SEND US A VOICEMAIL! Be part of the show. Tap or click the link to ask your travel related question(s)...or just say hi. Tell us your name and where you live.

Three-hour lines to enter Europe sounds like a rumor until you’re standing in it. We dig into the EU’s new Entry and Exit System, why the first rollout created major airport delays, and what you can do right now to protect your itinerary. If you’re planning a Europe trip, a holiday connection, or a cruise that depends on tight timing, this border change is the kind of detail that can make or break a travel day. 

We also talk about Jamaica after a direct hit from Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, including the early signals of what’s reopening and the island’s aggressive plan to get tourism operations back on track. It’s an honest look at how to plan responsibly after a major storm: what to confirm before you go, how to stay flexible, and how travel can help recovery when the timing is right. 

From there we shift to travel inspiration and value, including Germany’s Christmas markets (Nuremberg vs Cologne, plus a strong case for Heidelberg) and a Frommer’s-style list of standout 2026 destinations like Jasper in the Canadian Rockies, Fiji, Oulu in Finland, Adelaide, and Vienna. Then it’s full cruise mode: MSC possibly building ships even bigger than today’s mega-vessels, Royal Caribbean expanding beach clubs to places like Santorini, and Viking reaching a massive 100-ship milestone. We wrap with timely deals, including Fiji airfare options and Viking river cruise promotions with free airfare on select sailings. 

If this helped you plan, subscribe to the show, share it with a travel buddy, and leave a review so more travelers can find us. What trip are you planning next, Europe, the South Pacific, or a river cruise?

This episode of The Vacation Nerd podcast is present by Utah Valley Plumbing.  They know water and they know gas and they can solve your plumbing problems fast.  Schedule online or call them at (801) 515-3200.

Support the show

Thank you for taking the time to listen to the show.  There are literally thousands of podcasts from which you can choose, yet you listened to this show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or give listeners ideas of where they might consider going on vacation next.  Our goal is to help our listeners live their lives deliberately and intentionally.  You only get one shot at life so you might as well make it count.  Make memories with those that matter most to you.

TAKE ACTION:  Quit talking about going on vacation, just do it.  If you want more information about any of the destinations we discussed during the show, or have your own custom vacation in mind, I can help you.  Please call, text, or email me.  

Here's my contact information:

Patrick Wiscombe

Cell/Text:  (801) 874-7717

Email:  [email protected]

The Vacation Nerd (Audio Podcast):  https://www.thevacationnerd.co/

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerd

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/patrick.wiscombe

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/patrick.wiscombe

Threads:  https://www.threads.com/@pa...