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All Things Travel Podcast

All Things Travel Podcast
Author: Ryan Hedstrom and Julie Shaffer
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© 2025 All Things Travel Podcast
Description
Listen in each week with Wonder and Beyond Travel Co-Owners and destination experts Ryan and Julie.
He is your travel professor, teaching you everything you need to know to have a magical vacation. She is a Disney-loving, Maryland mom of 3 and a specialist in family travel.
Whether they're discussing incredible destinations, top vacation tips, or sharing personal stories…it’s always All Things Travel.
284 Episodes
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Episode Overview Join travel advisors Ryan and Julie as they take you on an epic Disney Springs quick service food crawl! Discover the best no-reservation dining options at Walt Disney World's premier shopping and dining district. From Spanish tapas to Asian street food, this episode is your guide to maximizing your Disney Springs dining experience. What You'll Learn Best Disney Springs Quick Service Restaurants - Five must-try spots that don't require reservationsDisney World Dining Tips -...
Episode Overview Travel advisors Ryan and Julie pull back the curtain on their daily work, revealing the extensive behind-the-scenes effort that goes into creating seamless travel experiences. From initial trip planning to post-travel follow-up, discover why working with a professional travel advisor is invaluable in today's complex travel landscape. Key Topics Covered Client-Facing Services Custom Trip Planning: Hours spent researching resorts, hotels, and excursions tailored to your trav...
Travel experts Julie and Ryan compare Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean's family offerings after experiencing both cruise lines with their families. This comprehensive head-to-head analysis covers everything parents need to know when choosing between these popular family cruise options. Entertainment Comparison Royal Caribbean: More adult-only options, ice shows, water shows, Broadway productions, live music at bars/loungesDisney Cruise Line: Broadway-style Disney musicals (Aladdin, Lio...
Discover five stunning Caribbean destinations beyond the typical Jamaica and Bahamas vacation spots. Travel advisors Ryan and Julie explore hidden gems that offer authentic experiences, fewer crowds, and incredible natural beauty in this final episode of their Off the Beaten Path series. Featured Caribbean Destinations 1. Grenada - The Spice Island Known for nutmeg, cinnamon, and cocoa productionDirect flights from Miami, JFK, and CharlotteMust-see: Grand Anse Beach, underwater sculpture pa...
Travel experts Ryan and Julie share hard-earned lessons from their recent Walt Disney World summer trip, revealing practical strategies for beating Florida's intense heat while maximizing park time. Fresh off their Utopia of the Seas cruise, both hosts experienced Disney's summer challenges firsthand and provide actionable advice for families planning summer visits. Key Topics Covered Heat Management Strategies: Early park entry to avoid peak temperaturesStrategic indoor/outdoor ride rotatio...
Discover Europe's best-kept secrets! Travel advisors Ryan and Julie explore four incredible European "second cities" that offer authentic experiences, fewer crowds, and better value than popular tourist destinations. Learn why these underrated gems should be on your travel bucket list. Featured Destinations Split, Croatia 🇭🇷 Why Visit: Ancient Roman history meets Adriatic charm Must-See: Diocletian's Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site)Activities: Island hopping, beach swimming, hiking Marja...
Travel advisors Ryan and Julie share their honest first impressions of Royal Caribbean's newest mega-ship, Utopia of the Seas. Fresh off their 3-night Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral, they dive into everything from boarding chaos to Perfect Day at CocoCay bliss. Despite sailing together, their vastly different experiences prove this ship truly offers something for everyone - from families with toddlers to adults seeking party vibes. What You'll Learn Ship Experience: Detailed review of ...
Travel advisors Ryan and Julie kick off an exciting new series highlighting lesser-known destinations that deserve a spot on your travel bucket list. This episode focuses on hidden gems across North America - from charming small towns to pristine beaches that offer unique experiences away from crowded tourist hotspots. Featured Destinations Asheboro, North Carolina Location: 30 minutes south of Greensboro, 90 minutes west of Raleigh Star Attraction: North Carolina Zoo - world's largest nat...
Travel advisors Julie and Ryan welcome Julie's husband Steven to discuss their incredible 5-night couples getaway to St. Lucia's Sandals Grand St. Lucian Resort. After seven years without an adults-only vacation, this Eastern Caribbean adventure offered the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and luxury service. Getting There: Unique helicopter transfer from airport to resort (first helicopter ride for both!)Scenic flight over rainforest and landmarksAlternative ferry option for return jo...
Join travel advisors Ryan and Julie as they take a magical trip back in time to explore the nostalgic side of Walt Disney World. Perfect for Disney adults and families planning their next vacation, this episode dives deep into what makes Disney World so special across generations. Magic Kingdom Nostalgia It's a Small World: Connection to the 1960s World's FairCarousel of Progress: Another World's Fair attraction with generational appealMain Street USA: The emotional heart of Disney magic, de...
