Travel Squad Podcast

In this episode, we recap our adventures in Kenai Fjords, Glacier Bay, Wrangell-St. Elias, and Lake Clark National Parks, sharing our favorite hikes, glacier cruises, bear viewing experiences, wildlife encounters, and travel tips.

We also reveal our plans for visiting Alaska’s remaining national parks: Denali, Katmai, Kobuk Valley, and Gates of the Arctic. From watching brown bears catch salmon at Brooks Falls to camping above the Arctic Circle and exploring one of the most remote wilderness areas in America, we’re sharing exactly how we hope to experience these bucket-list destinations.

In this episode:

• Kenai Fjords National Park travel tips
• Glacier Bay National Park cruise experience
• Wrangell-St. Elias flightseeing & glacier hiking
• Lake Clark bear viewing adventure
• Our Denali National Park itinerary plans
• Katmai National Park & Brooks Falls bear viewing
• Visiting Kobuk Valley National Park
• Exploring Gates of the Arctic National Park
• Tips for planning an Alaska National Parks road trip and fly-in adventure

Kenai Fjords:

Hotels: Harbor 360 Hotel  or Breeze Inn

Episode: Kenai Fjords National Park in 2 Days by Land & Sea 

Viator Shop: Kenai Fjords Viator Experiences

Itinerary: 2 Day Kenai Fjords National Park Itinerary 

Glacier Bay: 

Episode: 2 Day Glacier Bay National Park Adventure

Itinerary: 2 Day Glacier Bay Itinerary

Wrangell - St. Elias: 

Hotels: Kennicott Glacier Lodge or Blackburn Cabin

Itinerary: 3 Day Wrangell - St. Elias National Park Summer Itinerary

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 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 to one of the most majestic national parks in America and sharing everything you need to know to plan your visit, including driving the legendary McCarthy Road, staying in historic Kennicott, hiking across the Root Glacier, taking a breathtaking flightseeing tour over the Bagley Icefield, and exploring the historic Kennicott Mine.

We’ll cover our full itinerary, where we stayed, what we ate, how to get there, transportation options, glacier adventures, flightseeing tours, and all of our tips for visiting one of America’s most rugged national parks. 

You can download this itinerary in PDF form with details on the route, time allocation & more here: 3 Day Wrangell - St. Elias National Park Summer Itinerary or we combine this trip with Kenai Fords and Lake Clark for a 6 Day Alaska National Park Itinerary.

In this episode, we cover:

• ​How to drive the famous 60-mile McCarthy Road
• ​Renting a vehicle from Alaska 4x4 that allows access to the park
• ​Scenic stops along the drive from Anchorage to McCarthy
• ​Staying at Kennicott Glacier Lodge
• ​Hiking the Root Glacier with Kennicott Wilderness Guides
• ​Exploring historic Kennicott and the abandoned copper mine
• ​Flightseeing over the Bagley Icefield with Wrangell Mountain Air
• ​Tips for planning your Alaska national park adventure

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 subscription.

Hotels for this trip we recommend;

• ​Kennicott Glacier Lodge (where we stayed and recommend + meal package available)
• ​Blackburn Cabins
• ​Ma Johnson’s Historical Hotel

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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 weeks Travel Tuesday Flashback Episode, we’re taking you with us to vibrant, bustling Tokyo! From theme parks to tea ceremonies, ancient temples to glowing digital art museums, we packed our itinerary with the best of Japan’s capital city—and now we're sharing it all with you. Whether it’s your first trip to Tokyo or you’re planning a return visit, this episode is full of helpful travel tips, must-do activities, and honest insights to help you experience the magic of Tokyo like a squad pro.

Download our ⁠⁠5 Day Tokyo Itinerary⁠⁠ to make your trip planning even easier!

