Sunshine Travelers Podcast

Most people picture Amelia Island as a summer beach destination, but as locals, we consider fall our favorite season on the island. The heat and humidity ease up, the crowds thin out during the week, and a string of festivals leads all the way to our favorite tradition, Dickens on Centre. In this episode, we're breaking down what fall on Amelia Island actually looks like, month by month.  Some links are affiliate links.  See our disclosure.

Want our full list of favorite things to do, places to eat, and events all year round? Grab our free Amelia Island Travel Guide HERE

https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/blog/search?q=amelia+island

Come with us on Safari in Kenya in June 2027.  We are hosting a maximum of 10 on a luxury, privately guided safari to 3 places in Kenya, where we have been on safari twice in order to bring you the best experience.  Click HERE to learn more and sign up.

Get help planning your next trip.  Learn more at sunshinetravelersexperiences.com or sunxtravel.com 

Canceled or delayed flight? Airhelp can help get you $$$$ - Learn more here. We got over $900 when our flight from CDG was canceled - even though we booked it on points and were rebooked the same day 

Music: This Acoustic Happy

Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

 When most Americans think beach vacation, Spain doesn't usually make the list. But after a week based in Estepona  visiting our daughter and her family with day trips to Málaga, Mijas, Marbella, Ronda, and Gibraltar, we came home convinced Costa del Sol is one of the most underrated beach destinations we've visited. In this episode, we're sharing why, plus exactly where we'd stay and what we'd do again. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Come with us on Safari in Kenya in June 2027.  We are hosting a maximum of 10 on a luxury, privately guided safari to 3 places in Kenya, where we have been on safari twice in order to bring you the best experience.  Click HERE to learn more and sign up.

Get help planning your next trip.  Learn more at sunshinetravelersexperiences.com or sunxtravel.com

More Resources & Links: 

Canceled or delayed flight? Airhelp can help get you $$$$. Learn more here. We got over $900 when our flight from CDG was canceled - even though we booked it on points and were rebooked the same day

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Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

We recently went back to Seville with our kids and grandkids and spent several days exploring the Royal Alcázar, Plaza de España, the historic bullfighting arena, flamenco, tapas, churros, and the streets around Seville Cathedral.

We also learned a few things along the way, including what you need to book before you arrive and why you probably don't want to drive into the historic center.

Today we're talking about what we loved about Seville, what we'd do differently, and some things that will hopefully help you plan your own trip.

This was actually our second trip to Seville. The first time was a rushed half-day cruise excursion. This time, we came back with our kids and grandkids and stayed several days, and it completely changed how we experienced the city. So, if you're planning a trip to Spain, Seville is one of those cities that's worth giving more than a day.

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Episode Links:

Tablao Flamenco Pura Esencia Ticket

Hotel Alfonso XIII

BAR POSTIGUILLO TAPAS

Where we Stayed - The Zentral Suites & Apartments

What you'll discover in this episode:

Episode Links:

Tablao Flamenco Pura Esencia Ticket

Hotel Alfonso XIII

BAR POSTIGUILLO TAPAS

More Resources & Links: 

Come with us on Safari in Kenya in June 2027.  We are hosting a max of 10 on a luxury privately guided safari to 3 places in Kenya, where we have been on safari twice in order to bring you the best experience.  Click HERE to learn more and sign up.

Get help planning your next trip.  Learn more at sunshinetravelersexperiences.com or sunxtravel.com 

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Music: This Acoustic Happy

Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

Most people plan an African safari without realizing the Indian Ocean is right there. We've now added a beach stay to our safari, where we checked out both Diani Beach in Kenya and Zanzibar and we are here to say we think it's an excellent idea before heading home. In this episode, we introduce you to Diani Beach, Kenya, compare it honestly with Zanzibar, and help you decide which one might be the best fit for the end of your safari trip.

