On Fridays this October, we're surfacing strange, incredible and sometimes spooky stories. This episode centers on cakes with a particular ingredient that some believe protected them from witchery - and sparked one of the best-known witch hunts in United States history.

Looking for a Christmas getaway that your kids will remember for years? In this episode of Travel with Kids, I'm sharing festive destinations we've visited, plus the Christmas trips still on my bucket list!

From Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party to big-city decorations and cozy mountain towns, we… Looking for a Christmas getaway that your kids will remember for years? In this episode of Travel with Kids, I'm sharing festive destinations we've visited, plus the Christmas trips still on my bucket list!

From Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party to big-city decorations and cozy mountain towns, we're talking about different ways to experience the season as a family, including Vail when you don't ski!

Destinations covered in this episode:

🎄 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party: A festive night at Walt Disney World and a special way to celebrate with your kids.

🏰 Asheville, North Carolina: Christmas at the Biltmore Estate and our family's holiday getaway.

🗽 New York City: Iconic decorations, holiday experiences, and the excitement of NYC at Christmas.

🌆 Chicago, Illinois: A festive big-city trip with Christmas markets, ice skating, and plenty of hot chocolate.

🏔️ Vail, Colorado: A mountain-town Christmas with plenty to enjoy—even if skiing isn't part of your plans.

✨ St. Augustine, Florida: Nights of Lights and a warmer-weather option for a holiday getaway.

❄️ Leavenworth, Washington: We visited this Bavarian-style town in March, but it left me dreaming about a return trip at Christmas!

I'm also sharing the destinations on my Christmas travel bucket list: Quebec City, European Christmas markets, especially in Germany, Lapland in Finland, Park City, and possibly a cozy Vermont getaway.

Whether you're planning this year's holiday trip or collecting ideas for the future, come dream with me about where to make your next Christmas memories!

LINKS:

Blog Post: Magical Christmas Trips to Take in the USA with Kids


•   FIND ME AT:

Blog: http://www.emilymkrause.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amomexplores/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amomexplores

EMAIL ME AT: 

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In this first episode of our seven-part road trip through Arizona, we walk among the ancient cactus forests of Saguaro National Park. Then we saddle up at White Stallion Ranch for legendary guns, dusty arenas and a campfire under the stars with a cowboy poet. It's a journey into the heart of one of … In this first episode of our seven-part road trip through Arizona, we walk among the ancient cactus forests of Saguaro National Park. Then we saddle up at White Stallion Ranch for legendary guns, dusty arenas and a campfire under the stars with a cowboy poet. It's a journey into the heart of one of the most remarkable deserts in the world, and into the mythology of the American West that this landscape helped shape.

This is Arizona - the Wonder of the Desert.

Episode Highlights:

The Desert Miracle

Hear why Ranger Jordan Camp from Saguaro National Park calls the giant saguaro a "miracle of the desert," and discover the extraordinary biology behind one of nature's most remarkable survivors.

The Symbol of the West

Find out how a cactus that grows only in the Sonoran Desert became Hollywood's defining image of the Wild West, and why the real desert is nothing like the movies.

Guns of the Wild West

Step into the armory at White Stallion Ranch as the resident gunslinger and raconteur lays out some of the most legendary weapons in American history, from the Colt revolver made famous by Wyatt Earp to Billy the Kid's fast-draw pistol.

Team Penning

Get into the heart of the action as Aaron, mic'd up and in the saddle for the first time, attempts to herd cattle on horseback at White Stallion Ranch. Spoiler: the cows were not impressed.

The Keeper of the Fire

As the sun drops behind the Tucson Mountains and the saguaros turn to silhouettes on the horizon, gather around a campfire with cowboy poet and musician Buck Helton, and hear a song about memory, tradition and what it means to keep a flame alive.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a road trip you can take. Recorded entirely on location over two extraordinary weeks, Wonders of Arizona follows a new, bookable itinerary designed and road-tested by presenter and award-winning travel writer Aaron Millar (The Times, National Geographic Traveller and more), told through the voices of the people who know these places best. Hear it first, then make the journey your own.

To find out more go to:

USA and Worldwide Listeners: wondersofaz.com (https://www.wondersofaz.com)

UK Listeners: search up Wonders of Arizona at HaysTravel.co.uk (https://www.haystravel.co.uk/destinations/americas/rest-of-usa/arizona/wonders-of-arizona/wonders-of-arizona/) ... Or phone: 0800 408 4048.

