2TravelDads Podcast (Rob Taylor)

Affording Travel is more than working full time, but starts with saving and budgeting. Actionable tips to save and plan travel, making it a part of your everyday life.

Show notes here: https://2traveldads.com/affording-travel-tips-for-saving-and-planning/

We interview Danielle of the Thought Card Podcast all about saving and being intentional with finances to set yourself up for the type of life, including travel, that you want.

The northern shore of Nova Scotia is one of the most beautiful places we've traveled and it's perfect for a Nova Scotia road trip. The Bay of Fundy is home to both the most aggressive tides on earth and some of the epic sights. And the top pick for a lobster meal that you'd never expect...

Show notes available here:  Bay of Fundy Road Trip

We're always looking to ways to save on travel. FlyLine has an awesome technology to pair flights from different carriers to create cheaper, big flight discounts, especially for longer flights.  Show notes here:  Best Flight Discounts Thru FlyLine

Find out what interlining is, get tips for both search for and booking cheap flights, and hear from the people who actually manage FlyLine to get the best ideas for getting deep discounts on travel.

Buying a vacation rental can be complicated. We bought, fixed up, and ran a profitable short term rental in less than a month. Here's how we did it and tips for running a successful vacation rental in Florida (or anywhere).  Full show notes here:  https://2traveldads.com/buying-a-vacation-rental-successful-investment-property/

If you've been thinking about jumping into an investment property or want to hear what it's like, both buying a vacation rental and then running it (while learning on the fly) this is the episode for you!

Not for fun-travel, but because we had to, we did a pandemic road trip across the USA. These are our experiences and observations across the country during COVID19.  Show notes here:  https://2traveldads.com/pandemic-road-trip-buying-a-camper-during-coronavirus

Hear all about how we conquered the necessity of driving across the USA to relocate, including purchasing a camping trailer, prepping for our first RV trip with a cat, and finding the best route... ALL DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC!

The three best attractions in each Walt Disney World Park and #1 dining pick for each park too. Show notes here:  Disney Expert picks each park's top attractions & dining

We talk about the four parks and which attractions are the most worthwhile or that you just can't miss. We also talk about a lot of dining options, including picking our #1 restaurant for sit-down dining  in each park. Hint: we couldn't pick just one in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

We've been to both Disney World and Universal Orlando during the Coronavirus pandemic. These are our observations and opinions of how each park is handling safety precautions and enforcing rules while COVID-19 is still a concern.  Read our full review of each park...

Complete show notes/comparison here:  https://2traveldads.com/disney-world-or-universal-orlando-during-covid/

Disney World During COVID 

Universal Orlando During Coronavirus  

See what we observed between the two major theme parks and what we'd choose today. There were HUGE differences in how each of the park is handling the Coronavirus pandemic, including how guests and managing themselves. Get the full rundown after we've visited both parks several times.

Disney's California Adventure is one of our favorite theme parks. Often we're asked if it's worth adding to a Disneyland trip. YES! This is our guide to the most fun and what's actually worth waiting for. Show notes here:  Guide to Disney's California Adventure

From Pixar Pier to taking kids on Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout we talk about the attractions and experiences that are worth waiting in long lines for. Also, what shows and experiences are not to miss. Tips for having the best visit to Disney's California Adventure any time of year.

Digging into Disneyland and chatting about each lang and its attractions and shows. Our best tips for making the most of your time in the Happiest Place on Earth.  Show notes here:  Best Disneyland Attractions and Shows

Starting in the new Star Wars land, Galaxy's Edge, we review the two main attractions and then work our way through the rest of Disneyland. We've been many times and following our most recent trip, we have done EVERY ride and attraction with the kids and have tips for having the most fun, including what you should actually wait in line for.

If you haven't been to both Disneyland and Disney World, you might think that they're the same, but in different states.  Show notes here!:  Disneyland or Magic Kingdom? We talk favorites of each!

We are comparing what we love and don't love about Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. We've got some tips and recommendations... and clearly we need to dive deeper into each park in more episodes, so stay tuned!

Halifax, Nova Scotia is both a cool, modern city and it's full of history. From maritime sites to the Citadel, downtown is a fun city to explore. Beyond the city you'll find some of the most picturesque Canadian sights, especially when it comes to fall colors and fishing villages.

View show notes here:  Exploring Halifax, Nova Scotia

The many Florida springs are amazing. These are the best places for manatees, alligators and paddleboarding through Florida's jungles.  Show notes here: Florida Springs Favorites

We dish on our favorite springs and what makes some of the totally weird, or even contoversial, Florida tourist destinations.

Answers for how to get to Victoria BC, because there are seven different ways to get to Vancouver Island. Show notes here: How to Get to Victoria BC

Podcast episode breaks down the travel options to visit Victoria including seaplane routes, walk on ferries and driving across the US / Canada border. Highlights of each type of travel with some great activity recommendations.

Visiting Lake Tahoe and Carson City is great any time of year when you have a local's insider information. Tips of when to visit and where to find great travel deals to the Reno Tahoe area.

Show notes here:  Lake Tahoe and Carson City Like a Local

Montana is a gorgeous state with some of the coolest towns, both modern and old west. From Billings to Big Sky, we dig into the best sights and activities in Yellowstone Country. Show notes here:  Montana Road Trip from Billings to Big Sky.

Special guest host Meagan Wristen of Mommy Travels shares her road trip itinerary... that goes our same route but with COMPLETELY DIFFERENT points of interest, things to do, and hotels. So much to see and do in Yellowstone Country!

Highlights and recommendations for exploring Nova Scotia's southern shore. Starting in Halifax and traveling the lighthouse route, these our our favorite picks for enjoying Nova Scotia's beautiful maritime history and food.