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Why you should consider adding a few days at the beach to your safari.  The journey home from East Africa can be brutal, and after a week of 5 am game drives, you may not be as rested as you think. We make the case for four or five extra days in one of these locations and explain why it's a lot easier to pull off than most people assume. (We went from a morning game drive in the Maasai Mara to sitting on a beach by that same afternoon.)

Diani Beach: the one you probably haven't heard of is  on the Kenyan coast, south of Mombasa, and it's quieter, more local, and considerably less expensive than Zanzibar. We stayed at Eleven Pearl Boutique Hotel, a 20-room property right on the beach. Our honest review: what it delivers, what it doesn't, and who it's perfect for.

Other Diani options worth knowing. We also visited the Sands at Nomad and the very unique Chale Island Resort, where the tide determines how you arrive. At low tide, a tractor pulls you across. We'll explain.

Zanzibar vs. Diani: the real comparison. Beach quality, water clarity, activities, food, vibe, beach vendors, getting around, and the price difference that genuinely surprised us. (The food and drink total for four nights in Diani will raise your eyebrows.)

Matching the destination to the traveler. Honeymooners, luxury seekers, budget travelers, first-time visitors to Africa, families. We go through them all and tell you which destination fits which traveler, without preparing our answers in advance.

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Zanzibar delivers on the turquoise water and white sand — but there are a few things we wish we'd known before landing. In this episode, we share our honest firsthand take on the arrival process, where to stay, what the beach is really like, and the one decision we'd make differently next time.

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

The airport surprise most travelers miss — Zanzibar now requires visitors to purchase a specific travel insurance policy before arrival. It's not your existing policy. It costs around $45/person and you won't get through without it. We learned this the hard way at the terminal. We'll tell you exactly what to do before you fly.

Nungwi vs. Stone Town — These two parts of the island offer completely different experiences, and staying in one makes it hard to visit the other. We break down how to choose and what we'd do differently if we went back.

Turaco Nungwi Beach Resort — our honest review of this Marriott Autograph Collection property, the dining plan we chose, and what surprised us about the beach itself (tides, vendors, and a nightly soccer match we didn't expect).

The Dream Dhow — our private snorkeling excursion near Mnemba Island was the highlight of the trip. We cover what made it special, what it cost, and what to look for if you book one.

Stone Town and the Freddie Mercury Museum — we didn't go. Scott still regrets it. We'll tell you why it ended up on the cutting room floor and how we'd plan it next time.

Spice farms, village tours, and the real Zanzibar — what you see beyond the resort walls, and why the conversations we had off the beach stayed with us long after we left.

Sneak Peek - Next week — Episode 184: Diani Beach vs. Zanzibar. Should you add a beach stop after an East Africa safari, and which one is right for you? We compare costs, logistics, beaches, and atmosphere. 

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Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

We'd looked at photos of Mont-Saint-Michel for years. They didn't prepare us for what it's actually like to walk toward it. In this episode, we share what it's really like to spend a full day at Mont-Saint-Michel — the walk in from the parking area, the climb to the abbey, a lunch mistake worth avoiding, and why we think this is one of the best day trips in Normandy. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Yes — if you give it a full day and base yourself in Normandy (we stayed in Bayeux) rather than doing a rushed round-trip from Paris. Between the walk in, the village, and the abbey climb (roughly 350 steps once you reach the entrance), you'll want 5–7 hours minimum to do it without feeling rushed.

Why we based ourselves in Bayeux, not Paris Mont-Saint-Michel is doable as a day trip from Paris, but by the time you factor in travel time both ways, you're spending nearly as much time in transit as at the destination. Staying in Normandy (we used Bayeux as our base for both the D-Day sites and Mont-Saint-Michel) let us take the day at a slower pace.

Parking, the shuttle, and why we walked Private vehicles can't cross onto the island — everyone parks on the mainland. From there, you can take a free shuttle (runs roughly every 15 minutes) or walk the causeway, which takes about 30–40 minutes. We walked, and it turned into one of our favorite parts of the day: the view builds gradually instead of arriving all at once.

