🎧 Show Notes

Why a Travel Advisor Isn’t a Luxury—It’s the Difference Between a Trip and an Experience

What if the most valuable part of your trip… isn’t the destination?

It’s the way it unfolds.

In this episode of Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint, we’re pulling back the curtain on something most travelers don’t think about—until it’s too late:

👉 The real value of working with a travel advisor.

Because this isn’t about booking a trip.
 It’s about protecting your time, elevating your experience, and making sure that when something unexpected happens… you’re not the one stuck figuring it out.

✨ In This Episode, We Talk About:

•  Why DIY travel planning often creates hidden stress before your trip even begins 
•  What actually happens when flights get delayed, hotels overbook, or plans fall apart 
•  The difference between “researching a trip” and designing an experience
•  How travel advisors save you time (and mental energy) 
•  The hidden perks, upgrades, and access most travelers don’t know exist 
•  Why personalized travel changes how your trip feels—not just how it looks 
•  The biggest misconception about travel advisors (and why it’s holding travelers back) 

🎯 The Real Takeaway

Travel isn’t just about getting somewhere.

It’s about how you feel while you’re there…
 and whether you come home fulfilled—or like you need a vacation from your vacation.

And sometimes, the difference comes down to having someone in your corner before you even leave.

🌍 Ready to Elevate Your Trip?

If you're planning your next vacation and want to add meaningful, memorable experiences, here are a few curated excursions you can explore:

👉 Explore top-rated travel experiences here, through Get Your Guide:

• https://gyg.me/lhK12452
• https://gyg.me/LsCcKMAN
• https://gyg.me/1cMwuIvu

These are the kinds of moments that take a trip from good to unforgettable.

Disclaimer: I may earn a small commission if you book through these links, at no additional cost to you.

✈️ Want a Trip Designed Around YOU?

If you're ready to stop guessing and start traveling with intention, I’d love to help you plan something seamless, personalized, and truly meaningful.

👉 Reach out to start planning your next trip with Nostalgic Travel

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

If this episode resonated with you:

✔️ Follow the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
 ✔️ Share it with someone who’s planning a trip
 ✔️ Leave a review—it helps more travelers discover the show

Because better travel doesn’t happen by accident…
 It happens by design.

Episode 45: The Ultimate Travel Debate: Rail or Air?

Is flying actually the fastest way to get across Europe? Spoiler alert: You’ve been lied to.

In this episode of Cheryl's Travel Blueprint, we’re deconstructing the "Fast = Better" myth. After a nightmare experience at the Seville airport left me stranded while the trains glided by, I sat down to do the actual math. From door-to-door travel times to the "Baggage Hunger Games," we explore why switching to rail is the ultimate travel cheat code for your sanity and your wallet.

We’re diving deep into the Spanish rail experience, comparing the clinical stress of airport terminals to the "cathedrals of travel" like Madrid’s Atocha and Seville’s Santa Justa. Plus, I’m sharing three essential hacks to booking European trains like a local and a "silent" pro-tip that will turn your next transit into a spa treatment.

What We Cover:

• The Math: Why a "one-hour" flight actually takes over five hours (and how the train beats it by half).
• Baggage Freedom: How to avoid gate fees and liquid limits forever.
• Station Landmarks: Why you should visit Madrid’s Atocha station even if you aren’t catching a train.
• The "Guest" Experience: Dining cars, real glassware, and sunset views at 300 km/h.
• Booking Hacks: The 60-day window, the "First Class" math, and why you should skip state-run websites.

Resources Mentioned:

• Train Booking Tools: Trainline or Omio (Best for digital QR tickets and real-time updates).
• Spanish Rail: AVE High-Speed Rail.
• Featured Stations: Atocha (Madrid) and Santa Justa (Seville).

🌍 Plan Your Train-Friendly Adventure

Ready to experience Spain by rail? I’ve curated a list of the best day trips and excursions—from hidden wineries to coastal escapes—that are perfectly timed for train travelers.

Browse Train-Friendly Excursions & Tours on Viator: https://www.viator.com/agent-trip-suggestions/W-2dd1100a-f69e-4883-b993-2f31f99c69ee?currency=USD&allowNativeApp=false
(Disclaimer: As a Viator partner, I may earn a small commission from bookings made through this link at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support the show!)

