Travel Fun and Adventure

On this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we go over some of the major stories in the travel industry and how this can affect your travel in the future. 

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/dixieland-strut
License code: 6BME73BXSUHQOKIO

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/spring-mornings-in-chicago
License code: EAXHQTLXUZ0AMC5Y

On this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we discuss several great places to go on a ski vacation, especially if you're a beginner or want to travel to North America or Europe. When picking the ski resorts, we look for highly rated ones that have good beginner slopes, are family-friendly, and are budget-friendly. Also, none of these resorts sponsored this podcast.

Resorts in the North America:

Smugglers' Notch Resort, Vermont

Keystone Resort, Colorado

Big White Ski Resort, British Columbia

Suns Peak Resort, British Columbia

Winter Park Resort, Colorado

Schwietzer Resort, Idaho

Resorts in Europe:

Les Gets, France 

Alpbach, Austria

Saas-Fee, Switzerland

La Rosière, France

Bansko, Bulgaria

Here are some tips for planning your trip: 

-We say it in every podcast, but you should book early to get the best prices.
-Look for package deals, but also see if you can get better prices by booking transportation and lodging directly with the providers. 
-If you are traveling with children, be sure the resort has the amenities that are going to fit their needs, and remember that every age group will have different needs. 
-Look for ski-in/ski-out accommodations if they fit your needs and reduce travel. 
-Research the ski schools and their ratings to see which ones fit your needs. 
-Look at the cost of renting equipment and avoid buying equipment unless you are sure this is something you are going to want to do on a regular basis. 
-Think about how you are going to get to the resorts. If you are driving, which you will have to do to most of the North American resorts, make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving. If possible, consider alternatives to driving, such as shuttle buses from nearby airports if you are flying in. 

Additional songs for this episode: 

Frozen Beaty
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/frozen-beauty
License code: LR5CKCLRFRKEITL

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/dixieland-strut
License code: 6BME73BXSUHQOKIO

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/spring-mornings-in-chicago
License code: EAXHQTLXUZ0AMC5Y

In the last episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we discussed great places to go if you want to get into the Christmas Spirit. In this episode, we take it one step further and call out places where you not only get the Christmas feeling but also have a good chance of having a White Christmas.

However, while we give you a list of good places where you could have a White Christmas, no one can guarantee that there will be snow on the ground, but hopefully, you will find some white stuff.

United States:

1. Lake Placid, New York

2. Breckenridge, Colorado

3. Salt Lake City, Utah

4. Flagstaff, Arizona

5. North Conway, New Hampshire

Europe

1. Zakopane, Poland

2. Rovaniemi, Finland

3. Krakow, Poland

4. Innsbruck, Austria

5. Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Here are some tips for planning your vacation, although it should be noted that most of these are similar to our previous video: 

1. Book early. I know that is what we say every time, but for a busy season like Christmas, you must book early. 
2. Check for nearby towns that might save you some money. In Europe, there are usually a lot of smaller towns you can stay in and take a train ride to the major tourist attractions and Christmas markets. 
3. If you're not used to driving in the snow, consider a place where you don't need to, such as Salt Lake City or almost anywhere in Europe. 
4. If you are driving to your destination, make sure that your car is ready for winter driving—check out our Tips for Winter Driving podcast. 
5. Check out travel packages to your destination or tours, but remember it is often cheaper to book directly with transportation providers and lodging than it is to book a package on 3-party sites. 

Special Music: 

Deck the Halls
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/kevin-macleod/deck-the-halls
License code: NUKEFRICBYJATZVP

Magical Christmas
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/magical-christmas
License code: 8Z8ZNADMQE3B5XP5

Frosty the Snowman:

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-barracuda/frosty-the-snowman
License code: PIJUCOOH6XABHQ8B

Happy Holiday

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/giulio-fazio/happy-holiday
License code: UR3X9Y49SPD4BGMC

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/dixieland-strut
License code: 6BME73BXSUHQOKIO

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/spring-mornings-in-chicago
License code: EAXHQTLXUZ0AMC5Y

Are you looking for a place that will give you those special Christmas feelings? In this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we share our favorite places to get those Christmas feelings.

Locations in the United States:

New York City, New York

Leavenworth, Washington 

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Santa Claus, Indiana

Asheville, North Carolina

Locations in Europe:

Vienna, Austria

Strasbourg, France

Prague, Czech Republic

Cologne, Germany

Tallinn, Estonia

Tips for a great trip: 
-Plan and book ahead to get the best prices and don't have to worry about things getting booked up. 
-Dress warmly
-Don't forget to try local restaurants and delicacies. 
-Check out when local events are happening, and immerse yourself in the culture. 
-Don't forget to capture those special moments. 

