Vacation Mavens Travel Podcast

After nearly a decade behind the mic, we're wrapping up the Vacation Mavens podcast with one final episode. Over the years, we've shared travel stories, destination inspiration, and countless tips to help families and moms plan memorable adventures. In this farewell episode, we take a moment to reflect on our journey and to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has listened, shared feedback, and traveled along with us.

Podcasting has changed a lot since we started nearly ten years ago, and as the space becomes more crowded, we've realized that it's time to focus on new ventures. Both of us are now working as travel advisors, helping clients plan the kinds of meaningful trips we've always loved talking about here. It's bittersweet to step away, but we're excited for what's next — and so grateful for the community that's supported us.

Stick around for some laughs, too, as we share behind-the-scenes stories from our favorite travels together. It's a fun and fitting way to close this chapter of Vacation Mavens and celebrate all the memories we've made, both on and off the road.

Thank you for being part of our journey — and for making the last ten years such an adventure.

Dreaming of Alaska? In this episode of Vacation Mavens, Kim and Tamara take listeners beyond the traditional cruise routes to discover one of Alaska's most beautiful — yet often overlooked — national parks. Kim shares her experience visiting Kenai Fjords National Park, including her stay at the secluded Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge on Fox Island and a breathtaking boat tour through glacier-filled fjords. Whether you're planning an Alaska cruise or looking for a unique land-based adventure, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice for exploring Alaska's wild beauty.

Episode Highlights:

• Why Kenai Fjords National Park deserves a spot on your Alaska itinerary — a stunning fjord-filled national park near Seward that many travelers miss.
• How to get there: Fly into Anchorage and drive about two hours to Seward, where most Kenai Fjords adventures begin.
• Where to stay near Seward: Kim overnighted at the Windsong Lodge — a comfortable, lodge-style hotel popular with campers and cruise guests.
• Don't miss: Resurrection Coffee in Seward, a charming café housed in an old church (arrive early — the weekend line can stretch 30 minutes!).
• The Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge experience:
  • Located on remote Fox Island and accessible only by boat.
  • Just eight guest rooms, creating an intimate and unplugged stay.
  • Welcoming staff greet guests with local juice and take care of all luggage.
  • Lodging includes meals, activities like painting and nature walks, and optional upgrades such as sea kayaking tours.
• Relaxation and reconnection in nature: Guests can unwind with activities like:
  • A wood-fired sauna and cold plunge in the fjord.
  • A sound bath meditation session with singing bowls.
  • Painting classes overlooking the cove.
  • Optional kayaking tours spotting puffins, sea stars, seals, and even a porcupine on the island.
• Tips for visiting the lodge:
  • Plan for limited cell service and Wi-Fi — it's a true unplugged getaway.
  • Bring a portable battery pack, since cabins have minimal outlets.
  • Be patient with the shower temperature and remember: it's a wilderness lodge, not a luxury resort.
  • Cabins are cozy and rustic but the chef-prepared meals are outstanding, with fresh, locally inspired dishes and personalized service.
• Included experience: A 5–6 hour Northwestern Fjords Boat Tour, featuring:
  • Up-close views of glaciers calving into the sea.
  • Stellar sea lion colonies, puffin nesting sites, and eagles.
  • Possible humpback whale sightings (best from June–July).
  • A fun "glacier margarita" made with real glacial ice.
• Best time to visit: May through September — but book early since space is limited and repeat guests often return year after year.
• Why this makes the perfect cruise add-on:
  • Ideal for unwinding after a busy Alaska cruise.
  • Offers a chance to experience "the real Alaska" — far from the crowds.
  • Great for couples, families, or anyone craving quiet time in nature.
• Travel planning tips:
  • Book Alaska cruises early for the best cabin choices and pricing.
  • Be aware that Seattle and Vancouver hotels will be scarce in July 2026 due to the World Cup.
  • Anchorage hotels also fill quickly — plan ahead if you're extending your trip.
• New resource for travelers: Kim announces the release of her Alaska Cruise Guidebook, filled with practical advice on choosing cruise lines, excursions, and packing tips for Alaska travel.