Connect with the Show:

• Subscribe: Hit the follow button so you never miss an episode on rethinking how we move.
• Join the Conversation: What is the worst "short" flight you’ve ever taken that turned into an all-day ordeal? Share your story in the comments!

Next time you book a trip, ask yourself: Are you trying to get there fast, or are you trying to actually be there?

🎙️ Why Skipping Barcelona Might Be the Best Decision You Make in Spain

Have you ever taken a trip that looked perfect on paper…
 but felt just a little off?

In this episode of Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint, I take you into a moment that completely changed how I think about travel—standing in the middle of Barcelona, surrounded by beauty… and feeling disconnected.

Not because the destination wasn’t incredible.
 But because something deeper was missing.

This episode isn’t about criticizing Barcelona.
 It’s about uncovering the hidden reason so many trips feel rushed, overwhelming, and less meaningful than we expect—and what to do instead.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

•  Why “must-see” destinations don’t always create meaningful experiences 
•  The invisible travel script that’s quietly shaping your trips 
•  How over-tourism changes not just places—but how you feel in them 
•  The powerful shift from “What should I see?” to “How do I want to feel?”
•  Why second cities like Valencia, Granada, and Figueres often create deeper connections 
•  How slowing down can transform your entire travel experience 

🌍 Experience Spain Differently

If this episode has you rethinking how you want to experience Spain, one of the best ways to go deeper is through curated, local experiences.

From walking tours to cultural deep dives, these are the moments that bring a destination to life.

👉 Explore experiences in Granada (including the Alhambra):
 https://www.getyourguide.com/granada-l207/alhambra-general-with-nasrid-palaces-ticket-t75398/?partner_id=N2KP7N1&utm_medium=online_publisher

Disclosure: I may earn a small commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.

💭 The Question to Take With You

What if the most meaningful part of your trip…
 isn’t where you go—but what you choose to skip?

✈️ Ready to Travel Differently?

If you’re tired of trips that feel rushed, crowded, or disconnected, I help travelers design experiences that actually align with how they want to feel.

📅 Schedule a consultation with Nostalgic Travel:
https://calendly.com/cheryl-nostalgictravelco/30min

💌 Join Blueprint Mondays

Get weekly travel insights, destination inspiration, and behind-the-scenes planning tips delivered straight to your inbox.

👉 Join my email list here:
 https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/Q1QBelP

🔔 Don’t Miss an Episode

If this resonated with you, make sure to subscribe and share this episode with someone planning their next trip.

Because sometimes…
 the best decision you make isn’t where you go.

It’s what you choose to skip. ✨

Spain Isn’t Just a Destination… It’s a Mirror

What if the most meaningful part of travel isn’t what you see… but who you become?

In this episode of Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint, Cheryl shares a quiet, powerful moment from a small plaza in Toledo—one that sparked a deeper question many of us avoid: Who am I when I’m not performing for everyone else? 

From the Camino de Santiago to the Sierra Nevada mountains, and even the layered architecture of Spain’s cities, this episode explores how travel can strip away distractions, challenge your limits, and help you rediscover yourself.

Because Spain doesn’t just show you something new…
 It shows you you.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

•  Why the Camino de Santiago is about more than reaching Santiago 
•  How physical discomfort can lead to mental clarity 
•  The surprising lesson your backpack teaches about your life 
•  What Spain’s mountains reveal about your true strength 
•  How Spanish architecture reflects the power of reinvention 
•  Why slowing down creates deeper, more meaningful travel experiences 
•  How solo moments abroad build confidence and self-trust 

🧭 Key Takeaways

•  You may be “overpacking” your life the same way you overpack your suitcase 
•  Transformation doesn’t happen at the destination—it happens along the way 
•  Reinvention isn’t about starting over—it’s about building on what already exists 
•  Travel gives you distance from your routine… and clarity about your life 
•  Sometimes, the most powerful souvenir is the person you become 

🇪🇸 Ready to Experience Spain More Deeply?

If this episode is sparking your curiosity, one of the best ways to go beyond sightseeing is through guided experiences.

👉 Explore tours, cultural experiences, and hidden gems in Spain:
 https://www.getyourguide.com/santiago-de-compostela-l153/?partner_id=N2KP7N1&utm_medium=online_publisher

Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you. It simply helps support the podcast and allows me to continue creating meaningful travel content.

💬 Let’s Continue the Conversation

If you could step away from your routine for two weeks…
 ✨ What part of your life might you start seeing differently?

