Fly with Chris and Di

We love to travel and love to talk about travel. Our plans have been put on hold for a while, but that doesn't mean that we still can't dream, plan, and prepare for our future trips. We had a Vegas trip scheduled for last month that we had to cancel. We are going to talk about ways that you can have fun with travel while still staying safe at home. Now is the perfect time to do some dreaming, research new locations and experiences, and plan your next trip.

Dreaming and planning can be almost as fun as the trip itself. Now is the time to research some of your favorite destinations and potential destinations. Travel books, movies, and maps can all be used to help discover where you want to go and what you want to do. We also talk about fun things you can do at home that are like a vacation. We discuss how to incorporate activities, food, and themes into your planning. There are great deals out there just make sure you understand cancellation policies. We also discuss why it's okay to pick that date now.

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:

[03:06] Dreaming about travel. Travel books and movies are great ways to plan, think, and dream about travel.

[04:12] Chris loved maps when he was growing up. When his family took trips, he was the navigator. Looking at the maps inspired him to dream about the different locations and places that he could someday go.

[05:04] We are more planners and doers than dreamers, but this is a great time for dreaming about future trips. You can also make a list while you're dreaming about your future trips.

[05:57] It's really fun to have something to look forward to. Your kids can get involved in your dream travel list.

[06:17] Diane's travel bucket list includes Bora Bora and Antarctica from last week's episode and Australia.

[06:54] Chris wants to go to Africa, Alaska, and Hawaii.

[07:25] When travel is taken away from you, you appreciate it even more.

[07:38] Fun things you can be doing right now thinking outside the box. Make tents inside. Kids can read, do homework, or just get away for a while. Tents in the backyard are fun too.

[10:35] Outside projector movies are another creative thing to do.

[11:28] Take a trip to your guest room. Pack an overnight bag. Try out your fun travel gear.

[12:34] Theme days are another fun idea. You can learn about different locations or have themes like zoo day.

[14:02] 1 in 10 people are supported by a travel type industry. Ways to support them include purchasing tickets for future dates. You can also renew your season pass. Keep these businesses thriving.

[16:28] You can get great discounts with extended times when you purchase tours now.

[16:53] Now's the time to research your new travel gear and help support the industry.

[18:08] Focusing on your future vacation is a great way to get your mind off of some of the things that are going on now.

[19:44] Picking a date is a great way to get started to think about what you want to do.

[20:18] We were supposed to be in Vegas the second week of March. We had airfare, a hotel, a car, and activities planned. People were very accommodating with letting us cancel.

[21:58] Make sure that flexible cancellation is an option.

[22:49] Airbnb also did a really great job of giving us all of our money back. Always make sure you understand cancellation policies and what the company will allow you to do.

[24:00] We're going to call our first trip the Post-Pandemic World Tour. What are you going to call yours? #NameYourTrip

Links and Resources:

Fly with Chris and Di on Facebook

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

London Pass

New York City Tours

Hop On Hop Off Nashville Tours

Airbnb

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 talking about small ship cruises today. These are very different from your typical cruise. The smaller ships can go to more exotic ports and explore places where the larger ships can't go. It's also a much more intimate trip with the crew and other passengers. Our guests today are Deb and Dave from The PlanetD which was named by Forbes as a Top 10 Travel Influencer in the World!

Deb and Dave are award winning travel bloggers and have been featured on CNN, the BBC, Lonely Planet, National Geographic, Vogue, the Today Show, and more! Their travel videos are amazing! After listening to them talk about exploring the Amazon and camping under the stars in Antarctica, it's hard not to want to go on one of these adventures. We know that you are going to love them as much as we do! They are so fun and we can't wait to dive into our time with them. So, let's fly!

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:

[03:20] Deb and Dave started their travel blog in 2008. They kicked things off with a cycling trip from Cairo to Cape Town. They wanted to do something epic to put their names on the map.

[04:02] They started out by branding themselves as an adventure couple, but soon realized they might not be able to keep it up.

[04:33] As their travel style changed, they realized that adventure was for everyone. It's different for everyone and doesn't have to be epic.

[05:23] Small ship cruising has become a whole new adventure for Deb and Dave. They've gone to Antarctica and Greenland. They've also gone down the Amazon River and down the Panama Canal with a group of 40 people.

[06:01] Taking a small cruise ship is a very up and personal experience.

[07:37] You can sign up for different activities and that makes the group even more intimate.

[08:43] There are also different levels of activities. At dinner you get to share your experiences of the day.

[09:22] There are also options for dining for two.

[10:59] In Panama and Costa Rica, they had a lot of beach time. There were also kayaks and paddleboards out to use. The ships have hot tubs on them.

[11:43] Short cruises can range from 7 to 20 days.

[12:33] Antarctica was Dave's favorite cruise.

[14:03] On small ship cruises, you're able to explore different places and go down smaller tributaries. This works great for exploring the Amazon or Greenland.

[16:17] You need to bring warmer clothes and pack in layers for Antarctica. The cruise will usually furnish parkas and boots.

