Taste Toast Travel
Hey, friends... welcome to the Taste Toast Travel Podcast! We're your hosts and resident foodies and lovers of all things travel and exploration, John and Tara. John is a certified Sommelier and a Certified Specialist of Wine, and has worked in the wine and hospitality industry for over 10 years. Tara has worked in the wine industry for eight years both in hospitality and digital marketing. When we first met, we bonded over our love of eating, drinking, and traveling the world. That passion has only grown over time, now we want to share this passion with you from an insider perspective. On this podcast, you can expect a wide range of topics on all things food, travel, and beverage. This includes non-alcoholic drinks, too, because we don't discriminate here! That means we'll dig into things like where to go, where to stay and what to eat or drink along the way. We'll be serving tea on hot topics and big news, pop culture, the cultural significance and impacts that food, drink, and travel have on our lives, and bring on guests and experts who are just as excited, passionate, and knowledgeable about tasting, toasting, and traveling as we are. and have a lot more in store that we can't wait to share with you all. Grab your favorite beverage, get comfortable, and enjoy the journey with us. Cheers!
Episodes
Today we're breaking down Condé Nast Traveler’s newest list of the best places to travel in Europe in 2026. From classic cities getting exciting new updates to underrated regions ready for their moment, this episode is packed with insider insights and inspiration for your next trip.
This list dives into the cultural highlights, new attractions, and major developments that make these cities top contenders...
In this episode, Tara sits down with Certified Health & Wellness Coach Tess Cheng for a deep dive into mindful traveling, staying healthy on the go, and finding the sweet spot between wellness and wanderlust.
Tess has explored all seven continents, and she brings a wealth of real-world travel insight. From navigating jet lag and long-haul flights, to making thoughtful choices around food, hydration, and ...
In this episode we're exploring the fascinating world of the MICHELIN Guide, from its humble beginnings as a tire company’s travel booklet to the gold standard of global dining.
We break down how the MICHELIN Star system really works:
⭐️ What inspectors look for when awarding stars
⭐️ How restaurants can earn, maintain, or even lose their MICHELIN status
⭐️ The secretive process behind these ...
In this episode of Taste Toast Travel Tara sits down with Grant Garry, a filmmaker who turned his personal journey of grief and morning coffee ritual into a powerful exploration of coffee culture.
Grant shares how this morning coffee ritual evolved from a moment of solace into a passion for storytelling—ultimately leading him to create a coffee documentary that connects people through the universal love of a...
We're breaking down Hilton’s 2026 Global Travel Trends Report and uncovering what’s next for travelers around the world. From the growing craving for peaceful, restorative getaways to the rise of solo travel and digitally planned trips, we're exploring how our travel habits are evolving in exciting new ways.
Discover why quiet luxury vacations and slow travel are becoming top priorities, how family ...
Let's explore one of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks: Alcatraz Island. Come with us on a night tour!
As Bay Area locals, we're sharing our firsthand experience. From stepping onto the ferry to wandering through the eerie prison corridors—once occupied by infamous inmates like Al Capone and The Birdman.
We're taking you through:
✈️ A walk through of our experience
✈️ Recommendation...
Today we're exploring Europe’s most haunted places! Continuing our spooky travel theme from last week’s episode on haunted places in the United States, we uncover the ghost stories, legends, and dark histories behind these iconic European landmarks.
We're digging into:
👻 The Tower of London in England
👻 Edinburgh Castle in Scotland
👻 The Paris Catacombs
👻 Bran Castle in Transylva...
Spooky season is here! In this episode of Taste Toast Travel, we're uncovering the most haunted places in the United States just in time for Halloween. From battlefields to prisons to historic hotels, we explore the chilling stories and paranormal encounters that make these spots legendary.
Featured haunted destinations:
👻 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
👻 The Stanley Hotel, Colorado
👻 Eastern State Penite...
Dreaming of owning a home in Italy for just one euro? In this episode of Taste Toast Travel, we're doing a reality check on this! Join us as we dive into Italy’s €1 houses, and whether these deals are really too good to be true.
We explore:
🇮🇹 How the €1 house auctions work
🇮🇹 Why so many of these properties are available (hint: demographics and history play a big role)
🇮🇹 The real cost...