FOLLOW VISIT ARIZONA:

Instagram: @visit_arizona

Facebook: @arizonatravel

CREDITS:

Thank you to our guests:

• Ranger Jordan Camp, Saguaro National Park
• The whole team at White Stallion Ranch (WhiteStallionRanch.com)
• Cowboy poet and musician Buck Helton (BuckHelton.com)
The Wonders of Arizona podcast is written and presented by Aaron Millar. Field recording and audio production by Jason Paton. Pre-production and itinerary by Brian Thacker. Produced by Armchair Productions

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around

the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Advertising. more

What does it actually take to step away from work, home, and your phone for five months to walk from Mexico to Canada?

Nina Butler is originally from South Africa and is the founder of InRetreat, a boutique travel and wellness company that runs small-group and private retreats in eco destinations a… What does it actually take to step away from work, home, and your phone for five months to walk from Mexico to Canada?

Nina Butler is originally from South Africa and is the founder of InRetreat, a boutique travel and wellness company that runs small-group and private retreats in eco destinations around the world. A yoga teacher with a PhD in philosophy, she spent several years living in Oslo, Norway, before moving back to South Africa. In 2025, she and her husband, Chris, thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, spending 150 days walking from Mexico to Canada.

In this conversation, Nina and I talk about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and the planning behind it, from permits and visas to stepping away from work, budgeting, trail culture, and what five months off grid did for her mind, her marriage, and a big life decision.

Most of us will never walk 2,650 miles, but plenty of us dream about carving out a real chunk of time to step away, and the logistics are usually what stop us. Nina’s story is a reminder that the planning phase can be its own kind of journey, and that the work of getting ready can leave your life better organized than you found it. There’s also something here about what happens to the mind when the noise falls away for long enough, and why a couple of weeks might not get you there. If you’ve been sitting on a big decision or a big trip, this conversation might be the nudge.

Have you ever taken a big chunk of time away from everyday life? What did it change for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

Tune In To Learn:

Why a single social media post led to a snap decision to hike from Mexico to Canada

What had to be locked in before Nina and Chris let themselves get excited

How Nina prepared her business to run without her for five months

What a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike cost them, and what drives the price up or down

Why daily, old-school map planning made the trail more meaningful, not less

What trail culture is really like, from trail angels to hitchhiking into desert towns

How long it took for Nina’s nervous system to truly settle off grid

How a months-long walk finally answered the question of where to live next

Advice for sharing a tent with your partner for 151 days (and the fight that broke out over food)

Nina’s top pick for a base town to get a taste of the PCT

Resources:

Sign up for our FREE newsletter

InRetreat

InRetreat Instagram

Pacific Crest Trail Association

FarOut

Want More:

Top 10 Health and Wellness Destinations (The Best Places to Live in the World) with Nina Butler

How to Craft Transformative Retreats (For Yourself or Others) with Nina Butler

Top 15 USA National Park Hikes: From Iconic Must-Dos to Hidden Wilderness Gems with Jason Frye

Thanks To Our Sponsors

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From the jazz clubs and Mardi Gras parades of New Orleans to the swamps, dance halls and small towns of Acadiana, this Destination Special explores a side of Louisiana, USA that many visitors never get to see.

We travel west along Interstate 10 into the heart of Cajun and Creole country, a region s… From the jazz clubs and Mardi Gras parades of New Orleans to the swamps, dance halls and small towns of Acadiana, this Destination Special explores a side of Louisiana, USA that many visitors never get to see.

We travel west along Interstate 10 into the heart of Cajun and Creole country, a region shaped by its French language, distinctive music, extraordinary food and deep connection to the surrounding bayous.

Louisiana travel and culture writer Herman Fuselier shares the traditions behind Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras, introduces the sounds of Cajun and Zydeco music, and explains why the true heart of Cajun country lies beyond New Orleans.

Cajun French musician Jourdan Thibodeaux joins me from his home on Cypress Island, overlooking the Atchafalaya Basin. We discuss language, identity, life in the swamp and the importance of experiencing South Louisiana authentically.

Finally, Lori Johnson Walls of Johnson’s Boucanière in Lafayette introduces the dishes every first-time visitor should try, from crawfish étouffée and po’boys to beignets and a proper Louisiana boudin.

