OnTravel

The Wyoming Office of Tourism’s Diane Shober joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss the state’s breathtaking beauty, cowboy culture, and wide open spaces. Fans of the Longmire books and TV series will love hearing about the area around Sheridan, and you might be surprised to learn that Wyoming had universal women’s suffrage 50 years before the U.S. ratified the 19th amendment.

Stomp grapes virtually during California Wine Month in September, and enjoy a host of activities and events from your home. The Wine Institute’s Nancy Light joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal some of the myriad virtual events available at DiscoverCaliforniaWines.com. Tune in to learn about virtual wine road trips and more in the Golden State.

Tech and theme park guru James DeRuvo joins Paul and Elizabeth to report on how some of the major theme parks that have opened are doing with regard to COVID-19. In Orlando, Florida, Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World have both reopened, with strict health and safety protocols. At Disney World, for example, in addition to buying your ticket in advance online, you must also make a reservation for the day you visit. You’ll get a temperature check, you must practice social distancing, and anyone age 2 and older must wear a mask, except when eating or drinking. Tune in to learn more about what it’s like to visit a theme park during the age of coronavirus.

GoNomad’s Max Hartshorne joins Paul and Elizabeth to explore Newport, Rhode Island. The famous seaside community is again welcoming visitors, and everyone follows the proper protocols – wearing masks and socially distancing. Max reports on an enlightening Servant’s Life Tour, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the town’s iconic mansions functioned. He and his granddaughter Sofie also helicoptered over the area, went on a Cliff Walk, and went rail-exploring on an abandoned railtrack. Sofie approved.

TheTravelCamel’s Shane Dallas joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal the advantages of visiting less popular, less-touristed destinations. Off-the-beaten-path places typically offer more authentic local experiences and are more affordable. Also, just because a place is unfamiliar, don’t assume that it’s dangerous, says Shane, who advises people to explore the road less traveled.

Douglas Ward, author of the Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Ships guide and Berlitz River Cruising in Europe and the USA, joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss cruising’s future in the wake of COVID-19. Some river cruises have been operating successfully in Europe with no instances of the pandemic, says Douglas, who is based in England and brings a global perspective to the subject. Learn about what your cruise experience might be like once the big ships start sailing again. Check out cruisevoice.com and cruiseberlitz.com 

ThePointsGuy.com’s Gene Sloan joins Paul and Elizabeth to report on the successful sailing of MSC Cruises’ MSC Grandiosa around Italy. In the terminal, the line tested every passenger for COVID-19. Each passenger had to receive a negative test before being allowed to board. The line also instituted other health and safety protocols, such as mask-wearing and social distancing, and the cruise was COVID-free. This is a milestone for the cruise industry, says Gene, and might set the standard for the future.

TheTravelCamel’s Shane Dallas joins Paul and Elizabeth to share his favorite destinations in the Middle East. He predicts that the region will be extremely popular as COVID-19 is defeated. Tune in to learn more about the region where hospitality was perfected.

LuxeAdventureTraveler's Jennifer Dombrowski joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal off-the-beaten-path Bordeaux - places you'll want to explore once we're all able to travel again. Check out a tidal bore - one of only 60 in the whole world. Surfers flock here to ride it, and kayak companies offer tours. Also, visit a medieval castle with gorgeous gardens.

LuxeAdventureTraveler’s Jennifer Dombrowski joins Paul and Elizabeth to report on a newly refurbished chateau in Frances’s Saint-Emilion wine region. Vignobles K, which operates seven chateaus in France, has recently opened the Chateau Bellefont Belcier, an idyllic place, says Jennifer, for a wine-immersive getaway. Belle Fontaine means “beautiful fountain” in French, and the chateau is named for the property’s natural springs. It has 12 guest rooms, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a fitness center – and its vat room has iron work said to have been designed by Gustave Eiffel.

Azurite Consulting’s Eli Diament joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss the results of a recent survey of 3,500 Americans about the impact of COVID-19 on their lives, including travel habits, plans, and expectations. This second in an ongoing series of surveys reveals that more Americans are pushing back travel plans. Tune in to learn some surprising results.

Award-winning travel journalist Larry Bleiberg joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss the importance of visiting places throughout the United States where Civil Rights history was made. His website, civilrightstravel.com, is a great guide for touring them, once we can all travel again, and in the meantime, a great resource for visiting virtually. Larry reports on places where the late civil rights leader and U.S. Representative John Lewis made history. He also discusses some of the momentous events that took place in Nashville, Tennessee; Montgomery, Alabama; and Little Rock, Arkansas. Remembering our country's – and the world’s – civil rights legacies has never been more important.

