Today we’re sharing our top travel safety tips to be cautious and overly prepared for what can go wrong while traveling.  Check out our other travel safety episodes. Travel Safety Tips – Episode Transcript 0:35 And get ready to embark on a new adventure with us around the globe. Hey, Squatty’s Travel Squad Podcast is […]

We’re bringing you the 11 best solo travel for women tips from the expert herself. Zeina spent her early 20s traveling through Europe and living in Lebanon and is bringing you stories from her adventures, solo female travel safety tips, advice on how to make friends while traveling solo, and answer all your questions on […]

We’re sharing how to spend four full days enjoying all the best Miami Beach has to offer. We share amazing beachfront properties to stay at, great places to eat, where to get Miami Beach drinks, beautiful rooftop bars, how to enjoy the beach beds and umbrellas, and where to go out dancing for some of […]

Come with us to swim with the most adorable manatees in Crystal River, Florida with Explorida. In this episode we share what we learned in the experience including the best time to visit, what to expect, and expert tips from our unforgettable eco tour experience. If you’re staying overnight in Crystal River, here are a […]

We take you along for part 1 of a 9-day adventure through Egypt starting with the iconic Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx of Giza and the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum and then taking to the seas for a 4-day Nile River cruise stopping at ancient temples in Aswan and taking a side quest to […]

In this episode we take you on a 7 hour road trip from Austin to Big Ben National Park for a weekend trip to glamp at Bubble Terlingua, explore the desert town of Terlingua, see the most amazing starry night sky and ride donkeys from Big Bend into Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico. We updated our […]

In this episode we chat with Jocelyn and Justin, the owners and captains of the historic Schooner J & E Riggin, for an inside look at life and travel aboard a nearly 100-year-old windjammer. We talk about what makes sailing the Maine coast so special, from wind-powered routes and themed sailings to cozy onboard life […]

We’re helping with your holiday shopping this year with our 6th annual best gifts for travelers list! We have unique lists of affordable gift ideas for every type of traveler in your life. You can view all our favorite Gifts for Travelers on our Amazon Shop! Note: We earn a small commission from links in […]

In this episode we are sharing the ultimate winter travel packing list covering winter clothes, supplies, winter packing gear and beauty & wellness must-haves for the colder season. Whether you are going skiing, snow hiking, or just going to visit a chilly destinations during the winter, these are staples for any seasonal trip. Everything can […]

Ready to explore the raw beauty of Alaska? In this episode, we take you with us to Glacier Bay National Park, one of the most breathtaking and remote national parks in the U.S. We’re sharing everything you need to know: must-see attractions, what’s worth your time and money, and how to experience it all in […]

In this episode, we embark on our unforgettable 2-day journey through Kenai Fjords National Park, one of Alaska’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. After spending the first night in Anchorage and arriving in Seward to kick off Day 1 with scenic stops and a glacier hike, Day 2 dives even deeper into the heart of the park’s […]

Kim is sharing tips for your first solo trip after taking her first of many and learning a lot during the planning process and while on the trip. “I always wanted to go on a solo trip, but I was nervous. I didn’t like doing things on my own, but I got to the point […]

In this week’s Just The Tip we’re sharing the must-have summer travel items you need to keep you happy while on the go this season!  Note: We earn a small commission from links in this post. Thanks for supporting the Travel Squad Podcast! Summer Travel Essentials – Episode Transcript 0:35 Today we’re sharing travel essentials […]

Breaking down the pros and cons of the most popular Hawaiian islands so you can decide which one is best to visit for the vacation your are looking to have. Find a great flight deal to any of these Hawaiian Islands by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and watching the daily flight deals (points […]

In this episode we spent four days in Cabo relaxing on the beach, adventuring out onto the water, sightseeing, and enjoying the amazing Mexican cuisine. On this trip we did the classic Cabo Arch tour and a whale watching tour that was amazing and we saw multiple kinds of whales and other sea life. See […]

We’re sharing a step-by-step guide on how to plan an international vacation. This episode will help ease the minds of newbie to international travelers with tips to make the planning process easier, how to navigate a new country, and tips for safety, saving money, and booking. If you have not yet traveled out of the […]

Come with us to the land of fire and ice for a week in Iceland – in the dead of winter! On this wintry adventure we go to Snæfellsnes Peninsula, The South Coast, The Blue Lagoon, on an epic Northern Lights chasing tour in the middle of the night, and even saw some real lava! […]

