Vacation Mavens Travel Podcast

Vacation Mavens is a travel podcast offering practical travel tips and destination inspiration from two moms who know how to plan the perfect trip. Hosted by Kim Tate, from StuffedSuitcase.com, and Tamara Gruber, from YourTimetoFly.com, we have over 40 years of combined travel expertise. We share our favorite vacations from road trips to cruises and European adventures to theme parks. Whether you are planning a family vacation, romantic couples trip, or mom getaway we have the tips and tricks to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Packing 101: Tips for Summer Travel 06/10/2025

Road Trip Tips (Plus Some of Our Faves!) 06/03/2025

Road Trip Tips (Plus Some of Our Faves!) It is summer road trip season so it is time to recap some of our best road trip tips from preparing, planning, packing, and more. Plus, we share some of our favorite road trips. Episode Highlights Before you head out on a road trip, make sure your car has been serviced recently and check the tires to make sure the pressure is correct. You may also want to top off your fluids and use the bug windshield washer fluid. Bring a go-to kit with wipes, sanitizer, tissues, lip balm, moisturizer, sun screen, and eye drops. Also bring a couple of extra baggies or ziploc bags. Bring a trash bag for the front and back (or for each kid) and empty the trash at each stop. Bring a small cooler and ice pack that you can refreeze each night for left overs and snacks. Have a specific spot for your snacks that can be refilled when needed. Use a car freshener or car air purifier to help keep food smells away. You may want to consider a AAA membership and bring your card with you. For longer road trips, consider bringing a carry on bag with a duffle bag instead of a larger checked bag. Use a duffle bag to transport what you need in and out each night. It is good to have one overnight bag for toiletries and pajamas for everyone that always goes in. Bring a laundry bag that you can put your dirty clothes in each day in your car or larger suitcase. Plan an overnight stay at a place that has laundry facilities. When choosing where to stay, consider staying just off the highway where you are more likely to find a chain hotel that has free breakfast and free parking (and laundry facilities). Plus it is easy to get on and off the highway. Some of the chains like Best Western have summer promotions for multiple stays. Some apps to have are Gas Buddy, Road Trippers, and of course Google or Apple Maps. Google Maps is also good at showing you how busy attractions are at different times of the day. For road trips in less-populated areas, bring a road atlas or paper maps (you can get free maps at AAA if you are a member) Maine Coast road trip - read the full post here: Florida Keys road trip - read more here: Canadian Rockies road trip - read more here: West Coast road trip - read more here: Road trip packing list: Related Episodes /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/36694745

Where to Stay in the Turks and Caicos 05/27/2025

Where to Stay in the Turks and Caicos Tamara recently took a travel agent FAM trip to Turks and Caicos and spent two nights at The Palms and two nights at The Shore Club. She also visited many other properties and today she shares her insights into each to help you decide where to stay in Turks and Caicos. Episode Highlights Turks and Caicos is known for its beautiful beaches and not for all-inclusives or as a party island Most of the hotels have great accommodations for families with 1, 2, 3-bedroom accommodations and up (including villa rentals) When arriving, be prepared for a long wait at passport control/immigration. Expect about an hour and longer on the weekends. When departing, leave 2-3 hours to get checked in and wait in the security line. There isn't a lot of room in the gate area but there is an area upstairs that has more space. To save time at the airport, you can pay for Fast Track access starting at $75 per person, each way. Private transfers from the airport are about $150 each way, but cabs can be $30+ per person for shared taxis. Taxis throughout the island are priced per person and are pricey. It is about a 15-20 minute drive from the PLS (Providenciales) to most of the hotels The Palms is on Grace Bay Beach (the most famous beach on the island). It is a luxury hotel with a lush, garden-like setting right on the beach. The style and decor is similar to Sandy Lane in Barbados, a colonial or plantation style. Tamara stayed in a one-bedroom suite oceanfront, which was huge with a full kitchen, living room, laundry, dining room, large balcony, bedroom with tons of closet space, and one and one-half bathrooms. They recently did a renovation at The Palms of rooms but also of the pool area and added a new pool/beach restaurant and pool bar (including a swim-up bar). The restaurants at The Palms were very good. Parallel 23 is fine dining and Sisi is modern Mexican. The Palms also has one of the best spas in the Caribbean The high season is during Festive (winter holidays) and President's Day weekend. The low season would be July-September Pricing in the Caribbean is quite high. The Shore Club is across the island on Long Bay Beach. There is a beach-to-beach package so that you can split your week vacation between the two properties. Long Bay Beach is breezy and very popular for kite surfing. The beach itself is narrow but long and The Shore Club has plenty of space to spread out. The water here is very calm and you can walk out very far, especially at low tide. Shore Club is also a luxury hotel and it has a sophisticated feel. There are villas and multi-bedroom accommodations that would be amazing for a girls' trip or multi-generational vacation. The one-bedroom oceanfront suite is huge and great for families with teens because there is a study that has a pull-out couch, full bathroom, and closets and a door that closes off from the rest of the space. There is another pull out couch in the living room. There is a sushi restaurant and a comfort food restaurant, plus pool bars and restaurants. There is a shuttle between the properties and also the four-star Sands property and guests have signing privileges for all the restaurants. The Alexandra Resort is a four-star, all-inclusive on Grace Bay next to The Palms with multi-bedroom suites and restaurants The Wymara Resort has a South Beach, sexy vibe that would be great for couples and honeymooners but the rooms are a bit smaller The Ritz-Carlton is a high-rise hotel with a smaller beach. The second tower is for Ritz-Carlton Residences and you can't use or earn points for the Residences. They are building an Andaz and St. Regis on Turks and Caicos now too. The H20 Resort on Long Bay Beach is a small boutique hotel that is good for people that are independent travelers and enjoy watersports as they have a kite surfing school and tons of rentals. Tamara is going back to Turks and Caicos in the fall for a Family Travel Association conference at Beaches Turks and Caicos (stay tuned!!) On Thursday nights there is a fish fry with food trucks, music, and artisans/souvenir vendors. The Junkanoo band performs and it is such a lot of fun. You can island hop by ferry or plane (but there is a separate terminal for domestic flights) You can also go scuba diving, snorkeling, charter a boat for fishing or island hopping, or boat out to the tiki bar off Long Bay Beach. /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/36694080

