Vacation Mavens

After nearly a decade behind the mic, we're wrapping up the Vacation Mavens podcast with one final episode. Over the years, we've shared travel stories, destination inspiration, and countless tips to help families and moms plan memorable adventures. In this farewell episode, we take a moment to reflect on our journey and to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has listened, shared feedback, and traveled along with us. Podcasting has changed a lot since we started nearly ten years ago, and as the space becomes more crowded, we've realized that it's time to focus on new ventures. Both of us are now working as travel advisors, helping clients plan the kinds of meaningful trips we've always loved talking about here. It's bittersweet to step away, but we're excited for what's next — and so grateful for the community that's supported us. Stick around for some laughs, too, as we share behind-the-scenes stories from our favorite travels together. It's a fun and fitting way to close this chapter of Vacation Mavens and celebrate all the memories we've made, both on and off the road. Thank you for being part of our journey — and for making the last ten years such an adventure.

Dreaming of Alaska? In this episode of Vacation Mavens, Kim and Tamara take listeners beyond the traditional cruise routes to discover one of Alaska's most beautiful — yet often overlooked — national parks. Kim shares her experience visiting Kenai Fjords National Park, including her stay at the secluded Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge on Fox Island and a breathtaking boat tour through glacier-filled fjords. Whether you're planning an Alaska cruise or looking for a unique land-based adventure, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice for exploring Alaska's wild beauty. Episode Highlights: Why Kenai Fjords National Park deserves a spot on your Alaska itinerary — a stunning fjord-filled national park near Seward that many travelers miss. How to get there: Fly into Anchorage and drive about two hours to Seward, where most Kenai Fjords adventures begin. Where to stay near Seward: Kim overnighted at the Windsong Lodge — a comfortable, lodge-style hotel popular with campers and cruise guests. Don't miss: Resurrection Coffee in Seward, a charming café housed in an old church (arrive early — the weekend line can stretch 30 minutes!). The Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge experience: Located on remote Fox Island and accessible only by boat. Just eight guest rooms, creating an intimate and unplugged stay. Welcoming staff greet guests with local juice and take care of all luggage. Lodging includes meals, activities like painting and nature walks, and optional upgrades such as sea kayaking tours. Relaxation and reconnection in nature: Guests can unwind with activities like: A wood-fired sauna and cold plunge in the fjord. A sound bath meditation session with singing bowls. Painting classes overlooking the cove. Optional kayaking tours spotting puffins, sea stars, seals, and even a porcupine on the island. Tips for visiting the lodge: Plan for limited cell service and Wi-Fi — it's a true unplugged getaway. Bring a portable battery pack, since cabins have minimal outlets. Be patient with the shower temperature and remember: it's a wilderness lodge, not a luxury resort. Cabins are cozy and rustic but the chef-prepared meals are outstanding, with fresh, locally inspired dishes and personalized service. Included experience: A 5–6 hour Northwestern Fjords Boat Tour, featuring: Up-close views of glaciers calving into the sea. Stellar sea lion colonies, puffin nesting sites, and eagles. Possible humpback whale sightings (best from June–July). A fun "glacier margarita" made with real glacial ice. Best time to visit: May through September — but book early since space is limited and repeat guests often return year after year. Why this makes the perfect cruise add-on: Ideal for unwinding after a busy Alaska cruise. Offers a chance to experience "the real Alaska" — far from the crowds. Great for couples, families, or anyone craving quiet time in nature. Travel planning tips: Book Alaska cruises early for the best cabin choices and pricing. Be aware that Seattle and Vancouver hotels will be scarce in July 2026 due to the World Cup. Anchorage hotels also fill quickly — plan ahead if you're extending your trip. New resource for travelers: Kim announces the release of her Alaska Cruise Guidebook, filled with practical advice on choosing cruise lines, excursions, and packing tips for Alaska travel.

Planning your first trip to Paris? In this episode of Vacation Mavens, Tamara and Kim talk about Kim's first visit to the City of Light — and what first-time visitors need to know before they go. From choosing the best neighborhoods to stay in and navigating the arrondissements to tips for visiting top attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre Dame, this episode is filled with practical advice and insider tips for making the most of your Paris experience. Whether you're planning a romantic getaway, a girls' trip, or a mother-daughter adventure, this conversation will help you fall in love with Paris from the very start. Episode Highlights: Kim shares her first impressions of Paris and what surprised her most about the city Why five days is the ideal length for a first visit to Paris Tips for understanding Paris's arrondissements and how to choose the best neighborhood for your stay Favorite areas for first-time visitors, including Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Le Marais, and the Latin Quarter Why staying near the Seine makes exploring Paris so much easier French pharmacy finds — what to buy and why La Roche-Posay products in France are different from what's sold in the U.S. Eiffel Tower advice: when to book tickets, how to choose between levels, and the best viewpoints to see the tower sparkle at night River cruises in Paris — from budget-friendly sightseeing options to the luxurious Alain Ducasse dinner cruise experience Why Tamara and Kim both recommend skipping the large public boat tours and opting for a smaller or more premium experience Visiting the Louvre: how much time to plan, ticket and tour advice, and why a guided tour helps make the most of your visit Kim's favorite galleries and sculptures in the Louvre and tips for avoiding crowds around the Mona Lisa Other museum recommendations for art lovers, including the Musée d'Orsay, Musée de l'Orangerie, and Rodin Museum Updates on Notre Dame's reopening and how to reserve a free timed-entry ticket Tips for visiting Notre Dame, including how to use the free app for an audio-guided tour Why Paris lives up to its bucket-list reputation and how to balance sightseeing with time to simply enjoy being in the city

Traveling with kids, parents, and grandparents can be one of the most rewarding experiences—but it also comes with its own set of challenges. In this episode of Vacation Mavens, Tamara and Kim are joined by travel expert Kirsten Maxwell, founder of Kids Are a Trip and Groups Are a Trip. With over 40 countries under her belt, Kirsten shares her best advice for planning stress-free multi-generational vacations, from cruises and resorts to vacation rentals and group tours. Kirsten Maxwell is a travel expert and founder of Kids Are A Trip and Groups Are A Trip, who has turned her adventures across 40+ countries into inspiring travel resources. The best adventures happen when you travel with the people you love the most! You can follow Kirsten on Instagram and Facebook. Whether you're dreaming of a big family trip or just starting to plan, this episode is packed with tips on how to balance budgets, expectations, and activities so everyone—from toddlers to grandparents—has a memorable experience. Episode Highlights: What “multi-generational travel” really means and the different ways families are making it work: "skip gen" (aka grandparents and grandchildren), grandparents, parents and kids, extended family with cousins, aunts and uncles Popular multi-gen trip types: cruises, vacation rentals, dude ranches, all-inclusive resorts, and group tours Family meetings (and honest conversations about budget and expectations) are key before you book Tips for managing food, chores, and shared expenses without stress How to balance mobility needs, activity levels, and different interests across age groups Favorite destinations for all-ages trips, including Lake Tahoe, Orlando, New York City, and all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean Why cruises and resorts with strong kids' clubs make trips easier for parents and grandparents The benefits of guided family tours like Adventures by Disney, Tauck, and Backroads Money-saving tip: ask about group rates when booking cruises, resorts, or tours Practical advice for delegating trip planning (or hiring a travel advisor to take the pressure off) Travel gear pick: crossbody phone case with strap for safety and convenience

In this episode of Vacation Mavens, we are joined by adventure traveler and blogger Sherry Ott of OttsWorld. We dive into what it takes to plan a successful cycling vacation — everything from choosing destinations and tour types, to picking the right gear, training beforehand, and recovering well. Whether you're a biking newbie or looking to level up your next bike‐based trip, this one's packed with insights and practical advice. Sherry Ott is a long-time travel blogger (since 2006) specializing in adventure travel, especially for women. She started leading small group trips in 2018, including unique “cat lady tours” in Japan. Sherry began serious biking during the pandemic, upgrading to gravel bikes and exploring both domestic (U.S.) and international routes (Chile, France, Prince Edward Island). She is passionate about making bike travel accessible, safe, and fun for all skill levels. Episode Highlights Planning & Choosing a Trip Decide between guided and self-guided tours — guided trips offer support and community, while self-guided give you more flexibility. Research destinations with strong bike infrastructure (trail networks, signage, support). Check elevation, distance, and trail type (paved vs. gravel) to match your comfort level. Look for tour companies that provide e-bike options if you want extra support. Read reviews, ask about group size, and confirm whether you can bring your own gear (seat, mirror, pedals). Training & Fitness Prep Start riding regularly at home to build saddle time and comfort. Practice on terrain similar to your trip (gravel, hills, road). Work on balance, confidence, and endurance. Don't underestimate elevation — even moderate climbs can feel tough over multiple days. Safety & Comfort Gear Always bring your own helmet for the best fit and safety. Pack a rear-view mirror (handlebar or helmet mount) for traffic awareness. Wear bright, high-visibility clothing so drivers and riders can see you. Bring rain gear and layers — weather can shift quickly. Prioritize comfort over style on the bike. Recovery & Wellbeing Use compression socks or leggings (e.g. Vim & Vigor) to reduce muscle fatigue. Hydrate often and refuel with snacks during rides. Allow time for rest and stretching after long days. Be mindful of long flights post-trip — keep circulation flowing with compression wear and movement. Helpful Resources Adventure Cycling Association – maps, routes, and trip planning tools. Tour operators like Experience Plus, Biketours.com, and Backroads. Tourism boards for bike-friendly regions with trail networks and infrastructure.

We recently covered Tamara's Galapagos cruise and also some tips for visiting Ecuador, but this week we are digging into where to stay in Ecuador. Tamara gives a recap of her trip including some mini hotel reviews for Hacienda La Danesa, Mashpi Lodge, and Hacienda Zuleta. Episode Highlights Tamara spent 17 nights in Ecuador including 5 nights in the Galapagos, 1 night at Hacienda La Danesa, 2 nights in Cuenca, 1 night near Cotopaxi, 3 nights in Quito, 2 nights in the Mashpi Lodge, and 2 nights at Hacienda Zuleta You wouldn't want to move around this much but Tamara wanted to see a lot of the country Hacienda La Danesa is a good pairing with the Galapagos It is 1.5 hours from Guayaquil It is on a large property with a farm, cacoa plantation, and a teak plantation on site It is an all-inclusive property. There are only seven accommodations and there is also the family home, as it is still family run The lodge is very beautiful with a bar, restaurant, lounge area, and library The design and style is very beautiful and perfect for those that really appreciate nice design Included activities include milking the cows, biking with a local guide, river tubing, a visit to the cacao plantation, and a chocolate tasting and making workshop Additional activities include horseback riding, cooking classes, and off-site excursions For a Cloud Forest experience, especially if you don't want to go all the way out to the rainforest, Mashpi Lodge is a good option to pair with a visit to Quito or Cotopaxi It takes about two hours to get to Mashpi Lodge and the last hour is on a very rough dirt road and not great if you have neck or back issues Mashpi Lodge is really great for birdwatchers Tamara wouldn't recommend it for families with very young kids as it is pretty active 2-3 nights is perfect for the Mashpi Lodge There are morning and afternoon excursions and you can also opt into a night hike Each evening there are presentations from naturalists or biologists It is an all-inclusive experience with meals and activities (not alcohol or spa services) The Sky Bike gives a "birds eye" view of the Cloud Forest but it is hard work to pedal across the cable Hacienda Zuleta is located in the mountains about 1.5-2 hours from Quito It is a historical, family-run, colonial-style hacienda that offers a very authentic feeling stay This is also an inclusive stay with meals and activities The town is known for embroidery and there is a handicraft market every Sunday Some of the activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding (additional), visiting the Condor rehabilitation center, embroidery classes (additional), visits to the cheese making factory, tours of the kitchen garden and grounds, watching the sheep or cows be milked, and more The food is fantastic at Hacienda Zuleta Tamara also spent two nights at Casa Gangotena in central Quito, which is a fantastic luxury hotel which is well-located in the historic old town Related Episodes Galapagos cruise

For this episode, we are joined by Nicky Omohundro of Little Family Adventure and the Untethered and Wanderwise podcast to talk about some of our favorite fall getaways. With over 15 years creating digital content and as a USA Today 10Best family travel expert, Nicky Omohundro operates a nationally syndicated travel website, Little Family Adventure, and award-winning podcast, Untethered & Wanderwise. As a licensed travel advisor and empty-nester with international trips planned, she inspires women over 45 to reclaim their wanderlust and travel independently. Episode Highlights Here are a mix of road trips, international getaways, and local staycation ideas for the fall. Eureka Springs, Arkansas in the Ozark National Forest. Eureka Springs is a cute Victorian town in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. It is a pretty drive and peak fall color is late October. If you like haunted history, the Crescent Hotel is supposed to be one of the most haunted hotels in the country. Vermont is quintessential New England charm and beautiful fall color. You have beautiful country inns and bed and breakfasts. Top towns include Stowe, Woodstock, and Manchester. Hotels book up very early for peak weekends and prime foliage is late September - early October. Victoria, British Columbia is easy to access from the Victoria Clipper from Seattle. The harbourfront is beautiful and Butchart Gardens. It is also a unique wine region. September is a great time to go. Piemonte in Northern Italy. Fall is white truffle season and wine harvest season. You do need to book hotels in advance, especially near Alba because of the Alba White Truffle Market, but otherwise the towns aren't crowded. Portugal is an amazing destination in October, including the Porto and Douro Valley wine region. For sunshine, head to Alentejo where it has started to cool off and you can enjoy wine tasting and relaxation. Oklahoma City - right in the middle of the country but often overlooked, it makes a great weekend getaway. Pumpkinville is one of the best pumpkin patches in the country. You also have great food, art, and history including western and indigenous culture. Next year is the 100 year anniversary of Route 66 and Oklahoma City has the longest stretch of the highway. The old Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel is now set up in Wheeler Park in Oklahoma City. Finger Lakes, New York - it is beautiful in the fall with cute small towns, wine trails, and special events. The area also has a lot of agritourism including apple farms, pumpkin patches, cheese makers, dairies, and even alpaca farms. Boone, North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great scenic drives or hiking on Grandfather Mountain and a mile-high swinging bridge. You can fly into Asheville and drive to Boone. It is also a fun college town. West Coast road trip along Highway 1 from the Washington / Oregon coast, through the sand dunes and into the Redwoods. Some of the small shops in the tourist towns may close during the week as it gets later into the fall. Related Episodes New England travel Portugal girls trip to Douro Valley and Porto Piemonte in Northern Italy West Coast road trip

