We're taking you to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and sharing everything you need to know before you go! We cover the city's Soviet-era landmarks, the stunning Turkish Central Mosque, Osh Bazaar, where to eat, and the travel tips that made our first days in Central Asia a breeze.

Highlights of this Bishkek episode:

• How to get to Bishkek & from the airport to your hotel

• Tips for visiting Bishkek (cash, e-SIMs, Yandex Go, tipping & more)

• Where to stay in Bishkek

• Bishkek Central Mosque (Turkish Central Mosque)

• Victory Square

• Oak Park & the Open-Air Sculpture Museum

• Vladimir Lenin Statue

• State Historical Museum

• Panfilov Park

• Ala-Too Square & the changing of the guard

• Osh Bazaar

• Dinner at Papuri (Georgian khinkali!)

Hotels in Bishkek we recommend:

• Sheraton Bishkek — booked with Marriott points, great home base before and after the tour

• Ak Keme Hotel

• Orion Hotel Bishkek

Book a Private Airport Transfer from Manas International Airport to your hotel — it's about 45 minutes into the city.

Check out our Kyrgyzstan Viator Experiences for all activities we recommend and even some we wanted to do but couldn't get to.

Find a great flight deal to Bishkek with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We're taking you off the beaten path to Kyrgyzstan, and sharing an unforgettable private 4-day tour around Issyk-Kul Lake! We cover the canyon hikes, horseback riding, an eagle hunting show, yurt camping, and hot springs that make this Central Asian gem worth the trip.

Highlights of Kyrgyzstan:

• How to get to Kyrgyzstan

• Where to stay in Bishkek

• Burana Tower

• Konorchek Canyons hike (Boom Gorge)

• Horseback riding in Chon-Kemin National Park

• Eagle hunting show in Bokonbaevo

• Yurt camp & swimming in Issyk-Kul Lake

• Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyons

• Barskoon Gorge & waterfall

• Jeti-Oguz (Seven Bulls) Gorge

• Ak-Suu Hot Springs

• Karakol's Holy Trinity Cathedral & Dungan Mosque

• Semenov & Grigoriev Gorges

• Ruh Ordo Cultural Center & boat tour on Issyk-Kul

• Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs

Hotels in Bishkek we recommend

• Sheraton Bishkek — booked with Marriott points, great home base before and after the tour

• Ak Keme Hotel
• Orion Hotel Bishkek

Book a Private Airport Transfer from the airport to your hotel, and check out the exact 4-Day Issyk-Kul & Chon-Kemin Private Tour and Eagle Hunting Show we booked.

Check out our curated list of other Kyrgyzstan Viator Experiences we recommend and even some we wanted to do but couldn't get to.

Find a great flight deal with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re taking you to Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina, for a luxurious Lowcountry getaway! We share the adventure of staying in an incredible townhome inside the 20,000-acre Palmetto Bluff community, exploring by golf cart and bike, spotting dolphins and alligators, and enjoying the beautiful May River scenery. We’ll also head to Hilton Head Island for a beach day, explore the secluded Daufuskie Island by golf cart, and spend a day discovering historic Savannah.

Hotels near Palmetto Bluff we recommend:

• Montage Palmetto Bluff

• The Bluffton Farmhouse

• Hyatt Regency Savannah

• Beach House Resort Hilton Head

Don’t forget to pack a good bug repellent - we have loved this one for years and newly love this itch relief solution for the bug bites that got through.

For your visit to Palmetto Bluff we recommend kayaking in Palmetto Bluff and doing a ghost tour in Savannah.

Find a great flight deal to the Savanna airport with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re taking you on an unforgettable journey through the Interlaken region of Switzerland, the gateway to the Bernese Oberland. We’ll share insider tips to make the most of your Interlaken getaway, recommend the best towns and villages to visit and detail the hikes and experiences we did including toboggan rides, steam locomotives, waterfalls, fondue, glaciers, and more!

Download our ⁠4 day Interlaken itinerary⁠ to take this exact trip yourself! 

• Episode Highlights: 

• How to get to Interlaken and the other towns

• Using Interlaken as a base 

• Jungfraujoch Adventure 

• Staubbach Falls in Lauterbrunnen 

• Grindelwald First & First Cliff Walk 
• Harder Kulm Viewpoint and panorama restaurant 
• Oeschinensee Lake Gondola, Hike & Toboggan

• 
  

  We stayed at: ⁠Hotel Lotschberg ⁠in Interlaken, but if you are traveling by train we recommend staying closer to the train station at ⁠Hotel Interlaken⁠ or ⁠Royal St. Georges Hotel Interlaken⁠. You can also check out other ⁠highly rated hotels in Interlaken⁠, just remember to book early for the most options and best prices!

Other Switzerland travel tips and advice: 

• Purchase an ⁠E-Sim⁠ to have cellular data on the go
• Check out our ⁠Switzerland Activities & Tours⁠⁠ ⁠for all activities we recommend and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to.
• Purchase a ⁠Swiss Half Fare Card⁠, ⁠Swiss Travel Pass/Flex,⁠ or ⁠Bernese Oberland Card⁠
• Pack a ⁠collapsible day backpack⁠, ⁠umbrella⁠, and ⁠world travel plug adapter ⁠ 

Find a great flight deal to Switzerland, or anywhere else, with ⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop:⁠⁠ Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠⁠&⁠⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠⁠

Connect:⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re taking you on a quick trip to Yachats, Oregon, a charming coastal town where rugged basalt cliffs, crashing waves, lush forests, and foggy coastal views come together. We share her some of the best stops from this peaceful Oregon Coast including Seal Rock Beach, Devil’s Churn, Thor’s Well, Spouting Horn, and Heceta Head Lighthouse. Plus, hear about staying at the oceanfront Fireside Motel, dinner at Adobe Resort, peaceful ocean views and walks, and the scenic coastal drive from Salem to Yachats and on to Eugene.

Hotels in Yachats we recommend:

• Fireside Motel - We stayed here & loved it!

• Overleaf Lodge - Has a nice hot breakfast

• Adobe Resort - Family friendly & has the only oceanfront restaurant in town

Find a great flight deal to Eugene or Portland with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast

We’re going to Oregon’s Willamette Valley! To explore world-class wineries, taste wine in intimate tasting experiences and enjoy the gorgeous vineyards and flora and fauna of this beautiful region. We walk you through food & wine pairings, tasting experiences & teach you how to saber a bottle of sparkling! This trip also goes to Silver Falls State Park for a waterfall detour.

If you want to take this exact trip, you can download our 5-day Willamette Valley Wine Tasting Itinerary. The itinerary organizes the route from north to south, gives travel tips, restaurant and hotel recommendations, links to every tasting and experience we booked, packing list, and a day by day itinerary for you to follow. 

Highlights of this Willamette Valley episode:

• Chehalem Ridge Bed and Breakfast

• Bells Up Winery

• Natalie's Estate Vineyard

• Domaine Willamette

• Bjornson Vineyard

• Willamette Valley Vineyard Estate

• St Innocent Winery

• King Estate Winery

• Silver Falls State Park

Hotels in the Willamette Valley we recommend:

• Chehalem Ridge Bed and Breakfast - You absolutely must stay at this quaint, homey experience. The homemade breakfast is worth it!

• The Dundee Hotel

• The Grand Hotel in Salem

• Inn at the 5th in Eugene

Check out our Willamette Valley yours and experiences on Viator for our created list of recommend wine tours and local experiences.

Find a great flight deal to Portland or Eugene with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re sharing our review of the new Sidecar by The American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport. We break down this intimate, speakeasy-inspired lounge, including the made-to-order breakfast, food and drinks, atmosphere, service, access rules, and how it compares to the traditional Centurion Lounge. Is Sidecar worth a visit on a short layover? We’re sharing our honest review and Travel Squad rating!

Sidecar is only available to American Express Platinum card holders, you can use our referral link if you’d like to apply.

Do more in town on your visit to Las Vegas with these Las Vegas experiences and activities we recommend in our curated Viator shop.

Hotels in Las Vegas we recommend:

• The Venetian – The Sphere is connected to this hotel

• We love The Flamingo for a good location on the strip at a great price with amenities, a good free pool and flamingos

• Caesars Palace is beautiful, LIV is so fun, and has a beautiful free pool

Find a great flight deal to Las Vegas with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

We’re taking you to the incredible country of Georgia, one of the most underrated countries in the world where wine, history, and culture come together in the most magical way in the main city of Tbilisi and beyond. We explore historic spas, wine baths, local nightlife, cultural sites, natural wonders in the Caucasus Mountains.

We also dive deep into our experience at ⁠WINECAST⁠, a five-day festival celebrating cinema, wine, and Georgian culture with film screenings, wine tastings and masterclasses, live music, and more!

Highlights of Georgia:

• The rich history of Georgia as the birthplace of wine 🍇

• Exploring Tbilisi’s  food, art, nightlife, and vibrant energy

• Day trip to Mtskheta: Jvari Monastery & Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

• Georgia’s Balneological Spa - sulfur and wine bath experiences

• The magic of WINECAST Festival 2025 – wine, cinema, and culture

• Supra dining traditions & the role of the Tamada (toastmaster)

• Visiting Kazbeggi & Gergeti Trinity Church in the Caucasus Mountains

• Supra feast with a local winemaker and a once-in-a-lifetime wine tasting

If you want a great overview of Georgia, check out Dr. Matthew Horkey’s premier film about the country and its culture here: ⁠A journey through GEORGIA ‘The Cradle of WINE’⁠

Hotels in Tbilisi, Georgia we recommend are the ⁠Radisson Blu Tbilisi ⁠(we stayed here and loved it!) or ⁠Mercure Tbilisi Old Town⁠. If those are booked you can search ⁠Tbilisi hotels on Trip Advisor.⁠

Check out our ⁠Tbilisi Activities & Tours on Viator⁠ for all day trips, wine tastings, city tours, and airport transfers that we recommend.

Find a great flight deal to Tbilisi, Georgia, or anywhere else, with ⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop:⁠⁠ Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠⁠&⁠⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠⁠

Connect:⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We're giving you a step-by-step guide to how to create your own travel bucket list and sharing some of the iconic destinations and experiences that are on ours!

A bucket list gives you something to look forward to, gives you the motivation to achieve personal goals and dreams, and exposes you to new experiences and pushes you out of your comfort zone.

Find a great flight deal to any of your Travel Bucketlist destinations with ⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop:⁠⁠ Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠⁠&⁠⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠⁠

Connect:⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

In this episode we take you to Hilton La Pacifica Hilton Los Cabos for a glorious weekend at the beachfront resort of your dreams. We share how to get this 4 day stay for less than $500 USD, what the oceanfront rooms are like, and detail all the amenities and pools at this amazing resort. We also rate the quality of the food (it’s very good!), share the excursions you can book & how it works and describe the vibe & people you’d be vacationing with at this resort. Don’t forget to book your shuttle from the airport to the resort to save a lot of money on taxis.

Check out our Cabo Viator Experiences for all activities we recommend and even some that we wanted to do but couldn’t get to.

Find a great flight deal to Los Cabos (SDJ) with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

Other resorts in Cabo we recommend if Hilton La Pacifica Hilton Los Cabos⁠ isn’t available:

• Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos Blanco

• Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa

• Four Seasons Los Cabos Costa Palmas

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Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect: YouTube⁠, TikTok⁠, and Instagram⁠⁠ and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!