Disneyland is Celebrating its 70th Anniversary 05/20/2025

Food & Wine Journey Through Chilean Winelands 05/13/2025

Food & Wine Journey Through Chilean Winelands If you like culinary or wine travel, you need to put the Chilean Winelands on your travel bucket list. Tamara just came back from a two-week trip to Chile including the Atacama Desert and the Winelands. Episode Highlights: The wine regions are south and west of Santiago It is easy to drive through these regions but it is still recommended to get a driver for days when you are doing wine tasting Two hours south of Santiago is the Colchagua Region that is known for its red wine including Malbec, Bordeaux blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carmenere. One hour west of Santiago is the Casablanca Region, which is closer to the coast, and is more known for its white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. She stayed at the Vibo Wine Lodge in Colchagua. This is a small boutique property on the Viu Manent Vineyards near Santa Cruz. It has individual lofts or tiny homes spread out throughout the vineyards. Another popular place to stay in this region is Clos Apalta, which is a Relais & Chateaux luxury property. Vibo Wine Lodge includes breakfast in the coffee shop on property and they also have two other restaurants, the Rayuela Restaurant and the Vibo Wine and Food Studio. On property you can hike, borrow bikes, enjoy the pool, go wine tasting or set up horseback riding. They also did a wine tour with Colchagua Wine Tours, which was only $125 for a day with a private driver (you pay for the tasting separately.) Tamara enjoyed wine tasting at Montgras Winery and Maquis Winery. They had a nice lunch at Fuego Apalta on the Montes Winery (but she didn't like the wine at Montes.) Tastings of the "icon" wines, which are the top wines, are about $40-50 per person. Clos Apalta Residence is also an excellent place to go for lunch or dinner and you can go wine tasting at the winery. In Casablance, they stayed at La Casona, which is a hacienda which has been converted to a hotel on the grounds of the Matetic Vineyards. This was all-inclusive because there isn't a lot nearby to eat. But the menu doesn't change so it gets repetitive if you are there for any length of time. The package also includes excursions and they did a biodynamic wine tour and tasting, mountain biking, and hiking. They also offer horseback riding and excursions to towns. They took a day trip to the coast and visited Pablo Neruda's house. Related Episodes: /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/36417220

How to Plan Your First Trip to Hawaii (with an expert!) 05/06/2025

How to Plan Your First Trip to Hawaii (with an expert!) If Hawai'i is on your bucket list, you need to listen to this episode with Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung. Marcie is a family travel blogger and mom of two who's been to Hawaii more than 40 times, staying everywhere from luxury resorts to budget-friendly condos. She helps parents plan unforgettable Hawaii vacations with kids by sharing expert tips, honest reviews, and stress-free itineraries. You can learn more on her website or follow Marcie on and . You can also listen to her podcast, . Episode Highlights: The most popular tourist islands are: Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii (The Big Island) Oahu is best if you can only visit one island and are looking for a mix of experiences and attractions from Pearl Harbor to the Dole Plantation and also city life, nightlife and beaches on the North Shore or Waikiki Maui is also popular for luxury resorts, a quieter vacation, the famous Road to Hana, and also great restaurants and activities Kauai is even more laid back The Big Island is good for those that are looking to be adventurous and take road trips, plus this is where you will find Volcanoes National Park A first time visitor coming from the U.S. should look at least one week and spend it on Oahu because it has such a range of experiences. If you have two weeks, then you can island hop from Oahu to Maui or Kauai. Be active on Oahu and then relax on Maui or Kauai. Keep in mind that when you island hop you still need to fly and deal with all of the airport security, rental car lines, etc. that eats up a lot of a day in travel. The Big Island is really large and you need at least five to seven days. It takes several hours to drive from the beach area to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Expect to spend about $12,000 or more for a family vacation to Hawaii. Airfare from the West Coast is about $500 and closer to $900 from the East Coast. You can use a Southwest Companion Pass or Alaska Companion Pass if you have them. Accommodations keep getting more and more expensive. Midrange hotels are $350-500 and luxury resorts can easily go over $1000 per night. You need to beware about vacation rentals because they are being closely regulated in Honolulu and often they will be cancelled last minute as there are a lot of illegal vacation rentals. If you go with a vacation rental, go with something reputable. Food is also expensive because so much needs to be shipped in on the islands. Plan on spending about $100 a day on food if you are able to mix up going to restaurants and buying groceries or eating at food trucks. Rental car prices are high and you need a rental car for at least a few days on each island. Keep in mind that hotel parking can be $40-60 per night. Activities are also quite pricey, at $300-500 per person. Luaus are at least $200-350 per person. Narrow down your wish list to 2-3 activities and have beach or pool days or exploring on your own for the rest of the time. Minimum stays during winter break can be 7-14 days and this is the most expensive time to visit. When planning road trips or hikes, be sure to map them out to see how far they are and how long it will take to get there. Don't overpack your itinerary. Related Episodes: /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/36417235

Planning a College Campus Visit 04/29/2025

Planning a College Campus Visit Kim just wrapped up round two of college tours and her daughter Mia has committed to UCLA's School of Engineering! We thought we would share some of our college search experience to help others that are just getting to this phase of parenting. Episode Highlights It is important to visit various college campuses before you begin the college application process to help your student understand the style and size of campus that they feel most comfortable in It helps to start early during their sophomore or junior year Before you look at a particular school, make sure it is a school that you can afford by researching their tuition, merit scholarship opportunities, and the financial aid calculator Join the Parent Facebook group for the schools they are interested in and this is a great source of information but make sure they are run by the school or parents and not just a data-mining company Try to find hotels that are near the college campus for campus visits because it will give you a better sense of what it would like to be on campus. Graduate Hotels is a great chain to look at as their properties are always close to college campuses and it is now part of Hilton Make sure you drive around the campus and the surrounding neighborhood and think about how they would get to campus if they are flying in from out of state If you want to tour campus, you need to make a reservation to join a group tour and these can fill up far in advance Try to time your visit to when students are on campus and not during their spring break Be prepared to ask questions about food, class size, how hard it is to get into the classes they need, dorms, and campus life You can find dorm room tours on YouTube Be sure to check out the student union and see how busy it is and what the options are. Also pay attention to whether or not it is a swipe or cash system Check out the department buildings where your kid would be taking a lot of classes, the library, and where the dorms are Visiting on the Admitted Students day will give your student a good introduction to campus and campus life and provide an opportunity to connect with other students. Admitted Students day typically takes place during April Be sure to pay the housing deposit early unless your school guarantees housing for freshmen If the school doesn't guarantee housing, look at housing costs in the area When thinking about dates, also look at booking hotels for move in, move out, and parent's weekend Make dinner and brunch reservations during move in and Parents Weekend /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/36238940

Visiting Chile's Atacama Desert 04/22/2025

Visiting Chile's Atacama Desert Tamara and her husband recently took a couple's trip to Chile and this week on the podcast she shares her impressions, experiences, and tips for Santiago and Atacama Desert. In a future episode, she will talk about her week in Chile's Winelands. Episode Highlights Tamara flew Avianca Airlines on a flight deal from Boston to Bogota and Bogota to Santiago. Avianca Airlines business class is more like premium economy and not a very impressive business class but overall the flights went smoothly. She really enjoyed her stay at the Hyatt Centric Las Condes. Las Condes is a nice area to stay in Santiago. If you are visiting Santiago or Valparaiso, be on alert of pickpockets and petty crime and don't wear jewelry and keep your phone secure. Foodies would love the chef's tasting dinner at Borago in Santiago. To get to the Atacama Desert, you fly 1.5-2 hours to Calama and then it is a 1.5 hour drive to San Pedro de Atacama, which is the central hub for the region. Tamara stayed at the Nayara Alto Atacama, which provides a transfer to and from the airport. They offer an all-inclusive rate that includes food, drink, and group excursions. Other options include the Explora and the Tierra and the Awasi offers private excursions. She wouldn't recommend self-driving because there is very little cell service and getting to some of the attractions includes driving on dirt roads. The Atacama Desert is at a higher elevation so it is good to stay at least 3 nights so that you can do the higher elevation excursions later in your stay after you have time to acclimate. Nayara Alto Atacama is part of Virtuoso and booking through Tamara you can get perks that include a $100 spa credit. They did three excursions: Sunset excursion to the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) with some short hikes and finishing with a sundowner Salt Flats and Flamingo Reserve - the salt flats are not the flat white salt that you see in Bolivia or Utah, the salt is mixed with minerals and the flats looks a lot like a white lava field Rainbow Valley - not as dramatic as Rainbow Mountain in Peru but a great landscape with layers of red, white, and green rock Star gazing - the Atacama Desert is well-known for its dark skies and star gazing The food at the resort was fine but lunch was a three-course meal and if you want something more casual you can eat at the bar. The portions are small and there are only a few options per meal, but at least the menu changes every day. Make sure you get the correct adapter for electrical outlets. You need cash for small shops and some tips but you can mostly use a credit card or charge tips to your room Make sure you wear sunscreen and a hat because there is a high UV index Be sure to stay hydrated and bring lots of moisturizer and lip balm Bring plenty of layers because the desert gets cold at night Remember that it is in the Southern Hemisphere so the summer high season is December - March and winter is during our summer. Bring shoes with good traction. /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/36237475