Today we are talking about what happens when you turn left on the airplane and fly business class! Now that Kim and Tamara have flown business class on many airlines including Delta One, Aer Lingus, TAP Airlines, Emirates, Finnair, Condor, Avianca, and others. Whether you are booking on points or paying cash, there are some things that you need to know first. Episodes Highlights Research what aircraft is flying the route you are looking to buy because the business class can vary dramatically depending on the plane and the layout Keep in mind that the airline can still change the aircraft after booking The airline will provide you with the aircraft type and should list if it is a lay flat seat or a suite You can also research how often the aircraft is switched out Also look at YouTube plane reviews for the specific route that you are looking at booking You may want to splurge on business class on longer flights, for example longer than eight or nine hours Consider if you have an overnight flight, you may want to upgrade to business class Keep in mind that if the flight is leaving in the early evening, it may still be hard to sleep Also, dinner service can really cut into your potential sleep time so on a shorter flight (e.g. from the east coast to Europe), it may not be worth it If you want to book with points, you can also use a paid service or use paid apps to try to find the best reward flights If you are booking on points, keep in mind that you still need to pay taxes and fees on most flights and some airports (such as London Heathrow) are very expensive If you have Avios points, you can move them to different programs but other partner programs you can combine Business class is different than first class. Many airlines don't have first class, such as Qatar or Delta, but others have first class, business class, premium economy, and economy When you are traveling business class, you have access to the priority lane for checking your bags Some airports offer a priority security lane as well When traveling business class, you have access to the airline lounge (if available in the airport) You also get to board early and they will typically bring you a welcome drink Keep in mind that your under-the-seat space is limited in business class and some airlines or aircraft set ups have better storage than others The airline will also provide you with a small amenity kit with a sleep mask, moisturizer, lip balm, and other items They will also provide you with a comfy blanket and pillow and some will make up your bed for you Our favorite business class experiences include Qatar, Turkish Airlines, and JetBlue Mint Our favorite lounge experiences have been the Virgin lounge in Heathrow, the Business Class lounge for Turkish Airlines in Istanbul, and the Garden in Doha, and the British Airways lounge Related Episodes How to choose your seat on the airplane What to know about airline fees Airport travel tips

We recently talked about Tamara's trip to the Galapagos but today we are talking more about the logistics about traveling to Ecuador and some travel tips. Tamara spent 17 nights in Ecuador, including 5 nights in the Galapagos and found it a warm and welcoming country with beautiful and diverse landscapes. Amazing Ecuador helped Tamara organize her trip. Episode Highlights Most flights from the U.S. come into Quito or Guayaquil It is only 3.5 hours from Miami There are many regions including the Cloud Forest, Rainforest, volcanoes and mountains, National Parks, Galapagos, and more Tamara spent: 5 nights in the Galapagos, 1 night at Hacienda La Danesa, 2 nights in Cuenca, 1 night in Cotopaxi National Park, 3 nights in Quito, 2 nights in the Cloud Forest at the Mashpi Lodge, 2 nights at Hacienda Zuleta It helps to work with someone to figure out your priorities and build an itinerary around your interests Generally you want to spend at least two to three nights in each place Cuenca is a UNESCO heritage city with plenty of outdoor adventure nearby too Cotopaxi is at a higher elevation, making hikes challenging If you just have a week, fly in and out of Guayaquil and do the Galapagos and Hacienda La Danesa Safety - you need to be very careful after dark in Quito and other cities and beware of pickpockets. Don't walk around after dark, especially alone Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as their official currency but most places also take credit cards but you will want small bills for tipping and the handicraft markets Many of the hotels are all-inclusive with meals and some activities Ecuador is a huge exporter of roses and through some regions you will see many roadside stands of 25-50 roses for less than $5 Tamara recommends getting a driver because the roads are not very well marked, some aren't in the best condition, Google Maps isn't reliable, and drivers are very aggressive There are a range of four star boutique hotels and luxury hotels Ecuadorian food is very fresh and utilizes year-round produce of veggies and fruit Most meals start with a soup and then have a salad or vegetables. Fish and ceviche is quite popular. Quinoa is a popular grain You shouldn't drink the tap water in Ecuador but the produce at good restaurants and hotels are washed in filtered water Guinea pig is also popular in Ecuador as it is in Peru Chocolate and coffee are also grown in Ecuador and very popular Ecuador is the most densely populated country in South America If you have liked Costa Rica or Belize, you will probably also like Ecuador Related Episodes: Galapagos cruise Mother-daughter trip to Peru Winelands of Chile Chile's Atacama Desert

Kim and her daughter Mia just got back from a mother-daughter trip to Switzerland. They celebrated her high school graduation with a grad trip and since Mia loves mountains and she was already going to be in France with a school trip, Switzerland was her top choice! They visited Geneva, Zermatt and the Jungfrau Region because they really wanted to focus on the mountains. Altogether they spent eight nights in Switzerland and they moved around a lot. The itinerary included: 1 night in Geneva 2 nights in Zermatt to see the Matterhorn 2 nights in Grindelwald 2 nights in Wengen 2 nights in Lucerne If you are going to Switzerland and you really want to spend time in the mountains, skip Geneva and Lucerne and focus more on the smaller towns, not the cities. Their favorite town was Zermatt for hiking and also wine tasting. Grindelwald was the other favorite because of the hotel and the view of Eiger. Some of the activities included: Visit the old town in the cities (e.g. Geneva) Hiking (which are harder than you might expect even on trails described as easy, use Google Maps to see elevation, buy or bring hiking poles if you can and are checking a bag) Cable cars (which are pricey) Matterhorn Glacier (you can also ski even in the summer) Alpine slides / mountain coaster / ziplines The train is a great way to get around the country and if you use a Swiss Rail Pass you also get transportation on some of the cable cars (but not all). It makes it very easy because you don't need to worry about buying tickets. First class will give you more seating options and it is less crowded so it is quieter. It is hard to use the trains if you have large luggage as some of the trains are more for locals/commuters. Try to pack light if you can or use a luggage forwarding service. It is better to stay longer in each destination as you spend a lot of time transiting up and down the mountains via train/cable car. Basing yourself in Murren or other smaller towns ends up with a lot of time waiting for transportation. It makes more sense to stay in Grindelwald, Interlaken, or Lauterbrunnen. When planning a trip, be sure to plan at least six to nine months in advance if you want to stay in town and at the better hotels. Also, when considering different hotels, the hospitality is wonderful but look closely at the amenities that are offered. Most don't have air conditioning but it wasn't needed in the mountains. Some hotels have screens on the windows but not all and there are a lot of flies and some mosquitoes. Keep in mind that shops close early (6-7 pm) and that busses also stop running by 7:00 pm in small towns. Hotels and meals are very expensive in Switzerland, especially now that the dollar is weak against the CHF and Euro. Main entrees are 30-50 CHF per person, salads 12-19 CHF, and beer was cheap but wine was expensive. To save money, you can buy wine or beer at the grocery store to enjoy before you go out. Drink sizes are also very small. The food is a lot of fondue, cheese, pasta, raclette, and chocolate. Other regions might have more regional specialties. Otherwise there are a lot of burgers and international cuisine. If you do have allergies, there are a lot of peanuts and other nuts being served as a snack or included in dishes. Credit cards can be used almost everywhere. In all the tourist areas, everyone spoke English. They were less accommodating in the city or non-tourist establishment. Be sure to pack and wear sunscreen. It is hard to find places to refill a water bottle so you may want to carry your own snacks and drinks.

Tamara is just back from a 5-night Galapagos Islands cruise on board the Galaxy Yacht. She was hosted on this trip by Galaxy Expeditions but all opinions are her own. Galaxy Expeditions operates a number of yachts in the Galapagos and also can arrange for land travel in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. The Galaxy Yacht has eight cabins for a maximum of 16 passengers. Episode Highlights You need to fly to the Galapagos from either Quito or Guayaquil in Ecuador (1.5 - 2 hours) At the airport before leaving the mainland, you need to purchase your tourist card and have your luggage inspected and zip tied to protect the islands from bringing in invasive species A delegate from Galaxy Expeditions met her at the airport to walk her through the process Once you arrive in the Galapagos, you need to pay an entrance fee to support the National Park ($200 per person) and they reinspect luggage, which takes about an hour on arrival You then meet your group and take a bus to the port where you load onto zodiac boats to get to the yacht A 5-night cruise was a nice amount of time to reach many of the islands and see a ton of wildlife but longer would be more tiring and could get a little repetitive Most of the cruises in the Galapagos are 16-32 or maybe 50 passengers If you are prone to motion sickness, you will feel it, especially at night as they moved from place to place The engines are also loud so bring ear plugs or a sound machine to help drown it out I'd recommend bringing Dramamine or seasickness meds as well as sleep aids On board, there were two solo travelers, a few couples and a mother-daughter duo from Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and the USA The food was really good and breakfast was usually a buffet and lunch was a buffet or served and there were usually two options for a dinner entree They also served light snacks and fresh juice or tea after excursions Excursions and meals are included (alcohol is not) Excursions start early and stay busy all day. The first excursion of the day is usually at 6 - 7 am There are typically two hikes per day and one to two snorkeling excursions per day They provide wet suits and snorkel gear on board The week started busy and got a little less so towards the end, which was appreciated Tamara saw sea turtles, fish, penguins, frigate birds, blue, red, and brown-footed boobies, sea lions, iguanas, and Galapagos tortoises There is a naturalist guide on board that leads every excursion and provides so much information about the wildlife and ecosystem The islands Tamara visited on Galaxy Yacht itinerary C are: Santa Cruz, North Seymour, Bartolome, Santiago, Genovesa, South Plazas, and San Cristobal Related Episodes Land-based trip to the Galapagos Mother daughter trip to Machu Picchu Atacama desert in Chile

On this episode we are sharing some of our top tips for finding good guided day tours or special experiences when you are traveling. We will walk through how to find them, how to book, and tips for taking city tours. Episode Highlights On your arrival day, don't schedule a guided tour since your plane may not be on time and you may be tired from traveling. If anything, look at doing something impromptu like a hop on hop off bus or just walking around on your own. On your first full day in a city, it is helpful to take a guided tour to get the lay of the land and get recommendations from a local Some common tour booking platforms are Viator and Get Your Guide. Just understand that these are platforms advertising different tour companies or operators, the tours aren't actually run by Viator or Get Your Guide Often you can find the tour operator name on the listing and if you want, you can look up that company and book direct to support small businesses Be sure to read the details of what is included on the tour and whether or not you are going inside points of interest or just seeing it from the outside Pay attention to the meeting points and end point to choose ones that are fairly convenient for you based on where you are staying Make sure you look at the reviews and ratings before booking a tour Look at the number of people that are on the tour. It will often list the maximum number of passengers on a tour. Some tour companies, like Shore Excursions, offers a back-to-ship guarantee, which is great if you are booking cruise excursions Look at what tickets are included Put in the date when you are looking at pricing as it can vary depending on the season, day of the week, etc. Also, go through the full checkout screen to see what additional fees or taxes are added when building your budget Some other tour companies that we like are: Walks (or Take Walks), Livtours (small groups), Devour Tours (food tours), Eating Europe (food tours), Tours by Locals, The Tour Guy, and City Experiences You can also Google "free walking tours" to find pay as you go or tip-based walking tours by locals Always plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before the tour starts to check in Map out the meeting place before you go and know how you will get there Know if you need to be dressed a certain way (headscarf, covered shoulders, etc) or if you can't bring bags/backpacks, etc. Private tours are great for families or if you have mobility issues because it is easier to customize them Don't forget to tip a good tour guide. Group tour tip is typically $5 per person and a private tour is $10-20 per person if it is a half day or full day Have small bills handy for tipping Rick Steves has great audio tours for Europe, GPS My City has self-guided tours, and VoiceMap is another app for self-guided audio tours that are more cost-effective than a guided tour.

