Travel Squad Podcast

We continue with part 2 of this historic 9-day adventure through Egypt exploring the impressive Abu Simbel, and continuing on our Nile River cruise stopping in Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple, and ending in Luxor - a literal open air museum. In Luxor we take you into the most colorfully preserved tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the impressive cliffside Temple of Hatshepsut, take you through the largest Temple of Karnak, and end with seeing the Temple of Luxor, right in the middle of the city, lit up at night. We close the episode with one last spa day at the amazing Hilton Cairo Heliopolis.

On this trip we went with Gate, cruised on the Queen of Hansa and in Cairo stayed at ⁠Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino ⁠and ⁠Hilton Cairo Heliopolis.⁠ If those Cairos hotels are booked, check out these other highly rated hotels in Cairo.

Check out our recommended Egypt experiences on Viator to visit all the same sites we did on this trip.

Find a great flight deal to Cairo 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!

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

If you’re planning a trip to Egypt, listen to part 1 (Pyramids of Giza, Aswan, and a Nubian Village) and part 2 (Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu Temple, Luxor, and the Valley of the Kings) of our Egypt episodes!

On this trip we went with Gate, cruised on the Queen of Hansa and in Cairo stayed at ⁠Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino ⁠and ⁠Hilton Cairo Heliopolis.⁠ If those Cairos hotels are booked, check out these other highly rated hotels in Cairo.

Check out our recommended Egypt experiences on Viator to visit all the same sites we did on this trip.

Check out our other airline reviews below, or listen to our complete ⁠Airline Reviews playlist on Spotify⁠ to hear them all in one place:

• ⁠Singapore Airlines Business Class Review
• ⁠Singapore Airlines Premium Economy Review
• KLM Business Class Review

• ⁠American Airlines Domestic Business Class Review ⁠
• ⁠Cathay Pacific Premium Economy Review ⁠

• ⁠TAP Air Portugal Stopover Program ⁠

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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 take you along for part 1 of a 9-day adventure through Egypt starting with the iconic Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx of Giza and the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum and then taking to the seas for a 4-day Nile River cruise stopping at ancient temples in Aswan and taking a side quest to a colorful Nubian village.

On this trip we went with Gate, cruised on the Queen of Hansa and in Cairo stayed at Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino and Hilton Cairo Heliopolis. If those Cairos hotels are booked, check out these other highly rated hotels in Cairo.

Check out our recommended Egypt experiences on Viator to visit all the same sites we did on this trip.

Find a great flight deal to Cairo 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 break down the full-day experience at QC NY Spa, luxury wellness retreat of wonder on Governors Island with heated outdoor pools overlooking the Manhattan skyline. This spa is so creatively stimulating, energetically calming, and blissfully relaxing. We cover it all: hydrotherapy circuits, skyline-view saunas, hidden waterbed room, Vichy showers, red light therapy, lavender foot rituals and so much more. You’ll walk away with a clear rating on this spa’s experiences, food & drink, comfort, atmosphere, and value.

Download our 2 day NYC Itinerary to help you plan your trip! Or if you already have an itinerary in mind, we recommended to stay at IHG Barclays in midtown Manhattan and check out things to do in NYC, and get a good flight deal from Thrifty Traveler Premium (use code TSP to get $20 off!)If you are a spa lover like us listen to our complete ⁠Spa Reviews playlist on Spotify⁠ to hear them all in one place.

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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 on a weekend trip to New York City! In this episode we explore Manhattan’s top attractions, give you a taste of some of the best things to eat in NYC, take you to one of the most beautiful bars in New York, recommend a few great places to stay in NYC for a splurge or a save, and tips for navigating the subway.

You can take this exact trip by downloading and following our 2-day NYC Itinerary!

NYC in Winter Episode Highlights:

• Using CITYPASS to see Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the NYC City Cruise
• Time Square 
• 9/11 Memorial Reflection Pools 
• Drinks at the gorgeous Ten11 bar
• Where to eat in NYC: Emily’s, Bubby’s, L’industrie, Mamas Too, Los Tacos No 1, Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, The Best Sichuan

Check out our curated list of NYC Activities & Tours for all activities we recommend and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to.

Hotels in NYC we stayed in and recommend: 

• IHG Barclays in midtown Manhattan - This is a Chase The Edit hotel
• Courtyard by Marriott Long Island City
• If those are booked up you can look into these other great hotels in NYC on TripAdvisor.

NYC Winter Packing List: Base layers, heated jacket, beanie, rechargeable hand warmers, & travel size umbrella

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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 no-filter review of a 3-night stay at Four Seasons Los Cabos Costa Palmas, an ultra-luxury, secluded resort on the East Cape of Cabo, Mexico.

From a $1,600-per-night ocean-view room and 13 dining options to the Oasis Spa, swimmable beaches, pools, and a marina island escape, we break down the experience and pricing on food, spa treatments, transportation, and excursions.

You’ll hear about:

• The stunning rooms (and why some views are better than others)
• Pros and cons of the meals and breakfast buffet
• A deep dive into the spa circuit, cold plunges, and massage pricing
• Whale sightings, snorkeling at Cabo Pulmo National Park, and dolphins in the wild

If the Four Seasons Los Cabos Costa Palmas is sold out or you’d like another hotel option in Cabo, check out these other great hotels in Cabo.

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 Cabo with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s 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 our experiences from five amazing days in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In this episode, we talk about the city's rich history, cultural attractions, and travel tips, including the best temples to visit, local cuisine, and unique experiences like visiting Tiger Kingdom, participating in a cooking class, and an overnight jungle trek adventure.

Download our ⁠5 Days in Chiang Mai Itinerary⁠ to take this exact same trip!

When visiting Chang Mai, do not forget to download an eSim from ⁠⁠Airalo⁠⁠ and pack ⁠⁠insect repellent⁠⁠, a ⁠⁠rechargeable powerbank⁠⁠, and this ⁠⁠foldable backpack ⁠really came in handy!

We recommend staying where we stayed at the ⁠Away Chiang Mai Thapae Resort A Vegan Retreat⁠ , but other good options are ⁠Phor Liang Meun Terracotta Arts⁠ or the ⁠Coucou Hotel⁠

In this episode we did a ⁠Thai Farm Cooking Class ⁠and a ⁠Jungle Trek⁠ (2 days/1 night) and HIGHLY recommend both!

Find great flight deals to Chiang Mai, and everywhere else, by signing up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

On this week's Just the Tip, we're taking you along with us for 24 hours in Bangkok. In this whirlwind trip we explore the city's rich culture and temples, vibrant street food scene, and give some essential travel tips for navigating the bustling capital.

Download our ⁠1 Day Bangkok Itinerary⁠

Visit ⁠Wandr Health⁠ and use promo code TravelSquad10 to get 10% off your made-to-order travel medication kit.

We recommend an eSim card from ⁠Alalo⁠ and tours from ⁠Thailand Viator Shop⁠ especially if you have more time and want to maximize your visit.

Hotels in Bangkok we recommend:

• Mercure Bangkok Makkasan⁠

• ⁠Banyan Tree Bangkok⁠

• ⁠Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort

Episode Highlights:

• How to get around Bangkok 

• General Tips for visiting Bangkok 

• Bangkok Chinatown 

• Temples in Bangkok: The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun

• Sukhumvit & Nana Plaza 

• Michelin Rated Mango Sticky Rice

Find great flight deals to Bangkok, and everywhere else, by signing up for ⁠⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠⁠ 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 and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

In this episode we take you on a 7 hour road trip from Austin to Big Ben National Park for a weekend trip to glamp at Bubble Terlingua, explore the desert town of Terlingua, see the most amazing starry night sky and ride donkeys from Big Bend into Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico.

We updated our Big Bend Itinerary to now cover 4 days in the park and nearby areas.

If Bubble Terlingua is fully booked, take a look at these other unique stays near Big Bend National Park. Also check out these fun experiences in the Terlingua area we recommend from our Viator Shop for all activities we recommend and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to.

Find a great flight deal to nearby Austin or El Paso 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!

In this week’s Just the Tip, we’re going on an overnight getaway to Temecula, California for a wine tasting getaway in this small, but mighty Southern California wine region. Just an hour from San Diego and about 90 minutes from Los Angeles, Temecula is known for its beautiful rolling vineyards, Mediterranean-style climate, and nearly 50 amazing wineries to explore.

We share experiences and wine notes from:

• Ponte Vineyard
• Bottaia Winery
• Wiens Cellars
• Europa Village

Where we recommend you stay in Temecula

• Ponte Vineyard Inn - We stayed here, beds are amazing and the property and views from your room’s patio is gorgeous
• Europa Village Resort - Gorgeous, huge property with different European themed villages
• If those are fully booked, check out these highly rated hotels in Temecula

Check out our Temecula experiences in our Viator Shop for all activities we recommend and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to.

Find a great flight deal to nearby San Diego or Riverside 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!