Planning your first trip to Paris? In this episode of Vacation Mavens, Tamara and Kim talk about Kim's first visit to the City of Light — and what first-time visitors need to know before they go. From choosing the best neighborhoods to stay in and navigating the arrondissements to tips for visiting top attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre Dame, this episode is filled with practical advice and insider tips for making the most of your Paris experience. Whether you're planning a romantic getaway, a girls' trip, or a mother-daughter adventure, this conversation will help you fall in love with Paris from the very start.

Episode Highlights:

• Kim shares her first impressions of Paris and what surprised her most about the city

• Why five days is the ideal length for a first visit to Paris

• Tips for understanding Paris's arrondissements and how to choose the best neighborhood for your stay

• Favorite areas for first-time visitors, including Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Le Marais, and the Latin Quarter

• Why staying near the Seine makes exploring Paris so much easier

• French pharmacy finds — what to buy and why La Roche-Posay products in France are different from what's sold in the U.S.

• Eiffel Tower advice: when to book tickets, how to choose between levels, and the best viewpoints to see the tower sparkle at night

• River cruises in Paris — from budget-friendly sightseeing options to the luxurious Alain Ducasse dinner cruise experience

• Why Tamara and Kim both recommend skipping the large public boat tours and opting for a smaller or more premium experience

• Visiting the Louvre: how much time to plan, ticket and tour advice, and why a guided tour helps make the most of your visit

• Kim's favorite galleries and sculptures in the Louvre and tips for avoiding crowds around the Mona Lisa

• Other museum recommendations for art lovers, including the Musée d'Orsay, Musée de l'Orangerie, and Rodin Museum

• Updates on Notre Dame's reopening and how to reserve a free timed-entry ticket

• Tips for visiting Notre Dame, including how to use the free app for an audio-guided tour

• Why Paris lives up to its bucket-list reputation and how to balance sightseeing with time to simply enjoy being in the city

Traveling with kids, parents, and grandparents can be one of the most rewarding experiences—but it also comes with its own set of challenges. In this episode of Vacation Mavens, Tamara and Kim are joined by travel expert Kirsten Maxwell, founder of Kids Are a Trip and Groups Are a Trip. With over 40 countries under her belt, Kirsten shares her best advice for planning stress-free multi-generational vacations, from cruises and resorts to vacation rentals and group tours.

Kirsten Maxwell is a travel expert and founder of Kids Are A Trip and Groups Are A Trip, who has turned her adventures across 40+ countries into inspiring travel resources. The best adventures happen when you travel with the people you love the most! You can follow Kirsten on Instagram and Facebook.

Whether you're dreaming of a big family trip or just starting to plan, this episode is packed with tips on how to balance budgets, expectations, and activities so everyone—from toddlers to grandparents—has a memorable experience.

• What "multi-generational travel" really means and the different ways families are making it work: "skip gen" (aka grandparents and grandchildren), grandparents, parents and kids, extended family with cousins, aunts and uncles
• Popular multi-gen trip types: cruises, vacation rentals, dude ranches, all-inclusive resorts, and group tours
• Family meetings (and honest conversations about budget and expectations) are key before you book
• Tips for managing food, chores, and shared expenses without stress
• How to balance mobility needs, activity levels, and different interests across age groups
• Favorite destinations for all-ages trips, including Lake Tahoe, Orlando, New York City, and all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean
• Why cruises and resorts with strong kids' clubs make trips easier for parents and grandparents
• The benefits of guided family tours like Adventures by Disney, Tauck, and Backroads
• Money-saving tip: ask about group rates when booking cruises, resorts, or tours
• Practical advice for delegating trip planning (or hiring a travel advisor to take the pressure off)
• Travel gear pick: crossbody phone case with strap for safety and convenience

In this episode of Vacation Mavens, we are joined by adventure traveler and blogger Sherry Ott of OttsWorld. We dive into what it takes to plan a successful cycling vacation — everything from choosing destinations and tour types, to picking the right gear, training beforehand, and recovering well. Whether you're a biking newbie or looking to level up your next bike‐based trip, this one's packed with insights and practical advice.