What should you look for when choosing a hotel, and what are some pitfalls you can try to avoid? Get ready for summer travel with this week's episode full of tips and laughs. Episode Highlights Pay attention to the bathroom layouts when viewing photos and reviews as a new hotel trend has been for more open bathroom layouts or glass doors/walls which may not be great for families or friend groups Hotels are getting better at sustainability initiatives but many are just paying lip service so if this is important to you, look for companies truly dedicated to environmental issues and offer things like bottle refill stations If you want to check out the location of the hotel, look at the Google Street view to see more what the area is like Keep in mind that suburban hotels off the highway are more likely to offer free parking, laundry facilities, and free breakfast When booking city hotels, make sure that it is located near public transportation but avoid hotels near train stations or bus stations When selecting a room, look at the square footage to compare the various room categories Keep in mind that when you are traveling internationally, it is hard to find rooms with two queens or doubles. It is even harder to find rooms that sleep five. Typically the rooms will have a double/king or two twins Sofa beds are not always clean so always ask for clean linens, just keep in mind that you will need to make them up yourself Accessible rooms sometimes have lower closets, which might not be great for longer dresses, and the showers might have roll in showers and the floor of the bathroom can get really wet Request a room location away from the elevator / ice machine and a higher floor if near a loud highway Connecting rooms have thin doors and there is a lot of noise that comes through so put in your special request "no connecting room door" Be sure to read reviews and look out for red flags about noise, cleanliness, location, and service Bring a sleep mask or something to cover the glowing appliances and lights in the room Travel with a white noise machine Look out for daily resort fees and high city taxes Some brands or boutique hotels offer happy hours or cookies throughout the day Don't expect upgrades - book the category that you want Check out what the parking situation is and whether or not it is indoors or outdoors. Parking garages will sometimes list the clearance height Tipping housekeeping for good service is appreciated so it helps to carry some smaller bills

Tamara is just back from a multi-generational trip to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. If you have ever wondered what it is like to stay at one of the popular Baha Mar Resorts, now is your chance to get the scoop and see if it is really the vacation of your dreams or not. Episode Highlights: This was a multi-generational trip with 14 people ages 17-83. There were a lot of considerations when choosing a destination including budget, activities, direct flights, and mobility issues. Tamara also considered the Hyatt in Aruba, the Hilton Zemi Beach House in Anguilla, and the Westin or Kimpton Seafire in Grand Cayman. There are three hotels within one resort at the Baha Mar and it has multiple restaurants, making it possible to stay for a week and eat somewhere different every night without taking cabs into town. The food is really expensive at the Baha Mar so you need to build that into the budget as it is inline with going out for a nice dinner in a big city, which is similar to many other island resorts. The three hotels are: Rosewood Baha Mar - luxury property SLS Baha Mar - good for couples, friends, and more of a party scene Grand Hyatt Baha Mar - good for families and more affordable There is also a "Reserve" section of the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar with suites and lounge access that is a hotel within a hotel You fly into Nassau and you fill out a form on arrival and then the immigration line was quite short. They pre-arranged hotel transfers through the concierge. There are many pools within the Grand Hyatt but if you don't reserve a cabana, sunbed or premium lounge chair it could be hard to find chairs, especially if you want a larger group to be together. They rented a cabana at the Nexus Club, which has an indoor section with a couch, television, fridge, and a full bathroom. It also had a sun bed, a table and chairs with an umbrella, and use of two in-pool loungers. It was a private pool just for those renting cabanas or staying at a certain room category that included a hot tub. It also had its own bar and food service. The beach isn't deep but it is longed and it is lined with 4-6 rows of lounge chairs packed in together and the beach was quite busy even in June. There is also a waterpark that is included for guests with some big slides and a lazy river, as well as a good restaurant. You can do paddle boarding and snorkeling and there are also paid motorized water sports and there is an activities desk that arranges excursions and day trips. The Baha Mar also has a kids club with daily activities and there are flamingos that do a "parade" every morning. The food at Baha Mar was very good and even Tamara was impressed. Regatta is where they serve a huge breakfast buffet but it costs about $44 per person. Because Tamara is a preferred partner with Hyatt Prive, she was able to get the following perks and amenities: Free breakfast for 2 people per day per room $100 per room resort credit $50 per room beverage credit automatic upgrade within 24 hours of booking There are many pool bars serving food for lunch and there are also food trucks by the beach. You need to pre-book dinner reservations and they cover the gamut from Italian, Asian, Chinese, Steak, Mediterranean, and some celebrity chef restaurants like Cafe Boulud and Marcus Fish and Chop House (from Marcus Samuelson) In Tamara's opinion, the Baha Mar is better suited for families with teens or adults versus with younger kids as the casino is really the center point of the resort. Related Episodes: Where to stay in the Turks & Caicos Everything you need to know about Beaches Turks & Caicos Sonesta Maho Beach St. Maarten Caribbean cruise Where to go in the Caribbean Planning a Barbados vacation Planning a Grand Cayman vacation

Get ready for your summer vacation and future travel with these expert packing tips! From carry-on to checked bags, here are some things to keep in mind when packing for your next trip. Episode Highlights: Use a packing list! It helps you not forget critical items. Start creating your packing list early in your Notes app Kim has an outfit planner that you can sign up for on Stuffed Suitcase Pay attention to your itinerary to figure out what you need to bring for each activity Also pay attention to the weather forecast for your destination Try to minimize the number of shoes that you bring on a trip Try on your outfits while packing and take a picture of yourself so that you remember what you put together (with shoes, accessories, etc.) You can also put the picture into your notes app with notes about what day you were going to wear it to remember Packing cubes with compression can be great for saving space You can pack the cubes by destination/stop on the trip or daily outfits or just pack all your pants together, all your shirts together, etc. If you are flying on an international carrier, make sure to look up their baggage rules to understand the size and weight of carry on and personal items Even domestic carriers have different weight limits If you are buying new luggage, buy the matching packing cubes that fit perfectly Look for packing cubes that zip to a rectangle and not lumpy Gonex and Eagle Creek can be great brands to try Lay flat bags are great for toiletry bags Travelon makes a good organizer for your electronics Vodka in a spray bottle can help refresh clothes Bring a travel scale to check baggage weights Related Episodes Packing tips for family travel

It is summer road trip season so it is time to recap some of our best road trip tips from preparing, planning, packing, and more. Plus, we share some of our favorite road trips. Episode Highlights Before you head out on a road trip, make sure your car has been serviced recently and check the tires to make sure the pressure is correct. You may also want to top off your fluids and use the bug windshield washer fluid. Bring a go-to kit with wipes, sanitizer, tissues, lip balm, moisturizer, sun screen, and eye drops. Also bring a couple of extra baggies or ziploc bags. Bring a trash bag for the front and back (or for each kid) and empty the trash at each stop. Bring a small cooler and ice pack that you can refreeze each night for left overs and snacks. Have a specific spot for your snacks that can be refilled when needed. Use a car freshener or car air purifier to help keep food smells away. You may want to consider a AAA membership and bring your card with you. For longer road trips, consider bringing a carry on bag with a duffle bag instead of a larger checked bag. Use a duffle bag to transport what you need in and out each night. It is good to have one overnight bag for toiletries and pajamas for everyone that always goes in. Bring a laundry bag that you can put your dirty clothes in each day in your car or larger suitcase. Plan an overnight stay at a place that has laundry facilities. When choosing where to stay, consider staying just off the highway where you are more likely to find a chain hotel that has free breakfast and free parking (and laundry facilities). Plus it is easy to get on and off the highway. Some of the chains like Best Western have summer promotions for multiple stays. Some apps to have are Gas Buddy, Road Trippers, and of course Google or Apple Maps. Google Maps is also good at showing you how busy attractions are at different times of the day. For road trips in less-populated areas, bring a road atlas or paper maps (you can get free maps at AAA if you are a member) Maine Coast road trip - read the full post here: https://we3travel.com/boston-to-bar-harbor-a-maine-coast-road-trip-itinerary/ Florida Keys road trip - read more here: https://yourtimetofly.com/key-west-girls-trip/ Canadian Rockies road trip - read more here: https://we3travel.com/canadian-rockies-vacation-itinerary/ West Coast road trip - read more here: https://stuffedsuitcase.com/west-coast-road-trip/ Road trip packing list: https://stuffedsuitcase.com/pack-car-road-trip/ Related Episodes West Coast road trip Southwest Grand Circle road trip Oregon Coast road trip California road trip Midwest road trip Family road trip tips

Tamara recently took a travel agent FAM trip to Turks and Caicos and spent two nights at The Palms and two nights at The Shore Club. She also visited many other properties and today she shares her insights into each to help you decide where to stay in Turks and Caicos. Episode Highlights Turks and Caicos is known for its beautiful beaches and not for all-inclusives or as a party island Most of the hotels have great accommodations for families with 1, 2, 3-bedroom accommodations and up (including villa rentals) When arriving, be prepared for a long wait at passport control/immigration. Expect about an hour and longer on the weekends. When departing, leave 2-3 hours to get checked in and wait in the security line. There isn't a lot of room in the gate area but there is an area upstairs that has more space. To save time at the airport, you can pay for Fast Track access starting at $75 per person, each way. Private transfers from the airport are about $150 each way, but cabs can be $30+ per person for shared taxis. Taxis throughout the island are priced per person and are pricey. It is about a 15-20 minute drive from the PLS (Providenciales) to most of the hotels The Palms is on Grace Bay Beach (the most famous beach on the island). It is a luxury hotel with a lush, garden-like setting right on the beach. The style and decor is similar to Sandy Lane in Barbados, a colonial or plantation style. Tamara stayed in a one-bedroom suite oceanfront, which was huge with a full kitchen, living room, laundry, dining room, large balcony, bedroom with tons of closet space, and one and one-half bathrooms. They recently did a renovation at The Palms of rooms but also of the pool area and added a new pool/beach restaurant and pool bar (including a swim-up bar). The restaurants at The Palms were very good. Parallel 23 is fine dining and Sisi is modern Mexican. The Palms also has one of the best spas in the Caribbean The high season is during Festive (winter holidays) and President's Day weekend. The low season would be July-September Pricing in the Caribbean is quite high. The Shore Club is across the island on Long Bay Beach. There is a beach-to-beach package so that you can split your week vacation between the two properties. Long Bay Beach is breezy and very popular for kite surfing. The beach itself is narrow but long and The Shore Club has plenty of space to spread out. The water here is very calm and you can walk out very far, especially at low tide. Shore Club is also a luxury hotel and it has a sophisticated feel. There are villas and multi-bedroom accommodations that would be amazing for a girls' trip or multi-generational vacation. The one-bedroom oceanfront suite is huge and great for families with teens because there is a study that has a pull-out couch, full bathroom, and closets and a door that closes off from the rest of the space. There is another pull out couch in the living room. There is a sushi restaurant and a comfort food restaurant, plus pool bars and restaurants. There is a shuttle between the properties and also the four-star Sands property and guests have signing privileges for all the restaurants. The Alexandra Resort is a four-star, all-inclusive on Grace Bay next to The Palms with multi-bedroom suites and restaurants The Wymara Resort has a South Beach, sexy vibe that would be great for couples and honeymooners but the rooms are a bit smaller The Ritz-Carlton is a high-rise hotel with a smaller beach. The second tower is for Ritz-Carlton Residences and you can't use or earn points for the Residences. They are building an Andaz and St. Regis on Turks and Caicos now too. The H20 Resort on Long Bay Beach is a small boutique hotel that is good for people that are independent travelers and enjoy watersports as they have a kite surfing school and tons of rentals. Tamara is going back to Turks and Caicos in the fall for a Family Travel Association conference at Beaches Turks and Caicos (stay tuned!!) On Thursday nights there is a fish fry with food trucks, music, and artisans/souvenir vendors. The Junkanoo band performs and it is such a lot of fun. You can island hop by ferry or plane (but there is a separate terminal for domestic flights) You can also go scuba diving, snorkeling, charter a boat for fishing or island hopping, or boat out to the tiki bar off Long Bay Beach.