Destination Recap

Cities, towns and regions

• New Orleans, USA
• Baton Rouge, USA
• Acadiana, USA
• Atchafalaya Basin, USA
• Lafayette, USA
• Breaux Bridge, USA
• Opelousas, USA
• Eunice, USA
• New Iberia, USA
• Lake Charles, USA
• Sunset, USA
• Arnaudville, USA
• Washington, USA
• Cypress Island, USA
• Henderson, USA
• Mamou, USA
• Avery Island, USA
• Vacherie, USA

Places mentioned

• New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, USA
• French Quarter, New Orleans, USA
• Café du Monde, New Orleans, USA
• Eunice Cajun Mardi Gras, Eunice, USA
• La Poussière Cajun Dancehall, Breaux Bridge, USA
• Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, Breaux Bridge, USA
• El Sido’s Zydeco & Blues Club, Lafayette, USA
• Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, Lafayette, USA
• Johnson’s Boucanière, Lafayette, USA
• Dwyer’s Café, Lafayette, USA
• Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn, Lafayette, USA
• Olde Tyme Grocery, Lafayette, USA
• Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Lafayette, USA
• Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival, Opelousas, USA
• DezMeaux’s Boudin, Opelousas, USA
• Steamboat Warehouse Restaurant, Washington, USA
• Hotel Klaus, Washington, USA
• Fred’s Lounge, Mamou, USA
• Cypress Cove Landing Houseboats, Henderson, USA
• TABASCO Factory and Avery Island, Avery Island, USA
• Laura Plantation, Vacherie, USA

To find out more about visiting Louisiana, go to ExploreLouisiana.com.

If you’d like to find out who’s joining me next Tuesday, come and follow me on Instagram and TikTok. I’m @hollyrubenstein and I’d love to hear from you.

I’ll be back on Sunday with another episode of Unpacked, this time with Suzannah Ramsdale, Lifestyle Director for The Standard.

With thanks to...

Airbnb - Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.co.uk/host.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

Thompson’s Ice House in Bristol, Maine is one of the only places in the United States where people gather every winter to take part in the age-old process of harvesting ice from a frozen pond.

Recorded live at the HoT Podcast Festival in Henley 🎙️

Tanya Rose is joined by acting couple Lucy Fleming and Simon Williams for a wonderfully entertaining conversation filled with extraordinary travel stories, family history and adventures around the world.

Lucy, daughter of Brief Encounter actre… Recorded live at the HoT Podcast Festival in Henley 🎙️

Tanya Rose is joined by acting couple Lucy Fleming and Simon Williams for a wonderfully entertaining conversation filled with extraordinary travel stories, family history and adventures around the world.

Lucy, daughter of Brief Encounter actress Celia Johnson and writer and explorer Peter Fleming, shares stories from her remarkable family history. Her uncle Ian Fleming created James Bond, and Lucy recalls visiting his Jamaican home, GoldenEye, where she sat at the desk where he wrote the Bond novels. She also reveals how she entered a competition to sail around the world, despite not really wanting to, and ended up spending five and a half weeks at sea from Cape Town to Boston, celebrating her 50th birthday along the way.

Simon, best known for his role as James Bellamy in Upstairs, Downstairs, shares why his first visit to New York completely blew his mind, memories of travelling through China and eating oysters straight from the rocks in Oman, and why meeting the people who live in a destination is one of the greatest pleasures of travel.

Together, Lucy and Simon take Tanya from the tea country and wildlife of Sri Lanka to leopard spotting in Rajasthan and a magical New Year’s Day watching the sun rise over the Himalayas.

Plus, Lucy reveals how her father became known as “Professor Nitpick” when Ian Fleming sent him his James Bond manuscripts to read and make notes on, and the couple share the travel advice they’ve picked up from a lifetime of adventures. 

CHAPTERS

00:00 Peter Fleming: traveller, adventurer & wartime deception

00:23 Welcome to Travel Secrets

LIVE00:52 Introducing Lucy Fleming & Simon Williams

02:06 Posting Letters to the Moon & Lucy’s extraordinary family

04:40 Travel Secret #1: New York

06:07 Arriving in New York by sea

07:05 Lucy’s most unexpected adventure: sailing the Atlantic

09:58 Simon’s experience filming in China

11:49 Ian Fleming, Naval Intelligence & the origins of James Bond

12:47 Oysters on the beach in Oman

13:54 The Savoy Grill, The Ivy & Noel Coward

16:18 Lucy & Simon’s top travel tips

17:25 Why they love Sri Lanka

18:54 Leopard spotting in Rajasthan

20:04 The wartime letters behind Posting Letters to the Moon

23:39 Lucy’s poignant visit to GoldenEye in Jamaica

27:31 The photograph that sums up travel for Lucy & Simon

28:02 New Year’s Day in the Himalayas

29:06 Watching their children leave on their gap years

List of places mentioned:

• New York, USA

• Cape Town, South Africa

• Boston, USA

• China

• India

• Oman

• Sri Lanka

• Galle, Sri Lanka

• Rajasthan, India

• Jamaica

• GoldenEye, Jamaica

• The Himalayas

Listen to Travel Secrets wherever you get your podcasts and subscribe to the channel for more conversations with some of the world’s most fascinating travellers.

With special thanks to Hot Podcast Festival and Good Full Media for such a wonderful evening, Gillan Williams for capturing it all, and Lara Shardlow for the wonderful photographs. more

What happens when a life of travel begins with a modelling trip to Acapulco at 16 and goes on to include touring the world with The Rolling Stones, climbing to 17,000ft in Tibet and even spotting a UFO in Brazil?

This week, Tanya is joined by Jo Wood, model, entrepreneur, writer and founder of Jo W… What happens when a life of travel begins with a modelling trip to Acapulco at 16 and goes on to include touring the world with The Rolling Stones, climbing to 17,000ft in Tibet and even spotting a UFO in Brazil?

This week, Tanya is joined by Jo Wood, model, entrepreneur, writer and founder of Jo Wood Organics, whose extraordinary life has taken her all over the world.

Jo started travelling as a teenage model, but when she met Ronnie Wood at 22, she began joining him on tour and, as she tells Tanya, thinks she has now been to “most places in the world.” 

In this episode, Jo shares:

Why Japan is the one country Jo thinks everyone should visit

Touring Japan with The Rolling Stones and seeing how dramatically the country changed between visits

Why Buenos Aires completely surprised her, and arriving there with The Rolling Stones to scenes she describes as “Beatlemania”

Spending a month travelling through Tibet with Sadhguru and climbing to 17,000ft at Mount Kailash

The night Jo and Ronnie saw what she describes as a “proper UFO” while on holiday in Brazil and her other unexplained sightings while travelling in South America and Zanzibar

Taking her own home-grown organic potatoes to Paris while on tour

The restaurant hidden in the Spanish mountains that she recommends

Her travels through India, from Kerala and Goa to Mumbai and Rajasthan

Why she loves Zanzibar and keeps going back

The Seychelles trip and photograph that sums up travel for her

Her favourite restaurants and what she always takes with her when she travels

From rock ’n’ roll tours to remote pilgrimages, this is a life very well travelled.

Subscribe to Travel Secrets for a new episode every week, as Tanya asks her guests to reveal their six travel secrets and the holidays and adventures that surround them.

And remember: this podcast might not change your life, but it might just change your plans.

Chapters:

01:20 How has travel impacted the person you’ve become?

05:44 What’s the one destination everyone should visit once in their lifetime?

08:38 What’s your most unexpected travel experience?

10:52 What’s your most overrated or underrated destination?

20:36 What and where do you love to eat and drink when you travel?

24:39 What’s your top travel tip?

27:58 What’s your most poignant travel memory?

31:51 What photograph sums up travel for you?

34:33 Where are you going next?

Places mentioned

Japan and Mount Fuji

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Tibet, Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash

Nepal

Brazil, including Recife and São Paulo

Zanzibar, Tanzania

The Seychelles

Egypt

India, including Coimbatore, Kerala, Goa, Mumbai and Rajasthan

Acapulco, Mexico

Paris and Cannes, France

Tenerife and mainland Spain

Los Angeles and Miami, USA

London more

What would it take to visit every country in the world, and could a journey like that actually help you heal from unimaginable loss? 

Following the sudden loss of his wife Jackie in Botswana in 2017, Barry Hoffner set out to visit every country in the world, a journey that became the basis for his … What would it take to visit every country in the world, and could a journey like that actually help you heal from unimaginable loss? 

Following the sudden loss of his wife Jackie in Botswana in 2017, Barry Hoffner set out to visit every country in the world, a journey that became the basis for his memoir, Belonging to the World. He has since traveled to 192 of the 193 UN member countries, an experience that included exploring his own heritage as an Iraqi Jew who grew up in the United States. Barry also founded Caravan to Class, a nonprofit that provides access to education for young women across West Africa through the Bourse Jackie scholarship program, named in her honor. 