Sherry Ott is a long-time travel blogger (since 2006) specializing in adventure travel, especially for women. She started leading small group trips in 2018, including unique "cat lady tours" in Japan. Sherry began serious biking during the pandemic, upgrading to gravel bikes and exploring both domestic (U.S.) and international routes (Chile, France, Prince Edward Island). She is passionate about making bike travel accessible, safe, and fun for all skill levels.

• Decide between guided and self-guided tours — guided trips offer support and community, while self-guided give you more flexibility.
• Research destinations with strong bike infrastructure (trail networks, signage, support).
• Check elevation, distance, and trail type (paved vs. gravel) to match your comfort level.
• Look for tour companies that provide e-bike options if you want extra support.
• Read reviews, ask about group size, and confirm whether you can bring your own gear (seat, mirror, pedals).

• Start riding regularly at home to build saddle time and comfort.
• Practice on terrain similar to your trip (gravel, hills, road).
• Work on balance, confidence, and endurance.
• Don't underestimate elevation — even moderate climbs can feel tough over multiple days.

• Always bring your own helmet for the best fit and safety.
• Pack a rear-view mirror (handlebar or helmet mount) for traffic awareness.
• Wear bright, high-visibility clothing so drivers and riders can see you.
• Bring rain gear and layers — weather can shift quickly.
• Prioritize comfort over style on the bike.

• Use compression socks or leggings (e.g. Vim & Vigor) to reduce muscle fatigue.
• Hydrate often and refuel with snacks during rides.
• Allow time for rest and stretching after long days.
• Be mindful of long flights post-trip — keep circulation flowing with compression wear and movement.

• Adventure Cycling Association – maps, routes, and trip planning tools.
• Tour operators like Experience Plus, Biketours.com, and Backroads.
• Tourism boards for bike-friendly regions with trail networks and infrastructure.

We recently covered Tamara's Galapagos cruise and also some tips for visiting Ecuador, but this week we are digging into where to stay in Ecuador. Tamara gives a recap of her trip including some mini hotel reviews for Hacienda La Danesa, Mashpi Lodge, and Hacienda Zuleta.

• Tamara spent 17 nights in Ecuador including 5 nights in the Galapagos, 1 night at Hacienda La Danesa, 2 nights in Cuenca, 1 night near Cotopaxi, 3 nights in Quito, 2 nights in the Mashpi Lodge, and 2 nights at Hacienda Zuleta
• You wouldn't want to move around this much but Tamara wanted to see a lot of the country
• Hacienda La Danesa is a good pairing with the Galapagos
• It is 1.5 hours from Guayaquil
• It is on a large property with a farm, cacoa plantation, and a teak plantation on site
• It is an all-inclusive property. There are only seven accommodations and there is also the family home, as it is still family run
• The lodge is very beautiful with a bar, restaurant, lounge area, and library
• The design and style is very beautiful and perfect for those that really appreciate nice design
• Included activities include milking the cows, biking with a local guide, river tubing, a visit to the cacao plantation, and a chocolate tasting and making workshop
• Additional activities include horseback riding, cooking classes, and off-site excursions
• For a Cloud Forest experience, especially if you don't want to go all the way out to the rainforest, Mashpi Lodge is a good option to pair with a visit to Quito or Cotopaxi
• It takes about two hours to get to Mashpi Lodge and the last hour is on a very rough dirt road and not great if you have neck or back issues
• Mashpi Lodge is really great for birdwatchers
• Tamara wouldn't recommend it for families with very young kids as it is pretty active
• 2-3 nights is perfect for the Mashpi Lodge
• There are morning and afternoon excursions and you can also opt into a night hike
• Each evening there are presentations from naturalists or biologists
• It is an all-inclusive experience with meals and activities (not alcohol or spa services)
• The Sky Bike gives a "birds eye" view of the Cloud Forest but it is hard work to pedal across the cable
• Hacienda Zuleta is located in the mountains about 1.5-2 hours from Quito
• It is a historical, family-run, colonial-style hacienda that offers a very authentic feeling stay
• This is also an inclusive stay with meals and activities
• The town is known for embroidery and there is a handicraft market every Sunday
• Some of the activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding (additional), visiting the Condor rehabilitation center, embroidery classes (additional), visits to the cheese making factory, tours of the kitchen garden and grounds, watching the sheep or cows be milked, and more
• The food is fantastic at Hacienda Zuleta
• Tamara also spent two nights at Casa Gangotena in central Quito, which is a fantastic luxury hotel which is well-located in the historic old town

• Galapagos cruise

For this episode, we are joined by Nicky Omohundro of Little Family Adventure and the Untethered and Wanderwise podcast to talk about some of our favorite fall getaways.

With over 15 years creating digital content and as a USA Today 10Best family travel expert, Nicky Omohundro operates a nationally syndicated travel website, Little Family Adventure, and award-winning podcast, Untethered & Wanderwise. As a licensed travel advisor and empty-nester with international trips planned, she inspires women over 45 to reclaim their wanderlust and travel independently.

Here are a mix of road trips, international getaways, and local staycation ideas for the fall.

• Eureka Springs, Arkansas in the Ozark National Forest. Eureka Springs is a cute Victorian town in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. It is a pretty drive and peak fall color is late October. If you like haunted history, the Crescent Hotel is supposed to be one of the most haunted hotels in the country.
• Vermont is quintessential New England charm and beautiful fall color. You have beautiful country inns and bed and breakfasts. Top towns include Stowe, Woodstock, and Manchester. Hotels book up very early for peak weekends and prime foliage is late September - early October.
• Victoria, British Columbia is easy to access from the Victoria Clipper from Seattle. The harbourfront is beautiful and Butchart Gardens. It is also a unique wine region. September is a great time to go.
• Piemonte in Northern Italy. Fall is white truffle season and wine harvest season. You do need to book hotels in advance, especially near Alba because of the Alba White Truffle Market, but otherwise the towns aren't crowded.
• Portugal is an amazing destination in October, including the Porto and Douro Valley wine region. For sunshine, head to Alentejo where it has started to cool off and you can enjoy wine tasting and relaxation.
• Oklahoma City - right in the middle of the country but often overlooked, it makes a great weekend getaway. Pumpkinville is one of the best pumpkin patches in the country. You also have great food, art, and history including western and indigenous culture. Next year is the 100 year anniversary of Route 66 and Oklahoma City has the longest stretch of the highway. The old Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel is now set up in Wheeler Park in Oklahoma City.
• Finger Lakes, New York - it is beautiful in the fall with cute small towns, wine trails, and special events. The area also has a lot of agritourism including apple farms, pumpkin patches, cheese makers, dairies, and even alpaca farms.
• Boone, North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great scenic drives or hiking on Grandfather Mountain and a mile-high swinging bridge. You can fly into Asheville and drive to Boone. It is also a fun college town.
• West Coast road trip along Highway 1 from the Washington / Oregon coast, through the sand dunes and into the Redwoods. Some of the small shops in the tourist towns may close during the week as it gets later into the fall.

• New England travel
• Portugal girls trip to Douro Valley and Porto
• Piemonte in Northern Italy
• West Coast road trip

Today we are talking about what happens when you turn left on the airplane and fly business class! Now that Kim and Tamara have flown business class on many airlines including Delta One, Aer Lingus, TAP Airlines, Emirates, Finnair, Condor, Avianca, and others. Whether you are booking on points or paying cash, there are some things that you need to know first.

• Research what aircraft is flying the route you are looking to buy because the business class can vary dramatically depending on the plane and the layout
• Keep in mind that the airline can still change the aircraft after booking
• The airline will provide you with the aircraft type and should list if it is a lay flat seat or a suite
• You can also research how often the aircraft is switched out
• Also look at YouTube plane reviews for the specific route that you are looking at booking
• You may want to splurge on business class on longer flights, for example longer than eight or nine hours
• Consider if you have an overnight flight, you may want to upgrade to business class
• Keep in mind that if the flight is leaving in the early evening, it may still be hard to sleep
• Also, dinner service can really cut into your potential sleep time so on a shorter flight (e.g. from the east coast to Europe), it may not be worth it
• If you want to book with points, you can also use a paid service or use paid apps to try to find the best reward flights
• If you are booking on points, keep in mind that you still need to pay taxes and fees on most flights and some airports (such as London Heathrow) are very expensive
• If you have Avios points, you can move them to different programs but other partner programs you can combine
• Business class is different than first class. Many airlines don't have first class, such as Qatar or Delta, but others have first class, business class, premium economy, and economy
• When you are traveling business class, you have access to the priority lane for checking your bags
• Some airports offer a priority security lane as well
• When traveling business class, you have access to the airline lounge (if available in the airport)
• You also get to board early and they will typically bring you a welcome drink
• Keep in mind that your under-the-seat space is limited in business class and some airlines or aircraft set ups have better storage than others
• The airline will also provide you with a small amenity kit with a sleep mask, moisturizer, lip balm, and other items
• They will also provide you with a comfy blanket and pillow and some will make up your bed for you
• Our favorite business class experiences include Qatar, Turkish Airlines, and JetBlue Mint
• Our favorite lounge experiences have been the Virgin lounge in Heathrow, the Business Class lounge for Turkish Airlines in Istanbul, and the Garden in Doha, and the British Airways lounge

Related Episodes

• How to choose your seat on the airplane
• What to know about airline fees
• Airport travel tips

We recently talked about Tamara's trip to the Galapagos but today we are talking more about the logistics about traveling to Ecuador and some travel tips. Tamara spent 17 nights in Ecuador, including 5 nights in the Galapagos and found it a warm and welcoming country with beautiful and diverse landscapes. Amazing Ecuador helped Tamara organize her trip.

• Most flights from the U.S. come into Quito or Guayaquil
• It is only 3.5 hours from Miami
• There are many regions including the Cloud Forest, Rainforest, volcanoes and mountains, National Parks, Galapagos, and more
• Tamara spent: 5 nights in the Galapagos, 1 night at Hacienda La Danesa, 2 nights in Cuenca, 1 night in Cotopaxi National Park, 3 nights in Quito, 2 nights in the Cloud Forest at the Mashpi Lodge, 2 nights at Hacienda Zuleta
• It helps to work with someone to figure out your priorities and build an itinerary around your interests
• Generally you want to spend at least two to three nights in each place
• Cuenca is a UNESCO heritage city with plenty of outdoor adventure nearby too
• Cotopaxi is at a higher elevation, making hikes challenging
• If you just have a week, fly in and out of Guayaquil and do the Galapagos and Hacienda La Danesa
• Safety - you need to be very careful after dark in Quito and other cities and beware of pickpockets. Don't walk around after dark, especially alone
• Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as their official currency but most places also take credit cards but you will want small bills for tipping and the handicraft markets
• Many of the hotels are all-inclusive with meals and some activities
• Ecuador is a huge exporter of roses and through some regions you will see many roadside stands of 25-50 roses for less than $5
• Tamara recommends getting a driver because the roads are not very well marked, some aren't in the best condition, Google Maps isn't reliable, and drivers are very aggressive
• There are a range of four star boutique hotels and luxury hotels
• Ecuadorian food is very fresh and utilizes year-round produce of veggies and fruit
• Most meals start with a soup and then have a salad or vegetables. Fish and ceviche is quite popular. Quinoa is a popular grain
• You shouldn't drink the tap water in Ecuador but the produce at good restaurants and hotels are washed in filtered water
• Guinea pig is also popular in Ecuador as it is in Peru
• Chocolate and coffee are also grown in Ecuador and very popular
• Ecuador is the most densely populated country in South America
• If you have liked Costa Rica or Belize, you will probably also like Ecuador

• Galapagos cruise
• Mother-daughter trip to Peru
• Winelands of Chile
• Chile's Atacama Desert

Kim and her daughter Mia just got back from a mother-daughter trip to Switzerland. They celebrated her high school graduation with a grad trip and since Mia loves mountains and she was already going to be in France with a school trip, Switzerland was her top choice!

They visited Geneva, Zermatt and the Jungfrau Region because they really wanted to focus on the mountains. Altogether they spent eight nights in Switzerland and they moved around a lot. The itinerary included:

• 1 night in Geneva
• 2 nights in Zermatt to see the Matterhorn
• 2 nights in Grindelwald
• 2 nights in Wengen
• 2 nights in Lucerne

If you are going to Switzerland and you really want to spend time in the mountains, skip Geneva and Lucerne and focus more on the smaller towns, not the cities. Their favorite town was Zermatt for hiking and also wine tasting.

Grindelwald was the other favorite because of the hotel and the view of Eiger.

Some of the activities included:

• Visit the old town in the cities (e.g. Geneva)
• Hiking (which are harder than you might expect even on trails described as easy, use Google Maps to see elevation, buy or bring hiking poles if you can and are checking a bag)
• Cable cars (which are pricey)
• Matterhorn Glacier (you can also ski even in the summer)
• Alpine slides / mountain coaster / ziplines

The train is a great way to get around the country and if you use a Swiss Rail Pass you also get transportation on some of the cable cars (but not all). It makes it very easy because you don't need to worry about buying tickets. First class will give you more seating options and it is less crowded so it is quieter. It is hard to use the trains if you have large luggage as some of the trains are more for locals/commuters. Try to pack light if you can or use a luggage forwarding service.

It is better to stay longer in each destination as you spend a lot of time transiting up and down the mountains via train/cable car. Basing yourself in Murren or other smaller towns ends up with a lot of time waiting for transportation. It makes more sense to stay in Grindelwald, Interlaken, or Lauterbrunnen.

When planning a trip, be sure to plan at least six to nine months in advance if you want to stay in town and at the better hotels. Also, when considering different hotels, the hospitality is wonderful but look closely at the amenities that are offered. Most don't have air conditioning but it wasn't needed in the mountains. Some hotels have screens on the windows but not all and there are a lot of flies and some mosquitoes.

Keep in mind that shops close early (6-7 pm) and that busses also stop running by 7:00 pm in small towns. Hotels and meals are very expensive in Switzerland, especially now that the dollar is weak against the CHF and Euro. Main entrees are 30-50 CHF per person, salads 12-19 CHF, and beer was cheap but wine was expensive. To save money, you can buy wine or beer at the grocery store to enjoy before you go out. Drink sizes are also very small.

The food is a lot of fondue, cheese, pasta, raclette, and chocolate. Other regions might have more regional specialties. Otherwise there are a lot of burgers and international cuisine. If you do have allergies, there are a lot of peanuts and other nuts being served as a snack or included in dishes.

Credit cards can be used almost everywhere. In all the tourist areas, everyone spoke English. They were less accommodating in the city or non-tourist establishment.

Be sure to pack and wear sunscreen. It is hard to find places to refill a water bottle so you may want to carry your own snacks and drinks.