Kim recently took a quick trip to her happy place, Disneyland, to attend a special media preview of its 70th anniversary celebration. This yearlong celebration features new entertainment from fireworks to parades, special celebratory food items, decorations throughout the park, and fun interactive activations. There are also promotional package deals available through Kim's partner Getaway Today. Learn more here and use code 'Stuffed Suitcase" when purchasing to save an additional $10 off a 2+ night vacation package. Learn more about Disneyland's 70th celebration foods here: https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/disney-eats-disneyland-70th-celebration-foodie-guide/ See more of the special events and decorations on Kim's Insta post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJskA7ZJRKD/ Related Episodes: Girls' trip to Oceanside, California and Disneyland Disneyland and Irvine, California Disneyland Holidays Planning a trip to Disneyland Disneyland travel tips

If you like culinary or wine travel, you need to put the Chilean Winelands on your travel bucket list. Tamara just came back from a two-week trip to Chile including the Atacama Desert and the Winelands. Episode Highlights: The wine regions are south and west of Santiago It is easy to drive through these regions but it is still recommended to get a driver for days when you are doing wine tasting Two hours south of Santiago is the Colchagua Region that is known for its red wine including Malbec, Bordeaux blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carmenere. One hour west of Santiago is the Casablanca Region, which is closer to the coast, and is more known for its white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. She stayed at the Vibo Wine Lodge in Colchagua. This is a small boutique property on the Viu Manent Vineyards near Santa Cruz. It has individual lofts or tiny homes spread out throughout the vineyards. Another popular place to stay in this region is Clos Apalta, which is a Relais & Chateaux luxury property. Vibo Wine Lodge includes breakfast in the coffee shop on property and they also have two other restaurants, the Rayuela Restaurant and the Vibo Wine and Food Studio. On property you can hike, borrow bikes, enjoy the pool, go wine tasting or set up horseback riding. They also did a wine tour with Colchagua Wine Tours, which was only $125 for a day with a private driver (you pay for the tasting separately.) Tamara enjoyed wine tasting at Montgras Winery and Maquis Winery. They had a nice lunch at Fuego Apalta on the Montes Winery (but she didn't like the wine at Montes.) Tastings of the "icon" wines, which are the top wines, are about $40-50 per person. Clos Apalta Residence is also an excellent place to go for lunch or dinner and you can go wine tasting at the winery. In Casablance, they stayed at La Casona, which is a hacienda which has been converted to a hotel on the grounds of the Matetic Vineyards. This was all-inclusive because there isn't a lot nearby to eat. But the menu doesn't change so it gets repetitive if you are there for any length of time. The package also includes excursions and they did a biodynamic wine tour and tasting, mountain biking, and hiking. They also offer horseback riding and excursions to towns. They took a day trip to the coast and visited Pablo Neruda's house. Related Episodes: Chile's Atacama Desert Wine tasting in Northern Italy

If Hawai'i is on your bucket list, you need to listen to this episode with Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung. Marcie is a family travel blogger and mom of two who's been to Hawaii more than 40 times, staying everywhere from luxury resorts to budget-friendly condos. She helps parents plan unforgettable Hawaii vacations with kids by sharing expert tips, honest reviews, and stress-free itineraries. You can learn more on her website hawaiitravelwithkids.com or follow Marcie on Facebook and Instagram. You can also listen to her podcast, Hawaii Travel Made Easy. Episode Highlights: The most popular tourist islands are: Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii (The Big Island) Oahu is best if you can only visit one island and are looking for a mix of experiences and attractions from Pearl Harbor to the Dole Plantation and also city life, nightlife and beaches on the North Shore or Waikiki Maui is also popular for luxury resorts, a quieter vacation, the famous Road to Hana, and also great restaurants and activities Kauai is even more laid back The Big Island is good for those that are looking to be adventurous and take road trips, plus this is where you will find Volcanoes National Park A first time visitor coming from the U.S. should look at least one week and spend it on Oahu because it has such a range of experiences. If you have two weeks, then you can island hop from Oahu to Maui or Kauai. Be active on Oahu and then relax on Maui or Kauai. Keep in mind that when you island hop you still need to fly and deal with all of the airport security, rental car lines, etc. that eats up a lot of a day in travel. The Big Island is really large and you need at least five to seven days. It takes several hours to drive from the beach area to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Expect to spend about $12,000 or more for a family vacation to Hawaii. Airfare from the West Coast is about $500 and closer to $900 from the East Coast. You can use a Southwest Companion Pass or Alaska Companion Pass if you have them. Accommodations keep getting more and more expensive. Midrange hotels are $350-500 and luxury resorts can easily go over $1000 per night. You need to beware about vacation rentals because they are being closely regulated in Honolulu and often they will be cancelled last minute as there are a lot of illegal vacation rentals. If you go with a vacation rental, go with something reputable. Food is also expensive because so much needs to be shipped in on the islands. Plan on spending about $100 a day on food if you are able to mix up going to restaurants and buying groceries or eating at food trucks. Rental car prices are high and you need a rental car for at least a few days on each island. Keep in mind that hotel parking can be $40-60 per night. Activities are also quite pricey, at $300-500 per person. Luaus are at least $200-350 per person. Narrow down your wish list to 2-3 activities and have beach or pool days or exploring on your own for the rest of the time. Minimum stays during winter break can be 7-14 days and this is the most expensive time to visit. When planning road trips or hikes, be sure to map them out to see how far they are and how long it will take to get there. Don't overpack your itinerary. Related Episodes: Insider tips for visiting the Disney Aulani Planning a Hawaiian vacation

Kim just wrapped up round two of college tours and her daughter Mia has committed to UCLA's School of Engineering! We thought we would share some of our college search experience to help others that are just getting to this phase of parenting. Episode Highlights It is important to visit various college campuses before you begin the college application process to help your student understand the style and size of campus that they feel most comfortable in It helps to start early during their sophomore or junior year Before you look at a particular school, make sure it is a school that you can afford by researching their tuition, merit scholarship opportunities, and the financial aid calculator Join the Parent Facebook group for the schools they are interested in and this is a great source of information but make sure they are run by the school or parents and not just a data-mining company Try to find hotels that are near the college campus for campus visits because it will give you a better sense of what it would like to be on campus. Graduate Hotels is a great chain to look at as their properties are always close to college campuses and it is now part of Hilton Make sure you drive around the campus and the surrounding neighborhood and think about how they would get to campus if they are flying in from out of state If you want to tour campus, you need to make a reservation to join a group tour and these can fill up far in advance Try to time your visit to when students are on campus and not during their spring break Be prepared to ask questions about food, class size, how hard it is to get into the classes they need, dorms, and campus life You can find dorm room tours on YouTube Be sure to check out the student union and see how busy it is and what the options are. Also pay attention to whether or not it is a swipe or cash system Check out the department buildings where your kid would be taking a lot of classes, the library, and where the dorms are Visiting on the Admitted Students day will give your student a good introduction to campus and campus life and provide an opportunity to connect with other students. Admitted Students day typically takes place during April Be sure to pay the housing deposit early unless your school guarantees housing for freshmen If the school doesn't guarantee housing, look at housing costs in the area When thinking about dates, also look at booking hotels for move in, move out, and parent's weekend Make dinner and brunch reservations during move in and Parents Weekend

Tamara and her husband recently took a couple's trip to Chile and this week on the podcast she shares her impressions, experiences, and tips for Santiago and Atacama Desert. In a future episode, she will talk about her week in Chile's Winelands. Episode Highlights Tamara flew Avianca Airlines on a flight deal from Boston to Bogota and Bogota to Santiago. Avianca Airlines business class is more like premium economy and not a very impressive business class but overall the flights went smoothly. She really enjoyed her stay at the Hyatt Centric Las Condes. Las Condes is a nice area to stay in Santiago. If you are visiting Santiago or Valparaiso, be on alert of pickpockets and petty crime and don't wear jewelry and keep your phone secure. Foodies would love the chef's tasting dinner at Borago in Santiago. To get to the Atacama Desert, you fly 1.5-2 hours to Calama and then it is a 1.5 hour drive to San Pedro de Atacama, which is the central hub for the region. Tamara stayed at the Nayara Alto Atacama, which provides a transfer to and from the airport. They offer an all-inclusive rate that includes food, drink, and group excursions. Other options include the Explora and the Tierra and the Awasi offers private excursions. She wouldn't recommend self-driving because there is very little cell service and getting to some of the attractions includes driving on dirt roads. The Atacama Desert is at a higher elevation so it is good to stay at least 3 nights so that you can do the higher elevation excursions later in your stay after you have time to acclimate. Nayara Alto Atacama is part of Virtuoso and booking through Tamara you can get perks that include a $100 spa credit. They did three excursions: Sunset excursion to the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) with some short hikes and finishing with a sundowner Salt Flats and Flamingo Reserve - the salt flats are not the flat white salt that you see in Bolivia or Utah, the salt is mixed with minerals and the flats looks a lot like a white lava field Rainbow Valley - not as dramatic as Rainbow Mountain in Peru but a great landscape with layers of red, white, and green rock Star gazing - the Atacama Desert is well-known for its dark skies and star gazing The food at the resort was fine but lunch was a three-course meal and if you want something more casual you can eat at the bar. The portions are small and there are only a few options per meal, but at least the menu changes every day. Make sure you get the correct adapter for electrical outlets. You need cash for small shops and some tips but you can mostly use a credit card or charge tips to your room Make sure you wear sunscreen and a hat because there is a high UV index Be sure to stay hydrated and bring lots of moisturizer and lip balm Bring plenty of layers because the desert gets cold at night Remember that it is in the Southern Hemisphere so the summer high season is December - March and winter is during our summer. Bring shoes with good traction.

A mother-daughter trip is an incredible way to bond in ways that you can't recreate in your home environment. This week, Kim and Tamara share their tips for mother-daughter trips and provide ideas for some of their favorite mother-daughter trip destinations (these can also be used for mother-son or father-daughter/son trips too.) Episode Highlights When kids are younger, it is fun to find a theme to base the trip around or pick a destination that is tied to their interests Get your kids involved in the planning or allow them to choose a destination. At a minimum, let them choose activities. Plan to do a side-by-side activity like a cooking class, surfing lesson, rock climbing, white water rafting, etc. When you learn something new or get out of your comfort zone, they see how you handle the situation. Group travel can actually be a great solution for a mother-daughter trip because you can interact with others but then your alone time is even more precious. Talk about your highs and lows for each day or part of the trip while traveling. Recognize your kids as individuals and cater to their travel styles and don't try to push your preferences or travel style on them. Also, think about taking a mother-daughter trip with your mom. These trips help kids learn how to be a traveler, how to navigate, and how to make travel decisions. Plan a hotel or two that offers room service when you are on a long road trip. Some of our favorite mother-daughter trip destinations have been: Peru, Canadian Rockies, Ireland, Iceland, Chicago, NYC, cruising, road tripping through the South, and a spa trip. Other Episodes You May Enjoy: Canadian Rockies Ireland road trip Civil Rights Trail road trip Cruising around Iceland Midwest road trip Swiftie trip to NYC

Tamara is just back from a bucket list trip to Peru with her daughter and she shares all about her lodge-to-lodge trek with Mountain Lodges of Peru and tips for visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Tamara “won” this trip as part of an auction that benefits the Adventure Travel Conservation Fundthat takes place each fall When visiting Cusco and the Sacred Valley, it is best to give yourself 3-4 days to get used to the elevation prior to hiking (Cusco is at about 11,000 feet) You can take Diamox or acetazolamide (prescription) to help prevent altitude sickness Coca tea and coca candies help you with altitude but it also has caffeine so it can disrupt your sleep Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo are at a lower altitude so ideal you would start there and work your way up Peruvian food has a lot of rice, quinoa, and potatoes. For proteins there is beef, pork, chicken, alpaca, and a specialty — guinea pig! The portions are also very large. You shouldn't drink the water (even to brush your teeth) and consider avoiding salads, veggies, and fruits that are rinsed in water Tamara and Hannah took a 5 day trek with a small group of six people and one local guide with Mountain Lodges of Peru. The trip was perfect for those that like to hike but don't want to camp. It includes a mix of cultural activities and hikes but you stay at nice lodges. Some activities included visiting an alpaca museum, a ceremony with an Incan priest, enjoying dancing and music with locals at a weaving cooperative, visiting local markets, exploring Incan ruins, and having lunch at local homes. You need to bring your own hiking poles and need to pack in a light duffel bag or backpack The rainy season is typically November – April and they typically close the Inca Trail in February. However, this year was worse than usual because of El Niño. For the most part you can use credit cards but it helps to have some Peruvian Soles (or some US Dollars) to tip guides, pay for bathrooms, and purchase from local vendors and markets. For the first two nights in Cusco, we stayed at the Andenes Hotel, which was affordable, nice, and great traditional architecture. On our return, we stayed at the Palacio del Inka, which is a part of the Marriott Luxury Collection (which we booked via points.) RELATED EPISODES: Machu Picchu with kids Galapagos with kids

On this episode, we are joined by Susan Heinrich from Midlife Globetrotter. Susan is a Canadian writer living in Denver, Colorado. She is passionate about travel and supporting women in tourism. In 2020, she created Midlife Globetrotter, a website and platform that helps women over 40 follow their travel dreams to new places, with destination guides, practical tips and stories of her own adventures. Susan is passionate about reframing midlife as an opportunity, and explores themes of reinvention and self-discovery in her work.  You can follow Susan on Instagramand Pinterest. In this episode, we talk about group tours and group tour operators, especially those that offer group trips just for women. To learn more, see Susan's blog posts about: Women's tours around the world: https://midlifeglobetrotter.com/womens-tours/ How to select a small group tour: https://midlifeglobetrotter.com/how-to-select-a-small-group-tour/ Croatia group tour with Adventure Women: https://midlifeglobetrotter.com/a-womens-sailing-trip-in-croatia/ Episode Highlights Some things to think about when choosing a group tour include: What is the pacing of the trip -- is there any free time, how often do you switch hotels? What is the group size? Small group tends to be under 14 people. Small groups have advantages in terms of the type of accommodation and the size of the tour group when exploring cities What is the activity level? Some companies like Adventure Women and Adventures in Good Company specialize in active trips and offer detailed explanations of the activity level involved in the trip If you are traveling solo, you can also look for tours that are only solo travelers When you are evaluating a group tour, be sure to read the itinerary in detail. You can also call the tour operator and see if they can give you any information on how many solo travelers there might be versus those traveling with a friend or relative. Also look at what the single supplement is. Some companies like Girls Guide to the World have private rooms by default but typically group tours are priced based on double occupancy and if you want your own room they charge a single supplement. Some companies will pair you with another solo travel as a roommate if they don't charge a single supplement. Be sure to read through the documents to understand what is included in terms of transfers and meals Understand who is guiding the trip -- is it a local or a U.S.-based guide Make sure you understand the cancellation policy and buy travel insurance If you aren't sure if a group trip is for you, opt for a private room, start with a shorter trip, feel free to opt out of activities, and maybe start with a trip in the U.S. that doesn't require a more expensive airfare. If you just want to relax or if you don't like having scheduled activities, then a group tour may not be a good fit Good tour operators for budget travelers include G Adventures (now have tours for women and certain age groups) and Intrepid Travel (who have women expeditions to places where you can meet and interact with locals in a way that you couldn't if there were men on the trip) For a luxury trip, Girls Guide to the World is a good fit and Insight Vacations is upscale and have women-only trips For nature and wildlife, Natural Habitat Adventures partner with the World Wildlife Federation and are known for wildlife trips and have women's only expeditions Adventure Women is one of the first companies to get into women only tours and typically offer four-star accommodations with active adventures Backroads is known for cycling and hiking tours and offers some just for women and they have trips that accommodate a variety of activity levels each day There are also group tour operators focused on certain destinations like Viking Women in Iceland Another themed tour is the British Book Club Tour: https://thebookclubtour.com Susan is also co-hosting an art-history based trip to Paris this spring Some women-only focused travel companies and others that have women-only trips Next Chapter Travel - small group, curated trips in Europe Next Tribe - over 45 women Gals Abroad Getaways - luxury Untethered Expeditions - adventure Adventure Women - small group adventure Adventures in Good Company - active  Girls' Guide to the World - authentic, responsible (luxury) Sisterhood Travels - over 50 Country Walkers - walking/hiking Scout Escapes - mother daughter travel and group trips for women over 40 Viking Women - Iceland Explorer Chick - hiking and adventure in National Parks and abroad Insight Vacations - upscale group trips some women only Backroads - women only hiking and cycling Road Scholar - educational, some women only, over 50 Uniworld - women's cruises