Send me a message or share your thoughts—I’d love to hear your story.

✈️ Want a Trip That Changes You?

At Nostalgic Travel, I design experiences rooted in culture, history, and space to reflect—not just checklists.

👉 Schedule a consultation: https://calendly.com/cheryl-nostalgictravelco/30min

🔔 Don’t Miss an Episode

If this episode resonated with you:

•  Subscribe to Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint
•  Share it with someone who might be ready for their next chapter 

Because sometimes…
 The most meaningful journey isn’t where you go.
 It’s who you become along the way.

🎙️ When Travel Doesn’t Work for Everyone: The Reality of Accessibility with Mike Clapper

What happens when a dream trip reveals a problem no one planned for?

In this powerful episode of Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint, Cheryl sits down with accessibility advocate Mike Clapper from Able2Global to uncover the hidden gaps in the travel industry—and why accessibility is about so much more than ramps and elevators.

From a shocking moment on a cruise in Iceland to a broader conversation about inclusion, this episode challenges how we think about travel—and who it’s really designed for.

🌍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The real story behind a cruise experience that exposed a major accessibility failure
• Why “accessible” doesn’t always mean what travelers think it does
• The difference between mobility needs and hidden disabilities
• How overlooked details (like signage, layouts, and food options) impact travel experiences
• Why accessibility isn’t a niche issue—it affects everyone
• What travelers should be asking before they book
• How the travel industry can do better—and where change is already happening

🎧 Watch the Full Episode

👉 https://youtu.be/X7E_Ki5V-Xk

👤 About Our Guest: Mike Clapper

Mike Clapper is the founder of Able2Global, an organization dedicated to making travel more accessible and inclusive for all. After experiencing firsthand the barriers that still exist in global travel, Mike turned that moment into a mission—advocating for better design, awareness, and solutions across the industry.

🔗 Connect with Mike & Learn More

🌐 Website: https://able2global.com
📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@InclusioneerLab

✈️ Plan Smarter, More Inclusive Travel

Looking for experiences that are thoughtfully designed and easier to navigate?

👉 Explore tours & activities worldwide: https://gyg.me/aS53ee3R
Disclaimer: I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

💡 Final Thought

Accessibility isn’t just about a small group of travelers.

It’s about designing a world—and travel experiences—that work better for everyone.

And once you start noticing the gaps…
 you’ll never see travel the same way again.

📣 Let’s Continue the Conversation

Have you ever experienced a moment while traveling where something just didn’t work?

Or have you noticed accessibility challenges you hadn’t thought about before?

👇 Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your perspective.

7 Travel Planning Mistakes That Quietly Ruin Your Vacation (And How to Avoid Them)

Many travelers believe the stress of a trip begins at the airport.

But in reality, travel stress usually begins during the planning phase.

In this episode of Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint, I break down seven travel planning mistakes that quietly sabotage vacations before the trip even begins. These mistakes are incredibly common — and once you recognize them, they’re surprisingly easy to avoid.

From chasing the cheapest deal to trying to see too much in too little time, these habits can turn what should be an exciting adventure into a stressful checklist.

The good news? A few thoughtful changes in how you plan can transform your travel experience into something far more meaningful.

If you've ever returned from a trip feeling more exhausted than inspired, this episode will help you rethink the way you approach travel planning.

In This Episode

You'll learn:

• Why the cheapest travel deal often costs more in the end
• The hidden danger of overpacking your itinerary
• Why failing to define your purpose for travel leads to disappointment
• The importance of leaving space for spontaneity
• How the right tools and resources can simplify planning

Most importantly, you'll discover how to design travel experiences that feel intentional, immersive, and memorable instead of rushed.

The 7 Travel Planning Mistakes

1. Chasing the Cheapest Deal

A low price can be tempting, but the cheapest option often hides trade-offs like inconvenient locations, extra transportation costs, or limited amenities.

2. Trying to See Too Much

Many travelers fall into the trap of turning their itinerary into a race. Constant movement between destinations often leads to exhaustion instead of enjoyment.

3. Not Defining Your Travel Purpose

Are you traveling to relax? Explore culture? Connect with family? Without a clear purpose, it’s easy to build an itinerary that doesn’t actually match what you want from the trip.

4. Ignoring the Logistics

Transportation connections, distance between attractions, and local transit can dramatically affect how smooth a trip feels.