[17:03] On a small cruise, you also get to hang out with the captain.

[18:20] Most of the rooms are either suites or at least facing out, so you can see the ocean.

[19:51] There are fascinating lectures, films, games, and a happy hour.

[22:30] Deb and Dave have never had a bad small cruise ship experience even though they've gone on several different ships.

[23:04] There's a chef on board creating five course meals with wine pairings. There's only a breakfast buffet. They have table service for lunch and dinner.

[25:09] Prices usually start around $3,600 a person and can go up to a lot more. Everything is included, so it kind of evens out.

[27:55] It's really a unique luxury experience.

[30:32] Deb's favorite experience was kayaking in Antarctica. It was an incredible experience with penguins, seals, whales, and icebergs.

[31:18] Dave liked camping in Antarctica and sleeping under the stars and a full moon.

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

The PlanetD

The PlanetD on YouTube

The PlanetD on Instagram

The PlanetD on Facebook

The PlanetD on Twitter

Ultimate Pre-Travel Checklist

How to Pack for an Antarctica Cruise

Quark Expeditions

UnCruise Adventures

International Expeditions

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

Would you like to spend time in nature without all of the work and inconvenience of traditional camping? If so, Glamping might be the vacation or getaway option you've been looking for. Ruben Martinez is the co-founder of GlampingHub, a platform that brings together people looking for unique accommodations with hosts who are creating these spaces. It's like Airbnb, but for unique glamping experiences to explore nature in a comfortable setting.

Ruben shares information about his platform and the glamping world. The GlampingHub platform began in 2013 and boasts over 30,000 accomodations now. According to Ruben, people are surprised to find out that there are unique glamping experiences in their local areas. It's also a great business for hosts who want to create and host unique spaces and experiences that can generate high margins. The platform features really fun options like treehouses, Airstream glamping, safari tents, tiny houses, and more. These unique luxury accommodations make nature accessible while still being able to enjoy the comforts of home.

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:

[01:41] For Ruben glamping includes direct access to mother nature, a certain level of comfort, and a uniqueness to the structure and surrounding area.

[02:29] Some options include staying in an Airstream, container house, or a tree house. The idea is to help city dwellers escape to nature while remaining comfortable.

[03:36] GlampingHub is like an Airbnb for the outdoors. It's a booking website that allows you to search through thousands of options in your area.

[04:39] They wanted to bring all of the information together so that people could easily find unique outdoor experiences.

[06:38] Ruben loves camping, but his young daughters need a little more comfort than comes with traditional camping. Glamping also lets people who are new to camping enjoy the outdoors without buying a lot of expensive equipment.

[09:24] Many people who love the outdoors want to create an experience that they've had and hosting is the perfect way. It also makes good business sense to open up these semi permanent structures.

[10:43] A lot of them are more in tune with the environment as they help people get in touch with mother nature.

[11:07] The average cost can be a bit more than a hotel stay, because you are getting a unique experience with nature. The margins are good for the hosts.

[12:06] Every business is trying to take a bigger piece of the millennial pie. Glamping naturally fits with their priorities. Millennials enjoy experience based traveling.

[14:35] GlampingHub has over 30,000 properties worldwide. There are fantastic options in places like Australia and South America.

[16:04] People are starting to realize that investing in the glamping space makes sense. The economy has really grown.

[20:53] Being able to get outside is really important to people's physical and mental state right now.

[21:39] Glamping is the opposite of a cruise, so it may be a good way to distance yourself right now. This type of travel at this time could make sense for some people.

[23:23] This type of industry could be more resilient and bounce back faster during these times.

[24:20] There are a lot of reviews on GlampingHub that will help you figure out what type of accommodation is right for you.

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

GlampingHub

GlampingHub on Twitter

GlampingHub on Pinterest

GlampingHub on Instagram

GlampingHub 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.

We talk with a young CEO who runs a company that empowers women to travel the world with other women in a way that feels safe and removes stress and uncertainty. This is a perfect solution for women who haven't found the right travel partners and are reluctant to tackle solo international travel. It's a pleasure to talk with this young entrepreneur about her journey, her business, and her love of travel and empowering others.

Cienna Richards is the CEO of Your Life Travel Club where Cienna and her team create amazing all inclusive group travel experiences at exciting locations around the world. If you're a woman who would like to travel with other women but can never get a group together or don't have a core group of friends who want to travel, this service is perfect for you, because Cienna is going to tell us all about why you should be traveling the world with other women. Let's fly.

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:

[03:12] Cienna Richards is the CEO of Your Life Travel Club. It's a business that holds international travel retreats for women. She started it about a year ago when she was 22 years old.

[03:52] Her personal mission is to empower women to travel more and be safe while doing so.

[04:28] Make sure you choose the right people or person to travel with.

[05:59] Get to know the world. It's amazing to travel and learn about different cultures and food. You'll see the world in a different light. The locals can give you a deep dive into their world.

[07:43] Cienna shares a story about not feeling well in Madrid and being helped by this beautiful woman who took her to the hospital and pharmacy.

[11:15] Budgeting is essential for travel. It's easy to overspend. Plan things out before you start out. Running out of money isn't fun. Also plan a hotel that is close to the airport.

[15:28] Women travelling together develop strong bonds.

[17:30] Women are able to stick together and form a beautiful bond and are able to protect each other. The travel club helps women to find women to travel with and get to know and form bonds with other women.

[19:59] The stress is taken out of the trip because everything is planned including food, airfare, hotel room, and activities.

[21:25] Cienna started college when she was 16. She was considering becoming an international business lawyer. She graduated at 20 years old. She changed her major to advertising. She worked at a TV station.

[23:38] She started traveling and fell in love with traveling. She then went back to school to get a degree in a medical profession.

[26:04] No matter what she changed her major to, her goals revolved around travel. It was a windy path to get her to where she is today.

[27:58] She is passionate about seeing women and other people succeed. It's hard to find what you are supposed to do for the rest of your life. Her goal for her company is to empower women and build a community to uplift each other.

[30:00] Your Life Travel Club is going to have an Ultimate Girls Trip to Madrid Spain. It's on July 11th of 2021. The trip is all inclusive including airfare and there's a cooking class, flamenco show, and a professional photo shoot. There are four spots out of 10 left. Fly with Chris and Di listeners will get their $99 deposit waived.

[32:50] Chris asks Cienna what her favorite spots are. She includes Zurich Switzerland, Madrid Spain, and Italy in general.

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

Your Life Travel Club

Your Life Travel Club on Facebook

Your Life Travel Club on Instagram

Cienna Richards on LinkedIn

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 so excited to be back and kicking off Season 2 of Fly with Chris and Di. We appreciate you joining us. For those of you who are new, we are here to share tips on how to love your trips. In this Season 2 opener, we are going to share what we've been up to in the off-season. Hint: It has to do with Football and local Nashville culture. We are also going to give a little preview of what you can expect in this upcoming season.

We all love vacation, but sometimes we're so busy with work and life that vacation time creeps up on us, and we have to scramble to find the best place to visit. If this sounds like you, we can help. We are going to answer the dreaded question of "where should we go for vacation?" We are going to do all of the research and leg work, so you can focus on the fun stuff. We are going to interview experts and find the best ways to save money, best places to visit, where to stay, and learn with you about exotic travel destinations.

Show Notes:

[01:13] We've been gone for awhile. We ended our season and then went into work mode.

[01:40] We've been busy, working and traveling for work and some family travel.

[02:00] This was a great NFL season for Titans fans. This was a busy football season. We saw the Georgia Bulldogs in Tennessee.

[03:15] We also saw the Chiefs in their last loss to the Titans and ate at Biscuit Love.

[03:51] If you follow us on social media you probably saw a lot of pictures posted. We even got to see Patrick Mahomes.

[04:19] We spent some time in Georgia over Thanksgiving.

[04:30] We have an upcoming jam packed season. We are going to focus on the dreaded question of, "where should we go for vacation?"

[04:43] If you're anything like us, you love to travel but don't always have time to do the research.

[05:24] One of the things that we did was take our daughter to see Hamilton. It was amazing. The whole show is delightful. The first song gave us goosebumps.

[06:27] We moved to Nashville a year and a half ago. We have really been exploring the city. We saw Hamilton and went to the symphony. We also did the Hop-on Hop-off Bus. Now Chris knows all of the historical facts about the city.

[06:58] We also did a three part series on things we are learning about Nashville.

[07:16] In Season 1, we talked about things that we know and that we've done. In Season 2, we'll be learning with you about locations all over the world such as Africa, Europe, and Fiji.

[08:08] We're going to have an expert on glamorous camping and we'll learn all about glamping.

[08:23] We'll explore how to save money and even find some low cost vacations. We are going to have something for everybody.

[08:56] We'll be here every Monday with an exciting new episode.

[09:20] We truly appreciate our listeners and would love to connect and interact on any of the social media platforms. Tell us what you want to know and we'll try to fit it in.

Links and Resources:

Biscuit Love

Hamilton

Nashville Symphony

Nashville Hop-on Hop-off Bus

Where to Stay in Nashville

The Top Things to Do in Nashville

Where to Eat in Nashville

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

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 on location today, and we are recording outside while we are waiting for our room to be cleaned. We aren't going to tell you the location on this episode, but Chris does drop a couple of hints. We are both on the keto diet or at least eating in a way that puts our bodies into ketosis. We are basically becoming fat burning entities. Although, Chris's version is a bit modified.

Keto and healthy eating are popular, but it still takes some effort, forethought, and planning to eat keto or focus on eating healthy while traveling. This show focuses on eating foods that are high in good fat, with moderate proteins, and low carbs. There are different types and versions of the keto diet, but this show should help get the wheels turning on how to stay on your eating plan while exploring the world.

Show Notes:

[05:56] Our number one focus is having a plan. You want to think about accommodations, transportation, and what you need to bring with you.

[07:27] When on a road trip take a cooler. Pack things that may be hard to find and, of course, anything you need while on the road.

[08:50] If your traveling by plane, you can leverage the Shipt app. This is a 2-3 hour delivery service owned by target. You can have water or whatever delivered at your hotel.

[10:13] If you are staying at an Airbnb, you can always run to the grocery store.

[10:47] You can also shop beforehand using grocery pick up services.

[11:11] Amazon is another amazing option. Put the apps on your phone before hand.

[11:44] Keto friendly foods that travel well are mustard, salad dressing, spices, cooked meats, boiled eggs, avocado, pork rinds, and heavy cream. You can also throw in cheeses, chia seeds, and berries.

[14:16] It's also helpful to have keto coffee and protein shakes with MCT oil.

[15:57] There's a Whole Foods next to our hotel, and the breakfast we got there was so good that we went back for lunch.

[16:30] Think about things to snack on for air travel. We like jerky, coconut chips, nut butters, pork rinds, tuna packets with keto mayo, stevia, nuts, and bulletproof coffee. Put coffee in your carry on, so the drug dogs don't think you are trying to cover up a scent.

[17:49] Get perishables when you are at an Airbnb. They are very friendly for special dietary restrictions.

[18:41] You have to be a little more creative when staying at a hotel. The free breakfast can be loaded with temptations. It's a carb buffet.

[20:06] We like Vega and Best Fat Fuel shakes. Magnesium and potassium are important for women.

[23:35] We also like Zevia soda. Root beer is our favorite.

[26:34] Grilled and sauteed meats are easy go-tos. Make the best choices, you don't have to be perfect. Cheeses and avocado are great choices. Vegetables and leafy greens are perfect. Chris loves asparagus.

[28:40] Watch the condiments. Look out for sugar and carbs. Oil and vinegar or adding avocado are great for salads.

[30:55] Bacon or sausage and eggs are great for breakfast. You can have grilled chicken with no bun.

[31:47] Lunch options include a bacon cheeseburger with no bun. Grilled chicken, nuggets, and salad are a great option. You can get an unwich at Jimmy John's.

[32:57] You don't have to be perfect, but it helps to be aware. Especially, if you travel a lot.

[33:41] There are tons of dinner options like grilled fish and vegetables. Lobster and butter is also keto approved.

[34:51] Drinking on keto will slow down the ability to breakdown fat, but champagne or dry wines only have about two net carbs.

[36:12] Unfortunately, beer isn't keto approved.

[37:06] Most liquors are no carbs. Just leave off the sweet mixers.

[39:01] Fish options include flounder, herring, salmon, sardines, sole, tuna, trout, cod, and halibut.

[39:17] You can also try Cornish game hen, duck, goose, pheasant, quail, or ostrich to mix things up. Di's favorites are shellfish like clams, crab meat, mussels, oysters, shrimp, squid, and lobster.

[40:01] You can have whatever meat you want as long as it's not fried. Try things like bacon, beef, ham, lamb, pork, and veal.

[41:09] Cheeses are also one of Di's favorites. Think about trying things like parmesan, goat cheese, blue cheese, cheddar, gouda, mozzarella, cream cheese, Swiss, and feta.

[42:10] You can also use a carb manager app to make things easier. Having a fitness app can make sure you are moving. The Apple watch also has a cool fitness tracker. Chris likes My Fitness Pal.

Links and Resources:

Airbnb Get $40 off your first home booking of $75 or more and $15 off towards an experience of $50 or more

Waldorf Astoria and the Conrad Hotel and Resorts Get a $100 daily credit when you stay 2 or more nights and book at least 3 days in advance

Carb Manager App

Keto Diet Tracker

My Fitness Pal

Apple Watch Activity Tracker

Amazon Prime Just $5.99 a month

Amazon Fresh Unlimited grocery delivery

Shipt Save $50

Vega Protein Shakes

Fat Fuel

Formula Dispensers for Travel

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 wrapping up our Nashville series with where to eat in Nashville. We already talked about Where to Stay in Nashville and The Top Things to Do in Nashville. Now it's time to talk about some of the amazing food options when in Nashville. If you haven't eaten yet, this episode will make you hungry. We've been focusing on eating better and getting fit. Diane is on the keto diet and Chris is doing a keto/paleo version. To be honest, preparing for this show was a bit of a challenge to our diets.

There are so many great things to do and see in Nashville and the food is no exception. We kick things off with some great spots in Downtown Nashville. We tell you about the super cool Acme Feed & Seed along with what we each like to order. We also tell you where to get amazing oysters and unbelievable milkshakes before moving on to our favorite spots in The Gulch. After that we tell you about Midtown hotspots, some classy West End options, our favorite spot in 12 South, Hillsboro Village, and Chris's favorite pizza place in East Nashville.

Warning: graphic food descriptions, please eat before listening to this episode.

Show Notes:

[04:15] Downtown Nashville is the hustling and bustling area where all of the honkytonks are located.

