Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast

Out of Office is a travel podcast hosted by us, Ryan Davis and Kiernan Schmitt. From early childhood, we were each infected with a serious case of wanderlust (among other things.) We define travel broadly, from local day trips to high-flyin’ overseas adventures. Every episode, we dig into one topic—ranging from the serious to the silly, the practical to the outlandish—and give advice on how to get out there and explore the world.

First Trip to Rome (Part 2) 07/01/2025

First Trip to Rome (Part 2) This week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” the boys continue their discussion of must-see museums, churches, and curiosities in Rome. Plus, you’ll learn why cappuccinos are called that—and how they relate to rooms decorated with bones! Things We Talked About on Today’s Episode: National Museum of Rome Capitoline Museums Capuchin Crypt Cat Ruins Bocca della Verita Ostia Antica Trastevere Where to Travel Now…While You Can New Giant Marble Head! /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/37235445

Your First Trip To Paris 06/17/2025

Your First Trip To Paris Kiernan takes us to the City of Lights—Paris!—for a magical trip from French Impressionists to the gargoyles of Notre Dame. Plus, how to read stained glass like comic books and take home some museum-quality taxidermy. And Ryan reflects on the passing of Edmund White. /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/37038790

Your First Trip To Paris 06/17/2025

Last-Min Summer Trip Planning 06/03/2025

Last-Min Summer Trip Planning This week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” the boys share their insider knowledge on how to lock down fantastic trips and deals even if you’re a little late to the party. Hidden National Parks, secret city hideaways, and booking schemes await! Things We Talked About on Today’s Episode: Julie Klausner Boop the Musical North Cascades Isle Royale Great Sand Dunes Mesa Verde Badlands Rapid City Sculptor episode Canyonlands Bear Ears National Monument Great State Parks episode Great State Parks NYT article Google Flights “Explore” function Skyscanner “Explore Everywhere” function AirBNB Experiences announcement The Walker Library of the History of Human Imagination /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/36827330

Romania 101 05/20/2025

Romania 101 This week on Out of Office: A Travel Podcast, Ryan takes us to Romania—visiting Bucharest, Brașov, and Cluj-Napoca. Expect puppets, dictator mansions, and steampunk exhibits along the way. Things We Talked About In Today's Episode: - Ceaușescu Mansion - Palace of the Parliament - "Dimitrie Gusti" National Village Museum - Carturesti Verona - The Puck Puppet Theater @tomiksz13 the puppeteer /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/36635790

First Trip to Rome (Part 1) 05/06/2025

First Trip to Rome (Part 1) On this episode of Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast, the boys treat the ancient aqueducts like a flume ride and splash right into Rome! Kiernan and Ryan talk Emperors, SPQR, why columns make the best decor, plus just a touch of new Pope speculation. Our episode on Vatican City: Things We Talked About on Today’s Episode: “The Fall of Rome” podcast “SPQR” by Mary Beard “Roman Holiday” Colosseum Forum Palatine Hill Pantheon Borghese Gallery Bath of Diocletian Trevi Fountain Spanish Steps Catacombs of Saint Sebastian Lego Trevi Fountain /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/36452890

Rick Steves is BACK for Episode 200! 04/22/2025

Rick Steves is BACK for Episode 200! On this episode of “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” the boys celebrate the pod’s 200th episode with travel icon Rick Steves! Kiernan chats with Rick about his latest book “On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer” and about how keeping a journal can make one into a keener observer of culture. Rick’s philosophy of travel is that if you haven’t come back changed, you didn’t do it right. This interview will leave you changed. Plus, a new artistic saint! Things we talked about in today’s podcast: Rick Steves’ Europe Free scans of every page of Rick’s journal Saint Gaudi! Wanna help us celebrate 200? Leave a review (please)! And a final note from Ryan and Kiernan: RIP POPE FRANCIS! /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/36254255

Day Tripping from Santiago, Chile 04/08/2025

Day Tripping from Santiago, Chile On this episode of Out of Office: A Travel Podcast, Ryan takes us on three day trips from Santiago, Chile. First is Valparaíso, a coastal city known for its hills, historic funiculars, and street art. Then on to Valle de Colchagua, where wine tastings and a standout meal at Fuegos de Apalta make for a vino day. Finally, head to the Andes to soak in the mineral pools at Termas Valle de Colina. Plus, Kiernan talks about his old friend Corn Husker 55! Leave us a 5 Star Review! Santiago Episode: The Hills: Restaurants: La Concepción & La Caperucita y el Lobo Our wine tour provider: /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/36049565