5. Overplanning Every Minute

The most memorable travel moments often happen when you leave room for unexpected discoveries.

6. Forgetting the Human Side of Travel

Travel isn’t just about checking destinations off a list — it’s about people, cultures, and experiences.

7. Planning Without Guidance

Trying to do everything yourself can sometimes create unnecessary stress. The right tools and resources can simplify the process dramatically.

Helpful Travel Resources Mentioned

If you're currently planning a trip, here are a few resources I mentioned that can help you design a smoother travel experience.

Find Great Travel Deals

Explore current travel deals through Booking.com:
👉 https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=6776&awinaffid=2776064&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fdealspage.html%3Fcampaign_id%3Dgetawaydeals+

Discover Tours and Local Experiences

Find unique guided tours, activities, and cultural experiences around the world with GetYourGuide:
👉 https://gyg.me/aS53ee3R

A Fun Cultural Gift from Spain

Curious about one of Spain’s most quirky holiday traditions? Explore the famous Caganer figurines here:
👉 https://caganer.com

Listen If You Want To

• Plan travel with less stress
• Avoid the most common vacation planning pitfalls
• Design trips that feel more meaningful and memorable
• Travel with greater cultural awareness

Timestamps

00:00 – Why travel stress often starts before the trip
 01:50 – Mistake #1: Chasing the cheapest deal
 04:15 – Mistake #2: Trying to see too much
 07:10 – Mistake #3: Not defining your purpose
 09:45 – Mistake #4: Ignoring logistics
 12:20 – Mistake #5: Overplanning every moment
 14:40 – Mistake #6: Forgetting the human side of travel
 17:10 – Mistake #7: Planning without guidance
 19:30 – Final thoughts: Designing travel that truly enriches you

Connect With Cheryl

If you enjoy conversations about meaningful travel experiences, cultural discovery, and smarter travel planning, be sure to subscribe to Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint.

You can also explore more travel inspiration and planning resources at:

🌍 Nostalgic Travel
https://nostalgictravelco.com

Affiliate Disclosure

Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you choose to book through them, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support the podcast and allow me to continue sharing travel insights and inspiration.

Episode Overview

What happens when travel stops catering to you?

In this episode of Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint, Cheryl speaks with author and long-distance hiker G. Scott Graham about his experience hiking the legendary GR20 Trail on the rugged Mediterranean island of Corsica.

Often called one of the toughest long-distance hikes in Europe, the GR20 isn’t just physically demanding—it’s culturally different in ways many American travelers don’t expect. There are no luxury accommodations, no “customer is always right” mentality, and no shortcuts just because you paid more.

Instead, hikers encounter something far more powerful: a raw, communal travel experience built on shared effort, humility, and connection.

Scott shares what surprised him most about the trail, the cultural differences American travelers often misunderstand, and how stepping outside of comfort can transform the way we see the world—and ourselves.

This conversation isn’t just about hiking. It’s about the deeper lessons travel teaches when we stop expecting the world to adapt to us.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why the GR20 Trail is considered one of Europe’s most challenging hikes
• What American travelers often misunderstand about European travel culture
• The difference between comfort travel and challenge travel
• How shared hardship on the trail creates unexpected community
• Why refuges, communal meals, and simple living reshape the travel experience
• The mindset shift that happens when the world stops catering to you
• Lessons any traveler can apply—even if you never hike a mountain

Key Takeaways

Travel isn’t always supposed to be comfortable.
Some of the most meaningful travel experiences happen when we step outside familiar systems.

Different cultures have different expectations.
What Americans see as “service” or convenience may not exist in other parts of the world—and that’s part of the learning.

Challenge creates connection.
On trails like the GR20, hikers from around the world bond through shared effort, communal meals, and mutual respect.

Real travel changes you.
When the world doesn’t adapt to you, you start adapting to it—and that’s where growth happens.

Memorable Quote

Resources & Links

Learn more about Scott’s work and upcoming book:

• Upcoming book: GR20: A Guide for Americans by G. Scott Graham

If the idea of Corsica inspires you but hiking the entire GR20 feels a little intense, there are also guided tours and cultural excursions across the island that allow travelers to experience its dramatic landscapes, villages, and cuisine at a slower pace.
https://gyg.me/yWIKY4Ge
(Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.)

