Love It There

Your favorite sister duo welcomes guests Hanna and Firas to discuss their recent trip to Egypt and Jordan. They discovered that Egypt’s chaos is matched only by its jaw-dropping history—from crawling inside pyramids to sailing the Nile on a quiet dahabiya. Transitioning to Jordan, they highlight the historical sites in Amman, including Jerash, and the breathtaking beauty of Petra. Along the way, they were struck by how safe, welcoming, and generous everyone was. The episode is part travel recap, part love letter to the Middle East, and a strong case for why these destinations deserve way more hype.Egypt & Jordan Recommendations:EgyptGuided tour highly recommended – history + logistics matterPyramids of Giza – allow hours; go inside if you canGrand Egyptian Museum – modern, massive, must-seeNile River Cruise – dahabiya > big shipsAbu Simbel – worth the long journeyEat local – koshari, ta‘ameya (fava beans), street juicesJordanAmman – walkable, relaxed, great foodJerash – world-class Roman ruins, minimal crowdsPetra – arrive early and/or stay near Petra gate the night before, be prepared to hike!Wadi Rum – unreal landscapes, stellar stargazingDead Sea – float, mud spa experienceEat mansaf – national dish, don’t skip itCheck out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your favorite sister duo chats with their guest, Niki (of travel planning company Niki and Thom Travel), who shares her experience living in Portugal, offering insights into the culture, food, and travel tips for those looking to explore this beautiful country. From her journey as an expat to the family-friendly atmosphere of Cascais, Niki provides a wealth of information for travelers. She emphasizes the importance of planning, safety, and the vibrant culinary scene, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in visiting Portugal. She even shares some behind the scenes insight on a particularly well-loved HGTV show about buying a home internationally 👀‼️ Mention Love It There when booking with Niki and Thom Travel to get their top travel planning package for the basic plan price!Portugal Recommendations:LisbonWhere to stay:Chiado - trendy neighborhood to stay in Belém - neighborhood near the river (less hills)Activities:Tuk Tuk Tours Pink Street - bars and live music Rua Augusta ArchMiradouro de São Pedro de AlcântaraLivraria Bertrand Day trip to Sintra for castles and stunning views Saint George’s CastleWhere to eat:Nicolau - daily brunch!Time Out Market - massive food haulPortoDay trip to Douro Valley for wineriesPort wineAlgarveBeaches!Stay in Lagos or FaroCarcavelosSurfing/beach townTricana - must-try outdoor cafeCascais Family friendly beach townMarechal Carmona Park Bike path along the coast, see Boca do InfernoPalaphita - jungle cafe with live music   Taberna Clandestina - Portuguese tapas on pedestrian-only streetSouldough- must-try pizza spotGeneral Portugal Recs:Food/drink:Vino verdeBacalo (cod)Bifana (marinated pork sandwich roll) Sardines Puri puri chickenPastel de nadas - custard tartBrioche croissants Honest Greens Bio Shop for fresh organic produce   Check out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodFollow Niki and Thom Travel on Instagram: @nikiandthomtravel Prefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your favorite sister duo is back for another season of Love It There! Catch up on what we've been up to in our time off and what's in store for Season 3. Make sure you are subscribed or following Love It There so you don't miss our next episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 10/31/2024) Your favorite sister duo share the craziest travel horror stories of their own and those submitted by listeners. Between unknowingly getting on a train that splits to two different destinations, stolen luggage, food poisoning in Madrid, traveling isn’t always glamorous. They end the episode answering listener questions: craziest thing they’ve ever eaten and what culinary bridge would be too far to cross; and where to start when planning international travel.Check out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 04/10/2025) Your favorite sister duo hears about the adventure and perils of traveling to Antarctica. Our guest is the most spontaneous and adventurous traveler who saves money on accommodations by house- and dog-sitting in her destinations. Her trip to Antarctica was special because it checked off her seventh continent to which she has traveled. She describes the rough and wild days sailing through the Drake Passage, what to expect on the landing days, and other aspects of Antarctica that might surprise you. Plus, she explains how to save thousands of dollars