In this episode of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner welcomes Grace Korba, travel advisor with MEI-Travel and show sponsor, to discuss Grace's firsthand experiences aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, the Norwegian Luna. The conversation covers Luna's stunning design, innovative amenities, dining options, entertainment highlights, and unique features for solo travelers. Listeners also get tips on booking, Free at Sea offers, and planning for the upcoming Me and the Magic group cruise to Bermuda in August 2027.

Connect with Grace Korba

Connect with Grace Korba online on Facebook and Instagram, or email Grace at grace.korba@mei-travel.com . Also, you may contact Grace through MEI-Travel and Mouse Fan Travel.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

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Online Shop

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Host Amanda Bauner welcomes Amanda Black, founder of The Solo Female Traveler Network. They dive into the power of community for women traveling solo, sharing inspiring stories of connection, safety, and empowerment. Amanda Black reveals how her own solo travel journey after personal loss led her to create a global support network for women. The episode also highlights the unique experiences offered on women-only group tours, the importance of cultural awareness, and how shared firsts foster deep friendships among travelers.

Connect with Our Guest

Connect with Amanda Black at The Solo Female Traveler Network.

Watch Amanda Black's TEDx Talk about Shared Firsts: Redesigning How We Find Belonging on YouTube here.

Upcoming Events

Learn more about our 2026 Seine River cruise, round-trip from Paris, here.

Learn more about our 2027 Norwegian Luna cruise to Bermuda from NYC here.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes!

If you are enjoying the podcast, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast.

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

In Episode 179 of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner dives into the reasons why women choose to travel solo. She shares personal experiences, explores survey data, and highlights the growing trend of learning-based and small group travel among women. Amanda discusses the empowerment, self-discovery, and freedom solo travel offers, debunks common misconceptions, and describes how solo journeys can strengthen relationships and promote self-care.

Episode Resources

• Travel + Leisure, "Why More Women Are Traveling Solo, Together" by Lori Rackl. Published on May 8, 2025.

• Travel Bug Tonic, "Why solo travel? Untangling the reasons why women travel alone."

Upcoming Events

Learn more about our 2026 Seine River cruise, round-trip from Paris, here.

Learn more about our 2027 Norwegian Luna cruise to Bermuda from NYC here.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes!

If you are enjoying the podcast, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast.

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

In this episode of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner welcomes Sarah Magnoni, founder of Cobblestones and Castles, for a deep dive into solo women's travel with a historical feminist twist. They discuss Sarah's unique small-group trips for women exploring Ireland, Scotland, England, and France, where history, literature, and women's empowerment intersect. The conversation touches on meaningful solo travel experiences, cultivating community, and the importance of embracing both adventure and intuition.

Connect with Our Guest

Connect with Sarah Magnoni at Cobblestones & Castles.

Join Sarah's Facebook group, The Cobblestone Collective: Historical Feminism Travel Group.

Upcoming Events

Learn more about our 2026 Seine River cruise, round-trip from Paris, here.

Learn more about our 2027 Norwegian Luna cruise to Bermuda from NYC here.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes!

If you are enjoying the podcast, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast.

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

In this heartfelt episode, host Amanda Bauner candidly shares her personal struggles amid political turmoil in the U.S. She discusses the impact of current events on her travel plans and explores why finding joy is especially important during challenging times. Amanda offers practical tips for cultivating joy in daily life and travel, emphasizing the value of community, resilience, and meaningful connections.

Resources from This Episode

• February 2025 Psychology Today article: "The Importance of Joy in the Darkest of Times" authored by F. Diane Barth, LCSW.

• HelpGuide.org's article: "Finding Joy During Difficult Times" authored by Stephanie Mihalas, PhD, and ABPP.

• Me and the Magic Episode 124: Microadventures for the Solo Traveler.

• Me and the Magic Episode 159: Why Your Travel Plans and Goals May Change.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, cruises, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes!

If you are enjoying the podcast, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast.

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

Amanda Bauner is joined by MEI-Travel's Grace Korba to unveil the details of the Me and the Magic 2027 group trip, a 7-night cruise from New York City to Bermuda aboard the Norwegian Luna. This promises to be a great cruise filled with fun and friends. Learn more about this exciting trip and booking details here.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes!

If you are enjoying the podcast, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast.

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

Host Amanda Bauner reunites with guests to recap their festive weekend at Dollywood during the Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration. They share stories about travel to Eastern Tennessee, their different accommodations, favorite Dollywood rides, top-notch holiday shows, shopping finds, local activities, and, of course, the famous cinnamon bread. The group also reflects on building friendships through travel in this heartwarming celebration of connection, adventure, and holiday magic.

Join us for our Seine River Cruise in September 2026!

Join Amanda Bauner and the Me and the Magic community on a 7-night Seine River cruise with AMA Waterways, round-trip from Paris, France, September 10-17, 2026! Find the itinerary, ship and stateroom details here.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes!

If you are enjoying the podcast, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast.

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

In this episode of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner welcomes Disney expert Tim Foster to share and discuss their top 10 Walt Disney World attractions. Together, they explore what keeps them returning to favorites like Tower of Terror, Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth, and more, including personal stories, repeatability, and the magic behind the details. Their conversation blends nostalgia, Disney history, and insider tips, while celebrating the joy and wonder of solo and group travel.

Connect with Our Guest

Connect with Tim Foster at Celebrations Press.

Follow these links to purchase Tim Foster's books:

• "It's a small world": The Definitive Edition

• Spaceship Earth: The Definitive Edition

Join us for our Seine River Cruise in September 2026!

Join Amanda Bauner and the Me and the Magic community on a 7-night Seine River cruise with AMA Waterways, round-trip from Paris, France, September 10-17, 2026! Find the itinerary, ship and stateroom details here.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes!

If you are enjoying the podcast, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast.

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!