Krakow, Poland 03/25/2025

Krakow, Poland On this episode of Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast, the boys head to Krakow, the intellectual heart of Poland. The city is home to beautiful churches, endless Pope John Paul II memorabilia, one of the oldest universities in the world (Copernicus attended), and moving remembrances of Jewish citizens killed in the Holocaust. Plus, a quick detour to the historic Wieliczka Salt Mine. Things We Talked About on Today’s Episode: Schengen Area: Remains of the Ghetto wall Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory MOCAK https://www.instagram.com/prosciuttko_/?hl=en /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/35851180

Vatican City 03/11/2025

Vatican City On this episode of Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast, the boys Catholic out hard. In celebration of Lent, “Conclave,” and a Catholic Jubilee Year, Kiernan talks us through the top sites to see in Vatican City. Rome is expecting 32M visitors this year, and now each and every one can listen to Out of Office! Things We Talked About on Today’s Episode: Jubilee 2025 Holy Doors Saint Peter’s Pope John XXIII Vatican II Papal Altar and Canopy Chair of Saint Peter Tomb of Saint Peter Saint Peter Statue La Pieta Vatican Museums Laocoon and his Sons Gallery of the Candelabra “School of Athens” Sistine Chapel “In Our Time” episode Sistine Chapel pre-reading Omio Jenny Nicholson on the Star Wars Hotel /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/35629315

Berlin Museums 02/25/2025

Berlin Museums On this episode of Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast, Ryan offers an overview of Berlin's museums, highlighting a few of his favorites, from the story of Hitler's rise and fall in an underground bunker to contemporary art in an old train station. Plus, Kiernan talks about Boston. /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/35411730

NYT Editor Stephen Hiltner on the “52 Places to Go in 2025” 02/11/2025

NYT Editor Stephen Hiltner on the “52 Places to Go in 2025” This week on Out of Office: A Travel Podcast, Kiernan chats with Stephen Hiltner, the New York Times editor in charge of this year’s “52 Places to Go in 2025.” Stephen talks about some highlights from this year’s selections, plus a few spots that didn’t quite make the cut. Here’s what we cover in this episode: “52 Places to Go in 2025” /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/35235510

Santiago, Chile 01/28/2025

Santiago, Chile This week on Out of Office: A Travel Podcast, Ryan takes us south to Santiago, Chile, where he rides up a funicular and down a cable car to see the Virgin Mary. Plus, eating barnacles and flying out of Kafka Airport. The Month In Digital (Ryan’s Marketing Newsletter): Kafka Airport: Restaurants: Peumayén Ancestral Food Sanguchería Ciudad Vieja The Singular Santiago’s Rooftop Bocanáriz Boragó /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/35029040

Skiing for the Skeptical 01/14/2025

Skiing for the Skeptical This week on Out of Office: A Travel Podcast, the boys talk about their holiday breaks and discuss why ski trips are well-worth the expense and steep learning curve. Plus, Ryan has a onesie! Here’s what we cover in this episode: NYT on European Skiing Beaver Creek Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/34844050

Christmas Spectacular Seven 12/17/2024

Christmas Spectacular Seven This week on Out of Office: A Travel Podcast, the boys celebrate the season with discussions of the Immaculate Conception (it’s not what Ryan thinks), an idea for holiday film commentaries yet to come, and the LAST Ugly Ornament contest. And another year passes without seeing pictures of the Nativity Ryan’s father painstakingly carved from a single block of wood. Here’s what we cover in this episode: Debora LATAM 50 Best Restaurants “White Christmas” movie Day of the Little Candles Reba McEntire “Christmas Guest” Jimmy Fallon “Chipmunks and Chestnuts” Kiernan’s Ugly Ornament for Ryan Ryan’s Ugly Ornament for Kiernan /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/34484930