Vacation Mavens recently celebrated nine years of podcasting!! For all of you who have been with us for this journey, we thank you for your support! For those that joined us recently, welcome and we look forward to many more years of sharing our travel experiences. Tamara recently launched a new business as a travel advisor! You can learn more about her custom travel planning services here. Even if you aren't looking for full itinerary planning services, you can support Tamara's business by researching and booking hotels (and getting perks with preferred partner hotels) on this online booking platform. Episode Highlights A travel agent and a travel advisor are generally the same but a travel advisor is more apt to offer custom trip planning, versus off-the-shelf packages, and serves as more of a consultant You want to use an advisor for many reasons including: Industry knowledge Destination knowledge Preferred partners Knowledge of sales Traveler perks and amenities Save a significant amount of time in the planning process How do travel advisors make money? Some charge planning or service fees for custom trip planning. Tamara charges based on the length and complexity of the trip, starting at $500 per week and $50 a day for additional for a typical couple or family. Advisors also receive commission from booking hotels, cruises, and trip packages. So travel advisors can't help with booking using points or Airbnb or places that don't offer commission. Generally, it should be the same rate or better than booking directly with the hotel. Many independent travel advisors are part of a larger host agency, which provides buying power and knowledge to get preferred relationships with partners. How do you choose a travel advisor? There are people that focus on specific niches such as cruising, Disney, or all-inclusive resorts Tamara focuses primarily on Europe and North America but she is part of an agency with resources and also partners with in-country specialists who have vetted hotels, guides, etc. It is helpful to work with someone that has been to or is very knowledgeable about the destination Word-of-mouth is a great way to find someone If you are a luxury traveler, you can visit Virtuoso.com and search for the destination. You will then see travel agents that cover that destination in the sidebar You can also find travel advisor specialists on Instagram by searching hashtags such as #luxurytraveladvisor, #travelagentlife, etc. How does working with a travel advisor differ from booking through Amex Travel since Amex Platinum card holders receive perks for hotel bookings within the Fine Hotels and Resorts. You need to book those through Amex Travel. Many of those luxury hotels are also part of a consortium such as Virtuoso. If there is a booking through Amex Travel vs a travel advisor, the booking through the travel advisor will have priority for upgrades. Virtuoso is a consortium for luxury properties and brands that offer additional perks when booked through a Virtuoso agency. The perks include free breakfast for 2, $100 resort or F&B beverage, and upgrade based on availability, or early check in or late check out based on availability Many travel agencies also have other preferred partnerships too that can offer perks or amenities for hotels that aren't part of Virtuoso Tamara works on creating custom itineraries that include hotels, activities, private tours, transfers, etc. However, she can also help with hotel bookings, river cruise bookings, and all-inclusive resorts, often without a planning fee. Does a travel agent help when things go wrong? Yes, they can help you if something goes wrong or if you need to cancel.

On this episode, we are joined by Jessica Williams. Jessica is the author of the award-winning Dachshund educational blog, YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner.com. She's been traveling, hiking, and camping with her dogs for over 20 years. She's taken her dogs on many extended road trips, covering up to 5,000 miles, and she's flown with them many times. Her two biggest dog-focused travel aspirations are living in Switzerland for a month to hike in the Alps and spending a year road-tripping around the US with her dogs to hike and camp. You can follow Jessica on Instagram @youdidwhatwithyourweiner, Facebook, or YouTube. Episode Highlights: Most airlines have pet policies that you should review before booking To travel in the cabin, the pet needs to fit in a carrier that goes under the seat The weight limit is generally 20-25 lbs (although Spirit is higher) You need to call the airline in advance to let them know you are bringing a dog on board as there is a limit to how many can go onboard You don't need to pay for a ticket but you do need to pay a pet fee (typically around $150 each way) According to the FAA, unless you have a true service pet, the pet must stay in the carrier for the duration of the flight Some flight attendants look the other way and you can take the carrier out from under the seat so the pet can see you but technically you can't even unzip the carrier Your pet carrier counts as your personal item so it helps to have a carrier with side pockets for things you need on the plane Aisle seats don't have as much space under the seat in front of you for a carrier. The middle seat has the most space In the airport, the dogs don't always want to use the pet relief area because it smells and is unusual In the airport, dogs should be in carriers but not many people are policing that because service dogs are allowed to be out To go through security, they come out of the carrier and you can walk through the metal detector but you need to take off the collar so they need to behave to not run away and walk through if they are too big to carry Bring along a small water dish, water, and a few treats Jessica recommends layering a potty pad in the bottom of the carrier under a blanket so it is easier to clean if there is an accident Otherwise, you need to potty pad train them before travel Don't feed them right before a flight. Usually, the last meal should be 2-3 hours before travel To find pet-friendly hotels, use bringfido.com Hotels usually have a pet fee, which is typically around $20 per dog per night, but it can also be extremely high Red Roof, Motel 6, Kimpton, and Virgin Hotels generally are pet-friendly without a pet fee but they are franchises and still can charge a fee There is usually a limit of two dogs per room and a combined weight limit of about 150 lbs. Some boutique hotels allow you to bring more than two dogs For international travel, you can get a pet passport for EU countries For Canada, you can drive across the border with your pets The United States changed requirements for dogs coming into the country (even by car) that dogs need to be at least 6 months old, they have to have internationally recognized microchips, and have vaccinations up to date particularly a recent rabies vaccine and health paperwork You need to fill out a CDC import form Some destinations have strict quarantine rules (especially Hawaii and other islands) of 10-30 days Visit AdventuresCats.org to learn more about traveling with cats. Note that many hotels don't allow cats. Tamara recommends TrustedHousesitters.com for free pet and house sitting from vetted sitters. Use her referral link for 25% off a membership!

This week, we are wrapping up our Turkey trip recaps and Tamara fills us in on her visit to Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the lesser-known city of Izmir. Episode Highlights Izmir sits on the Aegean Sea and Ephesus is a popular cruise port for cruises visiting Greece and Turkey. There are also a number of religious sites that attract religious travelers and pilgrimages. One site near Ephesus you can visit what is believed to be the last house that Mary, mother of Jesus, lived in before she died. Bodrum is more of a beach resort but Izmir is a city based on the sea. You can fly into Izmir, which is about 1.25 hours from Istanbul airport and the airport is about 20 minutes outside of the city. Izmir is a good home base for exploring the region in a hub and spoke manner. You should plan to stay three to four days in this region. 1 day in Ephesus 1 day in Izmir 1 day in Urla (fishing village, small artsy town, and wine route) Ephesus is a UNESCO Heritage site that has Ancient Greek and Roman ruins. The site is immense and there is so much that isn't excavated. So much is very well preserved. The Library of Celsus is a highlight. It is worth paying extra to see the houses with mosaics and frescoes. It is recommended to visit Ephesus with a guide and you need at least two to three hours. There is a lot of walking so you need comfortable shoes and it can also get very hot so you want to go early or late and wear a hat and sunglasses. In the summer it stays open until 10 pm at night so you can visit while it is cooler. Selcuk is a cute town nearby where you can go for lunch. The Izmir Marriott is right on the waterfront and has a rooftop pool, restaurant, and nice rooms and location. In Izmir you can: Walk or bike along the promenade along the coastline Visit the Ancient Agora of Smyrna Spend an afternoon exploring the bazaar Should season is going to be better because the heat in the summer can be brutal Izmir is also known as a place to buy wedding dresses Read more about Tamara's time in Izmir and Ephesus: https://we3travel.com/izmir-turkiye-3-day-itinerary/ Related Episodes Istanbul Cappadocia

On this episode, we are joined by Nedra McDaniel from Adventure Mom, who is passionate about having attainable adventures at every stage of life. We are sharing some of our favorite places to go for Spring Break in the USA. You can follow Nedra on her blog, and on social media as @adventuremom on Instagram, Facebook, and others. Expedia recently shared some travel trends for 2024 showing that March is the most expensive month to fly, so if your spring break is in March, you may want to consider a road trip! If you are looking for a cheap airfare, use Google Flights from your airport and put "anywhere" as the destination so that you can sort by price. Spring Break Destinations Florida Keys - is not oppressively hot and humid like it is in the summer. Hawk's Cay in Duck Key is a great location for families. You can take a day trip to Key West and enjoy a wide variety of water sports. Plan a Florida Keys road trip: https://we3travel.com/florida-keys-roadtrip/ Daytona Beach / New Smyrna, Florida - "You have grown up and Daytona Beach has too", it is no longer a party spring break destination but very family friendly. You can go pedal kayaking, climb the Ponce Inlet lighthouse, eco boat tours, see manatees, Daytona racetrack tour, and you can drive on the beach. See more things to do at Daytona Beach: https://adventuremomblog.com/things-to-do-daytona-beach-and-ponce-inlet-fl/ and some of the themed attractions in Daytona: https://adventuremomblog.com/racing-themed-attractions-in-daytona-beach-fl/ Caribbean Cruises - some leave from Florida and some visit Florida ports of call. Just keep in mind that the cruise ships, especially the pools and kids clubs, will be crowded during prime spring break weeks. Read about Kim's spring break onboard Holland America last year: https://stuffedsuitcase.com/review-caribbean-cruise-on-holland-america-nieuw-statendam/ Washington D.C. - Spring break is often Cherry Blossom season and a popular time to visit. For some museums you can arrange timed-entry tickets and many of the Smithsonian Museums are free. D.C. has a great metro system so that you can stay further out to save money and use the Metro to get around. See Tamara's Washington D.C. itinerary: https://we3travel.com/washington-dc-itinerary/ Gatlinburg, TN - Smoky Mountains National Park is free and offers plenty of hiking, be sure to drive or bike Cades Cove Loop, there are also quirky adventures like zorbing, alpine slides, mountain coasters, treetop adventure courses, and Hillbilly Golf. Plus there are so many themed restaurants and shows, along with Dollywood theme park. See Nedra's suggestions for unique adventures in the Smoky Mountains: https://adventuremomblog.com/unique-adventures-try-smoky-mountains/ Phoenix / Scottsdale - spring break is also spring training for Major League Baseball and you can get great ticket prices to watch games in the Cactus League. There are also world-class spas, great brunch spots, and hiking. In the spring the desert is in bloom and beautiful. Scottsdale getaway: https://stuffedsuitcase.com/scottsdale-girls-weekend-itinerary/ Las Vegas - you can use Las Vegas as a base and then explore some of the national parks in the area. It is especially good if you can do Bryce, Zion, and the Grand Canyon midweek and explore the city on the weekends. The Pinball Museum and the Neon Sign Museum are fun and for older teens, try a food tour. See tips for hiking the Narrows: https://adventuremomblog.com/hike-the-narrows-for-an-incredible-adventure-at-zion-national-park/. See more unique adventures in Vegas: https://adventuremomblog.com/7-unique-bucket-list-adventures-in-las-vegas/. And ways to explore from Flagstaff: https://adventuremomblog.com/grand-canyon-beyond-from-the-flagstaff-koa-holiday/ Little St. Simons Island, GA - for families looking for a unique all-inclusive here in the US, Little St. Simons Island is a private island and nature reserve off the coast of Georgia and it is perfect for nature lovers. See Tamara's review: https://we3travel.com/little-st-simons-island-all-inclusive-resort/ Southern California - the weather is great and there is so much to do. Huntington Beach is great if you want to learn to surf. San Diego has the zoo and museums. Plus there are the theme parks. It is also a good season for whale and dolphin watching. See Kim's Southern California itinerary: https://stuffedsuitcase.com/one-week-southern-california-itinerary-disneyland/ Destin, Florida - you can go online and find adventure packs with moms who can consult with you on things to do. You can bike on 30A, go paddle boarding, or go indoors at the underwater-themed bowling alley. Learn more about the adventure packs: https://adventuremomblog.com/why-families-love-destin-fort-walton-beach-adventure-packs/. See more things to do in Destin: https://adventuremomblog.com/things-to-do-destin-florida/ Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama - also on the Gulf of Mexico not too far from Destin, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach has that same gorgeous white sand, blue-green water, and calm surf. There are tons of fun activities, great food, and cool, family-friendly beach bars. See more things to do in Orange Beach: https://we3travel.com/things-to-do-in-orange-beach-and-gulf-shores-alabama/   Related Episodes Kim's Holland America spring break cruise Southwest Grand Circle road trip Kim and Tamara's trip to Oceanside, California Kim and Tamara's Florida Keys trip Las Vegas with kids Kim and Tamara's trip to Scottsdale, Arizona