on an Antarctica trip by checking Black Friday deals!Get 25% off your Trusted Housesitters membership!Check out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 03/13/2025) Your favorite sister duo chats with our guest about traveling to Guatemala as a solo female traveler. She gives her top recommendations for budget hostels (think glamping, saunas, and views of active volcanoes from your bed!), must-do activities (like cliff jumping, hiking, and yoga classes). She tells the story of how she found a local to teach her tz’utujil, the ancient Mayan language still spoken in parts of Guatemala. She shares her regrets and what she learned from her solo travels. By the end of the episode, you’ll be planning your own solo travel adventure, and likely to Guatemala!Guatemala Recommendations:Antigua - Acatenango and Fuego hike (Soy Tours), Museo Nacional de Arte Guatemalteco (MUNAG), GuruWalk tour, Chicken Bus Tour, Casi Casa HostelEl Paredon (beach town) - Cocori Lodge, Caracola Boutique HostelLago de Atitlán - Locutor Jeremias Hernandez for Spanish or tz’utujil class; cliff jumping and yoga retreat at San Marcos, La Iguana Perdida and Free Cerveza Hostels Flores - Tikal National Park (biggest Mayan ruin complex)El Mirador - biggest pyramid in the world by volume Food - Tostadas, pupusas, atole, street food next to La Iglesia de la Merced in AntiguaSemuc Champey Nature Preserve  Check out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 03/20/2025) Your favorite sister duo learns about why Vienna, Austria was the World’s Most Liveable City for four of the past five years. Our guest shares about her experience in the City of Music when she spent a summer there studying abroad. Home to Mozart, Beethoven and other composers, make sure you go to an opera at Schönbrunn Palace to experience Vienna’s rich classical music history. Head to the Vienna Museum Quarter, Europe’s largest museum complex, to learn more about Viennese culture. We also discuss easy day trips to Budapest and Salzburg (where The Sound Of Music takes place). We chat about cultural differences between Austria and the United States, debate about whether schnitzel is worth the hype, and so much more.Austria Recommendations:Museums and Buildings - Hofburg Palace (Spanish Riding School), Vienna Museum Quarter, Belvedere Palace, Stephansdom Cathedral, Sigmund Freud MuseumParks - CopaBeach, Prater, VolksgartenOpera - Schönbrunn PalaceFood - bratwurst, schnitzel, apple strudel, Stiegel (Austrian beer) Where to stay - 2nd DistrictCheck out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 02/06/2025) Your favorite sister duo learns about the quaint, fairytale town on the north coast of Belgium: Bruges. Our guest this week lived in Bruges for three months, so she has endless recommendations for where to get the best Belgian waffles and chocolate, where to stay, and what to do. She shares about the cultural differences she experienced living there full time versus what you might experience visiting as a tourist. She and her husband also run a travel planning company, Niki and Thom Travel, so be sure to check them out to help plan your next trip! You’ll get a discount if you mention you heard about them through Love It There!Bruges Recommendations:Food: frites, ribs, chocolate, wafflesDay trips: Lille, France; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Brussels, BelgiumThings to see in Brussels: Atomium, Europa-Park, Manneken PisBreweries: De Halve Brewery, Dulle Greit (Ghent, Belgium - exchange your shoe for a cup!)Restaurants: FritBar, Otto WaffleChocolate Shops: Elisabeth Bruges, Chocolatier DumonSights/Landmarks: Lace Map, Basilica of Holy Blood (has the blood of Jesus), Belfry Bell Tower (“leaning tower of Bruges”), Minnewater lake (walk across the bridge with your partner to make them your eternal love)Hotels: Hotel Augustyn (view of canals from window), Hotel Duke’s Palace (actually looks like a palace)Other must-do activities: Farmer’s market, canal boat tour, museums (there are ones about fries, chocolate, beer, and torture..?!)Get help planning your next trip! Niki and Thom Travel, @nikiandthomtravelCheck out our website: loveitthere.square.site Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 10/19/2023) Your favorite sister duo discusses Lake Como and the surrounding towns, specifically Como, Lenno, San Giovanni, and Bellagio. You’ll hear some tips on navigating the water taxi system so that you can make it back to your place without getting stranded. They discuss whether it is best to stay in an Airbnb or a hotel/resort. You’ll also learn about some major movies that were filmed around Lake Como, even though neither Halle nor Kelcy