Travel Fun and Adventure

It's a special episode for the last podcast of the year. 

Sometimes, there are things that happen while you are traveling, and at the time, it seems like a terrible thing, but looking back, you have to just laugh at what happened. I go over a few stories of my own and hopefully, it gives you a good laugh. 

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!):
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License code: EAXHQTLXUZ0AMC5Y

In this special episode, I go over a few memorable Christmas Trips. What are your most memorable Christmas Trips? 

Music for 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 review our favorite YouTube travel channels. There are many travel-related channels out there, but these are our favorites that we will listen to when every one of their episodes comes out.

General Travel-Related YouTube Channels:
 
Wolters World
Wolters World Eats
Wolters World Shorts

Yellow Productions

The Tour Guy

A Means to Travel

A Wanderlust for Life

The next group of channels usually covers a specific geographic area (although they are also known to travel):

Area Specific YouTube Channels:

New York City:

Here Be Barr
The Megan Daily

Washington DC:

Trip Hacks DC

Las Vegas:

Jacobs Life in Vegas

Europe:

Near From Home

The Traveling Swiss

Weekend in Swiss

The next group of YouTube Channels are primarily Travel Vlog Channels but are also known to delve into other things.

Travel Vloggers:

Flying the Nest

Hey Nadine

Brian and Carrie

The Endless Adventure

This is only a tiny sampling of the YouTube channels devoted to travel, and I left out some I really like. I also didn't include any that primarily do transportation reviews although there is many of them I enjoy and they do a great job, I tried to focus on those that deal with with the generals of Travel.  

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 tips on finding the right ski resort for a tremendous ski-related trip. 

In this list, we give you several items you should consider before you book your trip. 

-First, you need to decide what your budget will be. If you are not careful with your budget, you can spend much more money than you would want. 
-Second, you must decide what kind of ski resort will be best for your group. If everyone is new to skiing, looking for a resort with a lot of beginner hills will be vital because you do not want to be a beginner and end up at a ski resort with nothing but double black diamond (expert) ski resorts. 
-Third, when it comes to the resort's location, there is a lot to consider. Some resorts are located in resort towns such as Park City, Utah, and Aspen, Colorado, and you can stay in the town, but you will pay a price for that. Or you can consider a more resort hotel, which might have limited amenities, but there may also be options in nearby communities that may be about an hour away but have everything you need. 
-Fourth, if people need instructions, you will want to find a resort with good ratings for their instructors. 
-Fifth, if you have smaller children, you will want to find out what facilities the resorts have for them because they will probably be bored quickly watching mom and dad skiing down hills, so what is there that will give them their adventure? 
-Sixth, if you need to rent equipment, you will want to find out how much it will cost you to rent that equipment. Once again, the more famous areas will cost much more for rentals than some lesser-known resorts. 
-Seventh, as we always tell you, don't prepay if you can avoid it because it may save you a few dollars but cost you a ton of money in the long run. One thing to consider is when you are traveling and if the resort you are going to will have enough snow for your trip, but what if it has no snow due to a warm winter? If you prepay, you may be out of money, but if you do have to prepay, find out what the facility's policies are if they end up having no snow. The problem is you can wait until you find out they should have snow, but it may be too late to book because ski resorts can book up months to even a year or more ahead. 
-Eighth, what kind of local attractions can you explore as you will not want to be skiing all day or every day? 

 

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, the 100th episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we go over words with different meanings when crossing the pond.

I have to thank the Lost in the Pond YouTube channel for the idea behind this podcast.

Some of the sources used for this episode:

Using English

Anglotopia for Anglophiles

Adducation

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 review two Hawaii Restaurants. This is our first time doing restaurant reviews on this podcast, so I hope you enjoy them. Please let us know what you think of it.

The first restaurant we review is the Tropics Bar and Grill at the Hilton Hawaii Village in Waikiki.

Like all our dealings with restaurant and hotel employees in Hawaii, the staff was friendly.

Food ordered Me: Kiawe Smoked St. Louis Pork Ribs, Pineapple Juice, and Chocolate Cake.
                                 My wife: Wagyu Brisket, Passion-Orange-Guava, Carmel Sunday.

Good Points: the Spare Ribs were tender and juicy, the Fries were seasoned but not overdone, and the chocolate cake was well chocolate cake. sitting next to the beach.

Bad Points: the Brisket was a little too pink for my wife's taste, it took over 40 minutes for us to get our deserts,

Final Grade: C

The 2nd restaurant is the On the Rocks in Kona on the Big Island. 

Food ordered - My wife, daughter, and I all ordered Rock’s Classic Burger, plus we ordered Onion Rings, and I ordered Huggo’s Famous Seafood Chowder. 

Good Points: All the food was excellent, location on the water and attention to detail. 

Bad Points: Finding a parking space can be difficult. 

Final Grade: A

The On the Rocks made our list of the best places to eat on the Big Island, which was well deserved. The entire experience was excellent, with excellent staff and great food. 
 

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 compare two hotels that go after the same market, and the hotels are located only a few miles apart in adjacent cities.

First up is the Hampton Inn Cedar Falls Downtown, located adjacent to downtown Cedar Falls, Iowa, built-in 2018.