Listen & Subscribe

If you enjoy conversations about travel that go beyond the highlights and explore the deeper impact of seeing the world, make sure to subscribe to Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint so you don’t miss future episodes.

New episodes explore how travel shapes our perspectives, connects cultures, and sometimes challenges us in the best possible ways.

Connect with Cheryl

Travel advisor | Cultural travel advocate | Podcast host

If you’re dreaming about your own meaningful travel experience—whether that’s a European adventure, a cruise, or a culturally immersive journey—I’d love to help you plan it.

Website: https://nostalgictravelco.com/
Podcast: Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgicTravelCo

What would it take for you to walk away from stability, sell almost everything you own, and leave with nothing but a backpack, a small budget, and courage?

In this episode, Cheryl sits down with Candace MacPhie, a writer whose nonfiction books chronicle a year-long backpacking journey in her late 20s—a journey that began after profound grief and a deep need to rediscover herself. Candace traveled in the 1990s, long before Google Maps, online reviews, or instant connection, and her stories are as raw and real as travel gets: funny, heartbreaking, romantic, and deeply human—often described as “Bridget Jones goes backpacking.”

Together, Cheryl and Candace explore what it means to travel without a safety net, how human connection shaped the experience, and why the “messy middle” is where the real growth happens.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• The catalyst behind Candace’s leap—how losing her mother changed everything and created a “void” she needed to fill through travel
• Fear vs. desire: why she was terrified… and still went anyway
• What it was like to backpack in the 1990s without the internet, social media, or constant reassurance
• How staying in hostel dorms became the secret to connection, safety, and community
• Why modern travel can be more structured—and how we may be missing the magic of “looking up”
• Candace’s decision to write travel stories that include grief, trauma, awkward moments, and mistakes—not just highlights
• How she structured the journey into five books, each with its own arc and region
• The “Bridget Jones” comparison—why Candace embraces the chaos, naivety, and humor
• Advice for anyone in a second act: what are you willing to give up to create the life you want?
• Why it’s never too late to start over—and why reinvention often requires sacrifice
• The power of meaningful travel moments: connection, misadventure, and the stories you’ll still quote years later

Memorable Moments & Takeaways

• Candace shares her personal “tell” for growth: if it makes her want to vomit, she knows she’s on the edge of something transformational.
• Travel without technology created space for people-watching, improvisation, and real presence.
• The most vivid memories aren’t always the most beautiful—they’re the ones where something went wrong and you had to adapt.
• Reinvention doesn’t require a backpacking trip—Candace believes you can have a “backpacking moment” anywhere, as long as you’re open to it.

Listener Reflection Questions

If you’re in your own second act, here are a few questions inspired by this conversation:

1. What part of your current life feels “stable” but quietly unfulfilling?
2. What do you want more than you fear?
3. If you could redesign your life in phases, what would Phase 1 look like?
4. What are you willing to give up to make room for what you really want?
5. Are you “looking up” when you travel—or mostly looking down at your phone?

Monthly Prize Giveaway 🎁

Cheryl hosts a monthly prize giveaway for listeners as a thank-you for being part of this community.
Details on how to enter are in the show notes / episode description wherever you’re listening.
(Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it!)

Connect with Candace MacPhie

• Website: candacemacphie.com
• Instagram: @candacemacphie
• TikTok: @candacemacphie

(Candace’s books + updates are available on her website.)

Support the Show

If this episode resonated with you:
 ✅ Follow/Subscribe to Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint
✅ Leave a rating & review (it helps more listeners find the show)
✅ Share this episode with a friend who’s craving a fresh start

And if you’re ready to plan travel that feels meaningful—not just “booked”—Cheryl would love to help you design it.

The Continental Drifter: A Journey of Intentional Travel

What does it really mean to travel intentionally?

In this episode of Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint, I sit down with travel writer, speaker, and self-described “continental drifter,” Ralph Velasco, to explore bucket list travel, mindful exploration, solopreneurship, and building a meaningful second act.

This isn’t about racing through destinations or collecting passport stamps. It’s about slowing down, engaging your senses, and designing a lifestyle that allows travel to shape who you are — not just where you’ve been.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your next chapter could include deeper travel, more purpose, and a little courage, this episode is for you.