TheTravelCamel’s Shane Dallas joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss the rapidly changing pandemic situation around the world and how that affects travel. Governments can change or impose restrictions with only a few hours notice, and in many countries, you can’t even travel to a different region without quarantining. Now is a good time to confine your travels to your local area and plan ahead for travel in the future, once COVID-19 has been defeated.

Consumer reporter Laurie Berger joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal what hotels and resorts are doing to enhance cleaning and safety protocols in this age of coronavirus and to recommend things you can do to enhance your own health and safety at hotels. Is it safe to stay at a hotel today? Will you have to have a temperature check at check in? How dangerous is the hotel swimming pool? Laurie, a former editor of the Consumer Reports Travel Letter, answers these questions and more on this lively and informative show.

Gene Sloan ThePointsGuy.com’s Gene Sloan joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss the recent scuttling of plans by several cruise lines hoping to restart cruising with small ships and rigorous health protocols. The ships of several lines, including Hurtigruten and UnCruise Adventures, have been hit with instances of COVID-19. Cruising fans were looking to these forays with hope and perhaps as models for how cruising might come back. Now, the industry must re-think how and when to restart sailing. Check out this episode!

Everything-everywhere‘s Gary Arndt joins Paul and Elizabeth to report on some of history’s most fascinating lesser-known episodes. Like Alantropa, a misguided effort to drain water from the Mediterranean Sea. And the Prime Minister Who Disappeared: Did he drown, or was he spirited away? And The Army That Never Was. You can hear more about these and other quirky historical happenings by listening to Gary’s daily podcast, Everything Everywhere Daily. Check out this episode!

LuxeAdventureTraveler‘s Jennifer Dombrowski joins Paul and Elizabeth and takes us to the Creuse, a gorgeous, pastoral area in the middle of France. She went on a bison safari, took a 6-kilometer hike with a husky, and went rail biking! She also reports on the latest developments in France’s fight against COVID-19. With cases in some parts on the rise, the government has mandated masks in all indoor public places. Check out this episode!

RV sales and rentals are up. GoNomad‘s Max Hartshorne joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal the latest trends in RV travel, including RV styles, the latest gadgets to enhance your RV, and some of the most scenic places to camp in your RV. Check out this episode!

Carnival Cruise Line‘s Vance Gulliksen joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal a behind-the-scenes look at the enormous achievement of repatriating all 26,000 crew members from 119 countries after ocean cruising halted because of the coronavirus pandemic. Also, where do you park a cruise ship when it’s not being used, and how do you maintain it? Plus, a preview of Carnival’s new Mardi Gras, scheduled to set sail in 2021. Check out this episode!

Berlin’s Kirsten Schmidt joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal the outdoor pleasures of the city’s green spaces. The city has 2,500 parks, where people can stroll and easily practice social distancing. You can even visit a beach bar along the river. Plus, a preview of the Berlin Brandenburg Airport (also called Willy Brandt), scheduled to open in October. Check out this episode!

Terry Gardner Travel journalist Terry Gardner joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss virtual education opportunities we can all take advantage of while staying safe at home. You can attend the Mushroom Academy and learn about the health-giving benefits of those fungi. Mushroom coffee anyone? Plus, a free virtual kids’ camp from the Aquarium of the Pacific and see what the brown bears are doing in Katmai, Alaska, via explore.org’s webcam. Check out this episode!

Heritage Barbecue‘s Daniel Castillo joins Paul and Elizabeth to salute the art and craft of great barbecue. Daniel is chef and pitmaster at Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano, California, bringing true Texas-style barbecue to Southern California. He represents a new generation of pitmasters who are enhancing traditional barbecue techniques with modern touches, such as seasonal vegetables from local farms. Two 1,000-gallon offset cookers dominate the outdoor restaurant, where thin, blue, aromatic smoke promises great barbecue. Check out this episode!

TheTravelCamel‘s Shane Dallas joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss great road trips, the most popular form of travel in the age of coronavirus. Shane gives tips on how to safely take road trips and shares stories about some of the world’s greatest drives. He takes us on the Pamir Highway between Tajikistan and Kyrgyztan through the spectacular Wakhan Valley, and along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Mental fuel for when we can all take these road trips again in person. Check out this episode!