Full show notes here:  Nova Scotia Lighthouse Route

We did a thing. We went all in and did the full Korean Spa experience. Show notes here:  OMG. Our Korean Spa Experience.

We talk about our favorite spa experiences we've had in our travels and what we expect... and then what the Korean Spa was really like. Hint: it was shocking and there were some amazing aspects.

We're talking about the Columbia Gorge Waterfall Area in this episode.  Show notes here:  Columbia Gorge Waterfall Road Trip

Either a great summer hiking road trip or an easy day trip from Portland, this area is gorgeous and great to visit with kids. We finish this episode with some recommendations in Hood River, Oregon. 

Show notes here:  All about the Painted Hills

A day trip from Bend or a weekend getaway, the views, the hiking and the geology make a unique National Park site and easy trip for any traveler.

We've picked our favorite restaurants in Victoria, BC and are dishing out from breakfast to dinner. Show notes here:  Favorite Victoria BC Restaurants.

These are our top picks for where to eat in Victoria for local farm to table, vegetarian, and family friendly dining. See who we think makes the best breakfast cocktails or fish and chips in Victoria.

Deciding to move across the country is a huge life change. This is how we reached the decision, how we executed the move, and what we learned from a cross-country relocation.  Show notes here:  https://2traveldads.com/moving-across-the-country-how-to/

The whole process of finding a new home town, selling our house and buying a new one, and figuring out all the logistics was a bit crazy, espicially during the peak of coronavirus. Listen to how we made the decision to move, including the benefits of such a huge life change, and learn from our mistakes...

Beyond historic St Augustine there are tons of beaches and cool sights to see all around the area.  Show notes here: Best of Saint Augustine Beaches (and activities)

Whether you're into alligators or want to visit an obscure National Park site, we've got the scoop on it all. And we've got some great restaurant picks too!

Washington DC is beautiful in the spring with more than 3000 cherry trees in bloom, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and more happening.  Show notes here: DC Cherry Blossom Festival and Activities

Have you been to Washington DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival or any of the other spring events? We dig into the famous blossoms of the Tidal Basin, other places to see cherry blossoms around Washington DC, and some surprising events open to the public.

The Santa Maria Valley is one of our favorite destinations, both for outdoor recreation AND for experiencing wine country! We chat with two SMV wine makers, Norman Beko and Wes Hagen, about what makes the area so ideal for wine, as well as traveling to LA's wine country during COVID restrictions.  Full show notes here: Santa Maria Valley Wine Country

Norman Beko of Cottonwood Canyon Winery explains the foot up the Santa Maria Valley has over other wine regions when it comes to growing and producing wines, particularly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Wes Hagen gives the rundown on managing wine tasting culture and creating remote wine experiences while much of California is still not fully open. But the Santa Maria Valley is OPEN and READY for wine country tourism with lots of safety precautions and creative problem solving!

We go on a tour of St Augustine, Florida: the oldest city in the USA. Show notes here: Best of St Augustine: the USA's first city

Get our tips and picks for the best places to visit for history and fun, both with kids and without. Our favorite restaurants after many trips back to the Ancient City, including where to try datil pepper sauce downtown.

Between understanding and leveraging brand loyalty to using third party sites to earn miles, we've got useful and effective tips to make more affordable travel accessible. Show notes here: Top Tips for Points and Rewards Travel

See how we actually use our points programs and our top recommendations to earn usable points for yourself.

Have you considered which is better for your trip to Florida? Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World? We break them down, from the fun to the ease of transportation.  Show notes here:  Universal Orlando vs Disney World.

We have our favorite attractions and lands, and we break it all down. Digging into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as well as Pandora in Disney's Animal Kingdom, we talk through it all to help you decide which is the better option for you (and which we'd pick to go back to).

In this episode we talk about the most iconic and interesting places to visit in Victoria BC.  Show notes:  https://2traveldads.com/podcast-episode-victoria-bc-things-to-do

We're chatting about everything from touring parliament to biking up-island to the Butchart Gardens. This is the first of five podcast episodes about Victoria BC.

There are many ways to boost immune support to stay healthy, both while traveling and at home. 10+ easy ways to support your immune system, from vitamins to home remedies and natural health options.

Full show notes here:  Ways to Boost Immune Support and Stay Healthy While Traveling

From both our own daily lives to what health care professionals recommend we talk about the many ways to boost and support our bodies' immunity. During a time when public health is a major concern, what can you do to make sure you and your family are taking care of each other for the future?

After 8 trips to Victoria BC, we know where to stay.  Show notes here:  Victoria BC Hotel Reviews and Recommendations

We review our favorite hotels in Victoria, BC, from budget friendly to top tier. We suggest some unique accommodations as well as trusted travel brands with hotels in Victoria. We have some really great recommendations!

Podcast episode covering the best need-to-know Yellowstone National Park tips.  Show notes here:  Need-to-know Yellowstone Tips

From where to camp to where to stay outside of the park, favorite sights and things to watch for, the basics of having an awesome trip, and some of our favorite stories through the years.

Best geyser recommendations in Yellowstone National Park. Must-see hot springs and geysers that most people miss when they visit Yellowstone. Show notes here:  Yellowstone NP Geysers Part 1

We share our favorite geysers and hot springs that most people skip when they visit Yellowstone. Check out our top picks for natural wonders that are too easy to drive by but YOU'VE GOT TO SEE!

Part 2 of our Yellowstone National Park Geysers series highlights the geyser areas that are the easiest to miss. Show notes here:  Yellowstone National Park Geysers Part 2

In this episode we cover the hidden pockets of geysers that are really easy to get to but that most people just drive by. Some of the best sights in Yellowstone National Park are right under everyone's noses, but we'll help YOU experience them!

