In this episode, I’m taking you to beautiful Loire Valley France — a region known for fairytale châteaux, sparkling wine, charming villages, and wonderfully relaxed countryside travel.

I share some of my favorite experiences in the Loire Valley including visits to stunning castles like Château de Chenonceau, Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, and Château de Villandry, along with wine tastings at local vineyards and easy walks through the French countryside.

I also talk about wandering the lively market in Amboise, discovering quiet villages, and why slowing down in the Loire Valley made the experience even more meaningful.

Whether you’re interested in château hopping, cycling and walking trails, local wine, or simply soaking up small-town France at a gentler pace, this episode will give you plenty of inspiration for planning your own Loire Valley adventure.

Want to chat more about the Loire Valley?

Email me at Lynne@WanderYourWay.com

In this episode:

1:22: Intro + announcements

4:42: Placing the Loire Valley on the map

9:04: Where to stay

10:54: Château de Chenonceau

15:38: Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

18:58: Château de Villandry

24:20: Vineyards

31:00: Towns & villages

41:01: Getting around

42:05: Wrapping it up

Important links:

Loire Valley Tourism

Loire Lovers

Wander Your Way

Wander Your Way Adventures

Wander Your Way Resources

Safety Wing

Château de Chenonceau

Château d’Azay-le-Rideau

Château de Villandry

Plou et Fils

Alain Robert

Whitby, England.

It’s iconic.

It’s atmospheric.

And yes, it’s definitely on the tourist trail.

In this episode, I’m taking you to this seaside town on the Yorkshire coast to share what it’s really like to visit.

From wandering the cobbled streets and climbing up to the ruins of Whitby Abbey, to walking the beach in search of sea glass and getting out on the Cleveland Way, there’s a lot to love here.

But I’ll be honest — it’s also busy.

Like, really busy.

So I’m breaking it all down for you — what I loved, what surprised me, where I found quieter moments, and whether I think Whitby is actually worth your time.

Especially if you tend to avoid more touristy spots like I usually do.

If you’re curious about this historic coastal town — or trying to decide if it fits your travel style — this episode will help you figure it out.

Want to chat more about Whitby, England?

Email me at Lynne@WanderYourWay.com.

In this episode:

2:00: Intro

2:45: Placing Whitby on the map and some history

7:39: Lynne’s Story of choosing Whitby

13:12: Fish & Chips

16:20: Arch and Abbey

18:40: Shops

22:17: The Beach

24:16: Pier & Jetty

25:57: Old Town, Whitby Abbey & St. Mary’s

34:53: The Cleveland Way

38:48: Other things to do

40:44: Logistics

42:44: Final thoughts

48:20: Wrapping it up

Important links:

York England

The Full English

Magpie Cafe

The Fisherman's Wife

Arch and Abbey

Youngs Jewellers

Visit Whitby

Whitby Abbey

The Cleveland Way

Safety Wing

Wander Your Way Resources

Wander Your Way

Wander Your Way Adventures

It’s time for another Listener Q&A — and this one gets right to the heart of how you travel.

Johanna is planning a trip to Italy with two first-time travelers and asks a great question: is it better to pack in as much as possible or slow things down and focus on just a few places?

In this episode, I talk through the pros and cons of both approaches, why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and how to find that sweet spot between seeing a lot and actually enjoying where you are.

From bouncing between cities to choosing a home base and taking day trips, I share some practical ways to think about pacing — especially for a first trip to Europe.

If you’ve ever wondered how much is “too much” when planning your itinerary, this one’s for you.

Got a question you want answered?

Head over to wanderyourway.com/podcast and fill out the form!

Note: These Listener Q&A episodes don’t have a companion blog post, so you’ll only find this one in your favorite podcast app. Happy listening!

Important links:

5 Tips to Manage Feelings of Overwhelm When Planning a Trip to Europe

3 Quick Tips for Planning Your Trip to Europe: Making the Plan

Travel Mistakes to Avoid on Your Next European Trip