The Pursuit of History’s Lee Wright joins Paul and Elizabeth to unveil a virtual road trip to 12 of the United States’ most fascinating historical sites. The live-stream event will take place on August 1, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m, Eastern Daylight Time. But don’t worry if you need to take a lunch break. All 12 of the hour-long episodes will be archived, so log on to AmericasSummerRoadtrip.org to get a virtual tour of each site, along with expert commentary. The program visits places across the country from New Jersey to California and includes lesser-known sites, such as the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, as well as famous favorites like the Wright Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina. Check out this episode!

LuxeAdventureTraveler’s Jennifer Dombrowski joins Paul and Elizabeth to report on France’s return to something that looks a lot more like normal than many parts of the world, due in part to France’s serious lockdown earlier in the year. She takes us to the 13th-century fortified town of Libourne, where the farmers market has been holding forth three times a week for 600 years. Strawberry season has recently ended. Fresh apricots, anyone?

ThePointsGuy’s Gene Sloan joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss the current and future state of the cruise industry. When will the large, ocean-going vessels sail again? What health and safety protocols will be in place? In the meantime, some small, regional cruising is starting in Europe – and is hoping to start in the United States - how are those efforts going? Gene helps us sort through the myriad factors involved in the rebooting of this important travel industry segment.

Noble House Hotels & Resort’s Scott Colee joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal the health and safety protocols the company is instituting as its hotels reopen after COVID-19 lockdowns. Learn about this eclectic collection of boutique properties around the United States and what makes them special. Is it true that the Beatles once fished from one of these hotels?

Travel journalist and photographer Lee Foster joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal why California is such a special travel destination. Its culture, its history, and its incredible natural beauty have inspired generations of dreamers. Lee shares information about the state’s fascinating history and introduces us to some quirky, and resilient, characters.

GoNomad’s Max Hartshorne joins Paul and Elizabeth to share some of the website’s insightful articles. He takes us to Africa’s Victoria Falls, twice as big as Niagara; did you know that you and your sweetheart can stand in two countries – one of you in Zambia and one in Zimbabwe – and kiss across the border? Max also reveals the excitement of India’s Sangai Festival and  takes us to Newfoundland, where he shares his foraging adventure. He gathered edible plants along the seashore and ate moose with fresh berries. (It didn’t taste like chicken.)

Kirsten Schmidt joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal how Hamburg, Germany, along with most of the country, is beginning to open up after a long period of lockdown due to coronavirus precautions. Hotels and restaurants are beginning to open – all with social distancing and mask-wearing. It’s a sign of progress for this, Germany’s second-largest city, famous for its fish market, spectacular symphony hall, Hanseatic League history, and Germany’s most popular attraction: a museum of miniatures called Wonderland. Check out hamburg-travel.com.

TheTravelCamel’s Shane Dallas joins Paul and Elizabeth for Part 2 of his report on the recent Arabian Travel Market Virtual. Sessions revealed the importance of social media in keeping customers engaged during COVID-19 travel restrictions. Through social media, you can remind people of why they like you and make them want to visit you again once travel returns in full force. Also, why some powerful “influencers” don’t like the term.

TheTravelCamel’s Shane Dallas joins Paul and Elizabeth to extol the joys of learning about a destination through its food. You can even do that while sheltering in place – Shane reveals his secret: He talks with a local chef and either takes a cooking class or gets a recipe. Then he gathers the ingredients and makes the dish at home for his family. Tune in to savor some food fun.

GoNomad’s Max Hartshorne joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss what we all need to know about travel’s gradual reopening. They also explore the wonders of Indonesia, including the little-known Ijen Crater, home of the blue flames. And they review some of the cultural dos and don’ts of visiting this endlessly fascinating country, where manners and respect are highly valued.

Travel journalist David Swanson joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss his new book, 100 Things To Do in San Diego Before You Die. Swanson, born and raised in San Diego, brings a real insider’s perspective to the city, whether revealing deeper insights into famous favorites like the San Diego Zoo, or revealing little-known secrets about the region’s distinctive aeronautical history.

BrownPassport’s Samantha Isom joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss some of the challenges people of color face when traveling. Travel builds bridges and breaks down barriers, but the travel and travel media industries need to do more to combat racism. Samantha has been at the forefront of this issue for more than a decade, and her website is a font of information on the subject. Join us for this insightful and thought-provoking discussion.

As we all emerge from lockdowns, vacations in the great outdoors seem to be the most appealing. They’re easy places to social distance and a refreshing environment after months of being cooped up indoors. Chez Chesak, Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association, joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal how to safely venture out to national parks, state parks, and other outdoor destinations.

Tech guru James DeRuvo joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal how you can easily digitize those old photos and slides so they won’t deteriorate and you’ll have them forever. James outlines several easy ways to scan and digitize photos and offers some resources for storing them safely.

