Where to Go for the Holidays: Christmas Markets, Beaches, or Somewhere In Between?
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Release Date: 12/09/2025
Biking 1,000 Miles Down Highway 1 From Canada to Mexico
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
What would happen if you said yes to the adventure that's been quietly tugging at you for years? Joe Saul-Sehy talks with author and long distance cyclist Cory Mortensen, who decided to stop dreaming about a big ride and actually pedal one. He biked from Canada to Mexico along Highway One. This isn't just about cycling. It's about committing to something that feels bigger than you, preparing without overthinking, and discovering what you're capable of when the road stretches out in front of you. Cory shares how solitude, unexpected kindness, and a willingness to stay curious shaped his...
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Our 2026 Travel Plans! (January Clubhouse Meeting)
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Alright, Adventurers…let’s hear it. Where are you going in 2026—and what’s the trip you really want to take if time, money, and real life would kindly stop being so clingy? Whether you’ve got a big international swing planned or you’re stacking mini-adventures closer to home, this is your official invitation to say it out loud and let the rest of us cheer you on (and possibly steal your ideas). This year’s travel planning comes with a little more structure, a little more imagination, and a whole lot more “let’s actually do the thing.” We’re talking trips with...
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Joe Visits Dollywood and New River Gorge NP
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that surprise you. In this episode of Stacking Adventures, Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy hit the road expecting a great trip—and come back with a whole new appreciation for West Virginia (and a certain famous theme park just over the border). From the cozy charm of small towns to jaw-dropping national park views, this journey blends classic road-trip spontaneity with practical travel lessons you can steal for your next getaway. Along the way, Crystal and Joe talk fall colors, unexpected highlights, and the kinds of little decisions that can...
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What Actually Works in London (Holiday Week w/ the Everyday Bucket List podcast!)
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Planning a trip to London and wondering what's actually worth your time versus what's just tourist theater? Karen Cordaway from the Everyday Bucket List podcast and her husband Rich are guest hosting this episode to share what they've learned from their own London adventures. This originally aired as an episode of their podcast, in fact, Everyday Bucket List! Karen and Rich have done the research, made the mistakes, and figured out what works. They can tell you what lives up to the hype, what you can skip entirely, and the hidden spots most visitors never discover because they're too...
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Where to Go for the Holidays: Christmas Markets, Beaches, or Somewhere In Between?
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
The first Christmas song of the season hits, and suddenly Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy are deep into holiday travel daydreaming mode. Some people want snow, twinkling lights, and mulled wine at a European Christmas market. Others want to flee the cold entirely and spend December with their toes in warm sand. Both are valid, and this episode celebrates them equally. Crystal and Joe map out their top five dream holiday escapes, from sparkling European markets to sun-drenched beaches that make you question why anyone owns a winter coat. They reflect on destinations that nail the holiday...
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Third Trip to Barbados: What Crystal Learned About Doing It Right
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Some people go to Barbados and never leave their resort. They come home with a tan and some poolside photos, having experienced about 10% of what the island actually offers. Crystal Hammond just wrapped her third trip to Barbados with the same group of friends, and she's here to tell you what you're missing if you think paradise begins and ends at the swim-up bar. Don't get her wrong—the resorts are fantastic, and there's real value in a good all-inclusive. But Barbados has layers most tourists never discover, from local rum shops to muddy ATV adventures to beaches where you're more likely...
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Is a River Cruise Actually Worth It? (We Asked People Who Just Did One)
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
River cruises look amazing in the brochures, but are they actually worth the money? Or do you end up trapped on a floating hotel with mediocre food and tours you could've Googled yourself? Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy sit down with Nathan and Kathrin, two experienced travelers who just finished a Viking River Cruise through France's Rhône Valley. They're here to give you the real story about what worked, what surprised them, and whether this style of travel lives up to the hype (spoiler alert: mostly yes, with some important caveats). From the towering Papal Palace in Avignon to the...