We talk through our complete Yellowstone National Park itinerary:  four days to conquer the park, part 1!  Show notes here:  Yellowstone Itinerary Part 1

In this episode we cover the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Norris Geysers, Old Faithful and Yellowstone Lake. Each itinerary route is its own day in the park and covers the best sights and tips for enjoying driving through Yellowstone National Park.

Two days' worth of itineraries for exploring the best sights of Yellowstone National Park: part 2.  Show notes here:  Yellowstone Itinerary Part 2

In this episode we cover two days  of traveling through Yellowstone. These two road trip routes go through the northwest corner of the park, stopping at Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Falls, the Lamar Valley, and our best wildlife viewing tips.

Sure you've heard of Kona Coffee or the Big Island of Hawaii, but have you been? What makes visiting the Kona Coast so special. We dig into all there is to do and see on the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, from our favorite snorkeling spots to the best places to be immersed in Kona Coffee culture. Also, tips for pronouncing Hawaiian words and THE MOST INCREDIBLE wildlife experience we've had. (Hint: it happens at night in the water...)

The Kona Coast includes some of the most beautiful scenic drives on the Big Island, so give a listen and set aside time to enjoy this incredible, adventurous destination.

Check out our complete Big Island Itinerary here, or for our favorite unique nature spots around the Big Island visit the blog!

There's more to the Big Island of Hawaii than the Kona Coast. Hilo and the Hamakua Coast are amazingly beautiful with great communities, bike paths, beaches and waterfalls. We talk about some of our favorite places in Hilo and chat, just a bit, about Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (we have an episode dedicated to the NP). Give a listen and see what makes Hilo and Hawaii's eastern shore so wonderful to explore.

If you want to really get into the city of Hilo itself, we do have a pretty comprehensive guide to visiting the rainiest city in the USA. Check out our Hilo guide, our complete Big Island Itinerary and favorite unique natural sites to visit over on our blog!

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the most unusual places we've been. From lava tubs to glowing molten rock under the stars, we've explored everything Hawaii Volcanoes has to offer. Find out just what you'll see at Kilauea and the Halamaumau Crater, what you'll experience in the Mauna Loa Unit and even the unknown, often overlooked Kahuku Unit (so gorgeous!). We've got the details and you're going to want to plan a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii to experience it all!

Check out our guide to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, our ebook about the park, and our complete Big Island Itinerary!

Visiting Kauai means having an adventurous Hawaii trip. The Garden Island is lush and green, but also really intense when it comes to hiking. Hear what we loved and what YOU should make time for on the North Shore of Kauai (including our favorite poke place). We've spent a lot of time on Kauai, with and without kids, so we have some great ideas for exploring.

Check out our 5 Day Kauai Itinerary and Favorite Things to Do on Kauai at 2TravelDads.com

And if you're looking for more tips for Hawaii, we've got lots of podcast episodes and articles. The Big Island is our favorite, so we've spent the absolute most time there, but have experience on ALL of the Hawaiian Islands except Niihau and Kahoolawe.

Are you ready for a side of Hawaii that ISN'T resorts and is just jaw-dropping? This is Kauai's South Shore!! From hiking the amazing Waimea Canyon to doors-off helicopter flights, hear all about our adventures exploring one of the most unique parts of Hawaii. We even have a random luxury stay that, if you have a big budget or lots of Hyatt points to use, you have to plan for it.

Check out our full 5 Day Kauai Itinerary, our grand list of Things to Do on Kauai and details of doing a Doors-off Helicopter Tour of Kauai all on the blog at 2TravelDads.com!

Universal Orlando Resort is one of the most popular Florida vacation destinations. But it's not at all like Walt Disney World. In this episode we break down how Universal Orlando is laid out, what there is to do outside of the main two parks, and how to actually have a more affordable visit. We've even got a hack that saves you both time AND money when you're staying at Universal Orlando.

Be sure to check out our blog articles all about Universal Orlando also, because we've been more times that we care to admit and love it: Best 2 Days at Universal Orlando  or  Universal Orlando with Small Kids

Universal Studios Florida is one of the three theme parks at the Universal Orlando Resort. Here you'll find Springfield (the Simpsons) New York City, Chicago, San Francisco and London, aka Diagon Alley from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We love Universal Studios, so we've picked what we think is the most awesome to share, and we've got some opinions about what to skip over. Also, give a listen for the details of how to ride the Hogwarts Express, because you can't just show up to the park to ride it.

Check out all this and more on our blog at 2TravelDads.com - 2 Days at Universal Orlando  Universal With Small Kids

We love visiting Universal's Orlando Resort, but our favorite part of it is Islands of Adventure! We dig into this fun and awesome theme park, from Seuss Landing to Jurassic World, hashing out our favorite rides and dining. We've got some big tips too for saving time and money, including the details of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade. All this and more in our Islands of Adventure episode.

Check out our tips and guides for Universal Orlando Resort on 2TravelDads.com: 2 Day Itinerary at Universal  Universal with Small Kids

We just got back from exploring Portland and MidCoast Maine in winter. We live in Florida, so we weren't sure what to expect, but lemme tell ya, it was great! From snow and what it's like driving in Maine in the winter to all the different regional food was loved, that's what this episode is all about!

What you'll find (re: Maine food) - lobster, haddock, whoopie pies, potato donuts, needhams and more!

Check out our complete article about Visiting Maine in Winter, including our top picks for activities in the snow, and to get in from the cold with great musuems. Bonus: the Easiest Lighthouses to Visit in Maine!

We love Hawaii and have been very fortunate to get to visit many times. In this episode we talk about how to plan a Hawaii itinerary, including island hopping options. If you've never been to Hawaii planning a trip there might seem very daunting, and you know what, it is. From budgetting for flights to logistics of getting from island to island, we're dishing on our approach to planning for Hawaii with kids. With kids! Yes, we also get into planning activities with kids too!