In November, Kim and Tamara took a trip to Turkey for a travel writer's conference. After their time in Istanbul, they jetted off to different parts of the country to see more of Turkiye. This week, Kim shares her experience in Cappadocia and offers up tips for anyone that wants to experience this magical world of fairy chimneys and sunrise hot air balloon rides. Episode Highlights Plan to stay in Cappadocia at least four days It pairs well with three to four days in Istanbul (it is about a 2 hour flight from Istanbul) Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) is the main airport for the region Cappadocia is not a town but region that is made up of multiple towns Going up in a hot air balloon is a bucket list experience for many but sometimes flights are cancelled because of various weather conditions so you want to leave some extra time in case you need to reschedule Göreme is the main town and definitely a tourist town If you want something quieter, you can stay in Uçhisar Kim stayed in Ürgüp at the Avant Garde Cave Hotel The Pigeon Valley Hike goes from Uchisar through the National Park to Goreme (about 3 miles) The Valley is where all the balloons fly above Göreme also has beautiful sunsets Goreme National Park is where you will find all the fairy chimneys or hoodoos You can book a balloon ride through your hotel or online, there are many tour operators that offer balloon rides Departure time depends on the time of year, but it is usually fairly early morning The balloons are big with large baskets that hold at least 20 people, with 4-5 people in each section Make sure you have a lanyard or strap for your phone or camera The pilots take photos and then sell you the photo package if you want at the end of the ride At the end there is a light breakfast and champagne but no tables or chairs They pick you up and drop you off at your hotel Use AllTrails to find and download nearby hiking trails The Goreme Open Air Museum gives you access to some of the ancient churches You can have a hammam experience for a traditional Turkish bath Pack layers and shoes or hiking boots with a good grip Stay tuned for our next episode about some of our favorite Spring Break destinations! Related Episodes Istanbul, Turkey Favorite hotels of 2024

Airplanes are not known for their comfort or service. So if you want to have the best experience that you can while cramped inside with a bunch of strangers, here is some advice on how to choose the best seats on an airplane. We share our pros and cons of the bulkhead seats and areas of the plane to avoid. Episode Highlights Tamara doesn't like row 1 or the bulkhead row because you can't keep your personal item at your feet and often the overhead bins above that row are full you end up needing to store your valuables and even your carry on bag a few rows back. Often the first couple of rows of economy is where they store crew luggage, blankets, emergency kits, etc and the room is really limited. Also, since those rows are often "premium economy" people sitting there board early and have status and take up the overhead space. Those bulkhead rows also have fixed armrests that are a bit of a wall that can be uncomfortable. Also, this is where your tray table and tv screen is stored there so you also end up looking down if you are watching the screen. These seats also often have the very thick seatbelts with a built in airbag that can be uncomfortable. The middle section bulkhead is also where they put a bassinet and a baby. The pro is that you have leg room and you aren't going to have someone reclining in front of you On the exit row, you also sometimes have a bump out for the slide that cuts into your space in the window seat Remember to always double check your seat assignments in the days and weeks leading up to the trip, especially if there have been any changes to your flights as they may have shifted your seats if there was an equipment change Sometimes the middle section of a larger plane or international flight you can find a seat without someone next to you, especially if you are traveling solo When choosing a seat, always look at the layout and be aware of where the bathrooms are. You don't want to be either right across from the bathroom or the rows nearby if possible Also, if you are sensitive to sound, you may not want to be in the very front or back near a galley because of the noise, light, and movement The row just in front of the exit row is often used for storage in the overhead bins and space is tighter The seats in the exit row or just before/after sometimes don't recline. Also, the very back of the plane or section have seats that only recline a tiny bit Kim and Tamara both prefer the aisle for easy access to the bathroom and to not feel as claustrophobic Windows can be nice if you want to sleep and you aren't getting bumped by people walking by or the carts going up the aisle Kim likes the aisle of the middle section on international flights because sometimes there might be an open seat next to you If you see all four seats of that section booked, it is likely a family and you might want to be two rows before or after that row If you have a tight connection, try to be as far forward as you can in the plane. It is worth paying extra for a premium seat towards the front Seat Guru is not always updated but can be a good resource. Another site that gives seat reviews is Aerolopa If you have an American Express Platinum card you get a $200 airline credit each year but you need to select your airline. This doesn't go to the fare but can be used for seat upgrades or baggage fees If they change your flight schedule, you need to go in and accept or reject the changes. If the schedule changes more than a certain amount of time, they have to give you a full refund

Anyone looking for a weekend getaway from Seattle, or a small-town add-on to a trip to the Pacific Northwest, Whidbey Island is a great choice. Learn all about where to stay and things to do on Whidbey Island and hear about a fun time to visit during Mystery Weekend in February! Episode Highlights: Whidbey Island is one of the northern islands off of Seattle At the end of February each year the town of Langley hosts a Mystery Weekend You can get there via the Whidbey-Clinton ferry route or you can drive and take the bridge Learn more about Mystery Weekend: Kim's article on 5 Things to Know About Langley Mystery Weekend: https://stuffedsuitcase.com/langley-murder-mystery-weekend/ Langley Mystery Weekend: https://whidbeycamanoislands.com/event/langley-mystery-weekend/2025-02-22/ If you live locally, the winter is a great time to visit Whidbey Island because there aren't any crowds and the prices are much lower. Where to stay on Whidbey Island: Comforts of Whidbey - winery bed and breakfast Saratoga Inn - cute historic home turned into a hotel in downtown Langley The island is very dog-friendly with many hotels and restaurants that welcome dogs For the Langley Mystery Weekend you go to the tourism office and purchase a booklet and entry form to guess who did the crime. It offers discounts/coupons for local businesses and encourages you to explore and find clues at different locations. You then put all the clues together to guess and solve the crime. There are also volunteers around town who are in character as part of the story. A local resident writes the mystery every year and it changes each year so you can go every year for a different experience. You need a car to get around Whidbey Island. There is a long highway down the middle of the island and it is easy to navigate. Whidbey Island has an impressive food scene. A few to highlight include: Saltwater - offers pub-style seafood restaurant in Langley Savory - small-plates style restaurant that is perfect for sharing Langley Kitchen - good for breakfast Braeburn - good for lunch and breakfast Things to do in Whidbey Island: Take a hike or get outdoors Earth Sanctuary - $7.00 entrance fee, a space to be in nature, there is also a labyrinth Hammons Family Preserve - great walking trails State Park Beach with kite surfing Shopping Wine, cider and mead tasting rooms What to pack: a raincoat and waterproof shoes Where to take a photo: Hammons Preserve with a view of the water

Kim and Tamara recently visited Istanbul, Türkiye for the first time to attend the SATW (Society of American Travel Writers) Annual Conference. In this episode, they share their insights and tips for others planning a trip to Istanbul including where to stay, top sights to visit, safety, and other travel tips. Show Highlights: Turkish Airlines has a lot of direct flights from the USA (including Boston and Seattle) Turkish Airlines business class varies depending on what plane you are on and you need to be strategic about choosing your seat It takes about an hour to get from the airport to the city center and there is a lot of traffic in Istanbul. Tamara used Welcome Pickups and Kim used Sun Transfers for private transfers, which were both affordable and possibly cheaper than taxis. It is best to stay in the Sultanahmet neighborhood for first time visitors near the main attraction, Kim also stayed in the Galata Tower area but it is very hilly and hard to access for cabs. Tamara stayed at the Hagia Sofia Mansions Hotel (a Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel) and Kim stayed at the White House boutique hotel. They also stayed at the Conrad Hilton during the convention but wouldn't recommend that area unless you are about to get on or off a cruise. You can ask Google Maps for an accessible route to avoid hills. Kim and Tamara really enjoyed taking a small group tour of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. You can do it on your own but the guide takes care of getting the tickets and plan it so you don't need to figure out what time the mosques are open for visitors. You need to cover your hair when you enter a mosque and take off your shoes so it is helpful to wear slip off shoes and socks. In the Hagia Sofia, visitors can only go to the second level and look down at the main prayer area. You can also see the gold mosaics and Christian imagery from when it was a church. The Basilica Cistern is also nearby and it is very popular with very long lines. We would recommend that you buy skip the line tickets online in advance. Tamara took a guided tour but it was hard to stay together in the crowd and you need to use a listening device to hear the guide. The Sulimaniye Mosque, near the Spice Market, is also well worth a visit for its gorgeous architecture. It is equal or even better than the Blue Mosque. The Rustem Pasha Mosque is also beautiful, but smaller. The Spice Market, also known at the Egyptian Market, has tons of shops selling tea and spices. Just beware that they sell via the kilo and that is a huge amount so you need to request a much smaller amount unless you want to spend an arm and a leg. The sales guys are very good at upselling and aggressive about engaging you to get you into the shop. They also offer free samples. See Tamara's tips on visiting to Istanbul as a solo female traveler: https://yourtimetofly.com/istanbul-solo-female-travel/ The Grand Bazaar is largely gold jewelry and knock off designer goods with just a few more authentic shops with Turkish linens or carpets. Make sure you try simit in the morning, baklava, Turkish Delight, and Turkish coffee and tea. There are some shops or tours that include someone who "reads" your tea leaves or coffee grounds. Turkish cuisine is very beef and lamb centric. A braised beef and eggplant is a popular dish. Let the restaurant bring different types of mezze, as many of these are delicious and things you might not have tried if you picked yourself. Gozleme is a flatbread topped with cheese or cheese and spinach. Credit cards are widely used but you should bring cash (or get cash from an ATM) for taxis and you will be able to spend less if you pay in cash when you go shopping. Be prepared to tip. Make sure the taxi starts the meter and know ahead of time about how much it should cost. And if you use Uber, don't let them tell you that they don't pay via the app. The tram is an easy way to get around and there is a kiosk to purchase tickets with an English option.

Kim and her daughter Amelia went to New York City in December to experience the Big Apple for the holidays. In addition to enjoying the holiday markets, ice skating, and decorations, they went on a quest to find all the of the Taylor Swift related spots in the City. If you have a Swiftie fan, give this episode a listen! Trip Highlights: Kim stayed at the Grayson Hotel near Bryant Park, which has a good location but the rooms are very small and the rooftop bar is pretty loud and crowded They visited from Sunday - Wednesday to avoid the weekend crowds Earlier December is better because the crowds get heavier the closer it gets to Christmas and between Christmas and New Years Ice skating in Bryant Park is much cheaper than skating in Rockefeller Center and if you have your own ice skates, it is free. You need to book your time slot when it opens a week in advance. You get 20 minutes to get your skates and 50 minutes on the ice for your time slot. Kim and Mia used CityPASS New York to see many of the sights. The passes are available digitally and you can book reservations (when needed) from within the CityPASS app. They did Top of the Rock at night and then the Empire State Building during the day. During the holidays, Top of the Rock has a seasonal Christmas pop up bar. There are Christmas Markets at Columbus Circle, Bryant Park, Herald Square, and Union Square to visit. Bryant Park is one of the busiest markets. The storefronts on Fifth Avenue are decorated and Sixth Avenue has a lot of large ornaments and other holiday decorations. They didn't get to visit the lights in the neighborhood of Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Taylor Swift Spots in NYC: Housing Works - where Taylor Swift filmed part of the "All too well" video House on Cornelius Street Bus Stop Cafe near Cornelius Street Walk on the Highline Chelsea Hotel See more details in Kim's Instagram post

On this episode, we recap our favorite hotel stays from 2024, with picks that are great for international and domestic travel for couples, friends, or family trips. Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht - part of Hyatt Hotels, this hotel has a fabulous location on one of the main canals in a great area. The staff was helpful and the room was stylish. The only thing to keep in mind is that it has an open bathroom concept, so it wouldn't be great for families or two friends sharing a room. This is a good option for those who travel with points. Chase is a transfer partner with Hyatt. Tamara visited this hotel in January on her weekend getaway to Amsterdam. Exeter Hotel Reykjavik - this hotel also has an open bathroom format. The location is about a 10-minute walk from the main shopping and sightseeing district. The room rate also included free breakfast and there was a passcode-locked gate for storing luggage. Kim stayed here with her daughter before their Windstar Cruise. Weston Inn Vermont - this is a nice luxury inn in Southern Vermont with top-notch service, a great restaurant, nicely appointed rooms, a spa and fitness center with fantastic yoga classes. This is a perfect romantic getaway. Read Tamara's full review. Inn at Laurel Point, Victoria - Kim talked about this hotel on a recent episode about Victoria, BC. It is located right on the waterfront just a short walk from downtown. They have spacious rooms, nice L'Occitane bath products, soaker tubs, and a fabulous cafe and full-service restaurant on site. Sandestin Hilton, Florida - located along 30A near Destin, Florida, this area has gorgeous white sand beaches and calm water. This is a great hotel for families because one of the towers has 300 rooms that have bunk beds. It is easy to have a family of five in one room and not feel cramped. Read Tamara's full Sandestin Hilton review. White House Hotel, Istanbul - had rooms with three twin beds, making it a great choice for a friend trip to Istanbul. The price was extremely reasonable and it is in the Sultanahmet neighborhood near all the main attractions. Hagia Sofia Mansions, Istanbul - this is a Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel, also in the Sultanahmet neighborhood and it was beautiful. The rooms are spread across multiple buildings and the rooms feel very luxurious. There are two restaurants and the breakfast has so much food. Park Hyatt Istanbul - Macka Palas - the hotel room was fabulous but it is located in a high-end shopping district, which may mean you spend more on cabs getting around the city. Avantgarde Refined Urgup - Cappadocia is a region of towns and this hotel is in the up-and-coming town of Urgup. This is a newly-opened, cave-style hotel with excellent service and food. Meneghetti Wine Hotel, Croatia - this is Tamara's favorite hotel of the year. They stayed in a one-bedroom residence that had a living room, 1.5 baths, loft bedroom, with a private backyard and patio. The hotel is located on a wine estate and has multiple restaurants, two pools, a beach club, spa, and more. Read about Tamara's couples trip to Croatia. Other Episodes You May Enjoy Where to go in 2025 Explore Iceland on a Windstar Cruise Weekend getaway in Victoria, BC Explore Croatia from Dubrovnik to Istria Amsterdam with kids