In this episode, Barry shares how grief led him to a global quest to visit every country in the world, and what he learned about identity, connection, and healing along the way. 

This conversation is a reminder that grief doesn't follow a straight line, and that the way we choose to move through it can shape everything that comes after. There's a lot of honesty here about what it means to rebuild an identity from the ground up after everything familiar is gone. And there's a genuine sense of wonder in hearing how one goal, however unlikely it seemed at the start, can turn into a life fully lived. 

What might it look like for you to begin again from year zero? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you'll share by sending me an audio message. 

Tune In To Learn: 

Why one spontaneous coin flip during high school set the course for a lifetime of travel 

How an early scam abroad taught a hard lesson about travel awareness 

Why working overseas early in his finance career reshaped his approach to life and work 

What it was like to survive a real plane hijacking 

How exploring his family's Middle Eastern heritage as an adult changed his sense of identity 

Advice for processing grief and using travel intentionally as part of healing 

Why he calls the period after his loss "year zero" and what that mindset can offer anyone starting over 

How a chance encounter with a stranger became one of the most meaningful moments of his journey 

Why the goal of visiting every country mattered less in the end than what he discovered along the way 

Advice on transitioning from decades of nomadic living to putting down roots in one place 

And so much more 

Resources: 

Sign up for our FREE newsletter 

Belonging to the World 

Caravan to Class 

Barry's Instagram 

Want More? 

Finding A Quest That Can Change Your Life: An Interview With Chris Guillebeau 

The Power of Death in Life with Gentle Rebel Bronnie Ware 

A Personal Evolution Through Travel + Creating Your Own Path with Nikki Vargas 

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Small towns can feel like a time machine and a deep breath at the same time. I’ve been drawn to quieter places lately, and I want to share what I’m learning as I explore small town travel in the USA as both a solo traveler and a travel coach. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to trade tr… Small towns can feel like a time machine and a deep breath at the same time. I’ve been drawn to quieter places lately, and I want to share what I’m learning as I explore small town travel in the USA as both a solo traveler and a travel coach. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to trade traffic and endless errands for a slower pace, friendlier hellos, and a main street you can actually walk, you’ll feel right at home here. We talk about why so many of us default to the kind o... more

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

If you've assumed train travel is too slow, too expe… Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

If you've assumed train travel is too slow, too expensive, or simply not practical, this episode might change your mind.

Train travel expert Sojourner White busts common myths about traveling by rail and shares why more travelers are choosing the journey as part of the adventure.

From booking smarter to discovering some of the most breathtaking rail routes in the United States, Sojourner shares practical tips to help you decide if train travel is right for your next trip.

Read blog post: Train Travel Tips: 8 Amtrak Money Mistakes To Avoid: https://thoughtcard.com/train-travel-tips/

Connect with Sojourner White

Website: https://sojournies.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Sojournies

Instagram: @thesojournies

Train Trip Checklist: https://bit.ly/trainchecklist

Other Episodes You’ll Love

• How To Visit Two Cities for the Price of One with Airline Stopovers - Episode 196
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• Affordable Vacation Spots in the U.S. for Your Next Getaway - Episode 173
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify
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Tell Me About Yourself

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Website: www.thoughtcard.com

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Work With Me:

Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Resources & Recommendations:

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Your feedback makes it easier for new listeners to discover our thoughtful conversations about travel, money, and building a life you love.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or family member.

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This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads. more

American actress and Gossip Girl star Kelly Rutherford joins Tanya Rose to reveal the travel experiences that have shaped her life.

 

From growing up in California to building a life between New York and Monaco, Kelly reflects on family heritage, the cities she called home and the destinations she… American actress and Gossip Girl star Kelly Rutherford joins Tanya Rose to reveal the travel experiences that have shaped her life.

 

From growing up in California to building a life between New York and Monaco, Kelly reflects on family heritage, the cities she called home and the destinations she returns to time and time again. Together, they discuss everything from her favourite cafés and travelling with children to life in Monaco and the Italian road trip she hopes to repeat with her daughter.

In this episode, she talks about:

Discovering her English and Danish roots

Losing her passport in France

Kelly’s favourite city in the world

Raising children in New York vs Los Angeles

Her favourite cafés in Paris, London and New York

What it’s like to live in Monaco

The simple suitcase rule she always follows

The best way she has found to get her children to go to museums with her

Her favourite magazine for travel recommendations

The unforgettable Italian road trip she took with her daughter

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe to @TravelSecretsThePodcast and remember you can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts.

