Fly with Chris and Di

What happens when you take the magic of Disney and the magic of Christmas and combine them? You get Disney for the holidays. Our friend and Disney travel expert Krystin Turner is here today to talk about some of the cool things that are available from Disney during the holiday and Christmas season. She has stayed at all of the resorts and has extensive knowledge about Disneyland, Disney World, and Disney Cruises. We were lucky enough to have Krystin as our guest on season one of the podcast when we talked about creating a unique Disney experience.

Going to a Disney park or on a Disney cruise is something our family has talked about for years. Krystin is a Disney travel expert from Dreams Unlimited Travel and she shares the ins and outs of the different venues, special holiday features at the resorts, entertainment, decorations, costumes, and treats. She also talks about snowing on main street during the parade, The Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion, the best time to go, the best time to book, and more. 

Show Notes:

[01:48] Krystin Turner is a vacation planner from Dreams Unlimited Travel. She helps plan Disney vacations anywhere from cruise lines to Disney World and Disneyland. She can help with every aspect of the trip.

[03:31] Christmas time is the best time to go to any Disney destination. Disney starts decorating for the holidays on the 1st of November.

[03:57] The Christmas party at the Magic Kingdom is one of Krystin's favorite things to do. It's a limited ticket after hours event. There's a Christmas parade and treats are included. The characters are in costume and it even snows on Main Street.

[05:20] All of the resorts are decorated and every park has a giant Christmas tree. There's even a real gingerbread house with edible shingles.

[05:54] Krystin has stayed at all of the Walt Disney World Resorts. She stayed at Wilderness Lodge over the holidays, but most resorts have great holiday activities and themes. 

[07:31] The Christmas party has different treats including cookies, hot chocolate, and specialty offerings.

[09:26] At Disneyland the castle lights up and Disney California Adventures has decorations and the festival of holidays. They also have It's a Small World Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday. They change the lighting and decorations and even the scent. The mansion becomes The Nightmare Before Christmas themed mansion.

[11:46] The Christmas parade is twice a day, and you don't need special tickets.

[12:21] Special snacks change every year.

[13:26] Disney cruises have something for everyone. Even though the trips are more expensive, a lot of things are included and you end up spending less while on board.

[15:05] Disney cruises have high-level entertainment and first-run movies.

[15:36] During the holidays, all the characters are dressed in Christmas attire. There's a tree lighting ceremony. The whole ship is decorated beautifully. There's a Santa Claus meet and greet and story time with Mrs. Claus and of course the gingerbread house.

[17:55] A Disney cruise is definitely more expensive. A Disney cruise is a lot more relaxing than a Disneyland or Disney World experience. 

[19:54] The week of Christmas is the most crowded and expensive time to go. If you're planning a trip, go the first week of December.

[21:21] The earlier you book the better. Book the day the cruise is released. Book Disney World a 180 days in advance and Disneyland is a little more flexible.

[22:21] The further out you plan, the more relaxing it is and the easier it is to get those dinner reservations that you want.

[23:10] There are special things you can do like dessert parties or firework reservations.

[25:04] You can get a hold of Krystin at [email protected]. 

Links and Resources:

Fly with Chris and Di on Facebook

Fly with Chris and Di on Twitter

Fly with Chris and Di on Instagram

Fly with Chris and Di on Pinterest

[email protected]

Dreams Unlimited Travel

A Unique Disney Trip

Wilderness Lodge 

Disney’s Grand Floridian

Disney Springs

Epcot

For pictures, tips and more, be sure to check out our Fly with Chris and Di Facebook page and signup to download a copy of The Best City for You. Please take a moment and subscribe to our podcast and leave a review. Become a Fly Insider and get the inside scoop, behind the scenes photos, and exclusive travel deals.

We are joined by Jamie and Skylar from Explorcation on this episode of the podcast.  They have a fantastic blog and vlog on YouTube.  They share a ton of advice for staying healthy and well when you are traveling.   

Jamie and Skylar are a couple who loves to travel, explore new places, and try new experiences. Many of their travels include adventures like hiking to secluded beaches, jumping off of waterfalls, paddling to beautiful destinations, and learning to rock climb.  

They also travel to relax and include videos from cruising and spending time on beaches. They live in Florida and travel as often as they can while still working full time. 

In this episode, Jamie and Skylar share their top tips for staying healthy and well while traveling and many planning and preparation tips and resources.  Make sure to stay tuned until the very end to hear their favorite three places they have visited.   

Show Notes:

[01:39] They both work full-time, but they love being active as much as possible.

[01:52] They both grew up in the midwest and had limited opportunities to travel. They moved to Florida to travel more often and live a more active lifestyle.  

[02:31] Explorcation started four years ago when they went on a cruise to the Virgin Islands.  They came back from that trip with so much video footage and decided to start the YouTube channel as a way to document their travels for themselves.  

[03:53] They hope to inspire other people to visit new places, try new things, and live a healthier and more adventurous lifestyle.    

[05:01] Some days it is a struggle to balance it all, but it really helps to have a second person to get input and help with the process.  

[05:57] Learning to set time boundaries and sticking to them have really been key to working full-time and growing Explorcation.  

[07:35] Their relationship has grown from working on the blog and vlog together.  

