Episode 220 - We’re recapping our year of travel and sharing the many trips and projects for the podcast that we already have planned for 2024! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Trips: New River Gorge Rafting Weekend June 7-10, 2024 and Napa Valley Wine Weekend November 1-4, 2024 . Shop: Trip Itineraries , Amazon Storefront and TSP Merch Connect: YouTube , TikTok , and Instagram and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire a...
Dec 19, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 220
In this weeks Travel Flashback Episode we are diving deep into one of our favorite topics: Guided tours! We have done several prix fixe vacations using guided tour companies like Gate1 Travel, Alpaca Expeditions, and Viking River Cruises. We are BIG fans of guided tours! A listener messaged us asking to do an episode on guided tours - how to find them, how to determine if a guided vacation tour is a good price, recommend a few travel tour companies, and dedicate a whole episode to the pros and c...
Dec 12, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 219
We have taken many trips to Fredericksburg and absolutely love this Texas Hill Country wine region! Texas Hill Country is a wine lover's paradise! Over 100 wineries dot Hwy 290 from Austin to Fredericksburg. There are so many beautiful vineyards, huge outdoor spaces, and unique attractions, and it is not crowded. Winemakers are proud to be Texan here, the vibes are relaxing, making each winery in the Texas Hill Country feel like a real escape. Some of our favorite wineries in Fredericksburg: The...
Dec 05, 2023•52 min•Ep. 218
In this week’s episode of the Travel Squad Podcast, join us for an unforgettable journey through Uganda on a guided tour with Gate 1 Travel! This episode is packed with adventure as we recount our incredible experiences trekking with gorillas and chimpanzees, taking safaris through national parks spotting lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffalos and more; all while soaking in the diverse landscapes of this beautiful country. From the powerful Murchison Falls, beautiful Queen Elizabeth Nati...
Nov 28, 2023•2 hr•Ep. 217
New York City is one of those travel destinations where you can go a million times and do different things every time. We take another New York City trip, this time in the summer to see the Statue of Liberty by bottomless mimosa brunch, see the skyline by rooftop, go to iconic NYC comedy clubs, eat our weight in pizza and bagels, and discover some truly unique NYC nightlife experiences. We recommend staying at The Manhattan Club in Midtown, 11 Howard in Manhattan, or Tempo by Hilton in SoHo. We ...
Nov 21, 2023•46 min•Ep. 216
Episode 215 - We welcome Brett, the creator of the Takon Life head prop neck pillow to the show to share how he came up with the most comfortable travel pillow on earth and how its helping fulfill kids dreams of travel and sports. Brett shares his memories traveling and partaking in outdoor activities and how that’s shaped his life and mission today. He also shares the behind the scenes details on how you create a product and the testing behind the world’s most unique and comfortable travel pill...
Nov 14, 2023•56 min•Ep. 215
Episode 214 - We’re sharing 14 of the coolest and most unique UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United States! We’ve been to every one of these interesting sites and can personally vouch for how awesome they are! On the list we have sites that have major cultural or historic significance in the USA as well as many sites that have awe-inspiring natural beauty. You will wont be disappointed with a trip that takes you to see any one of these! Here is our U.S. UNESCO World Heritage Sites list: Mesa...
Nov 07, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 214
In this Travel Flashback episode, we are keeping with the travel gift theme and making your holiday shopping a little easier by providing 20 additional amazing gifts to give the travel lover in your life in combination with last weeks episode. Feel free to send links to your loved ones to help shop for you! ;) This year we categorized gifts by type of travelers to make it even easier for you. This year you can expect to find gifts for frequent travelers, gifts for photography travelers, gifts fo...
Oct 31, 2023•54 min•Ep. 213
Episode 212 - We’re helping with your holiday shopping this year with our 4th annual best gifts for travelers list! We have unique lists of affordable gift ideas for every type of traveler in your life. 2023 Best Gifts for Travelers A trip! Two trips we recommend are the New River Gorge Rafting Weekend June 7-10, 2024 (call and use code TSP for 20% off) and the Napa Valley Wine Weekend November 1-4, 2024 (use code PAIDINFULL for $200 when you pay up front) Trip Itineraries - Give the gift of NOT...
Oct 24, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 212
In this weeks Travel Tuesday Flashback Episode, we are taking you to Guanajuato, Mexico! Guanajuato is an artsy, colorful town in Mexico. There are so many fun things to do in Guanajuato Mexico that make for the perfect weekend getaway. Not to mention all the things to see in Guanajuato! Just walking around and looking at the color, decor, shops, and architecture would make this place amazing on its own, but it’s even more than that. Some of the things to do in Guanajuato city include cave bars,...