We’re sharing the details on visiting New Orleans during the Mardi Gras festival season. When is Mardi Gras? Despite popular misbelief, Mardi Gras is not just Fat Tuesday! It’s actually a carnival season starting on January 6th and ending on Fat Tuesday, which is the day before Ash Wednesday. Depending on when Easter falls the […]

This week’s Travel Tuesday takes you along on our girl’s trip to the Napa Valley wine region! Britt and Kim meet Robin there for four winery and tasting experiences, three days, two nights, and one wholesome, silly, and cute weekend. We loved Napa, and you will too! Napa Valley Trip Planning Resources Here’s what we […]

We’re highlighting Buenos Aires, the metropolitan city, architecture-rich, foodie city in Argentina. We tour the city, immerse ourselves in its history, patroned its rooftop bars, and spent a day at a traditional Guacho Party at the Santa Susana Ranch. Episode Highlights: We stayed right near the Obelisk, at the Buenos Aires Marriott. This was a […]

In this episode we go to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and share where we stayed, all the best things to do in Rio and share a few tips we learned that will make your visit to Rio a success, like using an airalo e-sim. Highlights of this trip were taking in the views atop Sugarloaf […]

Today we’re sharing changes Southwest Airlines announces in its recent quarterly investors call and some things we have always, and will still love about Southwest. What we love about Southwest Airline that is staying! What’s changing with Southwest? Pros Neutral Cons Want to earn Southwest’s Companion Pass? Listen to our Southwest Companion Pass episode that breaks […]

Today we’re sharing our most recent cruise experience!  In July Kim took a family cruise! The 7-day Mexican Riviera Carnival cruise out left of Long Beach, going to Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan. This was Kim’s third cruise, and second Carnival cruise taking this exact same route. Joining her on this cruise were six family […]

Special guests Melissa and Scott from Sunshine Travelers Podcast join the show to talk all things Caribbean – what islands and countries to visit, how to save money on Caribbean travel and which places you can skip. We also talk about their show, traveling as a married couple, and immersing yourself into the local culture […]

The Ho Chi Minh Trail is also known as the Saigon Trail, it descends from the northern neighborhoods of La Jolla to Black’s Beach in La Jolla. It’s a short, but exciting hike with beautiful views and beach relaxation rewarding you at the end. Hiking Ho Chi Minh Trail in San Diego – Episode Transcript […]

Taking you to Iceland on a week-long trip exploring Southern Iceland. This was an absolutely amazing trip venturing through the natural landscapes, waterfalls, animals and hikes that were all so incredible. In this this episode we cover: Hotels we stayed at: Check out our ⁠Iceland Experiences Viator list⁠ for all the tours we did + […]

Today is Jamal’s 37th birthday! Jamal is our trip driver and transportation planner. We often refer to him as dad So we thought we would celebrate his special day by asking him a few questions from us as well as our squaddies. Jamal’s Bday Episode Transcript 0:35 And get ready to embark on a new […]

Today we’re talking about the pros and cons of booking a trip as an independent tour.   Independent tours are trips where the main components of the trip are booked for you, usually flights, hotels, sometimes transportation like train or rental car, but there is no  direct oversight, professional guide, or a tour company that accompanies […]

We’re taking you on an epic road trip through the Dakotas! In this episode we detail our 6-day road trip that takes you through both North and South Dakota as we explore new cities, state parks, national parks, and unique roadside attractions including: We even talk about add ons like Carhenge and Toadstools Geological Park. […]

We went on an outdoor adventure trip of a lifetime with ⁠River Expeditions⁠, the #1 lodging and adventure property & rafting outfitter in the New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. In this episode we’re recounting every moment of the best three days kayaking and white water rafting on the New River, zip lining […]

We’re taking you to Mesa Verde National Park in Southern Colorado to experience the 800+ year old Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. These incredibly well-preserved ancient ruins will really get you going as you walk through actual steps and pathways the Ancient Puebloan people did nearly a century before. We visited Cliff Palace, Long House, and […]

We spent a full week exploring the best cenotes in Tulum, walking ancient Mayan ruins in Tulum, eating endless tacos, lounging on the beach, and exploring nearby Bacalar. On this trip to Tulum Mexico we explored four different cenotes and three different ruin cites including the famous Chichen Itza. After spending a good amount of […]

We’re breaking down the perks and benefits of the Chase Saphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X, two of the top travel credit cards on the market today. The Squad has both of these credit cards, we know them, we use them, we love them. And while both are great, each one offers different […]