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The Travel Hacks Money Experts Actually Use
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Want to know how to travel smarter? Ask people who obsess over every dollar and still manage to see the world. Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy just got back from FinCon in Portland, where they collected travel wisdom from some of the sharpest money minds and most experienced travelers they know. These aren't Instagram travel influencers with brand deals—these are people who've figured out how to maximize every trip, extract value from corporate travel, and turn credit card points into actual adventures. From Lacey Langford's wallet-friendly strategies to Steve Stewart's genius networking...
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The Music Museums Worth Planning Your Road Trip Around
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Here's what most music lovers get wrong about road trips: they hit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and call it done, missing dozens of museums where music history is still alive, personal, and unexpected. Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy sit down with Josephine Matyas and Craig Jones, co-authors of The Music Lovers' Guide to North America, who've spent decades visiting music museums across the continent—from world-famous institutions to tiny storefronts kept alive by passionate locals. They've got the insider stories about what makes each one special, which ones are worth the detour, and...
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Maximize Your Travel Points: Expert Tips & Tricks
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Ready to turn your everyday spending into first-class experiences? In this episode of Stacking Adventures, Crystal Hammond, Joe Saul-Sehy, and Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez dig into the art (and a little science) of mastering travel points. Whether you’re a seasoned jet-setter or just starting to explore the rewards world, this episode will help you stack your points like a pro—and actually use them for those dream vacations. From strategic credit card pairing to maximizing transfer bonuses, the trio dives into how to make every dollar work double-time. You’ll learn how to build flexible reward...
info_outlineThe first Christmas song of the season hits, and suddenly Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy are deep into holiday travel daydreaming mode. Some people want snow, twinkling lights, and mulled wine at a European Christmas market. Others want to flee the cold entirely and spend December with their toes in warm sand. Both are valid, and this episode celebrates them equally.
Crystal and Joe map out their top five dream holiday escapes, from sparkling European markets to sun-drenched beaches that make you question why anyone owns a winter coat. They reflect on destinations that nail the holiday magic, the ones that fall frustratingly short, and the places that surprised them in ways they didn't see coming. Whether you're drawn to crackling fireplaces and postcard-worthy snowfall or prefer December afternoons where sunscreen beats sweaters, this episode has something for your travel style.
Along the way, you'll hear stories about Shazam mishaps in public places, unexpected holiday frustrations that no guidebook warns you about, and the quirks that make December travel both delightful and occasionally maddening. Crystal and Joe get honest about which famous holiday destinations actually deliver on their reputation and which ones are better left to Instagram rather than your actual itinerary.
The episode wraps with practical gear recommendations that make holiday travel smoother, whether you're hopping between Christmas markets, chasing holiday parades, or trying to pack gifts without everything arriving in pieces.
What You'll Take With You:
• What actually makes a holiday destination magical versus just crowded and expensive
• Crystal's and Joe's top five dream holiday getaways, plus a few they're happy to skip
• Ideas for warm weather December retreats when you need a break from winter
• Which Christmas markets around the world stand above the rest and why
• How to avoid the worst holiday travel pitfalls like crushing crowds and endless lines
• Why Shazaming Christmas music in public is always a gamble worth taking
• Gear that makes holiday travel easier and significantly less stressful
• Ways to blend family traditions with new travel adventures without losing either
This Episode Is For You If:
• You're dreaming of a holiday escape but can't decide between cozy and tropical
• You want honest takes on famous holiday destinations before you book anything
• You're curious which Christmas markets are worth the trip and which are tourist traps
• You need permission to skip the traditional holiday and do something completely different
• You believe December is the perfect time to travel, crowds and chaos be damned
Before You Hit Play, Think About This:
What's the best holiday destination you've ever visited, or the one still sitting at the top of your dream list? After hearing Crystal and Joe debate their favorites, we want to know where your perfect December escape would take you. Drop it in the comments because we're building the ultimate holiday travel bucket list together.
To find our awesome Gear of the Day picks, present and past! Gear of the Day
To share YOUR holiday adventure stories: StackingAdventures.com/MyStory