Taste Toast Travel | Travel Podcast

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In this episode Tara sits down with Australian-born travel expert Mary Vass, founder of Blue White Dream Tours, to talk about her incredible journey from Perth and Melbourne to Canada, Abu Dhabi, and eventually Greece, where she now lives with her family in Piraeus near Athens.

With Greek and Polish roots, Mary shares how years of international living shaped her perspective on travel, culture, community, and what it really means to build a life abroad. From life in Banff and Toronto to raising children in the UAE and relocating to Greece after the pandemic disrupted her in-person business, this conversation dives into the realities of expat life, cultural differences, safety, and creating a home across multiple countries.

Mary also gives us an insider look into Greece travel beyond the typical tourist experience through her company, Blue White Dream Tours, which specializes in personalized Greece itineraries and authentic local experiences.

We also dig into:
✈️ Small islands, local tavernas, sound therapy, and other Greecian experiences
✈️ The importance of supporting local businesses and communities through tourism
✈️ Greece travel tips
✈️ Advice for first-time visitors planning a Greece itinerary

If you’re dreaming about visiting Greece, planning a Greek islands itinerary, curious about expat life overseas, or looking for hidden gems in Athens and beyond, this episode is packed with practical travel tips and inspiration!
Connect with Mary:
https://www.instagram.com/blue_white_dreamtours
Email: [email protected] 
Download our free guides! https://tastetoasttravel.com/freebie

Connect with us and learn more:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_
Website: https://tastetoasttravel.com/
Email: [email protected]
Join our mailing list: https://tastetoasttravel.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Leave us a voice note! https://www.speakpipe.com/TasteToastTravel

Enjoy 15% off at Wine Girl with Tara's discount code! Use this link and code WINE15 when you shop: https://shopwinegirl.com/?ref=tastetoasttravel

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This week, we’re diving into the incredible story of Hong Kong! A city that somehow feels futuristic, historic, chaotic, peaceful, and deeply nostalgic all at the same time. From towering skyscrapers and harbor views to dim sum culture, hiking trails, nightlife, and layered history, we explore what makes Hong Kong one of the most fascinating cities in the world.

We dig into:
✈️ How Hong Kong’s mountainous geography shaped its famous vertical skyline around Victoria Harbour
✈️ The nightly “A Symphony of Lights” show and the energy of the city after dark
✈️ The surprising amount of nature in Hong Kong, including beaches, country parks, and popular hiking trails
✈️ Hong Kong’s food culture
✈️ How British colonial influence blended with Cantonese traditions to shape modern Hong Kong culture
✈️ The city’s history leading up to the 1997 Handover and the “one country, two systems” framework
✈️ Recent protests, the 2020 national security law, and the evolving identity of Hong Kong
✈️ Hong Kong’s cocktail culture, nightlife districts, rooftop bars, and late-night energy
✈️ Plus, we share fun facts about Bruce Lee, the Central–Mid-Levels escalator, Hong Kong’s safety reputation, transportation marvels, and more

Whether you’ve visited Hong Kong before or it’s been sitting on your travel bucket list for years, we hope this episode helps bring the city to life for you.

Thanks so much for listening, too! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Taste Toast Travel wherever you get your podcasts and come hang out with us on social media for more food, drink, and travel inspiration 🍜🍹✈️
Download our free guides! https://tastetoasttravel.com/freebie

Connect with us and learn more:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_
Website: https://tastetoasttravel.com/
Email: [email protected]
Join our mailing list: https://tastetoasttravel.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Leave us a voice note! https://www.speakpipe.com/TasteToastTravel

Enjoy 15% off at Wine Girl with Tara's discount code! Use this link and code WINE15 when you shop: https://shopwinegirl.com/?ref=tastetoasttravel

Drop us a line or voice note!
What does it really take to launch a winery in today’s wine industry? In this episode of Taste Toast Travel, Tara sits down with Canadian winemaker and entrepreneur Maddison Violet to talk about building a winery from the ground up in British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley.

From working in restaurants and studying wine through WSET and the Court of Master Sommeliers track, to navigating harvests, COVID challenges, and the realities of modern wine tourism, Maddison shares an honest behind-the-scenes look at life in the wine industry today. 

We also dive into the rise of non-alcoholic wine, changing consumer habits, wine misconceptions, and how wineries are evolving into immersive hospitality destinations.

In this episode, we dig into:
🍷 Building Ve Oh Lay Acres Winery during the COVID era
🍷 Life and wine culture in the Okanagan Valley
🍷 Maddison’s journey through wine education and harvest work
🍷The realities of running a modern winery behind the scenes
🍷Why wine tourism is shifting toward experiences and hospitality
🍷 The growth of non-alcoholic wine and changing drinking trends
🍷 Wine myths, sulfites, and consumer misconceptions
🍷 Canadian wine shipping laws and industry challenges
🍷 Building authentic community through social media and events
🍷 Farming risks, packaging struggles, and unexpected winery setbacks

Whether you’re planning a wine country getaway, curious about the future of wine, or simply love discovering stories from passionate people in the food and beverage world, this conversation offers a fascinating look inside the evolving wine industry.