The Hampton Inn has some excellent public areas, the rooms themselves were clean (see below about overall cleanliness), rooms were up to date with lots of power outlets and USB plugs, the furniture fit with the type of hotel, both check-in and check-out were quick and easy, and some rooms have a nice view of the Cedar River.

In addition, the hotel is across the street from downtown Cedar Falls, which has many restaurants and shops.

While the rooms themselves were clean on further examination, the hotel itself had some issues with cleanliness. For example, while the windows in the room were clean except for the very top of the window, the windows in the hallway looked like they had not been clean since the building was completed, and it also looked like they had not been cleaned around the lights on the entrance canopy. If these have not been cleaned, it makes you wonder what else has not been cleaned well that the customer cannot see.

Finally, the prices at this hotel can be high, ranging from a low of $175 to an average of $200 a night.

The other hotel we reviewed today is the Holiday Inn Express, which was built in 2008 and is located in the City of Waterloo, Iowa. 

This hotel had excellent staff, free parking, clean rooms, good maintenance, room furniture matched the type of hotel, and the hotel was overall clean. 

The hotel is close to the Lost Island Water Park, rated as the 2nd best water park in the country, and is across the street from the recently opened Lost Island Theme Park. 

The downside for this hotel is its walkability, which is horrible as there are no convenience stores or restaurants within easy walking distance, and the area currently has no sidewalks. However, they will be put in along with a  multi-purpose trail as La Porte Road is rebuilt over the next few years, but it will still be a hike to restaurants and convenience stores. 

Also, the value for the dollar may not be there, was there is a 2018-built Holiday Inn Express in Cedar Falls that often has lower prices than this hotel, although it is less convenient to attractions than the one in Waterloo. 

Final Ratings: The Hampton Inn's final score was a B- while the Holiday Inn Express's final score was a C+. 

Have you stayed at one of these hotels? Let us know what your ratings would be for these hotels. 

 

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 planning a car trip this winter? In this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure podcast, we go over our tips for having a safe and pleasant journey through that sometimes nasty winter weather. 

Tip Number One: Preplan your trip. 

• Note whether you will drive over mountain passes that may require chains in lousy weather. 
• If at all possible, leave extra time to travel. If it would typically take two days to travel to your destination, go three days if you encounter bad weather so that you do not have to drive in the bad weather. 
• While it may be impossible with how short the days are in winter, try to avoid traveling at night, especially in places where you might encounter black ice because it can appear without warning. 
• Remember that rest stops and/or visitor centers in higher elevations may be closed due to snow, so plan alternative stops. 
• Keep an eye on the extended forecast for your trip dates, but remember the forecast will change regularly. 

Tip Number Two: Getting ready for the trip.

• Have your mechanic go over your car completely (especially make sure you check to see how good your anti-freeze is and what temperature it can handle). 
• Get your supplies for the trip together: 
  • Emergency supplies for the car, such as extra anti-freeze and oil. 
  • A shovel for the car. 
  • Snacks and food, including supplies, if you get stuck somewhere. 
  • If you drive a front-wheel drive minivan or, say, a pickup truck, you will want some sandbags for extra weight. 
  • Extra blankets and jackets. 

Other Tips: 

• Check the weather report daily when you are traveling. 
• Drive with your lights on - even if you have daytime running lights they are only the headlight but you need your taillights for visibility also. 

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

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 special episode of Travel Fun and Adventure, I tell you some travel stories, from the bad and ugly to the downright creepy. 

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 go over our tips to help you plan a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii. In a previous podcast, we went over our tips for travel to Oahu, and while some of the tips may seem familiar, there are many that are exclusive to the Big Island. 

1. Be sure to plan your trip well in advance; however, avoid prepaying for hotels and car rentals. 
2. If you're flying direct from the mainland, you will most likely land in Kona, but if you change planes in Honolulu, then you fly into Kona or Hilo. 
3. If you have the time, split time between Hilo and Kona so that you don't have to travel across the island and back in one day. 
4. When booking an Airbnb/Vrbo, be careful about where the place is located. While the condos are probably in either Kona or Hilo, single-family homes could be far from the cities and maybe a very long drive to even a small store or any restaurants, but if you want to be far from people, they will be perfect. 
5. The best time to visit is either November to April or April to October. April to October is usually drier, but as we experienced, it can still rain a lot in certain points on the island, while November to April will have fewer tourists. 
6. The island is bigger than you think, and the drives can be long, so plan ahead on where you want to go to keep from multiple long drives on back-to-back days. 
7. Even attractions need to be booked in advance as they can sell out and be booked directly from the attraction. 
8. Plan to rent from the major rental car companies as there are a few smaller companies, and the ones I found were more expensive than the big boys with fewer options in types of vehicles and may require to taxi to their location from the airport. 
9. Book your car rentals and lodging in advance so you have something reserved but check rates about a month and only a week out because you might find some better rates. We saved $500 on our car rentals between Oahu and the Big Island by checking back to see if some lower rates popped up, but if they didn't, I still have something reserved. 
10. Be sure to get involved in the local culture which I found harder on the Big Island than on Oahu, which I was surprised at, but still seek out the cultural opportunities. 
11. Remember that most restaurants close by 7 p.m., and even McDonalds will close by 8 or 9 p.m., so plan on eating earlier. 

Those are our tips. Book that trip and have a great time. 

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