and 1736, Scotland executed more accused witches per capita than anywhere else in Europe. 84% of them were women. But this isn't just dark history, these are women's stories that matter deeply to how we travel today. In this episode, I'm sharing why our October 2026 Scotland trip, Spellbound in Scotland, is built around witch history. We're not just visiting beautiful castles and drinking whisky (though we're doing that too). We're visiting the only known witch's grave in Scotland, having dinner with the founders of Witches of Scotland [https://www.witchesofscotland.com/], touring the Scottish Witch Trial Museum, and spending an evening with the author of "The Last Witch of Scotland." [https://www.philip-paris.co.uk/] These women were healers, midwives, widows, and outspoken women who were "too much" of something. And as modern women traveling independently, making our own decisions, taking up space, we get to honor them by living the lives they couldn't. This is what slow, immersive travel looks like—going deeper than the surface, understanding whose stories got told and whose got erased, and reclaiming these spaces as women who refuse to be less than we are. REGISTER FOR OUR 2026 TRIPS WEBINAR happening 1/29 at 6:00pm EST [https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ZU0sb71aS-2U0_W9S0kUvA] SPELLBOUND IN SCOTLAND [https://www.cobblestonesandcastles.com/scotland] October 4-11, 2026 Early bird pricing ends January 30th—save $500 Only a few spots remaining Find our 2026 trip details at here! [https://www.cobblestonesandcastles.com/grouptrips] JOIN THE CONVERSATION [www.facebook.com/groups/thecobblestonecollective/]Free community on Facebook

Why I Talk Politics on Vacation (And You Should Too)

This episode is a little spicy. I'm talking about something most travel advisors avoid: travel is political, and pretending it's not does everyone a disservice. As Americans travel abroad right now, I'm hearing questions like "Will other countries accept us?" and "Is it safe to travel?" But I'm also seeing American travelers show up with entitlement, wearing MAGA hats in French restaurants, and refusing to engage with the cultures they're visiting. It's hypocritical, and it's exactly why we need to travel MORE, not less. I share stories from my own travels, conversations with taxi drivers in Scotland who've been fed Fox News misinformation, Australian war veterans asking why Americans are obsessed with church, and Irish tour guides explaining their complex relationship with immigration. These conversations matter. They opened my eyes, challenged my assumptions, and ultimately changed my politics. Travel should make you curious. It should make you uncomfortable. It should challenge everything you think you know about how the world works. And yes, you should absolutely be talking about politics when you travel, despite what anyone tells you about keeping vacation "light." I also address the real safety concerns people have right now, what's actually happening with ICE and travel restrictions, and my honest take on whether you should still be traveling internationally. If you believe travel should be transformative, not just transactional, this episode is for you. SPELLBOUND IN SCOTLAND now taking registrations! INFO HERE [https://www.cobblestonesandcastles.com/scotland] Free Community - Books, Travel, Historical Feminism [www.facebook.com/groups/thecobblestonecollective/]

Ireland Travel Planning Mistakes

Even travelers who spend months planning their trip to Ireland often come home feeling rushed, overwhelmed, and as if they missed something. In this episode, Sarah breaks down three common planning missteps that quietly derail an Ireland experience and explains why Ireland requires a very different approach than most people expect. This episode offers perspective, not itineraries, and sets the stage for deeper planning support through Sarah’s upcoming Ireland planning webinar and her women’s group trip. In this episode, we cover • Why not allowing enough time between drive times creates stress and missed experiences • How Ireland’s changing daylight hours impact what you can realistically do in a day • Why staying too little time in each place keeps you in transit mode instead of experience mode • How Ireland rewards slowing down, lingering, and choosing fewer bases • Why planning more does not always mean planning better Free Ireland Planning Webinar [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1978283643632?aff=oddtdtcreator] January 17 at 1 PM Eastern Live attendance includes Q&A and limited time replay Ireland Group Trip for Women [https://www.cobblestonesandcastles.com/ireland] Curated, slow travel experience with built in solo time and guided days Facebook Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecobblestonecollective]

The Kind of Travel I’m Leaving Behind

As the year comes to a close, this episode is a reflection on how the way we travel evolves as we do. In this conversation, I’m sharing the travel habits, expectations, and patterns I’m leaving behind and the kind of travel I’m choosing instead. In this episode, we explore: • Travel habits that no longer fit this season of life • Letting go of rushing, pressure, and checking boxes • Why slower and more intentional travel feels better now • Choosing destinations for meaning rather than trends • How travel rooted in history, literature, and women’s stories creates deeper connection This episode is an invitation to pause and reflect on how you want travel to feel moving forward. As you think about the year ahead, ask yourself: • What kind of travel am I ready to leave behind • What kind of experiences do I want to choose next This episode is for women who want travel to feel meaningful, nourishing, and aligned with who they are becoming. Like Travel? History? Join me in my free Facebook group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecobblestonecollective]to connect! Historical Feminism [https://cobblestonesandcastles.kit.com/travelguide] - travel where the women of our past lived.

How Your Mindset Shapes Your Travel Experiences

The podcast episode discusses the importance of mindset in travel and personal experiences, emphasizing the impact of mindset on handling travel mishaps and personal challenges. It also explores the role of mindset in solo travel and the significance of journaling for regulating emotions and maintaining a positive mindset. Takeaways * Mindset plays a crucial role in shaping travel experiences and handling unexpected situations. * Journaling can be a powerful tool for regulating emotions and maintaining a positive mindset during travel and in daily life. Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecobblestonecollective] Solo Travel Guide [https://sarahmagnoni.mysamcart.com/checkout/solo-travel-with-confidence-a-guide-for-women] Chapters * 00:00 Travel as a Transformational Experience