Special Music from this episode: 

Frosty the Snowman:

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-barracuda/frosty-the-snowman
License code: PIJUCOOH6XABHQ8B

Happy Holiday

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/giulio-fazio/happy-holiday
License code: UR3X9Y49SPD4BGMC

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/dixieland-strut
License code: 6BME73BXSUHQOKIO

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/spring-mornings-in-chicago
License code: EAXHQTLXUZ0AMC5Y

On this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we discuss our favorite Christmas markets in the United States and Europe.

Cities with the best Christmas Markets:

United States:

Christkindlmarket Chicago

Union Square Holiday Market New York City

Christmas Village in Philadelphia

Great Dickens Christmas Fair San Francisco

 Georgetown, Colorado Christmas Market

Europe:

Basil, Switzerland Christmas Markets

Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany

Striezelmarkt in Dresden, Germany

Vienna, Austria Christmas Markets

Cologne, Germany Christmas Market

Strasbourg, France Christmas Market

Budapest, Hungary Christmas Market

Prague, Chez Republic Christmas Market

Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market in Copenhagen, Denmark

Tips for Travel to Christmas Markets:

-Research the different markets and see which ones sound like the ones you are most interested in. 
-Book your travel early since it can be a busy travel period. 
-Check the weather reports before you travel, but be prepared for cold weather. 
-Be sure to bring cash since many places will not take credit cards. 
-Find out what the local delicacies are and give them a try. 
-Be sure to check explore beyond the Christmas markets.  

Special Music for this episode: 

Deck the Halls
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/kevin-macleod/deck-the-halls
License code: NUKEFRICBYJATZVP

Magical Christmas
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/magical-christmas
License code: 8Z8ZNADMQE3B5XP5

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/dixieland-strut
License code: 6BME73BXSUHQOKIO

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/spring-mornings-in-chicago
License code: EAXHQTLXUZ0AMC5Y

On this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we will talk about one of the hot-button issues in many places right now, and that is over tourism.  We will discuss some of the places facing the problem and what you, as a traveler, can do to make the situation a little better. However, there is no way it will be fixed completely without banning tourism completely, which will only hurt the people who depend on tourism to make a living. 

One way to solve the over-tourism situation is to try to travel to places facing the problem on the shoulder, especially in the off-season. While this can work in many places, some places pack up and close up shop in the off-season, leading to problems for you trying to find places to stay or eat while you are there. One place that this is especially true is some of the Greek Islands. 

Another way to help the locals in busy places is to stay at locally owned lodging facilities instead of the big chains. While some people are nervous about locally owned lodging places, in my experience, the worst hotels have been franchised, and the great ones have been locally owned. 

Then there is the Airbnb/VRBO option. The problem with this option is that it has become the "get rich quick" scheme of the 2020s. People are being told the best way to get rich is to buy places on the cheap and then rent them out as short-term rentals and make a killing. However, the bad side is that it takes places to live out of the market, making it harder for the locals to find a place to live, whether to buy or rent. 

If a short-term rental is your best alternative (and it might be if you're in Europe with a couple of kids or the US with a big group or pet), check to see if the owner is actually local. Recently, while looking for a place to stay for my mother-in-law's 80th birthday, which is coming up, we found that several of the places we were looking at are owned by people thousands of miles away. This means there is no one local to take care of the place (they hire a cleaning crew to come in, which may or may not do a good job since the owners have no idea), and if there is a problem with the unit, you may have a hard time getting anything taken care of.

Another way to help the local people is to shop and dine locally. Too many people will stay at a resort or major hotel and never leave the property or only eat at nearby chains, which does not benefit the local economy to the degree that a locally owned business does. 

When we travel, we try to find locally-owned restaurants to eat in. When we stayed in Hawaii, we found several locally-owned places within easy walking distance of our resort that served great quality food at better prices than most of the chains. One example in Waikiki was the Rock Island Cafe were we got a great meal for less money than my daughter spent of McDonalds.  

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/dixieland-strut
License code: 6BME73BXSUHQOKIO

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/spring-mornings-in-chicago
License code: EAXHQTLXUZ0AMC5Y

On this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we give you tips to start planning a trip to Los Angeles, including the airports, the neighborhoods you should consider staying, some of the unique foods of Los Angeles, and some of the typical safety tips. 