Places mentioned

New York City, USA

Los Angeles, USA

Palm Beach, Florida

Paris, France

Monaco

Nice, France

Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France

Saint-Tropez, France

Florence, Italy

Rome, Italy

Umbria, Italy

Copenhagen, Denmark

Stockholm, Sweden

English countryside

Istanbul, Turkey more

This week on the pod, the boys talk about their favorite subject: sports. The World Cup is captivating everyone, and the many visitors to the USA are soaking up all the Americana. Ryan chats with NPR's Ava Berger about what's captivating them.

Things We Talked About in This Episode:

https://www.np… This week on the pod, the boys talk about their favorite subject: sports. The World Cup is captivating everyone, and the many visitors to the USA are soaking up all the Americana. Ryan chats with NPR's Ava Berger about what's captivating them.

Things We Talked About in This Episode:

https://www.nprillinois.org/2026-06-19/big-dogs-buc-ees-and-the-great-bbq-debate-world-cup-fans-discover-everyday-america

https://www.npr.org/2026/06/13/nx-s1-5856514/the-joys-of-reporting-on-3-teenagers-chasing-glory-in-the-world-series-of-birding

https://x.com/FreddyLA7

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/19/sport/video/merlin-the-duck-is-mexicos-unofficial-mascot-digvid-vrtc more

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

Connecticut rarely tops travelers' New England wish … Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

Connecticut rarely tops travelers' New England wish lists, yet it offers many of the experiences that make the region so beloved. Historic seaports, charming coastal towns, outstanding seafood, vibrant arts scenes, fall foliage, and centuries of American history are all packed into a state that remains surprisingly uncrowded.

In this episode, David Brodie sits down with Pauline Frommer, President of Frommer's Media and one of the most respected voices in travel publishing, to explore the hidden appeal of Connecticut. As Pauline updates the Connecticut chapter for the upcoming Frommer's New England guidebook, she shares the destinations, museums, restaurants, and experiences that surprised her most.

From world-class art collections and Yale University's stunning campus to lobster shacks, colonial villages, and scenic countryside retreats, Connecticut emerges as a destination that delivers authentic New England experiences without the crowds often found elsewhere in the region.

Topics Covered

• Why Connecticut Is Overlooked – The state's surprising mix of coastal charm, history, culture, and outdoor experiences.

• Historic New England – Colonial architecture, Revolutionary War sites, and maritime heritage.

• Museums & Arts – Yale's exceptional museums, historic homes, and unique cultural attractions.

• Food Scene – New Haven pizza, fresh seafood, and locally sourced dining experiences.

• Coastal Connecticut – Exploring Mystic, Long Island Sound, and charming waterfront communities.

• Outdoor Recreation – Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, and scenic countryside escapes.

Top Things to See & Do

Mystic Seaport Museum

One of America's premier living history museums, Mystic Seaport combines maritime heritage, historic buildings, working ship restoration projects, and engaging exhibits that bring New England's seafaring past to life.

Yale University

The iconic New Haven campus offers stunning Gothic architecture, fascinating guided tours, student theatre productions, and several outstanding museums.

Yale University Art Gallery

One of the finest small art museums in the United States, featuring works by Picasso, Braque, Van Gogh, and significant collections from around the world.

Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library

An architectural masterpiece housing rare books, rotating exhibitions, and one of the world's treasured copies of the Gutenberg Bible.

The Glass House, New Canaan

A landmark of modernist architecture designed by Philip Johnson, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into mid-century design and American architectural history.

Putnam Memorial State Park

Known as Connecticut's Valley Forge, this Revolutionary War site preserves the history of George Washington's winter encampment and the hardships endured by Continental Army soldiers.

Mark Twain House & Museum

One of Connecticut's most famous historic homes, showcasing the life, success, and eventual financial struggles of one of America's greatest authors.

Where to Eat & Drink

Sally's Apizza

A legendary New Haven institution serving the thin-crust pizza style that has made the city famous among food lovers.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana

One of Connecticut's most iconic pizza destinations and a key stop on any New Haven pizza pilgrimage.

Modern Apizza

Another celebrated New Haven favorite known for its classic pies and loyal local following.