Listen in as we dig into how we've built out our 17 day Hawaiian adventure which includes the Big Island of Hawaii, Maui, Lanai and Molokai (and then back to Maui). We'll be doing island road trips on the Big Island and Maui (including Hawaii Volcanoes and Haleakala National Parks), and then sailing from island to island with UnCruise Adventures. More podcast episode will be coming all about this incredible experience in the Hawaiian Islands!

We are all about finding happiness and joy in life, for our family and for ourselves. This means something different for everyone, but for us and for our friends Tammilee and John, this means re-evaluating WHERE we are in life and updating our homebase to become a source of joy.

You can read all about our own cross-country relocation and why we did it here, but in this episode we're talking with Tammilee about why she and her husband made the big change of moving from Spokane, Washington to Gulf Shores, Alabama. Hint: it's all about joy and finding their own place in the world.

From sorting through logistics and facing money trauma, give a listen and hear the what and why about seeking out unselfish joy in life.

Be sure to check out Tammileee and John's websites also, as they're both masters in their fields.  Tammilee Tips & Park Ranger John.

I've learned a lot about travel over the years and for me it's second nature... but that is NOT the case for tons of people. In this episode we've got our friend Kate - anxious but brave traveler - sharing about what obstacles she faces with travel and how she combats the anxiety of the unknown. It takes a lot to overcome fears of all sorts, and managing the fear and anxiety is key.

As we dive into what travel anxiety is, and specifically how it can be mitigated, see what tips you can use for your own ease when you take a trip.

Background: Kate is heading to the UK with her family for the first time. This is their first international trip together and they've decided to take a big bite of all they can with heading to London, then up to Scotland and finishing with Amsterdam. Kate shares about the processes she's gone through, starting 9 months before their travel date, and the actions she's taking leading up to their departure.

We'll have Kate back on the podcast to talk about how the trip went after they return!

I didn't know that a luxury train ride across Canada was what was missing from my life. In this podcast episode, we dig into what it means to be a luxury train in North America and all the details from our adventure on the Rocky Mountaineer train from Vancouver BC to Banff, Alberta. Special co-host Kelly joins the podcast today to talk about what we experienced, from the service to the sights.

I'll admit, this sort of travel is NOT our norm, and Kelly and I do a lot of trips (4+ per year). When we embarked on the Rocky Mountaineer we were ready for a nice train with some beautiful views, but what we got was the equivalent of a luxury cruise on land.

Be sure to check out all the details about both the Rocky Mountaineer experience and the specific route from Vancouver to Banff on the blog. But don't stop there! We have tons of info about planning a trip to Banff, to Vancouver, doing a Canadian Rockies road trip and all sorts of luxury hotel info to go with it all.

It might actually be true that I travel more with my best friend than I do with my husband or kids... I can neither confirm or deny this, but I can tell you that traveling with my best friend of 20 years really is an experience I'm thankful for. Kelly B is back on the podcast chatting with me (Rob Taylor) about our friendship, our relationship as non-spousal adults, and the benefits we both gain from taking these trips together.

Yes, people think it's weird that we travel so much together, but I'll tell you this: there's something very life-affirming about having an adventure with somebody you know deeply that ISN'T your spouse and who doesn't look at you as the other parent or as someone who holds a great deal of daily responsibility in their life.

Give a listen and consider what sort of travel you can plan with somebody you're not married to. The benefits are many, and the adventures awesome.

Check out just a few of the trips my best friend and I have conquered together and you'll understand some of our stories and interactions a bit better!:

• Big Island of Hawaii
• Carson City and Lake Tahoe
• Door County, Wisconsin
• Maine Road Trip
• Florida Keys Wildlife Adventures and more

Apparently I've been trying to acheive and upgrade my airline status wrong. In this podcast episode Chris shares how he's absolutely surpassing me at the mileage game with American Airlines and shares all of his hacks for maximizing it. He's two levels above me and we travel the same amount. What's the deal?!

Have a listen and see just what the scoop is on ways to earn loyalty points with American, what that means, what that gives you as you continue to climb the ladder, and how to do it easily. I'll admit, even though we live in the same house I was shocked to learn how Chris has really mastered this program. I know this will be helpful to others too!

Check out more of our travel tips, including Using Points for Travel (another podcast episode) and how we plan our adventures, here and on the blog at 2TravelDads.com!

We visit the Florida Keys a lot, and really do spend a lot of time in Key West... on the water! Having done water tours and activities with the kids so many times, we for sure have our favorites. In this podcast episode we dive into some of our favorite snorkeling spots and tours, including recommendations for different tour companies to check out.

And do you know what we spend so much time on the water in Key West? It's because there is so much of it and the wildlife you see is incredible. From visiting Dry Tortugas National Park to snorkeling at Looe Key Reef, we have stories and tips for having an amazing Florida Keys trip with kiddos.

Be sure to check out our many Florida Keys articles on the blog! You can tell we love it there:

• Best Florida Keys Wildlife Tours
• Birdwatching in the Florida Keys
• Favorite Key West Activities
• Florida Keys on a Budget
• Awesome Florida Keys Road Trip Plan

Where to begin?! Glacier Country, Montana is always fun and interesting, but you should hear our youngest talk about it. In this episode of 2TravelDads Podcast we've got Elliott, our 8 year old, recounting his favorite highlights from our trip to Missoula, MT and Glacier National Park. My favorite part is listening to him talk about how we got stuck in a herd of moose. Yes, a herd.

Give a listen and hear all the details according to an 8 year old. Elliott shares what he enjoyed in Missoula and his favorite moments from hiking in Glacier National Park. I love how his personality shines through as he tells his version of our trip to Glacier Country. It warms my 40s something heart.