We’re taking you to some of the most special places on earth and some of the most sought after tourist attractions around the globe. These UNESCO World Heritage sites are all amazing. This list takes you to Latin American, Asia, Africa, and Europe to see some of the most amazing historical and beautiful sites this […]

In this episode we are is taking you to one of the country’s most iconic national parks – Yosemite National Park located in the central Sierra Nevada region of California. The gem of California boasts towering granite cliffs, gorgeous tall waterfalls, and bear wildlife spotting! We’ve been to this park several times and have a […]

We are sharing the best things to do in Guanajuato travel in this episode! Guanajuato is an artsy, colorful town in Mexico. There are so many fun things to do in Guanajuato Mexico that make for the perfect weekend getaway. Not to mention all the things to see in Guanajuato! Just walking around and looking […]

We’re answering your questions and diving deep into one of our favorite topics: Guided tours! We have done several prix fixe vacations using guided tour companies like Gate1 Travel, Alpaca Expeditions, and Viking River Cruises. We are BIG fans of guided tours! We have yet to travel with G Adventures, Abercrombie & Fitch, or Here […]

We welcome Gavin McFall to the show this week to talk about his 14-month round-the-world backpacking trip. Gavin visited 19 countries across South America, Australia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. He shares how he saved for the trip, how to plan a round the world trip and how he did it with real […]

In this week’s episode of the Travel Squad Podcast, we take you on an unforgettable 8-day journey guided tour through Morocco with Gate 1 Travel. From the bustling medinas of Fez and Marrakesh, to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis and the breathtaking Atlas Mountains, and the metropolitan cities of Rabat and Casablanca, this adventure […]

Ecuador is one of South America’s most diverse and underrated destinations, offering everything from colonial cities and colorful markets to the Amazon rainforest and towering volcanoes. We took this incredible trip with ⁠Gate 1 Travel⁠ for just $1,200 at the time. Our package included international flights, hotels, most meals, transportation, and guided tours—making it one […]

We’re exploring Shenandoah National Park and New River Gorge National Park – the newest national park in the United States. Since they are so close together you can couple these two into a weekend trip and see the best of both parks! This east coast adventure features wild white water rafting, hiking, gorgeous overlooks, and […]

In this episode, we are taking you on a majestic trip to some of the coolest hot springs in America. Hot springs are these magical places that you have to have the in on to find and enjoy. Some require hiking in the snow to get to, and some leverage man-made pools to harness the […]

In this episode we take you on a Cabo vacation! Cabo San Lucas sites on the southern tier of Baja California, Mexico and is one of the best places to take a vacation in Mexico! If you’re looking for clear blue warm waters, friendly people, delicious food, some of the best parties, and a fun […]

In this episode we bring back our friend and world traveler, Ashley V Travels who is fresh off her 3 month trip solo traveling through South East Asia. Ashley shares solo female travel tips for safety, managing costs, planning learnings, and what it’s like returning some such an epic trip back to everyday life. She […]

We’re giving you the top 10 winter vacation destinations if you want to be a snow bunny and enjoy crispy temperatures or if you want to escape the cold and travel somewhere warmer during winter months. The best winter vacations can be warm or cold depending on what you like and what kind of vacation […]

We’re exploring bucket list trips that we really, really want to do! Jamal, Kim, and Brittanie share three international iconic international bucket list trips of a lifetime that are on our list, plus we each share our bucket list trips in the US! We dream big in this episode, if you’ve been to any of […]

We’re bringing you another full list of iconic national parks without hiking to see and enjoy. We love an “easy day” of 12 mile hikes to reach peak summit views as much as the next person, but sometimes you want to relax and sightseeing in America’s most beautiful natural preserves, and get that too! Some […]

7 Day Tulum Itinerary This 19-page Tulum Itinerary outlines every detail to have an amazing 7 day Tulum vacation visiting beaches, cenotes, and Mayan ruins.  Details: 19-pages of expert advice to help you navigate your Tulum trip and maximize your experience. The guide includes how to get to Tulum, the best cenotes in Tulum to […]

We’re bringing you an inside scoop on how to move to another country, and what it’s like to own businesses and property in other countries. We interviewed Kathleen Piddicord and Leif Simon of Live and Invest Overseas in a jam packed hour of travel and expat life inspiration.  The pair met on a guided tour […]

We are giving all our best tips for group whether you are traveling with a group of friends, family, or strangers on a guided tour. At the Travel Squad, we have a lot of experience traveling as a group and have seen the best and worst of it. Why is there always a fight when […]