Monterrey, Mexico 12/03/2024

Monterrey, Mexico This week on Out of Office: A Travel Podcast, Ryan recaps his recent trip to Monterrey, Mexico, covering highlights from the scenic River Walk to an interactive steel museum. He also shares a wild story about a run-in with a bribery-seeking cop in Puerto Vallarta. Here’s what we cover in this episode: /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/34232490

Star Wars Museum Creator Steve Sansweet 11/19/2024

Star Wars Museum Creator Steve Sansweet This week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” Kiernan talks with one of the greatest Star Wars collectors of all time: Steve Sansweet. Steve is the founder of Rancho Obi-Wan, the largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia in the world. Located in Petaluma CA, the museum is open for public tours, but be sure to pre-book. And if it all goes according to plan, soon Rancho Obi-Wan will be joining forces with 3 other top collections to become the brand-new Saga Museum. Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Saga Museum Steve Sansweet Bio Rancho Obi-Wan Ralph McQuarrie Head Man Action Figure Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Last Star Wars episode Britannic Explorer Lidar-delivers again! /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/33987437

Being a Woman Airline Pilot in the 1980s with Stephanie Wallach 11/05/2024

Being a Woman Airline Pilot in the 1980s with Stephanie Wallach In this episode of Out of Office: A Travel Podcast, Ryan talks with Stephanie Wallach, one of the first women to break into the world of commercial aviation in America. Plus, Kiernan faces an unfortunate bout of gate lice. Follow Along On Instagram: Things We Talked About In This Week’s Episode: /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/33782052

Graveyards 10/22/2024

Graveyards On this episode of Out of Office: A Travel Podcast, the boys embrace Spooktober by sharing their favorite graveyards. Plus, there’s an update on friend of the pod Rick Steves’ health and some Boston travel tips from Kiernan. Things We Talked About In This Week’s Episode: UPDATE RICK STEVES HEALTH https://x.com/ricksteves/status/1843844907833950542?s=46 Our Share Of The Night By Mariana Enriquez https://www.amazon.com/Our-Share-Night-Mariana-Enriquez/dp/0451495144 /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/33546342

Secrets of a Modern-Day Travel Agent 10/08/2024

Secrets of a Modern-Day Travel Agent In this episode, Ryan chats with Rory, a travel agent, about why people still use agents in 2024 and what it’s like booking tickets for Andrew Scott. Plus, Kiernan talks about his new job as a Boston tour guide. Things We Talked About In This Week’s Episode: Last Stop Ryan: https://www.businessinsider.com/avoid-visa-mistake-no-middle-name-almost-ruined-trip Kiernan: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/27/world/europe/westminster-abbey-bronte-plaque-accent-marks.html /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/33355822

Travelin’ Music 10/01/2024

Travelin’ Music This week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” Kiernan and Ryan chat about the deep connections between music and travel, including how a well-chosen song can be the ideal souvenir. They also dig into how much Ryan prepares for each episode. Plus, Norwegian Children’s Music! Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Rick Steves endorses Kamala: Travel therapy ”Earth Room’ /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/33270902

El Salvador 101 09/10/2024

El Salvador 101 This week on the pod, Ryan takes us to El Salvador, the land of volcanoes and Bitcoin. Hear about how he almost made it inside a beautiful church and his visit to Hermit Island. Plus, what was the miniature controversy at the Kentucky State Fair? LAST STOP Ryan: Kiernan: /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/32972522

What is a Museum Hotel? 08/27/2024

What is a Museum Hotel? This week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” Kiernan chats with Sarah Robbins, the COO of 21C Museum Hotels, a unique chain that combines modern art and comfortable accommodations. They talk through what it takes to run both a thriving hospitality business AND a compelling art operation. Plus, Things we talk about in this week’s episode: “North to Alaska” 21C Museum Hotel New UNESCO World Heritage Sites Dems whipping airlines into shape /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/32751707

The Hamptons 08/13/2024

The Hamptons This week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” the boys put on their finest yacht-wear and head to that enclave of the rich and famous, The Hamptons. Kiernan talks about what exactly “The Hamptons” refers to, logistics of exploring there as a tourist, and a few cultural treasures hidden out among the seaside mansions. Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Hamptons Jitney Surf Lodge Montauk Point Lighthouse Coopers Beach Parrish Art Museum Pollock-Krasner House Green River Cemetery Museo Cacao Palmero’s Breaththrough Saint Buy “Secret Boston: An Unusual Guide” /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/32544472