First impressions and the causeway The geography is what makes this place — a rock rising out of the bay with an entire medieval village built up its side and the abbey crowning the top. Trail markers near the entrance are a reminder that pilgrimage routes still end here today, just as they have for centuries.

Entering the village The main street climbs steadily from the gates toward the abbey, lined with shops, cafés, and a few small hotels. A small number of residents still live and work on the island. It's touristy, but it doesn't feel manufactured — you can still picture daily medieval life happening here.

Our lunch mistake We ate at Le Logis Saint Catherine partway up the hill. The menu posted outside didn't match the one we were handed once seated (higher prices, smaller selection), and we were too hungry to go looking elsewhere. The food and the courtyard view over the bay were genuinely good — but if that matters to you, confirm the menu before you sit down, or eat before you start the climb.

The climb to the abbey (bring the right shoes) Walking through the village is uphill almost the entire way, and once you reach the abbey entrance itself, there's still about 350 steps to the top where guided tours begin. It's manageable — we saw families and visitors of all ages make it — but budget more time than you think you'll need, especially after a meal.

Touring the abbey The included guided tour runs 30–45 minutes in English or French, and you sign up for a specific tour time when you buy your ticket (a separate step from the ticket purchase itself — easy to miss). Tour groups are capped at 10–12 people, so slots fill fast even though hundreds of people hold tickets for the same entry window. After the guided portion, you're free to explore on your own.

Walking the bay — and why we didn't do it ourselves At low tide, the water pulls back dramatically, exposing sand and mudflats around the mount. It's not illegal to walk out on your own, but it's strongly discouraged — there are pockets of quicksand that aren't obvious, and the tide comes in fast (our guide described it as "the speed of a galloping horse"). If this interests you, hire a licensed local guide.

What we'd do differently Arrive earlier for cooler temperatures and better light, eat before the climb rather than mid-schedule, and walk the causeway again — some of our favorite photos were taken before we ever reached the gates.

Is Mont-Saint-Michel worth visiting if I only have one day? Yes, but plan for a full day rather than a half-day. Between the walk from parking, the village, and the abbey tour, most visitors need 5–7 hours.

How many steps are there at Mont-Saint-Michel? Roughly 350 steps once you reach the abbey entrance, on top of a steady uphill walk through the village streets to get there.

Can I drive onto Mont-Saint-Michel? No. All private vehicles park on the mainland; you reach the island by free shuttle or by walking the causeway (30–40 minutes).

Is it better to visit Mont-Saint-Michel from Paris or from Normandy? Basing yourself in Normandy (we used Bayeux) gives you a slower, less rushed day. A Paris day trip is possible but adds significant travel time on both ends.

Can you walk out onto the bay at Mont-Saint-Michel? It's allowed but strongly discouraged without a guide — there are areas of quicksand and the tide comes in quickly. Guided bay walks are available and recommended if you're interested.

Have questions about planning your own Normandy or Mont-Saint-Michel trip? Find us at sunshinetravelers.com or on social @sunshinetravelerspodcast.

Want to learn more about making money planning and booking travel for yourself and others.  Learn more at https://www.sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/become-an-advisor

Music: This Acoustic Happy

Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

For more information about our Safari Group Trip in June 2027, Click HERE.

If you are looking to plan a private custom safari, please click here. We have a form specific to safari planning.

We just got back from another Kenya safari, and once again, it's confirmed what we already knew: this is our favorite trip in the world. In this episode, we walk through our full itinerary and share why each stop earns its place on our 2027 group safari. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

What you'll discover in this episode:

More Resources & Links: 

Want to learn more about making money planning and booking travel for yourself and others.  Learn more at https://www.sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/become-an-advisor

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Music: This Acoustic Happy

Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

There are some places you visit because they have always been on your bucket list. Then there are places that mean something to you long before you ever arrive. Normandy was one of those places for Scott. Both of his grandfathers served in the Army in the European theater during World War II. Neither of them stormed the beaches of Normandy, but one of my grandfathers helped build temporary bridges during the war, helping Allied forces continue moving across Europe.

