Lifelong Travel, Pandemic Survival as a Tour Operator, and the Joy of Language Learning with Paula from MP TOURS

EPISODE SUMMARY:

Hi! I’m Tara, a Canadian traveller with a thirst for knowledge and connection. This is my first time hosting a podcast. I’m so incredibly excited to bring you conversations with fellow travellers whose paths I’ve had the pleasure of crossing with around the world. 

This week on Travelling Through Life: A Podcast on the Go we meet Paula Stanghetta, the owner of MP TOURS and my mom! It’s thanks to her that I’ve got my travel bug. She joins us to chat about being a lifelong traveller, navigating the pandemic as a tour operator, missed flights and scary travel experiences, and the joy of language learning. Paula shares how she started MP TOURS, a small group food, wine, and culture tour company to off-the-beaten-path destinations in Italy. We also get deep, discussing how travel has renewed her faith in humanity. 

Travelling through Life: A Podcast on the Go is a fun and quirky show from Travel with TMc that delves into all things travel and adventures from the road, in the air, and in between here and there. Subscribe for weekly updates!

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CHECK OUT PAULA & MP TOURS:

Instagram - @mptours
Website - https://www.mp-tours.com 
Email - info@mp-tours.com 

MORE RESOURCES & LINK FROM TODAY’S EPISODE:

Paula’s Song Choice - Sarà Perché Ti Amo
Paula’s Song Choice - I’m Just a Kid
Italiano Automatico (Language learning tool)
Saje Peppermint Halo Roll-On for Headaches (Must pack item)
Tripit (Travel app)

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Paula Stanghetta, Owner of MP TOURS
02:41 First Trips & Childhood Experiences
10:10 Solo Female Travel Experiences
13:08 Travel Traditions
14:57 Scary Travel Moments: Danger in Germany
16:39 Missed Flights & Hitchhiking
21:55 Language & Travel: Multilingual Upbringing + Japanese & Italian Lessons + Favourite Phrase
29:24 Impact of Tech on Travel Style: Guidebooks, Paper Maps, & Missed Moments
33:43 Off-the-Beaten Path with MP TOURS
38:31 Personal & External Impacts of Travel: We're All the Same + Widened Perspectives
41:38 How to Respect Other Cultures as a Foreigner
46:25 Pandemic Effects on Travel as a Tour Operator 
50:00 Mother-Daughter Bungee Jumping
52:08 Where is Home? Living vs. Travelling Abroad
54:14 Necessary Travel Items
56:33 Safety Travel Tips Learned the Hard Way
01:02:02 Speed Round: River Cruises, Lunch in Vancouver's Savio Volpe, Best Travel Apps & Gifts
01:10:26 Until Nex