If you love wine, travel, entrepreneurship, food culture, or hearing the real stories behind the bottle, this episode is for you!

Connect with Maddison:
https://www.veohlayacres.com/
https://www.instagram.com/veohlayacres
https://www.facebook.com/veohlayacres
Download our free guides! https://tastetoasttravel.com/freebie

Connect with us and learn more:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_
Website: https://tastetoasttravel.com/
Email: [email protected]
Join our mailing list: https://tastetoasttravel.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Leave us a voice note! https://www.speakpipe.com/TasteToastTravel

Enjoy 15% off at Wine Girl with Tara's discount code! Use this link and code WINE15 when you shop: https://shopwinegirl.com/?ref=tastetoasttravel

Drop us a line or voice note!
What does it really take to launch a winery in today’s wine industry? In this episode of Taste Toast Travel, Tara sits down with Canadian winemaker and entrepreneur Maddison Violet to talk about building a winery from the ground up in British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley.

From working in restaurants and studying wine through WSET and the Court of Master Sommeliers track, to navigating harvests, COVID challenges, and the realities of modern wine tourism, Maddison shares an honest behind-the-scenes look at life in the wine industry today. 

We also dive into the rise of non-alcoholic wine, changing consumer habits, wine misconceptions, and how wineries are evolving into immersive hospitality destinations.

In this episode, we dig into:
🍷 Building Ve Oh Lay Acres Winery during the COVID era
🍷 Life and wine culture in the Okanagan Valley
🍷 Maddison’s journey through wine education and harvest work
🍷The realities of running a modern winery behind the scenes
🍷Why wine tourism is shifting toward experiences and hospitality
🍷 The growth of non-alcoholic wine and changing drinking trends
🍷 Wine myths, sulfites, and consumer misconceptions
🍷 Canadian wine shipping laws and industry challenges
🍷 Building authentic community through social media and events
🍷 Farming risks, packaging struggles, and unexpected winery setbacks

Whether you’re planning a wine country getaway, curious about the future of wine, or simply love discovering stories from passionate people in the food and beverage world, this conversation offers a fascinating look inside the evolving wine industry.

If you love wine, travel, entrepreneurship, food culture, or hearing the real stories behind the bottle, this episode is for you!

Connect with Maddison:
https://www.veohlayacres.com/
https://www.instagram.com/veohlayacres
https://www.facebook.com/veohlayacres
Download our free guides! https://tastetoasttravel.com/freebie

Connect with us and learn more:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_
Website: https://tastetoasttravel.com/
Email: [email protected]
Join our mailing list: https://tastetoasttravel.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Leave us a voice note! https://www.speakpipe.com/TasteToastTravel

Enjoy 15% off at Wine Girl with Tara's discount code! Use this link and code WINE15 when you shop: https://shopwinegirl.com/?ref=tastetoasttravel

Drop us a line or voice note!
In this episode, we’re catching up on the latest in travel news, trends, and where we’re dreaming about going next—especially if it involves great food and drink!

We dig into:
✈️ Monaco, with the world’s most expensive apartment sale—a $550 million ultra-luxury penthouse that takes “over-the-top” to a whole new level.
✈️ The sudden May 2026 shutdown of Spirit Airlines, what led to it, and what it means for travelers, employees, and the future of budget flying.
✈️ The growing “townsizing” travel trend—why more people are choosing smaller U.S. destinations over big cities, and what makes these places so appealing right now.
✈️ A sneaky checked-bag scam involving stolen barcode tags and fake lost luggage claims.
✈️ Top 2026 destinations for food and drink lovers around the world.
✈️ Top 2026 Adventure-forward destinations if you’re craving something a little more off the beaten path.
✈️ Some wild in-flight stories—from unexpected animal encounters to chaotic passenger moments that feel almost too crazy to be true.

🎧 Come hang out with us and tune into this episode wherever you listen to podcasts or watch on YouTube!
Sources: 
https://www.travelpulse.com/news/airlines-airports/spirit-airlines-workers-advocate-for-support-after-airline-abruptly-closes
https://www.travelandleisure.com/airline-luggage-tag-scam-warning-11823359
https://www.spiritrestructuring.com/resources/Spirit-Airlines-Begins-Orderly-Wind-Down-of-Operations.pdf
https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-places-to-go-2026-11840319#toc-food-and-drinks
Download our free guides! https://tastetoasttravel.com/freebie

Connect with us and learn more:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastetoasttravel_
Website: https://tastetoasttravel.com/
Email: [email protected]
Join our mailing list: https://tastetoasttravel.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Leave us a voice note! https://www.speakpipe.com/TasteToastTravel

Enjoy 15% off at Wine Girl with Tara's discount code! Use this link and code WINE15 when you shop: https://shopwinegirl.com/?ref=tastetoasttravel