Travel Squad Podcast

We’re taking you to Istanbul, Turkey for an unforgettable 3 days packed with historic landmarks, incredible food, cultural experiences, and the travel tips we wish we knew before going. We share everything from visiting the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern to experiencing a traditional Turkish hammam, wandering the Grand Bazaar, and trying iconic Turkish dishes like kebabs, menemen, kunefe, and Turkish coffee.

We also shareIstanbul travel tips including the Istanbul E-Pass, currency, what to wear in mosques, where to stay, whether popular experiences like the Bosphorus cruise are worth it, and what its like navigating Istanbul’s public transit system.

In the Istanbul episode you’ll hear about:

• Best things to do in Istanbul in 3 days

• Visiting Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Topkapi Palace

• Exploring the Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar

• Istanbul E-Pass review and whether it’s worth it

• Traditional Turkish bath (hammam) experience

• Best Turkish foods to try in Istanbul

• Istanbul transportation tips and Istanbulkart info

• Galata Tower sunset views & rooftop spots

• Turkish coffee, Turkish delights, and local desserts

• Where to stay in Istanbul using hotel points

• Tips for visiting mosques and cultural etiquette

• Day-by-day Istanbul itinerary recommendations

We recommend booking a private transfer from airport to hotel and back and installing an eSim before you get there.

Our top recommended hotels in Istanbul: 

• Orient Occident Hotel Istanbul 

• Hotel Sultania

• Adamar Hotel

Check out our Turkey Activities & Tours for all activities we recommend and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to. Visit the city’s highlights with an Istanbul E-Pass or if the E-Pass won’t work for you schedule, we recommend these front of the line tickets for: Hagia Sofia, Basilica, Cistern,Topkapi Palace, Dolmabache Palace & Galata Tower.

If you want to take this exact trip, download our 3-day Istanbul Itinerary!

Find a great flight deal to Istanbul 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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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 three unique wellness spots, self-care experiences, and rejuvenating activities in Austin, Texas perfect for your next solo trip, girls getaway, bachelorette weekend, or relaxing vacation in Austin. 

• Infrared social saunas and medical-grade red light therapy at Beem

• Ultra luxe Japanese head spa treatments at Glos & Glow

• Lakeside Pilates classes on the deck with with Soma Reform on Lady Bird Lake

Austin hotels we recommend:

• 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!

• The LINE Hotel – Great location and view of the lake and bats

• Hotel Van Zandt – Great rooftop pool vibes

Check out our Austin Viator Experiences for more fun things to do we recommend.

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!

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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 the ultimate summer travel inspiration for 2026! From dreamy beach destinations to epic hiking adventures, we’re covering the best places to travel this summer based on your travel style. We also dive into foodie favorites, relaxing wellness escapes and so much more. We have the perfect summer romantic getaway, girls trip, national park adventure, or international vacay vacation, plus travel tips, and itinerary inspiration to help you plan your best summer yet.

Beach Destinations:

1. Mykonos, Greece 

2. Kauai 

3. Caribbean cruise

Hiking Destinations: 

1. Iceland

2. Switzerland

3. Banff

Foodie Destinations: 

1. Spain

2. Italy

3. Lisbon, Portugal

Spa/Wellness

1. Quebec City

2. Iceland

3. Hot Springs Arkansas

Animal Sightings/Encounters:

1. Alaska

2. Yellowstone National Park

3. Quintana Roo, Mexico

Culture/History:

1. Japan

2. Athens, Greece

3. Cusco/Machu Picchu, Peru

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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 giving you 11 things to do BEFORE you leave for vacation to ensure you have a smooth, collected, and beautiful vacation. We always do these things to prepare for a trip in the days leading up to taking off to make our trips more enjoyable.

Find a great flight deals with ⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠’s flight deal alerts. 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 went to Door County, Wisconsin and are sharing the best experiences, places to eat, hikes, and boat rides to do on a long weekend in this midwest vacation destination.

Highlights of the Door County:

• Sturgeon Bay

• Lighthouses
• State Parks

• Hikes and overlooks

• Fish boil

• ⁠Sunset boat cruise⁠

If you want to take this exact trip, you can download our ⁠Door County Itinerary.⁠ This guide to Door County gives you your daily schedule, hikes and ⁠boat cruise experiences⁠, time allotments, costs, travel time between things to do, places to eat, where to stay and so much more.

We stayed at ⁠The Liberty Lodge at Sister Bay⁠ and loved this historic B&B! If it is booked, ⁠The Inn at Little Sister Hill⁠ is a good choice, so are ⁠Scandinavian Lodge⁠, ⁠Sister Bay Inn⁠, or ⁠Birchwood Lodge⁠.