have seen these movies…such a shame. Como Favorites:Towns visited - Como, Lenno, San Giovanni, BellagioLakeside restaurant in Como - Ristorante Pizzeria FunicolareGelato in Como - Gelateria GuidiVilla in Lenno (site of movie filming) - Villa del BalbianelloHiking/mountain bike path - Como GreenwayFor all of the Love It There content: Visit our Website!Follow Love It There Podcast on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 09/19/2024) Your favorite sister duo chats with Kelcy’s husband, Jackson, about the underrated city of Budapest. A city full of history, beautiful scenery, nightlife, and great food, Budapest is a must-go spot that is also one of the most affordable cities in Europe, which makes it a great place to study abroad.Budapest recommendations:Restaurants: Púder, Mazel TovBars: Szimpla Kert, Morrison’sLocal dish: GoulashThings to do: Gellert Hill for sunset, Fisherman’s Bastion, ruin bars, thermal baths, local marketsCheck out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 01/23/2025) Your favorite sister duo chats with this week’s guest about the wondrous and magical place 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador: the Galapagos Islands. This episode covers recommendations for the three inhabited (and most often visited) islands of San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, and Isabela, and how it’s possible to plan a trip independently, apart from a live-aboard cruise. You’ll get recommendations on amazing hikes, beaches, and must-do tours to get the most immersive experience. Plus, hearing stories about the endless amounts of Galapagos wildlife (giant tortoises, sharks, penguins, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, sea horses, and more!) will inspire you to book your trip ASAP.Galapagos Recommendations:San Cristobal - Information Center, Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) TourSanta Cruz - fish market, Charles Darwin Research Station, Tortuga Bay, Highlands Tour to Los Gemelos and Giant Tortoise PreserveIsabela - Las Tintoreras Kayak Tour (Penguins!), Los TunelesCheck out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 01/16/2025) Your favorite sister duo gets to learn all about the capital city of South Korea: Seoul. You’ll get recommendations on where to get the best Korean barbecue and authentic Korean foods. They hear about the beauty of the Han River which flows right through the city, and the miles and miles of parks and walkways along the river. Head south of the Han to try out affordable skin care treatments (...or maybe don’t. Secret Laser Facial anyone?)Seoul Recommendations:North side of Han River - cultural markets, classic sight-seeingSouth side of Han River - nightlife, fashion, beautyGrandmother’s Recipe - Michelin Star restaurant with authentic Korean foodBukchon Hanok Village - neighborhood with classic Korean-style housingHotel - Park Hyatt SeoulBeauty/Skincare - Muse Clinic GangnamSunglasses - Gentle Monster or Blue Elephant Check out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 10/24/2024) Your favorite sister duo learns about Ghana, Africa. From the beaches and lush greenery to the cultural differences, Ghana will likely surprise you. Sometimes thought of as a good “starter country” for Africa, this episode may inspire you to plan a trip. We learn about cultural sites such as Elmina Castle and The Last Bath, where, after walking hundreds of miles from the slave markets, the enslaved washed themselves before being sold to Europeans. We also hear stories about what not to do when you get a snake bite, and about machete men who can apparently fix broken down buses.Ghana recommendations:Things to do - Kakum National Park, visit The Last Bath and Elmina Castle, W.E.B. Du Bois’s Museum Food - Fufu, plantains, gizzardCities - Elmina (fishing town), Sekondi-Takoradi (gold mine), Accra (capital, airport)Check out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 09/26/2024) In today’s episode, your favorite sister duo discuss why Hawaii is more than worth the long travel time to get there. From the lush greenery, national parks, volcanoes, beaches, and mountains, every inch of Hawaii is beautiful. They discuss what to do on each island, what and where to eat, and more. Hawaii recommendations:Activities: Volcano National Park, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Kualoa Ranch, Kahala HotelFood: Poke bowls (Foodland!), acai bowlsAudio Drive Guides: Shaka Guide, GyPSy GuideCheck out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 10/10/2024) Your favorite sister duo is back to chat and catch up, just the two of them this week. They discuss everything about the gastronomy