Your Bucket List Buster

Host Karen Duncan talks with Joe and Catherine co-owners of Farmhouse Inn a wonderful boutiquie hotel in the Sonoma/Napa Wine country about how a small percentage of wineries were affected by the fires, but the region is still open for business.  You will want to hop on a plane and head straight to the area once you hear about the wonderful things still available to do in the region and this fantastic hotel.  The Bartolomeis are waiting with the porch light on for you to head their way for special occassions, girlfriend getaways, even that proposal or just some relaxation.  

Karen also provides a hint of something to come about a big bucket list item she's about to check off her list and how she will take her audience on the journey with her..

And of course our wifi tips for the holidays with our friends over at the Wireless Traveler..

Don't forget to start looking at your group travel plans with Peeks Cruises & Tours for 2018 and enjoy the best all inclusive resorts in the Caribbean with Sandals and Beaches Resorts.

Host Karen Duncan and Gregg Burger General Manager of Precision Cameras in Austin Texas have a frank and spirited conversation about camera and video equipment versus smart phones. Tune in to find out what’s best for your next adventure

Links:  http://www.precision-camera.com/

               https://www.instagram.com/precisioncamera/

https://www.facebook.com/precision.camera.video/

Plus did you know that Tijuana is hot on the foodie list of places to go?  I didn't either but listen in and find out why.

Today's show is brought to you by Sandals and Beaches Resorts, Peeks Cruises & Tours, and The Wireless Traveler..

Michael Dolan is the ski technician and head bicycle mechanic at Sun and Ski Sports in Austin Texas. He loves being able to introduce new people to cycling and winter sports and get them outfitted for new adventures. He also loves to get out there himself and rides his bicycle almost every day. His favorite ride is along Lake Austin. He does not miss riding his bike through the Boston winters, where he worked as a bicycle courier. Listen as he tells us stories about riding around Austin, and what went into his decision for riding or not riding on vacation in Scotland with his wife.

Peeks Cruises & Tours-Upcoming Travel season is already on the move…From exploring the west Seattle to San Francisco, culinary and wine in Portugal,  to Pickleball in Jamaica, we have groups available for you to join in on or create your own..Now is the time to plan it. We’ve received calls for people planning groups for anniversaries, milestone birthday, churches, and community groups just to name a few.  The best space will be limited after the holidays and you want to make sure you maximize your group by providing them enough time to make payments.  Yes, that’s right Peeks Cruises & Tours along with their top travel suppliers in the industry provide payment plans to plan your next vacation experience.  So call us at 512-252-8919 or visit our website at peekcruiestours.com and click on the group travel tab, to join a group,  or email us to request information about creating a group.  We take the hassle out of group travel..

Happy Thanksgiving from Karen Duncan, Your Bucket List Buster

Host Karen Duncan takes you to a whole new place with this episode, from Christmas markets around the world to back home with for a staycation.  She has a disagreement with Wikepdia about their definition on Staycations and she's very vocal about why.  Tune in to give your opinion on who has it right.

And who needs more stuff for the holidays.  Its the old saying you can't take it with you..When you leave this Earth how many possessions will your family have to get rid of, and how many experiences or memories will they have to remember you by?  That's the question, let's stop collecting items and start collecting time together with family and friends by going on vacations.  Karen considers herself the new clutter buster and memory maker!

Plus on the episode Karen talks about how to get comfortable in your hotel and the top Christmas markets around the world.

Plus as usual Thursday's Tips from her friends at the Wireless Traveler.

Portugal Webinar has been changed to Nov 30 at 6PM CST and how to become a group leader with Peeks Cruises & Tours on Facebook Live at Your Bucket List Buster Nov 16 at 7PM CST

Host Karen Duncan takes you to the Poconos.  Whether you are a family looking for winter fun or looking to break away from the kids and have some adult only fun, the Poconos has it all. Karen talks with KELLY SHANNON PR & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER of the Poconos tourism bureau to learn all about the mountainous resort area in Pennsylvania

Sandals and what they are up to…Karen and Mitchell went to a big travel agent reveal last week in Houston and found out all the new details about destination weddings or Weddingmoons as Sandals calls them for the new year.  Plus their over the water suite collections are expanding across the Caribbean.  And learn why Karen is such a fan of Sandals, they not only have a great product, they take care of their employees, find out how!

Universal’s new ride Fast & Furious and Nat Geo is partnering with our friends at Scenic river cruises top out the what's trending in travel this week.

Plus of course our top tech friends at the Wireless Traveler has one of Oprah's top gadgets for 2017..It was featured on The View and upcoming with Rachel Ray.  Find out how you can get your discount on this great gift for the holidays.

Are you ready to learn more about Portugal..Join us on our webinar with Sagres Vacations at http://www.anymeeting.com/PIID=ED52D686854B3F November 15, at 7PM Central Time

Also, if you would like to find out more about becoming a group leader for the 2018-2019 travel season join Karen on Facebook Live November 16th at 7PM Central Time to get all the information.

Best Winter Vacations- Gwen Shearman is an Editor/Digital Producer for the Travel section at U.S. News where she writes and edits a variety of travel-related consumer advice content. Since joining the travel team in 2014, she’s focused on the Best Vacations and Best Cruise Lines franchises. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Georgetown University, where she earned a master’s degree in journalism. You can follow Gwen on Twitter or email her at [email protected].