Find a great flight deal to Wisconsin, 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 inside The Sphere, one of the most talked-about attractions in Las Vegas. We’re sharing our firsthand experience attending Illenium’s Odyssey show and what makes this next-generation venue unlike any other, from its massive 360° LED screen and immersive visuals to spatial audio and interactive effects that make you feel like you’re inside the performance. You’ll also get practical tips on tickets, seating, and what to expect when visiting, making this episode a must-listen for anyone planning to see a show at the Sphere.

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!

• Or check out these highly rated hotels in Las Vegas 

Check out the Las Vegas experiences and activities we recommend in our curated Viator shop.

Find a great flight deal to Las Vegas, 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 to Dallas, TX, a vibrant and fast-growing city packed with incredible food, unique neighborhoods, and endless things to do. From scenic spots like the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and the Katy Trail to deep history at the The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, we’re covering how to explore Dallas like a local, a few restaurants and spas we love and share practical tips for navigating this sprawling Texas city.

Episode Highlights:

• Top things to do in Dallas

• Best neighborhoods: Deep Ellum & Bishop Arts District

• Unique stops like the Eyeboretum

• Spa experiences at WorldSprings & Spa Castle

• Where to eat: Pecan Lodge, Hutchins BBQ & Eatzi's Market & Bakery

• Travel tips: weather, transportation & hotels

Hotels in Dallas we recommend:

• Canvas Hotel Dallas

• Marriott Dallas Las Colinas

• Magnolia Hotel Dallas Downtown

• Or check out these highly rated Dallas hotels

Find more fun things to do in Dallas, and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to, in our curated Viator shop.

Find a great flight deal to Dallas, 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

This week's Just the Tip episode will help you choose which Hawaiian island to visit (or in which order!) to best match your travel style and what you want to see and do in Hawaii.

Download our ⁠Big Island itinerary⁠ and check out these ⁠recommended activities ⁠to optimize your time there!

Where to stay in Big Island (Kona Hotels): ⁠PACIFIC 19 Kona⁠, ⁠Royal Kona Resort⁠, ⁠Courtyard by Marriott⁠

Download our ⁠8-day Kauai itinerary⁠ and check out these ⁠recommended activities⁠ for all the best things in Kauai.

Where to stay in Kauai: ⁠Club Wyndham Bali Hai Villas⁠, ⁠Nihilani 22C: Spacious Condo⁠, ⁠Ko’a Kea Resort on Po’ipu Beach⁠, ⁠Sheraton Kauai Resort⁠ 

Download our ⁠Oahu itinerary⁠ and check out these ⁠recommended activities⁠ before you go!

Where to stay in Oahu: ⁠⁠Park Shore Waikiki⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Aston Waikiki Beach Tower⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore⁠⁠⁠.⁠

Check out these ⁠recommended activities⁠ in Maui.

Where to stay in Maui: ⁠AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea⁠, ⁠Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort⁠ or ⁠The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

Find a great flight deals to Hawaii, or anywhere else, with ⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠, sign up to 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 along for a four-day trip to Oahu, Hawaii for beach adventures, Hawaiian living, outdoor and historical adventures.

Highlights of Oahu in this episode:

• Waikiki Beach 
• Foodland
• Hiking Manoa Falls, Koko Crater Tramway, Lanikai Pill Box Trail
• The North Shore beaches
• Pearl Harbor 
• Dining at local spots like Kono's and Ted's Bakery

If you want to take this exact trip, you can download our ⁠Oahu Itinerary⁠.

These are the hotels, tours, and resources we recommend in Oahu:

• Waikiki: ⁠Park Shore Waikiki⁠, ⁠Aston Waikiki Beach Tower⁠, or ⁠Halepuna Waikiki⁠
• North Shore: ⁠Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore⁠ or ⁠Turtle Bay Resort⁠
• ⁠Oahu activities we recommend via Viator⁠

If you're looking for a flight deal to Oahu, or anywhere else, we recommend signing up for⁠ Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠ to get daily flight deals (points & cash) emailed directly to you! 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!

Learn everything you need to plan the perfect 2-day trip to Joshua Tree National Park. We’ve been three times now and are telling you the best hikes, scenic stops, and must-see rock formations like Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, Arch Rock, and Ryan Mountain. Plus we share tips for how to prepare for desert conditions, where to find the best stargazing spots, what to download before entering the park and where to eat near Joshua Tree.

You can download our Joshua Tree hiking Itinerary to do this exact same trip on your own, or download our 9 California National Parks Road Trip Itinerary and make plans to visit them all!

Here are a few places to stay near Joshua Tree: Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, & RESET Hotel. You can also check out a full list of hotels near Joshua Tree for more options.

Find a great flight deal to SoCal, or anywhere else, with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals alerts. 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!