Tips for Fantastic Mother-Daughter Trips (Plus Destination Ideas!) 04/08/2025

A Mother-Daughter Bucket List Trip to Peru and Machu Picchu 03/25/2025

A Mother-Daughter Bucket List Trip to Peru and Machu Picchu Tamara is just back from a bucket list trip to Peru with her daughter and she shares all about her lodge-to-lodge trek with and tips for visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Tamara “won” this trip as part of an auction that benefits the that takes place each fall When visiting Cusco and the Sacred Valley, it is best to give yourself 3-4 days to get used to the elevation prior to hiking (Cusco is at about 11,000 feet) You can take Diamox or acetazolamide (prescription) to help prevent altitude sickness Coca tea and coca candies help you with altitude but it also has caffeine so it can disrupt your sleep Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo are at a lower altitude so ideal you would start there and work your way up Peruvian food has a lot of rice, quinoa, and potatoes. For proteins there is beef, pork, chicken, alpaca, and a specialty — guinea pig! The portions are also very large. You shouldn’t drink the water (even to brush your teeth) and consider avoiding salads, veggies, and fruits that are rinsed in water Tamara and Hannah took a 5 day trek with a small group of six people and one local guide with Mountain Lodges of Peru. The trip was perfect for those that like to hike but don’t want to camp. It includes a mix of cultural activities and hikes but you stay at nice lodges. Some activities included visiting an alpaca museum, a ceremony with an Incan priest, enjoying dancing and music with locals at a weaving cooperative, visiting local markets, exploring Incan ruins, and having lunch at local homes. You need to bring your own hiking poles and need to pack in a light duffel bag or backpack The rainy season is typically November – April and they typically close the Inca Trail in February. However, this year was worse than usual because of El Niño. For the most part you can use credit cards but it helps to have some Peruvian Soles (or some US Dollars) to tip guides, pay for bathrooms, and purchase from local vendors and markets. For the first two nights in Cusco, we stayed at the Andenes Hotel, which was affordable, nice, and great traditional architecture. On our return, we stayed at the Palacio del Inka, which is a part of the Marriott Luxury Collection (which we booked via points.) RELATED EPISODES: /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/35799865

Group Tours for Women: Solo Travel Doesn't Have to Mean Traveling Alone! 03/18/2025

Group Tours for Women: Solo Travel Doesn't Have to Mean Traveling Alone! On this episode, we are joined by Susan Heinrich from . Susan is a Canadian writer living in Denver, Colorado. She is passionate about travel and supporting women in tourism. In 2020, she created Midlife Globetrotter, a website and platform that helps women over 40 follow their travel dreams to new places, with destination guides, practical tips and stories of her own adventures. Susan is passionate about reframing midlife as an opportunity, and explores themes of reinvention and self-discovery in her work. You can follow Susan on and . In this episode, we talk about group tours and group tour operators, especially those that offer group trips just for women. To learn more, see Susan's blog posts about: Women's tours around the world: How to select a small group tour: Croatia group tour with Adventure Women: Episode Highlights Some things to think about when choosing a group tour include: What is the pacing of the trip -- is there any free time, how often do you switch hotels? What is the group size? Small group tends to be under 14 people. Small groups have advantages in terms of the type of accommodation and the size of the tour group when exploring cities What is the activity level? Some companies like Adventure Women and Adventures in Good Company specialize in active trips and offer detailed explanations of the activity level involved in the trip If you are traveling solo, you can also look for tours that are only solo travelers When you are evaluating a group tour, be sure to read the itinerary in detail. You can also call the tour operator and see if they can give you any information on how many solo travelers there might be versus those traveling with a friend or relative. Also look at what the single supplement is. Some companies like Girls Guide to the World have private rooms by default but typically group tours are priced based on double occupancy and if you want your own room they charge a single supplement. Some companies will pair you with another solo travel as a roommate if they don't charge a single supplement. Be sure to read through the documents to understand what is included in terms of transfers and meals Understand who is guiding the trip -- is it a local or a U.S.-based guide Make sure you understand the cancellation policy and buy travel insurance If you aren't sure if a group trip is for you, opt for a private room, start with a shorter trip, feel free to opt out of activities, and maybe start with a trip in the U.S. that doesn't require a more expensive airfare. If you just want to relax or if you don't like having scheduled activities, then a group tour may not be a good fit Good tour operators for budget travelers include G Adventures (now have tours for women and certain age groups) and Intrepid Travel (who have women expeditions to places where you can meet and interact with locals in a way that you couldn't if there were men on the trip) For a luxury trip, Girls Guide to the World is a good fit and Insight Vacations is upscale and have women-only trips For nature and wildlife, Natural Habitat Adventures partner with the World Wildlife Federation and are known for wildlife trips and have women's only expeditions Adventure Women is one of the first companies to get into women only tours and typically offer four-star accommodations with active adventures Backroads is known for cycling and hiking tours and offers some just for women and they have trips that accommodate a variety of activity levels each day There are also group tour operators focused on certain destinations like Viking Women in Iceland Another themed tour is the British Book Club Tour: Susan is also co-hosting an art-history based trip to Paris this spring Some women-only focused travel companies and others that have women-only trips Next Chapter Travel - small group, curated trips in Europe Next Tribe - over 45 women Gals Abroad Getaways - luxury Untethered Expeditions - adventure Adventure Women - small group adventure Adventures in Good Company - active Girls’ Guide to the World - authentic, responsible (luxury) Sisterhood Travels - over 50 Country Walkers - walking/hiking Scout Escapes - mother daughter travel and group trips for women over 40 Viking Women - Iceland Explorer Chick - hiking and adventure in National Parks and abroad Insight Vacations - upscale group trips some women only Backroads - women only hiking and cycling Road Scholar - educational, some women only, over 50 Uniworld - women’s cruises /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/35553300

