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.

—---------------------------------------

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 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.

—---------------------------------------

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.

—---------------------------------------

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.

—---------------------------------------

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.

—---------------------------------------

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

—---------------------------------------

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!

Wondering where to eat in Austin? We’re sharing 11 of the best restaurants in Austin, Texas, from Caribbean and Mediterranean flavor bombs to steakhouses, Italian favorites, smash burgers, and gorgeous lakeside dining. Whether you’re visiting Austin or a local looking for your next great meal, these are the restaurants we recommend again and again!

In this episode, we cover: Canje, Ezov, La Piscina, The Kimberly, Hula Hut, Quince Lakehouse, Intero, ATX Cocina, Birdie’s, NADC, and Steiner Ranch Steakhouse. Listen to here what’s good and the occasion that would bring you into these spots.

Austin hotels we recommend:

• ​The LINE Hotel – Great location and view of the lake and bats
• ​Hotel Van Zandt – Great rooftop pool vibes
• ​The Downright Hotel – Cute pink, fun decor and a great pool vibe.
• ​Lake Austin Spa Resort – All-inclusive wellness resort on the Lake, it is absolutely amazing! You can also book a spa day, see our Lake Austin Spa Review before you go!

Check out fun things to do in Austin that we recommend on Viator. These are perfect if you don’t have a car or want to have some unique experiences on this trip.

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

—---------------------------------------

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 journey through Québec City, where old-world charm meets vibrant modern culture, visiting the iconic Fairmont Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace, and Petit-Champlain plus savoring Quebec’s farm-to-table cuisine and setting sail on an unforgettable AML River Cruise.

WE also go beyond the city walls to take in the soft outdoors with a day at Strom Spa, Montmorency Falls, Canyon Sainte-Anne, Chutes Jean Larose, and kayaking on Ile d'Orleans.

Highlights of Quebec City in this episode:

• Where to eat & drink in Quebec City

• AML River Cruise

• Montmorency Falls, Canyon Sainte-Anne & Chutes Jean Larose

• Strøm Spa Nordique

• Sunset Kayaking on the St. Lawrence River

Our top recommendations for hotels in Québec City:

• ⁠Hilton Quebec ⁠
• ⁠Hotel Palace Royale Center⁠
• ⁠Le Capitole Hotel⁠
• Or check out these ⁠highly rated hotels in Quebec City⁠

Explore our curated list of ⁠Quebec City tours and things to do⁠ that we recommend and a few more we wish we had time for!

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

—---------------------------------------

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!

On this week's Just the Tip, we're laughing about the things that give us "the ick" while traveling.

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

—---------------------------------------

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 share our experience flying from Anchorage to Lake Clark, landing on remote beaches, seeing bears up close, and exploring Chinitna Bay and Silver Salmon Creek. Plus, we break down how to visit Lake Clark, the best time to go, flightseeing and bear-viewing options, where to stay, what to pack, and everything you need to know to plan your own Lake Clark adventure.

You can download this itinerary in PDF form with details on the route, time allocation & more here: Lake Clark National Park Summer Itinerary or we combine this trip with Kenai Fords and Lake Clark for a 6 Day Alaska National Park Itinerary.

Recommendations for Anchorage:

• ​SpringHill Suites by Marriott Midtown
• ​Courtyard by Marriott Anchorage Airport
• ​Hyatt Place Anchorage Midtown

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

—---------------------------------------

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!