Love It There

Your favorite sister duo chats about Traverse City, the charming lake town in northern Michigan. Kelcy and our guests share their experience there for a girls trip, including their winery recommendations and stories about creepy winery tour drivers. We discuss why Traverse City is a great place to visit year round, from beaches to fall foliage, to golf and skiing, there is something to do in every season. Only a short drive from the Sleeping Bear Dunes, you can hike the dunes and see stunning views of Lake Michigan. There truly is no other place like Up North.

Traverse City Recommendations:

Wineries - Chateau Chantal, Brys Estate, Bonobo Winery, Bowers Harbor Vineyard

Restaurants - Hexenbelle (brunch), S2S Sugar to Salt (brunch), PepeNero (Italian), Trattoria Stella (Italian)

Store - Cherry Republic

Airport - Cherry Capital Airport

Ski Resorts - Crystal Mountain, Shanty Creek

Hiking - Sleeping Bear Dunes (Pyramid Point)

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Your favorite sister duo learns about Aix-en-Provence, a charming town about 30 minutes north of Marseille in the south of France. Home to Aix-Marseille University, Aix is a university town and a unique study abroad location for students, while also a quiet escape for locals. The town is known for its outdoor markets, wineries, and art museums, specifically featuring impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. Aix sits on the foothills of the Sainte-Victoire Mountain, making it a popular destination for hiking and other outdoor activities.

Aix-en-Provence Recommendations:

Parks - Promenade de la Torse, Parc Jourdan, Pavillon de Vendôme

Historical Sites - Saint Sauveur Cathedral, Musee Granet

Winery - Château Crémade

Food spots - Madeleines De Christophe Depuis 2006, Crêpes à Gogo

Marseille Recommendations:

Restaurants/Bars - Gaspard, La Bella Pizza, Master K Kebab, Viaghi di Fonfon, Le Vieux Port

Sunset Spots - Viaghi di Fonfon, Notre Dame de la Garde

Outdoor activities - Hike Saint Victorie, kayak the Calanques

Chapters:

00:00 Episode Intro

02:22 Guest Intro and Why to Study Abroad in Aix

03:40 Living with a Host Family

05:05 What Aix is Known For

09:06 More About Staying with Host Mom

12:58 French Cuisine

18:56 Calissons d'Aix

20:38 What Else to Eat in Aix

23:48 Outdoor Markets

25:42 Parks and Hiking the Sainte Victoire

27:47 Must Visit Museums and Cathedrals

29:42 Cultural Differences

32:47 Day Trip to Marseille 

36:03 Winery Recommendation

38:02 Future Travel Plans

39:42 Closing Thoughts

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In honor of Valentine’s Day, your favorite sister duo shares listener-submitted stories about honeymoons, romantic moments while traveling, and some romantic fails of their own. 🥰💌❤️‍🔥

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Your favorite sister duo learns about the quaint, fairytale town on the north coast of Belgium: Bruges. Our guest this week lived in Bruges for three months, so she has endless recommendations for where to get the best Belgian waffles and chocolate, where to stay, and what to do. She shares about the cultural differences she experienced living there full time versus what you might experience visiting as a tourist. She and her husband also run a travel planning company, Niki and Thom Travel, so be sure to check them out to help plan your next trip! You’ll get a discount if you mention you heard about them through Love It There!

Bruges Recommendations:

Food: frites, ribs, chocolate, waffles

Day trips: Lille, France; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Brussels, Belgium

Things to see in Brussels: Atomium, Europa-Park, Manneken Pis

Breweries: De Halve Brewery, Dulle Greit (Ghent, Belgium - exchange your shoe for a cup!)

Restaurants: FritBar, Otto Waffle

Chocolate Shops: Elisabeth Bruges, Chocolatier Dumon

Sights/Landmarks: Lace Map, Basilica of Holy Blood (has the blood of Jesus), Belfry Bell Tower (“leaning tower of Bruges”), Minnewater lake (walk across the bridge with your partner to make them your eternal love)

Hotels: Hotel Augustyn (view of canals from window), Hotel Duke’s Palace (actually looks like a palace)

Other must-do activities: Farmer’s market, canal boat tour, museums (there are ones about fries, chocolate, beer, and torture..?!)

Get help planning your next trip! Niki and Thom Travel, @nikiandthomtravel

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Your favorite sister duo gets the best recommendations from a Mexico City Local! Our guest was born and raised in Mexico City and moved to the United States when he was 12 years old. We spend the first part of the episode hearing about his experience moving to the United States, learning English, and adapting to the cultural differences here. We address the misconceptions many Americans have about traveling to Mexico, and why Mexico City is a beautiful city that is worth visiting. We talk authentic Mexican food, must-try restaurants in Mexico City, things to do, where to stay, and more. 