[04:32] Acme Feed & Seed is a cool historic building with a honkytonk on the first floor with great food and drinks. There is also a great bar and food on the second floor which also has sushi. The third floor is an event center called The Hatchery. There is also a rooftop bar with great views of Broadway, the Cumberland River, Nissan Stadium, and Riverfront Park.

[07:42] Get Ike & Mike Nachos on the second floor.

[08:25] Chris would eat an acme burger with bear creek beef & cheddar cheese and hand-cut fries. Di would have he farm-raised catfish with hush puppies, hand cut fries, and slaw.

[09:32] For dessert, try a southern hand pie with cinnamon ice cream and caramel sauce.

[10:05] The Southern Steak & Oyster. They serve breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner. At brunch you can get pictures of mimosas. They also have great oysters.

[11:54] Eat like Chris with the fried chicken, greens, and mac and cheese or a double-cut smoked pork chop. Di likes the shrimp and grits or seared sea scallops.

[14:11] There is a special dessert place called Legendairy. It's a crazy over the top milkshake bar. They make things like Death by Chocolate which is Dutch chocolate and rocky road ice cream, chocolate icing rim, chocolate chips, whipped cream, chocolate fudge drizzle, chocolate sprinkles, and a fudge brownie on top.

[17:06] Now we are moving into The Gulch. The Whiskey Kitchen has great cocktails with awesome names. They have an extensive whiskey menu and late night dinners.

[18:34] Chris would eat dry wings (sweet & smoky bbq, togarashi, or ranch-spiced) to start and three little pigs brick oven pizza (sausage, pit ham, Gifford's bacon, mozzarella, provolone).

[19:33] Di would have the rocket salad (arugula, slicked strawberry, blue cheese crumble, toasted pecan, lemon herb vinaigrette) to start and low country pulled pork sandwich with chipotle mac & cheese.

[20:27] Biscuit Love is world famous. They have three locations. They serve breakfast, lunch, and brunch. They started as a food truck and make everything from scratch. Try an east nasty chicken sandwich.

[21:33] Chris would have the princess which is buttermilk biscuit, Nashville style spicy boneless hot chicken thigh, pickles, mustard, and honey.

[22:15] Di would have Bonuts which are fried biscuit dough, tossed in sugar, topped with lemon mascarpone, served over blueberry compote or Hummingbird Family Reserve a drop biscuit filled with pineapples and banana jam, topped with cream cheese frosting and pecans.

[23:28] Jackalope Brewing Co. The founders met while studying in Scotland. They have brews with cool names. Chris would have a Fennario IPA and Di would have Thunder Ann Pale Ale.

[26:09] Midtown. The Patterson House is a speakeasy in a secret location. Governor Malcolm R. Patterson vetoed prohibition, but his veto was overridden by the state legislature. They have unique cocktails and delicious food.

[29:48] Get some Nashville hot chicken at Hattie B's.

[31:22] Chris would get the Damn Hot with southern greens. Di would get the Southern with no heat with either peach cobbler or banana pudding.

[31:45] Warning: Shut the Cluck Up!! is HOT!

[34:31] We love pizza, but only recommend places we go. DeSano has communal seating and traditional style pizza, calzones, cannolis, and you can even get slices.

[36:03] The West End. The Americano is like a tapas bar. It's fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere.

[37:12] Saltine is a great seafood place, and they have oysters. Chris's favorite go-to dessert is chocolate cake.

[38:34] 12 South has some cool places to eat. Bartaco is our go-to spot. They have street tacos. We always order the chips and salsas.

[40:06] Chris orders the chicken and shrimp. Di loves the crispy rock shrimp, glazed pork belly, Baja fish, and when in season the crispy oyster tacos.

[42:36] The Christie Cookie Co. is across the street. They have amazing cookies and brownies that are awesome. Take some home!

[44:09] The Frothy Monkey serves breakfast through dinner, and they have great coffee and food options.

[45:41] Hillsboro Village: Check out the Pancake Pantry. Get there before 9:00 am. There is a long line, but the pancakes are worth it.

[47:31] Kay Bob's has Persian and Southern influenced healthy food.

[48:26] When you make it to East Nashville hit up Five Points Pizza. This is Chris's favorite, and even though you can get just a slice, he suggests the whole pie.

[50:25] The Pharmacy has 100% Tennessee raised burgers. They have great burgers, brats, and shakes. They make their own condiments and have a unique beer selection.

[51:44] Time to wrap up and go eat.

Links and Resources:

Waldorf Astoria and the Conrad Hotel and Resorts Get a $100 daily credit when you stay 2 or more nights and book at least 3 days in advance

Lyft get up to $5 off with your first ride

Where to Stay in Nashville

The Top Things to Do in Nashville

Downtown Nashville: Acme Feed & Seed

The Southern Steak & Oyster

Legendairy 3rd Ave N

Legendairy Milkshake Bar on Facebook

The Gulch: Whiskey Kitchen

Biscuit Love

Jackalope Brewing Co

Midtown: Patterson House

Hattie B's

DeSano's Pizza

West End: Americano

Saltine

12 South: Bartaco

The Christie Cookie Co.

