In this episode of the Sunshine Travelers Podcast, we’re going fork-first into one of our favorite parts of travel—food—with Taylor Kiser from the Culture Craving Couple. Taylor and her husband Caleb split their time between U.S. contract work and extended stays in Europe, chasing flavor, culture, and adventure wherever they go. From Michelin-starred bites in Spain to local sandwich hunts across Italy, Taylor brings an infectious passion for finding hidden culinary gems and embracing local traditions. Whether you’re planning a foodie-focused getaway or just want to know how to eat like a local abroad, this episode is full of practical tips, inspiring stories, and a whole lot of delicious travel talk.

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Find Taylor and Culture Craving Couple on YouTube here and on Instagram @culturecravingcouple.

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In this episode of the Sunshine Travelers Podcast, we’re talking about Trip Planning 101 — how to go from dreaming about a trip to actually making it happen. Even after planning some pretty complicated adventures, we’re still learning new lessons every time we hit the road. Trip planning isn’t about getting everything perfect — it’s about setting yourself up to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. So whether you’re booking a quick weekend away or piecing together a big, bucket-list trip, we’re breaking it down step-by-step to make it feel a lot less overwhelming.

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Looking for episodes we discussed?

Episode 72: How to Travel for Free or Nearly Free with Abby Hatteburg

Episode 70- Europe Family Trip: First Time Tips & Traveling with Kids

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Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

Welcome to the Sunshine Travelers Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re giving you a sneak peek into our upcoming walking adventure through the heart of Umbria, Italy, with Macs Adventure. Known as the “green heart of Italy,” Umbria is a region full of rolling hills, medieval hilltop towns, olive groves, and vineyard-covered landscapes—and we can’t wait to explore it on foot. From Montefalco to Assisi, we’ll be following a self-guided itinerary designed to let us slow down and soak in the charm, culture, and cuisine of this beautiful region. Join us as we share what we’re expecting, what we’re packing, and why this style of travel is something we’ve been excited to try.

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Other Episodes You'll Love: 

Episode 104 - Everything You Need to Know About Self-Guided Travel with Macs Adventure

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No matter where you’re going or for how long, how you pack can affect your trip.  From making sure you have what you need to bringing along way too much that becomes hard to manage, in this episode of the Sunshine Travelers Podcast, we’re sharing practical packing tips to help you travel smarter—not heavier. From gear and gadgets to planning your outfits and not forgetting the essentials, we’ll help you feel more organized and less stressed before you even leave home.

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Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

As winter melts away and the days grow longer, spring brings the perfect opportunity to refresh, reset, and explore. Whether you’re chasing cherry blossoms, craving culture, or simply looking to relax with fewer crowds and better weather, spring is one of the best times to travel (hello shoulder season in most places). We’ve rounded up some of the most sought-after destinations this season to help you plan your next great getaway.  In this episode, we’ll give you the top 5 Spring Travel destinations and what will want to see in each location. Some links are affiliate links.  See our disclosure.

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Episodes we reference in this episode:

1. Rome

Episode 67 - Rome in 48 Hours: Must-See Landmarks and Hidden Gems

Get our FREE Rome Mini Guide Here

2. London

Episode 103 - Hidden Gems in London: How to Get Off the Beaten Path

Episode 70 - Europe Family Trip: First-Time Tips & Traveling with Kids

Episode 63 - Exploring the UK Beyond London: Our Top 5 Must-See UK Destinations

Episode 5: London Travel Guide

London Travel Guide Coming Soon - follow us on Instagram so you don't miss it 

3. Paris

Check out Episode 68 - 2-Day Paris Itinerary: Our Must-See Attractions and Tips

4. Lisbon Portual

Episode 38 - Lisbon, Portugal and Beyond

Get our Lisbon, Portugal and Beyond Mini Guide Here 

5. Tokyo, Japan

Episode 81 - Traveling to Japan: Tips, Hidden Gems, and Must-See Destinations

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Music: This Acoustic Happy

Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

Have you ever felt the pull of the open road—or in this case, the open trail? Last year, we had an incredible conversation with our friends Mo and Erica at Raut Finder about their journey on the Camino de Santiago, walking from Portugal to Spain. Hearing their stories of slow travel, discovery, and the power of walking from one village to the next really stayed with us. We left that interview inspired—and dreaming of a pilgrimage of our own someday. In this episode, we’re excited to share our conversation with Lauren McFadden from Macs Adventure. We’ll talk about the heart behind their travel philosophy, what makes self-guided walking adventures so special, and what we can expect on our journey through Umbria this May.  So lace up your walking shoes—or just sit back and relax—and let’s discover a new way to adventure.

