Noreen Kompanik, Writer

We just LOVE Laguna Beach, and here are our favorite restaurants in this beautiful Southern California beach town! #nickslaguna Driftwood Kitchen Alessa by Chef... Pirozzi Surfandsand Laguna Las Brisas - Laguna Beach Mozambique The Deck on Laguna Beach 230 Forest Avenue Reunion Kitchen + Drink See more

Join us for today's 2nd Friday Big Blend Radio Food, Wine & Travel with International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association. Show Airs Live Online Today at 1...1am PT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET. Listen Live or Later Here: https://www.blogtalkradio.com//big-blend-radio-san-diego-t ON THIS EPISODE: - Noreen Kompanik, Writer a San Diego based freelance travel writer and photographer, talks about the ways travel writing enriches lives. - Douglas MacKenzie, Director of Media Relations at Visit Phoenix, gives an overview of what to see and do in Phoenix, Arizona. Featured music is California Days by Josh Pfeiffer, and Rock Gardens, Swimming Pools & BBQs by Michael and Spider.

Want to know our favorite places to see some incredible San Diego sunsets? Read on and let me know if any of these are your favorites as well!

Another one of our favorite places is traveling to Baja California Sur, Mexico. We just love La Paz, one beautiful outdoor lovers paradise. Here's a piece I wrote for Rovology on the best things to do here!

Have you ever visited a place that absolutely touches your soul? This was Taos, New Mexico for me. Here's my story for Rovology!

It's only 13 days to Valentine's Day and we at San Diego Explorer pulled together some great outdoor date ideas for San Diego country residents or those visitin...g our beautiful city during this time. Please read my story below and let us know if you have any other cool hot date ideas to share! We'd love to hear them. See more

I know we all can't wait to travel again...and when we travel, we eat. One of my favorite Southern California coastal towns is Dana Point. And here are some of our very favorite restaurants I've selected in my article for Foodie Flashpacker. Have you tried any of these?

Do you want to build a snowman? I mean a real snowman- yep! Believe it or not, there are places to do just that here in San Diego County. Curious? Read my latest piece for San Diego Explorer to get the inside scoop!

Anyone else dreaming of travel? Here's my latest piece for #rovology on one of our favorite places in the world- the island of Kauai!

What a fantastic gift idea!

I remember Italian Christmas traditions when we lived in Bella Napoli, and my friend and colleague, Chris Cutler who's also an Italian citizen, hits the mark perfectly in her article about the importance of family traditions! I love it!

Writer Linda Kissam reviews a wonderful cookbook by Shelley Wizzin- "A Savory, Sensory and Inspirational Guide to Living a Yummy Delicious Life." Now you know you want to read it and check out some of the recipes Linda listed! Bon Appetit!

I absolutely love Prague...one of my favorite European cities. My wonderful Youngstown, Ohio friend and writer colleague, Chris Cutler points out six things we might not know about Prague in her article below. Give it a look and see. Are there any of these things you didn't know?

Being a California girl, I admit I don't know much about the wines of Michigan. But thanks to friend and fellow colleague, Linda Kissam for introducing us to the Michigan wine region!

Michael Kompanik's latest article for Travel Post Monthly. If you're ever visiting Sonoma Wine Country, this is where you need to stay!

Don't you just love charming places like this? I'd love to stay in this beautiful place (with the perfect name) on my visit to Oregon. See why my friend and colleague, Cori Solomon recommends this lovely B&B!

When two of your stories are featured on Go Nomad's front page, it's a great day! The first is my byline, the second story was ghostwritten by me. Please go in and check out this amazing website! GoNomad.com.

Looking for a little getaway or hoping to get to Southern California for a vacation? Here are some of my favorite places to stay in Coronado...

Though I'm here in Breckenridge, Colorado enjoying the incredible autumn color changes and on a travel planning retreat with my business partner Kristi Dosh, I'm always excited to see an article publish about one of my favorite of the US Virgin Islands- St. John. Here's why we love it!

My latest piece for GoNOMAD.com Travel! This the USVI's best kept secret- and one we didn't know about for years. Water Island! Read about this fascinating island here. Thanks, Max Hartshorne!

I love winery stories, and how beautiful is this one? Cori Solomon shares her visit to Irvine & Roberts Vineyards in Ashland, Oregon.

So sad we had to cancel our trip to the Virgin Islands. But here is why we love it there so much. My next piece will be about St. John! Are any of these your favorite things to do in St. Thomas?

Who doesn't love Paso Robles? It's one of my favorite California wine regions. My friend and colleague, Linda Milks had a wonderful recent road trip here. Read all about her adventures to this magnificent area!

I love everything about Italy, but, when I read the story of this little budding chef from my beautiful Italian friend and writer colleague, , I just had to share. https://issuu.com/foodwinetravelmagazine/docs/summer2020/32

Wine lovers...and those like me who can't wait to get back to the Pacific Northwest, my friend and writer colleague, Linda Kissam is sharing some amazing wine and food pairing in her article here! Perfect for summers and being on the water!

