Travel Squad Podcast is the #1 vacation podcast! We’re long-time friends traveling the world - one passport stamp at a time! In this podcast Kim, Brittanie, and Jamal share international vacations, destination recommendations, national park adventures and recommended hikes, epic road trips, guided tour experiences, and show you how to make weekend getaways possible. All while providing tips, hacks, and travel advice to save money and get the most out of YOUR trips.
Kim describes the Willamette Valley in Oregon as a premier wine region with approximately 800 wineries. She highlights that the valley is an AVA with 11 sub-AVAs, each with unique geographic features, climate, and soil that influence grape flavors, making wines from different sub-regions taste distinct. Kim also notes that the region is known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but is increasingly experimenting with other grape varietals.
Kim compares the Willamette Valley wine region to Napa, noting that while both are beautiful, Willamette Valley offers a more down-to-earth and affordable experience. She explains that wineries are often nestled in hills rather than on the valley floor, and the atmosphere is generally more friendly and less pretentious than what can be experienced in Napa.
Kim highly recommends staying at Bed and Breakfasts when visiting the Willamette Valley, citing their cozy and homey atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. She praises The Ridge Bed and Breakfast for its amazing service, delicious multi-course meals made with local ingredients, and beautiful views overlooking the valley.
Kim shares details of her five-day solo trip to the Willamette Valley, starting with her flight into Portland and picking up a rental car. She mentions her stay at The Ridge Bed and Breakfast and explores the valley from north to south, even traveling as far as Eugene. Kim also humorously recounts forgetting to gas up her rental car twice.
Kim discovered a unique activity in the Willamette Valley: a sound bath experience held in the vineyards on a Sunday morning. She expressed regret at not knowing about it in advance, as she would have planned her trip around it. This experience was noted as a unique offering, distinct from more common farm-to-table dining in vineyards.
Aug 14 · The Worst Offending Travel Icks That Annoy Us, But Also Make Us Laugh7 stories
Hosts and guests on the Travel Squad podcast discuss common travel annoyances, or "travel icks," that they encounter. Topics ranged from disruptive passengers and airport service issues to airline booking policies and airline staff behavior.
On the Travel Squad podcast, hosts Kim and Jamal express frustration with Chicago Midway Airport for its lack of open services, particularly food options, after 9 PM. They describe the airport as having "nothing good about you" and contributing to an uncomfortable travel experience.
One host of the Travel Squad podcast shares a frustrating experience where her flight to Reykjavik was significantly altered. Her original flight from Austin to Boston with a four-hour layover was moved to the "crack of dawn," resulting in a nine-hour layover on Christmas Eve.
A host on the Travel Squad podcast recounts how point redemption for business class flights to Hong Kong became unavailable just before she was able to book them. Despite being close to the required points, the seats vanished, forcing her and another host to book premium economy instead.
The hosts of the Travel Squad podcast discuss the reduction of perks by loyalty programs, citing the Chase Sapphire Reserve as an example. Britney notes that the card removed the dining benefit through Priority Pass, which previously offered up to $56 in credits per person.
A guest on the Travel Squad podcast shares a negative encounter with a TSA agent who became upset when the guest wanted to opt out of the facial recognition photo process. The agent insisted the opt-out should have been stated before handing over identification.
The Travel Squad podcast hosts discuss instances of rudeness encountered from airport security and immigration officers, as well as airline staff. One host shares a peculiar exchange with an immigration officer asking intrusive questions upon returning to the US.
Aug 11 · Wild Brown Bears & Hiking in Lake Clark National Park5 stories
The Travel Squad podcast hosts detailed their trip to Lake Clark National Park in Alaska, marking it as their 56th national park visit. They highlighted that the park is only accessible by boat or plane and is renowned for its coastal brown bear viewing opportunities, where visitors can see bears in their natural habitat, often catching salmon or grazing.
The Travel Squad podcast provided essential planning tips for visiting Lake Clark National Park, emphasizing the need for flexibility due to unpredictable Alaskan weather, which can cause flight cancellations. They advised booking tours and accommodations well in advance, especially during peak season, and recommended having buffer days for travel.
During their visit to Lake Clark National Park, the Travel Squad podcast hosts had an extraordinary bear viewing experience, spotting a total of six brown bears. They first saw a mother bear with three cubs, followed by another mother with two cubs, and then a solo male bear, all observed grazing peacefully.
The Travel Squad podcast hosts highly recommended Regal Air for their experience in Lake Clark National Park. They specifically praised their pilot, Ben, for expertly navigating weather conditions, providing a scenic low flight path, and guiding them to a meadow where they observed multiple brown bears.