In This Episode We Discuss:

• What it means to be a “continental drifter”
• How to rethink your travel bucket list
• Why “Places to Go Before Your Knees Give Out” is more than a clever title
• Mindful travel and engaging all 5+ senses
• Designing a travel-centered lifestyle as a solopreneur
• Building a meaningful second act through travel
• Reflection, gratitude, and affirmations on the road
• How to travel deeper — not just wider

Featured Books by Ralph Velasco

• Bucket Lists for Travel: Places to Go Before Your Knees Give Out!
• How to Be a Mindful Traveler
• Travel Activity Book for Adults! GRATITUDES Edition
• 60 Affirmations for Travel

Connect with Ralph Velasco

🌍 Website: https://continentaldrifter.co
📘 Facebook: https://fb.com/thecontintinentaldrifter
📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/ralphvelasco
💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/continental-drifter
🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/ralphvelasco
🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@continentaldrifter

Key Takeaway

Intentional travel isn’t about doing more.
 It’s about noticing more.

Whether you’re redesigning your lifestyle, entering a second act, or simply craving more meaningful travel experiences, this conversation will inspire you to slow down, reflect, and build a bucket list aligned with who you are today.

🎁 Monthly Listener Giveaway

As a thank-you for being part of the Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint community, I host a monthly prize giveaway for listeners.

To enter:

1. Like this episode
2. Subscribe to the channel
3. Leave a comment sharing what resonated most

Details are in the description — don’t miss out!

Work with Cheryl

If you’re ready to plan intentional, meaningful travel — whether it’s a bucket list journey, second-act adventure, or culturally immersive experience — I’d love to help.

📅 Schedule a consultation: https://calendly.com/cheryl-nostalgictravelco/30min

🎙️ Episode Show Notes

Episode Description

What if the place you stay could shape your entire travel experience—or even determine whether your trip feels stressful or seamless?

In this episode of Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint, Cheryl sits down with Eric, a seasoned hospitality entrepreneur whose career spans bed & breakfasts, boutique inns, vacation rental technology, and now a bold new approach to booking travel stays.

Together, they explore how hospitality has shifted from being relationship-driven to algorithm-driven—and why many travelers are starting to push back. From hidden fees and platform fatigue to the rise of booking direct, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how accommodations truly work and why choosing where (and how) you stay matters more than ever—especially for families and multi-generational travelers.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why hospitality is fundamentally about relationships, not transactions
• How booking through third-party platforms impacts both travelers and hosts
• The real reason vacation rental fees have skyrocketed
• What families and multi-generational groups actually need in a stay
• How thoughtful accommodations can reduce stress and improve travel memories
• Why booking direct often leads to better service, better communication, and better value
• The growing trend of travelers seeking transparency and intentional travel choices

Key Topics Discussed

• Eric’s entrepreneurial journey in hospitality and travel tech
• The evolution of bed & breakfasts, boutique inns, and vacation rentals
• How platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo changed travel—and where they fall short
• Designing stays that work for families, pets, and accessibility needs
• Why transparency in pricing builds trust with travelers
• The future of travel stays and the shift toward booking direct

Featured Resource

• Savvy – A platform that allows travelers to compare vacation rentals and book directly with professional property managers, avoiding platform fees and improving the guest-host relationship. Visit savvy.com

Cheryl’s Takeaway

Where you stay isn’t just a logistical decision—it’s part of the experience. When travelers choose accommodations intentionally, they create space for connection, comfort, and memories that last long after the trip ends.

Call to Action

If this episode inspired you to rethink how you plan your next trip:

• ✨ Share this episode with someone you travel with
• ✨ Subscribe to Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint for more behind-the-scenes conversations about meaningful travel
• ✨ Planning a family or multi-generational getaway? Reach out to Cheryl at Nostalgic Travel for curated travel planning that goes beyond bookings

Learn more about Eric’s work in hospitality, travel innovation, and direct booking—including Savvy, a platform changing how travelers book vacation rentals—using the links below.
Savvy
🌐 https://www.savvy.com
Search and book vacation rentals directly with professional property managers—no platform fees.
Savvy's linkedin
🌐  https://www.linkedin.com/company/stay-savvy/
Search and book vacation rentals directly with professional property managers—no platform fees.
FunAir
🌐 https://www.funair.com
Global leader in custom inflatables for megayachts and luxury water experiences.

Sage Hill Inn & Spa
🌐 https://www.sagehill.com
A boutique inn and spa just outside Austin, Texas, focused on restorative, experience-driven hospitality.
Eric's linkedin
🌐  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgoldreyer/