Destinations Beyond Expectations

With outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, whale watching, and more, Greenland is a haven for nature lovers and adventurers. 

Malisha Mendis from the Short Girl on Tour blog joins Stevie to share more about Greenland and some top things to do while you’re there.

Show Notes ⬇️
 
Published on 3/21/25
 

Timecodes

0:00 - Intro

1:28 - The Landscape and Terrain of Greenland

3:20 - Most Popular or the Best Time to Visit Greenland

5:54 - Outdoor Activities to Enjoy in Greenland

8:35 - Hiking Around Ilulissat

10:54 - Whale Watching in Greenland

12:28 - Traditional Food in Greenland

14:17 - Stay Connected with Short Girl on Tour

17:22 - Malisha Mendis is a Student of Travel

Read Malisha's Blogs About Greenland

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Known for its lush surroundings, Madeira offers some incredible hiking opportunities that come with amazing views. Joining Stevie to talk more about Madeira is Maria Kru from Picture the World, a fantastic photography and travel blog.

Show Notes ⬇️
 
Published on 3/7/25
 

Timecodes

0:00 - Intro

1:25 - Madeira's Natural Beauty and Where it's Located

3:53 - The History of Madeira

6:44 - The Weather and Times of Year to Plan a Trip to Madeira

8:27 - Hiking in Madeira

10:56 - The Beaches in Madeira

14:12 - Whale Watching in Madeira

16:15 - Festivals That go on Throughout the Year in Madeira

21:19 - Stay Connected with Picture the World

24:55 - Maria Kru is a Student of Travel

Check Out Picture the World's Madeira eBook Guide

Read More About Madeira

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Italy is a country that so many travelers have on their bucket lists - it has beautiful beaches, incredible art, historic cities and much more to discover. Stevie is joined by LivTours founder and Rome native Angelo Carotenuto for a conversation about Italy’s most visited cites, and other Italian destinations that travelers should have on their radars.

Show Notes ⬇️
 
Published on 2/28/25
 

Timecodes

0:00 - Intro

1:59 - Why do People Come Back to Italy Year After Year?

4:17 - The Jubilee and How it Will Affect Tourism in 2025

8:00 - Things to do in Rome

14:00 - The Historic City of Florence

16:06 - The Tuscan Region as a Whole

20:00 - Things to do in Venice

24:59 - More About Milan

28:38 - Naples and What it can Offer to Visitors

32:38 - Puglia and What the Region is Like

35:29 - Sicily and Things to do There

38:13 - Stay Connected with LivTours

42:40 - Angelo Carotenuto is a Student of Travel

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You may have heard of Colombia’s big cities like Bogotá, but there is so much wonderful culture, food, music and coffee to discover throughout Columbia’s 32 departments. Joining Stevie to talk about the beautiful country of Colombia is Ginna Taylor from Broken Boots Travel.

Show Notes ⬇️
 
Published on 2/7/24
 

Timecodes

0:00 - Intro

2:56 - Why is Colombia a Special Place for People to Visit?

6:42 - An Overview of Bogotá

11:15 - Vallenato Music and Seeing the Biggest Vallenato Festival

15:21 - La Guajira and Things to do in the Region

19:20 - Why Should Someone Add Cartagena to Their Colombian Itinerary?

22:44 - Colombia's Coffee Growing Region

27:18 - Stay Connected with Broken Boots Travel

29:15 - Ginna is a Student of Travel

Follow Ginna as She Explores Colombia's 32 Departments

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Stevie and Maddie got a lot of great questions about their adventures in Portugal, so they figured they'd close the 10 Days in Portugal series by doing a little Q&A.

In this episode, you’ll hear Maddie and Stevie talk about things like their favorite day on the trip, how they decided to travel to Portugal and much more.

Show Notes ⬇️

Published on 1/31/25

Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
1:35 - Why Portugal?
4:51 - Favorite Area of Portugal?
7:00 - Favorite Hotel?
10:16 - Favorite Day on the Trip?
13:06 - Favorite Day Trip: Sintra or Douro Valley?
15:20 - Favorite Non-Day Trip Get Your Guide Experience?
18:05 - What's One Thing You'd Change?

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Stevie and Maddie review their last few days in Portugal, which featured some fun adventures in the vibrant city of Lisbon.

Stevie and Maddie's time in Lisbon included exploring the city by tuk tuk, learning more about azulejos at the National Tile Museum, and seeing one of Portugal’s top soccer clubs in action.

Show Notes ⬇️

Published on 1/24/25

Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
1:17 - Traveling to See Lisbon’s Breathtaking Views
2:39 - Riding Up and Down Lisbon’s Hills
3:18 - Exploring the City in a Fun and Easy Way by Tuk Tuk
4:01 - Dinner at Pinóquio
4:38 - National Tile Museum
6:43 - Oceanário de Lisboa
8:03 - Lunch at STATUS
8:39 - Lisbon Casino
9:24 - Dinner at Rosamar
10:03 - Pasties De Belem and Manteigaria
11:06 - Exploring the Jerónimos Monastery
12:08 - Visiting Belém Tower
14:03 - Praça do Império
14:22 - Benfica Soccer Game
16:18 - Review of Lumen Hotel & The Lisbon Light Show


Our Itinerary for Lisbon

Day 8

• Bus from Lagos to Lisbon
• Arrive in Lisbon
• Drop bags at hotel
• Lunch
• Tuk Tuk tour
• Dinner at Pinóquio

Day 9

• National Tile Museum
• Oceanário de Lisboa
• Lunch at STATUS
• Lisbon Casino
• Dinner at Rosamar

Day 10

• Explore the Belem District (Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower & Praça do Império)
• Lunch
• Head to Benfica Stadium
• Benfica Soccer Game

Here's What we Booked in Advance

• Lisbon 3-Hour Sightseeing Tour by Tuk Tuk

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The Algarve is the southernmost area of Portugal that has breathtaking coastlines and is a popular vacation destination.

On this episode, Stevie and Maddie talk about the town of Lagos and their time exploring the famous Benagil Cave by Kayak.

Show Notes ⬇️

Published on 1/17/25

Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
1:32 - Train to Lagos
1:52 - Laundry Near Our Hotel
3:17 - Praia De Benagil Sea Cave
4:48 - Seven Hanging Valleys Hike
5:21 - Review of Tivoli Lagos Hotel


Our Itinerary for Lagos and the Benagil Cave

Day 6

• Train out of Porto
• Arrive Lagos 
• Drop Bags at Hotel (Tivoli Lagos)
• Explore Lagos at Sunset
• Dinner in Town
• Laundry

Day 7

• Praia De Benagil Sea Cave Kayak Tour
• Lunch
• Seven Hanging Valleys Hike
• Explore Lagos
• Dinner

Here's What we Booked in Advance

• Benagil: Guided Kayaking Tour to the Benagil Cave
• Tivoli Lagos Hotel

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Today on part 2 of our series, we’re heading north to the magical city of Porto.

Those visiting this charming city can enjoy breathtaking views of the Douro River, Porto’s unique bridges, and the beautiful tile work at the famous Sao Bento train station.

Show Notes ⬇️

Published on 1/10/25

Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
2:18 - The Train to Porto
2:12 - Lunch and Free Time in Downtown Porto
3:39 - Sunset Walk Along the Douro River
7:43 - Porto Walking Tour
9:27 - Livraria Lello Bookstore
10:03 - Pastel de Nata Baking Class
11:21 - Experiencing the Douro Valley
13:16 - Exploring Two Premium Wineries and Sampling Different Wines
13:46 - Relaxing on a River Cruise Along the Douro River
14:14 - Review of Eurostars Aliados Hotel


Our Itinerary for Porto and The Douro Valley

Day 3

• Train from Lisbon to Porto
• Arrive Porto
• Drop Bags (Eurostars Aliados Hotel)
• Lunch and Free Time
• Sunset Walk Along The Douro River
• Dinner

Day 4

• Porto Walking Tour
• Lunch
• Livraria Lello Bookstore 
• Pastel de Nata Baking Class
• Dinner

Day 5

• Day Trip to Duoro Valley
• Dinner

If You Need a Photographer in Porto

• Joana Cardoso - Porto Wedding Photography (Instagram)
• JOANA CARDOSO PHOTOGRAPHY (Website)
• Meet Joana in Porto (Flytographer)

Here's What we Booked in Advance

• Porto: Old Town and City Highlights Walking Tour
• Porto: Pastel de Nata Cooking Class
• From Porto: Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch and Cruise
• Eurostars Aliados Hotel
• Livraria Lello Bookstore Tickets

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Join Stevie G. and his fiancée Maddie for the first episode of a 5-part series that recaps their 10-day adventure in Portugal.

Today’s episode covers the first two days where Stevie and Maddie got their feet wet in Lisbon and took a day trip to Sintra, which included a stop at the famous Pena Palace.

Show Notes ⬇️

Published on 1/3/25

Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
2:18 - The Design of Day 1
2:58 - Strolling Through Praça do Comércio
3:52 - Visiting the World’s Oldest Bookstore
4:54 - Pink Street
5:23 - Lunch at Time Out Market
6:03 - Visiting the Fado Museum
7:16 - Exploring the Castelo São Jorge
7:51 - An Overview of the Sintra Area
9:39 - Pena Palace
10:07 - The Value of Our Expert Guides
11:08 - Journeying Along the Cabo da Roca Coastline
11:23 - The Charming Streets of Cascais
11:45 - Dinner at Tapas n Friends
12:06 - Review of Lisboa Prata Boutique Hotel


Our Itinerary for Lisbon and Sintra

Day 1

• Arrive in Lisbon
• Transfer to Hotel & Check Bags (Lisboa Prata Boutique Hotel) 
• Stroll Through Praça do Comércio (large plaza in the city center)
• Visit Bertrand - Chiado, the World’s Oldest Bookstore
• Pink Street
• Lunch at Time Out Market
• Visit the Fado Museum 
• Explore the Castelo São Jorge
• Dinner 

Day 2

• Travel to Sintra
• Visit the Pena Palace
• Journey Along the Cabo da Roca Coastline
• Wander the Charming Streets of Cascais
• Dinner at Tapas n Friends

Here's What we Booked in Advance

• Lisbon: Sintra, Pena, Cabo da Roca Coast & Cascais Day Tour
• Lisboa Prata Boutique Hotel 

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In addition to its beautiful wineries, Temecula has done a great job of becoming a year-round destination, adding some outstanding restaurants and gaining a great reputation as a wedding destination. Joining Stevie to talk more about Temecula and its wineries are Holly and Bill Bembenek, owners of the Temecula Wine Trolly Wine Tours.

Show Notes ⬇️

Published on 12/27/24

Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
1:30 - Where Temecula Valley is on the Map and What Makes it Unique
3:39 - How Many Wineries can be Found in Temecula Valley?
5:46 - How Wine Tourism in Temecula has Developed
9:32 - Are More People Taking Day or Overnight Trips to Temecula?
12:51 - How Does Wine Tourism Allow Visitors Learn More About a Destination?
19:28 - Events and Things to do Throughout the Year in Temecula Valley
22:02 - The Food Scene in Temecula
25:35 - Temecula as a Wedding Destination
27:14 - Stay Connected with Temecula Wine Trolly Wine Tours
45:07 - Holly and Bill Bembenek are Students of Travel


Learn More About Bill & Holly's Tours

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Explore Group Experience to Learn how to Build your Travel Tribe