True Travel Talk

23. In the final installment of their South Africa family adventure, Jill and her son Luke discover why the vibrant coastal town of Cape Town is considered one of the world’s most beautiful destinations.

From African penguins at Boulders Beach to sweeping views atop Table Mountain, Cape Town showcases the perfect blend of culture, adventure, and natural beauty. Along the way, the family discovers colorful neighborhoods, drama...

22. In part two of our South Africa family adventure, Jill and her family trade safari vehicles for vineyard views as they explore the spectacular wine regions of Franschhoek. 

Often called the food and wine capital of South Africa, Franschhoek combines centuries-old vineyards, dramatic mountain scenery, world-class restaurants, and charming small town streets. Over several days, they experienced everything from olive oil tast...

21. Join Jill and her family as they journey from Cape Town to Gondwana Game Reserve for an unforgettable stay at this private retreat, featuring game drives, a personal guide, and sweeping mountain views.

From early morning safaris to evenings around the braai, this episode captures the excitement, beauty, and quiet family moments that made the experience memorable.

Along the way, Jill, husband Paul, and son Graeme talk about thei...

20. Join Jill and her friend Whitney as they check off a true bucket-list moment from their girls trip: heading into and out of Machu Picchu in style aboard the iconic Belmond Hiram Bingham Train.

Named after the explorer, Hiram Bingham, this isn't just transportation, it's an experience in itself. The journey blends old-world glamour with Peruvian culture; polished wood interiors, live music, elevated dining, and cocktails that ne...

19.2 Join Jill and her crew, including friends Amy and Kelly, as they continue their journey through Peru’s Sacred Valley - where the experience goes deeper than the views and into the heart of the Andean culture.

In Part 2 of the Sacred Valley, this girls trip shifts from adventure to connection - exploring what it means to truly experience a place, not just see it. From wandering through the last living Inca village to shar...

19. Join Jill and her crew, including friends Amy and Kelly, as they head to Peru’s Sacred Valley - where the views are unreal, the culture runs deep, and yes…there are a lot of alpacas. 

As the fourth stop in our Peru series (after Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Lima), this episode proves the Sacred Valley isn’t just a pass-through - it’s the moment you exhale, settle in, and really feel the magic of Peru.

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18. Join Jill and her son Graeme as they share their spontaneous family trip to Miami, exploring beaches, iconic landmarks, and local culture. From watching manatees right outside their hotel window to walking to a Miami Heat game, the trip blended big moments with simple joys. Traveling with kids, navigating unexpected changes, and making unforgettable memories showed us that sometimes the best trips are the ones you didn’t ...

17. In this episode of True Travel Talk, Jill heads to Burgundy, France, for a wine-filled escape rooted in friendship, incredible food, and unforgettable experiences.

Chatting with her friend Brad Gibson, they reflect on traveling through Burgundy with a group of close friends - from landing in Paris and road-tripping into the countryside, to Champagne waiting upon arrival, and evenings spent around the table. This trip captures w...

16. In this episode, Jill and her soon-to-be sister-in-law Emily continue the Africa Adventures series with an unforgettable journey into Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to endangered mountain gorillas.

After traveling across Uganda by charter flight, Jill and her group trek deep into the rainforest to spend time with the Rushegura gorilla family, observing babies climbing trees, teenagers playing, and a powerful si...

15.2 Travel rarely goes exactly as planned - especially when you're traveling with kids, grandparents, and a full itinerary. In Part 2 of this Unpacked series on when travel goes wrong, Jill and her husband, Paul, revisit another side of travel reality: losing things and navigating unexpected medical moments on the road.

From backpacks left on trains in Norway to phones sliding off the roof of a car in Bosnia, these stories captur...

15.1 Travel rarely goes the way you want it to - especially with kids, grandparents, and a full itinerary.

In this episode of True Travel Talk, Jill and her husband, Paul, unpack years of real-life travel mishaps across the all-too-relatable theme: delays and disruptions.

Some moments were stressful. Some were funny in hindsight. A few were genuinely hard. But over time, they’ve learned something important: when you lean into...

14. Sometimes the best way to experience Palm Springs is with great friends, a full tasting glass, and a little desert sparkle. Jill is joined by friends Todd Davis and Shari Young for a sun-soaked weekend in Palm Springs - complete with wine festivals, art sightings, and a few unexpected detours (including showing up at the wrong dinner venue).

From blind Pinot tastings and VIP terraces at Pasion 4 Pinot to brunch under the palms,...

13. Sometimes the best way to experience Healdsburg is to slow down, wander, and follow your tastebuds. In this episode, Jill and colleague Jen sneak in a wine country getaway into a work trip - exploring downtown Healdsburg, the rolling Dry Creek Valley, and a few unexpected local gems along the way.

From a bucket-list dinner at three-Michelin-star SingleThread to honey tastings at La Ruche, olive oil flights at Trattore Farms, an...

12.2 In Part Two, Jill and Deanna continue their conversation, reflecting on a festive trip through Germany’s Christmas Markets with lessons learned, favorite moments, and practical tips.

From Augsburg and Ulm to Würzburg and Frankfurt, this two-part conversation focuses on the feel of winter travel: navigating cold weather, moving at a multigenerational pace, and leaning into the magic (and mishaps) that come with traveling ...

12.1 There’s something special about winter travel – especially when it’s shared across generations. In Part One of this two-part episode, Jill is joined by her longtime friend Deanna Vogelsong to reflect on a festive trip through Germany’s Christmas Markets with husbands, a “third grandmother,” and a 19-year-old son in tow.

From Augsburg and Ulm to Würzburg and Frankfurt, this conversation focus...

10. Looking to escape the big city? Head to Cusco, Peru. In this episode, Jill and her friend and neighbor, Amy, share another chapter of their Peru adventure – from a tipsy train arrival to an almost-disastrous departure. 

They cover Cusco’s hidden gems and lessons learned, including the Santo Domingo Convent, the iconic 12-Angle Stone, and the vibrant San Pedro Market, along with their honest take on where to sta...

9. Sometimes the best trips aren’t planned around big landmarks – they unfold through shared stories, good meals, and the people you travel with. In this episode, Jill joins California winemaker and friend Bill Williamson for a three-day road trip through France’s Loire Valley, filled with unforgettable winery visits, river views, perfect meals, and plenty of laughter.

From a goat-filled gas station to tastings wi...

8. In this Unpacked episode, Jill sits down with family friend Donna, fondly named the third grandmother, to explore how travel evolves through every stage of life – from raising kids to retiring, from traveling as a couple to adventuring with grandkids in tow. From paragliding in Austria to a luxury ranch stay in Montana, Donna shares honest reflections on slowing down, staying curious, navigating limitations, and finding jo...