This is such a terrific piece by writer and friend Linda Milks. It will make you want to put Memphis on your travel bucket list for sure!

Wisconsin is famous for its cheese, but, did you know, that you can pair wines with this amazing food? Yep, Wisconsin has great wines, as you'll see in this story by friend and colleague, Linda Kissam! On my bucket list, how about you?

Writer colleague, Stacey Wittig takes us to Wisconsin to learn about this incredible destination known for its wine, cheese, and magnificent views. Wow!

Hey San Diegans and all those planning a trip here- San Diego has a ton of fun & free things to do here with kids and I'm sharing them with you all! You and the kids will love them...

Mexico is open to U.S. travelers. As a matter of fact, I'm hopping on a plane on Sunday and heading to Cancun and Isla Mujeres. If you're tired of couch surfing and wanting a getaway, think Mexico! Here's my article for #rovology on one of our favorite Mexico destinations- Riviera Maya!

It's Newport Beach Restaurant Month! And I applaud writers like my friend and colleague, Deirdre Michalski who like many of us are supporting our local restaurants during this pandemic. If you're in Newport Beach, here are some that Deirdre, a true foodie lover recommends!

Did you know that Betty Crocker lived in Valley Center here in San Diego? I'm not going to give it away, but you'll be fascinated to hear the story of how she c...ame to be the second most-loved female in America at the time other than Eleanor Roosevelt, who she really was, and what the young couple who bought the property have in store. My article for Edible San Diego. One I'm so very, very excited about!!! See more

Who hasn't been to the Italian isle of Capri? It beckons like a siren's call. Sharing this beautiful piece from my friend and colleague, Chris Cutler! #coldpastaredwine #IFWTWA

Ever get confused about chile peppers? Which one to use when? Here's an article by my lovely friend, Linda Milks that will answer those questions. Enjoy!!!

If you've ever wandered how to harvest and prepare prickly pear, here's your chance. Great advice from fellow writer and friend, Stacey Wittig! And she's at one of my favorite Tucson, AZ places, Tanque Verde Ranch!

When Disney and Pixar released the movie "Coco" last year, it introduced many to the amazing Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead. In my article for San Diego Explorer, I talk about the history, culture, and fun way it's celebrated here in San Diego! Let me know what you think!

My story came out in print and online versions. Perfect hope for difficult times. I hope it inspires.

These days I'm thoroughly enjoying covering our local businesses. And I love writing for #SanDiegoExplorer! For those coming to San Diego for vacation, or those just needing a little getaway staycation, here are some places in La Jolla that will meet your needs- from beachy laid-back and tropical to more luxurious! Are any of these your favorites?

Here's some amazing places to dine in Carlsbad. Which one have you dined at or which is on your "must-do" list?

The ABCs of food, wine, and travel. Check out this lovely collaborative piece and get ready for some surprises!

Wonderful winery story from my friend and colleague, Cori Solomon.

Getting out to enjoy the fresh outdoors is ideal, especially these days with the COVID pandemic. I love to hike, especially when there's water involved. Here's my latest article for Travel Pulse. Have you ever been to any of these destinations?

Amelia Island is a lovely destination and this seaside gem has some amazing restaurants!

My latest story for Food, Wine, Travel Magazine. https://issuu.com/foodwinetravelmagazine/docs/springpdf/14

My newly designed website! Please check it out!

Some fun facts about San Diego you might not know. Well, even some of the locals don't know, either. My story for San Diego Explorer.

I would love some shares and reads for my latest article for Travel Pulse. Though we can't travel right now, we can dream about the places we can't wait to visit. How about some of these that were the setting for some of our favorite movies?

Here are some amazing Oceanside restaurants to put on your must-do list once the "stay at home" is lifted. Oceanside has become quite the "foodie" town and these are places you won't want to miss! My article for Foodie Flashpacker! https://www.foodieflashpacker.com/oceanside-ca-restaurants/

We lost a legend when Kobe Bryant died this year. But his legacy lives on through his work ethic and good practices. I used Kobe as an inspiration for my latest article for Great Escape Publishing here. https://greatescapepublishing.com//6-ways-travel-writers-/

Ok, let's have some fun and travel to some fun and funky U.S. art towns! Please read and share. Thanks, everyone. Stay safe!https://www.buzzfeed.com//fun-and-funky-american-art-towns

We may not be able to travel right now, but we can certainly dream about our next destination! Here are four island paradises you won't even need a passport to visit.

See why this wacky, wonky museum is so fantastic. And guess what? There will be Meow Wolf's coming to Denver, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C. and Phoenix.

While we're staying at home...giving this a try!

My colleague's story about Hawaii. We can dream, and this too shall pass! https://playstayeat.com/hawaii-overview/

My latest for Travel Pulse. Let's look at the ways virtual travel is mentally healthy for all of us! https://www.travelpulse.com//5-ways-virtual-travel-can-all