Go See Do Explore

A trip to Spain gets off to a much rougher start than planned when a delayed LEVEL flight from New York to Barcelona turns into an overnight airport stay, a cancellation, and nearly a full day of uncertainty about whether the trip will happen at all.

Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra.

We share the full story of getting stranded at JFK, what we learned about dealing with a canceled international flight, why being a “displaced passenger” matters, and how European passenger protections and travel insurance can change the equation when things go wrong.

Then, finally, Barcelona.

With our planned two-and-a-half days cut down to about a day and a half, we make the most of the time we have: Sagrada Família, a Gaudí walking tour, the Gothic Quarter, an excellent metro system, vermut straight from the barrel, Spanish wine, a memorable food tour, and plenty of reasons to come back.

Next time, we head north to Asturias for a very different side of Spain.

What happens when the port you booked a cruise for disappears from the itinerary?

Christopher and Ashleigh continue their Rhapsody of the Seas trip recap with a port-by-port journey through the Caribbean. After Dominica is unexpectedly replaced with La Romana, they explore a mix of familiar islands, new destinations, excellent private tours, disappointing cruise-port experiences, and places that completely changed their opinions.

In St. Thomas, they kayak through mangroves, learn about the dangerously poisonous manchineel tree, and confront the cost and limitations of getting around the island as a cruise passenger. Check out this excursion on Viator.

St. Croix becomes an unexpected highlight thanks to a visit to Prosperity Farm Distillery, where sugarcane is being grown and transformed into unusual locally made spirits. They also explain why cruise-line excursions are not always the safest, easiest, or best-value option they appear to be.

A private tour takes them around both sides of St. Maarten, from the planes at Maho Beach to Marigot, Grand Case, Orient Bay, local food, and handmade jewelry. For more information about this tour, check out Viator.

Then Antigua delivers one of the best tours of the trip, with sweeping overlooks, island history, an excellent guide, and perhaps the best rum punch Christopher has ever had. Book your tour of Antigua on Viator.

Their replacement port, La Romana, offers a very different experience: a heavily controlled cruise complex that leaves them wondering whether they can honestly say they have visited the Dominican Republic at all.

After the cruise, a major water outage forces them to cancel their stay in Old San Juan and improvise a return to Luquillo. Along the way, they accidentally take a coffee plantation tour entirely in Spanish, eat lechón in Guavate, rediscover a revitalized side of Luquillo, get caught in a beach downpour, and navigate a stressful Frontier Airlines trip home.

It is an honest look at what cruise travel can offer when the ports are the destination—and why flexibility, research, and realistic expectations matter just as much as the itinerary.

A cruise from San Juan offers something most departure ports cannot: the chance to turn embarkation into a Puerto Rico vacation of its own.

Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra.

Christopher and Ashleigh are back from their sixth trip to Puerto Rico in four years and their second cruise sailing from San Juan. Before boarding Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas, they spent several low-key days in Fajardo, working remotely, cooking at their condo, enjoying the ocean view, and returning to some favorite Puerto Rican food experiences.

They share why Fajardo works so well as a relaxed home base, along with stops at Monte Brisas Bakery for enormous local sandwiches and La Estación for Puerto Rican barbecue. Christopher also offers an unexpectedly detailed guide to grocery shopping in Puerto Rico, including why Ralph’s has become a favorite.

Then they board the 1997-built Rhapsody of the Seas for an honest look at the advantages and limitations of cruising on a smaller, older ship. They discuss the limited activities and entertainment, excellent service, plentiful live music, traditional dining, dated cabin features, and why choosing a cruise for its itinerary can require some compromises onboard.

In this episode:

• Why they enjoy sailing from San Juan

Listen for a practical, candid look at building a Puerto Rico stay around a cruise and deciding whether an older, smaller ship is the right tradeoff for the trip you want. Be sure to check back for the next episode, where they talk about the ports they visited!

In this episode of Go See Do Explore, we’re recapping two recent close-to-home adventures: a Memorial Day weekend in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a visit to the newly relocated Jackson Home at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan.

Milwaukee surprised us in the best way. It’s walkable, easy to enjoy over a long weekend, and full of good food, interesting architecture, river views, and low-pressure things to do. We stayed downtown at the Drury Plaza Hotel and discovered just how much value can come with a stay there, from hot breakfast to the evening “Kickback.” We also took an architecture walking tour, explored Third Street Food Hall, tried a Wisconsin old fashioned, went urban kayaking on the Milwaukee River, visited Milwaukee Public Market, had a big German dinner at Mader’s, and made the required stop at Mars Cheese Castle on the way home.

Then, during the wine break, we talk about one of our favorite warm-weather wines: Vinho Verde, including a very budget-friendly Aldi find.

We also share our experience visiting the Jackson Home at Greenfield Village before its public opening. Originally located in Selma, Alabama, the home of Dr. Sullivan and Mrs. Richie Jean Jackson served as an important planning and refuge space during the Civil Rights Movement, including during the Selma to Montgomery marches. The Henry Ford’s restoration brings the home back to its 1960s setting and creates a powerful, personal connection to a major moment in American history.

Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra.

In this episode:

Places mentioned:

Christopher and Ashleigh welcome back their friend Mark, a familiar voice from the old Generation Mouse days, for a conversation about Disney’s announced update to Walt Disney World’s Carousel of Progress. Read all about the announced updates here. 

The episode starts with a fun throwback before diving into why this attraction matters so much to Disney fans: its 1964 World’s Fair roots, Walt Disney’s direct connection to it, and its long history as one of Magic Kingdom’s classic attractions.

They talk through what appears to be changing, including a new timeline that begins in the 1960s, later scenes in the 1980s and 1990s, a future-focused finale, and the addition of a Walt Disney audio-animatronic.

The conversation explores the tension between preserving classic Disney history and allowing an attraction about “progress” to actually progress.

The group also discusses what Disney needs to get right: keeping the carousel format, preserving the spirit of the attraction, avoiding an overreliance on screens, and making sure the update feels worthy rather than watered down.

They compare Carousel of Progress to other Disney updates, including Journey Into Imagination, Frozen Ever After, Spaceship Earth, Test Track, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Along the way, they ask a bigger question: who is Walt Disney World for? Is it a museum for longtime fans, or should it keep evolving for new generations?

Christopher, Ashleigh, and Mark consider how technology, nostalgia, business realities, and Disney’s optimistic view of the future all collide in one rotating theater.

In this episode of Go See Do Explore, we’re talking about the travel opinions we’ve changed over time. Not necessarily dramatic reversals, but the kind of practical shifts that happen after enough trips, mistakes, surprises, and “we are never doing that again” moments.

We each brought five things we’ve changed our minds about, without comparing lists ahead of time.

Topics include:

We also take a wine break with a 2023 rosé of Pinot Gris from Two Lads, a spring-friendly Michigan wine that sits somewhere between rosé and orange wine.

The big takeaway: travel preferences are allowed to change. The point is not to follow someone else’s perfect travel formula. It is to notice what actually makes a trip better for you and plan accordingly.

We’re back in Mexico City — this time returning with family and revisiting many of our favorite spots while mixing in a few new experiences.

Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra.

We talk through what it’s like flying a low-cost airline internationally, navigating delays and airport chaos, and why private tours made a big difference on this trip.

From there, it’s a deep dive into one of the best cities in the world for museums, food, and culture. We revisit iconic Diego Rivera murals, explore the National Palace, and compare two very different approaches to touring the Anthropology Museum. We also share a few lesser-known stops that most visitors would completely miss.

Food-wise, we hit some repeat favorites (and one we almost skipped), from courtyard dining to street tacos to churros that were a long time coming.

We also spend time in Chapultepec Park, including a cable car ride, hidden public art, and a museum experience that may or may not have been too much in one day.

Finally, we wrap up with a return to Xochimilco — but not the party version — and why it’s still one of the most meaningful experiences in the city if you do it right.

Just like last trip, we did several tours with our good friend Laila of Pies Descalzos. You can learn more about her tours on TripAdvisor.

If you’re planning a first trip or thinking about going back, this episode should give you a good mix of must-sees, strategy, and honest takeaways.

Mentioned in this episode:

Tip: If you’re visiting during Holy Week or the week after Easter, expect crowds — but also some unique cultural experiences you won’t see at other times.

We are not anti-budget. We do value enjoying life.

The goal is to have a plan and then fit travel into that plan in a way that makes sense for you. Not based on what someone on a podcast says, but based on what you actually want your life to look like.

Travel is just one of the things in that mix, but for us it is an important one.

How We Budget for Trips

Come up with a rough estimate for a trip

Break it into what we need to save each month

Make sure it fits alongside everything else going on

It is less about having a perfect system and more about being aware of the cost and making intentional decisions.

Thoughtful Spontaneity

Plan enough to know where we are staying and what we want to do

Leave space to change plans once we are there

Book things that can be canceled when possible

The goal is to avoid stress and not be locked into a rigid schedule.

Getting More Value Out of Travel

Save where it does not matter

Spend where it does

Be cautious of experiences that look better than they feel

Some of the best trips we have taken were not expensive. Some of the most expensive things we have done did not stick with us.

Takeaways

Travel does not have to be expensive to be meaningful

You do not need to wait until everything is perfect to take a trip

Having a plan matters more than following someone else’s rules

It is possible to be responsible and still enjoy your life

The best trips are the ones that actually add something to your life

Travel Inspiration from the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show

We attended the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show and heard from some of the most respected voices in travel. Here are the ideas that stuck with us.

Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra.

Seek Out “B-Side” Destinations

Travel expert Samantha Brown encouraged travelers to look beyond Europe’s most famous cities.