Frothy Monkey

Hillsboro Village: Pancake Pantry

Kay Bob's

East Nashville: Five Points Pizza

The Pharmacy

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We've already talked about Where to Stay in Nashville, but what are you going to do while you are there? You probably know Nashville is famous for country music and nightlife, but there is more to Nashville than that. Downtown Nashville is often called Nashvegas because of all of the amazing bars, restaurants, and venues. We suggest fun ideas whether you are into shopping, sports, or dancing.

We break down some of the more famous night spots and honky tonks in the area. It's even possible to have a sighting of a favorite artist or two while you are out. Some of these places are even owned by stars like Luke Bryan, John Rich, Kid Rock and more. We also talk about local attractions other than bars and some really fun family ideas that are two hours or less away. If you are planning a Nashville trip, we have tons of fun ideas and suggestions for you to explore.

Show Notes:

[04:48] Nashvegas or downtown. Nashville hosted the 2019 NFL draft and showcased everything that Nashville has to offer.

[05:18] Lower Broadway or 2nd and Broadway is known for the Honky Tonks.

[05:46] Honky Tonks usually have country music and some type of line dancing. It's typically people dressed in western gear but they don't have to be.

[07:21] There are a lot of blocks in this four block area.

[07:36] Some iconic bars include Tootsies, The Stage, Legends, and Roberts. These are the Honky Tonks right behind the Ryman which was originally the Grand Ole Opry. After shows, people like Johnny Cash would head out and have a drink at these places.

[08:35] There's all kinds of great local talent, plus you never know who you'll see there.

[09:11] There are also bars created by big stars like Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, and Kid Rock. There's the Redneck Riviera bar which isn't far away from Mount Richmore where Jon Rich lives.

[10:54] There are also some great places to dance in Lower Broadway like Acme Feed & Seed, Bourbon Street Blues, and Skulls Rainbow Room.

[11:15] Wildhorse Saloon line dance has line dance lessons. They also have other dancing and great fun times.

[12:03] Nashville is a great place to see your team. Nissan Stadium where the Titans play their home games is right downtown.

[13:12] The Country Music Hall of Fame is also in this area. As well as, the Nashville Convention Center and Johnny Cash Museum.

[14:15] There's a lot of great shops. You can get boots, souvenirs, and music. Local boutiques include Nash collection and southernaire Market.

[14:49] We like to drive around and look for the Elvis Statue.

[15:57] Get around in style in a Nashville Pedal Pub. We recommend the motorized ones.

[18:06] You can also get pulled around by a tractor that pulls a flatbed. It's like a hay ride, but there are seats and a bartender.

[20:06] There are all kinds of rolling parties like buses without tops. They also have golf cart taxis that help you bar hop safely.

[22:59] There are also many great tours in and around Nashville. The Ryman hosts concerts and events, and you can get a tour.

[23:43] The Centennial Park Parthenon is another great sight.

[24:29] The current Grand Ole Opry is near the Opryland Hotel and the Opry Mills Mall.

[25:54] You could also have a dinner cruise on the General Jackson Showboat.

[26:39] If you don't mind going a little further away, you could go on the Jack Daniel's Distillery tour.

[27:58] Arrington Vineyards has their own wine. It's a beautiful place. Kicks Brooks is one of the owners.

[29:16] We also have Old Hickory Lake. You can rent boats and find your own private sand bar to hang out on.

[31:37] Mammoth Cave National Park has bike trails and Cave tours.

[32:21] Land Between the Lakes is the largest stretch of untouched forest on the East Coast.

[33:31] If you go two hours south to Huntsville Alabama, there is a fantastic Space and Rocket Center.

[34:33] Eat at Rosie's Cantina when you are in Huntsville.

[35:59] Rock Island State Park is actually on our list of places to go. It looks gorgeous.

[37:15] If you head towards Memphis, you will find the Pinson Mounds. These are Native American burial and ceremonial mounds. There's also an archaeological park there.

Links and Resources:

StitchFix Get $25 off your first fix

Lyft get up to $5 off with your first ride

Where to Stay in Nashville

Tootsie's Orchid Lounge

Robert's Western World

The Stage on Broadway

Legends Corner Bar

Ryman

FGL House

Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Rooftop Bar

Luke's 32 Bridge

Kid Rock's Honky Tonk & Steakhouse

Redneck Riviera Bar

Mount Richmore

Love Circle

Bourbon Street Blues

Acme Feed & Seed

Skull's Rainbow Room

Wildhorse Saloon

Nissan Stadium

Bridgestone Arena

Country Music Hall of Fame

Nashville Convention Center

Johnny Cash Museum

NASH Collection

Southernaire Market

Centennial Park Parthenon

Grand Ole Opry

Opryland Hotel

Opry Mills Mall

General Jackson Showboat

Jack Daniel's Distillery Tour

Group Trip on the Bourbon Trail

Arrington Vineyards

Old Hickory Lake

Mammoth Cave National Park

Land Between the Lakes

U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Rosie's Cantina

Rock Island State Park

Pinson Mounds

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.