Oct 17, 2023•35 min•Ep. 211
Episode 210 - We interview Matt Mitzel from Makin Moves with Matt on what it’s like to backpack and travel the world and teach English abroad. Matt has been to 42 countries and has worked in a few of those teaching English to locals. This career choice is ideal for Americans looking to live semi-permanently in another country and explore the nearby cities and countries while they work. Matt shares the details on what it’s like to work teaching English abroad, tips for backpacking and the benefit...
Oct 10, 2023•54 min•Ep. 210
In this weeks Travel Flashback episode of the Travel Squad Podcast, we take you on an adventure through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, TN, and its surrounding areas. This breathtaking national park, located in Eastern Tennessee and straddling the border with North Carolina, is known for its lush forests, misty mountain views, and abundant wildlife. Highlights of the National Park and Gatlinburg Include: Clingmans Dome Lookout & Observation Tower Hiking Trails: Alum Cave Blu...
Oct 03, 2023•59 min•Ep. 209
Episode 208 - We’re going to one of the most epic national parks in the world - Banff National Park! We took an early summer trip to this jaw dropping gorgeous destination for several days of hiking, taking in the unreal sights of turquoise blue waters and exploring the great outdoors that only Canada has to offer. If you love lakes, mountains, wildlife, and those beautiful forest mountain vibes, then this is the trip for you! We also dip into nearby Yoho National Park to see the most gorgeous t...
Sep 26, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 208
Episode 207 - this two-part episode we head up to Canada to take Jasper National Park by storm! In this episode we detail the first half of our week trip exploring Jasper and Kootenay National Parks. We share our adventures hiking, exploring the gorgeous lakes, seeing bears, dipping in the hot springs, trekking on a glacier, and stopping along the Icefields Parkway. In this episode we cover: Tips for visiting Jasper National Park, including where to buy park passes General travel tips for Jasper...
Sep 19, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 207
In this weeks Travel Flashback Episode, if you’ve been curious about one of the spookiest cities in America, let this episode be your sign to take a trip to Savannah, GA. We explore the historic sites, go on a ghost tour, and enjoy the lively nightlife and brunch scene in Savannah. We recommend a ghost tour while in Savannah and the other history and walking tours in our Savannah Viator Shop . We recommend these plays to stay in Savannah: Embassy Suites Savannah Historic District - Free breakfas...
Sep 12, 2023•50 min•Ep. 206
In this episode of the Travel Squad Podcast, we’re taking you on a journey through Madrid and Toledo, Spain; two incredible cities filled with history, culture, and amazing food! We spent three days exploring these destinations, strolling through charming streets, indulging in delicious tapas, and soaking in Spain’s rich heritage. Madrid, Spain’s capital, offers a mix of royal history, grand plazas, and world-class cuisine. Meanwhile, Toledo, just a short train ride away, is a UNESCO medieval fo...
Sep 05, 2023•55 min•Ep. 205
Episode 204 - In this episode, we’re diving into the vibrant city of Barcelona, Spain! Located in northeastern Spain, just 90 miles south of the French border, this coastal city is known for its stunning architecture, lively markets, rich culture, sangria, wine, and the best Spanish tapas. Join us as we walk through our 2-day itinerary, packed with tips, must-visit attractions, and recommendations to help you make the most of your Barcelona adventure. We tell you where we stayed , what we ate,...
Aug 29, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 204
Episode 203 - Ricky Zhang, CEO of Prince of Travel joins the Travel Squad Podcast to reveal the travel credit card industry’s best-kept secrets. Ricky is no stranger to taking first-class and business-class flights on points. In fact, he’s taken what he’s learned and built a business out o teaching others how to get free flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and perks with travel credit card points. Whether you’re in Canada or in the US, Ricky has hacks to get more points, strategies to earn enough po...
Aug 22, 2023•56 min•Ep. 203
Episode 202 - On this week’s episode we celebrate our four year podcast anniversary by sharing where the show has been, where it’s going + our best travel tips, products, and destination recommendations. We’re also celebrating with a giveaway! Four lucky winners will take home some awesome prizes so be sure to listen to the episode and enter on our latest Instagram post. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Trip Meet Ups! We’re hosting our first trip meet-up at River Exped...
Aug 15, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 202
Episode 201 - We welcome Gavin McFall to the show this week to talk about his 14-month round-the-world backpacking trip. Gavin visited 19 countries across South America, Australia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. He shares how he saved for the trip, how he planned such a long trip, the work programs he did while traveling, his experiences with guided tours along his journey, how he made friends while traveling solo and tells all the stories from his journeys. This episode will, with...