The Shipwright's Daughter

A nationally recognized restaurant in Mystic focused on hyper-local seafood and farm-fresh ingredients sourced from nearby producers.

Mystic Seafood Shacks

The Mystic area is filled with casual seafood spots serving lobster rolls, steamed clams, oysters, and other New England classics.

Roly Poly

A well-regarded Hungarian restaurant in New Haven that showcases the city's surprisingly diverse culinary scene.

Neighborhoods & Regions to Explore

Mystic

A charming coastal town known for maritime history, seafood, waterfront scenery, and one of the state's most beloved attractions.

New Haven

Home to Yale University, exceptional museums, renowned pizza, and a thriving cultural scene.

Litchfield Hills

A scenic region filled with colonial villages, hiking trails, countryside estates, and art installations.

Greenwich

Connecticut's most affluent community offers luxury shopping, impressive architecture, and an intriguing glimpse into the lifestyles of the ultra-wealthy.

New Canaan

A destination for architecture enthusiasts thanks to its concentration of significant modernist buildings.

Hartford

The state capital combines literary history, museums, and important cultural landmarks.

Where to Stay

Delamar

A stylish Connecticut-based boutique hotel collection known for incorporating local design inf more

Across the United States, from Alaska to Puerto Rico, there are about 112 million acres of officially designated wilderness. That amounts to about 5 percent of the country's land mass. It might appear to be even smaller when you consider that more than half of those 112 million acres protected as wi… Across the United States, from Alaska to Puerto Rico, there are about 112 million acres of officially designated wilderness. That amounts to about 5 percent of the country's land mass. It might appear to be even smaller when you consider that more than half of those 112 million acres protected as wilderness are in Alaska.

To say that wilderness is at risk from the human imprint isn't hyperbole. While there are millions of acres of proposed, recommended, and potential wilderness across the country, Congress acts extremely slowly on these matters. Indeed, it was back in 1989 when America's Red Rock Wilderness Act was first proposed in Congress to protect 8 million acres in Utah as official wilderness. The clock continues to tick on that proposal.

Without official designation as wilderness, lands can be impacted by motorized and mechanized activities, from logging and mining and energy development to off-road-vehicle recreation. But the threats to both unofficial and official wilderness might be growing, as the Trump administration has called for a review of wilderness management on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and even the National Park Service.

To explore what's at stake with wilderness in America under these proposals, we have Kevin Proescholdt, the conservation director for Wilderness Watch, a nonprofit advocacy organization, and Bob Krumenaker, chairman of Keep Big Bend Wild, a nonprofit advocating for official wilderness designation in Big Bend National Park and a long-time National Park Service manager joining us today.

Public comment on the Interior secretary's directives is being taken through mid-August. Here are links to the public comment pages:

BLM


• https://www.regulations.gov/document/BLM-2026-0034-0001
• https://www.regulations.gov/docket/BLM-2026-0068
• https://www.regulations.gov/docket/BLM-2026-0069
• https://www.regulations.gov/docket/BLM-2026-0067 NPS


• regulations.gov - NPS 2026-0101
• regulations.gov - NPS 2026-0100 FWS


• Wilderness Administration and Resource Stewardship; Managing Climbing Activities in Wilderness
• https://www.regulations.gov/document/FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-1618-0001 more

Public lands stewardship has most definitely changed under the second presidential administration of Donald Trump. Land-management agencies such as the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management have lost thousands of employees, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is on… Public lands stewardship has most definitely changed under the second presidential administration of Donald Trump. Land-management agencies such as the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management have lost thousands of employees, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is on a mission to turn the country's public lands into a cash cow of sorts.

As the political tenure in Washington D.C., swings wildly back and forth like a massive pendulum when it comes to our public lands, there is an effort under way to provide a roadmap for public lands stewardship in the United States that stretches far into the future.
  
Ground Shift is a new nonprofit organization working to, as they put it, "develop creative, durable, and transformative ideas to shape the next century of public land and water stewardship in the United States."

To better understand this organization and its goals, our guests today are Lynn Scarlett, who was a deputy Interior secretary during the administration of President George Bush, and Tracy Stone-Manning, who directed the Bureau of Land Management under President Joe Biden.  more

Send us Fan Mail This week's show is all about sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida where we attended IPW 2026 last week — one of the travel industry’s premier international marketplaces, hosted by Brand USA and the US Travel Association. One of the conversations we had was with Visit Lauderdale sharing a… Send us Fan Mail This week's show is all about sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida where we attended IPW 2026 last week — one of the travel industry’s premier international marketplaces, hosted by Brand USA and the US Travel Association. One of the conversations we had was with Visit Lauderdale sharing all the fun things Ft Lauderdale has to offer. I also had a sit down with Brand USA, talking about traveling to the US, visitation numbers and the plan going forward. Support the show more

Today we’re heading to the sun-soaked Southern California coast in the USA, arriving at Newport Beach.

