Episode 098: How to Plan Your Travel Budget for a Solo Trip
Release Date: 04/17/2023
Episode 175: Highlights from Our Group Weekend at Dollywood
Me and the Magic
Host Amanda Bauner reunites with guests to recap their festive weekend at Dollywood during the Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration. They share stories about travel to Eastern Tennessee, their different accommodations, favorite Dollywood rides, top-notch holiday shows, shopping finds, local activities, and, of course, the famous cinnamon bread. The group also reflects on building friendships through travel in this heartwarming celebration of connection, adventure, and holiday magic. Join us for our Seine River Cruise in September 2026! Join Amanda Bauner and the Me and the Magic community on a...
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Episode 174: Top Ten Walt Disney World Attractions That Keep Us Coming Back
Me and the Magic
In this episode of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner welcomes Disney expert Tim Foster to share and discuss their top 10 Walt Disney World attractions. Together, they explore what keeps them returning to favorites like Tower of Terror, Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth, and more, including personal stories, repeatability, and the magic behind the details. Their conversation blends nostalgia, Disney history, and insider tips, while celebrating the joy and wonder of solo and group travel. Connect with Our Guest Connect with Tim Foster at . Follow these links to purchase Tim Foster’s...
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Episode 173: Road Trip Ready: The Ultimate Planning Checklist
Me and the Magic
In this episode, host Amanda Bauner shares her ultimate road trip planning checklist, drawn from years of travel experience. She walks listeners through every stage of preparation for a road trip, including booking accommodations, vehicle maintenance, packing tips, and budgeting. This practical, detailed episode is perfect for anyone wanting to be “road trip ready.” Join the Me and the Magic Community Join the Me and the Magic to share your love of solo travel, cruises, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the...
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Episode 172: Exploring Iconic Movie and TV Filming Locations Worldwide
Me and the Magic
In this episode of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner explores famous filming locations around the world, from Hollywood and New York to London, Paris, and New Zealand. She shares her personal experiences visiting iconic sites and discusses how movies and TV shows like Stranger Things, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Ted Lasso have made these destinations special for fans. Join the Me and the Magic Community Join the Me and the Magic to share your love of solo travel, cruises, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode...
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Episode 171: Common Travel Blind Spots and How to Overcome Them
Me and the Magic
In this episode of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner explores five common travel blind spots, especially for solo travelers. Amanda shares personal experiences and actionable strategies to transform these blind spots into opportunities for more ease, freedom, and joy. Amanda also shares an and upcoming group trips to and a , and a special save the date for the first Me and the Magic group trip in 2027. Join the Me and the Magic Community Join the Me and the Magic to share your love of solo travel, cruises, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts...
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Episode 170: Exploring the Unique Magic of Dollywood
Me and the Magic
In this episode of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner welcomes Dollywood expert Katie Smith to dive into all things Dollywood and the surrounding eastern Tennessee area. They discuss the park’s rich history, seasonal festivals like the Harvest Festival and Smoky Mountain Christmas, must-do attractions, local food recommendations, money-saving tips, and nearby sights. Katie shares insider advice for first-timers, details about Dollywood resorts, and her favorite holiday traditions. Connect with Our Guest Connect with Katie Smith at and TikTok. Also, listen to Katie on the . ...
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Episode 169: Essential Tips for Sailing to Alaska from Seattle
Me and the Magic
Essential Tips for Sailing to Alaska from Seattle: Must-Do Adventures, Navigating Ports, and Packing Tips Host Amanda Bauner is joined by Grace Korba, Angela Batista, and Tim Bigonia to share in-depth details about their recent group cruise to Alaska aboard the Celebrity Edge. They discuss the highlights of sailing out of Seattle and then traveling through Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, B.C., diving into pre-cruise tips, unique excursions, favorite on-board experiences, and the joys of traveling with a diverse group. Connect with Our Guests Connect with Grace Korba online on ...
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Episode 168: LIve at Sea: Celebrating Our Group Alaska Cruise
Me and the Magic
In this special episode of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner leads a heartfelt, laughter-filled live recording aboard the Celebrity Edge on the group Alaska cruise in July 2025. Amanda and the group share highlights from their Alaska cruise, reflect on the magic of traveling with a group, and recount memorable excursions and moments at sea. The group discusses everything from scenic vistas and favorite ship features to the power of community, culminating in a celebration of the podcast’s five-year anniversary and an exciting giveaway for listeners. Join the Me and the Magic Community Join...
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Episode 167: Navigating Walt Disney World While Undergoing Cancer Treatment
Me and the Magic
In this heartfelt episode of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner welcomes back Dawn Niebling to share her inspiring journey through breast cancer and how it shaped her most recent Walt Disney World trip with her family. Dawn offers practical tips for vacation planning and self-care during cancer treatment, highlights the emotional and logistical challenges faced, and reflects on the healing power of laughter, positivity, and Disney magic. The episode is filled with honest stories, travel advice, and moments of gratitude, making it a valuable listen for anyone navigating illness while still...
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Episode 166: Unlocking the Power of Vacation Mindset
Me and the Magic
In this episode of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner welcomes life and leadership coach Angie Robinson to discuss the importance of cultivating a vacation mindset. Together, they explore how setting intentions before, during, and after a trip can make travel more meaningful and fulfilling. The conversation covers practical strategies for overcoming travel stress, embracing spontaneity, and ensuring your time away truly recharges you. Amanda and Angie share personal stories and actionable tips to help listeners approach their next getaway with mindfulness and purpose, whether traveling solo...
info_outlineIn this episode…
We dive deep into how to create a budget for solo travel, whether you are planning a trip to another country or a road trip not too far from home. Learn the big picture questions to ask yourself when you first start planning, how to create a spending schedule, and then how to create a detailed budget.
Resources
A Little Adrift shares how to budget for a trip around the world.
BudgetYourTrip.com shares average daily travel costs from travelers in cities worldwide.
TravelMath.com calculates the cost for you to drive from one location to the next. It’s very helpful to budget for road trips!
SoloTravelerWorld.com has great tips for planning your travel budget, including this budget spreadsheet.
Cruise with Us!
In Episode 069, we shared all the details of our first group cruise! We will be sailing on the Disney Fantasy, November 11-18, 2023, for a Very Merrytime 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing with stops at Tortola (British Virgin Islands), St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands), and Disney’s Castaway Cay (Bahamas).
Join us for this special cruise! Find all the details at Me and the Magic, and request a free quote.
You must book with the official group to be part of all the group activities (and surprises!).
Join Our Community
Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!
Connect with Me
Is there a topic you’d like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda@meandthemagic.com.
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