Instead of only visiting places like Venice or Florence, consider nearby destinations that offer incredible culture with fewer crowds—like Bologna or Modena in Italy.

These “B-side” cities often deliver deeper, more authentic travel experiences.

Is Route 66 the Most Iconic American Road Trip?

With the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026, several speakers highlighted it as one of the most meaningful road trips in the United States.

Rather than rushing from Chicago to Santa Monica, consider tackling the route in segments and exploring the small towns and stories along the way.

Travel Like a Local

Travel writer Jen Ruiz shared how her travels changed when she started staying with local families.

Homestays and local connections can transform a trip from sightseeing into cultural immersion—offering experiences that are nearly impossible to replicate in traditional hotels.

A Simple Way to Give Back While Traveling

One initiative we learned about was Pack for a Purpose, which allows travelers to bring requested supplies to communities they visit.

It’s a small way to create a positive impact while traveling.

Smart Travel Planning Tips

Pauline Frommer shared several practical strategies that can help travelers save money and plan smarter.

When to Book Flights

According to their research:

That timing can sometimes save travelers hundreds compared to booking many months in advance.

Gateway Hopping

Another strategy is flying into a major hub city and then connecting onward on a budget airline.

For example:

This approach can dramatically reduce airfare costs.

Chicago Highlights from the Trip

A Classic Chicago Steakhouse

One of our favorite experiences was dinner at Gene & Georgetti, a legendary Chicago steakhouse known for its old-school atmosphere and incredible steaks.

If you love classic steakhouses, this one is worth the splurge.

Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

We continued our unofficial mission to try Chicago’s most famous deep-dish pizza spots.

This trip’s stop: Lou Malnati’s, a Chicago favorite known for its buttery crust.

A World-Class Tiki Bar

We also returned to Three Dots and a Dash, one of the most famous tiki bars in the world.

If you visit, make a reservation—this place fills up fast.

Key Takeaways

Some of our biggest travel lessons from the show:

A long weekend escape to Toronto that somehow included a cheese-wheel pasta moment, a winter-friendly “walk indoors” downtown route, a surprise winery day trip, and (of course) a tiki bar stop.

Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra.

Ashleigh and Christopher recap their February getaway to Toronto, including where they stayed, what they ate, the best sights for a cold-weather trip, and a side quest to Niagara-on-the-Lake for wine tasting—plus a final stop for iconic Windsor-style pizza on the way home.

Where we stayed

One King West Hotel & Residence (near the line between the Financial District and Old Town)

Why we loved it: great amenities (breakfast/coffee, bar/restaurant, fitness center, spa) and an ideal, walkable location

Getting there

Originally planned to take the train, but price jumped—driving ended up being the better deal

Having a car also made the day trip possible

Best meal of the weekend

Sal’s Pasta & Chops (Little Italy)

The showstopper: tableside pasta tossed in a Parmesan wheel (yes, a literal cheese “mixing bowl”)

Also: fried artichokes—and lots of extra cheese on top

Tourist day: downtown classics

CN Tower

Go early for lighter crowds

We paid extra for the higher observation deck

Fun fact: the tower’s origin story is tied to broadcasting/antenna needs as Toronto’s buildings got taller

Ripley’s Aquarium

Busy on the holiday weekend (so many kids!)

The moving walkway exhibit made it much easier to see sharks, stingrays, turtles, and big fish even when crowded

Market lunch

St. Lawrence Market for sandwiches + pastéis de nata

Note to future travelers: we learned the hard way it’s not open on Monday (plan accordingly)

Valentine’s dinner curveball

A reservation got canceled without explanation, so we pivoted to The Carbon Bar

Barbecue Place with multi-course menu options

Day trip: Niagara-on-the-Lake

A chance to finally explore one of Canada’s most famous wine areas

Wineries we visited:

Tawse (Burgundy-focused, standout tasting—so good we brought bottles home)

Ravine (beautiful property, tasting room + restaurant, great for a longer lunch-style stop)

Lunch: The Olde Angel Inn (historic vibes + a little ghost lore)

Strolling the town: coffee, shops, and lots of “we need to come back” energy

Tiki stop

Shameful Tiki Room

Lounge seating, strong drinks, and a mystery bowl that comes with a gong moment

Food is more snacky—good to know before you go

Last morning: Hockey Hall of Fame

A must for hockey fans (and surprisingly exciting even if you’re just nostalgic for the Red Wings era)

Seeing the Stanley Cup + classic jerseys, gear, and trophies

Great exhibits, including women in hockey, plus interactive stations (shooting pucks, etc.)

Final food mission: Windsor pizza

We crossed to Windsor specifically to try it

What makes it “Windsor-style”: distinctive shredded cheese, pepperoni cut into strips, and the classic canned mushroom vibe

Pro tip: if you’re heading back across the border right after, consider ordering smaller than you think

Bonus travel tip

Windsor can be shockingly affordable for hotels compared to Detroit—worth considering if you have a passport and don’t mind the border logistics.