Think Texas has no mountains? We open the map and prove otherwise with a deep dive into Big Bend’s peaks, canyons, and night skies—and we brought the region’s top insider, Robert Alvarez of Visit Big Bend, to guide the way. From the first “don’t speed in small towns” lesson to the last stargazing tip, this journey is built for travelers who want to plan well and wander slow. www.VisitBigBend.com We break down the real differences between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park...
A ghost town with a beating heart. That’s the promise—and surprise—of Terlingua, where rock walls, open skies, and a stubborn love of place turned ruins into a living community. We sit with Bill Ivey, whose father-son land deal on a car hood set off decades of stewardship: preserving the look of history while opening doors to comfort, music, and belonging. Bill takes us inside the restoration of Perry Mansion and the hard call to add a roof to the Starlight Theater so the beloved adobe would...
The desert doesn’t whisper here—it sings off canyon walls. We headed to Big Bend to chase that sound and came back with a pocket full of must-do hikes, a few hard-won driving tips, and a fresh respect for how wild West Texas still is. From the instant payoff of Santa Elena Canyon to the echoing turns of Boquillas, we show you how to thread quick stops with immersive moments so you actually feel the place, not just check it off. We start along the Rio Grande, where pale desert frames a sudden...
A great Big Bend trip starts with a smart plan, not a scramble. We lay out a traveler’s roadmap to Terlingua—where to find the best tacos and tostadas, how to grab a table at the Starlight Theater without burning your evening, and which spots box up trail-ready lunches before you disappear into the park. From a press-lauded barbecue basket to soft-serve pints and breakfast burritos on the go, you’ll get a real feel for the food scene that keeps hikers, rafters, and stargazers happily fueled. ...
What if your Big Bend trip started with stillness? We kick off a West Texas series by dropping into Marathon, a tiny town that appears like a mirage after miles of open desert—and turns out to be the smartest basecamp for exploring Big Bend National Park. With guest insights from Samuel, guest services manager at the Gage Resort and Spa, we unpack how a 1927 hotel became an oasis of warm wood, courtyards, and gardens where the noise of the world finally lets go. gagehotel.com We trace ...
We kick things off with their origin story in Las Vegas before diving into how they built a channel that’s equal parts inspiration and problem-solving. If you’ve ever tried to choose between eight near-identical resorts or wondered whether a river cruise beats an ocean ship, this conversation delivers real answers. Meet Victor and MJ! Victor takes the lead on nature and specs, MJ brings luxury taste and practical comfort, and together they explain how two strong creative visions learned to co...
Trains changed the way we see Europe—less stress, more story. We break down how a Eurail pass turns a tangled map of national railways into a flexible, budget-friendly way to hop countries, chase views, and make room for the unexpected. From last-minute detours to castle-lined rivers, we share the wins, the snags, and the simple habits that make the journey smoother and more fun. We dig into the nuts and bolts: when you must reserve seats on high-speed routes, how the Eurail app flags requir...
A suitcase goes missing for nine days across multiple airlines and countries, and we turn the chaos into a clear, repeatable travel system. Alexa walks through the exact steps that lowered stress, sped up delivery, and maximized reimbursements while touring, teaching, and performing on the road. We start with prevention that pays off when things go wrong: layer-by-layer packing photos, a simple cloud inventory, suitcase shots, and bright identifiers that make claims painless. You will hear w...
You know those trips where everything teeters on the edge until someone steps in and saves the day? That’s the energy of this episode. From a Disney cast member gifting a last-minute Lightning Lane to an advisor coaching clients through an Italian airport strike, these stories show what happens when expert travel advisors turn chaos into calm. You’ll hear adventures from Disney to Rome, the Maldives to the Black Forest—plus a catamaran lesson in motion sickness turned masterclass on packing a...
Ready to order coffee without pointing, find the station without panic, and ask for help without freezing? We sat down with language coach David Durham to build a traveler’s toolkit of Spanish you’ll actually use in real life—from warm greetings to confident check requests, from essential directions to emergency phrases that keep you safe. We start with the why: Spanish connects you across Mexico, Central and South America, Spain, and large parts of the United States. David explains the smar...