With music, sports, nightlife, and great places to eat, Nashville has it all. It's also our hometown, and we are excited to talk about it today. There is so much to do and see in Nashville, and we'll be talking about this in upcoming episodes, but today is all about where to stay when visiting Nashville. From modern upscale hotels with rooftop bars to unique boutique hotels, there are so many choices when deciding where to stay in Nashville.

We share our planning expertise to help you find a place to stay that suits your interests and what you want to do during your visit. Nashville is made up of different neighborhoods that all have their own unique vibe. We kick off with some of the nice places to stay downtown that are located close to stadiums and bars. Then we move on to hotels that are in The Gulch, Midtown, and Printers Alley. If you want something a little quieter, we also talk about some lovely residential areas that have Airbnb options. Nashville has something for everyone, and we want to help you find the perfect place for you to stay.

Show Notes:

[03:47] Chris lived in Nashville for a couple of years after he finished school. We recently moved back.

[04:11] In the last 7-10 years, Nashville has really grown. Especially, the downtown area called SoBro or South of Broadway.

[04:33] Downtown is the most popular area. This is where the stadiums and the bars and clubs are located. This is where you can experience Nashville.

[05:36] The Westin Nashville is close to everything and a wonderful place to stay with two restaurants and a rooftop bar.

[06:28] The Noelle is a boutique hotel. It's a creative gathering place with a rooftop bar called the Rare Bird. It looks like an old train station and a really great unique feel.

[07:41] Hilton is one of our main go-tos with three restaurants and two bars. You can also get suites. This is great if you love Hiltons or are a rewards member.

[09:01] When you have a special occasion or want to go all out, the Bobby Hotel is an upscale experience on the cusp of the Nashville music scene. It even has a rooftop lounge with a swimming pool and it's right in Printer's Alley.

[11:30] Other great downtown locations include The Omni, the J.W. Marriott, the Renaissance, the Sheraton, the Hilton, and the Hilton Garden Inn.

[11:48] The Fairlane Hotel is a metro modern hub. It's a quirky mid-century modern design from the 1960s and 1970s. If you were around at those times it will hearken your childhood memories.

[12:55] A boutique hotel specifically designed for groups is the Bode. They have from one to four bedroom units with chef kitchens and balconies. This would be a wonderful and unique place for a group to stay.

[13:35] Nashville has country music and honky tonks, so you can just get down and have a good time. There are also very trendy upscale places to stay. NashVegas can compete with places across the world.

[14:26] The Gulch is an upscale trendy area. It has more of a local feel, it's about two miles off of the strip. There are cool hotels and restaurants.

[15:50] We're going to start with the Thompson Nashville. All of the rooms have floor to ceiling windows that overlooks the Gulch and downtown. The decor is mid-century modern with hardwood floors and there are three restaurants there.

[16:24] The 404 Boutique is a tiny hotel. They only have four king suite rooms with custom vintage furniture. They also have loft spaces and photography by local artists. They also have the award-winning 404 Kitchen restaurant.

[18:23] Midtown is about 5 miles away from downtown. Hattie B's Hot chicken is in Midtown. This is a great area for young professionals. Each area has a different vibe. You'll find more locals here.

[19:49] Embassy Suites and Home 2 Suites are good choices. There's also The Kimpton Aertson with 180 guest rooms. They also have 12 suites and 12 different room types. There is private dining and an award winning brasserie. Di wants to spend the day at their spa and get a four handed spa.

[21:56] West End is one of Chris's favorite areas. It's a little further from the city. This is where Vanderbilt is at. It's also a little more affordable.

[23:14] You can walk to Midtown from West End, but you'll need a car for the other areas.

[23:40] You can stay at the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt or the Loews Vanderbilt or the Hayes Street Hotel. The Hayes Street is a boutique hotel with a minimalist vibe and the Hayes Street Bar.

[23:53] The Hutton Hotel is a four star, four diamond hotel that caters to musicians. It's upscale and casual, and it has creative spaces for musical professionals. It also has penthouses and is super pet friendly. You could also run into one of your favorite musicians here.

[24:51] The Hutton is also very pet friendly with special water bowls and treats. They also have a complete vinyl library and in room record players. They also have a house car that will take you anywhere in a 3-mile radius, and it happens to be a Tesla. The fitness center has a Peloton bike and TRX.

[26:10] All of the music studios are between West End and Midtown.

[26:57] 12 South is a residential neighborhood. There are a lot of bars, restaurants and shops here. It's walkable and has Bartaco. There's a cool vibe with a lot of locals.

[28:31] Belmont University is also a large school in Nashville. It's a small quaint beautiful area. You can great Airbnbs in these neighborhoods.

[30:10] Hillsborough is an urban neighborhood with younger adults and college students. There are over 25 bars and restaurants.

[30:55] East Nashville is well-known because of the musicians and artists that live here. It's like its own city with over 100 restaurants and shops. You can't walk to other neighborhoods if you are staying here.