We have taken a lot of road trips over the years and have great tips for how to plan a  road trip, including how to save money on a road trip (especially with high gas prices!), how to maximize time so you can see all the attractions and sights along the way, and keep yourself […]

Cruise vacations are SO much fun! We live for a good 3-7 day cruise on an ocean liner or on an amazing river cruise.  We answer all of your top questions in this episode including, “how much are cruises?” and “which vacation to go on a cruise?” We have had some really fun times on […]

The Travel Squad is taking you to all nine of California’s amazing national parks! Each park offers something so different – the hottest place in the world, the tallest trees in the world, the largest trees by volume in the world, islands, forests, deserts, and so much more! It’s hard to say which are the […]

We’re convincing you that the best time to visit Zion National Park is NOW! It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting Zion in the summer or Zion in the winter, the park has amazing sights and things to do in both seasons! You should visit Zion National Park during both seasons! This is one of America’s […]

We’re sharing stories from our trips of some of the worst travel etiquette and giving you tips on being a better traveler. From the worst B-O on a 14-hour flight to obnoxious travel buddies, to loud people in the hotel hallways. In this episode we are re-living and laughing about it all plus giving you […]

This episode is dedicated to the best beaches in San Diego! With over 70 miles of gorgeous coastline, San Diego brings unique personality and draw to each of its beaches. No two are alike and all are worth a visit. We have the best beaches in San Diego for families – yes some are better […]

Grand Teton National Park, located in northwestern Wyoming just south of Yellowstone, is one of the most scenic and serene national parks in the U.S. With the jagged Teton Range towering over alpine lakes, lush valleys, and the Snake River, this park is a haven for hikers, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts alike. From spotting moose […]

Reflecting on our travel stories from 2021 and giving a sneak peek at a few plans we have for travel in 2022. Despite the craziness with travel we managed to visit two  2 countries, 15 states, and 8 national parks. Countries: Mexico, Ecuador States: Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas, Colorado, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Utah, Nevada, […]

We travel several times a month either on road trips, international vacations, or quick weekend getaways in a nearby state. We’ve learned a few ways to get more bank for your buck and optimize your time there so we’re sharing our best travel hacks. If you want travel life hacks that will ultimately make it […]

We’re taking you to each of the Mighty 5 national parks in Utah to explore the best hikes and sights in each of these unique natural wonders. How many national parks are in Utah? Five! And this episodes goes into each one. We’ve been to all 5 on different trips and love each one for […]

Taking you just south of the Southern U.S. border to the best places to visit in Baja California, Mexico. These five cool places are just a few minutes drive from San Diego making it super easy to visit by land. We live in San Diego and love exploring Baja California, from Tijuana to the most […]

In this episode we cover the latest headlines in international travel news and share a few of the best deals to save on your next trip. In this episode we talk about Canada reopening to Americans and the world, NYC requiring vaccinations for all indoor activity, COVID tests still required to fly back into the […]

This is our ultimate list of the best hiking gear you need if you love hiking as much as we do! We’ve linked our top hiking gear recommendations from Amazon in each category and explain why you need it and how it helps on the trail. From backpacks to headlamps to socks and buffs to […]

We’re excited to celebrate the reopening of California! Today we’re bringing you the top headlines in California travel and tempting you to come visit with travel deals you won’t be able to resist. As San Diego locals we’re sharing exactly what it’s like in this vacation destination now that restrictions have been lifted and tourists […]

This guest interview features another San Diego local and expert on the hiking scene and how to start backpacking. Hiking with Britt joins the squad to share her favorite trails around San Diego, hiking advice including trail etiquette, how to start hiking and backpacking, tips for new backpackers, and how she got involved with a […]

We’re going to the Caribbean with a week long St. Thomas vacation! St Thomas is beautifully located in the U.S. Virgin Islands and is one of the most beautiful islands in the “United States”. In part 1 of two-part episode we explore Magens Bay Beach, Sapphire Beach, Coki Beach, and Lindquist Beach on St. Thomas. […]

We are here to settle the debate one and for all: Is it better to stay in an Airbnb, a hotel, a hostel, or a timeshare? There are so many options and it depends on the place, who you’re going with, what you’ll be doing, and what you budget. If you’re comparing Airbnb vs hotel […]