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Listen to the Self Guided Travel Podcast HERE.

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Follow along as we travel with Macs Adventure to Italy in May! 

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Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

On this episode of Sunshine Travelers, we’re taking you off the beaten path in London. We’ve visited the city multiple times, so this trip was all about finding something new. From visiting the fictional home of Ted Lasso in Richmond to catching an unforgettable sunset view from the top of The Shard, we’re sharing a different side of London—beyond the usual tourist spots. If you’re looking for a fresh take on one of the world’s most iconic cities, this episode is for you.

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Related Episodes you will also Love:

Episode 5: London Travel Guide

Episode 63 - Exploring the UK Beyond London: Our Top 5 Must-See UK Destinations

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Here's our Ted Lasso Mini Tour of Richmond:

 • Take the train to Richmond Station (if coming from London, ~20 min from Waterloo)

Stop 1: The Prince’s Head (aka The Crown & Anchor) -  Snap some photos outside, and if it’s open, peek inside for a pint later in the day.

Stop 2: Richmond Green (Ted & Coach Beard’s Daily Walks) - This picturesque green is where Ted and Beard frequently take their strolls and chat about football (and life) - Look for the exact spots where they filmed various scenes and soak in the ambiance.

Stop 3: Ted’s Front Door - 11a Paved Court, Richmond TW9 1LZ - This charming alleyway houses Ted Lasso’s famous red front door (now painted) 

Stop 4: Paved Court (Shopping Street)  • This pedestrian street has been featured multiple times in the show. You’ll recognize the red phone booth from key scenes. They've opened a Ted Lasso shop you can stop in for merch and the Italian restaurant across the street sells Ted's biscuits in the pink boxes 

Stop 5: Brewer’s Lane (Keeley & Roy’s Scene)  - This narrow alley is where Keeley and Roy had their cute chat while he was trying to avoid an emotional moment.

If you have a car or want to take a bus to find these additional locations:

Stop 6: The Real-Life AFC Richmond Stadium  - The Ham Playing Fields, TW10 7RS

 • The home of AFC Richmond in the show is actually Hayes & Yeading United FC’s stadium (a bit outside Richmond), but many exterior stadium shots were filmed at The Ham Playing Fields.

 • Stroll along the fields where team training sessions were depicted.

Stop 7: Richmond Riverside Walk (Ted’s Thinking Spot)  - Richmond Riverside, TW9 1EH

 • Enjoy a scenic stroll along the River Thames, which has been used in several episodes.

Stop 8: Teddington Lock Footbridge (Ted’s Running Scene)  - Teddington Lock, TW11 9NG

 • This pedestrian bridge is where Ted was seen running and contemplating AFC Richmond’s challenges.

 Other Iconic Spots to Visit in Richmond: The White Cross  - Riverside, TW9 1TH

 • Enjoy a pint by the river at this popular pub that floods during high tide but they have wellies you can borrow to get in or out 

There's also a Market called Duck Pond Market on Saturday's in Heron Square: this is where we found the Land Rover Coffee shop @thelittlemobilecoffeeco (on Instagram) and the Creme Brulee Donuts

___________________________________________________________________________________

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Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

Iceland is a land of breathtaking contrasts—fire and ice, rugged landscapes and serene beauty. On this episode we’re recapping our recent trip to the Land of Fire and Ice. From hiking to waterfalls and navigating Iceland’s ever-changing weather, we’ll share our favorite moments, unexpected detours, and how we modified our plans on the go to prioritize the experiences that mattered most. Whether you’re planning your own Icelandic adventure or just want to live vicariously through our journey, join us as we relive the highlights, lessons learned, and unforgettable sights of this incredible destination.

