What if some of the most fascinating stories in the world are right in front of us and we simply aren’t noticing?

On this episode of Speaking of Travel, I’m joined by award-winning travel journalist and National Geographic contributor Ronan O’Connell, author of Hidden in Plain Sight. Ronan takes us beyond the postcard view to uncover the forgotten stories, mysteries, history, and human experiences hidden within some of the world’s most iconic places.

Our conversation becomes a deeper exploration of curiosity and what happens when we slow down enough to really see what’s around us. Ronan is thoughtful, wise, funny, and endlessly curious, and his perspective may make you look at familiar places, and perhaps even your own life, a little differently.

As Ronan reminds us:

“Even in this modern age, there’s still a lot of mystery. There’s still a lot of things right in front of your face you might not be noticing that are fascinating and important.”

Maybe one of the greatest gifts of travel is not simply seeing somewhere new, but learning how to truly notice.

Tune in and discover what you may have been missing, hidden in plain sight.

Only on Speaking of Travel! 🎧

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, we continue to remember the lives that were lost and the lives forever changed by that day.

And that's why I’m revisiting a very special conversation with Abigail Carter, a gifted writer and artist whose husband was killed in the 9/11 tragedy.

For years, grief became part of the landscape of Abigail’s life. But eventually, something inside her began to whisper that it was time to go. Not to forget. Not to leave the past behind. But to find a way forward.

That journey led her to a château in the southwest of France, where the quiet beauty of the countryside gave her something she desperately needed: space. Space to breathe, to create, to dream, and eventually, to discover pieces of herself she thought might be lost forever.

Among sunflowers, rolling fields, old stone walls, and the gentle rhythm of French country life, Abigail began to imagine a different chapter.

Her story is not about leaving grief behind. It’s about learning to carry it while making room for life again. As we mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, this conversation feels especially meaningful.

Abigail reminds us that healing doesn’t follow a straight path, and sometimes a new beginning begins with the quietest voice inside us saying, It’s time. This is a story about loss, courage, reinvention, and the possibility of finding beauty again even when you never imagined you could.

Tune in and never forget. ❤️

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

What if the life you've been imagining is waiting for you to take the first step?

Sarah Aviram didn't stumble into a year of travel. She created it. She made the bold decision to leave behind the familiar and designed a plan to travel through 12 countries in 12 months while continuing to work remotely. And she trusted herself enough to make it happen.

In this episode of Speaking of Travel, Sarah shares the remarkable story behind her upcoming memoir, The Scenic Route: Following My Inner Compass Across 12 Countries in 12 Months. Along the way, she immersed herself in new cultures, formed unexpected friendships, embraced moments of uncertainty, and discovered that some of life's greatest rewards come from taking chances.

Sarah shares what it really takes to turn an idea into reality and how stepping away from routine can open the door to new ways of thinking. More than a story about travel, this is a conversation about possibility and giving yourself permission to dream bigger, think outside the box, and recognize that the life you want may be closer than you think.

Whether your next adventure takes you around the world or simply in a new direction, Sarah's story is a reminder that meaningful experiences begin with a single decision to say yes.

"The biggest risk wasn't leaving home. It was wondering what might have happened if I never said yes."

If you've ever wondered whether it's too late or simply too impractical to follow a dream, this episode offers a refreshing perspective. Sarah's journey proves that adventure isn't reserved for a lucky few. It's available to anyone willing to be curious and embrace the unexpected. And of course taking that first step.

A must listen. Only on Speaking of Travel.

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.