[10:08] They were fortunate to have a big trip right before COVID hit.  They still have footage they are sharing and working on from that trip.  

[11:11] They were also lucky not to have any trips interrupted by COVID because they didn’t have any additional trips planned for that time.  

[13:19] They encourage their viewers to find healthy activities they enjoy, make them feel good, and add joy to their lives.  

[13:31] First you have to make the decision to keep healthy habits while you are traveling.  That is the first challenge.  

[14:43]  They found themselves not feeling well for several days after returning from trips after enjoying too many drinks, food, and sun.  

[16:29] They still enjoy these amenities, but only in moderation. 

[17:15] They realized that the best stress reliever for them was just to get out and do what they loved in nature and be adventurous.  

[17:37] Returning with more energy and less stress was definitely a big motivator for them. Jamie had a second motivator and that was her health.   

[19:01] For Jamie adopting a healthier lifestyle and being more active is what she needed to take back her life.  She started by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and taking vitamins.  

[20:11] The one thing that has contributed to their health and happiness has been finding the activities that they both enjoy.  

[21:35] When they moved to Florida they started to find active hobbies that they both enjoyed doing together like paddleboarding.

[23:11] They both also enjoy rock climbing.  They got into rock climbing because they found a Groupon online.  

[25:15] They started rock climbing indoors and climbed for over a year before they thought about outdoor rock climbing.  Their first outdoor rock climbing trip was to Asheville, North Carolina. 

[27:09] Their rock climbing trips were only day trips.  Some destinations do offer multiple-day backpacking trips.  

[28:17] They have also developed a love for hiking.  They really appreciate the hills and mountains.  

[29:12] They love to hike to secluded beaches.  They find these beaches by doing research and watching other vlogs.  

[32:01] They usually take backpacks.  They have one backpack with essentials and a cooler backpack for cool drinks.  

[34:01]  It is important to do the research to find out what exactly can you do that is something that you are interested in.    

[36:30] On cruises you can use the excursions that the cruise ship provides or find your own.  

[37:03] You know that if you book your excursions through the cruise ship they are not going to leave you.  If you are doing excursions on your own research them ahead of time and make sure they are legit.  They suggest having a back-up plan just in case you are left behind.  

[38:14] When they are planning and preparing for trips they watch a ton of travel vlogs, check Trip Advisor, read blogs, travel magazines, and many online resources.   

[39:54] Their top tip staying healthy while traveling is to stay as active as possible.  They find activities that they both enjoy and plan their trips around those activities.  

[41:56] When you are traveling to a destination where you have the option to prepare your own food they highly recommend visiting the local market and local produce stands.  

[42:51] They recommend booking a hotel with a gym or a swimming pool to increase your options for physical activity.  You can book a cruise that has several activities aboard.  

[44:05] For travel or active days it is important to pack healthy snacks and stay hydrated. You can bring an empty water bottle through airport security and fill it up once you get to the terminal.  

[45:22] The last tip for when you actually reach your destination is to avoid foods that have a negative impact on your health.  If you put the effort in you can almost always find healthy produce.  If you have the opportunity to cook your own meals they highly recommend it.  Many cruise ships offer healthier options.  

[47:41] Skylar’s top 3 places he has visited are Costa Rica, St. Lucia, and Joshua Tree Park.  

[49:02] Jamie’s top 3 places she has visited are Costa Rica, St. Lucia, and Puerto Rico.  

Links and Resources:

Fly with Chris and Di on Facebook

Fly with Chris and Di on Twitter

Fly with Chris and Di on Instagram

Fly with Chris and Di on Pinterest

Explorcation Blog

Explorcation on YouTube

Explorcation on Twitter

Explorcation on Instagram

For pictures, tips and more, be sure to check out our Fly with Chris and Di Facebook page and signup to download a copy of The Best City for You. Please take a moment and subscribe to our podcast and leave a review. Become a Fly Insider and get the inside scoop, behind the scenes photos, and exclusive travel deals.

It is finally time to get to know our other host better.  Today we are going to dig deeper and get to know more about Chris and his travel adventures. He waits until the very end of the episode to share his special story about his favorite childhood travel experience and adds some special guests in on the discussion. 

We also discuss Chris’s top 3 places to go, where he would like to go, and great family adventures. We talk about restaurants, excursions, and more. We hope you enjoy this little peek into Chris’s travel history and his most memorable traveling adventures. 

Show Notes:

[03:02] Chris has a special story about his favorite childhood travel experience that he is going to share at the end of the episode.

[04:23] Chris was first introduced to travel on road trips to Nashville.  He was typically the navigator.  

[05:09] Chris grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, which is 210 miles from Nashville. 

[06:18] Chris shares about being in a handbell choir at church as a child with his siblings and cousins.  

[08:45] New York City at that young age was very memorable. The handbell choir traveled to New York City to perform 

[10:08] Later in life Chris moved to New York and lived an hour and a half from New York City.  

[11:26] Chris shares his top three destinations that he has visited in his whole life.  

[12:19] He enjoyed learning about Roman history and Pompeii in Italy and visiting the colosseum.  

[14:55] Their advice is to not fill up on the first course because in Italy there are many courses.

[15:02] Chris shares about their experience in Scotland including St. Andrews and the countryside.  

[17:11] His number three destination is Las Vegas because there is so much to do.  

[19:15] Go cars are a great excursion.  They are little cars that provide GPS that talks to you about different historical sites and where to go.

[20:20] Chris’s favorite family trip is the RV trip, but the kids’ favorite trip is to Los Angeles.  

[20:59] His favorite destination with their extended family was the Dominican Republic.  They went with 20 people at two different times.  It was an all-inclusive resort and there was a lot to do.  

[23:26] The all-inclusive resorts are perfect with kids, especially older kids.  The kids were able to make their own choices and do fun things with safety.  

[25:01] Two places that Chris has not yet been to are Hawaii and Africa.  

[26:34] The third place that Chris still wants to go to is Dubai because it seems so luxurious.  

[28:49] Chris shares about their experience staying at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas.

[31:02] They were moved to a very luxurious room at the Cosmopolitan Hotel when the room they reserved wasn’t available. 

[33:14] They upgraded to first class on a trip and they brought them cocktails and warm nuts.   

[35:20] Chris’s favorite pancakes are Cracker Barrel's pancakes.  

[36:02] His favorite steak house is Ruth’s Chris.  They really enjoyed their visit to Ruth’s Chris in Keystone at the Crossing in Indianapolis. 

[37:03] If you ever fly through Minneapolis airport, in the main concourse check out pizza at Black Sheep.  

[38:29] Chris’s favorite excursion was their open-air helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon.  He would love to do it again on a nice day. 

[40:15] Chris’s earliest childhood experience was their family trip to Orlando.  He calls his Aunt Deborah, and two cousins to share what they remember about their trip. 

[42:35] Chris’s Aunt Deborah shares the facts of this favorite childhood experience to Orlando.  

[44:16] They had their trip outlined with AAA and they stayed in Kissimmee.   

[47:15]  Brian remembers them packing up in their yellow Cadillac (“The Canary”) and driving all night.  

[48:15] Brandy remembers leaving at night time with 3 adults and five children packed in one Cadillac.  They all kept asking, “Are we there yet?”

[50:51] Everyone got along on the trip and didn’t fight, but there was one instance of a spilled Coke on the floor.  

[52:44] They used a paper map for directions, but they also had a CB radio. 

[53:27] Brian remembers their first stop being to a little waterpark on the side of the road.

[55:42] They went to Disneyland and Wet and Wild.  

[57:11] The day after they arrived they went to Disney World.  They also went to Sea World.  

[58:39] They enjoyed going to the pool every day.  

[60:22] They remember staying at Disney all day and seeing fireworks and the parade at the end of the day.  

[61:12] Aunt Deborah’s favorite memory from the Orlando trip was all of them packing into the car. They brought lots of activities and snacks for the car ride. 

[63:48] This trip is so memorable for Brandy because it was their first time going to Disney and it was all of them went together. 

[64:48] This trip is so memorable for Brian because it was a long trip and they were in hot and sunny Florida.   

Links and Resources:

Episode 40 - Africa

Episode 39 - Italy

Italy Quick Tips

Episode 15 - Our Trip to London, Paris, and Scotland

Surly Beer

Episode 7 - Vegas Off the Strip

Go Cars

Episode 9 - First Time RVers

Episode 19 - 4 Days in Los Angeles

Cracker Barrel

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

Black Sheep Pizza

Kissimmee, Florida

Walt Disney World

For pictures, tips and more, be sure to check out our Fly with Chris and Di Facebook page and signup to download a copy of The Best City for You. Please take a moment and subscribe to our podcast and leave a review. Become a Fly Insider and get the inside scoop, behind the scenes photos, and exclusive travel deals.

Award-winning travel agent, Ashley Morris from Alpaca Your Bags, will be joining us to talk about AFRICA! Ashley joined us in Season 1 to tell us all the tips and tricks to planning an amazing destination wedding or vow renewal. Ashley is back and fresh off of a trip she recently took to East Africa. She is going to share all of the details of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. She shares how she was lucky enough to get to go on a safari and preparation including visas and vaccinations. 

We are going to hear every thrilling thing that happened on this amazing trip. You will learn how to prepare for the trip, the wide variety of lodging available, things you could never imagine, and the different experiences you could have in both Nairobi, Kenya, Zanzibar, and Tanzania. She also talks about weight limits for flights and packing light and taking exactly what you need. You are going to be ready to pack your bags before this interview even ends! So, let’s fly!

Show Notes:

[02:01] Ashley Morris is the owner of Alpaca Your Bags, a website all about travel.

[02:48] Ashley just got back from a trip to Africa. She normally specializes in destination weddings, but she knows that people are also very interested in adventure travel.

[03:53] She went on a 12-day safari. 

[04:36] Wild Voyager offered trips to travel advisors and contacted Ashley. 

[06:34] You need a visa as well as a passport to go to Kenya and Tanzania.

[07:20] You have to have your documents in order and get travel vaccinations.

[08:27] You do need a vaccination for yellow fever. 

[11:28] There are special clinics dedicated to travel and travel preparation such as Passport Health. 

[13:58] Ashley shares her preparation for the trip. Long sleeve shirts with built in SPF are very useful. Hats and fleece are great too. Get those pants that zip into shorts. You also want light colors that don't attract bugs. Go for greens, browns, and khakis. 

[17:14] Ashley went to Kenya for the safari and Tanzania for the recovery. Masai Mara is a huge game reserve in Kenya. You will have a more diverse experience here than you would in the Serengeti.

[19:29] Ashley saw the Big 5 which are cape buffalos, lions, elephants, rhinos, and leopards. Plus all of the other animals you would expect like hippos and giraffes.

[21:32] It was overwhelming to be a nature among these beautiful animals.

[22:11] The big activity is called a game drive. This is where you drive around and see the animals. They are most active at sunrise and dusk.

[25:22] One of the most amazing parts of the day was sitting around the campfire talking about what they'd seen.

[26:03] Their camp was more rustic with tented rooms and bathrooms. They had a chef that made everything from scratch. She would also make one unique Kenyan item. 

[29:05] They also went to a Masai Village and learned about the warriors.

[31:19] Everything on a safari is driving. They drove probably three or four hours a day.

[31:37] Some lodges and resorts have other activities.

[32:11] Some lodges will specialize in things like photography. Your travel advisor can tailor your experience to what you want.

[33:42] Understand your budget and what you're comfortable with.

[35:02] You can actually go on a hot air balloon safari. After landing, they had a bush breakfast. It was extremely elegant with champagne. It's a lovely way to celebrate a morning.

[37:33] They flew to Tanzania in a small plane. First they flew to Zanzibar. You can also see Freddie Mercury's first home because he was born in Zanzibar. There are also beautiful beaches and a lot of history.

[40:13] This was a more luxurious experience. They also went to Prison Island and saw land tortoises.

[44:12] Go to the elephant sanctuary in Nairobi.

[46:19] Ashley loved Stone Town Zanzibar.

[48:18] The food in Zanzibar was much more refined. There was a lot of Middle Eastern and Indian food.

[49:33] Cost depends on factors but there is a range of $7,000 to $15,000 plus travel expenses.

[51:27] Avoid peak times like during the animal great migration. 

[53:14] Call Ashley for a consultation. 

Links and Resources:

Fly with Chris and Di on Facebook

Fly with Chris and Di on Twitter

Fly with Chris and Di on Instagram

Fly with Chris and Di on Pinterest

Alpaca Your Bags

Schedule an Appointment with Ashley

Alpaca Your Bags on Instagram

Planning a Destination Wedding or Vow Renewal

Wild Voyager

Passport Health

Masai Mara

Prison Island

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Stone Town of Zanzibar

The Elephant Sanctuary

Giraffe Center

The Rock Restaurant Zanzibar

For pictures, tips and more, be sure to check out our Fly with Chris and Di Facebook page and signup to download a copy of The Best City for You. Please take a moment and subscribe to our podcast and leave a review. Become a Fly Insider and get the inside scoop, behind the scenes photos, and exclusive travel deals.

Hey, fly listeners, thanks for joining us for this quick tip Thursday. If you haven't checked out episode 41, be sure to do so. In that episode, Tanya Shelburne of the Traveling Tanya blog took us through all of the ins and outs of planning a trip to Italy. If you're thinking of taking a tip to this amazing company you will want all of that info. Today, Tanya gives us some top tips for how to make the most out of your Italian vacation. Some of the things we talk about include when to go to Italy. 

We also talk about food and drinks. Did you know that in Italy wine is cheaper than soda? We also talk about the best way to avoid the tourist crowds by exploring early in the morning or late in the evening. Tanya talks about the wonderful food like pizza and pasta and how you can find some really great grab-and-go food and eat surrounded by Italian ambiance. We also talk about spontaneity versus pre-booking and so many other ways to get the most out of your Italian vacation.

Show Notes:

[01:00] You need to think about when you want to go to Italy. 

[01:08] Summertime is Tanya's least favorite time to go. The preferred time is what they call shoulder season. This is springtime in April and May or fall in September or October.

[01:30] During these times you'll find lower prices and more temperate weather. The crowds are also lighter.

[02:41] The best times for exploring are early in the morning or late at night.

[03:06] Wine in Italy is cheaper than soda, so why not indulge? You'll also have to ask for water and ice isn't common. 

[04:42] Pizza and pasta are king and grab-and-go spots are plentiful.

[05:45] There are wonderful bread and pastries everywhere. The food also has less additives and preservatives, so it balances out the calories.

[06:36] Think about what cities you are visiting and your highest priority attractions. These are the ones that you will want to pre-book.

[07:29] Pre-booking can also save you money. It's also good they leave some free time for spontaneity and rest.

Links and Resources:

Fly with Chris and Di on Facebook

Fly with Chris and Di on Twitter

Fly with Chris and Di on Instagram

Fly with Chris and Di on Pinterest

Traveling Tanya

Traveling Tanya on Pinterest

Traveling Tanya on Twitter

Traveling Tanya on Instagram

Traveling Tanya on Facebook

For pictures, tips and more, be sure to check out our Fly with Chris and Di Facebook page and signup to download a copy of The Best City for You. Please take a moment and subscribe to our podcast and leave a review. Become a Fly Insider and get the inside scoop, behind the scenes photos, and exclusive travel deals.

Tanya Shelburne, author of the Traveling Tanya blog is here with us. Tanya is on a mission to inspire busy people like you to make travel a priority by sharing her vacation adventures and travel tips. Like us, she has two teenagers and loves to travel the world. Today, Tanya is going to take us to Italy. Tanya shares all kinds of insights about going to Italy. She even shares a great tool for trip planning and creating your own itinerary. This episode will have you dreaming about visiting Italy and will give you tools to begin planning now. 

She also shares tips for packing and why it pays to pack light. We also discuss transportation and why it’s important to plan in advance. We discuss trains, planning airport to hotel transportation, and traveling through Venice in vaporettos. Talking to Tanya feels like taking a trip to Italy as she shares her favorite hotspots, tours, food, classes, and amazing places to visit. She talks about historic landmarks and where to find the best view in Florence. We discuss Venice, centrally located Florence, and Rome along with how to get the most out of your trip. 

We are recording this in mid-march of 2020 and Italy is under a full lockdown. Everyone is on quarantine due to the impact of the coronavirus. This doesn't mean we can't plan for future travel and have something to look forward to in order to keep our spirits up. 

Show Notes:

[01:33] Tanya is a mom and wife who lives in the Midwest. She has a husband, a full-time job, and two teenage daughters. She also does a lot of volunteer work.

[01:56] She loves to travel and that's why she started a travel blog. She makes time to travel whenever she can.

[02:23] Tanya would like for people to make traveling a priority and not put those trips off.

[03:31] We are recording this in mid-march of 2020 and Italy is under a full lockdown. Everyone is on quarantine due to the impact of the coronavirus. This doesn't mean we can't plan for future travel and have something to look forward to when our spirits are down.

[04:33] Italy is Tanya's favorite place in the entire world. Tanya is passionate about traveling to Italy.

[05:49] She loves travel planning almost as much as she loves the actual travel.

[06:22] Tanya uses Tripmasters for all of her planning.

[06:48] She loves creating her own itineraries. Tripmasters will combine everything and your per person cost. It's not as expensive as you think.

[09:12] You could also get an organized tour, but Tanya likes to plan her own trip with some help from Tripmasters. 

[10:04] Rome2rio can help you plan your transportation ahead of time.

[13:37] Tanya is also a Rick Steves fan. He has a great app with walking tours that are fabulous. 

[15:57] YouTube is also a great travel and Italy travel resource. There are also great travel blogs like Traveling Tanya. 

[18:30] Pack what you know you will need. You can always buy stuff there. 

[20:06] Check with your airline about baggage fees before packing. Decide if you want to check your bags or not. 

[21:39] Tanya says it's possible to do a week in Italy with just a carry on and a backpack. The largest bag you can fit in the bin.

[22:36] It's also possible to do laundry in Italy. Learning to pack light will make your experience better.

[24:42] In Venice, you will travel by boat. Often in a ferry. 

[28:32] Without vehicles, you can enjoy the beauty of Venice. 

[29:40] Great things to see our Saint Mark's Square, the Basilica, Doge's Palace, and the old prison. There is also a wonderful old bookstore. There are also neighboring islands and amazing food and wine. 

[35:23] When you visit Europe, you will definitely get your steps in. Pack comfortable shoes.

[36:51] You can also go through guided tours with locals.

[38:50] Florence is south of Venice. It's centrally located and a great home base for exploring many of the different cities in Italy.

[40:40] Tanya's favorite spot in Florence is the Piazzale Michelangelo. The view is amazing.

[46:54] Tanya and her daughters took a cooking class in Florence.

[49:17] Teenagers need downtime and activities. Older traveling companions may need a slower pace. Pay attention and keep your plans flexible.

[50:09] If you go to Italy, you will probably go to Rome. There's more hustle and bustle. Tanya and her family took a day trip there. You could spend a week there, but it's a good idea to see what you can.

[52:11] They went to the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. They also went to the Pantheon.

[54:24] Pizza is available everywhere. Pasta and gelato were also daily things.

[56:00] The best flavor that Tanya ever had was a raspberry gelato.

Links and Resources:

Fly with Chris and Di on Facebook

Fly with Chris and Di on Twitter

Fly with Chris and Di on Instagram

Fly with Chris and Di on Pinterest

Traveling Tanya

Traveling Tanya on Pinterest

Traveling Tanya on Twitter

Traveling Tanya on Instagram

Traveling Tanya on Facebook

Tripmasters

Rome2rio

Rick Steves Audio Europe™

Our Private Photography Tour in Venice

Piazzale Michelangelo

Florencetown

For pictures, tips and more, be sure to check out our Fly with Chris and Di Facebook page and signup to download a copy of The Best City for You. Please take a moment and subscribe to our podcast and leave a review. Become a Fly Insider and get the inside scoop, behind the scenes photos, and exclusive travel deals.

Having the right mindset is a popular topic no matter what you’re trying to accomplish. When it comes to travel, the two main mindset issues people often have are lack of time and lack of money. Our guest today has developed strategies to make travel a priority. She talks about her techniques for intentional budgeting and saving for travel. We also talk about how to find the best flights and deals, the difference between a trip and a vacation, and why travel can be so rewarding.

We are joined by Danielle Desir. Danielle is the author of  the book Affording Travel: Saving Strategies for Financially Savvy Travelers. She’s a personal finance writer, a blogger, and the host of The Thought Card Podcast. She has managed to pay off $63,000 in student loan debt, buy a house at 27, and travel to 27+ countries all while working a full-time job. 

Danielle is a financially savvy traveler who is passionate about travel and money. Today she shares how we can also be financially savvy travelers, and how we can plan and save for travel and also pay off debt at the same time. She even throws in some quick tips for finding the passion and will to pay off those student loans. She is a pure delight and you’re going to love her as much as we did. 

Show Notes:

[02:01] Danielle started traveling at a young age. As a child, she spent every summer with her grandparents in Haiti. 

[02:39] She grew up with a mother who was really conscious of saving money. She opened her first retirement account at 15 and started putting money away right away.

[03:31] In college, she wanted to travel more, but money was an issue. That's when she made it a goal to find creative ways to make travel a priority in her life.

[04:42] She's made travel a priority, and it shapes all of her decisions.

[05:24] She started her blog in 2015 in order to document her trips.

[06:03] She started her The Thought Card Podcast in 2018, because she wanted to create a more intimate connection with her audience.

[08:04] Danielle recently launched her book, Affording Travel: Saving Strategies for Financially Savvy Travelers.

[08:17] One of the first things when you want to start saving for travel is to think about your mindset and is there anything holding you back. People often complain that they don't have the time or they don't have the money.

[08:38] In Danielle's book, she really tackles the money aspect and the first chapter is about adjusting your priorities.

[09:16] She makes saving for travel a priority by treating travel expenses like a bill. Saving for your travel expenses will bring richness to your life.

[10:30] Danielle created a separate bank account for her travel fund. Seeing your travel savings grow is a quick win.

[12:31] Danielle uses a virtual envelope system by having multiple bank accounts.

[16:05] She discusses how her student loan interest was accruing every day as the clock ticked on. 

[17:03] Emotion is a good indicator of passion. 

[18:05] Danielle wanted to have the financial freedom of not having student loan debt. So she stayed at her mom's house and made sure to pay extra principal every day and month until the debt was paid off. 

[20:09] Be creative and look at things as challenges as opposed to obstacles.

[21:07] Her reward was a yearly trip.

[22:50] She saved and found great deals when she had to spend.

[23:57] At the beginning, she would choose destinations according to deals. She's more intentional now.

[24:52] A trip is about the external experience. A vacation is more relaxing. Based on your travel style choose the destination.

[26:43] Define what you want to experience and find good deals based off of that.

[29:01] Automation can help your saving systems operate in the background.

[30:12] Danielle gives us great resources for cheap flights like Secret Flying and The Flight Deal. 

[32:24] She also likes the deals from Travelzoo.

[33:24] She's been to more than 27 countries.

[34:00] You can get her book on Amazon to find the best deals and money saving travel tips.

[35:02] Her top three favorite places include China, Bermuda, and Iceland.

Links and Resources:

Fly with Chris and Di on Facebook

Fly with Chris and Di on Twitter

Fly with Chris and Di on Instagram

Fly with Chris and Di on Pinterest

The Thought Card

The Thought Card Podcast

Danielle Desir on Twitter

Danielle Desir on Instagram

The Thought Card on Facebook

Affording Travel: Saving Strategies for Financially Savvy Travelers

Secret Flying

The Flight Deal

Scott’s Cheap Flights

Thrifty Traveler

Travelzoo

For pictures, tips and more, be sure to check out our Fly with Chris and Di Facebook page and signup to download a copy of The Best City for You. Please take a moment and subscribe to our podcast and leave a review. Become a Fly Insider and get the inside scoop, behind the scenes photos, and exclusive travel deals.

National parks are a great way to explore natural beauty close to home and in other countries. Today, we chat with Michelle Stelly who fell in love with hiking, backpacking, and camping. She runs the The Wandering Queen blog, where she talks about her adventures and shares tips and tricks for beginner and experienced hikers and campers. Michelle’s enthusiasm and love of nature is contagious as she talks about how she began, where she’s been, and her favorite places to go.

Michelle and her husband are in Washington where they have access to great national parks. They’ve also traveled to Patagonia in South America, Iceland, Switzerland, Australia, and all over the US. Her favorite park is her first one visited which is Zion National Park in Utah. Michelle gives tips for exploring hiking and national parks. She talks about travel tips, activities, choosing accommodations, and why you should make a reservation. We also get a first hand look into top essentials and extras you should bring, what to wear, how to save on park fees, and Michelle even shares what she likes to eat on her trips. 

Show Notes:

[01:54] Michelle runs The Wandering Queen which is an outdoor hiking travel blog.

[02:17] She was born in Panama, but grew up in Houston Texas.

[03:05] She is also an engineer. She didn't start hiking and camping until after she graduated from college.

[03:21] Michelle began indoor rock climbing. She was afraid of heights. She was invited to go outdoor rock climbing, which eventually led to hiking and camping. 

[04:30] She then became obsessed with exploring the outdoors.

[04:59] Michelle, her husband, and her two dogs started their outdoor adventures.

[05:52] Their first national park was Zion National Park. 

[07:27] Michelle began exploring cities and then discovered that national parks were it for her.

[08:09] Her first backpack trip was in Canada. Then they went to Patagonia and Iceland.

[09:30] After moving to Washington, finding great places to hike became so much easier.

[10:19] She hikes, camps, and backpacks almost every single week.

[11:05] She goes winter backpacking in the snow and is able to hike in the rain.

[11:31] Patagonia is in South America.

[13:33] It's a good idea to check the weather before you go hiking. It's better to hike in warmer climates in the fall, winter, or spring.

[14:25] Find the nearest airport, and you'll have to rent a car. 

[15:50] There's so much to do at national parks. You can hike, kayak, backpack, rock climbing, and just about any other outdoor activity you are interested in.

[16:17] Choose your activity before booking your accommodation.

[17:30] When choosing accommodations you may be able to find a hotel, but you can also camp or backpack.

[19:29] Some camping and backpacking areas are first come first serve, but for many of them you have to make reservations at recreation.gov. Michelle would recommend getting a reservation.

[22:46] Camping is usually around $10 to $20 a night. You can also get an America the Beautiful Pass for around $80 to handle yearly park entrance fees. 

[23:40] Be sure to pack the ten essentials which include navigation equipment, sun protection, first aid kit, a firestarter or matches, hiking tools, extra food, extra water or water filter, emergency shelter, headlamp, and extra clothes.

[26:59] You might need a daypack, trekking poles, camera, bear deterrent, a personal locator beacon, and bug protection.

[30:00] Michelle has seen moose, elk, and bears. She also shares a warning about the attacking squirrels.

[31:59] Don't wear cotton. You want wicking material. Have a rain jacket or a poncho and dress in layers. You can also bring a sweater just in case. Leggings can be more comfortable and you could also wear hiking pants. Wear hiking shoes or hiking boots. Also bring wool socks, a hat, and sunglasses.

[37:19] A typical weekend hike could be from 4 to 11 miles depending on the weather. Michelle has a 19 mile goal.

[38:43] Michelle brings things like fruit, jerky, nuts, protein bars and sometimes sandwiches. When she camps, she likes burgers and s'mores.

[40:34] Michelle's top three national parks include Zion National Park, Mount Rainier, and Canyonlands National Park.

[45:03] You can start hiking at any age. Be sure and check out Michelle's hiking course.

Links and Resources:

Fly with Chris and Di on Facebook

Fly with Chris and Di on Twitter

Fly with Chris and Di on Instagram

Fly with Chris and Di on Pinterest

The Wandering Queen

Michelle on Twitter

The Wandering Queen on Pinterest

The Wandering Queen on Instagram

The Wandering Queen on Facebook

The Wandering Queens Facebook Group

Sign up for the FREE 9 day hiking course!

Recreation.gov Find Your Next Adventure

Zion National Park

National Parks in Washington

Patagonia National Park

Big Bend National Park Texas

America the Beautiful Pass

Naked and Afraid

Canyonlands National Park

For pictures, tips and more, be sure to check out our Fly with Chris and Di Facebook page and signup to download a copy of The Best City for You. Please take a moment and subscribe to our podcast and leave a review. Become a Fly Insider and get the inside scoop, behind the scenes photos, and exclusive travel deals.

Hey Fly listeners, we are thrilled to have you with us today. We are your hosts Chris and Di, and if you are anything like us, you are ready to get out of the house and go somewhere, anywhere, as long as you can get the heck out of dodge and see something besides your four walls. 

Have you been planning your post quarantine destination? We have, and for this episode, we have lined up some travel industry experts and see where they are planning to take their first post quarantine trip. So buckle up, grab a pen and some paper for notes and let’s fly!

Nikki from She Saves She Travels blog is thinking either Destin, Florida, or Glacier National Park because she has small children and doesn’t feel comfortable flying just yet. Tanya from the Traveling Tanya blog loves taking her family to the beach, so they are going to Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Michelle The Wandering Queen is thinking about Grand Teton’s National Park. 

Cienna, the CEO of Your Life Travel Club, is craving Pizza from Italy and is just waiting for the country to open up. Ashley from Alpaca Your Bags Travel feels comfortable taking an 11-night Celebrity Cruises to the S. Caribbean. Di wants to head to a quiet beach while Chris is thinking Vegas Baby! 

But no matter where you go, be safe, have fun and drop us a line, tell us where you are going and why it’s such a magical place for you.

In This Episode:

[00:51] Fly listeners, we are happy to have you with us!

[01:48] Di welcomes Nikki to the show.

[02:12] Nikki from She Saves She Travels blog is sharing her post-quarantine trip options, either Destin, Florida, or Glacier National Park in Montana.

[03:34] They are planning a mid-summer vacation, which one they choose is open.

[04:11] Tanya Shelburne is next up; she is the author of the Traveling Tanya blog.

[04:35] Tanya shares that after quarantine, they will head to Gulf Shores, Alabama.

[05:29] Check out her website for her tips on picking the right beach house or condo for you and your family.

[07:45] Chris and Di share that their refrigerator in the garage has a sticker of every place they have ever traveled.

[08:43] Michelle, the Wandering Queen, speaks about the Grand Tetons National Park being the first place she is taking her family once they have lifted the quarantine.

[09:18] Michelle shares her tips and things she is excited to do.

[11:12] Cienna Richards is the CEO of Your Life Travel Club, shares that Italy is calling her name.