Tamara is just back from a festive trip to Nova Scotia, Canada where she was able to experience small town holiday celebrations, the Halifax Evergreen Festival, and the Christmas Tree Capital of the World! Her trip was sponsored by Tourism Nova Scotia. All opinions are her own. We are looking for feedback for 2025! Do you want weekly episodes? More interviews? Short episodes? Video? Drop us a line at tamara@yourtimetofly.com and kim@stuffedsuitcase.com. Mentioned on the podcast: Tamara visited Halifax, New Ross, Mahone Bay, Lunenberg, Barrington, Liverpool, and Shelburne in Nova Scotia. While Nova Scotia is popular in the summer, it has plenty to offer in the winter for the holidays Many of the small towns feel like walking into a Hallmark Christmas movie set with a great small town, community atmosphere. It is a different vibe from big city holidays or German Christmas Markets, but it is perfect for those that prefer a small town environment. The Canadian dollar is also weak against the U.S. dollar so it is a good budget, off-season destination. It is only a 1.5 hour direct from Boston, but there are also direct flights to other cities on the U.S. East Coast. Downtown Halifax has an Evergreen Festival that includes an Evergreen Bright Trail, a small Evergreen Market with shops and fire pits, and other special events like a sports area with mini curling. Glow Gardens in Halifax is a great event for families featuring indoor light displays, bouncy houses, mini golf, roller skating, a Christmas train, live entertainment, and more. 2 days in Halifax was perfect. Museums in Halifax include the Pier 21 Immigration Museum and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which has a great exhibit on shipwrecks including fragments from the Titanic. New Ross is the Christmas Tree Capital of the World, which ships its Balsam Fir trees. You can visit the Ross Farm Museum or one of the cut-your-own Christmas tree farms. There is also a trail called Ruby's Trail that you can climb through the evergreens to a small chalet, which is home to "Twig the Elf." Mahone Bay had a Christmas festival with a small craft fair and a Christmas bells concert, as well as holiday decorations throughout the shops downtown. Lunenberg hosted a huge community arts and crafts fair for the holidays. The town of Lunenberg is very pretty, with colorful architecture and plenty of restaurants and shops. In Shelburne, Tamara stayed in a huge waterfront suite at Albert's Inn. Shelburne hosted Miracle on Dock Square with a walk-through Christmas parade, visit with Santa, craft fair, and various stands throughout town. It finished with fireworks over the water. Tamara also went searching for the lobster trap and buoy Christmas trees along the coast of Nova Scotia. Tamara finished her stay at the White Point Beach Resort, which has cabins, a lodge, and glomes (glamping domes). It was warm and cozy, with a great view and very nice, even in the winter. Other Episodes You May Enjoy: Summer travel recap: New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island German Christmas Markets European Christmas Markets

Not sure where to go on vacation next year? We have all kinds of ideas from new theme parks, new attractions, new hotels, cities and destinations celebrating anniversaries, destinations that are easier to access thanks to new direct flights, and more. Plus, stick around to hear where to avoid in 2025 too! Universal Orlando is opening Epic Universe in May of 2025 and you currently need to buy a three-day ticket, with one day to be spent in the Epic Universe Park. There are also three new hotels opening in 2025 in conjunction with the new park. Walt Disney World is also reopening the Test Track attraction and getting a new parade in Magic Kingdom. Disneyland will also be celebrating its 70th anniversary all year long and adding a new Walt Disney animatronic attraction. Two new attractions will also open in the Avengers land. Mattel Adventure Park is opening in Glendale, Arizona with a Barbie Fun House and Hot Wheels roller coaster. Oklahoma City is opening an Okana Resort with a hotel and waterpark right next to the new First Americans Museum near the Bricktown entertainment district. Santa Rosa, California is celebrating the Peanuts comic strip's 75th anniversary at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center. (Hear more about Kim and Tamara's trip to Santa Rosa.) Germany is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Fairy Tale Route (read more about Jade from Vagabond 3's tripwith her daughter) Southwest is now flying direct flights to Iceland from more cities (such as Nashville). Just know that you won't be able to use your Companion Pass for Iceland flights. This winter is also supposed to be another peak solar cycle to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, Alaska, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. There are also new direct flights from Atlanta and Philadelphia to Copenhagen via a KLM code-share with Delta. Copenhagen is one of the oldest theme parks in the world and the city is quite family friendly. If you are traveling to Europe next year, at some point they will introduce the ETIAS visa and the UK is now going to introduce its own visa system in January 2025. 2025 is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth and cities like Bath, England will be doing a lot to celebrate. It is a great time to plan a trip for literary fans! Fiji now has direct flights from Dallas. Fiji is an affordable and exotic destination for families, which is easier to get to and much cheaper than places like the Maldives. There will also be new direct flights from Newark, NJ to Faro in the Algarve in Portugal (hear about Kim and Tamara's trip to Portugal). United also has flights to Sao Miguel in the Azores. Turks and Caicos has opened many new luxury hotel properties and beachfront villas and offers beautiful beaches. They are also opening a second airport. Indianapolis will be a great spot for a girls' trip or a mother-daughter sports-themed trip - just get your tickets to the Indiana Fever very far in advance. Seattle is also a great sports city with a women's soccer team and WNBA team. Italy is celebrating the Jubilee year from December 2024 through Epiphany January 6, 2026. Rome is going to be extra busy next year, especially at the Vatican (and it could be closed for events.) In 2025, Tamara will be visiting both Peru and Chile in March and April 2025. Kim is meeting her daughter Mia in Paris in July and doing eight days in Switzerland.

Imagine taking a weekend getaway to another country without needing a car or getting on a plane! Kim recently took a trip to Victoria, British Columbia. Victoria is on the tip of Vancouver Island and is actually closer to the U.S. than Vancouver. You can take a high-speed ferry on the Victoria Clipper directly from Seattle. Another option is to take a seaplane from Kenmore Air or Harbour Air from Vancouver. There is also a car ferry from the Port Angeles area. You can listen to more about Kim's previous trip on Episode 139 about Victoria or read her tips for taking the Victoria Clipper. This trip was hosted by the Victoria Clipper. The high-speed ferry takes about 2.5 hours from Seattle. The ferry drops off in the main Victoria Harbor and you can walk to the Inn at Laurel Point. Kim has also stayed at the Coast Hotel during a previous stay, but that is slightly further away from the city center. The Fairmont Empress is great for a luxury stay or even just to book a high tea experience. Things to do on a weekend getaway: Butchart Gardens - which also offers high tea in the original family home. If you book a trip on the Victoria Clipper, they offer vacation packages that also include things like bus transfers to the Gardens. In the Harbour, Canada has done a place-making project to give more visibility to First Nations as it was historically a very important cultural site for many local First Nations people. There are three free daily shuttles to the Malahat Skywalk, which is owned by the Malahat Nation. You climb a ramp through an open, beehive-like structure and at the top, you can climb on a net and look out over the scenery and the water. There are also various sculptures made by locals. You can walk back down or take a slide for part of the descent. You can also go wine tasting in Victoria at Blue Grouse Estate Winery with a gorgeous tasting room, or the Venturi-Schultz Vineyard, where they also make estate balsamic vinegar and Enrico Winery. Local wines include Pinot Noir, sparkling wine, and white wines. Ritual Nordic Spa in downtown Victoria has a great Nordic spa experience with steam, a sauna, a cold plunge pool, salt room, showers, an infrared sauna, and a private patio for relaxation. Aura is the restaurant at the Inn at Laurel Point and is excellent (the coffee shop also has amazing croissants) Endive is a pescatarian restaurant with seasonal ingredients and many things are served family style.

Tamara recently took a press trip to San Antonio, Texas, hosted by Visit San Antonio, to see what there was to do in San Antonio for families. She found that San Antonio has a lot of history and culture, great food, fun theme parks, and plenty of free or affordable attractions. San Antonio could make a great winter or spring break family vacation (when the weather is cooler). The city is also ideal for a girls' trip or couples getaway weekend. Top sites include: San Antonio is the theme park capital of Texas with four theme parks within a short drive. They have the largest SeaWorld of all the parks. There is also a Six Flags, Schlitterbahn water park, and Morgan's Wonderland. Morgan's Wonderland is an ultra-accessible amusement park but built so that everyone can play. Each ride and attraction has been designed from the ground up to be accessible and conscious of those with special needs. The San Antonio CityPASS can save you money if you want to visit quite a few museums and attractions (including the San Antonio Zoo). The Riverwalk extends for 15 miles and outside of the core downtown horseshoe section, it is a quiet and lush urban park. You can even kayak on the river. The Pearl is a dining and entertainment district with residences and the Hotel Emma. The food in San Antonio is great and it is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Some highlights: Eddie's Taco Shop, Best American Daughter, Burgerteca, Stix and Stone, The Jerk Shack, and La Panaderia In addition to the Alamo, there are four other Missions that are run by the National Park Service, which offer even more to see. The Witte Museum is great for kids with plenty of interactive exhibits and play areas. The Japanese Tea Garden in Brackenridge Park is beautiful and peaceful Hemisfair Park downtown also is great for family with young kids with splash pads and climbing structures. Tamara stayed at the Intercontinental San Antonio Riverwalk on the quieter section of the Riverwalk. There are also great resort hotels in Hill Country just outside of San Antonio. See more about Tamara's trip and reasons to visit San Antonio with kids. Other Episodes You May Enjoy Girlfriend getaway to El Paso, Texas Things to do in Austin, Texas with kids

Kim recently took her two girls to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando for a mother-daughter getaway. Hear more about her trip, learn some strategies for using Lightning Lane, new rides, new theme parks coming, and comparisons between the parks. It was hot, humid, and rainy in the afternoons, but they still had a fun time exploring all the parks. Luckily, Universal Orlando has more indoor rides that help on rainy days. Updates from Walt Disney World Tron in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom - it is like riding a motorcycle but on a roller coaster track. The ride is fabulous but really short. Splash Mountain is now Tiana's Bayou Adventure - this is a two-by-two flume-like ride that has been redesigned. Disney now has Lightning Lane Multi Experience and Lightning Lane Single Experience. With the Multi Experience, it works on multiple rides and as soon as you tap into one ride, you can request the next Lightning Lane. You want to purchase and prebook your first ride in advance. Single Experience is where you can buy a Lightning Lane time slot for individual rides like Tron or Rise of the Resistance. Disney's Lightning Lane experience is better than Universal's Express Pass because they load people from that lane faster. Disney has also changed their rules around their Disability Access service and made it much harder to obtain a pass. Keep this in mind if you have children with special needs and have used that service in the past. Tip: If you want to stay at one of the Deluxe hotels on property, you can stay by renting Disney Vacation Club points. (Riviera has Skyliner access) See Kim's article on renting and using DVC points. Disney is building a new ride in the Avengers Campus and they are getting rid of the Tom Sawyer Island and Riverboat in Magic Kingdom to create Cars Land. Updates from Universal Orlando Note: Universal Orlando hosted Kim's family for this part of the trip. Kim stayed at the Loews Sapphire Falls, which is a Moderate property and does not include the Express Passes. The Sapphire Falls is within walking distance to the parks and guests get one hour early entry. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure still has very long lines. The nice thing about the Universal Express Passes don't require you to book any times online, so it is less stressful to manage. However, many people have these passes because they are staying at the premium hotels and the lanes load slowly so sometimes you don't save a lot of time (sometimes only about 10 minutes of time savings). There is a Universal Express Unlimited Pass that lets you ride a ride in the Express pass lane as much as you would like, without limits. Universal Orlando is building a whole new theme park in 2025 called Epic Universe. It is going to be further away from CityWalk and the other parks or hotels. It will also have another portion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Ministry of Magic. There will also be two premium hotels and a How to Train Your Dragon land.   Other Episodes You May Enjoy Disney Vacation Club tips Choosing a Disney World hotel Walt Disney World tips Universal Orlando's Volcano Bay Universal Orlando insider tips

