On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Quiltripping Travel with Rose” Podcast, travel writer and photographer Rose Palmer of Quiltripping.com joins us fresh off the MSC World America, MSC’s newest mega ship, sailing from Miami to the Caribbean and the private island of Ocean Cay in the Bahamas.

Rose and her best friend celebrated milestone birthdays in the exclusive MSC Yacht Club, a “ship within a ship” with its own restaurant, lounge, sun deck, pool and a personal butler. Rose compares it to flying business class: the attention of a small luxury ship with the dining and entertainment of a big one, at a fraction of the cost of Ponant or Seabourn.

In this episode: - Life in the Yacht Club, where fewer than 300 guests share the top decks of a ship carrying about 6,500 people, and the butlers in tails and white gloves. - Finding breathing room on a mega ship, and why it feels like business class versus coach. - Sweet Temptations, the Jean-Philippe Chocolate Café, the craft brewery and The Gin Project, and dinner at Eataly, Paxos, Hola and La Brasserie. - The not-so-secret secret telephone booth that isn’t on any deck plan. - What’s included in the Yacht Club, and why this ship works for multigenerational families and solo travelers. - Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island, transformed from an abandoned sand-mining site into a Caribbean paradise, plus the MSC Foundation’s work. - Spa and thermal rooms, Queen and Dirty Dancing shows, and dueling pianos at The Loft.

RESOURCE LINKS: - Read Rose’s full article and listen on the Big Blend site: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/msc-world-america-caribbean-cruise - Rose’s blog, Quiltripping.com: https://www.Quiltripping.com - Big Blend Radio’s “Quiltripping Travel with Rose” Podcast: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/quiltripping-travel-with-rose-podcast - “Quiltripping Travel” Digital Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/quiltripping-travel-magazine

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quiltripping Travel" Podcast, travel writer and photographer Rose Palmer shares her epic month-long journey across Southern Africa with her husband — starting with wine tasting in Cape Town, riding the historic Rovos Rail into Zimbabwe, chasing wildlife and waterfalls at Victoria Falls, safari glamping in Botswana's Khwai Private Reserve and Okavango Delta, and ending with a river boatd cruise on the Chobe River.

Rose talks border crossings, elephant migration, the best age to bring kids on safari, and why this trip topped even her Alaska road trip for pure epic scale.

MORE ON AFRICA: - Read Rose's full article and see her photos: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/an-epic-month-in-africa - More of Rose's Africa stories: https://quiltripping.com/africa/

KEEP UP WITH ROSE: - Listen to more of Rose's "Quiltripping Travel" Podcast: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/quiltripping-travel-with-rose-podcast - Check out the "Quiltripping Travel" Digital Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/quiltripping-travel-magazine - Follow Rose's blog: https://www.quiltripping.com

In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quiltripping Travel with Rose" podcast, travel writer and photographer Rose Palmer takes us aboard the Rosa, a luxury hotel barge operated by European Waterways, for a leisurely journey through the beautiful Gascony region of southern France.

This is slow travel at its best—cruising quietly along France's historic canals, cycling shaded towpaths, exploring medieval villages and UNESCO-listed sites, enjoying exceptional local food and wine, and simply having time to relax and enjoy the scenery. Rose describes the intimate experience of traveling with just six guests and a four-person crew aboard the Rosa, which accommodates a maximum of eight passengers.

The journey begins in the Toulouse area and follows approximately 70 miles of the Canal de Garonne, with excursions into historic towns and the countryside. Rose visits the UNESCO-listed Abbey of Saint Pierre, explores one of France's designated "Most Beautiful Villages," visits a working cheese farm, samples regional Armagnac, and joins the chef at a local farmers market to select fresh ingredients for the day's meals.

Food is a major part of the experience. Rose describes multi-course meals featuring local cheeses, fresh produce, regional wines, and ingredients purchased directly from local farmers—including strawberries, cherries, apricots, meats, vegetables, and more. As Lisa puts it during the conversation, it's "farm to barge."

Rose also explains why barge cruising can be such a wonderful option for solo travelers: you can travel independently without being alone, while leaving the driving, navigation, meals, sightseeing logistics, and daily planning to the crew. The small-group atmosphere makes it easy to form connections with fellow travelers and crew members.

Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway, a friends' or family charter, a solo travel experience, or simply a peaceful way to discover rural France, this episode offers an enticing look at the pleasures of small-ship cruising, authentic cultural experiences, and slow travel.

📖 Read Rose Palmer's Featured Article: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/cruising-france-on-the-rosa-barge

🚤 Learn More About European Waterways: https://www.europeanwaterways.com/

🌐 Explore More from Quiltripping: https://quiltripping.com/ 📰 Check Out the "Quiltripping Travel" Digital Podcast Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/QUILTRIPPING-TRAVEL-WITH-ROSE-MAG/#p=1

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast on Podbean: https://quiltripping-travel.podbean.com/