One of the most memorable experiences I had in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain was a visit with Mauricio Lorente, a third-generation sherry-maker. Jerez literally means "sherry" and is the birthplace of the uniquely-produced wine. In this Real Food Traveler Podcast episode, with me back in the states and Mauricio in Jerez, we discuss his interesting path to co-owning his business Lorente y Barba, while maintaining his "day job" as a doctor. We also discuss the types of sherries, the steps involved in making it that are different than any other wine, food pairing and more. Visit our site, RealFoodT
A visit to New Mexico means experiencing a unique kind of cuisine that lets you know you're someplace special. One of the best ways to explore southwestern cuisine is at the Santa Fe School of Cooking. In this podcast episode, meet Nicole Curtis Ammerman, the Director of the business. She explains the intricacies of the cuisine of the region, including key ingredients and dishes. Nicole also tells us about the various offerings of the Santa Fe School of Cooking, founded by her mother, that includes classes, demonstrations, food tours, shopping for goods and even evenings of jazz and food toget
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
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 thin
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 #Food
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 be
Twice a year, wine (and food) lovers get the opportunity to visit a great mountain town destination and experience wine from around the country and local cuisine. The Park City Wine Festival is back with its Spring Edition, April 9-11, 2026. You may have listened to our episode about the Fall Edition last October. But there's plenty that's new and exciting (including our exclusive discount on all tickets!) to learn about this springtime event in Park City, Utah. Enjoy learning about the Park City Wine Festival: Spring Edition with its organizer and make plans to attend this year. You can learn
One of our favorite guests is back on the Real Food Traveler Podcast. Travel writer Abbey Algiers is our resident expert on Spain and has shared her knowledge and experiences in previous episodes. But this time, she's telling us about two weeks she and her husband spent in Spain's neighbor, Portugal. Abbey shares great tips for different styles of hotels, the authentic and local food and drink not to miss plus things to do - including golf, one of her favorites. Enjoy listening to the episode and also check out our accompanying article (with photos and live links to some of the places Abbey ta
There are so many reasons why going on a mid-week escape to Colorado's Monarch Casino Resort & Spa is a great idea. In addition to fewer people, there are money-saving deals available too. Listen to our Real Food Traveler Podcast episode with Executive Chef Alex Lopez who tells us about all that Monarch has to offer guests and why each one is better when you're there in the middle of the week instead of the weekend. Learn more on RealFoodTraveler.com.
Meet Susan and Rene Trevino, the owners of Enjoy Corpus Christi Tours, during this informative and fun conversation on the Real Food Traveler Podcast. We learn about how their business got started (it was a total switch from their previous careers), what they offer in terms of tours (new offerings are coming), and some great tips for what to see, do and eat in Corpus Christi, Texas (you don't want to miss this!).
Real Food Travelers, like me, will be surprised to know there's a pretty logical connection between the Denver Broncos football team, Nigeria, Colorado, agriculture, honey and whiskey. See how all of those things are combined in this sponsored Real Food Traveler Podcast conversation with Omar Lababidi, of Goldswarm Honey. And find out how you can partake of the honey and the whiskey! Learn more, see photos, and get live links on our site, RealFoodTraveler.com.
When we were in Scottsdale, Arizona, we kept seeing a striking building that turned out to be a museum perfect for people looking to immerse themselves in the American west. On this Real Food Traveler Podcast, we meet Andrew Patrick Nelson, PhD, the Chief Curator of Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West and find out all the reasons why no visit to the city is complete without some time viewing their exhibits. Read our accompanying article on RealFoodTraveler.com for photos and live links.
In Northwestern Arkansas, in a place called "Rogers," is Ozark Beer Company, with a focus on enabling community-making brewed up with beer-making. Meet Marty Shutter from Ozark Beer and learn about the unique approach they have to their beer, cocktails and other drinks plus their efforts that go way beyond just something to drink.
Hot off of a whirlwind visit to Scottsdale, Arizona, listen to this couple's podcast recorded in their airport before returning home. Hear real-person recommendations and tips for places to stay, where (and what) to eat and things to do in Scottsdale, AZ.
We’re back with Part 2 of our Real Food Traveler Podcast about our back-to-back river cruises with Viking in the summer of 2025. In Part 1, we covered the first cruise, the “Rhine Getaway,” which went from Basel to Amsterdam. The second cruise, the “Lyon & Provence” itinerary sailed along the Rhone River. In this episode of the Real Food Traveler Podcast, we, RealFoodTraveler's Courtney Drake-McDonough and Jimmy McDonough, describe what to expect from the ship and sailing experience and from each destination along the itinerary, including helpful tips. Read the article that accompanies this po
Listen to our conversation with Irvina Lew, the author of the new book "Forays in France, A Flavorful Memoir." We hear what inspired the book, who it's best for, and what benefits readers will come away with after reading the book. Read our accompanying article on RealFoodTraveler.com where you'll see photos from Irvina's travels to France and some links to our favorite articles by Irvina, who is our Europe Editor.
Learn about the October 2025 event in Park City, Utah PLUS get our exclusive discount promo code.
In the summer of 2025, we had the wonderful opportunity to do back-to-back river cruises with Viking. The first cruise was on the Rhine River. While Viking's cruises sail in both directions, our cruise started in Basel, Switzerland and ended in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. In this episode of the Real Food Traveler Podcast, we, RealFoodTraveler's Courtney Drake-McDonough and Jimmy McDonough, tell you what to expect from the ship and sailing experience and from each destination along the itinerary. Visit RealFoodTraveler.com to read more about our journey, get live links and see photos from the d
After spending a wonderful evening at a whisky pairing dinner with Craig Engelhorn, co-founder and head distiller at Spirit Hound Distillers in Colorado, I knew he had to be a guest on, not only the Real Food Traveler Podcast but also on our sister podcast, the In Good Taste Denver Podcast. Learn about Craig's interesting path into making spirits and how visits to the source in Scotland made him look at distilling very differently. See Craig in action and get links to his website (which includes where to find Spirit Hound where you are), and his social media platforms in this article on RealFo
Aussie Select produces premium deli products responsibly sourced from Australian lamb. The pre-cooked products, available throughout the United States, brings a convenient, creative and delicious protein option to diners. I grew up eating lamb so I was really curious to know what lamb deli products would be like. After having tried several, and hearing the story behind the business, I was excited to have Jaclyn Oyola, CEO of Aussie Select as my guest. Learn more and see some photos of the products on RealFoodTraveler.com.
What awaits travelers to Mississippi? We find out on the Real Food Traveler Podcast from my guest, food/travel/lifestyle/wellness writer, Abbey Algiers. She was recently on a golf-music-food tour that started in Biloxi, Mississippi and worked its way north. We learn about the food, drink, music and culture scene to prepare us to visit on our own. See some photos and get the links to everything Abbey talks about on our site, RealFoodTraveler.com.
