The Sansei Traveler

Podcast Episode 026: Wrigley Field and Bar Sotano, Chicago

This week's podcast episode comes a few weeks after I said that I would broadcast it.  I was going to let you know about places I visited in Chicago and Los Angeles in the last month. But I've had a lot of personal issues going on with my family, which has prevented me from recording and producing this episode, as well as others. So, I've decided to focus on my visit to Chicago, which involved seeing a baseball game at Wrigley Field and eating some ballpark food.  I'll also let you know about Bar Sotano, which is one of several Mexican restaurants from Rick Bayless, all located within the same block.  I especially loved the food here, which was innovative and complex and delicious.  It was also a great alternative to my original plan of going to Frontera Grill, which I couldn't get a table at. This is a short episode, which marks the next phase or season of my podcast.  You'll get shorter episodes about my upcoming travels.  For instance, the next two will be about the all-inclusive resorts that I recently stayed at and toured on the Riviera Maya in Mexico.

Podcast episode 025: Las Vegas - the Venetian, Virgin Resorts, Mob Museum, Food Tour

In this episode of the Sansei Traveler podcast, I have a conversation with Kathy Waldorf, travel advisor with Cruise Planners.  Kathy and I attended a training in Las Vegas, and while I went home afterwards, she and our fellow advisor and friend Carla stayed on at the Venetian Resort.  In addition, they toured the new Virgin Resort, went on the Secret Food Tour and spent time at the Mob Museum. As many of you may know, I'm not the biggest Vegas fan because I'm not a gambler of party person.  But after talking with Kathy, I'm now convinced there's so much more to do there away from the usual activities found on the major Strip resorts.  If you love trying different foods and learning about the city's history, Kathy also gave some great insight about the Venetian Resort, where she stayed for a few nights. She described the suites, atmosphere and entertainment of the Strip resort, as well as the Virgin Resort, formerly the Hard Rock Cafe Resort. My next episode will be on my trips to Chicago and Los Angeles - just some quick insights on what to do and where to eat. Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here: https://www.sanseitraveler.com [https://www.sanseitraveler.com/] Need help with travel planning?  Please check out my Cruise Planners site: https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com [https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com/] If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256]https://kite.link/sansei-traveler [https://kite.link/sansei-traveler] Thanks for your support!

Podcast episode 024: a quick trip to Maui

This week’s Sansei Traveler podcast episode is about the three things my kids and I did in Maui back in May of this year.  I didn’t discuss anything about COVID-19 protocols or restrictions, because what my family and I went through didn’t apply to travel to Hawaii until recently.  Instead, I mentioned the state’s Safe Travels site, which gives you the most updated information on the virus and how to travel to the islands.  Rather, my focus was on two things we did and one place we ate dinner.  The first was driving on the West Maui North Shore road.  While it was a challenge for my kids, you might enjoy it if you’re on the adventurous side and don’t mind a few harrowing one-lane driving stretches to view some otherworldly scenery.  Here’s a good resource to check it out: http://mauiguidebook.com/adventures/west-mauis-north-shore-kapalua-to-wailuku/ [http://mauiguidebook.com/adventures/west-mauis-north-shore-kapalua-to-wailuku/] The second activity I’d recommend while you are in Maui is going to Haleakala National Park, which is known for its sunrise spectacle.  It provides incredible views of the island from its 10,000-foot summit and all along the way, as well as great hiking.  Hopefully, you won’t the small insects that bothered my kids: https://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm [https://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm]  Finally, if you’re in the Lahaina area, don’t miss out on Star Noodle (which I called Star Noodle Café in the broadcast – it’s just Star Noodle). It’s probably one of the best noodle houses I’ve been to, with fantastic ramen and local saimin. https://www.starnoodle.com [https://www.starnoodle.com/] On the next episode of the Sansei Traveler, I'll attempt to do my first podcast broadcast on the road, from southern California and Arizona.  Maybe I'll get my husband and younger daughter involved :) Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here: https://www.sanseitraveler.com [https://www.sanseitraveler.com/] Need help with travel planning?  Please check out my Cruise Planners site: https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com [https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com/] If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256]https://kite.link/sansei-traveler [https://kite.link/sansei-traveler] Thanks for your support!

Podcast Episode 023: all about culinary travel

This week's episode of The Sansei Traveler Podcast details culinary travel, with my conversation with travel advisor Rhonda Macier Lathen of Culinary Latitudes Travel [https://www.culinarylatitudes.com].  Rhonda is an expert in this travel niche, where you can discover a destination's culture through food discovery. What does that mean? While people people thing that culinary travel just involves going to local markets or restaurants  (and not American fast food chains),  it's evolved beyond that initial concept.  You can now visit people's homes or estates, where they will prepare and serve you a meal that's representative of the area or region.  You might even get to learn from them through a cooking lesson, preparing your own meal and enjoying it as a reward. Rhonda and I talk about the following topics: * What interested her about culinary travel, and how she defines it * What are the current trends * Who’s the “typical” culinary traveler * How culinary travel can be for everyone * What travel companies provide the best culinary travel experiences, both cruises and land * How they accommodate special dietary needs and requirements Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here: https://www.sanseitraveler.com [https://www.sanseitraveler.com/] Need help with travel planning?  Please check out my Cruise Planners site: https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com [https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com/] If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256]https://kite.link/sansei-traveler [https://kite.link/sansei-traveler] Thanks for your support!

Podcast episode 022: Craft beers and travel

Episode 22 of The Sansei Traveler Podcast focuses on beer and the best ways to appreciate it.  I spoke with Natalie Jones, the owner and founder of two businesses, Rocky Mountain Brew Runs [https://www.rockymountainbrewruns.com] and Beer Feelings [https://beerfeelings.com].  Natalie is based in the Denver area and has owned Rocky Mountain Brew Runs since 2020.  She also started beer Beer Feelings shortly afterward.  Both focus on   enjoying beer, especially for those who feel somewhere intimidated by trying it. Rocky Mountain Beer Runs combines fitness through 5K running events.  Afterwards, participants enjoy beer and even some drinking games.  Beer Feelings is an informational site that helps people learn more about different craft brews.  Natalie also organizes events for her followers. We talked about the following topics: * How did you start Beer Feelings and Rocky Mountain Brew Runs? * How do you see craft brews becoming part of the culinary travel trend? * What are some places around Colorado that would be great for travel and beer tasting? * What are some other areas around the country known for their craft brews? * If you can describe it, who’s the typical “beer traveler?” * How does someone who enjoys beer find ways to pair it with the right food? * How does a beer connoisseur compare to a wine connoisseur?  How is it less intimidating? * Where do you like to travel for great brews? Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here: https://www.sanseitraveler.com [https://www.sanseitraveler.com/] Need help with travel planning?  Please check out my Cruise Planners site: https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com [https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com/] If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256]https://kite.link/sansei-traveler [https://kite.link/sansei-traveler] Thanks for your support!