Shows
Safe TravelsRoute 66 on a chopper, staying in formation, and the "guardian angel" on the road with Ben from Planet Chopper | Ep.51This show is not for everyone. But if you're a biker, have a motorcycle, know a biker, or have seen Easy Rider...it's for you. Ben Van Leewarden runs PlanetChopper, a business that plans and operates guided motorcycle tours with small groups of up to 15 bikes. They handle route planning, lodging, dining options, know all the cool places to see, and even have a support vehicle that follows with a mechanic and extra bike parts. In short, it's pretty worry-free. But, he does have some tips and advice for...2020-08-1918 minSafe TravelsGalapagos cruise uncertainty & hiking as ultra-socially distanced travel with Chris Christensen | Ep.50My guest today has been travel podcasting about as long any anybody at 15 years, so he brings a lot of experience and insight into today's short show. Everyone is asking similar questions about travel. Should I start planning? Is it too soon? What are the safest options? Chris will share his thoughts on cruise line reopening, how to compare risk levels of different forms of travel, how he's handling a possible Galapagos trip, and more. 2020-08-1315 minSafe TravelsThe best time of day to visit a National Park, safety conditions, mask usage, and more with Alicia Filley | Ep.49The summer of the road trip has led many travelers to our wonderful National Parks...but many don't know what to expect. Our guest today is Alicia Filley from TheHealthyHiker.com. Alicia and her family traveled to 2 National Parks and has a full report of safety conditions on the road, mask usage, regulations in the parks, and tips for when to go for the best enjoyment. Please enjoy2020-08-1018 minSafe TravelsExpert tips for first time RV renters with Brooke Johnson from TumbleweedTravelCo | Ep.48With so many RVers hitting the road this summer, RV rentals are through the roof. But what if it's your first time renting an RV? What type should you get? Where should you rent it from? How does it all work? We have a pro today. Brooke Johnson is the founder of TumbleweedTravelCo.com, where she helps first time RV renters plan trips. She helps with all the RV details, itinerary planning, and more. Enjoy!2020-08-0622 minSafe TravelsQuick Takes: How are people planning travel now? w/ Nicolette from SemiBudgetTravel.com?? | Ep.47Travelers are pondering many of the same questions. When should I start planning again? Is it crazy to think about this now? What about a simple road trip? There is no clear, simple answer to this that guarantees a no-risk trip, but it is always helpful too hear what others are up to. Today's show is a Quick Take...only about 10 minutes. We'll hear from Nicolette Kay from SemiBudgetTravel.com. Nicolette is planning a short road trip, but will be crossing state borders and has taken into account several...2020-08-0310 minSafe TravelsThe secret of a successful travel gap year for your family during coronavirus with Melissa Schwartz | Ep.46Our guest today is parenting coach, author, and speaker Melissa Schwartz from LeadingEdgeParenting.com. Melissa has advice today for any family considering taking a travel or gap year due to coronavirus. The fall reopening plan for many schools has parents pondering taking a year off...but with that comes many concerns about school, family dynamics, and just getting along. Melissa shares tips about the importance of boundaries and routines, natural learning, and other parenting tips for these tough times.2020-07-2731 minSafe TravelsWhat every parent ought to know about world-schooling with Karen Ricks | Ep.45Have you heard of Unschooling? How about Deschooling? Roadschooling? Worldschooling? I'm sure you've heard of homeschooling, and the bizarre words above are (mostly) all variations of homeschooling. Parents this year are facing an uncertain fall school start. Some districts have already gone to remote learning, some are aiming to go back, and others are in between. The only certain thing is this: No school will open exactly like they did last fall. With all of this uncertainty, some parents (who are able to) are considering taking some...2020-07-2343 minSafe TravelsHow to Get Started with Road (Home) Schooling w/ Caroline Makepeace from yTravelBlog.com | Ep.44Most people have heard of homeschooling, when families choose to skip the typical education system and teach their children themselves. Roadschooling is similar....it's basically homeschooling while traveling. It's a term that covers a lot of different styles from Worldschooling to Unschooling, and it's an overwhelming topic for parents. Today we are speaking with Caroline Makepeace from yTravelBlog.com. Caroline, her husband, and 2 daughters have been traveling the world and roadschooling for most of the kid's lives and she has a lot of experience. She has tips for choosing a style of homeschooling...2020-07-2030 minSafe TravelsRoad trip report: Coronavirus conditions on the road and how