In this episode, learn essential tips and empowering advice for planning and enjoying a solo road trip. Covering everything from creating flexible itineraries and staying safe to budgeting, healthy habits, and embracing alone time, host Amanda Bauner provides practical examples and personal insights to help listeners gain confidence and make their solo journeys both memorable and transformative.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you’d like us to discuss? Email Amanda at [email protected].  

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes! 

If you are enjoying the podcast, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast. 

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

In this episode of Me and the Magic, host Amanda Bauner kicks off a summer road trip series by sharing why summer is the perfect time to hit the road. She offers practical tips on budgeting, planning, and making the most of a summer road trip, including apps to use, ways to save money, and must-pack essentials. Amanda also highlights fun ideas like curating the perfect playlist, taking scenic detours, and finding local flavors, making road trips enjoyable and memorable.  

• “Summer Travel 2025: Road Trips Dominate as Americans Seek Cheaper, Flexible Getaways”, May 15, 2025. Author: Mia Taylor. TravelPulse.com. 

• “Summer Travel Trends to Know for 2025”, May 27, 2025. Author: Kelly Rosenfeld. TravelAgeWest.com. 

• Episode 140 of the Me and the Magic podcast highlights 9 of the best summer road trips in the USA and Canada.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you’d like us to discuss? Email Amanda at [email protected].  

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes! 

If you are enjoying the podcast, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast. 

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

In this episode, host Amanda Bauner shares her detailed solo adventure aboard the Disney Dream cruise. She discusses her pre-cruise stay in Fort Lauderdale, her smooth embarkation process—including a last-minute concierge upgrade—and dives into shipboard experiences, from spa relaxation to dining at Palo. Amanda reviews exclusive concierge perks, onboard activities, Castaway Cay, while offering practical tips for solo travelers. The episode wraps with her seamless BrightLine train journey home and reflections on the overall magic of solo cruising with Disney.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you’d like us to discuss? Email Amanda at [email protected].  

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes! 

If you are enjoying the podcast, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast. 

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

In this episode, host Amanda Bauner dives into the pros and cons of booking a last-minute Disney cruise. With her upcoming trip on the Disney Dream, she shares insights on flexibility, potential cost savings, and the excitement of spontaneous travel. Amanda also discusses challenges such as limited stateroom availability and sold-out onboard activities. Amanda's personal experiences and tips provide listeners with a comprehensive guide to planning a magical Disney cruise experience, whether planned in advance or booked spontaneously.

Resources

Check out MEI-Travel and Mouse Fan Travel’s cruise comparison tool!

Explore all the Disney Cruise Line has to offer on DisneyCruise.com. 

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you’d like us to discuss? Email Amanda at [email protected].  

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes! 

If you are enjoying the podcast, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast. 

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

In this episode, host Amanda Bauner explores the joy of weekend getaways with friends. The episode highlights various destinations across North America, from the charming streets of Savannah to the stunning landscapes of Sedona and Banff. Amanda also shares creative activity ideas, such as spa weekends, volunteer trips, and themed movie nights. With an emphasis on connection and creating lasting memories, the episode provides inspiration for listeners looking to plan a fun and rejuvenating escape with friends. 

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you’d like us to discuss? Email Amanda at [email protected].  

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes! 

If you are enjoying the podcast, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast. 

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

In this episode, host Amanda Bauner explores the enchanting world of river cruises with guests Beci Mahnken and Grace Korba. They reveal details about the exciting 2026 Me and the Magic group trip along the Seine River in France with AmaWaterways, sharing insights on river cruising in Europe and the allure of destinations such as the Normandy Beaches and Monet's garden. The episode provides valuable tips on choosing staterooms, excursion options, and dining experiences onboard. 

To see all the details for the 2026 Seine River cruise, go to the Event page on Me and the Magic.com. 

Connect with Beci Mahnken, founder and CEO of MEI-Travel & Mouse Fan Travel, on Facebook and Instagram, and at her website, Adventures with Beci. 

Connect with Grace online on Facebook and Instagram, or email Grace at [email protected] . Also, you may contact Grace through MEI-Travel and Mouse Fan Travel.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you’d like us to discuss? Email Amanda at [email protected].  

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes! 

If you are enjoying the podcast, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast. 

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop! 

In this episode, host Amanda Bauner discusses adapting travel plans and goals due to various circumstances. She shares personal experiences and offers insights on why flexibility is essential, including work commitments, unforeseen health issues, and natural disasters. Amanda also touches on the impact of personal beliefs and financial shifts on travel decisions. Emphasizing the importance of self-care and community, she encourages listeners to prioritize their well-being and remain hopeful about new possibilities. 

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you’d like us to discuss? Email Amanda at [email protected].  

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes! 

If you are enjoying the podcast, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast. 

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop! 

In this episode, host Amanda Bauner discusses the growing trend of solo travel for women. She addresses common concerns such as safety, loneliness, and cultural barriers while emphasizing the benefits of personal growth, empowerment, and connections that solo travel can bring. Amanda also highlights popular destinations and offers practical advice for women planning solo trips. She underscores the increasing prevalence of women over 50 traveling solo and the impact of remote and hybrid work on solo travel. Additionally, she encourages listeners to embrace solo wellness vacations for deeper restoration and self-care.

SoloTravelerWorld.com has many great resources for solo travelers.

Read the full article “This Is Your Sign to Plan a Solo Wellness Vacation”, by Samatha Brown, published April 27, 2023.

Read the full U.S. News & World Report article from October 10, 2024: “Solo Travel for Women: 18 Best Trips (+Travel Tips)”, written by Sharael Kolberg.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you’d like us to discuss? Email Amanda at [email protected].  

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes! 

If you are enjoying the podcast, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast. 

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!

In this episode, host Amanda Bauner explores 2025 travel trends, highlighting solo female travel, slow travel, and conscious travel. She discusses the rising popularity of eco-friendly trips, such as visiting Japan’s Yakushima Island and staying at sustainable lodgings in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Other key trends include sleep tourism, train travel, and astro-tourism. 

• Forbes article written by Michelle Gross: “25 Transformational Travel Experiences in 2025”. 

• Hilton’s 2025 Vacation Trends Report.

• TravelPulse.com’s article “The Top Travel Trends That Will Define 2025.

• Intrepid Travel’s Not Hot List for 2025.

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you’d like us to discuss? Email Amanda at [email protected].  

Are you on Instagram? Follow Me and the Magic to see the latest posts, stories, and IGTV. 

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes! 

If you are enjoying the podcast, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast. 

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop! 

Amanda is enjoying the holidays and wishes the same for you! Happy Holidays! 

Join the Me and the Magic Community

Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community!

Connect with Amanda

Is there a topic you’d like us to discuss? Email Amanda at [email protected].  

Are you on Instagram? Follow Me and the Magic to see the latest posts, stories, and IGTV. 

Subscribe to the Me and the Magic weekly newsletter for exclusive content, including solo travel tips!

Me and the Magic has voicemail! Leave a voicemail or text to 1-347-74MAGIC (1-347-746-2442). Share your thoughts about this episode, a future episode topic idea, or just say hi!

Podcast

Subscribe to this podcast so you will be the first to hear new episodes! 

If you are enjoying the podcast, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. The reviews help other people find this podcast. 

Online Shop

Buy some fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at our online shop!