An Unforgettable Tour of Tuscany

What happens when passionate travelers experience Tuscany the way locals do?

In this episode of Travel Connections, Suzanne welcomes Kimi Mendenhall and Erin Talafus, two adventurous nurses and world travelers, who joined the Spring 2026 Travel Connections Tour in Tuscany. From the moment they arrived at iCastagni in the charming hilltop village of Montefollonico, they knew this would be more than just a vacation—it would be an immersive experience filled with authentic connections, unforgettable food and wine, and the magic of slow travel.

Kimi and Erin share their favorite moments from the tour, including exclusive insider access, the magic of traveling with three generations, fascinating lessons about winemaking and food pairings from tour co-host Tim Rawlinson, and the breathtaking views that seemed straight out of a movie. They also reflect on exploring the stunning city of Siena, learning about the famous Palio horse race, meeting local nonnas, and taking part in a cooking class that was equal parts delicious and memorable.

You’ll also discover what a limonaia is and hear about the bite of food that left an entire table speechless.

If you’ve ever dreamed of wandering through storybook villages, savoring incredible Tuscan cuisine, and experiencing Italy at a slower pace, this episode offers a firsthand glimpse into what makes Tuscany—and the Travel Connections Tour—so special.

 2027 Tour Dates and Pricing Here!