Travel Sleep Repeat

Ant & Kourtni are back! 3 years later and with a little extra "baggage." What is life like now throwing kids into the mix for us travel addicts? We chat all things family travel and what we've learned over the last few years. A & K cover all topics from what to pack to what is the best time to fly? What about picky eaters and snackaholics or those strict sleep schedules? What kind of accommodations are best? How to get through long flights? What is the toughest age to travel? What do we think of tablets? We're offering all the tips and tricks we can share to help you navigated and adapt to travel with children as we've adapted. The best advice we can give is to lower your expectations and have fun! Happy International Woman's Day!

.Ant & Kourtni check in on each other and how the Coronavirus has been affecting them, their networks and countries (Canada & the UK). We have tackled almost all topics, in a loose conversation considered on the pandemic we are facing as a whole. Topics discussed in this episode: Social isolation & distancing- your social obligation to stay inside, remote work, avoid large gatherings and put your travel plans on hold. With so many hot topics, and the ever-changing news and updates we chat about “flattening the curve”, stalk piling groceries, online learning, training and opportunities, social systems and the burden of schools being shut down, real estate, the economic crash, borders closing & travel restrictions, who has been stuck where… and of course: the news, the media, the government, the stats. During this heavy time we are bracing for things to get a lot worse before they get better. We are positive there will light at the end of tunnel and for all our listeners: stay strong, stay positive, reach out.. there is a plethora of resources to help deal with mental health and the fears we are battling. We feel there is a call for change, and a sense of awakening to look more inward and prepare for a new way of thinking, doing, being. As mentioned, we are just average people, with average opinions.. but we are ALL in this together and we will weather the storm. Thank you to all our first line responders, nurses, doctors who are facing the biggest crisis of our lives. Stay healthy, stay in, wash your hands and be safe!

In Episode 7 of Season 2 we chat with Alex Glen, our Aussie friend residing in Adelaide. Alex just returned from a spectacular three-week holiday to Japan and she shares with us an itinerary perfect for anyone wanting to visit this respectful, unique, colourful country. Alex’s Japan adventures consist of stops in Osaka, Hiroshima, Nara Park, Kyoto, Mt Fuji, Kawaguchiko, the Hakuba Mountains, Tokyo & Tokyo Disney + more. She shares with us a ton of tidbits, the best way to get around, her culinary adventures, insight on the culture & the best place to book accommodations. Should you try out a pod? Is the super train worth it? Where’s the best place to start? What’s the grossest food Alex tried? Is Ramen really that good? Why was Japan chosen as the holiday of choice.. was it the history, culture, tech scene, food, or was it the snowboarding? We recorded this episode during a bittersweet Australia Day weekend as our thoughts are with our friends down under during the devastating fires they continue to battle. Follow Alex to see what she gets up to next on insta @toomanyflavours or @alexs_adventuresinwonderland.

In Episode 6 we chat with Lacy Krol & D’Lane Sather, newly engaged and living their best lives on the island of Caye Caulker in Belize. Lacy & D’Lane share with us their love story and how their adventurous spirits brought them to this dreamy island, where they spend their winters and are now planning to wed. Belize is a country in Central America with a Caribbean feel, known for its incredible reefs, Mayan ruins, rainforests, islands and the famous dive spot, the Blue Hole. There is something for everyone in this country, appealing to both thrill seekers and those who like to “go slow”. We chat about life on the island, what’s easy about Belize, ex: its national language is English, making it travel friendly and its currency is conveniently pegged to the USD. What’s the easiest way to get around the country and visit neighbouring countries? How do you get to the islands? What are some hotspots and must sees? Thank you Lacy & D’Lane for sharing with us your love for travel and inspiring us with the way you turned a passion for travel into your full time reality.

Ant & Kourtni chat with our New Yorker friend, Sally Bunnell in Episode 5. Sally grew up in small town Nebraska, where travel was only a dream. She started a career in the media & entertainment biz and now travels the world extensively...she’s only a few countries away from 100 visited! Sally's travel resume & bio isn't the only impressive thing about her, she's got a knack for over the top adventures while attracting the most epic of travel stories. We chat all things New York, which is where she is based when she's not exploring the globe. What's NY like for a local? Where to eat, what to do, what to see. The options are endless for the city that never sleeps. If you want to see the iconic sights, plays & musicals, the worlds best food & restaurants, shopping, professional sports, and so much more NY offers the ultimate city experience, almost feeling alive with its energy you will not be disappointed visiting. There's nowhere quite like New York City and we have fun sharing our memories of the city with Sally, for someone who can live anywhere we think she chose the ultimate spot. Sally is on the cusp of releasing a new travel app, called Navi Savi. It's set for release in 2020 as a video based travel platform, for users to share unedited & accurate travel experiences in short videos. So many exciting things are coming up in the new year and Ant & Kourtni are excited to watch Sally's continued success unfold. Make sure to follow Navi Savi on insta @navisavi_official and our guest @sallybunnell to watch her get to 100!

