Welcome to another inspiring episode of Travel Connections!
If you’ve been following along, you know how excited I am about our upcoming Travel Connections Tours to Tuscany, launching in spring 2026. Our home base for these unforgettable experiences will be iCastagni, a lovingly restored inn nestled in the storybook hilltop village of Montefollonico.
iCastagni is owned by my partners—and dear friends—Tim and Jan Rawlinson, two British expats who have lived around the world before settling into their dream life in Tuscany. They’re charming, insightful, and endlessly passionate about sharing the magic of this region.
In today’s conversation, we’ll dive into their remarkable journey, from falling in Love with Italy to restoring a centuries-old home into a welcoming retreat. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at what makes our seven-day, six-night Travel Connections Tour so special—where guests unpack once, slow down, and truly live like locals among the olive groves and vineyards of Tuscany.
Highlights from this episode include:
- How Jan and Tim discovered Montefollonico and built a life they love
- The history, beauty, and renovation of iCastagni
- What daily life is really like in a small Tuscan village
- A peek into our 2026 Travel Connections Tour itinerary
- Why Siena is a must-see—and one of the jewels of the region
- The joy and reward of embracing slow travel
Important Links:
iCastagniTuscany
Adventures of Empty Nesters
TravelConnectionsTours.com
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Suzanne Stavert
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Suzanne Stavert is a podcast host, travel writer, brand ambassador, and culinary explorer who inspires empty nesters—and anyone with a sense of adventure—to explore the world with curiosity and joy. She is the creator of AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com, a travel and lifestyle website that has evolved into partnerships with top brands and destinations around the globe.
Suzanne also created and hosts the podcast Travel Connections, where she interviews chefs, entrepreneurs, authors, and travel experts, sharing stories that connect people through travel, food, and culture. Through her company Travel Connections Tours, she leads small-group adventures in Tuscany, combining her lifelong love of Italy with authentic travel experiences.
A recognized expert in the Empty Nester Community, Suzanne has been recently featured on Good Morning America and USA Today and continues to share her passion for meaningful travel across six continents. One continent to go!