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Be sure to check out our other Iceland Epsiodes:

Episode 101 - Iceland in the Winter: The Land of Fire and Ice - How we planned our 4 Day Stopover Trip to Iceland

Episode 101.a - Live From Iceland Mini Episode - Day 1 - Blue Lagoon & Golden Circle

Episode 101.b - Live from Iceland Mini Episode - Day 2 Seljalandsfoss, Vik and Diamond Beach

Episode 101.c - Live from Iceland Mini Episodes - Day 3 - Diamond Beach, Glaciers, and Canyons

Here's our itinerary:

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Day 0 - Arrival Day

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Day 1

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Day 2

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Day 3

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Day 4

 What we ran out of time for on our route:

 Main sights on the Golden Circle:

Main sights on the South part of the Ring Road

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Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

Greetings from Iceland We are doing a special series of daily episodes that will capture highlights from our trip each day.  We hope you enjoy this format and be sure to follow along with us over the next few episodes.

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Day 3  Itinerary: 

 Stay at Hótel Jökulsárlón - Glacier Lagoon Hotel - Enjoy breakfast and the sauna & hot tubs at the hotel before heading back to Reykjavik.

Stop 1: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach

 • Witness floating icebergs in the lagoon, sometimes with seals.

 • Walk along the black sand beach, where icebergs wash up from the lagoon.

Stop 2: Fjaorarglhufur Canyon and Waterfall - this is more off the beaten path from the big tour groups

Stop 3: Gas and snack in Vik

Stop 4: Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik (book tickets ahead of time). We recommend doing the 7 step ritual and private changing rooms.  We enjoyed going just before dark to see the lagoon in both the light and in the dark.  It stays open late making it a perfect stop after a long driving day. 

Tips for the Day

 • Gas Up anytime you see a gas station, just in case. 

 • Clothing: Layer up, bring waterproof gear, and wear sturdy waterproof shoes.

 • Batteries die quicker in cold weather so don’t forget extra batteries for camera and phones.

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Greetings from Iceland We are doing a special series of daily episodes that will capture highlights from our trip each day.  We hope you enjoy this format and be sure to follow along with us over the next few episodes.

Some links are affiliate links.  See our disclosure.

Day 2  Itinerary: 

Stop 1: Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi Waterfalls 

 • Seljalandsfoss: A waterfall you can walk behind. We did not.  It was just too cold to get soaked. 

 • Gljúfrabúi: A hidden waterfall in a canyon just a short walk away.

 • Tip: Wear waterproof shoes! 

 Stop 2: Skógafoss Waterfall 

 • Drive ~30 minutes (30 km).

 • One of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, 60m tall.

 • Climb the 527 steps for an amazing view from the top. Then walk along the path to view another smaller waterfall, get away from the crowds and view some amazing landscape. 

Stop 3: Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach & Basalt Columns - we decided to maybe see this on the way back

 • Drive ~30 minutes (30 km).

 • Famous for its black sand, towering basalt columns, and powerful waves.

Stop 4: Lunch in Vik 

 • Drive ~15 minutes (10 km).

 • Black Crust Pizzeria – Unique black dough pizzas.

 • Fuel up and grab some water and drinks. 

 • We also spend a few minutes at the Vik I Myrdal Church on top of the hill. 

Stop 5: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach

 • Drive ~40 minutes (57 km).

 • Witness floating icebergs in the lagoon, sometimes with seals.

 • Walk along the black sand beach, where icebergs wash up from the lagoon.

 Stay at Hótel Jökulsárlón - Glacier Lagoon Hotel

Tips for the Day

 • Gas Up: Fill up before leaving Reykjavík and again in Vik.

 • Clothing: Layer up, bring waterproof gear, and wear sturdy waterproof shoes.

 • Batteries die quicker in cold weather so don’t forget extra batteries for camera and phones.

Read more about this and other travel destinations on our BLOG

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