In Episode 4 we welcome our first guest of Season 2, Seth Stoner. Seth currently works & lives in the capital city of Doha, Qatar. Qatar is a one of the worlds largest oil & gas producers, resulting in a large expat community. In this episode we discuss what brought Seth to Qatar, and his travel experiences leading up to his current life in the Middle East. Is Qatar safe? What’s the food like? How extreme is the climate? What can you do as a tourist? Seth shares his experience living in working in Qatar well as his many other travels & times living abroad. His expat resume consists of Angola, New Zealand, Scotland, Thailand, Papa New Guinea, Canada, and more. The expat life creates excellent opportunity to see the world & experience different cultures. Qatar has beautiful beaches, amazing architecture, sand dunes & sporting events. Being conveniently located it would be a great way to experience a new country & culture while breaking up a long haul flight. A bustling city, and growing in popularity we think you should add this diverse country to your list!

In Episode 3 Kourtni recaps on her last minute, spontaneous trip to Indonesia. Booking this trip on a whim to a country very top of her list, Kourtni shares with Ant why Bali. She shares how to navigate around, some tips & must dos and why this island should make every traveler's resume. The people of Indonesia are super friendly & welcoming. Bali is very safe & affordable, making it an ideal place for people wanting a taste of Asia.  Kourtni focused her holiday on three popular areas, all offering a different experience & equally worthy. Between Ubud, Canggu & the Gili Islands you can’t go wrong visiting any of these incredible places.  Bali, the land of the Gods,  is an island in Indonesia offering a ton of rich culture, being the mecca of spirituality, healthy living, Hinduism, jungle adventures, villa life & gorgeous coasts. The Gili Islands off Lombok have some of the best scuba diving & the ultimate honeymooners retreat.  We hope this episode inspires you to book a trip, find your flow & just go!

S02 E02 Viva Las Vegas! Anthony breaks down an epic itinerary in Las Vegas where he recently travelled to celebrate turning 30! A trip full of memorable surprises, Kourtni & Ant discuss the best way to spend your time celebrating in Vegas. In this episode they’ve touched on some of the best things to do including the Neon Museum, Fremont Street, the High Roller, to helicopter rides, pool days, the best buffets, shows & bars to visit + so much more. There’s so many great National Parks, attractions & incredible places to visit just a quick road trip from Vegas.. making it a perfect place to fly in to start or finish your American adventure. Vegas has something for everyone, make sure to listen for some inspo on the best of what this vibrant city has to offer.

Season 2 Episode 1  Destination Wedding: Spanish Edition We kickstart season 2 reviewing Ant’s destination Spain wedding in May. Ant wed at a Spanish villa just outside Sitges, a coastal town south of Barcelona. The beautiful Villa Masia Notari is worth checking out, what an incredible location to tie the knot. If you’re looking for more info, visit https://www.masianotari.com/en/. On top of sharing a weekend full of love, Ant honeymooned on the island of Ibiza.. where it’s not just about the club life. The spiritual side is what drew Kourtni to visit on her Spanish holiday, and is highly recommended to be a top destination by both Ant & Kourtni.  When visiting Barcelona and the surrounding area make sure to see all the top sights, the city is metro friendly & ensure to book the Sagrada Familia in advance, watch out for pick pockets & eat all the tapas & sangria possible!!

It’s the final of Season 1. Season 2 will be coming soon. In Episode 14 Ant & Kourtni wind up Season 1 with a chat about the podcast & our shared experience, and what we’ve enjoyed the most. We love having this outlet to chat all things travel, sharing our mutual passion while growing, bonding, and learning. We are super proud we pulled it off!  We’d want to thank our guests & listeners for joining in on this little side project we’ve both loved to do and we are looking forward to Season 2 with a brand new batch of guests. For now, we are talking a short hiatus while Ant gets ready for his big day in Spain, and Kourtni starts to get organized for her upcoming Europe trip starting with Ant’s wedding weekend. ✈