• Stay at the ⁠⁠Rembrandt Style Tokyo Nishikasai Grande Hotel⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠DoubleTree by Hilton⁠⁠ near the Kyoto Station
• Get an eSim from ⁠⁠Airalo ⁠⁠before you go and the ⁠⁠Tokyo Tourist Subway Passes⁠⁠ as soon as you get there
• Reserve your ⁠⁠Tokyo Disney Sea ⁠⁠tickets well ahead of time
• We highly recommend the ⁠⁠Tea Ceremony Workshop⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Sumo Wrestling Show⁠⁠ the ⁠⁠Onsen⁠⁠ experience, and going to ⁠⁠TeamLab Planets ⁠⁠while it’s still there.
• Visit iconic sites like Sensoji Temple, Sumida Park, Nezu Shrine, and Ueno Park during cherry blossom season
• Stroll through Tsukiji Outer Market, sampling sushi, seafood, and Japanese street snacks
• Discover hidden gems like Hamarikyu Gardens and the peaceful Nezu Shrine away from the crowds
• Take in sweeping skyline views (for free!) from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s observatory and catch their epic Godzilla-themed light show

Find more recommended activities in our⁠⁠ Japan Experience's Viator Shop⁠

Find a great flight deal to Tokyo, or anywhere else, by signing up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. 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 how to have a very quick but unforgettable visit to Palm Beach, Florida. From watching sunrise on the beach and strolling Worth Avenue to sipping cocktails at the iconic Colony Hotel, she covers the best things to do, where to stay, and insider tips for planning your own luxury Florida getaway, plus a few can't-miss spots she's already saving for her next trip.

Hotels in Palm Beach we recommend:

• The Breakers - Iconic mansion resort near the beach

• Palm House - Pretty in pink with a great pool

• The Colony - Another pink hotel, this synonymous to Palm Beach

Check out some cool things to do in Palm Beach area in our Viator Shop.

Find a great flight deal to Palm Beach 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 along on a five-day staycation in St. Petersburg, Florida, to see what it would actually be like to live in this sunny Gulf Coast city and explore it for the first time. Kim got a free 5 night stay on Trusted Housesitters in exchange for dog sitting so this is vacationing like a local!

We share how to balance remote work, explore local coffee shops and fitness studios, relax at amazing beach resorts, dine at St Pete restaurant, experience the St Pete Pier, and see dolphins along its beautiful waterfront park.

St Pete Episode Highlights:

• Experiencing St. Pete while working remotely and traveling

• Saving over $500 on accommodations through Trusted Housesitters (see our episode on Trusted Housesitters too)

• Tips for visiting St. Pete, including transportation, parking, and best times to go

• Relaxing at SkyBeach Resort and The Don CeSar using ResortPass

• Exploring the St. Pete Pier, Vinoy Park, and downtown waterfront

• Discovering local coffee shops, restaurants, rooftop bars, and nightlife

• Visiting St. Pete Beach and exploring the Gulf Coast beaches nearby

• Brittanie’s honest take: could St. Petersburg actually be a place to live?

If you go the traditional hotel route, here are some hotels in St Petersburg, FL we recommend:

• The Don Cesar on St Pete Beach

• The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club overlooking Tampa Bay and the marina downtown

• Hilton Garden Inn St Pete - Oceanfront hotel with the fun Coconut Charlie’s beachfront bar attached 

Check out our favorite St Pete, FL things to do in our Viator Shop.

Find a great flight deal to St Petersburg 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!

Want to spend the day at a luxury resort without paying for an overnight stay? In this episode you’ll hear why ResortPass is one of our favorite travel hacks. Learn how to book day passes to hotel pools, beaches, spas, and cabanas at resorts around the country, and daycation in luxury for a fraction of the cost of a hotel stay whether you’re at home or on a trip.

We share our experiences using ResortPass at The Don Cesar and Sky Beach Resort in St Pete Beach, FL and at Otopia rooftop pool and the pink and fun Downright Hotel in downtown Austin + many more.

Explore spa and day passes on ResortPass for a staycation at home or on your next trip!

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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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 fast-paced, culture-packed journey through Seoul, South Korea. From digging into crispy Korean fried chicken and sizzling BBQ, to exploring ancient palaces and tea houses, to stepping foot near the tension-filled border of the DMZ, we made the most of every moment. Jamal shares the wild adventure of navigating Seoul’s public transit, Brittanie gets cozy with traditional teas and sweets, and we offer travel tips to help you explore Seoul like a pro. Don’t miss this episode filled with history, K-culture, epic eats, and real talk about what it’s like to squeeze Seoul into just two days!