capital of the world: Lyon, France. An easy 2-hour train ride from Paris, Lyon is a must-visit spot for foodies and travelers. You’ll hear about Lyonnais dishes and traditional restaurants called Bouchons. They discuss the Rhône valley wine region and Kelcy tells the story of being denied entry to a wine tour because of the “wrong shoes”. Don’t make the same mistake she did. Lyon recommendations:Food - quenelle de Lyon, andouillette sausage, Praluline from PralusRestaurant - any local Bouchon (look for the symbol!)Wineries - Domaine de corps de Loup (wear the right shoes!)Hotel - Intercontinental Lyon (Hotel Dieu)Park/Hiking - Pilat ParkInterested in the IHG credit card? Use this link to sign up!Check out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 12/05/2024) Your favorite sister duo learns about the “college town” of Heidelberg, Germany, and all that it has to offer in addition to Heidelberg University. Located an hour south of Frankfurt, the charming town is home to Heidelberg Castle for a romantic date spot, mountains for hiking, the Hauptstrasse for shopping, and more. Their guests discuss the Heidelberg and Cologne Christmas Markets, and how they compare to Carmel, Indiana’s Christkindlmarkt, which has been ranked as the top Christmas Market in the United States for the past four years in a row. Heidelberg Recommendations:Activities - Heidelberg Christmas Market, Heidelberg Castle, The Hauptstrasse (mile-long pedestrian street with shops), Hike the Philosopher’s Path to the beer garden and historic amphitheater (Thingstätte)Restaurants - Schnitzelbank Food/Drink - glühwein, schnitzel, bretzel, dӧner Day trips - Mannheim, Stuttgart, Schwetzingen Check out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 09/12/2024) In this week's episode, your favorite sister duo are joined by their friend Lydia, who shares all about her experience in Bali. As a budget traveler, she recommends where to stay, what to eat, must-do activities, and how to (not) get scammed.Bali recommendations:Regions - Uluwatu, Ubud, Canggu, Nusa PenidaFood - Nasi GorengCheck out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 11/14/2024) Your favorite sister duo chat with their guest Valerie Bowden, who backpacked the entire continent of Africa from Cape Town, South Africa, to Cairo, Egypt and then lived in Ethiopia for eight years. She shares shocking stories about letting a hyena eat a piece of meat right out of her mouth, gorilla trekking in Uganda, swimming with sharks in South Africa, seeing the pyramids in Sudan, and sleeping in a kind woman’s bed when the hotels in town were full. She talks about how the United States should view Africa as a lively, beautiful continent instead of seeing it as somewhere to “help”. Now living in the United States, Valerie founded CRDLE to help companies hire out of Africa. We loved learning about Africa and you’ll have a totally different perspective on the continent after this episode. Recommendations:UK Site for Travel Guidelines by Country: gov.uk/browse/abroad/travel-abroadFood: chipsi mayai, chapatis, injeraConnect with Valerie on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/valeriebowdenListen to Valerie's podcast: Choose AfricaCheck out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Originally published 01/02/2025) Your favorite sister duo is absolutely honored to be joined by their favorite guests yet: Vince and Trudie, aka, their wonderful parents. Their parents share about one of their most memorable trips they’ve taken together: an Alaskan cruise. They discuss which port cities they stopped at, and what excursions to do at each stop. You’ll hear some history and fun facts, as well as tips on what to pack for an Alaskan cruise in August. This episode is full of laughs and definitely one you won’t want to miss. Alaska Recommendations:Holland America Cruise Line - get a room with a balcony!Juneau - capital of Alaska, only accessed via plane or boat, excursion: Mendenhall Glacier, whale-watchingSkagway - The “Gold Rush City”, excursion: White Pass & Yukon Route RailwayKetchikan - “The First City”, Salmon Capital of the World, excursion: floatplane into the Misty FjordsGlacier Bay National Park - watch the glaciers calvingThings to pack - raincoat, hat, and lots of waterproof gear!Check out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your favorite sister duo wraps up a great second season of Love It There. We share our thoughts on the season, Season 2 stats, and our plans for Season 3! Thank you so much to all of our listeners and our guests this season. Happy travels and we will see you this fall! ✈️💕Check out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.