His brother also served and received both a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his acts of valor. I remember being a child and my great-aunt showing me those medals. At that age, I do not think I fully understood what they represented, but I remembered them.

Now, all these years later, we were heading to Normandy. We were going to stand on the beaches, walk through the cemeteries, see the remains of the German defenses, and visit the places where thousands of young men were asked to do something almost unimaginable.

We often call them the Greatest Generation. After visiting Normandy, I understand that description a little differently than I did before.

But our trip to Normandy actually started somewhere completely different. It started with Monet's garden, a tiny Citroën, two very aggressive truck drivers, and my sudden discovery that apparently I like quiche. This episode takes you through the places we visited, along with tips and suggestions for planning your trip. This was as emotional to record as it was walking through these sites when we visited. Standing in the places where this happens makes me realize just how much this one day changed the course of our history forever, and the bravery and sacrifice that took place here.  We think it is a place that every American who is able should visit at least once in their life. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Here are a few resources to help you plan your trip to Normandy: 

Where to stay - Bayeux 

You can take guided tours from here 

Here are a few suggestions of things to watch or read before you go:

We found this Rick Steves Podcast Episode extremely helpful.  The museum at Arromanches is recommended by a local tour guide. We started our day there. 

Saving Private Ryan 

Band of Brothers 

The Longest Day 

Delta's D-Day Survivors documentary where they fly WWII survivors to Normandy 

MORE TRAVEL RESOURCES

Get help planning your trip to Normandy or your next trip.  Learn more at sunshinetravelersexperiences.com or sunxtravel.com

SUNSHINE TRAVELERS GROUP TRIP

Come with us on Safari in Kenya in June 2027.  We are hosting a maximum of 10 on a luxury, privately guided safari to 3 places in Kenya, where we have been on safari twice, in order to bring you the best experience.  Click HERE to learn more and sign up.

More Resources & Links: 

 Want to learn more about making money, planning, and booking travel for yourself and others?  Learn more at https://www.sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/become-an-advisor

 Follow Sunshine Travelers

Music: This Acoustic Happy

Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

Planning a Multi-Generational Trip to Paris? Here’s What We Learned

What started with one question from our granddaughter: "Will you meet us in Paris before we fly home?" turned into a multi-generation trip exploring Paris, and it isn't the landmarks we'll remember the most. 

We learned what's most important about traveling as a family of three generations, including where to stay, how to survive a heat wave we didn't see coming, and the one thing our daughter found on Instagram that ended up being the best decision of the whole trip.

In this episode, we're sharing what worked, what we'd do differently, and the moments that stuck with us most, and the ones you can't really plan, and why you need to take a multi-generational trip with your family now. 

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Get help planning your next trip.  Learn more at sunshinetravelersexperiences.com or sunxtravel.com

Come with us on Safari in Kenya in June 2027.  We are hosting a max of 10 on a luxury privately guided safari to 3 places in Kenya, where we have been on safari twice in order to bring you the best experience.  Click HERE to learn more and sign up. (Multi-generations welcome)

Want to learn more about making money planning and booking travel for yourself and others.  Learn more at https://www.sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/become-an-advisor

More Resources & Links: 

 Follow Sunshine Travelers

Music: This Acoustic Happy

Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

We just spent an amazing month in Italy but there were quite a few things that really surprised us, both good and bad.  Join us as we give out Italy Travel Awards for our favorite food destination, where we would return to, best experience, and more...plus the Italy tips we would give you and what we would do differently. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

SUNSHINE TRAVELERS GROUP SAFARI TRIP

Come with us on Safari in Kenya in June 2027.  We are hosting a max of 10 on a luxury privately guided safari to 3 places in Kenya, where we have been on safari twice in order to bring you the best experience.  Click HERE to learn more and sign up.

More Resources & Links: 

Follow Sunshine Travelers

Music: This Acoustic Happy

Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay