Travel Squad Podcast

We're taking you to the coast of Maine for 4 nights aboard the J. & E. Riggin, a historic windjammer that turns 100 in 2027! On this trip the schooner is your hotel, your transportation, and your restaurant. We share what life on board is really like: sleeping in the cabins below deck, quick "pits and bits" showers, an island lobster bake at sunset, spotting seals and porpoises, a shore day in Castine, pumpkin carving on deck, and the homemade bagels that close out every sailing.

Highlights of this episode:

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What Maine windjammer sailing is

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The history of the J. & E. Riggin, a 1927 oyster dredger turned passenger schooner

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How to get to Rockland, Maine, and where to stay the night before

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What to pack, and what you can leave at home

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Cabins, bathrooms, showers, and the onboard meal schedule

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Seasickness on Penobscot Bay

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Sailing through the fog and a lobster bake on Calderwood Island

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The wildlife you’ll see along the sailing trip

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A shore day in Castine and Fort George

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Swimming, paddle boarding, oysters, and a pumpkin carving "contest"

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Sunrise on deck and the last-day bagel tradition

Book your sailing: Check out the J. & E. Riggin 2027 Sailing Schedule and get 10% off when you book by February 1, 2027.

Hotels near Rockland we recommend:

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Fairfield Inn & Suites Portland Maine Airport, where we stayed the night before

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250 Main Hotel, Rockland

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Samoset Resort, Rockport

Packing for the windjammer cruise trip Seasickness bands, seasickness patches, binoculars for animal viewing, headlamp, Kindle for reading on the deck, layers because Maine coastal weather is bipolar, beanie, and a ballcap.

Find a great flight deal to Portland or Boston with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

Show Notes

We're taking you to Stowe, Vermont, our 50th and final U.S. state! We saved Vermont for last so we could see it at peak fall foliage, and it did not disappoint. We share leaf-peeping hikes and waterfalls, covered bridges, maple farms, cider flights, iconic attractions like the Ben & Jerry's factory tour, a day trip to Burlington, and the coziest cabin we called home for the five day trip.

Highlights of this Stowe episode:

• How to get to Stowe and when to go for peak foliage

• Where to stay in Stowe
• Mount Washington Auto Road (New Hampshire)
• Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks & the Vermont State House in Montpelier
• Tasting the finest cider and wine at Stowe Cider, Citizen Cider, Ellison Estate Vineyard, and Cold Hollow Cider Mill.

• Gold Brook Covered Bridge (Emily's Bridge)
• Stowe Pinnacle hike & Moss Glen Falls
• Stowe Village, Von Trapp Family Lodge & The Alchemist
• Burlington day trip: Colchester Causeway, Church Street Marketplace & Citizen Cider

• Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour
• Dinner at Hen of the Wood
• Smugglers' Notch scenic drive & Bingham Falls
• Mount Mansfield, Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm & the Stowe Recreation Path
• Cabot Creamery & Cold Hollow Cider Mill

Where to stay in Stowe:

• Mountain Pines Cabin (hosted): a private 4-bedroom post-and-beam cabin with a hot tub and gas fireplace, minutes from Stowe Village. Book direct and use code TRAVELSQUAD for 10% off stays of 3+ nights booked before January 31, 2027.
• Topnotch Resort
• Von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort

Check out our Stowe Viator Experiences for all activities we recommend including some we wanted to do but couldn't get to.

Find a great flight deal to nearby Burlington or Boston with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

Thank you to our amazing partners in this episode: Mountain Pines, Stowe Cider, Citizen Cider, Ellison Estate Vineyard, and Cold Hollow Cider Mill. All opinions are our own.

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Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re taking you along on her first-ever trip at the front of the plane: a 9 hour Delta One flight from Rome to JFK in New York City. She gives the full review including what the lie-flat seat and Missoni amenity kit are really like, every course of the meal (short rib, an ice cream sundae, and a warm chocolate chip cookie included), and how she maximized remote work life and worked on free Wi-F.

Highlights of the Delta One review:

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• What Delta One is and which flights offer it
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• Flying standby and why Kim paid only $338 in taxes and fees
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• Why you should always ask about paid upgrades at check-in and the gate
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• The cabin: lie-flat seats, 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access, mattress pad, and suites with closing doors on newer aircraft
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• Plush bedding and the Missoni amenity kit with Grown Alchemist skincare
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• Mimosas, hot towels, and a chef-curated multi-course meal
•
• Seatback entertainment and free Wi-Fi for working at 35,000 feet
•
• Delta One Lounges at JFK, LAX, BOS & SEA
•
• Sky Priority perks: check-in, security, boarding & bags
•
• Is Delta One worth paying for?

Find a great Delta One flight deal with Thrifty Traveler Premium. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re giving you the inside scoop on what it’s really like to fly Premium Economy with Cathay Pacific. From priority check-in to mid-air meals and in-flight sleep quality, we break down every part of the 16-hour red-eye journey from Los Angeles to Hong Kong. If Hong Kong is on your list, be sure to check out our full ⁠Hong Kong itinerary⁠ and ⁠episode⁠ for even more tips and must-do experiences.

Whether you're considering an upgrade or just curious if it’s worth the points, this honest review covers everything: seat comfort, service, entertainment, food, and overall experience.

• Enjoy bulkhead seats with extra legroom, located right behind business class
• Receive priority check-in and early boarding benefits
• Get 2 free checked bags, up to 50 lbs each
• Experience upgraded seating with amenity kits, larger pillows, and calf rests
• Elevated in-flight meals: beef with roasted veggies, fried pork noodles, Ghirardelli chocolate, and Haagen-Dazs ice cream
• Sip on wine and cocktails, with a broader drink selection than economy
• Noise-canceling headphones and enjoy a wide selection of in-flight entertainment
• Cons: limited storage, no window, and no Wi-Fi

Find amazing flight deals on Cathay Pacific Airlines by signing up for ⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠ and getting daily flight deals (points and cash) sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to save $20 on your first year subscription.

Check out our other airline reviews below, or listen to our complete⁠ ⁠Airline Reviews playlist on Spotify⁠⁠ to hear them all in one place:

•

⁠⁠Singapore Airlines Business Class Review ⁠

•

⁠⁠Singapore Airlines Premium Economy Review⁠

•

⁠KLM Business Class Review⁠

•

⁠⁠Egypt Air Business Class Review⁠

•

⁠⁠American Airlines Domestic Business Class Review ⁠⁠

•

⁠⁠Cathay Pacific Premium Economy Review ⁠⁠

•

⁠⁠TAP Air Portugal Stopover Program ⁠

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Shop: ⁠Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠&⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠

Connect:⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠, and⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

We took a KLM Business Class Flight from San Diego to Amsterdam and are giving you the inside scoop on our experience. From the check-in process and lounge access at SAN, to the onboard service, seat comfort, in-flight dining, and even how we felt stepping off the plane in Amsterdam we're covering it all. Whether you're planning an international trip or just curious about what it’s like to fly KLM’s premium cabin on a long-haul route, this episode has everything you need to know.

Here’s what we cover:

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Seat setup: window vs middle seats, storage, and lie-flat comfort

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Amenity kit + perks: champagne, mocktails, noise-canceling headphones, and more

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In-flight dining: from crab salad & truffle pasta to French toast & cheese plates

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Entertainment & WiFi (or lack of it)

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Service experience: how KLM stacks up against Singapore Airlines & others

•

The iconic ceramic Dutch house souvenir

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Our overall rating: 7/10 good value, but with some misses

Check out our other airline reviews below, or listen to our complete ⁠Airline Reviews playlist on Spotify⁠ to hear them all in one place:

• ⁠Singapore Airlines Business Class Review ⁠

• ⁠Singapore Airlines Premium Economy Review ⁠
• ⁠Egypt Air Business Class Review ⁠
• ⁠American Airlines Domestic Business Class Review ⁠
• ⁠Cathay Pacific Premium Economy Review ⁠
•

⁠⁠TAP Air Portugal Stopover Program ⁠⁠

Find amazing flight deals on KLM Airlines by signing up for ⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠ and getting daily flight deals (points and cash) sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to save $20 on your first year subscription.

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Shop:⁠ Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠&⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠

Connect:⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠, and⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re taking you aboard Singapore Airlines’ Premium Economy for their 10-hour flight from Tokyo to LAX. Was the experience worth the points? How does it compare to flying economy or splurging on business class? (P.S. We’ve reviewed Singapore Airlines Business Class too—check that one out after this!

• We’re breaking down the entire experience:
• Booking with points & paying extra for those prime bulkhead seats
• Pre-flight perks like priority check-in and 2 free checked bags
• The seat comfort (hello calf rests & 8-inch recline!)
• In-flight service & amenity kits
• Our gourmet meals via Book the Cook
• Entertainment options, WiFi access, and more!

Download our ⁠⁠Singapore Itinerary⁠⁠ and listen to our ⁠two days in Singapore⁠ episode for the perfect plan to spend two days in this amazing island nation.

These are the hotels, tours, and resources we recommend in Singapore:

• ⁠⁠St. Regis Singapore⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Marina Bay Sands ⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Pan Pacific Singapore ⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Singapore activities we recommend via Viator ⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Airalo ⁠⁠eSim

Check out our other airline reviews below, or listen to our complete⁠ ⁠Airline Reviews playlist on Spotify⁠⁠ to hear them all in one place:

• ⁠⁠Singapore Airlines Business Class Review ⁠⁠
• ⁠KLM Business Class Review⁠
• ⁠⁠Egypt Air Business Class Review⁠
• ⁠⁠American Airlines Domestic Business Class Review ⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Cathay Pacific Premium Economy Review ⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠TAP Air Portugal Stopover Program ⁠⁠

Find great flight deals with Singapore Airlines by signing up for ⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠ and watching the daily flight deals (points & cash) that are emailed directly to you! Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop:⁠ Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠&⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠

Connect:⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠, and⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re taking you inside Zuvier Spa in Amsterdam to explore the saunas, steam rooms, pools, tranquility spaces, and wellness experiences. We share details of what to expect, how to navigate nude vs swimsuit required days, walk through the different ticket options, and detail the lunch menu. Zuvier Spa is a gorgeous and unique wellness venue - but very different than other coed spas we’ve reviewed.

In this Zuvier Spa episode we cover:

•

How to get to Zuvier Spa from city center

•

Tips for using Google translate to read signs within the spa (but most people speak English)

•

What to pack and what to rent at Zuvier Spa

Hotels in Amsterdam we recommend:

•

Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam by IHG

•

Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits at the Park

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Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam Hotel

•

Andaz Amsterdam, Prinsengracht

Find a great flight deal to Amsterdam with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop:Trip Itineraries ⁠&⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect:⁠YouTube⁠,⁠TikTok⁠, and⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re taking you on a 3-day solo trip to Amsterdam starting with a business class flight on KLM and straight to exploring the city by foot and by canal cruise. We share what we did for 3 days including a museums, vintage shopping, coffeeshops, tasting dinners, a nude spa and more. We share if Amsterdam is good for solo travel and what we’d do differently if we went back again - including a few nearby day trips.

In this episode:

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• Amsterdam history and modern culture facts
•
• Getting from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal by NS train in about 30 minutes
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• A review of the Kimpton De Witt: plants in your room, daily cocktail hour, free bikes and breakfast
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• Where to eat, drink, and enjoy coffeeshop shenanigans in Amsterdam
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• Sightseeing and shopping in Jordaan, Bloemgracht, Egelantiersgracht, Westerkerk, the Anne Frank House and Dam Square
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• The canal cruises with snacks and free flowing drinks, and how to choose between different experiences

Travel tips for Amsterdam:

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• English is spoken almost everywhere
•
• Don't photograph or film sex workers or the windows in the Red Light District
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• Use the NS app for train times and tickets
•
• The center is walkable: most spots are 10–20 minutes on foot; museums and Vondelpark are about 35
•
• Book timed Van Gogh Museum tickets in advance because they sell out

Hotels in Amsterdam we recommend:

•
• Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam by IHG
•
• Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits at the Park
•
• Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam Hotel
•
• Andaz Amsterdam, Prinsengracht

Find a great flight deal to Amsterdam with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop:Trip Itineraries ⁠&⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect:⁠YouTube⁠,⁠TikTok⁠, and⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

Spooky season is here, and we're sharing 10 haunted cities and ghost towns across the U.S. that we've explored. We go from the Salem Witch Trials and a haunted hotel room at the Hotel del Coronado to Savannah's squares, New Orleans' Casket Girls, and the cursed ghost town of Bodie. Even if you don't believe in ghosts, these ghost tours are one of the most fun ways to learn a city's history.

Haunted places in this episode + where to stay & the haunted tour to take:

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Salem, MA: Stay at the Hawthorne Hotel or The Salem Inn and do the The Salem Witch Trials Tour

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San Diego, CA: Stay at the Hotel del Coronado or The Westgate Hotel and do the Haunted San Diego Ghost Tour

•

Charleston, SC:https://booking.tp.st/GRpyBusuStay at the Meeting Street Inn |Drury Plaza Hotel and do the Charleston Haunted Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

•

St. Augustine, FL: Stay at the Casa Monica Resort & Spa or Casablanca Inn on the Bay and do the Ghostly Encounter Tour

•

Louisville, KY:https://expedia.tpk.lu/UBmQNNUjStay at the The Brown Hotel or SuperStays if you have a big group, and do the Louisville Ghost Tour.

•

Gettysburg, PA: Stay at the Farnsworth House Inn or The Hotel Gettysburg and do the Spirits of Jennie Wade Ghost Night Tour in Gettysburg

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San Antonio, TX: Stay at the The Menger Hotel or The Emily Morgan Hotel and do the Haunted Dinner Tour

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Bodie, CA: Stay at the Bridgeport Inn or The Bodie Hoteland do a Bodie Ghost Walk

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Savannah, GA: Stay at theEmbassy Suites Savannah Historic District or theHotel Bardo and do the Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour

•

New Orleans, LA:https://expedia.tpk.lu/Flj9ZLsUStay at the Hotel Mazarin or the Hotel Monteleone and do the New Orleans Premier Ghost, Voodoo and Vampire Walking Tour

Find a great flight deal to your spookiest bucket-list city withThrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop:Trip Itineraries &Amazon Storefront

Connect:YouTube,TikTok, andInstagram and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We're taking you inside the Arasan Spa & Bathhouse in Almaty, Kazakhstan, for one of the most interesting spa experiences we've ever had! We break down the Russian banya, Finnish sauna, steam rooms, and pools, how to navigate a communal (and nude!) bathhouse, and our nearly 2-hour spa package with a body scrub, seaweed wrap, and a massage from a Kazakh lady who does not hold back.

Highlights of this episode:

•

What the Arasan Bathhouse is

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Tips: finding the right entrance, how pricing works, and what to bring

•

Bathhouse etiquette (yes, it's nude)

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Finnish sauna vs. Russian banya vs. steam room

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The venik ritual

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The swimming pools (bring a swim cap)

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Eastern/Turkish hammam

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Spa services: massages, peels, wraps & packages

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Our "Tales of Maghreb" package: body peel, seaweed wrap & massage

Hotels in Almaty we recommend:

•

Rahat Palace - where we stayed; big atrium, pool, hot tub, sauna & steam room

•

The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty - home of the Sky Lounge, Vista, and Le Petit Chef

•

InterContinental Almaty by IHG

•

Holiday Inn Almaty

Stay connected with an e-SIM from Airalo and check out ourKazakhstan Viator Experiences for all activities we recommend and even some we wanted to do but couldn't get to.

Find a great flight deal withThrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop:Trip Itineraries &Amazon Storefront

Connect:YouTube,TikTok, andInstagram and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We're taking you along for one of our favorite experiences in Almaty, Kazakhstan — a personalized color analysis at YESCOLOR. We break down what a color analysis actually is, how Korean and Chinese color-typing goes beyond the classic four seasons, and why we paid $80 for the same 90-minute session that costs $300–$500 in the U.S. This is the first episode in our new beauty tourism series!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

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What beauty tourism is and why it's growing

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What a professional color analysis is (and how draping works)

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The four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter

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Korean & Chinese color-analysis methods vs. the Western seasonal system

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Booking YESCOLOR in Almaty over WhatsApp

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What the 90-minute session includes

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Our results: Cool Summer & True Winter

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Beyond color: contrast, Kibbe body types, silhouettes, fabrics, necklines, jewelry, makeup, nails & hair

•

Cost: $80 in Almaty vs. $300–$500 in the U.S.

Hotels in Almaty we recommend:

•

Rahat Palace - where we stayed

•

The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty

•

InterContinental Almaty by IHG

•

Holiday Inn Almaty

Check out our Kazakhstan Viator Experiences for all activities we recommend and even some we wanted to do but couldn't get to.

Find a great flight deal with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

—---------------------------------------

Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront

Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We're taking you to Almaty, Kazakhstan, where we attended the TBEX travel creators conference and explored the city and the Tian Shan mountains around it! We share some of the best highlights of Almaty, Kok Tobe, the Green Bazaar, Ayusai waterfall hike and Alma-Arasan hot springs, Shymbulak and the best Kazakh food - including horse meat! - we ate along the way.

Highlights of this Almaty episode:

•

How to get to Almaty

•

Where to stay in Almaty

•

Where and what to eat in Kazakstan

•

Sky Lounge & Vista at the Ritz-Carlton

•

Kok Tobe: bob carts, Ferris wheel & eagle photoshoot

•

Rakhat chocolate store

•

Green Bazaar

•

Panfilov Park & Zenkov (Ascension) Cathedral

•

Arbat Street

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Le Petit Chef dinner experience

•

Ayusai (Bear Valley) waterfall hike

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Alma-Arasan Gorge & Hot Springs

•

TBEX conference & opening night party

•

Color analysis

•

Arasan Spa experience

•

Arba Wine tasting

•

Shymbulak gondolas to Talgar Pass

Hotels in Almaty we recommend:

•

Rahat Palace - where we stayed; big atrium, pool, hot tub, sauna & steam room

•

The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty - home of the Sky Lounge, Vista, and Le Petit Chef

•

InterContinental Almaty by IHG

•

Holiday Inn Almaty

Stay connected with an e-SIM from Gigsky or Airalo.

Check out our Kazakhstan Viator Experiences for all activities we recommend and even some we wanted to do but couldn't get to.

Find a great flight deal with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals — including business class award redemptions. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront

Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We're taking you to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and sharing everything you need to know before you go! We cover the city's Soviet-era landmarks, the stunning Turkish Central Mosque, Osh Bazaar, where to eat, and the travel tips that made our first days in Central Asia a breeze.

Highlights of this Bishkek episode:

•

How to get to Bishkek & from the airport to your hotel

•

Tips for visiting Bishkek (cash, e-SIMs, Yandex Go, tipping & more)

•

Where to stay in Bishkek

•

Bishkek Central Mosque (Turkish Central Mosque)

•

Victory Square

•

Oak Park & the Open-Air Sculpture Museum

•

Vladimir Lenin Statue

•

State Historical Museum

•

Panfilov Park

•

Ala-Too Square & the changing of the guard

•

Osh Bazaar

•

Dinner at Papuri (Georgian khinkali!)

Hotels in Bishkek we recommend:

•

Sheraton Bishkek — booked with Marriott points, great home base before and after the tour

•

Ak Keme Hotel

•

Orion Hotel Bishkek

Book a Private Airport Transfer from Manas International Airport to your hotel — it's about 45 minutes into the city.

Check out our Kyrgyzstan Viator Experiences for all activities we recommend and even some we wanted to do but couldn't get to.

Find a great flight deal to Bishkek with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront

Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We're taking you off the beaten path to Kyrgyzstan, and sharing an unforgettable private 4-day tour around Issyk-Kul Lake! We cover the canyon hikes, horseback riding, an eagle hunting show, yurt camping, and hot springs that make this Central Asian gem worth the trip.

Highlights of Kyrgyzstan:

•

How to get to Kyrgyzstan

•

Where to stay in Bishkek

•

Burana Tower

•

Konorchek Canyons hike (Boom Gorge)

•

Horseback riding in Chon-Kemin National Park

•

Eagle hunting show in Bokonbaevo

•

Yurt camp & swimming in Issyk-Kul Lake

•

Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyons

•

Barskoon Gorge & waterfall

•

Jeti-Oguz (Seven Bulls) Gorge

•

Ak-Suu Hot Springs

•

Karakol's Holy Trinity Cathedral & Dungan Mosque

•

Semenov & Grigoriev Gorges

•

Ruh Ordo Cultural Center & boat tour on Issyk-Kul

•

Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs

Hotels in Bishkek we recommend

• Sheraton Bishkek — booked with Marriott points, great home base before and after the tour

• Ak Keme Hotel
• Orion Hotel Bishkek

Book a Private Airport Transfer from the airport to your hotel, and check out the exact 4-Day Issyk-Kul & Chon-Kemin Private Tour and Eagle Hunting Show we booked.

Check out our curated list of other Kyrgyzstan Viator Experiences we recommend and even some we wanted to do but couldn't get to.

Find a great flight deal with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront

Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re taking you to Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina, for a luxurious Lowcountry getaway! We share the adventure of staying in an incredible townhome inside the 20,000-acre Palmetto Bluff community, exploring by golf cart and bike, spotting dolphins and alligators, and enjoying the beautiful May River scenery. We’ll also head to Hilton Head Island for a beach day, explore the secluded Daufuskie Island by golf cart, and spend a day discovering historic Savannah.

Hotels near Palmetto Bluff we recommend:

•

Montage Palmetto Bluff

•

The Bluffton Farmhouse

•

Hyatt Regency Savannah

•

Beach House Resort Hilton Head

Don’t forget to pack a good bug repellent - we have loved this one for years and newly love this itch relief solution for the bug bites that got through.

For your visit to Palmetto Bluff we recommend kayaking in Palmetto Bluff and doing a ghost tour in Savannah.

Find a great flight deal to the Savanna airport with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop:Trip Itineraries ⁠&⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect:⁠YouTube⁠,⁠TikTok⁠, and⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re taking you on an unforgettable journey through the Interlaken region of Switzerland, the gateway to the Bernese Oberland. We’ll share insider tips to make the most of your Interlaken getaway, recommend the best towns and villages to visit and detail the hikes and experiences we did including toboggan rides, steam locomotives, waterfalls, fondue, glaciers, and more!

Download our ⁠4 day Interlaken itinerary⁠ to take this exact trip yourself!

•

Episode Highlights:

• How to get to Interlaken and the other towns

• Using Interlaken as a base

• Jungfraujoch Adventure

• Staubbach Falls in Lauterbrunnen

• Grindelwald First & First Cliff Walk
• Harder Kulm Viewpoint and panorama restaurant
• Oeschinensee Lake Gondola, Hike & Toboggan

•

We stayed at: ⁠Hotel Lotschberg ⁠in Interlaken, but if you are traveling by train we recommend staying closer to the train station at ⁠Hotel Interlaken⁠ or ⁠Royal St. Georges Hotel Interlaken⁠. You can also check out other ⁠highly rated hotels in Interlaken⁠, just remember to book early for the most options and best prices!