For more information and the specifics of our autumn travel to Montana, check out the blog. We're got guides for Glacier NP, planning tips, and more of what you'll find all around Glacier Country!

• Guide to Glacier National Park
• Planning a Glacier NP Trip
• Best of Missoula, Montana with Kids
• Taking the Train to Glacier National Park
• Review of the Historic Belton Chalet at Glacier NP
• Fun Things to do in Glacier Country, MT

Have you ever been on what was going to be the most epic trip only to have it cancelled once YOU'RE ALREADY THERE?! Well, that just happened to us, and being intense planners and very careful travelers, we had the joy of doing a mad scramble to find transportation, accommodations and activities for 8 days, 7 nights in Hawaii... during the busiest travel week of the year. We turned it into a Hawaii island hopping trip!

Give a listen to how we handled being stranded in paradise without a place to stay or way to get around. We truly did make the best of it, but had we not had the skills, points and financial capability to act quickly things would have turned out much differently.

To find out more about our favorite things to do in the Hawaiian Islands, top educational sites to visit and where to stay from Kauai to the Big Island, check out our blog articles:

Hawaii Guides -- Big Island -- Oahu -- Kauai -- Maui

Arizona is awesome for a road trip. You might not immediately think of exploring the desert as an epic destination, but if you can visit in the winter, you'll fall in love. We completed a very comprehensive road trip from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon, back through several National Monuments and Sedona, the down to Tucson and Saguaro National Park. From where to watch sunrise in Grand Canyon National Park to cactus safety in the desert, we're talking about all of it.

In this episode we talk about the value of having a solid itinerary and how to really experience Arizona for more than the Grand Canyon... but the Grand Canyon really is spectacular. Check out our full Arizona road trip plan and tips on the blog!

The Bahamas are so close to Florida that they are many people's first taste of international travel. It's an easy destination to visit, short travel time, and it's a beautiful paradise... but most people's first visit is via a cruise ship. That doesn't have to be the case!

With more than 700 islands, on this podcast episode we dig into why the Bahamas are MORE than a cruise port with Angie Orth, travel writer and former PR rep for the destination.

Being a native Floridian, Angie has been visiting the Bahamas since she was little. She's vacationed, worked, cruised and even got married in the Bahamas, so clearly she's an expert. Give a listen as we chat about how to get to the Bahamas, which islands are best for first timers, where to plan a trip for a quiet getaway and how YOU can swim with the famous pigs of the Exumas.

International family travel is quite different than traveling solo as an adult. See what you can do to make planning and executing an international trip with kids easier and something everyone will remember for all the right reasons. (podcast episode focusing on UK travel)

Not everyone grows up traveling the world. I certainly didn't, and I think it's safe to say that most of us living in the USA didn't get to venture from North America until we became adults. That's rapidly changing with our generation (gens X and Y) and we're making sure our kids have a viewpoint beyond America.

In this podcast episode we've got our friend Kate back with us. She's been a guest before, including talking about travel anxiety and how to manage that. This time we're chatting about how her family's first international trip together went. After spending two weeks in England, Scotland and a quick stop in Amsterdam, it's already clear that having an adventure across the pond has made an impression on the whole family and has changed the course of their future travels. 

When I was first asked to visit Pensacola, Florida I didn't know what to expect. Being very close to the FL/AL border and very near some towns that aren't known for being very welcoming/inclusive to LGBTQ people, I wasn't sure what to expect. It turns out that Pensacola is a surprisingly welcoming, open and supportive city, and that's what we're talking about in this episode and why it's a special Florida destination.

Complete show notes here!

As a destination Pensacola, Florida is one of the few cities in the South that intentionally makes space for diversity and inclusion, both in terms of community support and tourism. Talking with our guest, Sid Williams-Heath, representing the Pensacola Little Theater and the STAMPED LGBTQ Film Festival (president), he shares insights into what the city and private citizens of Pensacola have done to turn their town into a place where everyone can feel welcome, to live or vacation.

Highlights we chat about for visiting Pensacola include:

--beach vacation ideas

--festivals in Pensacola

--the Blue Angels

--enjoying historic downtown Pensacola

Beyond this, there is much more about Pensacola and exploring western Florida on the blog. Check out Fun Pensacola Things to Do, Penasacola Beach Vacation Ideas, and Perdido Key and West Pensacola.

Creating a memoir is a complex task, and writing a book in general isn't for everyone. Angie Orth shares the struggles and successes of writing her own novel-style memoir and working with a major publishing house to do it. She shares the truth of it and advice for others to be successful in their own writing ventures.

Writing a book is a major undertaking (I've done it twice and have more in the works) and it's also a life dream for many. Angie Orth, our good friend and fellow traveler has completed her first major published work: Flirting with Disaster - True Travel Tales of Fear, Failure and Faith. From the creative process to finding a publisher, Angie shares her journey of sharing her first memoir.

Get Flirting with Disaster here!

So what does it take to go from having a life story to having a published hard-back book on the shelves? The path is different for every author, and indeed for every book. In this podcast episode, Angie and I discuss her road blocks in the creative process and why she used a literary agent. We dig into getting over one's own ego in writing and allowing yourself to be vulnerable, to crafting a narrative that other's can follow to conquering writing style. Flirting with Disaster is sure to speak to so many readers.

Angie has also been on 2TravelDads Podcast discussing the Bahamas. As a travel professional who's been in the business for years, she has stories of all sorts... and that makes for great books!

I go to New York City every year and usually visit alone, but I'm NEVER doing that again. Doing NYC with a pre-teen is actually one of the most fun travel experiences I've had. We both really enjoyed our time together and enjoyed the city. For me, this was a brand new take on a place that I typically do not enjoy visiting. New York City with a pre-teen is fun, interesting and it's a fresh view of one of the most famous tourist cities in the world.

Below you'll find our podcast episode where Oliver (our oldest) and I chat about all the things we did, what he enjoyed most, how we got in and out of NYC and more. Getting to spend time together, just the two of us, was special, and he offered me a fun and different New York experience. Have you been to New York City with a pre-teen before? Are you going? Check out our tips and suggested itinerary for 4 days in NYC with older kids (and no, we didn't do Lower Manhattan or the Statue of Liberty on this trip).

As you're reading and listening, if you have any questions, either about our specific trip or planning your own, please leave a comment or send us a note. We're always happy to share more and help others plan awesome travel!

In this episode:

• Getting into NYC from LaGuardia (LGA) or Newark (EWR) airports
• Times Square with Pre-teens
• Unique Stores in NYC kids love
• Broadway shows for Pre-teens
• Museums and New York sights not to miss with older kids

Ireland is a popular destination for Americans to visit when they're tracing their roots, but it's also just a fun and beautiful place to visit with kids! As we dig into what makes Ireland a great place to plan a European adventure with family, you'll see that in general many of the day to day experiences in Ireland are family friendly and great to incorporate children into.

Visiting Ireland with kids doesn't have to be a stressful trip, so listen to these great tips and itinerary ideas to put together your own Irish adventure. Give a listen to the podcast episode (just below) as Keryn, our friend who runs Twist Travel Magazine, shares her favorite places to visit in Ireland with kids as well as her own cultural experiences that keep her and her family returning.

As you listen to this episode, you'll notice that Ireland with kids isn't a complex trip to plan or execute. Being a country that's quite mellow and community oriented, you'll see that many of the things that make Ireland interesting and fun are not restricted by age or interest. You can make a trip to Ireland with kids as simple and chill as you like.

In this episode:

• What makes Ireland a family friendly destination
• When is the best time to visit Ireland
• Planning a fun Ireland itinerary with kids
• Favorite Irish towns to visit

For more travel tips for exploring the UK and Ireland, more of Europe and all around the USA and Canada, check out 2TravelDads.com!

One of my favorite parts of being a blogger is getting to go out into the world and explore, capturing beautiful photographs as I go. The bulk of my job though comes in the writing and web publishing side of things. I love getting to speak with other creative professionals about what they do and why, so getting to sit down with a professional landscape photographer was eye-opening for me.

Colleen Miniuk is an award winning professional landscape photographer and author, but that wasn't always her career. Her primary job is being my friend. Kidding, but she is a marvelous person in addition to her photography skills. Digging into why Colleen transitioned from software engineering to landscape photography is a fascinating story, and hearing how her approach to capturing meaningful images has changed over time is even more interesting.

Give a listen to this podcast episode and hear from Colleen Miniuk about what it means to her to be a professional landscape photographer and why she does the work she does. If you have any questions for either myself (Rob of 2TravelDads.com) or Colleen, please reach out. Both of us are happy to share more about what we do and why we do it!

Colleen can be reached through her primary website, ColleenMiniuk.com and her advice column. For information on her publishing company, books or in-person photography workshops:

• Publishing - Analemma Press
• Landscape Photography and Guides - Wild in Arizona | The Current Flows | Photographing Acadia
• In-person, all-women Photography Workshop - Sheography.com

Feeling inspired after listening to Colleen talk about professional landscape photography around the USA? Check out these favorite destinations for epic landscapes and amazing imagery to inspire:

Arizona Road Trip | Acadia National Park | West Coast National Parks | The Everglades

We are not cruise people, but we love to see the world from the water. We recently completed an UnCruise Adventure sailing on a small ship, the Safari Explorer and we have A LOT to say about it. Give a listen an see just what an UnCruise is and how this varies from an actual cruise. From ship size (you'll be shocked) and crew to passenger ratio (you'll be more shocked!), to the custom daily adventures, we dig into it all.

Have you ever wanted to sail to small inlets or the backside of remote islands WITHOUT lots of people? Ever thought you'd enjoy spending a week at sea learning about nature and culture while getting to know a new group of like-minded people? Excellent, then this episode is for you! UnCruise Adventures is very unique.

Read all the details about UnCruise here! - What you'll find:

• What is UnCruise?

• Why choose an UnCruise vs land adventures?

• Why spend $6k per person on UnCruise?

• What’s different about UnCruise vs mega cruise?

Our first expedition sailing was island hopping in Hawaii, but we have an Alaskan small ship sailing coming up later this year. If you have any questions about this experience or need UnCruise route/ship recommendations, let us know!

Acadia National Park in Maine is extremely busy in the summer, but there are some beautiful overlooked parts of the park. Also, did you know that despite the potentially extreme winter conditions that sometimes roll through, Acadia NP is beautiful and OPEN in the winter? On this podcast episode we have expert and three-time Acadia Artist in Residence, Colleen Miniuk, sharing about the less visited parts of the park.

What makes this conversation even more interesting is that being an Artist in Residence thrice over, Colleen has experieces across the seasons and insights into what this particular National Parks program means for visitors. Give a listen as we chat about Acadia National Park, photography in Maine and more. I think it's fascinating to hear from somebody with a completely different sort of experience in a place I love; it broadens my perspective.

If you want to learn more about Acadia National Park or Maine in general, we have several great articles to help plan a visit to this beautiful destination:

• Visiting Acadia National Park (guide)
• Maine Summer Road Trip Plan
• Visiting Maine in Winter
• Lighthouses to Visit in Maine (including Bass Harbor in Acadia NP)

Enjoy listening to this episode and more. And if you would like to leave questions for us for FUTURE podcast episodes, please complete our form on our website, 2TravelDads.com.