“Secret Boston” with Kiernan Schmitt 07/30/2024

“Secret Boston” with Kiernan Schmitt This week Ryan welcomes his favorite author Kiernan Schmitt to talk about Kiernan’s new guidebook “Secret Boston: An Unusual Guide.” The book is a part of Jonglez Publishing’s “Secret” series, which specializes in historical oddities and way off-the-beaten-path sites fit for locals and enterprising tourists both! Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Buy “Secret Boston: An Unusual Guide” Secret series: Our interview with Thomas Jonglez North End Library Venice Miniature The Dutch House Arlington Street Church Tiffany Window Neon Williams Forest Hills Cemetery “Neighbors” by Christopher Frost The Dodecagonal House Jumbo’s Ashes at Tufts BC Labyrinth Dorchester Historic Brick Collection Greenway Carousel Puppet Free Library Climate Change and Turbulence Revere Sand Sculpting Festival Ponyhenge /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/32333052

First Trip to Chicago 07/16/2024

First Trip to Chicago Pop! Squish! Six! Uh-Oh! Cicero! Lipschitz! On this episode of “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” the boys talk about one of their favorite cities in the US: Chicago! Perched on Lake Michigan, the city offers stellar food, world-class art and natural history, and a number of easy-to-find hidden wonders. Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Chicago Architecture Tour Tiffany Dome at Chicago Cultural Center Millennium Park The Bean Buckingham Fountain Crown Fountain Wrigley Field Field Museum Art Institute of Chicago Thorne Miniatures Robie House Hogsalt Chicago-Style Hot Dogs Chicago Pizza Roadside America “Footnotes from the Most Fascinating Museums” by Bob Eckstein /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/32148022

Louisville, Kentucky 07/02/2024

Louisville, Kentucky On this episode of “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” the boys luxuriate in Louisville. From exploring hidden walkways to throwing back some bourbon—plus a quick stop to honor The Colonel—Ryan and Kiernan are officially Kentucky converts. Things we talk about in this week’s episode: 21C Museum Hotel The Brown Hotel The Hot Brown Louisville Historic Tours Conrad-Caldwell House Louisville’s Olmsted Parks Cave Hill Cemetery Belle of Louisville Riverboat Louisville Slugger Museum Frazier History Museum Speed Art Museum Proof on Main The Silver Dollar 610 Magnolia Garage Bar Butchertown Grocery Bakery Chik’n & Mi Muth’s Candies Mile Wide Beer Co. /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/31969932

Mammoth Cave National Park 06/18/2024

Mammoth Cave National Park On this episode of “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” the boys put on their hard hats, light their lanterns, and head underground! Ryan and Kiernan are fresh back from Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky—the largest cave system in the world! They have tales to tell about secret subterranean rivers, folksy rangers, and gypsum flowers that take eons to grow. Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Mammoth Cave National Park The Cave Wars Stephen Bishop George Morrison Floyd Collins Frozen Niagra Historical Tour Gothic Avenue Tour Grand Avenue Tour All Tours Book Tours here Cave City Wigwam Village /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/31780577

Richmond, Virginia (Return Trip) 06/11/2024

Richmond, Virginia (Return Trip) This week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” we revisit the November 2022 episode on Richmond, Virginia. It was Ryan and Kiernan's first overnight trip together (staying in separate hotels, of course)! They discuss museums, historic homes, graves, Presidents, and plenty about the Civil War. They also share their restaurant recommendations and uncover a standout hidden treasure in a National Park! The American Civil War Museum Virginia Museum of Fine Arts John Marshall House Hollywood Cemetery Maggie Walker House Society of Cincinnati Virginia State Capitol Statue of George Washington James Madison’s Montpelier Paul Jennings Eater’s Richmond List Barcode Triple Crossing Brewery Emily Dickinson’s House /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/31688777

Flight Attendant Secrets 05/28/2024

Flight Attendant Secrets On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Ryan chats with “Jade,” a flight attendant for a US airline, about the high-flying lifestyle and her biggest traveler pet peeves. Recorded in-person in Boston, Ryan also complains about the Logan Airport Uber Pickup experience. Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Michelin in Mexico: /episode/index/show/outofofficepod/id/31473807

Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast

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