Join travel advisors Ryan and Julie as they dive into an exclusive AmaWaterways river cruise opportunity that wine and food lovers won't want to miss! Ryan shares details about his hosted group cruise through France's renowned Bordeaux wine region, sailing July 16-23, 2026. Featured Cruise: Taste of Bordeaux Wine-Themed River Cruise Ship: AmaWaterways AmaDolce Dates: July 16-23, 2026 Route: 7-night round-trip from Bordeaux Highlighted Destinations & Experiences: Bordeaux wine regions:...
From packing strategies to cultural etiquette, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know for a magical European adventure. 1. Packing Light and Smart Pack less than you think - You'll be navigating cobblestones, stairs, and trainsChoose neutral-colored clothing for easy mix-and-match optionsInvest in comfortable, versatile shoes for extensive walking on stone surfacesDon't forget multiple EU plug adapters (different from UK adapters)2. Embracing European Pace Dining is slowe...
Join travel experts Ryan and Julie as they explore the exciting world of sports travel, combining your passion for sports with incredible destinations. Discover exclusive sports vacation packages, VIP experiences, and insider tips for planning the ultimate sports-focused getaway. Wimbledon VIP Experience 7-day London itinerary with VIP Wimbledon seatsPrivate Egyptologist-led British Museum tourThames speedboat ride & Bond film location tourWarwick Castle explorationBooking tip: Tickets ne...
Join travel advisors and destination experts Ryan and Julie as they share essential tips for navigating airports with young children. From pre-trip preparation to boarding strategies, this episode covers everything parents need to know to make family travel less stressful and more enjoyable. Key Topics Covered Pre-Travel Preparation Working with travel advisors for comprehensive packing listsEssential gear: strollers with travel bags, baby carriers, and separate backpacks for kids' itemsPre...
Episode Overview Join travel advisors Ryan and Julie as they explore the world of yacht vacations - a luxury travel experience that's more accessible than you think! Discover how small vessel cruises offer privacy, flexibility, and exclusive destinations that mega cruise ships can't reach. What You'll Learn About Yacht Vacations Types of Yacht Experiences: Private charters (book entire yacht and crew)Cabin charters (book individual rooms like regular cruises)Sailing yachts vs. motor yachtsCa...
In this unforgettable episode of All Things Travel, Ryan is joined by a very special guest—his 16-year-old son, Caleb—to take you inside one of the most buzzed-about travel experiences of the year: Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort. Whether you're a thrill-seeker, theme park foodie, Harry Potter fan, or Super Mario fan, this new park has something for everyone—and Ryan and Caleb are giving you the inside scoop fresh off their trip! 👨👦 What makes this episode extra special? You’ll hea...
Disney World Summer 2025 Highlights The Cool Kid Summer Program Disney's new summer initiative brings spontaneous experiences across all four theme parks: EPCOT: DJ Dance Party with Goofy at Communicore HallMickey and Minnie meet & greetsPhineas and Ferb character appearancesAnimal Kingdom: Hands-on pollinator crafts at Rafiki's Planet WatchNew Wilderness Explorer badge opportunityInteractive sing-along with Dino Institute internHollywood Studios: Games and crafts at Animation CourtyardM...
Join travel advisors Ryan and Julie as they explore "retirement moons" - celebratory trips marking life's next chapter. Learn essential planning tips and discover top destinations for your dream retirement adventure. What is a Retirement Moon? A celebratory trip taken at retirement time, growing in popularity as retirees are more active and healthy. It's a reward for decades of work and kickoff to a new lifestyle. Timing: Plan for a few months after retirement to decompress and handle life t...
Join travel experts Ryan and Julie as they explore America's Last Frontier in this comprehensive guide to Alaska travel. Whether you're considering an Alaska cruise, land-based adventure, or combination trip, this episode covers everything you need to know to plan your dream Alaska vacation. Land-Based Alaska VacationsStarting points: Anchorage and FairbanksTransportation options: Alaska Railroad, rental cars, guided toursDeeper immersion into wilderness and local cultureAccess to interior Al...
In this episode of All Things Travel, hosts Ryan and Julie share crucial advice on what NOT to do on your next cruise vacation. From booking to disembarkation, they cover the common mistakes that can ruin your cruise experience. Whether you're a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor, this episode provides valuable tips to ensure smooth sailing on your next ocean adventure. Pre-Cruise Mistakes to Avoid Booking flights on embarkation day: The hosts share a cautionary tale of a bride and groo...
Shenandoah is gorgeous!! Definitely go when the leaves start to change, the drive on skyline drive is GORGEOUS
JULIE! THE PICTURE!! 😂😂😂
Great info. One of these days we'll go on a river cruise lol. also, I swear she sounds just like like Captain Sandy (from Below Deck)! I had to google her name because I swore that's who I was listening to 😅