Cobblestones and Castles

Sarah Magnoni
  • 5.0 (1)
  • History

Cobblestones and Castles is a podcast for women who crave meaningful travel, rich history, and unforgettable experiences with other like-minded women. This show takes you beyond the typical tourist path and into the heart of Europe’s most enchanting places. Think castle stays, boutique hotels, stone-lined streets, legendary women from the past, cozy pubs, Michelin meals, and the kind of journeys that feel intimate and personal. Each episode blends stories, real moments, and thoughtful insight for women who want to explore the world with confidence. Maybe you love the idea of traveling solo but still want the comfort of community. Maybe you want connection, depth, and the freedom to move at your own pace without feeling alone. If that’s you, you’re in the right place. If you’re a woman who loves culture, connection, history, and a touch of luxury this is your space. Grab your passport Sarah’s here to show you the world.

Episodes

  1. Jan 28

    Spellbound in Scotland: Walking Where the Witches Walked

    Between 1563 and 1736, Scotland executed more accused witches per capita than anywhere else in Europe. 84% of them were women. But this isn't just dark history, these are women's stories that matter deeply to how we travel today. In this episode, I'm sharing why our October 2026 Scotland trip, Spellbound in Scotland, is built around witch history. We're not just visiting beautiful castles and drinking whisky (though we're doing that too). We're visiting the only known witch's grave in Scotland, having dinner with the founders of Witches of Scotland, touring the Scottish Witch Trial Museum, and spending an evening with the author of "The Last Witch of Scotland." These women were healers, midwives, widows, and outspoken women who were "too much" of something. And as modern women traveling independently, making our own decisions, taking up space, we get to honor them by living the lives they couldn't. This is what slow, immersive travel looks like—going deeper than the surface, understanding whose stories got told and whose got erased, and reclaiming these spaces as women who refuse to be less than we are. REGISTER FOR OUR 2026 TRIPS WEBINAR happening 1/29 at 6:00pm EST SPELLBOUND IN SCOTLAND October 4-11, 2026 Early bird pricing ends January 30th—save $500 Only a few spots remaining Find our 2026 trip details at here! JOIN THE CONVERSATION Free community on Facebook

  2. Jan 21

    Why I Talk Politics on Vacation (And You Should Too)

    This episode is a little spicy. I'm talking about something most travel advisors avoid: travel is political, and pretending it's not does everyone a disservice. As Americans travel abroad right now, I'm hearing questions like "Will other countries accept us?" and "Is it safe to travel?" But I'm also seeing American travelers show up with entitlement, wearing MAGA hats in French restaurants, and refusing to engage with the cultures they're visiting. It's hypocritical, and it's exactly why we need to travel MORE, not less. I share stories from my own travels, conversations with taxi drivers in Scotland who've been fed Fox News misinformation, Australian war veterans asking why Americans are obsessed with church, and Irish tour guides explaining their complex relationship with immigration. These conversations matter. They opened my eyes, challenged my assumptions, and ultimately changed my politics. Travel should make you curious. It should make you uncomfortable. It should challenge everything you think you know about how the world works. And yes, you should absolutely be talking about politics when you travel, despite what anyone tells you about keeping vacation "light." I also address the real safety concerns people have right now, what's actually happening with ICE and travel restrictions, and my honest take on whether you should still be traveling internationally. If you believe travel should be transformative, not just transactional, this episode is for you. SPELLBOUND IN SCOTLAND now taking registrations! INFO HERE Free Community - Books, Travel, Historical Feminism

  3. Jan 7

    Ireland Travel Planning Mistakes

    Even travelers who spend months planning their trip to Ireland often come home feeling rushed, overwhelmed, and as if they missed something. In this episode, Sarah breaks down three common planning missteps that quietly derail an Ireland experience and explains why Ireland requires a very different approach than most people expect. This episode offers perspective, not itineraries, and sets the stage for deeper planning support through Sarah’s upcoming Ireland planning webinar and her women’s group trip. In this episode, we cover • Why not allowing enough time between drive times creates stress and missed experiences • How Ireland’s changing daylight hours impact what you can realistically do in a day • Why staying too little time in each place keeps you in transit mode instead of experience mode • How Ireland rewards slowing down, lingering, and choosing fewer bases • Why planning more does not always mean planning better Free Ireland Planning Webinar January 17 at 1 PM Eastern Live attendance includes Q&A and limited time replay Ireland Group Trip for Women Curated, slow travel experience with built in solo time and guided days Facebook Community

  4. 12/31/2025

    The Kind of Travel I’m Leaving Behind

    As the year comes to a close, this episode is a reflection on how the way we travel evolves as we do. In this conversation, I’m sharing the travel habits, expectations, and patterns I’m leaving behind and the kind of travel I’m choosing instead. In this episode, we explore: • Travel habits that no longer fit this season of life • Letting go of rushing, pressure, and checking boxes • Why slower and more intentional travel feels better now • Choosing destinations for meaning rather than trends • How travel rooted in history, literature, and women’s stories creates deeper connection This episode is an invitation to pause and reflect on how you want travel to feel moving forward. As you think about the year ahead, ask yourself: • What kind of travel am I ready to leave behind • What kind of experiences do I want to choose next This episode is for women who want travel to feel meaningful, nourishing, and aligned with who they are becoming. Like Travel? History? Join me in my free Facebook group to connect! Historical Feminism - travel where the women of our past lived.