to stay safe with Cindy Richards | Ep.43As we've talked about before, 2020 us the summer of the road trip. Travelers are packing up the car, renting RVs, and finding any way they can to get out and explore. But, as we all know there are safety concerns. What are safety conditions like on the road? What are hotels doing? Are people wearing masks? What should I do to prepare? To help with all of this we are joined by Cindy Richards, who is the editor in chief of TravelingMom.com. Cindy has combined information from their almost 70 writers, and her...2020-07-1613 minSafe TravelsHow to move a loved one with medical needs without paying for an expensive air ambulance | Ep.42You will probably learn something new in this episode, I definitely did. Here's the situation: Imagine grandma is in Florida and you want to move her closer to you in Boston. She has medical needs and is currently in a nursing home. How do you move her? She can't just get on a plane by herself, and you could help but she has medical needs. Plus, there's air ambulance services, but the cost is way too high. Today's guest Bob Bacheler runs FlyingAngels, which is a non-emergency medical transport service, and t...2020-07-1314 minSafe Travels12 Tips and hacks for first-time RVers: Preventing the “pyramid of poo”, cleaning hacks, and awesome apps with Marc & Julie from RVLove.com | Ep.41The summer of 2020 is very different for travel. People are avoiding airplanes and taking road trips...and many are hitting the road in an RV too. Among those taking an RV trip are a lot fo newer users, and today's show is all about avoiding the mistakes that new Rvers make. We will speak with Marc and Julie Bennett from RVLove.com. They have been full-time RVers for 6 years, and know their stuff (they also joined the show before and are great guests!). These 12 tips, tricks, and hacks include everything from safety advice...2020-07-0933 minSafe TravelsWhat to expect on a road trip this summer with Megan Tenney from FamilyGapYearGuide.com | Ep.40The summer of 2020 is the summer of the road trip...at least that is what everyone is saying. If you are thinking of hitting the road, you might be wondering what it is like. What safety measures do you need to know? Is it business as usual as you travel around? Are people wearing masks? What about laws and regulations in the states you will be traveling to and through? To help with all of this and more, I'm speaking with Megan Tenney from FamilyGapYearGuide.com. 2020-07-0615 minSafe TravelsMasks on a Plane: Learn about the rules, enforcement of bans, and fake exemption cards with Josh Grafman from JetBlue | Ep.39By now all airlines are finally requiring masks for passengers (looking at you Allegiant), sometimes with the risk of lifetime bans for non-compliance. Who is requiring masks? Are they really banning people? How does it all work? The answers to this and more will be provided by Josh Grafman from JetBlue. Josh talks about the mask requirements, the process for dealing with belligerent no-maskers, fake cards, and more. Please enjoy.2020-07-0213 minSafe TravelsRoad tripping this summer? An economical insurance policy that could save some headaches (and $$) with Jeremy Murchland | Ep.38If you are taking a road trip this summer, you will be joining millions of other people out on an adventure. But, what happens if there is a problem or accident on the road? It might be a medical emergency, accident, or anything else....but how what happens to your vehicle? How about your family? How do they get home? Today's show will feature Jeremy Murchland who is the President of Seven Corners insurance. Seven Corners is a travel insurance company, but in light of the popularity of road trips this summer they have put...2020-06-3018 minSafe TravelsHow are cruise lines sailing again after coronavirus? Get the overview with Nicole Ratner | Ep.37There are still many unknowns about how the cruise industry is going to handle returning to the seas after coronavirus lockdowns end. When will they start sailing? What will be different? How will they handle safety concerns? Will anyone go? To help answer some of these questions, we are joined today by Nicole Ratner from CruisingWithTheFamily.com. Nicole writes unbiased information about the cruise business, and has many details about the reopening plan. She also has great general tips for planning a cruise, especially for first-timers.x2020-06-2625 minSafe TravelsA great hack for family travel, and how to get the VIP treatment with Mimi Lichtenstein | Ep.36Coronavirus numbers are declining in much of the United States, and many people are starting to plan travel again (or at least thinking about it). Travel suppliers have enticing trip offerings with low prices and eased cancellation policies, and the deals are so good you feel crazy for not booking. But, since we're not 100% out of the woods yet it still makes most people nervous to book a trip now. What happens if there is another outbreak? What if you needed to cancel? How long will it take to get a refund? 