When Should You Work with a Travel Advisor? 03/11/2025

When Should You Work with a Travel Advisor? Vacation Mavens recently celebrated nine years of podcasting!! For all of you who have been with us for this journey, we thank you for your support! For those that joined us recently, welcome and we look forward to many more years of sharing our travel experiences. Tamara recently launched a new business as a travel advisor! You can learn more about her custom . Even if you aren't looking for full itinerary planning services, you can support Tamara's business by researching and booking hotels (and getting perks with preferred partner hotels) on this . Episode Highlights A travel agent and a travel advisor are generally the same but a travel advisor is more apt to offer custom trip planning, versus off-the-shelf packages, and serves as more of a consultant You want to use an advisor for many reasons including: Industry knowledge Destination knowledge Preferred partners Knowledge of sales Traveler perks and amenities Save a significant amount of time in the planning process How do travel advisors make money? Some charge planning or service fees for custom trip planning. Tamara charges based on the length and complexity of the trip, starting at $500 per week and $50 a day for additional for a typical couple or family. Advisors also receive commission from booking hotels, cruises, and trip packages. So travel advisors can't help with booking using points or Airbnb or places that don't offer commission. Generally, it should be the same rate or better than booking directly with the hotel. Many independent travel advisors are part of a larger host agency, which provides buying power and knowledge to get preferred relationships with partners. How do you choose a travel advisor? There are people that focus on specific niches such as cruising, Disney, or all-inclusive resorts Tamara focuses primarily on Europe and North America but she is part of an agency with resources and also partners with in-country specialists who have vetted hotels, guides, etc. It is helpful to work with someone that has been to or is very knowledgeable about the destination Word-of-mouth is a great way to find someone If you are a luxury traveler, you can visit Virtuoso.com and search for the destination. You will then see travel agents that cover that destination in the sidebar You can also find travel advisor specialists on Instagram by searching hashtags such as #luxurytraveladvisor, #travelagentlife, etc. How does working with a travel advisor differ from booking through Amex Travel since Amex Platinum card holders receive perks for hotel bookings within the Fine Hotels and Resorts. You need to book those through Amex Travel. Many of those luxury hotels are also part of a consortium such as Virtuoso. If there is a booking through Amex Travel vs a travel advisor, the booking through the travel advisor will have priority for upgrades. Virtuoso is a consortium for luxury properties and brands that offer additional perks when booked through a Virtuoso agency. The perks include free breakfast for 2, $100 resort or F&B beverage, and upgrade based on availability, or early check in or late check out based on availability Many travel agencies also have other preferred partnerships too that can offer perks or amenities for hotels that aren't part of Virtuoso Tamara works on creating custom itineraries that include hotels, activities, private tours, transfers, etc. However, she can also help with hotel bookings, river cruise bookings, and all-inclusive resorts, often without a planning fee. Does a travel agent help when things go wrong? Yes, they can help you if something goes wrong or if you need to cancel. /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/35550600

Tips for Traveling with Dogs (And For Leaving Them Home Too!) 03/04/2025

Tips for Traveling with Dogs (And For Leaving Them Home Too!) On this episode, we are joined by Jessica Williams. Jessica is the author of the award-winning Dachshund educational blog, . She's been traveling, hiking, and camping with her dogs for over 20 years. She's taken her dogs on many extended road trips, covering up to 5,000 miles, and she's flown with them many times. Her two biggest dog-focused travel aspirations are living in Switzerland for a month to hike in the Alps and spending a year road-tripping around the US with her dogs to hike and camp. You can follow Jessica on Instagram , , or . Episode Highlights: Most airlines have pet policies that you should review before booking To travel in the cabin, the pet needs to fit in a carrier that goes under the seat The weight limit is generally 20-25 lbs (although Spirit is higher) You need to call the airline in advance to let them know you are bringing a dog on board as there is a limit to how many can go onboard You don't need to pay for a ticket but you do need to pay a pet fee (typically around $150 each way) According to the FAA, unless you have a true service pet, the pet must stay in the carrier for the duration of the flight Some flight attendants look the other way and you can take the carrier out from under the seat so the pet can see you but technically you can't even unzip the carrier Your pet carrier counts as your personal item so it helps to have a carrier with side pockets for things you need on the plane Aisle seats don't have as much space under the seat in front of you for a carrier. The middle seat has the most space In the airport, the dogs don't always want to use the pet relief area because it smells and is unusual In the airport, dogs should be in carriers but not many people are policing that because service dogs are allowed to be out To go through security, they come out of the carrier and you can walk through the metal detector but you need to take off the collar so they need to behave to not run away and walk through if they are too big to carry Bring along a small water dish, water, and a few treats Jessica recommends layering a potty pad in the bottom of the carrier under a blanket so it is easier to clean if there is an accident Otherwise, you need to potty pad train them before travel Don't feed them right before a flight. Usually, the last meal should be 2-3 hours before travel To find pet-friendly hotels, use bringfido.com Hotels usually have a pet fee, which is typically around $20 per dog per night, but it can also be extremely high Red Roof, Motel 6, Kimpton, and Virgin Hotels generally are pet-friendly without a pet fee but they are franchises and still can charge a fee There is usually a limit of two dogs per room and a combined weight limit of about 150 lbs. Some boutique hotels allow you to bring more than two dogs For international travel, you can get a pet passport for EU countries For Canada, you can drive across the border with your pets The United States changed requirements for dogs coming into the country (even by car) that dogs need to be at least 6 months old, they have to have internationally recognized microchips, and have vaccinations up to date particularly a recent rabies vaccine and health paperwork You need to fill out a CDC import form Some destinations have strict quarantine rules (especially Hawaii and other islands) of 10-30 days Visit to learn more about traveling with cats. Note that many hotels don't allow cats. Tamara recommends TrustedHousesitters.com for free pet and house sitting from vetted sitters. Use her for 25% off a membership! /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/35445600

Tips for Visiting Izmir and Ephesus, Turkey 02/25/2025

Tips for Visiting Izmir and Ephesus, Turkey This week, we are wrapping up our Turkey trip recaps and Tamara fills us in on her visit to Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the lesser-known city of Izmir. Episode Highlights Izmir sits on the Aegean Sea and Ephesus is a popular cruise port for cruises visiting Greece and Turkey. There are also a number of religious sites that attract religious travelers and pilgrimages. One site near Ephesus you can visit what is believed to be the last house that Mary, mother of Jesus, lived in before she died. Bodrum is more of a beach resort but Izmir is a city based on the sea. You can fly into Izmir, which is about 1.25 hours from Istanbul airport and the airport is about 20 minutes outside of the city. Izmir is a good home base for exploring the region in a hub and spoke manner. You should plan to stay three to four days in this region. 1 day in Ephesus 1 day in Izmir 1 day in Urla (fishing village, small artsy town, and wine route) Ephesus is a UNESCO Heritage site that has Ancient Greek and Roman ruins. The site is immense and there is so much that isn't excavated. So much is very well preserved. The Library of Celsus is a highlight. It is worth paying extra to see the houses with mosaics and frescoes. It is recommended to visit Ephesus with a guide and you need at least two to three hours. There is a lot of walking so you need comfortable shoes and it can also get very hot so you want to go early or late and wear a hat and sunglasses. In the summer it stays open until 10 pm at night so you can visit while it is cooler. Selcuk is a cute town nearby where you can go for lunch. The Izmir Marriott is right on the waterfront and has a rooftop pool, restaurant, and nice rooms and location. In Izmir you can: Walk or bike along the promenade along the coastline Visit the Ancient Agora of Smyrna Spend an afternoon exploring the bazaar Should season is going to be better because the heat in the summer can be brutal Izmir is also known as a place to buy wedding dresses Read more about Tamara's time in Izmir and Ephesus: Related Episodes /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/35359575