[12:05] Cienna has tips for anyone who hasn’t been to Italy before.

[13:21] Di and Chris talk about where they have eaten pizza in Italy.

[14:49] The last guest is Ashley from Alpaca Your Bags Travel.

[15:23] Ashley, where will you be going post-quarantine?

[15:48] Her first destination is a work trip to St. Lucia, and after that, she will go on an 11 night Celebrity Cruises.

[17:05] How do you feel about getting on a cruise ship? Can you do it?

[17:45] Chris and Di share their #1 pick for their post-quarantine trip is Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina for total relaxation.

[19:50] Di’s shares one of her favorite things in Ocean Isle Beach.

[21:44] For those of you who are beach people, share a moment of bliss with me.

[22:32] Chris says that the beach doesn’t work for him. He wants to go to Vegas, Baby!!

[22:56] He shares that the day that they were supposed to fly out for a week in Vegas, the quarantine hit.

[25:05] We just gave you nine locations to add to your travel list.

[25:22] Let us know your post-quarantine destination of choice on social media @flywithchrisanddi or drop us an email if you are a fly insider.

To become a Fly insider, go to www.flywithchrisanddi.com and sign up!

Be sure to connect with our guests today; they would love to connect with you.

Links and Resources

Fly with Chris and Di

@flywithchrisanddi

Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest 

@flywithchrisdi

Twitter  

Bloggers

Nikki Rue

@shesavesshetravels

Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Tanya Shelburne

@travelingtanyashelburne

Facebook | Pinterest

@tanyashelburne

Twitter

Michelle Steely

@wanderingqueen

Facebook | Twitter

@thewanderingqueen

Instagram | Pinterest

Travel Agents

Cienna Richards

@yourlifetravel

Facebook | Instagram

Ashley Morris

@alpacayourbags

Facebook  

@alpacabagstravel

Instagram | Instagram

Our friend Nikki Rue from She Saves She Travels is back. Regular listeners may remember her tips on How to Book the Cheapest Flight Possible from episode 23. Nikki runs a travel and finance blog that specializes in helping people work with the income they have to go on the trips they want. Her blog is a wealth of tips and resources to save money, budget, and find the best travel deals. We loved all of her tips for finding cheap flights, and today we take it a step further by talking about how to plan and set up a budget to make travel a reality.

Nikki talks about the first things you need to decide on and how flexibility and traveling during off seasons can save money and stress. We also talk about smart ways to find that money to set aside and why it’s always better to save in advance as opposed to going into credit card debt for that vacation. We also talk about some of the hidden costs that not everyone thinks about and why it’s super important to have a cushion just in case.

This Episode is sponsored by Beatrice Bradley. Their line of travel accessories make packing easier and cleaner. Go to www.BeatriceBradley.com today and enter code FLY30 for 30% off site-wide and FREE shipping.

Show Notes:

[03:11] Nikki Rue runs the travel and finance blog She Saves She Travels. She's a certified financial coach specializing in helping people manage their money, so that they can travel the world and live their best life.

[04:20] One of the first steps when creating a vacation budget is to know how much the trip will cost. You need to know where you're going and when you are going.

[04:53] Searching Google and Pinterest are great places to start. You can also include the search term "budget" in your search.

[05:12] Fees and expenses that people often overlook include baggage fees, travel insurance, and boarding their pets. Nikki always adds an extra 10% to her budget just in case.

[06:43] Your biggest expenses will be transportation and accommodations. Being flexible with your dates can save you a lot of money.

[08:05] There are deals and dramatic discounts available right now. If you do book, make sure that you have flexibility and can actually afford it.

[09:10] You can find great deals on activities on Groupon. Some city visitor centers also offer discounts and can send you coupon books beforehand. Tripadvisor is also great for restaurants and activities.

[10:42] Adapt the right mindset and decide where you want to splurge or save. 

[11:47] Once you know your initial budget, break it down according to how many months before your trip. Then you have a monthly savings goal. Make travel a priority for your finances.

[12:36] You could also open up a separate bank account just for travel. Some banks will allow you to name the account a nickname like Hawaii.

[14:34] Use travel cards wisely but avoid a vacation hangover. It's no fun paying for your vacation after the fact.

[15:33] Cancel subscriptions that you aren't using and put them in your vacation fund. You can also create extra money coming or selling things you don't use.

[16:57] You can save a lot by cutting down on dining out or buying coffee drinks.

[17:59] It's about prioritizing your finances and being intentional with your spending to make your income work for your goals.

Links and Resources:

Fly with Chris and Di on Facebook

Fly with Chris and Di on Twitter

Fly with Chris and Di on Instagram

Fly with Chris and Di on Pinterest

Beatrice Bradley enter code FLY30 for 30% off site-wide and FREE shipping

She Saves She Travels

She Saves She Travels on Instagram

She Saves She Travels on Facebook

She Saves She Travels on Pinterest

How to Book the Cheapest Flight Possible

Groupon

Tripadvisor

Save 50% on Your First Coaching Session With Nikki

For pictures, tips and more, be sure to check out our Fly with Chris and Di Facebook page and signup to download a copy of The Best City for You. Please take a moment and subscribe to our podcast and leave a review. Become a Fly Insider and get the inside scoop, behind the scenes photos, and exclusive travel deals.