If you love Italy and Greece, you are going to love today's destination! Tamara shares her two-week trip with her husband to Croatia. They visited Dubrovnik, Korcula, Hvar, Split, Zadar, and Istria for a mix of relaxation, food, wine, history, and cultural exploration. Croatia is a lovely country to visit because it is very clean and one of the safest countries to visit in the world. Unfortunately, it is also surprisingly expensive. It isn't the "cheaper" Italy. You can see a full Croatia budget breakdown. Istria was less expensive than other parts of the country. Tamara's itinerary included: 3 nights in Dubrovnik at the Rixos Premium 1 night in Korcula at Aminess Hotel Korcula 3 nights in Hvar at the Beach Bay Hvar Hotel 1 night in Zadar at Hotel Bastion 4 nights in Istria at the Hotel Meneghetti You can find her full Croatia itinerary for couples here. It is best to fly into one city and fly out of another. For example, fly into Dubrovnik and out of Zagreb. To get around in the southern Dalmatian region and islands, you can ferry hop to different islands. To visit the northern part of the country, it is best to rent a car. Another option is to take a small ship cruise or yacht charter to explore the coast and islands that way. Other Episodes You May Enjoy Tamara's anniversary trip to Greece Couples trip to Piemonte, Italy

Tamara heads to Tucson, Arizona frequently since her daughter Hannah is now a junior at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Kim and Tamara first experienced Tucson together at a Family Travel Association Conference, but since Hannah started school Tamara has visited a number of times. While many of her activities are centered around the University of Arizona, she has taken time to explore more of the area. A few tips for visiting Tucson: Visit in the summer for lower prices but expect dry temps over 100 and it can also be monsoon season with short heavy rain storms and flooding Avoid May graduation, August move in, Parent weekend in September or October, the Mineral & Gem Show in February, and big football or basketball games to find better availability for hotels If you want a resort hotel with a pool, you are better looking at some of the hotels in the foothills versus downtown You need to rent a car if you want to stay at a resort and explore the area It is about 2-2.5 hours from Phoenix if you want to fly into there instead of Tucson or combine the two destinations Favorite hotels: Best for families: Westin Paloma See Tamara's picks for the best places to stay in Tucson Favorite for couples: Hacienda Del Sol Best near campus: Graduate Tucson Best downtown: Home2Suites by Hilton Things to do in Tucson: Saguaro National Park Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum Sunset at West Gate Pass Night sky star gazing at Mt Lemmon Windy Point or Kitt Peak Hiking in Sabino Canyon Pima Air and Space Museum Horseback riding at White Stallion Ranch / Cowboy Cookout at Tanque Verde Ranch Old Town Tucson Shopping along Fourth Avenue Enjoy Mexican food See more things to do in Tucson Great brunch spots in Tucson Other Episodes You May Enjoy Scottsdale Tempe, Arizona

Kim just came back from her third cruise of the year and her first small-ship cruise on Windstar Cruises. TL;DR, she loved Windstar and small ship cruising! In this week's episode Kim dishes on everything you need to know about small ship cruising on Windstar. Plus, hear about her pre-cruise excursions from Reykjavik including a small group Golden Circle tour with Hidden Iceland and hot springs experiences at the Sky Lagoon and Blue Lagoon. Note: Kim was hosted by Windstar Cruises for purposes of her review. All opinions are her own. Highlights of the Windstar Cruise experience: Small staff with personalized service Easier to make connections with fellow cruisers Very large cabins with a sitting area, walk in closet, and large bathroom Dining options Observatory lounge OTHER EPISODES YOU MAY ENJOY Princess Alaska Cruise Holland America Caribbean cruise Barge and river cruising through France Off-the-beaten path in West Iceland Iceland family travel tips

Are you ready to go leaf peeping in New England this fall? Tamara shares some great destinations and road trips on where to go to northern New England including Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. New England covers Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island If you are visiting in the fall, you will want to keep an eye on the fall foliage trackers and know that the further north you go, the earlier it will peak The prime time is late September through mid-October for fall travel How to plan a New England road trip: fly into Boston and then head north to Portland, Maine and then into the White Mountains of New Hampshire and then into Vermont You will need at least a week to do a road trip if you are flying in Otherwise you can easily plan a long weekend 7 Fall New England road trip options Best things to do in New England with kids The White Mountains in New Hampshire makes a great long weekend or even weeklong trip Where to go glamping in New England Where to stop on the Kancamaugus Highway in New Hampshire Vermont is great for couples with quintessential charming towns Burlington, Vermont is a fun getaway and Brattleboro is perfect for artists. One of Tamara's favorite towns is Manchester, Vermont. Tamara has done a wonderful romantic getaway at the Weston luxury inn in Vermont Plan a Vermont road trip Highwood Retreat in Vermont is an off-the-grid glamping spot great for couples Lumen Nature Retreat in Lincoln/N.Woodstock, New Hampshire Alpine Garden Glamping in the White Mountains has a great location with cabins, Hobbit Houses, and a treehouse and it is located on a winery Best lobster rolls in Maine Best vacation spots in Maine Boston to Bar Harbor Maine coast road trip Things to do in Portland, Maine in the winter Things to do in the Berkshires in the winter and summer Best family vacations in New England (for every season) Other Episodes You May Like Fall travel destinations Off-the-beaten path in Maine Tamara's New England travels Planning a girls' trip to Maine

Kim is back from her 7th Alaska cruise! This one was on Princess Cruise visiting the Inside Passage that cruises from Seattle and visits Victoria, Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagaway and sails through Glacier Bay.  Note: Kim was hosted by Princess Cruises for her trip. This cruise visits Victoria very briefly at night so not a good choice if you really want to visit Victoria When evaluating cruises, you need to look closely at the time and length in port very carefully If you do want to pick a cruise that flies out of Vancouver, it may be cheaper to fly into Seattle and take either a train or bus to Vancouver The Discovery Princess ship carries up to 4300 guests so it is a large ship about the same size as the Norwegian Bliss (which we have talked about previously) It leaves from Pier 91 in Seattle, which is a bit north of the main Seattle waterfront and port area If you sail with Princess, do the onboard check in on the app at least a month or a few weeks in advance so that you can receive your Medallions in the mail The 16th floor on the Discovery Princess is the pool deck so you may need to walk outside to get the buffet and mid-ship elevators depending on where your room is. Kim's room also had an overhang covering the balcony The cabins on the Discovery Princess are a little small, with no additional seating beyond the bed (except on the balcony) The cabin had a very generous closet space but the bathroom was quite tight (look at the cabin layout in advance) Kim went in mid-June and had amazing weather but there are no guarantees The Princess Theater was quite large  The premier package level is $80 per person, per day includes WiFi for 4 devices per person, 2 specialty dining meals, and the highest level of drink package The 360 dining experience is something you need to book when you arrive and it is a seven-course meal with courses from around the world and it includes videos from makers around the world The food on board was good but fairly standard cruise fare outside of specialty dining Princess has a lot of lounges with something going on somewhere at all time You can buy a day pass to the Sanctuary pool and area Princess has a kids club and activities but there weren't a lot of families on board but it is great for multi-generational family trips In Juneau, Kim went whale watching and it was spectacular wildlife sighting In Skagway, Kim did the White Pass Scenic Railway and "Sip to Summit" excursion In Ketchikan, Kim did a fishing excursion and after you catch fish they cook it for you on a private island Not all cruise ships in Alaska goes to Glacier Bay National Park so be sure to look for this! There seem to be better views from the left side of the ship Bigger ships have to dock further away and some need to tender to port so this is something else to consider when taking an Alaskan cruise Smaller ship (like Holland) are better for walking on and off the ship   OTHER EPISODES YOU MAY ENJOY Holland America Caribbean cruise Barge and river cruising through France NYC to Bahamas cruise on Norwegian Norwegian Bliss cruise to Alaska Disney Cruise for First-timers

Summer vacation is almost here and we are getting ready for the busiest summer travel season ever! Be sure to pack your patience, your travel insurance, and these travel apps. In this episode we talk about some of our favorite travel apps that we are using lately for road trips, plane travel, and international travel. Travel Apps to Download this Summer: Flight Aware - helps you track to see where planes are and their status Airline apps - send you alerts for delays, help you rebook easily, download mobile boarding passes, can sometimes track luggage, inbound flights, or provide information on airport lounge locations and status Mobile Passport Control - for international travelers that don't have Global Entry Apple Find My Device with Apple AirTags or alternatively use Tile or similar trackers for checked bags Roadtrippers - helps you plan road trips and find things to stop at along the way GasBuddy - helps you find gas stations and the most affordable gas Welcome Pickups - arrange airport transfers or other transportation in 256 locations worldwide Daytrip - sightseeing city to city transfers with stops along the way Hotel apps - allow you to chat with the hotel, digital check in and check out, and sometimes select room, get a digital key, manage entertainment, and other services Card Pointers - helps you manage all your various credit card offers and helps you decide which card to use where and when and maximize your special offers Global Blue - helps you manage your VAT refund forms Stasher and Bounce - helps you find places to store your luggage, which is great if you are staying at an Airbnb or stopping somewhere along your way but need luggage storage Going - great for finding flight deals Other Episodes You May Enjoy What to know about airline fees Best credit cards for travel Favorite places and travel products Best hotel loyalty programs for families Tips for finding hotel deals Follow Kim at @stuffedsuitcase on Instagram Follow Tamara at @yourtimetofly on Instagram

St. Maarten is a popular destination in the Caribbean, but many people only visit as a brief cruise port destination. However, getting there is pretty easy with direct flights from the USA and there is plenty to do and see on this Dutch and French Island. Tamara recently visited St. Maarten to stay at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort as part of a press trip. This is the largest all-inclusive resort on the island and it has plenty of offer for families. Read the full review of the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort on We3Travel. It is located in Maho Beach Village, very close to the airport and the famous Maho Beach. Sonesta Maho Beach Resort fast facts: 420 rooms and suites in one tower There is an adults-only sister resort next door at the Ocean Point Resort The rooms either have a water (pool or ocean) view or island view It isn't directly on Maho Beach Large pool with water slides and swim up bar Small pool with kiddie slides near the kid's club Teen Zone offers a variety of games and entertainment There are many food options including: Mexican, Asian, Italian, pizza, cafe, tavern, and buffet restaurants Tamara also did a johnnycake cooking class and the world's steepest zipline at Rainforest Adventures. Other Episodes You May Enjoy Caribbean Cruise on Holland America Where to go in the Caribbean Planning a Barbados vacation Everything you need to know about Beaches Turks & Caicos Planning a family vacation to Grand Cayman Follow Kim at @stuffedsuitcase on Instagram Follow Tamara at @yourtimetofly on Instagram

Kim took her oldest daughter on a Caribbean Cruise for her college spring break this past March. After sailing Holland America in Alaska in the past, she was excited to try the Holland America Caribbean cruise on the Nieuw Statendam. This was a unique itinerary that left from Fort Lauderdale and visited Nassau, Bahamas, Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic, and Grand Turk in Turks & Caicos, along with Half Moon Bay, which is Holland's private island in the Bahamas. This itinerary included two days at sea. Kim has cruised Norwegian, Disney, and Celebrity in the Caribbean in the past, so in this episode, she points out the differences between the different cruise lines and the highs and lows of the Holland Nieuw Statendam. Learn more at: Review: Caribbean Cruise on the Holland Nieuw Statendam Printable cruise packing list Review: Our Alaska Cruise on Holland America Follow Kim at @stuffedsuitcase on Instagram Follow Tamara at @yourtimetofly on Instagram Other Episodes You May Enjoy Barge and river cruising through France NYC to Bahamas cruise on Norwegian Norwegian Bliss cruise to Alaska Disney Cruise for First-timers

Tamara has finally made it to her 50th state...Oklahoma!! She took an Oklahoma road trip to visit both Oklahoma City and Chickasaw Country in south-central Oklahoma, in partnership with Chickasaw Country and the Chickasaw Nation. Oklahoma City has a lot to offer as a stand-alone destination including the First Americans Museum and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Tamara stayed at the aLoft hotel in Bricktown, which is the entertainment district with plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, and the minor league baseball stadium and water taxis. If you are interested in learning more about First American culture and love visiting small towns, tune in to learn more about Chickasaw Country. Some highlights include: Chickasaw Cultural Center Chickasaw National Recreation Area (see bison!) Chisholm Trail Heritage Center (learn about life as a cowboy) "Leg Lamp" sculpture in Chickasha for those that love roadside attractions Small town shopping in Sulphur Art Walk in Pauls Valley You can also read more about Tamara's Oklahoma road trip itinerary on We3Travel. Follow Kim @stuffedsuitcase Follow Tamara @yourtimetofly Other Episodes You Will Enjoy: Glacier Country, Montana Off the beaten Path in Maine West coast road trip Southwest road trip Family road trip tips

Tamara is hosting an all-women small group trip to Portugal this fall and she would love for you to join her! Find out all the details and sign up here. Did you know that Kim has been on safaris in four African countries? Today she shares some great tips that will help you decide where you might want to go, understand the differences between various safari experiences, and provide some advice for planning an African safari trip. You can read more about a few of Kim's safari experiences here: Garden Lodge, Chobe River, Botswana Chobe National Park, Botswana South Africa

Tamara is hosting an all-women small group trip to Portugal this fall and she would love for you to join her! Find out all the details and sign up here. In this episode, Tamara talks about her two-week German Christmas Markets road trip! If you have this magical holiday trip on your radar, make sure to give this episode a close listen and check out the following articles: German Christmas Market itinerary (10-day road trip) Beyond Bratwurst: 32 German Christmas Market foods and drinks to try 5 Reasons to visit the Stuttgart Christmas markets 7 Christmas Markets near Frankfurt work a day trip