AtmosAir’s Tony Abate joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss the company’s innovative air-purification technology and how it can help in the fight against COVID-19. AtmosAir’s patented bi-polar air ionization process, Tony says, is 99.92 percent effective in reducing viruses, including coronavirus. Airports such as Los Angeles International Airport and New York City’s La Guardia have installed the technology, and the company is exploring other large and small venues that might help travelers breathe a little easier.

Kelly Sutter, an expedition guide with UnCruise Adventures, joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal the joys of leading passengers on excursions into Alaska's natural world. Whether kayaking in tiny coves, bushwacking over the muskeg, or visiting with locals in tiny towns like Kake, Kelly never fails to inspire with her expertise and enthusiasm.

GoNomad’s Max Hartshorne joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal the backstories behind some of the website’s popular articles. He takes us to the Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House in Macon, Georgia, where you can see guitars, clothes, and other memorabilia from the band’s heyday. He also introduces us to Max Globetrotter, who bought an ambulance and drove it Guinea, Africa, to donate it to a community in need. And he reports on how Portugal is beginning to open up after COVID-19 lockdowns.

Local guide Francisco Glaria joins Paul and Elizabeth to share the joys of Pamplona, Spain. The famous Running of the Bulls, which usually takes place in July, isn’t happening this year because of coronavirus, but Francisco reveals that there are other great reasons to visit Pamplona, including wonderful pintxos, the Basque version of tapas; fascinating history; and Michelin-starred restaurants. Learn more about Spain at spain.info.

French and European Union residents can now travel throughout France. LuxeAdventureTraveler’s Jennifer Dombrowski joins Paul and Elizabeth to report on a two-night trip she and her husband, Tim Davis, took to a village in the French Basque country. They stayed in a gite (a holiday accommodation), hiked a gorgeous gorge, and explored a cave in the Pyrenees. Jennifer recounts the COVID-19 precautions they took and reveals what it’s like to travel in France now that many restrictions have been lifted.

The Vienna Tourism Board’s Helena Hartlauer joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal how Austria is opening up to visitors. Currently only Austrians – and soon, Germans – can visit, but start dreaming now about the city of beautiful music, amazing pastries, and dancing horses.

VisitMendocino's Travis Scott joins Paul and Elizabeth to reveal the beauty and diversity of California’s Mendocino County, with towering redwoods where you can go “forest bathing” – communing with nature. The county also has beautiful beaches, including a Bowling Ball Beach that resembles a lunar landscape; a Wine and Mushroom Festival in the fall; and Boonville, a town with its own language—boontling.

RedOxx’s Jim Markel joins Paul to reveal his latest advances in creating some of the world’s toughest luggage. He also shares the joys and trials of the his recent trip to Vietnam with his father, who fought there. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the memories of a Marine family.

There’s been lots of speculation about what travel will look like as the world emerges from COVID-19 lockdowns, but TheTravelCamel.com’s Shane Dallas shares with Paul and Elizabeth what hotels and airlines are actually doing. He’s just returned from the Arabian Travel Market Virtual, four days of seminars and panels attended online by some 15,000 people. Top travel executives shared what their companies are doing. Join this lively discussion to learn what the hotel and flying experience will really look like.

LuxeAdentureTraveler's Jennifer Dombrowski joins Paul and Elizabeth from Bordeaux to reveal what France is like now that many COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. The country is still closed to international visitors, but if you’re a resident of France, you can now travel anywhere in the nation. Come with us as Jennifer takes us hiking around two beautiful lakes in former white clay quarries and exploring one of the prettiest villages in France.

As travel begins to open up, road trips are the first mode of travel to return. Automotive expert Dale Snow of Mossy Automotive Group in San Diego, California, joins Paul and Elizabeth to share insider tips on how to prepare your car – and yourself – for that family road trip. And don’t forget the dog! Tune in to learn about how to take a safe and fun road trip this summer.

As states and a few countries gradually begin to open up again after lockdowns, Everything-Everywhere’s Gary Arndt joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss what the future of travel might look like. What lessons will we all have learned from the downtime? And can we now hope for a more sustainable approach to travel? Plus, Gary has an innovative suggestion for cruise ships.

Headquartered in Bordeaux, France, LuxeAdventureTraveler’s Jennifer Dombrowski joins Paul and Elizabeth to report on the Virtual Wine Tastings she’s doing on her website. She hosts them every Wednesday. Log on to join the fun and virtually visit some of the region’s great vineyards and chateaus.