Raise your steins and tighten your lederhosen—it’s Oktoberfest time! In this episode of Taste Toast Travel, Tara's taking the lead and diving into the history, traditions, and unforgettable stories behind the world’s largest beer festival: Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
From its royal wedding origins in 1810 to the modern-day celebration that draws over six million people each year, we’re exploring how...
We're so excited about this episode, because we're diving into the autumn vibes big time. Join us as we explore how cultures across the globe celebrate the Fall equinox!
From ancient monuments to seasonal feasts, this episode uncovers the history, spirituality, folklore, delicious foods, and traditions tied to the changing of the seasons.
In this chat we're traveling to:
🏴 Stonehenge in E...
Tara is taking the lead on this episode of Taste Toast Travel as she chats with Isabelle Lesschaeve, a distinguished sensory scientist and wine expert.
Isabelle shares her inspiring journey through sensory science to the wine and non-alcoholic beverage industries, drawing from her academic and professional experiences in the US and Canada.
We dig into:
🍷 Isabelle’s journey from France to North A...
Today we're taking you to Siena, Italy!
Siena holds a special place in our heart because we lived and worked at a winery just outside of the city for several months in 2018, and were married there in 2022. We're sharing stories, travel tips, and our favorite experiences in one of Tuscany’s most iconic destinations.
From the heart-pounding excitement of the Palio di Siena horse race to the best city and country...
In this episode of the Taste Toast Travel Podcast, we’re raising a glass and celebrating California Wine Month! 🍷
From iconic varietals like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon to legendary regions including Napa Valley, Paso Robles, and Mendocino, we’re exploring what makes California a global wine powerhouse—literally, we’re 4th in the WORLD in wine production!
The conversation uncorks everything from the economic impa...
It’s happy hour on the Taste Toast Travel podcast!
This week, we’re diving into two iconic cocktails: the Mai Tai and the Aperol Spritz.
We explore:
🍹 The intriguing and unexpected histories behind the Mai Tai and Aperol Spritz
🍹 Tips on how to make the perfect versions of each cocktail
🍹 Fun variations and alternatives you can try at home
🍹 Our travel experiences sipping these drinks around the world
To wrap things up, ...
Join Tara as she chats with Moira Khan, a Grief Coach, educator, and seasoned traveler whose journey has taken her from New Zealand to the UK and now to sunny Spain.
In this inspiring conversation, Moira shares:
✈️ How she navigated expat life in Spain and adapted to cultural differences.
✈️ Her experiences moving across continents with her family.
✈️ The importance of community and connection when living abroad...
This week, we’re unpacking a handful of headlines in the food, drink, and travel industries, including Wine Enthusiast’s top Napa Valley wineries to visit (and adding our own insider picks you won’t want to miss!).
We’ll also spill the tea on:
🧳 The dirtiest spots in hotel rooms, and even your suitcase
🍺 Why so many Irish pubs are named after people, and the quirky history behind it
🩷 Meghan Markle’s brand-new rosé win...
In this crime lovers episode of Taste Toast Travel, we’re unpacking two shocking true crime stories from Northern California’s wine country in Napa.
First, we investigate the infamous French Laundry wine heist in Yountville, CA, where thieves made off with over $300,000 in rare, high-end wine—a burglary of a Thomas Keller restaurantthat rocked the food and wine world before unraveling in an unexpected twist.
Then, we tu...
In this flavorful episode of Taste Toast Travel, Tara sits down with acclaimed Bay Area chef and restaurateur Paul Iglesias, the creative force behind Oakland, California hotspots Parché and Jaji.
Known for weaving Colombian and Salvadorian heritage into every dish, Paul takes us on a journey from his roots in Washington, D.C., to the global flavors that shaped his culinary philosophy.
✨ Hear how his mother inspired hi...
Today we’re breaking down notable travel changes, including the new TSA policy that finally ends the dreaded shoe removal at airport security.
Then, things take a turn as Tara shares how an order of fried chicken led to the downfall of the infamous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde.
Finally, we’re exploring the top-ranked U.S. and international cities for food and drink—revealing which culinary hotspots made the list, which ones...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.