241: Spring Break Destination Ideas for 2025 02/18/2025

241: Spring Break Destination Ideas for 2025 On this episode, we are joined by Nedra McDaniel from , who is passionate about having attainable adventures at every stage of life. We are sharing some of our favorite places to go for Spring Break in the USA. You can follow Nedra on her blog, and on social media as @adventuremom on , , and others. Expedia recently shared some travel trends for 2024 showing that March is the most expensive month to fly, so if your spring break is in March, you may want to consider a road trip! If you are looking for a cheap airfare, use Google Flights from your airport and put "anywhere" as the destination so that you can sort by price. Spring Break Destinations Florida Keys - is not oppressively hot and humid like it is in the summer. Hawk's Cay in Duck Key is a great location for families. You can take a day trip to Key West and enjoy a wide variety of water sports. Plan a Florida Keys road trip: Daytona Beach / New Smyrna, Florida - "You have grown up and Daytona Beach has too", it is no longer a party spring break destination but very family friendly. You can go pedal kayaking, climb the Ponce Inlet lighthouse, eco boat tours, see manatees, Daytona racetrack tour, and you can drive on the beach. See more things to do at Daytona Beach: and some of the themed attractions in Daytona: Caribbean Cruises - some leave from Florida and some visit Florida ports of call. Just keep in mind that the cruise ships, especially the pools and kids clubs, will be crowded during prime spring break weeks. Read about Kim's spring break onboard Holland America last year: Washington D.C. - Spring break is often Cherry Blossom season and a popular time to visit. For some museums you can arrange timed-entry tickets and many of the Smithsonian Museums are free. D.C. has a great metro system so that you can stay further out to save money and use the Metro to get around. See Tamara's Washington D.C. itinerary: Gatlinburg, TN - Smoky Mountains National Park is free and offers plenty of hiking, be sure to drive or bike Cades Cove Loop, there are also quirky adventures like zorbing, alpine slides, mountain coasters, treetop adventure courses, and Hillbilly Golf. Plus there are so many themed restaurants and shows, along with Dollywood theme park. See Nedra's suggestions for unique adventures in the Smoky Mountains: Phoenix / Scottsdale - spring break is also spring training for Major League Baseball and you can get great ticket prices to watch games in the Cactus League. There are also world-class spas, great brunch spots, and hiking. In the spring the desert is in bloom and beautiful. Scottsdale getaway: Las Vegas - you can use Las Vegas as a base and then explore some of the national parks in the area. It is especially good if you can do Bryce, Zion, and the Grand Canyon midweek and explore the city on the weekends. The Pinball Museum and the Neon Sign Museum are fun and for older teens, try a food tour. See tips for hiking the Narrows: . See more unique adventures in Vegas: . And ways to explore from Flagstaff: Little St. Simons Island, GA - for families looking for a unique all-inclusive here in the US, Little St. Simons Island is a private island and nature reserve off the coast of Georgia and it is perfect for nature lovers. See Tamara's review: Southern California - the weather is great and there is so much to do. Huntington Beach is great if you want to learn to surf. San Diego has the zoo and museums. Plus there are the theme parks. It is also a good season for whale and dolphin watching. See Kim's Southern California itinerary: Destin, Florida - you can go online and find adventure packs with moms who can consult with you on things to do. You can bike on 30A, go paddle boarding, or go indoors at the underwater-themed bowling alley. Learn more about the adventure packs: . See more things to do in Destin: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama - also on the Gulf of Mexico not too far from Destin, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach has that same gorgeous white sand, blue-green water, and calm surf. There are tons of fun activities, great food, and cool, family-friendly beach bars. See more things to do in Orange Beach: Related Episodes /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/35303195

240: Tips for Visiting Cappadocia, Turkey 02/11/2025

240: Tips for Visiting Cappadocia, Turkey In November, Kim and Tamara took a trip to Turkey for a travel writer's conference. After their time in Istanbul, they jetted off to different parts of the country to see more of Turkiye. This week, Kim shares her experience in Cappadocia and offers up tips for anyone that wants to experience this magical world of fairy chimneys and sunrise hot air balloon rides. Episode Highlights Plan to stay in Cappadocia at least four days It pairs well with three to four days in Istanbul (it is about a 2 hour flight from Istanbul) Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) is the main airport for the region Cappadocia is not a town but region that is made up of multiple towns Going up in a hot air balloon is a bucket list experience for many but sometimes flights are cancelled because of various weather conditions so you want to leave some extra time in case you need to reschedule Göreme is the main town and definitely a tourist town If you want something quieter, you can stay in Uçhisar Kim stayed in Ürgüp at the Avant Garde Cave Hotel The Pigeon Valley Hike goes from Uchisar through the National Park to Goreme (about 3 miles) The Valley is where all the balloons fly above Göreme also has beautiful sunsets Goreme National Park is where you will find all the fairy chimneys or hoodoos You can book a balloon ride through your hotel or online, there are many tour operators that offer balloon rides Departure time depends on the time of year, but it is usually fairly early morning The balloons are big with large baskets that hold at least 20 people, with 4-5 people in each section Make sure you have a lanyard or strap for your phone or camera The pilots take photos and then sell you the photo package if you want at the end of the ride At the end there is a light breakfast and champagne but no tables or chairs They pick you up and drop you off at your hotel Use AllTrails to find and download nearby hiking trails The Goreme Open Air Museum gives you access to some of the ancient churches You can have a hammam experience for a traditional Turkish bath Pack layers and shoes or hiking boots with a good grip Stay tuned for our next episode about some of our favorite Spring Break destinations! Related Episodes /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/35201415

