FAMILIES FLY FREE Private Podcast

Unlike the US, one of the best ways to get around Europe is by train. Stephanie and Chris will give you the basics of what you need to know about train travel in Europe. This includes how to book train travel, navigating the different systems in each country, how to stay safe at train stations and even how it works, including getting your ticket stamped once you're aboard the train.

Eurail and offline Railplanner app 

Seat 61 

Eurostar

Timetables for Europe Railways

European Train Travel Tips 

Take a trip back in time to Ancient Rome with a trip to Italy's best-known city. One of Lyn's favorite places, she'll share her experiences in Rome from hotels to Vatican City and the plethora of incredible churches to food and even side trips like Castel Gandolfo, a truly gorgeous site! 

Links:

• The Tour Guy
• 50 Magical Things to Do in Rome blog post
• 35 Things Every Traveler to Italy Should Know
• Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere
• Hotel Indigo Rome St. George
• Big Bus Tour of Rome
• Forum Pass 
• OMNIA & Roma Pass
• Go City Pass Rome
• Circo Maximo Experience
• Catacombs of Domitilla 
• Tickets to Papal Audience
• Vatican Museums Tours (including Vatican Gardens and Castel Gandalfo options)

Is a trip to the City of Light on your bucket list? If not, it should be! Stephanie and Lyn share all their best tips for where to stay, what to see and do and how to save on a trip to Paris from skipping crowds at the Eiffel Tower to Left Bank versus Right Bank to best hotels on points.

Links:
Paris Pass

Paris Museum Pass 

Paris Metro Pass

Navigo Easy Card

Paris Visit Pass

This month Lyn walks through how to get a Companion Pass with one of the members, discusses how and why to buy Southwest points and answers a variety of questions including:

• Which Hawaiian Island is most reasonably priced?
• When is the best time to book airfare to Europe?
• Should I be an authorized user on my spouse's card?
• Where do you go to get a free credit report?

It's going to be another busy summer at the National Parks, maybe even crazier than the last 2 years. Lisa is just back from Utah where she visited Zion, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon, and she's going to fill us in on what it was like in April and share tips on what you need to know if you're visiting a National Park this year from reservations to camping to planning for crowds.

Hotels:

Video: Pioneer Lodge Springdale UT Tour and Review
Video: Best Western Zion Canyon Inn Springdale UT Tour and Review
Video: Holiday Inn Grand Canyon Tusayan AZ Tour and Review
Video: Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel Tour and Review
Video: Best Western Red Hills Kanab UT Tour and Review
Video: Aiden Best Western St. George UT Tour and Review

Hiking:

Video: Hiking Hidden Canyons Trail in Zion
Video: Hiking "The Narrows" in Zion
Video: Hiking Angels Landing in Zion
Video: Hiking Navajo Trail and Queen's Garden in Bryce Canyon

Other:
Xanterra
Recreation.gov
Zion Guru
Dirt In My Shoes
Adventurous Antelope Canyon
Horseshoe Bend
REI
National Park Service
VRBO
Airbnb
Groupon
Priority Pass
Walmart - Cheaper gear and you can earn points through Rapid Rewards Shopping
Video: Best National Parks to Visit in Fall and Winter

Leah of TheBudgetMouse.com and Lyn of FamiliesFlyFree.com share their best tips on hacking your way to savings on everything Disney from free flights and accommodations to dining, car rentals, park tickets and more.

Families Fly Free Links:

How to Save on Car Rentals Webinar

Disney Alternative Accommodations Webinar

How to Rent Timeshares & Pay Pennies on the Dollar Webinar

How to Rent Disney Vacation Club Points for Cheap On-Property Stays

Lyn's Favorite Disney Restaurants PDF

How to Navigate Genie+ Webinar

Other Links:

Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Waterpark

Capture Your Moment Disney Photoshoot

Turo

Autoslash

Get ready for a busy summer and year with travel demand at peak levels! We'll review what you need to know and how you can prepare from car rentals to checking bags to destinations and how to best use your miles and points.

Links:

Car Rentals

Costco Travel You can look without being a member

Turo

Avail

Kyte

Kimo’s Rent a Car

Mears Shuttles

At regular rental car companies, try the Costco ID #7014627

Hotels

How to Stay Free in Hotels course

Cruises

WEBINAR: Cruising Basics With Cami

WEBINAR: Cruising the Mediterranean on Sky Princess With Lyn

WEBINAR: Cruising the Bahamas: Best Ports + What to See and Do With Cami

WEBINAR: Q&A With Travel Journalist and Cruising Expert Candyce Stapen

PDF: Packing List: Cruise

Pack Light & TSA Pre-Check

VIDEO: Packing Light, Tips for Your Carry-On Suitcase

PDF: Packing List: Carry-On Suitcase

WEBINAR: Should You Get TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry And/Or CLEAR? 

Tip Sheet PDF: List of Credit Cards That Reimburse for TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry & Clear

Travel Insurance

VIDEO: What You Need to Know About Travel Insurance 

Credit Cards

Apply for Chase Sapphire Preferred

Apply for Chase Sapphire Reserve

Apply for Capital One Venture X 

Other cards

This month Lyn discusses Southwest Early Bird, how to hold a seat for a Companion before you earn the pass, if 2 people can apply for a business card using the same EIN number and:

• Can I put my everyday spend that earns only 1 point per $1 on Chase Sapphire Preferred on my Southwest card instead?
• What time does Southwest release flights?
• Can I book my husband with my Southwest points and then add myself as the Companion?
• Are certain flights more likely to be changed to play "the hack"?
• I need a few more points to hold my Companion's seat. Should I buy points, transfer points or have my husband book his flight using his own points?

State Parks can be a great alternative to the increasingly busy National Parks, especially in 2022 when we expect travel to be insanely busy! The Families Fly Free team has some state park gems to share that are as good as (or better than!) many National Parks but without the hoards of people. We'll share photos and tips for visiting our favorite state parks in Utah, California, Georgia and Indiana. 

California
Anza Borrego
Point Lobos

Utah
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Kodachrome Basin
Utah DNR–Snow Canyon
Snow Canyon Recommended Hikes
Dead Horse Point State Park

Georgia
https://gastateparks.org/CloudlandCanyon
https://gastateparks.org/ProvidenceCanyon
https://www.callawaygardens.com/
https://gastateparks.org/LittleWhiteHouse/

Indiana
Pokagon State Park
Potawatomi Inn & Cabins reservations
Toboggan Run at Pokagon
Clifty Falls State Park
Clifty Inn reservations
Hinkle’s Hamburgers in Madison
Brown County State Park
Abe Martin Lodge & Cabins reservations
Turkey Run State Park
Turkey Run Inn reservations
Sugar Valley tubing

Universal Studios Orlando offers three parks and makes a great addition or alternative to Disney World. Known for its incredible Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Halloween Horror Nights and its thrill rides that often appeal to older kids, Universal is worth a visit. Lyn has been to Universal many times and will share all about this park, its rides and how everything works, and also review multiple Universal resorts, including Portofino Bay, Cabana Bay, Aventura and Endless Summer.

Your Guide to Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights podcast