So what are the Best Winter Vacation Destinations.  Well Karen has connected with US News and their researchers and found out their picks and she will provide her professional feedback on each.. What’s your favorite winter vacation?  

In News and Trends this week Karen talks about where Sandals Resorts is headed next.  And did you know that Club Med is planning a new ski resort in North America?

Tip for the week, start the Gobal Entry process!

And who were some of the winners from this years Travel Weekly Magellan Awards..Find out which cruise lines and destinations top the list.

Plus our really cool Wireless Traveler Telecom Thursday Tip of the week.

Upcoming Events with Your Bucket List Buster

1. Webinar November 15 @7 PM Central Time-review our upcoming Wine and Culinary Journey in Portugal with Sagres Vacations-Details to follow

2. November 16th @ 7PM Group Leader Webinar-mark your calendar

3. Feb. 24, 2018-Travel photography seminar-Precision Camera

4. Feb 25, 2018-Peeks Cruises & Tours and Your Bucket List Consumer Travel Event-Typhoon Texas, Pflugerville 1-6PM

Karen Duncan talks about why Tahiti is at the top of her bucket list with the beauty and all the activities and culture this part of the world has to offer.   It’s summer there the weather is warm and the beaches are magnificent.  She provides information about two events that take place in Tahiti during the Christmas holiday.

Karen provides the list of Top Destinations to visit in 2018 according to Lonely Planet- from the well known like South Africa and Portugal to some new spots even Karen is unfamiliar with like Djibouti which is Africa she soon discovers and South Korea.

Next on the list as we are about to celebrate Halloween are the top places in the world to celebrate this goulie holiday.  New Orleans is #1 on the list due to its Voo Doo heritage and celebratory atmosphere. LA, New York City, Mexico, and Transylvania make the list as well.

Another YBLB trip has been added to the Portugal Wine and Culinary getaway, if you play pickleball you don't want to miss the first annual Sets On the Beach Pickleball event at Sandals in Jamaica next September.

And of course our friends from the Wireless Traveler tech tips

Sign up to learn more about becoming a group leader at [email protected]

Winter Travel-Where to go during the Cool Winter Months

Host Karen Duncan provides some fun and interesting advise on traveling during the winter months. What’ are your preferred winter activities? Skiing, snow boarding, Ice fishing, or riding the rails?  Or maybe you are still a beach lover in the winter. Find out some fun and exotic things to do as the winter comes.

During a recent trip to Chicago, Karen's hometown she reminiscences about the Chicago she grew up with and the Chicago today.  The multitude of things to do and see in this exciting city, there is something for everyone.  Karen talks about the many festivals and events during the fall and winter.  And how Chicago gets a bad rap on the news but is such a great city to visit and be a tourist.

Trends this week include, an intelligent technology company that helps you discover your subconscious thoughts about where and what you prefer on vacation.  And Celebrity cruises will be providing same sex marriages at sea!

Find out why so many are interested in going to Portugal, including Your Bucket List Buster host Karen Duncan.

Join host Karen Duncan in her second annual Consumer Travel Show March 4, 2018 in Pflugerville Texas

1. What are some your winter activities?

2. Portugal Trip with Sagres Vacations

3. Consumer Travel Show March 4th in Pflugerville Texas

4. Vacation Planning with Peeks Cruises & Tours

Tela Mange Vice President of Communications at the Special Olympics Texas explains how traveling to events with the Special Olympics transforms lives through the joy of sport, every day, everywhere. They are the world’s largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities: with more than 5 million athletes in over 170 countries -- and over a million volunteers.  Host Karen Duncan and Tela Mange have a great conversation about the impact of the Special Olympics on the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities.  "It brightens their lives, you can see the change in them almost immediately"  

Plus with the Special Olympics they get to travel within the state, country and internationally when selected to represent the US..This also creates a wealth of opportunities for the city hosting these events.  

Karen raps up her series on sports travel with golf technology used on the islands of Hawaii golf courses.  Have you seen the golf boards?  

And what are the new destinations topping people's bucket list? 

And learn what to expect from the TSA when traveling with family with special needs.  And how to communicate to them about what you need to make your experience less stressful.

Join Karen and Your Bucket List Buster listeners on Emerald Waterways Danube River Cruise May 12, 2018 and or Culinary and Wine in Portugal Sept 2018.

It’s all about Pickleball..Pickle Ball you say? What is that?  Well it’s one of the fastest growing sports in the country and you better get on the wave. Host Karen Duncan has discovered pickleball and wants you to know more about this multi-generational sport.  Learn about the necessary equipment, and where to learn to play in your area.

What are the top 20 Happiest destinations on Earth. We need to discover what makes these destinations so happy and maybe bring some of their happiness to our own backyard.

Karen gives some love to her air partner of the week, Jet Blue Airlines for providing relief with their 100 x 35 campaign to Puerto Rico by providing air lift, pounds of supplies, and inexpensive one way fares just to name a few.

And luxury hotels are pulling out all the stops to help us learn to sleep better when we visit their hotels.  Can these extra touches make us a happier world?  Karen is willing to try out all of the locations for the sake of her listeners if necessary.

Tech Thursday with the Wireless Traveler learn the best way to charge your electronics.

Sets on the Beach  pickleball tournament in Jamaica October 2018 with Your Bucket List Buster

And so much more....

Karen Duncan CTC, CATP