Los Angeles has five airports; the fifth is Ontario Airport, a reasonable distance from Los Angeles. 

The John Wayne Airport in Orange County is also convenient to Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm. 

My favorite two airports to fly into are the Hollywood-Burbank-Pasadena airport, which is in Burbank. It currently has an airport building from 1930, but a new one is under construction. The other airport I recommend is the Long Beach Airport. The one downside is that flying into those two airports is often much more expensive, and direct flights from many parts of the country don't exist. 

Of course, the biggest airport in Los Angeles is the Los Angeles International Airport, which is considered by many to be one of the worst airports in the country. It has horrible transit connections and bad traffic, and if you're not staying in one of the nearby communities, it can be a long drive in horrible traffic. However, it is the airport with the most International connections and usually the best fares and cheapest car rental prices. 

You can also drive, take a bus, or take Amtrak. 

One thing to remember is that in many places in the Los Angeles area, prices are going too high, even at lower-end hotels. You can choose to stay in some of the suburbs if you want to find lower rates, but often, that means driving to the tourist attractions, and the neighborhood may not always be the best. 

Also, note is that popular tourist destinations such as Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Venice will be packed on the weekends, and even during the week can be a nightmare with so many people.

In previous episodes, we discussed our favorite places to east in the Los Angeles area. Now, the food scene in Los Angeles has exploded over the last 10 to 15 years, and there are many great independent restaurants and street food restaurants in the city. 

Now, Los Angeles isn't known for its own food creations but is known for Tacos, Korean BBQ, and is the founding location of many fast food places, including In N Out Burger, Weinerschnitzel, Del Taco, McDonald's, and Taco Bell. 

While the Los Angeles area has limited rail services, buses, and commuter trains, it is not very convenient to reach many of the best tourist locations by public transportation, even though I have used public transit when visiting Los Angeles recently.  You use Uber and Lyft, but if you're going to multiple places, it can get expensive, so the best option is probably renting a car. 

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/dixieland-strut
License code: 6BME73BXSUHQOKIO

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/spring-mornings-in-chicago
License code: EAXHQTLXUZ0AMC5Y

On this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure podcast, we give you our best tips when planning a trip to Chicago, best known as the Windy City. 

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/dixieland-strut
License code: 6BME73BXSUHQOKIO

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/spring-mornings-in-chicago
License code: EAXHQTLXUZ0AMC5Y

In this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we give you our list of the best attractions in Chicago that are outside the loop.

DuSable Black History Museum

Smart Museum of Art

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Washington (George) Park

Jackson (Andrew) Park

Visit Oak Park

Frank Lloyd Wright Trust

Hemingway Birthplace

Garfield Conservatory

Wrigley Field

The Second City

Chicago Festival Guide

The Bloomingdale Trail at the 606

Six Flags Great America

Maxwell Street Market

Galloping Ghost Arcade

Kohls Children Museum

Brookfield Zoo

Fox River Trolley Museum

None of the attractions mentioned sponsored their listing. 

Additional Music by: 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/spring-mornings-in-chicago
License code: EAXHQTLXUZ0AMC5Y

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/dixieland-strut
License code: 6BME73BXSUHQOKIO

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/spring-mornings-in-chicago
License code: EAXHQTLXUZ0AMC5Y

This Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast episode reviews our worst and best hotel/motel experiences.

Here is the list of our worst motel/hotel experiences, with the worst one at the end of the last. There may be a reason why only one of these places is still open.

American Best Inn & Suites - Lincoln City, OR (no longer a hotel).

Budget Inn - Ontario, Oregon (the only one still operating)

Econolodge - Charlotte, NC (no longer an Econolodge)

M Motel - El Monte, CA (closed)

Travel Lodge -Wenatchee, WA (bulldozed)

Days Inn - Canton, MI (no longer a Days Inn)

Now, here is our list of our best hotel/motel stays in no particular order:

Hilton Hawaiian Village - Waikiki, HI

Caboose Inn - Libby, MT

Dude Rancher Motel - Billings, MT

Best Western Driftwood Inn - Idaho Falls, ID

Sleepy Hollow Motel - Naselle, WA

James Hotel - Chicago, IL (now 21c Museum Hotel)

Once again, none of these facilities sponsored this podcast. 

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/dixieland-strut
License code: 6BME73BXSUHQOKIO

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/spring-mornings-in-chicago
License code: EAXHQTLXUZ0AMC5Y