  5. 12/24/2025

    How Your Mindset Shapes Your Travel Experiences

    The podcast episode discusses the importance of mindset in travel and personal experiences, emphasizing the impact of mindset on handling travel mishaps and personal challenges. It also explores the role of mindset in solo travel and the significance of journaling for regulating emotions and maintaining a positive mindset. Takeaways Mindset plays a crucial role in shaping travel experiences and handling unexpected situations.Journaling can be a powerful tool for regulating emotions and maintaining a positive mindset during travel and in daily life. Facebook Group Solo Travel Guide Chapters 00:00 Travel as a Transformational Experience

  6. 12/17/2025

    My First Solo Trip

    This is the real story of my first solo trip at 50 the one where fear tried hard to keep me in my hotel room and I almost let it. I’m walking you through every messy honest moment from standing in Charles De Gaulle trying not to cry to wobbling on a crowded train to Paris to finally sitting with a glass of wine staring at the Eiffel Tower wondering how on earth I got myself there. You’ll hear • How I almost talked myself out of going into Paris at all • Why bravery rarely feels brave in the moment • What it’s actually like to explore a foreign city alone when nothing feels familiar • The parts no one glamorizes the stress the tears the tiny wins • The moment I realized it wasn’t about the Eiffel Tower it was about proving something to myself This isn’t a polished tale of fearless travel. It’s a reminder that saying yes to something that scares you can change you in ways you don’t see coming. If you’ve been craving a trip but fear keeps grabbing the wheel consider this your gentle nudge. You deserve experiences that are just for you. You deserve moments that open you up. And you don’t need perfect confidence to start. Just the first yes. Facebook Community 2026 Women's Trips Resources

  7. 12/17/2025

    Number One Destination For Your First Solo Travel Trip

    Solo travel is more than beautiful photos and highlight reels. In this episode, Sarah shares why Ireland is one of the best destinations for a first solo international trip, especially for women who want to feel safe, supported, and confident without being overwhelmed. Inspired by the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection 2026 report featured in Forbes, this episode examines what makes Ireland a welcoming destination and why Dublin is an ideal home base for solo travelers. If you’ve been feeling the pull toward solo travel but still have questions or nerves, this episode is for you. In This Episode, You’ll Hear About • The emotional side of first time solo travel • Why safety and ease matter more than bucket lists • The European countries ranked among the safest in the world • What makes Ireland especially beginner friendly • Why Dublin is a great base for solo travelers • How to experience Ireland solo without feeling alone Free Training!! How to Plan Your Perfect Ireland Trip Without Overwhelm January 17 at 1 PM Eastern Upcoming Experiences Ireland June 7 to 13 Scotland - October - WAITLIST England - November - WAITLIST Work With Sarah If you want help planning a solo trip or would love to experience Ireland with a small group of women, you can book a consultation to see if working together is a good fit.

  8. 12/03/2025

    Why Taking The Trip Changes You

    In this episode, I’m sharing the real story behind why I started this podcast and how travel became such a defining part of my life. As a pilot’s wife whose partner doesn’t love to travel, I had to learn how to take trips on my own. That experience changed everything for me. I talk about how I ended up traveling without my husband, what it was like taking my kids on trips solo, and how that eventually led to my Business Insider feature. I also share why I created group travel experiences for women and the fears I see so many of us carry when it comes to taking a trip alone. This episode covers: • Learning to travel without a partner • Why women often talk themselves out of travel • The fears and doubts that come up around going alone • How travel helped me reclaim what I wanted • Why I created the Cobblestones and Castles community • How travel quietly transforms us as women If you’ve ever wanted to travel but didn’t have someone to go with, or you’ve put yourself last for years, this episode gives you a look into what shifted for me and why I believe travel can change your life too. Business Insider Article Facebook Community Take a trip with me!

  9. 11/30/2025

    Trailer

    In this trailer, I’m sharing the heart behind Cobblestones and Castles, why I travel, what inspires this show, and what you can expect each week. If you’re a woman who loves history, culture, meaningful connections, and the idea of traveling solo within a supportive group, you’ll feel right at home here. Let’s explore the world together.

  • 9 Episodes

About

Cobblestones and Castles is a podcast for women who crave meaningful travel, rich history, and unforgettable experiences with other like-minded women. This show takes you beyond the typical tourist path and into the heart of Europe’s most enchanting places. Think castle stays, boutique hotels, stone-lined streets, legendary women from the past, cozy pubs, Michelin meals, and the kind of journeys that feel intimate and personal. Each episode blends stories, real moments, and thoughtful insight for women who want to explore the world with confidence. Maybe you love the idea of traveling solo but still want the comfort of community. Maybe you want connection, depth, and the freedom to move at your own pace without feeling alone. If that’s you, you’re in the right place. If you’re a woman who loves culture, connection, history, and a touch of luxury this is your space. Grab your passport Sarah’s here to show you the world.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Magnoni
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Sarah Magnoni
  • Show Website
    Cobblestones and Castles