Now, if you’re listening in the UK and thinking, hang on, where exactly is Newport Beach? - it’s just south of Los Angeles, in Orange County. 

For a lot of you listening, that name might immediat… Today we’re heading to the sun-soaked Southern California coast in the USA, arriving at Newport Beach.

Now, if you’re listening in the UK and thinking, hang on, where exactly is Newport Beach? - it’s just south of Los Angeles, in Orange County. 

For a lot of you listening, that name might immediately conjure up The O.C., or the The Real Housewives of Orange County - it’s one of those places that really captures that classic California coastal lifestyle: long sandy beaches, a beautiful harbour dotted with boats, waterfront restaurants serving the freshest seafood, surf culture, spectacular houses, and that sense that life is lived largely outdoors.

It’s glamorous, yes, but it’s also very accessible for all price points and surprisingly varied once you get to know it - and that’s what this episode is all about.

I’m joined today by Gary Sherwin, a Newport Beach local for the last 25 years, travel expert and CEO of Visit Newport Beach - he knows the area inside out.

He shares the places, experiences and little details that really give you a feel for the destination. Because this isn’t just somewhere to come for a quick beach stop. It’s a destination in its own right, and one that seems to offer a really lovely mix of things: that classic California coast feeling, yes, but also a lot of variety within it - from smart hotels and great food to beach days, boat days, family-friendly experiences, little pockets with their own personality, and plenty of ways to slow down and enjoy being by the water.

So whether you’re plotting a wider California trip, looking for a different side of Southern California, or just in the mood for a little armchair travel to somewhere sunny and coastal, this should give you a very good feel for it.

Destination Recap:

• Newport Harbor
• Gulfstream Restaurant
• Louie’s by the Bay
• A Restaurant
• 21 Oceanfront Restaurant
• Balboa Bay Resort
• Pendry Newport Beach
• VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa
• The Resort at Pelican Hill (becoming A St. Regis Estate in 2027)
• Crystal Cove
• Balboa Island
• Inspiration Point, Corona del Mar
• Mastro’s Ocean Club
• Blackie’s by the Sea
• Fashion Island
• Back Bay (Upper Newport Bay)

You can discover more about Newport Beach here.

As always, thank you so much for listening. If you enjoyed it, do share it with someone who’s planning a California trip, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe on your podcast app so you never miss an episode.

I’ll be back on Tuesday.

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This podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Downloa… This podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FROMMER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frommers

Andrew McCarthy, star of such iconic films as Pretty in Pink and Less Than Zero, is also an accomplished travel writer. His latest book “Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America” tells of a roadtrip from New York to California during which McCarthy visited old friends and dropped in on both quirky backwaters and places of historic importance. Along the way, he learns from the men he meets on the road what friendship means and why it’s a crucial element in a well rounded life. Pauline Frommer discusses the book and journey with McCarthy in today’s podcast.

Mentioned in this podcast:

• White Sands National Park
• Point Pleasant, West Virginia
• Wink, Texas
• Clarksdale, Mississippi
• Oxford, Mississippi
• The Blues
• Roy Orbison
• Elvis Presley
• Emmett Till
• Don George
• Book Passage
• Abraham Lincoln
• Oakland, California
• Friendship
• Alzheimers
• Heart Disease
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Send us Fan Mail I just got back from the Travel South USA Media Marketplace in Mobile, AB. So on this week's show we'll share a couple of conversations we had. One is with the Battle House Renaissance Hotel and Spa. That's where we stayed while in Mobile. It's beautiful hotel that dates back to the… Send us Fan Mail I just got back from the Travel South USA Media Marketplace in Mobile, AB. So on this week's show we'll share a couple of conversations we had. One is with the Battle House Renaissance Hotel and Spa. That's where we stayed while in Mobile. It's beautiful hotel that dates back to the 1800's. So we'll share the story about it's historical past and what it's like now. The other is with Visit Mobile sharing the historic past, the colorful present and exciting future plans f... more