Other Switzerland travel tips and advice:

• Purchase an ⁠E-Sim⁠ to have cellular data on the go
• Check out our ⁠Switzerland Activities & Tours⁠⁠ ⁠for all activities we recommend and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to.
• Purchase a ⁠Swiss Half Fare Card⁠, ⁠Swiss Travel Pass/Flex,⁠ or ⁠Bernese Oberland Card⁠
• Pack a ⁠collapsible day backpack⁠, ⁠umbrella⁠, and ⁠world travel plug adapter ⁠

Find a great flight deal to Switzerland, or anywhere else, with ⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop:⁠⁠ Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠⁠&⁠⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠⁠

Connect:⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re taking you on a quick trip to Yachats, Oregon, a charming coastal town where rugged basalt cliffs, crashing waves, lush forests, and foggy coastal views come together. We share her some of the best stops from this peaceful Oregon Coast including Seal Rock Beach, Devil’s Churn, Thor’s Well, Spouting Horn, and Heceta Head Lighthouse. Plus, hear about staying at the oceanfront Fireside Motel, dinner at Adobe Resort, peaceful ocean views and walks, and the scenic coastal drive from Salem to Yachats and on to Eugene.

Hotels in Yachats we recommend:

•

Fireside Motel - We stayed here & loved it!

•

Overleaf Lodge - Has a nice hot breakfast

•

Adobe Resort- Family friendly & has the only oceanfront restaurant in town

Find a great flight deal to Eugene or Portland with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop:Trip Itineraries ⁠&⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect:⁠YouTube⁠,⁠TikTok⁠, and⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast

We’re going to Oregon’s Willamette Valley! To explore world-class wineries, taste wine in intimate tasting experiences and enjoy the gorgeous vineyards and flora and fauna of this beautiful region. We walk you through food & wine pairings, tasting experiences & teach you how to saber a bottle of sparkling! This trip also goes to Silver Falls State Park for a waterfall detour.

If you want to take this exact trip, you can download our5-day Willamette Valley Wine Tasting Itinerary. The itinerary organizes the route from north to south, gives travel tips, restaurant and hotel recommendations, links to every tasting and experience we booked, packing list, and a day by day itinerary for you to follow.

Highlights of this Willamette Valley episode:

•

Chehalem Ridge Bed and Breakfast

•

Bells Up Winery

•

Natalie's Estate Vineyard

•

Domaine Willamette

•

Bjornson Vineyard

•

Willamette Valley Vineyard Estate

•

St Innocent Winery

•

King Estate Winery

•

Silver Falls State Park

Hotels in the Willamette Valley we recommend:

•

Chehalem Ridge Bed and Breakfast - You absolutely must stay at this quaint, homey experience. The homemade breakfast is worth it!

•

The Dundee Hotel

•

The Grand Hotel in Salem

•

Inn at the 5th in Eugene

Check out ourWillamette Valley yours and experiences on Viator for our created list of recommend wine tours and local experiences.

Find a great flight deal to Portland or Eugene with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠&⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect:⁠YouTube⁠,⁠TikTok⁠, and⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re sharing our review of the new Sidecar by The American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport. We break down this intimate, speakeasy-inspired lounge, including the made-to-order breakfast, food and drinks, atmosphere, service, access rules, and how it compares to the traditional Centurion Lounge. Is Sidecar worth a visit on a short layover? We’re sharing our honest review and Travel Squad rating!

Sidecar is only available to American Express Platinum card holders, you can use our referral link if you’d like to apply.

Do more in town on your visit to Las Vegas with these Las Vegas experiences and activities we recommend in our curated Viator shop.

Hotels in Las Vegas we recommend:

•

The Venetian – The Sphere is connected to this hotel

•

We love The Flamingofor a good location on the strip at a great price with amenities, a good free pool and flamingos

•

Caesars Palace is beautiful, LIV is so fun, and has a beautiful free pool

Find a great flight deal to Las Vegas with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop:Trip Itineraries ⁠&⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect:⁠YouTube⁠,⁠TikTok⁠, and⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.