239: How to Choose the Best Seats (for you) on an Airplane 02/04/2025

239: How to Choose the Best Seats (for you) on an Airplane Airplanes are not known for their comfort or service. So if you want to have the best experience that you can while cramped inside with a bunch of strangers, here is some advice on how to choose the best seats on an airplane. We share our pros and cons of the bulkhead seats and areas of the plane to avoid. Episode Highlights Tamara doesn't like row 1 or the bulkhead row because you can't keep your personal item at your feet and often the overhead bins above that row are full you end up needing to store your valuables and even your carry on bag a few rows back. Often the first couple of rows of economy is where they store crew luggage, blankets, emergency kits, etc and the room is really limited. Also, since those rows are often "premium economy" people sitting there board early and have status and take up the overhead space. Those bulkhead rows also have fixed armrests that are a bit of a wall that can be uncomfortable. Also, this is where your tray table and tv screen is stored there so you also end up looking down if you are watching the screen. These seats also often have the very thick seatbelts with a built in airbag that can be uncomfortable. The middle section bulkhead is also where they put a bassinet and a baby. The pro is that you have leg room and you aren't going to have someone reclining in front of you On the exit row, you also sometimes have a bump out for the slide that cuts into your space in the window seat Remember to always double check your seat assignments in the days and weeks leading up to the trip, especially if there have been any changes to your flights as they may have shifted your seats if there was an equipment change Sometimes the middle section of a larger plane or international flight you can find a seat without someone next to you, especially if you are traveling solo When choosing a seat, always look at the layout and be aware of where the bathrooms are. You don't want to be either right across from the bathroom or the rows nearby if possible Also, if you are sensitive to sound, you may not want to be in the very front or back near a galley because of the noise, light, and movement The row just in front of the exit row is often used for storage in the overhead bins and space is tighter The seats in the exit row or just before/after sometimes don't recline. Also, the very back of the plane or section have seats that only recline a tiny bit Kim and Tamara both prefer the aisle for easy access to the bathroom and to not feel as claustrophobic Windows can be nice if you want to sleep and you aren't getting bumped by people walking by or the carts going up the aisle Kim likes the aisle of the middle section on international flights because sometimes there might be an open seat next to you If you see all four seats of that section booked, it is likely a family and you might want to be two rows before or after that row If you have a tight connection, try to be as far forward as you can in the plane. It is worth paying extra for a premium seat towards the front Seat Guru is not always updated but can be a good resource. Another site that gives seat reviews is If you have an American Express Platinum card you get a $200 airline credit each year but you need to select your airline. This doesn't go to the fare but can be used for seat upgrades or baggage fees If they change your flight schedule, you need to go in and accept or reject the changes. If the schedule changes more than a certain amount of time, they have to give you a full refund /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/35118025

238: Mystery Weekend on Whidbey Island (A Perfect Getaway from Seattle) 01/28/2025

238: Mystery Weekend on Whidbey Island (A Perfect Getaway from Seattle) Anyone looking for a weekend getaway from Seattle, or a small-town add-on to a trip to the Pacific Northwest, Whidbey Island is a great choice. Learn all about where to stay and things to do on Whidbey Island and hear about a fun time to visit during Mystery Weekend in February! Episode Highlights: Whidbey Island is one of the northern islands off of Seattle At the end of February each year the town of Langley hosts a Mystery Weekend You can get there via the Whidbey-Clinton ferry route or you can drive and take the bridge Learn more about Mystery Weekend: Kim's article on 5 Things to Know About Langley Mystery Weekend: Langley Mystery Weekend: If you live locally, the winter is a great time to visit Whidbey Island because there aren't any crowds and the prices are much lower. Where to stay on Whidbey Island: - winery bed and breakfast - cute historic home turned into a hotel in downtown Langley The island is very dog-friendly with many hotels and restaurants that welcome dogs For the Langley Mystery Weekend you go to the tourism office and purchase a booklet and entry form to guess who did the crime. It offers discounts/coupons for local businesses and encourages you to explore and find clues at different locations. You then put all the clues together to guess and solve the crime. There are also volunteers around town who are in character as part of the story. A local resident writes the mystery every year and it changes each year so you can go every year for a different experience. You need a car to get around Whidbey Island. There is a long highway down the middle of the island and it is easy to navigate. Whidbey Island has an impressive food scene. A few to highlight include: Saltwater - offers pub-style seafood restaurant in Langley Savory - small-plates style restaurant that is perfect for sharing Langley Kitchen - good for breakfast Braeburn - good for lunch and breakfast Things to do in Whidbey Island: Take a hike or get outdoors Earth Sanctuary - $7.00 entrance fee, a space to be in nature, there is also a labyrinth Hammons Family Preserve - great walking trails State Park Beach with kite surfing Shopping Wine, cider and mead tasting rooms What to pack: a raincoat and waterproof shoes Where to take a photo: Hammons Preserve with a view of the water /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/35006390

237: Istanbul, Türkiye Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors 01/21/2025

237: Istanbul, Türkiye Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors Kim and Tamara recently visited Istanbul, Türkiye for the first time to attend the SATW (Society of American Travel Writers) Annual Conference. In this episode, they share their insights and tips for others planning a trip to Istanbul including where to stay, top sights to visit, safety, and other travel tips. Show Highlights: Turkish Airlines has a lot of direct flights from the USA (including Boston and Seattle) Turkish Airlines business class varies depending on what plane you are on and you need to be strategic about choosing your seat It takes about an hour to get from the airport to the city center and there is a lot of traffic in Istanbul. Tamara used Welcome Pickups and Kim used Sun Transfers for private transfers, which were both affordable and possibly cheaper than taxis. It is best to stay in the Sultanahmet neighborhood for first time visitors near the main attraction, Kim also stayed in the Galata Tower area but it is very hilly and hard to access for cabs. Tamara stayed at the Hagia Sofia Mansions Hotel (a Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel) and Kim stayed at the White House boutique hotel. They also stayed at the Conrad Hilton during the convention but wouldn't recommend that area unless you are about to get on or off a cruise. You can ask Google Maps for an accessible route to avoid hills. Kim and Tamara really enjoyed taking a small group tour of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. You can do it on your own but the guide takes care of getting the tickets and plan it so you don't need to figure out what time the mosques are open for visitors. You need to cover your hair when you enter a mosque and take off your shoes so it is helpful to wear slip off shoes and socks. In the Hagia Sofia, visitors can only go to the second level and look down at the main prayer area. You can also see the gold mosaics and Christian imagery from when it was a church. The Basilica Cistern is also nearby and it is very popular with very long lines. We would recommend that you buy skip the line tickets online in advance. Tamara took a guided tour but it was hard to stay together in the crowd and you need to use a listening device to hear the guide. The Sulimaniye Mosque, near the Spice Market, is also well worth a visit for its gorgeous architecture. It is equal or even better than the Blue Mosque. The Rustem Pasha Mosque is also beautiful, but smaller. The Spice Market, also known at the Egyptian Market, has tons of shops selling tea and spices. Just beware that they sell via the kilo and that is a huge amount so you need to request a much smaller amount unless you want to spend an arm and a leg. The sales guys are very good at upselling and aggressive about engaging you to get you into the shop. They also offer free samples. See Tamara's tips on visiting to Istanbul as a solo female traveler: The Grand Bazaar is largely gold jewelry and knock off designer goods with just a few more authentic shops with Turkish linens or carpets. Make sure you try simit in the morning, baklava, Turkish Delight, and Turkish coffee and tea. There are some shops or tours that include someone who "reads" your tea leaves or coffee grounds. Turkish cuisine is very beef and lamb centric. A braised beef and eggplant is a popular dish. Let the restaurant bring different types of mezze, as many of these are delicious and things you might not have tried if you picked yourself. Gozleme is a flatbread topped with cheese or cheese and spinach. Credit cards are widely used but you should bring cash (or get cash from an ATM) for taxis and you will be able to spend less if you pay in cash when you go shopping. Be prepared to tip. Make sure the taxi starts the meter and know ahead of time about how much it should cost. And if you use Uber, don't let them tell you that they don't pay via the app. The tram is an easy way to get around and there is a kiosk to purchase tickets with an English option. /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/34885530

