An 8-Year-Old's Pigeon-Powered Italian Adventure (SA023)
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Release Date: 02/04/2025
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Think theme parks are just for kids? Think again. We heard people who are VERY MUCH adults sharing their stories today...as we asked YOU for your theme park tales. On this episode of Stacking Adventures, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond head to the gates of Cedar Point, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Holiday World, and beyond to relive the thrills, spills, and surprisingly refined etiquette of amusement park life. From world-class coasters to pro tips on navigating crowds (and even riding solo!), this oneās your summer soundtrack for theme park success. Adventurers Randy and Nikki...
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Think cruises are just buffets and bingo? Think again. In this episode, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond hoist the anchor on all your cruising questions with travel agent Donna Pelletier (we call her the cruise director!)āwho's seen it all from the Lido Deck to the lifeboats. Whether youāre a seasoned cruiser or still Googling āDo cruise ships have brakes?ā, weāve got you covered. š³ļø Donna walks us through choosing the right cruise line and ship size (spoiler: not all floating cities are created equal). šļø Learn the tricks to booking like a pro, from early bird perks...
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What happens when your brother calls and says, āWant to meet me in Japan?ā If youāre Adventurer Cosette, you donāt think twice. In this episode, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond sit down with Cosette to unpack a spontaneous, unforgettable journey that crisscrossed South Korea and Japan. From wandering Seoulās vibrant night markets and exploring the DMZ, to immersing herself in the peaceful reflection of Hiroshima and hiking snowy trails to spy on wild snow monkeys, Cosetteās story is packed with cultural depth, scenic beauty, and a little chaos (including a rough flight...
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Ever dream of ditching your deadlines for a hammock in Belize? Cris did just thatāand sheās not looking back. In this episode, we follow digital nomad and slow travel pro Cris, whoās been globe-hopping since 2018 and swears by one golden rule: travel slower, live deeper. Her favorite spot to soak it all in? Belize. And after this episode, it might be yours too. From Placencia Villageās laid-back charm to underground river caves and grilled lobster tail under the stars, Cris walks us through how to make the most of Belize ā not just as a tourist, but as someone who belongs....
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Ever dreamt of riding the worldās fastest roller coaster or discovering the next big Disney park before the crowds? This week on Stacking Adventures, Crystal and Joe Saul-Sehy trade hiking boots for roller coaster harnesses in a theme park episode packed with thrills, insider tips, and laugh-out-loud travel tales. Theyāre joined by legendary theme park journalist Robert Niles from Theme Park Insider, who spills details from his recent globe-trotting adventureāincluding a massive announcement about a brand-new Disney theme park coming to Abu Dhabi. From planning hacks and...
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What do you get when you mix alpine grandeur, French wine, and a few awkward encounters with public transportation? The trek of a lifetime. Joe and Crystal sit down with globe-trotting guest David to relive his incredible Tour du Mont Blancāan iconic hike that crosses France, Italy, and Switzerland. From cultural quirks to culinary delights (hello, croissants and polenta!), David shares what itās really like to hike Europeās most scenic loop. Youāll hear trail-tested tips on how to train, what to pack, and how to avoid blowing your budgetāor your kneesāon the way. Whether...
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Is it Caribbean or Caribbe-an? We kick off this episode of Stacking Adventures with the great pronunciation debateāthen head straight into a destination you can explore without needing a passport: Puerto Rico. Hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond welcome travel advisor Donna Pelletier from Vacations by Donna, who shares highlights from her recent pre-cruise mini-adventure in Puerto Rico. While it wasnāt a deep-dive vacation, Donna packed in just enough to give us a taste of whatās possible in a short visitāand how to make the most of your own. In this episode: Where to stay...
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Trading skills, transporting pigs, and building a life of freedom on the open road. What if instead of budgeting your way around the world, you bartered your way through it? In this episode of Stacking Adventures, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond sit down with travel writer and full-time nomad Heather Jacks, who has turned bartering into an art form while living in her beloved bus, Bubba. From growing up on Indian land to crossing the Australian outback, from working at Starbucks to navigating the uncertainty of the COVID era on the road, Heather shares how sheās learned to trade what...
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What happens when you ditch the itinerary, close the spreadsheet, and simply wander? In this episode, we meet Kate and Kimberly, two adventurous travelers who swapped rushed vacations for a months-long slow travel journey across Europe and Latin America. And trust usāitās not just about beautiful views (though there are plenty of those). They share with Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy what itās really like to: Roam the winding streets of Venice, Florence, and Cinque Terre without a rigid plan Embrace the unexpectedāfrom Christmas markets in Austria to Carnival in Brazil ...
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We're BACK in Thailand with YOU, and the stories are (as expected) all over the map, and incredible. From backpacking to ending up in the ER, you've had some southeast Asian adventures. So...what happens when your perfect travel plans meet reality? In this episode, we dive into real-life stories from travelers who found magic in the mayhemāand lessons in the chaos. Youāll hear: Jesse Cramerās wild honeymoon tale from the Phi Phi Islands (spoiler: scuba diving doesnāt always go to plan) A heartwarming and eye-opening moment from listener Denise at an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai...
info_outlineCan a pigeon lead to an Italian adventure? Turns out, yes! š¦ Join Crystal and Joe as they chat with Adventure Annette about a spontaneous, bird-inspired journey through Rome, Venice, and Pompeiiāall thanks to her son's unexpected obsession with pigeons.
Whatās Inside This Episode?
š Rome: The Eternal City ā Walking is the best way to explore (and dodge tourist traps). Annette shares insider tips on hidden gems, cheap eats, and why Romeās fountains arenāt just for decoration.
š The Colosseum Experience ā Gladiators, history, and why booking ahead can save you hours.
š The Gear of the Day ā Travel smarter with one essential item that keeps you prepared for any travel weather.
šŗ Pompeii: A Journey Through Time ā What itās really like to walk through the ruins of an ancient city frozen in time.
š¶ Venice: Beyond the Crowds ā First impressions, best ways to explore, and why the colorful islands of Murano and Burano should be on your itinerary.
š° How to Save on Flights, Hotels & More ā Annetteās spontaneous travel hacks that can save you big bucks on your next European getaway.
⨠Final Thoughts & Souvenirs ā Whatās worth bringing home from Italy (besides incredible memories)?
Takeaways for Travel-Loving Stackers:
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Spontaneity = Magic. Planning is great, but leaving room for surprises leads to the best adventures.
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Walking beats waiting. Exploring Rome on foot saves money and reveals hidden treasures most tourists miss.
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Book smart. Annette shares how to score last-minute hotel deals and avoid overpaying.
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Escape the crowds. Venice has secrets beyond St. Markās SquareāAnnette shares where to go for the real magic.
š§ Hit play now and join us for a whirlwind Italian adventure! š®š¹āļøāØ