The Travel Squad podcast hosts shared how they saved significantly on accommodation in Anchorage by utilizing credit card sign-up bonuses for the Marriott Bonvoy card. They used two free nights, valued at approximately $500-$600, for their stay at the Spring Hill Suites, highlighting the value of travel hacking in expensive destinations like Alaska.
Travelers planning to drive to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park are advised to rent vehicles that allow access to McCarthy Road. The speakers highly recommend Alaska 4x4, noting their convenient airport pickup and ability to drive on McCarthy Road, unlike many major rental companies.
When visiting Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, it's recommended to pack bug spray, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a waterproof rain jacket, as the weather is unpredictable and mosquitoes can be relentless. Glacier hikes are significantly colder, so layers are advised.
The speakers share their experience of significantly reducing flight costs to Alaska through travel hacking, specifically mentioning the use of an Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines (AArray) credit card. They managed to pay only $892 round trip for two people from San Diego to Alaska.
Visitors to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park will be pleased to know that there are no entrance fees. This information is shared as a useful tip for those planning a trip to the park.
The optimal time to visit Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is between mid-June and early September. However, it is crucial to verify the operational status of accommodations like campgrounds and lodges in advance, as some may close earlier in the season.
It is strongly advised not to drive to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park on the same day as arriving in Anchorage. The drive is approximately 6 hours without stops, making it a very long day, so spending the night in Anchorage is recommended.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the largest national park in the United States, covering over 13 million acres and featuring nine of the 16 highest peaks in America. Despite its size and natural offerings, it remains one of the least visited national parks.
It is essential to book tours for Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, such as glacier hikes, rafting, or flightseeing, well in advance. Many popular activities and backcountry access require pre-booking.
When driving in Alaska, especially to remote areas like Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, it is crucial to download offline maps. Cell service can be lost frequently, making offline maps essential for navigation.
Britney shared a travel hack called ResortPass, a website that allows users to purchase day passes for luxury hotels and resorts. These passes provide access to amenities like pools, private beaches, spas, and fitness centers without requiring an overnight stay, enabling 'daycations' in one's own city or while traveling.
Britney discussed the pricing of ResortPass day passes, noting that costs vary significantly by property. She has seen passes ranging from as low as $25 for a day pool pass up to $150 or more for premium experiences like those at the Don CeSar.
Beyond just pool access, Britney highlighted that ResortPass offers different types of day passes, including spa passes and cabana rentals. Some spa passes include a service like a massage or facial, while cabana passes can be reserved for half or full days and are often suitable for groups.
Britney noted that while ResortPass is widely available in the US, its international presence is more limited. She expressed disappointment with the lack of options in Toronto, suggesting it's mainly a US-based service, though international availability might be hit or miss.
Britney described her experience using ResortPass at the Don CeSar in St. Pete Beach, Florida. She called it a historic, oceanfront resort with large pools and a private beach, noting that while it was her most expensive pass at around $150, it was absolutely worth it for the luxury experience.
Britney shared another experience in St. Pete Beach, using a ResortPass at Spy Beach for only $40. She described it as a cool, large resort that was more family-friendly, with multiple pools and beach beds. She found it to be a great value, especially for working remotely.
Britney shared local Austin experiences using ResortPass, including the Atopia rooftop pool with downtown views, which she found to be relaxing and uncrowded. She also mentioned renting a cabana with friends at the W Hotel for Memorial Day, highlighting the vibrant atmosphere.
Jul 14 · 2 Days in Seoul, South Korea: DMZ Tour, K-Food, Korean Culture & Skincare5 stories
The Travel Squad podcast hosts, Britney and Jamal, discuss their two-day stopover in Seoul, South Korea, noting its proximity to North Korea and vibrant K-culture. They highlight the city's metropolitan nature, its location along the Han River, and its blend of tradition and modernity.
For travelers in Seoul, Britney recommends booking hotels near metro lines, like their Moxy Hotel, and highlights the convenience of eSIMs for data, specifically mentioning Airalo. She also advises on using the T-Money card for public transport and warns that Google Maps does not work well in Seoul, recommending Naver Map or Kakao Maps instead.
Jamal recounts their first taste of Korean fried chicken at Kyochon, describing it as extra crunchy, tender, and juicy, often double-fried. They tried soy garlic, spicy, and honey flavors, noting that the spicy option was particularly potent.
Jamal explains the challenges of using the Kakao T ride-sharing app in Seoul, noting that English inputs may not be recognized and that a reliable pin-drop feature is lacking, unlike Uber or Lyft. He suggests using Korean characters or local knowledge for destinations.
Britney describes her visit to Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional Korean village with preserved wooden houses, now featuring galleries and tea houses. She enjoyed an ice flower tea at a traditional tea house where seating was on the floor at low tables.