236: Plan a Swiftie Trip to NYC (at Christmas) 01/14/2025

235: Our 10 Favorite Hotels from 2024 01/07/2025

235: Our 10 Favorite Hotels from 2024 On this episode, we recap our favorite hotel stays from 2024, with picks that are great for international and domestic travel for couples, friends, or family trips. - part of Hyatt Hotels, this hotel has a fabulous location on one of the main canals in a great area. The staff was helpful and the room was stylish. The only thing to keep in mind is that it has an open bathroom concept, so it wouldn't be great for families or two friends sharing a room. This is a good option for those who travel with points. Chase is a transfer partner with Hyatt. Tamara visited this hotel in January on her weekend . - this hotel also has an open bathroom format. The location is about a 10-minute walk from the main shopping and sightseeing district. The room rate also included free breakfast and there was a passcode-locked gate for storing luggage. Kim stayed here with her daughter before their Windstar Cruise. Weston Inn Vermont - this is a nice luxury inn in Southern Vermont with top-notch service, a great restaurant, nicely appointed rooms, a spa and fitness center with fantastic yoga classes. This is a perfect romantic getaway. Read Inn at Laurel Point, Victoria - Kim talked about this hotel on a recent episode about Victoria, BC. It is located right on the waterfront just a short walk from downtown. They have spacious rooms, nice L'Occitane bath products, soaker tubs, and a fabulous cafe and full-service restaurant on site. Sandestin Hilton, Florida - located along 30A near Destin, Florida, this area has gorgeous white sand beaches and calm water. This is a great hotel for families because one of the towers has 300 rooms that have bunk beds. It is easy to have a family of five in one room and not feel cramped. Read Tamara's full . - had rooms with three twin beds, making it a great choice for a friend trip to Istanbul. The price was extremely reasonable and it is in the Sultanahmet neighborhood near all the main attractions. - this is a Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel, also in the Sultanahmet neighborhood and it was beautiful. The rooms are spread across multiple buildings and the rooms feel very luxurious. There are two restaurants and the breakfast has so much food. - the hotel room was fabulous but it is located in a high-end shopping district, which may mean you spend more on cabs getting around the city. - Cappadocia is a region of towns and this hotel is in the up-and-coming town of Urgup. This is a newly-opened, cave-style hotel with excellent service and food. Meneghetti Wine Hotel, Croatia - this is Tamara's favorite hotel of the year. They stayed in a one-bedroom residence that had a living room, 1.5 baths, loft bedroom, with a private backyard and patio. The hotel is located on a wine estate and has multiple restaurants, two pools, a beach club, spa, and more. Read about Tamara's . Other Episodes You May Enjoy /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/34625890

234: Nova Scotia for the Holidays 12/17/2024

234: Nova Scotia for the Holidays Tamara is just back from a festive trip to Nova Scotia, Canada where she was able to experience small town holiday celebrations, the Halifax Evergreen Festival, and the Christmas Tree Capital of the World! Her trip was sponsored by Tourism Nova Scotia. All opinions are her own. We are looking for feedback for 2025! Do you want weekly episodes? More interviews? Short episodes? Video? Drop us a line at [email protected] and [email protected]. Mentioned on the podcast: Tamara visited Halifax, New Ross, Mahone Bay, Lunenberg, Barrington, Liverpool, and Shelburne in Nova Scotia. While Nova Scotia is popular in the summer, it has plenty to offer in the winter for the holidays Many of the small towns feel like walking into a Hallmark Christmas movie set with a great small town, community atmosphere. It is a different vibe from big city holidays or German Christmas Markets, but it is perfect for those that prefer a small town environment. The Canadian dollar is also weak against the U.S. dollar so it is a good budget, off-season destination. It is only a 1.5 hour direct from Boston, but there are also direct flights to other cities on the U.S. East Coast. Downtown Halifax has an Evergreen Festival that includes an Evergreen Bright Trail, a small Evergreen Market with shops and fire pits, and other special events like a sports area with mini curling. Glow Gardens in Halifax is a great event for families featuring indoor light displays, bouncy houses, mini golf, roller skating, a Christmas train, live entertainment, and more. 2 days in Halifax was perfect. Museums in Halifax include the Pier 21 Immigration Museum and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which has a great exhibit on shipwrecks including fragments from the Titanic. New Ross is the Christmas Tree Capital of the World, which ships its Balsam Fir trees. You can visit the Ross Farm Museum or one of the cut-your-own Christmas tree farms. There is also a trail called Ruby's Trail that you can climb through the evergreens to a small chalet, which is home to "Twig the Elf." Mahone Bay had a Christmas festival with a small craft fair and a Christmas bells concert, as well as holiday decorations throughout the shops downtown. Lunenberg hosted a huge community arts and crafts fair for the holidays. The town of Lunenberg is very pretty, with colorful architecture and plenty of restaurants and shops. In Shelburne, Tamara stayed in a huge waterfront suite at . Shelburne hosted Miracle on Dock Square with a walk-through Christmas parade, visit with Santa, craft fair, and various stands throughout town. It finished with fireworks over the water. Tamara also went searching for the lobster trap and buoy Christmas trees along the coast of Nova Scotia. Tamara finished her stay at the , which has cabins, a lodge, and glomes (glamping domes). It was warm and cozy, with a great view and very nice, even in the winter. Other Episodes You May Enjoy: New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/34460830

233: Where to go in 2025! 12/03/2024

233: Where to go in 2025! Not sure where to go on vacation next year? We have all kinds of ideas from new theme parks, new attractions, new hotels, cities and destinations celebrating anniversaries, destinations that are easier to access thanks to new direct flights, and more. Plus, stick around to hear where to avoid in 2025 too! Universal Orlando is opening Epic Universe in May of 2025 and you currently need to buy a three-day ticket, with one day to be spent in the Epic Universe Park. There are also three new hotels opening in 2025 in conjunction with the new park. Walt Disney World is also reopening the Test Track attraction and getting a new parade in Magic Kingdom. Disneyland will also be celebrating its 70th anniversary all year long and adding a new Walt Disney animatronic attraction. Two new attractions will also open in the Avengers land. Mattel Adventure Park is opening in Glendale, Arizona with a Barbie Fun House and Hot Wheels roller coaster. Oklahoma City is opening an Okana Resort with a hotel and waterpark right next to the new First Americans Museum near the Bricktown entertainment district. Santa Rosa, California is celebrating the Peanuts comic strip's 75th anniversary at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center. (Hear more about Kim and Tamara's trip to .) Germany is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Fairy Tale Route (read more about with her daughter) Southwest is now flying direct flights to Iceland from more cities (such as Nashville). Just know that you won't be able to use your Companion Pass for Iceland flights. This winter is also supposed to be another peak solar cycle to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, Alaska, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. There are also new direct flights from Atlanta and Philadelphia to Copenhagen via a KLM code-share with Delta. Copenhagen is one of the oldest theme parks in the world and the city is quite family friendly. If you are traveling to Europe next year, at some point they will introduce the and the UK is now going to introduce its own visa system in January 2025. 2025 is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth and cities like Bath, England will be doing a lot to celebrate. It is a great time to plan a trip for literary fans! Fiji now has direct flights from Dallas. Fiji is an affordable and exotic destination for families, which is easier to get to and much cheaper than places like the Maldives. There will also be new direct flights from Newark, NJ to Faro in the Algarve in Portugal (hear about Kim and Tamara's ). United also has flights to Sao Miguel in the . Turks and Caicos has opened many new luxury hotel properties and beachfront villas and offers beautiful beaches. They are also opening a second airport. Indianapolis will be a great spot for a girls' trip or a mother-daughter sports-themed trip - just get your tickets to the Indiana Fever very far in advance. Seattle is also a great sports city with a women's soccer team and WNBA team. Italy is celebrating the Jubilee year from December 2024 through Epiphany January 6, 2026. Rome is going to be extra busy next year, especially at the Vatican (and it could be closed for events.) In 2025, Tamara will be visiting both Peru and Chile in March and April 2025. Kim is meeting her daughter Mia in Paris in July and doing eight days in Switzerland. /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/34256250