As adventurous parents we see the full value of taking our kids out to explore, and our adventure in Hawaii with UnCruise aboard the Safari Explorer was incredible for us. Daily expeditions of snorkeling, hiking, kayaking and more had us immersed in both science education and Hawaiian culture. In this podcast episode we've got our two kids on with us (12 and 9 years old) talking about some of the things they really enjoyed and learned about during our sailing with UnCruise.

UnCruise Hawaii on the Safari Explorer

From hiking in lava tubes on the Big Island of Hawaii to swimming with beautiful creatures, birdwatching to seeing humpback whales breach all around us, there's a lot to process and share.

Please check out our full experience on the Safari Explore ship on the blog. We've detailed what activities and ports we had, as well as shared lots of photos of the whole expereince. The UnCruise brand is a unique type of travel and each sailing is quite different, so we also dig into that a bit.

If you're looking for more Hawaii travel ideas...:

• Hawaii Island Hopping
• Big Island Itinerary - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Things to do on Maui - Haleakala National Park
• Kauai 5 Day Itinerary - Things to do on Kauai

We just had an incredible two weeks in Peru, exploring from Lima to the Andes to the desert to the Amazon rainforest. Putting together this trip was no easy feat and required both research and help. In this episode, we talk about how we landed on Peru for our family's first South American adventure, what planning looked like, a bit about getting around in Peru, and then our general itinerary.

We have more Peru podcast episodes including All About the Andes; Peru at Sea Level - Lima, the Desert and Islands; and the Peruvian Amazon! All of this and more is also available for reading and booking on our website.

In this episode:

• Why Peru?
• Our transportation throughout Peru
• Itinerary highlights from Machu Picchu to seeing penguins and monkeys
• Tips for making the most of your Peru trip

Stay tuned here and on 2TravelDads.com for more fun, stories and information all about traveling through Peru!

And if you want to join us for an adventure in the Amazon rainforest, join one of our group trips (Nov 2024, Mar 2025)!

I am so excited to share our Amazon Rainforest podcast with you! There are few places that leave me speechless or move me to tears, but sitting in a boat on the Amazon River at sunset watching monkeys above me did it. In this episode we dive into just what our Amazon jungle experience was like, from getting to the rainforest and our unforgettable accommodations in a treehouse, to seeing some of the most unique wildlife we'd only dreamed of.

The Peruvian Amazon is an exceptional destination for many reasons, but our experience was truly unique, particularly since we got to share it with our kids. If you're thinking about visiting the Amazon rainforest or didn't really think this was an attainable travel goal, this is the episode for you! To give a bit more info about our conversation without giving away the farm, our time in the jungle really was exceptional due to our lodging. You'll be surprised to hear about what staying at the Treehouse Lodge meant for our visit, and how our personal guide made each day a special adventure.

For more about our time visiting four different regions of Peru, check out 2TravelDads.com and listen to our other podcast episodes. Between seeing penguins and flamingos in the same day to our disgusting altitude sickness in the Andes, we've got some great stories and gross realities to share.

Yes, visiting the Andes in Peru has been at the top of our bucket list for a long time, and yes, Machu Picchu was awesome... but did we have the best experience? Will we talk about it for years to come for all the right reasons? Ehhh... But let's talk about it today!

We did have a very interesting time in the Andes. The Sacred Valley and learning about the Incas was fascinating and beautiful. Machu Picchu was really cool and stunning; remarkable for sure. LLamas are lovely. I'll tell you though, our experience with altitude sickness was intense though, and we could've avoided it with more time. In this episode we share what we loved and wowed us, as well as the harsh reality of touring the Andes the way we did. 

We've got details from cool places to stay in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, beautiful train travel between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, and how YOU can make your own visit much better than ours. I know, this sounds like a confusing bummer of an adventure, but really, give it a listen and see how YOU can plan the actual dream list into the Andes of Peru.

We are always ready for a visit to the American Southwest, and these iconic sights are some of the best! If you haven't gotten the chance to explore Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and California, we've got some fantastic suggestions for seeing some of the most beautiful canyons and desert landscapes in the Southwest. Pick a few and plan a visit or see them all on a three week road trip, either way you'll love it.

In this episode we have our friend and frequent podcast guest Colleen Miniuk sharing her favorite places in the American Southwest for the best desert experiences. As a professional landscape photographer and group tour leader, Colleen has deep experience in the wild canyons and mountains of the SW. Listen along as she shares her picks for:

• amazing Grand Canyon National Park sites
• Glen Canyon and Lake Powell
• what makes Death Valley so interesting and beautiful
• superblooms in the desert (including cactuses blooming!)
• and much, much more!

Please visit our website for the full article and a complete itinerary for seeing the best of the Southwest and really diving into the beautiful nature of the desert.

For more Southwest travel ideas:

• Wonderful Things to do Near Las Vegas
• Beautiful Hiking in Palm Springs
• Superbloom in Joshua Tree National Park
• 10 Unique Utah Road Trip Stops

As a writer I get excited to talk to other writers about their work. Landscape photographer Colleen Miniuk has a new book hitting the presses all about self-discovery and picking up the pieces after what feels like failure. I've gotten to interview other friends who've written books, such as author Angie Orth about her memoir Flirting with Disaster, but hearing from Colleen about her process and what creating this, her third book, means to her really got me.

In So Said the River Colleen opens up about her life and striving for excellence in all things... until the moment of decision hits where it's "Do and die, or do not and live to tell the tail" (my words, not hers). When you're an adventurous person who's also a perfectionist, successful in everything you touch, it's difficult to battle the need to win (against yourself or nature). I get it, but having read So Said the River and knowing the author personally, reading and hearing Colleen's words really does capture those feelings of doubt and failure that we face as adults.