Mexico City Recommendations:

Food:

Chilaquiles

Sopes

Tacos - carnitas, barbacoa, lengua

Torta milanesa

Molletes

Tostadas

Esquites

Candies: pulparindos, rockaletas, bubu lubus

Where to Stay: 

Santa Fe

Polanco 

Restaurants: 

Sushi - Shu, Suntory, Ryoshi, Señora Tanaka, Ling Ling (Great view)  

Steak - Sonora Grill, Chambao, Animal, Cuerno 

Seafood - Fisher's, Campomar 

Italian - Cipriani, Parole, Alfredo di Roma 

Mexican - Pujol, Sud 777, Quintonil, Rosanegra 

Breakfast - Peltre, Fisher's, El Farolito 

Must see: 

Walk Masaryk Street

Chapultepec Castle and Park 

Soumaya and Jumex Museums

Ángel de Independencia (Angel of Independence)

Lucha Libre 

Bars: 

Handshake (best bar in North America)

Rayo

Tlecan

Cafe de Nadie

Licorería Limantour

Toledo Rooftop

Fiera Rooftop 

Souvenirs:

Alebrijes (spirit animals)

Calaveras (skull heads)

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Your favorite sister duo chats with this week’s guest about the wondrous and magical place 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador: the Galapagos Islands. This episode covers recommendations for the three inhabited (and most often visited) islands of San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, and Isabela, and how it’s possible to plan a trip independently, apart from a live-aboard cruise. You’ll get recommendations on amazing hikes, beaches, and must-do tours to get the most immersive experience. Plus, hearing stories about the endless amounts of Galapagos wildlife (giant tortoises, sharks, penguins, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, sea horses, and more!) will inspire you to book your trip ASAP.

Galapagos Recommendations:

San Cristobal - Information Center, Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) Tour

Santa Cruz - fish market, Charles Darwin Research Station, Tortuga Bay, Highlands Tour to Los Gemelos and Giant Tortoise Preserve

Isabela - Las Tintoreras Kayak Tour (Penguins!), Los Tuneles

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Your favorite sister duo gets to learn all about the capital city of South Korea: Seoul. You’ll get recommendations on where to get the best Korean barbecue and authentic Korean foods. They hear about the beauty of the Han River which flows right through the city, and the miles and miles of parks and walkways along the river. Head south of the Han to try out affordable skin care treatments (...or maybe don’t. Secret Laser Facial anyone? 🫣)

Seoul Recommendations:

North side of Han River - cultural markets, classic sight-seeing

South side of Han River - nightlife, fashion, beauty

Grandmother’s Recipe - Michelin Star restaurant with authentic Korean food

Bukchon Hanok Village - neighborhood with classic Korean-style housing

Hotel - Park Hyatt Seoul

Beauty/Skincare - Muse Clinic Gangnam

Sunglasses - Gentle Monster or Blue Elephant 

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Your favorite sister duo chats with two of their friends about their trip to Ireland this past summer. They spent most of their time in Galway and Dublin, and compare the two throughout the episode. Dublin is great for a city experience and hosts the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College, and other must-see spots. Galway, on the other hand, is more in the Irish countryside, where you can admire the beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, and do more outdoor activities. 

Ireland Recommendations:

Galway - Cliffs of Moher, Aran Island Tour, Imperial Hotel, King’s Head Pub, O'Shea's

Dublin - Guinness Storehouse, The Brazen Head (local pub experience), Temple Bar, take a train across the Irish countryside, Dublin Castle, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College (visit the library!)  

Food/drink - Boxty, ciders!

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Your favorite sister duo is absolutely honored to be joined by their favorite guests yet: Vince and Trudie, aka, their wonderful parents. Their parents share about one of their most memorable trips they’ve taken together: an Alaskan cruise. They discuss which port cities they stopped at, and what excursions to do at each stop. You’ll hear some history and fun facts, as well as tips on what to pack for an Alaskan cruise in August. This episode is full of laughs and definitely one you won’t want to miss. 

Alaska Recommendations:

Holland America Cruise Line - get a room with a balcony!

Juneau - capital of Alaska, only accessed via plane or boat, excursion: Mendenhall Glacier, whale-watching

Skagway - The “Gold Rush City”, excursion: White Pass & Yukon Route Railway

Ketchikan - “The First City”, Salmon Capital of the World, excursion: floatplane into the Misty Fjords

Glacier Bay National Park - watch the glaciers calving

Things to pack - raincoat, hat, and lots of waterproof gear!

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Follow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepod

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Your favorite sister duo gets all the best tips for planning a trip to the beautiful Glacier National Park in Montana. With over 700 miles of hiking trails, the opportunities are endless, but they hear about the must-do hikes, and the top hotel to stay in for stunning views and easy access to trails and other activities. In addition to learning about the history of glaciers, they are taught all things bear safety, which is important in Glacier National Park because it is home to over one thousand bears. 

GNP Recommendations:

Hikes - Highline Trail, Grinnell Glacier Trail, Avalanche Lake Trail, Hidden Lake Overlook 

Activities - Drive the Going-To-The-Sun Road, see Lake McDonald, boat tours, horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing

Hotel - Many Glacier Hotel

Resources - Glacier National Park Official Website

What to pack - hiking boots, lots of layers, backpack, water bottle, rain coat, bear spray

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Follow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepod

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