Join us as David Durham shares essential Dutch phrases that will help you navigate the Netherlands with confidence. Learn how speaking a few key words can enhance your experiences, connect you with locals, and make your travels smoother and more enjoyable. Think Dutch is only for Amsterdam? We open the map with David Durham to show how far Dutch actually travels—across the Netherlands, Flanders in Belgium, Aruba and Sint Maarten, and Suriname—and why a few phrases can turn strangers int...
Join us as we teach essential Portuguese phrases for travelers. Learn how to navigate with ease, order meals confidently, and connect meaningfully with locals to make your trip more enjoyable and authentic. Want Portuguese you can actually use the moment you land? We invited our friend David to walk us through a traveler’s toolkit that works in both Brazil and Portugal, focusing on sounds, phrases, and tiny tweaks that turn confusion into connection. From the musical softness of Brazili...
Join us as we share practical Finnish phrases you’ll really use while traveling, along with cultural insights that make Finland a must-visit destination. Discover how a few words can enhance your experience and deepen your connection with this fascinating country. Think you can hear the difference between tuli, tuuli, and tulli? We dive into the sounds, rhythm, and real-life phrases that make Finnish surprisingly learnable—and endlessly fun—when you know where to start. With our friend ...
Join us as we share essential French phrases to help you navigate Paris, Switzerland, and other French-speaking regions with confidence. Learn how politeness and the right expressions can open doors, create connections, and make your travels more enjoyable and authentic. Polite French is a travel cheat code. A single “Excusez-moi” can turn a hurried barista into a guide, a packed metro into a clear path, and a confused check into a smile and “l’addition” arriving without fuss. We sat do...
Planning a trip to Germany, Austria, or Switzerland? Learn key German phrases and pronunciation tips to help you communicate confidently, connect with locals, and make your travels smoother and more enjoyable. Learning a few phrases in the local language can completely transform your travel experience. This couldn't be more true for German-speaking countries, where a little linguistic effort goes a remarkably long way in connecting with locals and navigating your adventures with confide...
Join us as we share essential Italian phrases, cultural insights, and practical tips to help you travel confidently and respectfully through Italy. Discover how learning a little language can lead to deeper connections and a more authentic travel experience. Ever found yourself in a foreign country, struggling to communicate the most basic needs? That feeling of helplessness disappears when you learn even a handful of phrases in the local language. In this enlightening episode, we welco...
Learning to speak Arabic as a Traveler. Here's a beginner's guide to unlocking a meaningful language, embracing the culture, and navigating travel in an Arabic-speaking country. Unlock the doors to meaningful cultural connections in Arabic-speaking countries with our special guest, John, who brings Egyptian Arabic to life through practical phrases and authentic insights. Having guided us through Egypt's wonders, John offers more than just vocabulary – he reveals how travelers can navig...
Learn Japanese for Travel! Here's a basic intro to the language and culture in Japan! Head to Japan with Gear from EAGLE CREEK!!! Shop using our affiliate link to support our podcast! Thank you! Ready for your Japanese adventure? Before you pack your bags, let's talk about something crucial that most travelers overlook—understanding Japanese culture as the foundation for learning the language. Our special guest Rahel, who is half-Swiss and half-Japanese, shares invaluable insight...
Join us for a winter journey through America's national parks. Learn how visiting during the cold season transforms these landscapes into quiet, breathtaking escapes perfect for reflection and adventure alike. Jennifer Broome; sweptawaytoday.com * Instagram: @jenniferbroometravel * Facebook: JenniferBroomeTV * TikTok: @jenniferbroometravel * X (Twitter): @jenniferbroome * YouTube: Channel named “Swept Away With Jennifer Broome” Imagine standing at Old Faithful wi...
Discover how to make the most of autumn in America's national parks. In this episode, we share a guide to stunning landscapes, hidden trails, and unforgettable fall adventures waiting to be explored. Jennifer Broome; sweptawaytoday.com * Instagram: @jenniferbroometravel * Facebook: JenniferBroomeTV * TikTok: @jenniferbroometravel * X (Twitter): @jenniferbroome * YouTube: Channel named “Swept Away With Jennifer Broome” Mentioned in this episode: Mesa Verde Motel h...