I'm not going to give spoilers, but So Said the River is a fantastic book that brought me to tears several times. Available at SoSaidTheRiver.com (and other booksellers in June 2024), you'll both love the story and connect with the struggles Colleen shares in her narrative memoir.

To hear more from Colleen give a listen to these other great podcast episodes:

• The Life of Being a Professional Landscape Photographer
• Overlooked Acadia National Park from the Artist in Residency
• Best of the Southwest - Can't Miss Canyons and Desert Landscapes

I had no idea that "travel depression" was a thing. I love when we're traveling or I'm out exploring or on a work trip. What is there to be depressed about with travel? So, in this podcast episode, the first of our Let Me Ask You This series, we talk about what travel depression actually is and how to counter it.

Do you suffer from travel depression? Do you know what it is? Travel depression is the low you feel when you're coming off the high of traveling.

For example: you've been on a weeklong photo safari in the Amazon jungle with your family and then you get home and sit down at your desk for the first time, unable to be productive and actually feeling low vs re-energized or extatic about your trip.

So why does travel depression set in? Well, as we discuss in this podcast episode, it happens for a variety of reasons which are different for everyone. I think some people set themselves up to be bummed out relating to travel and taking trips because they hold so much stock in their rare adventures. It's an emotional rollercoaster for some people.

As a side note, in this episode we address a big elephant in the room when it comes to traveling peacefully: you need to bring the things that make you comfortable. You need to pack in a way that you're using the things you bring AND that allow you to feel at-home on the road. The myth that women have to bring a million things on a trip because that's the plight of women is ridiculous. As a guy, I bring suits and many pairs of shoes, and still bring only a carryon suitcase - and I still bring my pillow.

Back to the topic at hand thoughTips to fight post-travel depression:

• do a weekend getway you can drive to
• plan your next trip
• house swap with a friend in another city
• create social media posts to share with friends that make you happy about past trips
• journal WHILE you're traveling to read later
• LASTLY, if you're coming home to a reality you don't like, you need to work to change it, whether that be your work environment or your home where you spend a lot of time. Work to make your every-day life more of what you want it to be.

I know that not everybody has a problem with being bummed out by not  traveling, or doesn't travel enough to develop this sort of complex, but if you do, I hope it's helpful to have some tips to fight it. We all have different things that impact us, and if you need a little pick-me-up post travel, now you have ways to get out of the dulldrums! Check out more podcast episodes and in-depth show notes here!

Even though 2020 seems like so long ago, we're still feeling the effects of how the COVID pandemic changed the world, including travel. It's weird to think back and remember washing our groceries and not being allowed to sit down in public places. And I remember the day I lost my job and we scrambled to figure out how to complete our move across the country that we'd already started the process on... It was a lot for everyone.

One element that was really impacted by the pandemic was travel. It's weird to look back and think about what we did to be able to travel during COVID. For example getting to visit Disney World and Universal duiring COVID with zero crowds and everyone being required to give you space, NOT cough on you and actively be hygenic. It's fascinating to think about how many people we opposed to all this.

Living through the COVID pandemic is a historic life. Unprecidented times like this being blasted on social media and misinformation being spread daily made this particular life experience very different. COVID news came at us from every angle and so much wasn't monitored or verified, vs other historic events, such as 9-11. Looking back, the events of COVID now seem to have a historic filter on them as we think of them in the style of something shot on VHS.

Another event that hit during the peak of COVID was the 2020 election in the USA. That was its own thing that continues to have reprecussions today. Fascinating to look back!

We visit MidCoast Maine at least once a year and always have a good time. It's not what a lot of people expect though, as it's a complicated sort of place to visit. "You can't get there from here..." From just north of Portland all the way to Acadia National Park, MidCoast Maine is one of those place you know you want to visit but maybe don't know why, so we've got you covered.

In this podcast episode we're talking about our favorite towns, great things to do in MidCoast Maine, and what to actually expect when you visit (including Wildlife in Maine). It's funny because for being one of the most popular East Coast destinations for vacation, Mainers kind of don't want everyone to be there. It's a complicated reltationship between residents and visitors. 

Either way, we love getting to visit Maine and are excited to share and help YOU plan a trip to this beautiful place. Give a listen and check out our many articles that are all about planning Maine trips:

• Maine Summer Road Trip
• Maine in Winter
• Lighthouses in Maine to Visist
• Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and more!

Do you ever think of Mississippi as a destination that you'd plan to visit? We've driven through plenty of times, but apparently Mississippi is so much more than what you see from the highway. Okay, I knew there was more to it. From Ocean Springs, MS to Jackson, you'll find all kinds of towns and natural spaces to explore.

In this episode we've got our friend, Tammilee Tillison of TammileeTips.com / GulfCoastJourneys.com sharing about one of the places in Mississippi that surprised her the most: Ridgeland, Mississippi. Initially, the plan for being based in Ridgeland was to explore the Natchez Trace Parkway (a National Park Service greenway) and then to pop over to Jackson to visit the Medgar and Myrlie Evers National Monument, but Ridgeland turned out to be the land of fine dining and classy relaxation and green spaces.

Having Ridgeland as a home base, you can plan a 3-day getaway that's a mix of history, southern swamp nature, and beautiful food. The Natchez Trace Parkway stretches from Natches in southern Mississippi up into Tennessee, crossing through a little corner of Alabama. This is the natural beauty of the South that's often overlooked or forgotten. This is also a birdwatching dream, being a part of the Mississippi Flyway, a major bird migration route from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico up into Canada and Alaska.

Ideas for when to head to Ridgeland MS and the Natches Trace:

• Spring for the Mississippi Flyway birdwatching
• Late spring for synchronus fireflies
• Fall for fall colors along the Natches Trace from TN through AL and MS

Listen to more episodes with Tammilee in our podcast archives or Making Big Life Decisions to Pursue Joy