In this episode of the Travel Squad Podcast, we’re taking you to Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico’s hidden wine country paradise just south of the U.S. border! Located only an hour south of San Diego and 20 minutes east of Ensenada, Mexico, Valle de Guadalupe offers a world-class wine experience without the hefty price tag you’d […]

Ashley from Ashley P Travels, guest interviews on the podcast today answering your questions on “what is it like to work on a cruise ship?” Ashley spent several years working on a cruise ship and in this episode she reveals what it’s really like to live a travel life and work on a cruise ship, […]

We’re talking about the less glamorous sides of travel – things like travel scams, mishaps, and when things don’t go exactly as planned. Whether it’s being cheap and missing out on once in a lifetime experiences or your phone getting stolen and it threatens the mood of your whole trip, we have to remember to […]

Wrapping up a crazy year of travel and looking ahead to better travel days to come. Despite a pandemic we visited three countries, 11 states and 11 national parks and hit some major accomplishments on the podcast thanks to YOU, our listeners. In the second annual “year in travel” wrap up, we recount the trips […]

We’re bringing you a whole episode dedicated to how to stay healthy while traveling. This year we have talked more about health and traveling – or not traveling – than ever before  and we want to keep you doing both! We’re bringing you our best tips to stay healthy while traveling including what to pack […]

This is a fun episode of the top 20 travel questions we have been asked, giving you our very best travel advice! We’re giving our tips and secrets for saving money on travel, advice for traveling smarter and better, and giving travel advice we’ve learned over the years of traveling. Plus a few funny stories […]

In this two-part episode we take you with us to the best places to visit in Japan on a two week trip in winter! Destinations that we visited include Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, & Miyajima Island. If you want to take this same itinerary, download our detailed 14 day Japan Guide, which includes travel […]

We are taking you with us on a 3 day weekend getaway to Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Located in New Mexico and Texas, these two parks are only an hour apart, although they are in different states, which makes it easy to experience both of them on a weekend trip. Carlsbad Caverns […]

We’re taking you to the pacific northwest of the USA to the beautiful mountains of Idaho with the best things to do in Boise, the surrounding mountains, and nearby natural hot springs! In this episode we explore Boise, dip into two different amazing natural hot springs in Idaho, see wildlife and amazing views, and enjoy […]

This one is a rager! We’re going all the way to the iconic Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan, Thailand. The monthly all-nighter is full of neon clothes, body paint, fire dancers, buckets of booze, and partying! We’re giving all the tips to do it right We have the Chelseas on the podcast to talk […]

In this week’s episode of the Travel Squad Podcast, we are taking you on an unforgettable journey through Lebanon – a small but incredibly diverse country nestled on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean. Lebanon is known for its ancient history, culinary traditions, stunning Mediterranean coast, Roman ruins, beautiful landscapes, vibrant nightlife and warm hospitality. […]

We’re giving all our best travel tips and advice to that first time traveler. We’re taking everything we learned throughout our extensive local and international travel experiences and sharing all the things we wish we knew when we started traveling. The top tips for first time international travelers and debunking the common excuses people give […]

In this episode, we’re taking you with us on an unforgettable 14-day adventure through Africa! Our guided tour took us across South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland), and Zimbabwe, packed with wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, rich history, and hilarious travel moments. We started in Cape Town, visiting Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, and the famous […]

In this episode of the Travel Squad Podcast, we are taking you with us to Shanghai Disneyland! Shanghai Disneyland has that Disney magic but with a modern twist, combining beloved classics with unique attractions you can’t find anywhere else. Located just outside the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, this park brings together Chinese culture, Disney storytelling, […]

We attempted to brave the worst storm in California in 20 years to take a Hwy 1 road trip through Big Sur, but a major mudslide that took out part of the highway prevented us from seeing it all. We recount the mudslide that put a wrench in our plans, but how we recovered for […]

3 days, 4 states, and so much more on this American Southwest road trip featuring the Grand Canyon, one of the best canyons in the U.S. to visit. In this episode we tell stories from our three day road trip through Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California and give you tips on how to see it […]

Cuba is a wild place with friendly people, classic cars everywhere, and tons of drinks! We share our Cuba travel guide for Americans looking to visit and curious on the best things to do in Cuba and the best places to see in Cuba. This beautiful, cultural country should be on everyone’s bucket list. In […]

Aloha! In this episode we share our Kauai travel stories from a week trip to this beautiful island. Kauai is absolutely gorgeous from hiking in the Grand Canyon of the Pacific to sailing the sunset seas along the Napali Coast, there are so many things to do and see in Kauai. We stayed in the […]