travel
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.
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.
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.