Aug 08, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 201
We’re going international for our 200th episode with a trip to Puebla, Mexico. On this 5 day birthday extravaganza we spend time shopping, eating, drinking, and enjoying Puebla City, Cholula, and Mexico City. This episode has everything we love about Mexico including play-by-play instructions on how to get to Puebla from Mexico City on a two hour bus ride and the best places to visit in Puebla Mexico. We tell where to go for drinks and dancing, food markets, shopping for artisan goods, ancient p...
Aug 01, 2023•46 min•Ep. 200
Episode 199 - We sit down with Heather from River Expeditions, a rafting outfitter and adventure property just outside New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. Heather has been in the business for decades. In this interview Heather shares her first memories of rafting, how the business has grown, what America's newest national park has to offer, and all the fun things to do at River Expeditions, including zip lining, the bridge walk, massage, horseback riding, drinks at the saloon, hiking...
Jul 25, 2023•43 min•Ep. 199
This week we’re going to Asheville, a unique art, nature and beer city in the western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Asheville has a little something for everyone. It has gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, tons of great hiking, has historic architecture and a cute downtown filled with galleries and museums, and was even named a craft brew capital of the east. In this episode we share the best things we did on our trip to Asheville and give tips and recommendations for when you v...
Jul 18, 2023•46 min•Ep. 198
In this flashback episode we are taking you with us inside the good, the great, the bad and the ugly of bathrooms around the world. You know we can’t do an episode without talking about the bathroom experience, so we dedicated a whole episode to it. Just try to listen without laughing! We take it country by country telling stories from bathrooms in Thailand, Japan, China, The Philippines, Europe, bathrooms in Mexico, and more! We share some scary experiences, but we also share some of the best b...
Jul 11, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 197
In this week's episode of the Travel Squad Podcast, join us as we take you on a breathtaking journey to Acadia National Park in Maine! We're sharing all the highlights from our fall getaway to celebrate Brittanie's birthday during peak fall foliage season. This East Coast gem is known for its stunning coastal landscapes, vibrant autumn colors, and adventurous hiking trails – and our trip did not disappoint! We visited Acadia National Park in October for peak fall foliage and color change. We fle...
Jul 04, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 196
In this flashback episode, we were celebrating our two year podcast anniversary by giving you all of our very best travel recommendations, tips, and hacks to save money, plan better, see and do all the cool stuff, and ultimately, travel much more often! In this episode, we each recommend our top choice for international destinations, places to visit in the U.S., and our favorite National Parks. We also share the best travel snacks, money saving tips, travel recommendations for how to get upgrade...
Jun 27, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 195
In this week’s episode of the Travel Squad Podcast, we take you on an unforgettable 8-day journey guided tour through Morocco with Gate 1 Travel. From the bustling medinas of Fez and Marrakesh, to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis and the breathtaking Atlas Mountains, and the metropolitan cities of Rabat and Casablanca, this adventure was packed with culture, history, and incredible experiences. If Morocco is on your bucket list, this episode is for you! Highlights of Rabat Include: The Royal...
Jun 20, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 194
Episode 193 - The squad sits down with Gary Arndt to talk about what it’s like to travel the USA and the world as a travel photographer, pivoting careers into travel adjacent media, and unique facts about some of the most unique corners of the earth. Gary is the host of Everything Everywhere, the world’s most popular daily educational podcast. Prior to that he was a three time travel photographer of the year and spent 13 years traveling to all 7 continents, 204 countries and every US state and t...
Jun 13, 2023•58 min•Ep. 193
Episode 192 is taking you to Mesa Verde National Park in Southern Colorado to experience the 800+ year old Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. These incredibly well-preserved ancient ruins will really get you going as you walk through actual steps and pathways the Ancient Puebloan people did nearly a century before. We visited Cliff Palace, Long House, and Balcony House on this trip, all which require a guided tour. Guided tours can be booked on recreation.gov. In this episode we share what you’...
Jun 06, 2023•57 min•Ep. 192
Episode 191 is giving mid-term travel its time to shine in this special guest interview with Furnished Finder CEO and Founder, Brian Payne. Brian shares the travel and income opportunity in mid-term rentals and the phenomenon happening at the intersection of travel and living. We explore the lifestyle of mid-term travel whether you’re your own boss, a remote worker, or travel as a part of your occupation. He also shares more on how to list your home or room for rent on Furnished Finder to build ...
May 30, 2023•47 min•Ep. 191