On Episode 12 we welcome Elisa Ciraci, our favorite Italian friend! Elisa is from Northern Italy, in the province of Varese- 10 minutes to Switzerland & a 45 min commute to Milan, where she worked for years in the fashion industry. Buying a one way ticket to Barcelona last summer, Elisa put it all on the line making a big move to Spain. Knowing that opportunity would present itself she bet on herself, calling in a new adventure & change. Landing a fantastic career opportunity, a bunch of new friends, and a new home she’s now living her best life in Barcelona! A true Italian, we ask her what she misses most from home - of course, it’s the food. In this episode we discuss different areas to visit in Italy, and Elisa gives us some suggestions that aren’t your typical choices. What coast line is better? Where to stay? How to get around? What are Italians like? With Italy being one of the most popular European destinations, we’ve just covered the tip of the iceberg, or should I say ‘boot’. With art, history, culture, fashion, scenery, sports, mountains, sea, food, weather, wine, Italy really does check ALL the boxes. Follow Elisa on insta @ellis_too, if you need any extra info on Italia- or just to have envy of her colourful & fun life in Spain! Ciao!

In Episode 11 we welcome Katrina Vande Bunte to discuss her travels to Peru, where she hiked the Lares Trek & visited iconic Machu Picchu. Katrina is a former travel agent, now Nurse with a love for travel. She’s had some impressive experiences, including volunteer work in Africa for 3 months, living in Central America & many other adventures. Kourtni and Ant have both visited Peru, with their main focus also being on visiting Machu Picchu- one of the world’s 7 wonders. Their separate experiences were highlighted by completing the Inca Trail, a 4 day hike to MP- the direct trail leading to this popular bucket list stop. Along with visiting MP, Peru has so much to offer, being such a diverse country. Other things on the ‘to do’ discussed in this episode include the Amazon Jungle, Sand-boarding, flying over the Nazca Lines, the Sacred Valley, visiting Cusco, Surfing, the Rainbow Mountains & so much more. The Peruvian people are extremely friendly, and you’ll always feel safe! We chat about the differences between Peru’s two most popular treks, the mysteries of Machu Picchu, tips to prep for the hike, being off the grid, altitude sickness, & what to expect. This episode is truly informative and one of our favs! Ant, Kourtni & Katrina highly recommend crossing this epic adventure off your list. Shout out (again) to G Adventures www.gadventures.com @gadventures and Wayki Adventures http://www.waykitrek.net

In Episode 10 Kourtni sits down with her travel buddy, Laura Harding over a glass (or 2) of wine where they have an (unfiltered) convo on their experiences as travel buddies. A candid convo, and off the cuff, Laura and Kourtni share stories, highs and lows, and how communication, adaptability and laughter are so important when travelling with friends. Laura, and her husband Travis spent the better part of their 20’s travelling the globe, taking more than one sabbatical to live abroad. From Europe to Asia, the Middle East to Australia, Central America to the Carribean they’ve covered a lot of ground as a married couple. Their shared love for travel is a true passion, and a pillar in their relationship. Kourtni’s first solo trip was meeting the Hardings ‘Down Under’ where they were expecting to live and work at the time. This first big trip for Kourtni sparked the travel bug in herself, kickstarting a decade now of awesome adventures- with Laura and Travis alongside for a few. Having also visited Belgium and Holland together, and a month in Thailand, the 3 of them get on well as travel buddies. As now new parents travelling has taken a hold for the Hardings, but they are ready to show their boys the world, and are keen to raise fellow travellers, installing the same love for travel in them. There’s never a shortage of stories to share, and memories to rehash between Kourtni and Laura. Things often tend to get ridiculous and silly between these two, and a lot of love!

In Episode 9 we chat with Joey Couture, our French Canadian ‘voyageur’! Joey was raised outside Québec City, in Eastern Canada. On his first trip to Alberta at 17 he fell in love with the Rocky Mountains & now currently calls Calgary home. His travels include some impressive stops, inc. learning English in Australia & NZ, hiking Mt. Everest in Nepal & Aconcagua in Patagonia, teaching scuba in Honduras & Thailand and running a construction business in Bali. Now focusing more on mountaineering you’ll find him outside exploring and thriving in nature, Joey is active to the extreme. He’s in the midst of starting his own company, with a goal to share his passion of the Rockies with tourists and locals alike- starting with RV & camper van rentals & guiding services. If you’re looking for adventure in Alberta, reach out! We discuss the difference between Québec and the rest of Canada. Why you should visit this beautiful province, full of rich history & French flair. Do the locals speak French? YES! Is the rest of Canada equally fluent? NO! Québec definitely has its own identity. Montreal is Canada’s most vibrant city, so if you’re looking for help on navigating the city and things to see & do, Joeys uncle is also in the tourist industry. Check out the link for his tour company based in Montreal : http://www.tourskaleidoscope.com/home.html Find Joey on insta @joeycouture33 and links to his RV rentals here: https://www.rvezy.com/rv-rental/alberta_calgary_motorhome_classb_ford_econoline https://www.rvezy.com/rv-rental/alberta_calgary_traveltrailer_toyhauler_kz_sportsmen-sportster