• Stay at the ⁠Moxy Hotel⁠, a trendy, metro-accessible hotel with a rooftop bar

• Get an eSim from ⁠Airalo ⁠before you go

• Eat Korean Fried Chicken at KyoChon and Korean BBQ at Myeongdong

• Take a ⁠DMZ Tour⁠ and explore this forbidden land (you can book with ⁠Julie, our amazing tour guide on Instagram⁠)

• Wander through the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village

• Relax at Chatteul Tea House

• Tour the iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace
• Ride the Namsan Cable Car to the ⁠Observation Deck Seoul Tower⁠ for panoramic nighttime views.

Find a great flight deal to Seoul, or anywhere else, by signing up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. 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 to the Walk Around Grand Tasting at the Puerto Rico Wine & Food Festival! The event is part of a 5-day culinary party with events hosted at the beautiful La Concha Resort and around different venues across San Juan. 

In this episode we break down ticket costs, food tasting, all the food & cocktails included and give an inside look at what the party is like: loud, fun & exciting!

Continue your Puerto Rico trip beyond the festival:

• Download our ⁠5-day Puerto Rico itinerary⁠ and take the same trip we did when we went to the PRWFF - just make sure to double check festival dates!

• More Puerto Rico tours and things to do when you are in town for the festival.

• Find a great flight deal to San Juan 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 along on our 6 day trip to Puerto Rico for every mojito, empanada, and beach. We share our honest opinions about Puerto Rico’s vibrant culture, beautiful architecture, and local beaches. We cover where to stay, what to eat, driving tips, how much the trip cost, our experience at the Puerto Rico Wine & Food Festival, and plenty of recommendations to help you plan your own Caribbean getaway without needing a passport.

You can download our 5-day Puerto Rico itinerary and take this exact same trip.

Episode Highlights:

• How to get to Puerto Rico as a U.S. traveler

• Transportation, driving, parking, and money saving travel tips

• Where to stay in San Juan and what made our resort experience special

• Exploring Old San Juan, El Morro, La Perla, and colorful colonial streets

• Visiting the Puerto Rico Wine & Food Festival

• Boat excursion to Culebra Island and relaxing at Flamenco Beach

• Luquillo Beach, Playa Buyé, Domes Beach, Crash Boat Beach, and Ponce

• Our favorite Puerto Rican food, cocktails, and restaurants from the trip

Hotels in Puerto Rico we recommend:

• La Concha Resort - Where we stayed here. The location is great with plenty of bars and restaurants in walking distance, just 15 minutes from the airport, Condado Beach is stunning and the resort has many great amenities.

• The Royal Sonesta - Swim up bar!

• Caribe Hilton - Huge pool and big balconies overlooking the ocean.

Check out our Puerto Rico tours and things to do in our Viator shop.

Find a great flight deal to San Juan 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!

On this week’s Just The Tip we’re taking you on a quick journey through 5 magical spots in the Pacific Northwest. From secret beaches and misty rainforests to glacier-carved peaks and waterfall hikes, this episode is packed with jaw-dropping nature, hilarious travel mishaps, and must-visit gems in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Perfect for road trippers, nature lovers, and weekend wanderers.

PNW hotels we recommend:

• Brookings, OR - Hotels: ⁠Beach Front Inn⁠ or ⁠Ocean Suites Hotel ⁠
• North Cascades National Park - ⁠North Cascades Inn⁠, ⁠Mt. Baker Hotel⁠ or ⁠Washington Itinerary⁠, or ⁠North Cascades National Park Episode⁠
• Boise, Idaho - ⁠The Avery Hotel⁠ or ⁠Hotel Renegade⁠
• Silver Falls State Park, OR - ⁠The Grand Hotel⁠ or ⁠Holman Riverfront Park Hotel⁠
• Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park - ⁠Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor⁠ or ⁠Aircrest Motel⁠

A few other resources to help your trip planning:

• ⁠North Cascades National Park Episode⁠
• ⁠Boise Episode⁠
• ⁠Oregon Waterfalls Episode ⁠

• ⁠Oregon Waterfalls Itinerary⁠
• ⁠Olympic National Park Episode⁠
• ⁠Washington Itinerary⁠

Find a great flight deal to The Pacific Northwest, or anywhere else, by signing up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. 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!