[32:48] When you are planning your trip, think about all of these things when determining the right place to stay.

Links and Resources:

Airbnb Get $40 off your first home booking of $75 or more and $15 off towards an experience of $50 or more

Waldorf Astoria and the Conrad Hotel and Resorts Get a $100 daily credit when you stay 2 or more nights and book at least 3 days in advance

The Westin Nashville

Noelle, Nashville

Rare Bird Nashville

Hilton Downtown Nashville

Bobby Hotel

Omni Nashville

J.W. Marriott

Renaissance Nashville

Sheraton Grand Nashville

Hilton Nashville Downtown

Hilton Garden Inn

Fairlane Hotel

Bode Nashville

Thompson Nashville

404 Boutique

404 Kitchen

Hattie B's Hot Chicken

Embassy Suites Nashville at Vanderbilt University Hotel

Home 2 Suites Nashville

The Kimpton Aertson Nashville

Henley Modern American Brasserie

Kimpton Spa

Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt

Loews Nashville

Hayes Street Hotel

Hayes Street Bar

Hutton Hotel

Writers Studios

Mane & Rye Dinerant

Bartaco

This summer we took a trip back to Walt Disney World. It had been about 10 years since our last trip to Disney. We loved our last trip. Our son was about 9 and our daughter was four years old. Everything was exciting to the kids. They loved the trip, and we did as well.

We weren't so sure how this new trip would go because our daughter is now 14, and we were also bringing her 14 year old cousin. We weren't sure if it would be the same with two 14 year old girls. We've learned that the one thing you can count on with teenage girls is that you can't count on anything.

Since we weren't sure if they would still love Disney and all it has to offer, we took extra steps with our planning to make sure that we had an amazing trip that everybody loved. Today, we are going to share that planning and our trip with you. You can use these tips for traveling anywhere with teenagers.

Show Notes:

[03:44] Tip number one is to plan. Disney helps you with the Disney app. It helps you plan each day, it has your hotel information, meal reservations, fast passes, and more. [04:42] Download the app and look at each park you want to go to and which days you will be there. You get access to one fast pass per park a day.

[05:53] You only get three fast passes per day. Make sure to set up your fast passes as soon as they are available. Teens will want to choose the rides they want.

[07:19] Dianne had to ride the Tower or Terror.

[07:49] You get an hour block of time for your fast pass. You can't book your next one until after that time slot is over. This is why you need to plan your day and the rides.

[08:44] After you have your day and fast passes planned, it's time to think about food options. If you're spending the day in Epcot, get a meal in Epcot for that evening. Travel between parks can be time consuming.

[09:37] Having a plan where you are going to eat helps avoid "teenage slump".

[10:16] Once everything is in the app, the teens can approve.

[11:01] Bring a comfort item for your teens. Our teens wanted a blanket. It's cold on the plane. It's nice to be able to relax with a blanket.

[12:51] Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes. We walked 17,000 steps everyday.

[15:10] Tip number four is to let your teens pick out a souvenir. Disney is great at merchandising. Going shopping is also a great break from the heat. The teens were invested in shopping when they knew they had a budget.

[17:52] Number five is about keeping your teens hydrated and well fed. Encourage them to eat, even if it's on a different schedule than you.

[19:25] Pro Tip: Where ever there are soda machines, you can get ice water. It's much colder than the bottles and free. The girls loved it. You don't have to carry anything in the park.

[21:04] We used Shipt to purchase two cases of water for the hotel.

[24:27] It get hots at Disney in the summer. Teenagers will start to get moody. Stay cool by taking shopping breaks in cool shops. Eat meals and slow down in cool inside environments. An ice cream break after lunch is good too. Shade breaks are also helpful. Cooling towels can be bought in advance. They have them at Disney too, but they are almost $17.

[28:53] Battery operated misting fans also helped so much. Bring hats for shade and to avoid sunburn. Also bring sunglasses. String bags are also part of the pre-Disney pack. We only bought food and souvenirs.

[32:06] Let the teens use their cellphones at Disney. Having them use the app helped with everyone knowing the schedule and fast passes. The phones were also great for photos with characters. We did ask them to stay off of social media. We also used the phones for games in line.

[35:45] Tip number eight is to let the teenagers sleep. We had later dinner reservations and the girls were happier.

[38:08] Tip number nine is also giving them enough down time. Parents need down time too.

[39:01] Tip number ten is to give the kids some freedom. They liked riding the rides alone and exploring a bit on their own.

[40:16] Pro Tip: There are lines for single riders only. This line allowed us to walk right on. You can also get more rides in.

[41:42] Allow the teens to make some choices with the fast passes.

Links and Resources:

Airbnb Get $40 off your first home booking of $75 or more and $15 off towards an experience of $50 or more

Lyft get up to $5 off with your first ride

Disney App

Park Hopper

Tower or Terror

Shipt

Postmates

Cooling Towels

Misting Fans

Disney Hats

String Bags

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.