In episode 8 we welcome our guest, Stu McLellan. Stu currently resides in West Hollywood, being in Southern California now for 12 years and loving it. Stu has been travelling since he was a small child, growing up in England, born in Scotland & his family even lived in Spain where he got to experience different cultures & influences from a young age. He is an adventure traveller with a love for the great outdoors. Stu is a certified scuba instructor, and in this episode we “dive” into some scuba talk. He also is an avid cyclist taking part in the AIDS/Life Cycle rides - a 545 mile ride from San Francisco to LA. Stu shares his story, how he ended up in CA, why he loves it & how there’s much more than the Hollywood lifestyle living there. To donate to Stu’s ride & more for details on this incredible achievement. Check out this link below. http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR?px=3033640&fr_id=2110&pg=personal

In Episode 7 we welcome our very special guest, Debi Listhaeghe- Kourtni’s mom! Debi has recently retired from teaching and to celebrate her retirement Kourtni & Debi kicked off her first “free” September with a trip to Europe. We discuss what it’s like traveling as a mom & daughter, is there a generation gap that makes things tricky? How the joys of retirement mean more travel and spending time with your family. How did they get around... flying is easiest/ cheapest. How did they navigate? Is Kourtni too trusting? Yes. Is Debi too worrisome? Yes. Did they find a balance? Yes. On their itinerary we brief the 5 countries they covered in 2.5 weeks: Berlin - Krakow & Aushwitz - Prague - over to London & up to Leeds to see friends (inc. Ant!) & ending in Barcelona. Thank you Mom for being so cool and a great travel buddy, congrats on retirement and can’t wait to see more of the world with you! Insta: @debilist

On Episode 6 we welcome Natalie George to discuss an epic itinerary while road tripping in Croatia. Natalie shares a likeminded passion for travel as Kourtni & Ant, having been one of Kourtni’s favourite travel buddies with a few shared adventures under their belts. She recently visited Croatia for her honeymoon & highly recommends the beautiful country. A few tips to note about traveling Croatia: renting a car to explore the country is a must, it is cheap to do so, but toll roads and gas add up. Don’t miss your exits on the motorways, you could end up with hours of detours. You pass through Bosnia between Split & Dubrovnik, make sure you get gas there (it’s cheaper) and you must have a green card in your rental. It can be harder than you think to get food in the evenings in certain places. The water is drinkable. Air BnB is the best way to book and find accommodation. Finally, eat LOTS of gelato, pizza and rosé!! Follow Nat on insta @natannegeorge

On Episode 5, we welcome Canadian Tico, Cody Nikolaychuk- our Costa Rican expert. Cody maintains residency in Costa Rica, where he spent 6 years living and running his families hotel in Samara. Samara is a village located on the pacific coast. You’ll find out why this special place is one of Kourtni’s favorite destinations and why Cody chose to plant roots in this friendly, good vibes, beach town. Kourtni’s Aunt Shelly & cousin Cody own Colina Del Mar, a boutique hotel located on a hill overlooking the jungle and ocean, in the midst of the howler monkeys and toucans..we promise you won’t regret going! Is Costa Rica safe? Yes! Be a mindful & responsible traveller. What are the people like? Friendly! How can you get around? Avoid the chicken buses and rent a car. What’s the food like? Beans & rice or rice & beans? Stop by a ‘Soda’ and find out. Costa Rica is a beautiful country with diverse terrain, tropical beaches, mountainous regions, volcanoes, lush forests & a ton of wildlife. There’s something for every type of traveller and with so many places to visit, depending on what part of the country you want to cover. Some recommendations in this episode include Samara, Nosara & the Nicoya Peninsula, Arenal Lake, Rincón de la vieja, La Fortuna, San Jose, Puerto Viejo, Monteverde. Fun fact and another reason to visit Samara & the Nicoya Peninsula ... it’s one of the world’s blue zones. Where more people than average live to be over 100, and in general are happier & healthier, with a better sense of well being. If you want further advise on Costa Rica, look up Cody on insta, he’ll be glad to help. @cody_niko www.colinadelmarcr.com

