Attending a culinary festival in a city is a great way to check out its foodie scene when you visit. That's certainly the case with the Denver Food + Wine Festival, happening August. 26-29, 2026 in Colorado.

In this episode of the Real Food Traveler Podcast, we talk to a member of the organization team who gives us the inside scoop on which events to attend, why they are such a great window into Denver's food and drink world and how to make the most of the experiences.

Be sure to use our exclusive discount promo code "TRAVELER10" to receive 10% off tickets. Our article on ⁠RealFoodTraveler.com⁠ explains exactly which events are part of that offer.

Dining and sipping next to the winemakers themselves; opportunities to get to know new wineries, wines and trends; a new concert and a charming Colorado mountain town.

These are the things awaiting guests at the 2026 Breckenridge Wine Classic this August. Get an insider's look behind-the-scenes at what makes this event a great reason to visit Colorado this summer.

As a bonus, get our exclusive discount code, "realfoodtraveler" to save $10 on tickets. Get the live links and see images from the event on our website, RealFoodTraveler.com.

Go behind-the-scenes with us to learn about the 2026 season of the Santa Fe Opera. You'll get a teaser of the storyline of each of the operas plus you'll learn what's so unique about the way the venue is built and how it plays off of the nature all around Santa Fe itself to add to the drama and excitement.

You'll also get insider tips for making the most of your visit to the Opera and to visiting the City of Santa Fe itself.

Learn more, see photos, and get live links on our associated article on RealFoodTraveler.com.

On a recent trip to Jerez de la Frontera, named the Gastronomic Capital of Spain for 2026, I met Enrique Medina, owner of a company called Bilinguo. Enrique was one of our group's guides and knew so much about everything essential in the city of Jerez, from the food, drink, history, traditions and cultural ways, I knew I had to have him on as a guest on the Real Food Traveler Podcast.

Listen and learn from Enrique before planning your own trip to Jerez de la Frontera. And check out our associated article on the RealFoodTraveler.com website where you will see photos of Enrique, some of the things he talks about in this episode, and live links to things he references as well.

Hear from Kristen Slater, the organizer behind the August. 6-8, 2026 Vail Wine Classic in Vail, Colorado. Get the inside scoop on what to expect when you attend, tips for making the most of it, including avoiding long lines and how to prepare for the high altitude. Find out what goes into planning the event including how the wine + restaurant pairing meals come together.

Also, get our exclusive discount promo code for $10 off all tickets.

Learn more, including getting live links to ticketing, see photos from past years, and more on RealFoodTraveler.com.

#WineFestival #WineTasting #Travel #FoodAndTravel #VailWineClassic #VailWineClassicRFT

In what is considered Florida's "lake country" is a town called Howey-in-the-Hills (and there's a great story behind that name). And in that town is a beautiful place to stay, Mission Resort + Club (and there's a great story about that too).

Join us as we share a his and hers take on ways to enjoy the resort and offerings off-resort too.

You can read more about Mission Resort + Club and see images on RealFoodTraveler.com.

#travel #foodandtravel #culinarytravel

The Presidio was a military base but now it's an oasis at the edge of San Francisco, a prime example of reuse and community. Learn about the history and transformation of the Presidio as well as what it's like to stay there as a visitor at either the Lodge or the Inn. My guest for the Real Food Traveler Podcast is Terry Haney, Managing Director of Presidio Lodging.

You can see photos, get live links and learn more on our website too, at RealFoodTraveler.com.

#Travel #TravelTips #CulinaryTravel #SanFrancisco #ThePresidio

What started out as a movement to promote reducing the consumption of alcohol (while still having something special to drink) has become a way of life. No longer just relegated to "Dry January," alcohol-free drinks are big business and can be found on restaurant menus and on beverage shelves everywhere.

In this episode of the Real Food Traveler Podcast, we meet the couple behind Madame Mocktail, makers of bottled mocktails that can be enjoyed on their own, or as the foundation of other drinks. Get to know co-owners, Alena Brook Mahoney and James Mahoney and hear the powerful story of what's behind their business, what's so unique about the Madame Mocktails and what the future holds for them, as they take their place in the mocktail market.