232: Weekend Getaway to Victoria, British Columbia (By Ferry!) 11/19/2024

232: Weekend Getaway to Victoria, British Columbia (By Ferry!) Imagine taking a weekend getaway to another country without needing a car or getting on a plane! Kim recently took a trip to Victoria, British Columbia. Victoria is on the tip of Vancouver Island and is actually closer to the U.S. than Vancouver. You can take a high-speed ferry on the Victoria Clipper directly from Seattle. Another option is to take a seaplane from Kenmore Air or Harbour Air from Vancouver. There is also a car ferry from the Port Angeles area. You can listen to more about Kim's previous trip on or read her . This trip was hosted by the Victoria Clipper. The high-speed ferry takes about 2.5 hours from Seattle. The ferry drops off in the main Victoria Harbor and you can walk to the Inn at Laurel Point. Kim has also stayed at the Coast Hotel during a previous stay, but that is slightly further away from the city center. The Fairmont Empress is great for a luxury stay or even just to book a high tea experience. Things to do on a weekend getaway: - which also offers high tea in the original family home. If you book a trip on the Victoria Clipper, they offer vacation packages that also include things like bus transfers to the Gardens. In the Harbour, Canada has done a place-making project to give more visibility to First Nations as it was historically a very important cultural site for many local First Nations people. There are three free daily shuttles to the , which is owned by the Malahat Nation. You climb a ramp through an open, beehive-like structure and at the top, you can climb on a net and look out over the scenery and the water. There are also various sculptures made by locals. You can walk back down or take a slide for part of the descent. You can also go wine tasting in Victoria at Blue Grouse Estate Winery with a gorgeous tasting room, or the Venturi-Schultz Vineyard, where they also make estate balsamic vinegar and Enrico Winery. Local wines include Pinot Noir, sparkling wine, and white wines. Ritual Nordic Spa in downtown Victoria has a great Nordic spa experience with steam, a sauna, a cold plunge pool, salt room, showers, an infrared sauna, and a private patio for relaxation. Aura is the restaurant at the Inn at Laurel Point and is excellent (the coffee shop also has amazing croissants) Endive is a pescatarian restaurant with seasonal ingredients and many things are served family style. /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/33854862

231: Family-fun in San Antonio, Texas 11/05/2024

231: Family-fun in San Antonio, Texas Tamara recently took a press trip to San Antonio, Texas, hosted by Visit San Antonio, to see what there was to do in San Antonio for families. She found that San Antonio has a lot of history and culture, great food, fun theme parks, and plenty of free or affordable attractions. San Antonio could make a great winter or spring break family vacation (when the weather is cooler). The city is also ideal for a girls' trip or couples getaway weekend. Top sites include: San Antonio is the theme park capital of Texas with four theme parks within a short drive. They have the largest SeaWorld of all the parks. There is also a Six Flags, Schlitterbahn water park, and Morgan's Wonderland. Morgan's Wonderland is an ultra-accessible amusement park but built so that everyone can play. Each ride and attraction has been designed from the ground up to be accessible and conscious of those with special needs. The San Antonio CityPASS can save you money if you want to visit quite a few museums and attractions (including the San Antonio Zoo). The Riverwalk extends for 15 miles and outside of the core downtown horseshoe section, it is a quiet and lush urban park. You can even kayak on the river. The Pearl is a dining and entertainment district with residences and the Hotel Emma. The food in San Antonio is great and it is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Some highlights: Eddie's Taco Shop, Best American Daughter, Burgerteca, Stix and Stone, The Jerk Shack, and La Panaderia In addition to the Alamo, there are four other Missions that are run by the National Park Service, which offer even more to see. The Witte Museum is great for kids with plenty of interactive exhibits and play areas. The Japanese Tea Garden in Brackenridge Park is beautiful and peaceful Hemisfair Park downtown also is great for family with young kids with splash pads and climbing structures. Tamara stayed at the Intercontinental San Antonio Riverwalk on the quieter section of the Riverwalk. There are also great resort hotels in Hill Country just outside of San Antonio. See more about Tamara's trip and reasons to visit . Other Episodes You May Enjoy /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/33751037

230: Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Florida 10/22/2024

230: Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Florida Kim recently took her two girls to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando for a mother-daughter getaway. Hear more about her trip, learn some strategies for using Lightning Lane, new rides, new theme parks coming, and comparisons between the parks. It was hot, humid, and rainy in the afternoons, but they still had a fun time exploring all the parks. Luckily, Universal Orlando has more indoor rides that help on rainy days. Updates from Walt Disney World Tron in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom - it is like riding a motorcycle but on a roller coaster track. The ride is fabulous but really short. Splash Mountain is now Tiana's Bayou Adventure - this is a two-by-two flume-like ride that has been redesigned. Disney now has Lightning Lane Multi Experience and Lightning Lane Single Experience. With the Multi Experience, it works on multiple rides and as soon as you tap into one ride, you can request the next Lightning Lane. You want to purchase and prebook your first ride in advance. Single Experience is where you can buy a Lightning Lane time slot for individual rides like Tron or Rise of the Resistance. Disney's Lightning Lane experience is better than Universal's Express Pass because they load people from that lane faster. Disney has also changed their rules around their Disability Access service and made it much harder to obtain a pass. Keep this in mind if you have children with special needs and have used that service in the past. Tip: If you want to stay at one of the Deluxe hotels on property, you can stay by renting Disney Vacation Club points. (Riviera has Skyliner access) See Kim's article on Disney is building a new ride in the Avengers Campus and they are getting rid of the Tom Sawyer Island and Riverboat in Magic Kingdom to create Cars Land. Updates from Universal Orlando Note: Universal Orlando hosted Kim's family for this part of the trip. Kim stayed at the Loews Sapphire Falls, which is a Moderate property and does not include the Express Passes. The Sapphire Falls is within walking distance to the parks and guests get one hour early entry. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure still has very long lines. The nice thing about the Universal Express Passes don't require you to book any times online, so it is less stressful to manage. However, many people have these passes because they are staying at the premium hotels and the lanes load slowly so sometimes you don't save a lot of time (sometimes only about 10 minutes of time savings). There is a Universal Express Unlimited Pass that lets you ride a ride in the Express pass lane as much as you would like, without limits. Universal Orlando is building a whole new theme park in 2025 called Epic Universe. It is going to be further away from CityWalk and the other parks or hotels. It will also have another portion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Ministry of Magic. There will also be two premium hotels and a How to Train Your Dragon land. Other Episodes You May Enjoy /episode/index/show/vacationmavens/id/33330057

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