On Episode 4 we welcome our first guest, Nick Elliot. Nick is a seasoned traveller, with 20+ years of impressive travel on his resume. We discuss how much things have changed over the years, and how travel has become so much easier and accessible. He’s been around the world numerous times, including extensive travel in South East Asia, with Myanmar being one of his favourite countries to visit and recommend. Nick loves to be off the beaten track, so with Myanmar on the cusp of a tourism influx (after a major political transformation) it holds its appeal. Making sure you do the proper research you’ll realise it can be a safe and welcoming country to visit. Nick recommends Bagan, Inle Lake, Hsipaw, Mandalay, Yangon and by using resources such as www.booking.com or Lonely Planet you’ll find it easy to book accommodations and get around. In Myanmar the people are mainly Buddhist, friendly, inquisitive and eager to learn more about Western culture. Take Nick’s advise and go! With enchanting temples, natural beauty, great food, endless adventure, all while maintaining its authenticity and charm - it’s on our lists! Follow Nick and his future travels (and see if he gets to Bali) on insta! @wherenickgoes Recommended Sites: www.booking.com www.lonelyplanet.com Hosts: @AnthonyDevineUK @Kourtni_Listhaeghe

In Episode 3 Kourtni & Ant start to tackle the Great White North- Canada! Kourtni was born and raised in the province of Alberta, in Western Canada. She currently resides outside Calgary, with the Canadian Rockies to her west. She shares a little about Canadian stereotypes, how different the west is from the east, and how big her country really is- including the vastness of her own province! Yes Canadians ARE that nice, they do say I’m sorry a lot, it Is that cold, they thrive outdoors even in the coldest of temps, and they are very proud of their country. What are the best places to see in Alberta? Come visit, you will fall in love with this beautiful piece of the world. With so much ground to cover, choosing either winter or summer provides two totally different experiences. Regardless of what season you come, a winter trip including skiing, touring, snow boarding or a summer tour with hiking, camping or climbing, you won’t be disappointed. Kourtni and Ant discuss the best Alberta route which includes the Calgary to Vancouver (or vice versa) road trip. Before heading into beautiful British Columbia (a whole different episode) you can’t miss Alberta’s Banff, Lake Louise, and the Icefields Parkway up to Jasper- one of Canada's national treasures. For more Alberta inspo- check out the hashtags #banff #banffnationalpark #lakelouise #jaspernationalpark #travelalberta #explorealberta #icefieldsparkay Oh! Canada, stay tuned for future episodes about this beautiful country, we’ve just covered the tip of the ice berg!

In Episode 2 Ant & Kourtni host an intro discussion on the UK. What even is the difference between the UK, Britain & England? And London...no, it’s not a country! They’ll brief on some of their favourite places, why you should get out of the cities and how to get around via planes, trains & automobiles. They touch on English culture, slang, personalities & a few stereotypes, and they avoid all things Brexit, for now! They’ll also discuss why creating travel buddies is so valuable as to share your homes with each other making travelling abroad more affordable. Kourtni has found great deals well under $850 direct on airlines such as: - British Airways - https://www.britishairways.com - Westjet - https://www.westjet.com - Air Transat - https://www.airtransat.com Ant is born & raised in and around Leeds, being a true Yorkshire ‘bloke’ he’s proud to be British. Kourtni loves England and as one of her favourite countries she thinks you need to visit, maybe she’ll come! For more recommendations & info DM your hosts on insta! @anthonydevineuk @kourtni_listhaeghe

Get to know your hosts Ant Devine & Kourtni Listhaeghe and how a New Year’s resolution kickstarted their goal to record Episode 1 of Travel Sleep Repeat. You’ll hear how they met while travelling and what you can expect in future episodes.  Episode 1 touches on group travel, travel hacks, travel style, travel backgrounds & where to next! Briefing on a few of these topics while introducing our show you’ll hear shoutouts for:  • G Adventures - https://www.gadventures.com/ • Trip Advisor - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ • Been - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/been/id680148327?mt=8 • Skyscanner - https://www.skyscanner.net/ • Hotels.com - https://uk.hotels.com/ For the love of travel, stay tuned for episodes on advice, insight, stories, experiences, and connection! Ant & Kourtni can’t wait to tackle all subjects, all destinations, and all the adventure. They’ll be interviewing likeminded guests to share in the fun while tapping into their networks. Based across the pond from each other, Ant hosts from the UK, and Kourtni in Canada, creating a nice balance. If you share a love for travel, you’ll be sure to enjoy the energy they bring discussing their mutual passion.  Follow your super cool hosts on Insta!  @anthonydevineuk @kourtni_listhaeghe