2020-06-2326 minSafe TravelsExpert tips for Disney's re-opening...plus trip planning mistakes to avoid with Kevin Gillooly | Ep.35Disney parks are planning to re-open soon, but there are many details that travelers ned to figure out. When are they opening? Which parks will open? Which resorts will open and when? What does my family need to know? To answer these questions and more, we will speak with Kevin Gillooly of TravelingDad...which is part of the TravelingMom media family. Kevin has been doing Disney for 40 years, so he knows the in's and out's of Disney planning...and he has all the details for the park re-opening. Besides the re-opening...2020-06-1830 minSafe TravelsAn inside look at the world of private jet charters with Scott Buss of Advent Jets | Ep.34In today's episode you will get an inside look into the world of private jet chartering from a pro in the business. We will be joined by Scott Buss of AdventJets, which is jet brokering company as opposed to one of the membership clubs. Scott's core philosophy in business is based on trust and transparency, and it shows in the interview as he gives insights into the world of private jet travel. Business travelers will learn about the potential ROI of using private travel for work. High net worth listeners who have considered this form...2020-06-1617 minSafe TravelsWhat you need to know about Disney's re-opening plan with expert Julie Elster #33Disney parks are planning to re-open over the next month, but there is no simple answer to how they are going to open. Each park and resort is on a different schedule, which makes it hard to know how to plan your trip. Plus, there are new safety rules in effect that you need to know about for you and your family, and several of the classic attractions of the park will not be happening. Thankfully we have Disney expert Julie Elster from DoubleYourWDW.com to walk us through all the various questions...2020-06-1226 minSafe Travels#32: Shy Bredewold on the benefits of using advisors, finding a good advisor, and the myth of the "best day to book"This show I am joined by Shy Bredewold from OdysseanTravel.com. Shy is a travel advisor and shares what he has learned in helping travelers plans their vacations, common mistakes, and myths to debunk. Shy was a pleasure to chat with, and the show ran longer than many Safe Travels podcasts but he shares a lot of good tips and stories about the world of travel advisors. 2020-06-101h 00Safe Travels#31: Tips for new RV travelers, the "Angie's List" for RVers, and more with Gigi StetlerToday's show is for new RV people, or those who are thinking about trying RV travel. Vacation plans are changing this summer, with many travelers switching from plane trips and cruises to staycations, road trips, and even RV trips. But, for those new to RVing, it can be intimidating to figure out what to buy, where to buy, if you should buy vs. rent...and more. Today's guest is Gigi Stetler, who is the first and only female owned RV dealership in the country. She has been in the business for decades, in...2020-06-0819 minSafe Travels#30: Free upgrades and how you can't VIP yourself with Estee Gubbay from LuxuristTravel.comPeople that plan trips used to be called travel agents, but now they are called travel advisors. Today we're going to be speaking with Estee Gubbay from LuxuristTravel.com about the benefits of using a travel advisor. There are a lot of benefits in general, but now as everyone starts trouble again after coronavirus there are even additional benefits. There are many ways that travel advisors can help you travel worry-free, help you plan your trip, help you solve problems, and even get refunds for cancelled trips. Travel advisors have the ability to...2020-06-0519 minSafe Travels#29: Finding a doctor while traveling, forgetting your meds, and how food causes most doctor visits on vacation with Yuval ZimermanTravel is slowly starting to happen again, but in general many people are still avoiding air travel because of coronavirus concerns. But, there are some people who need to travel for various reasons, and today's show is about what they can do to stay safe while on the go. I'm joined by Yuval Zimerman from Air-dr.com, a company that connects travelers with doctors through their app and website. Yuval has experience in travel medical issues, and will share the common problems he sees, tips to prevent frequent mistakes, and general advise to...2020-06-0320 minSafe Travels#28: How to easily compare coverage for coronavirus on different travel insurance policies w/host Damian TysdalLast week we talked about travel insurance and how it covers coronavirus. There are a lot of different travel insurance companies, and each company has several policies, so it's difficult to compare plans and figure out which ones have which coverage. If you are in the stages of planning a trip and you want travel insurance that would provide some sort of coverage for coronavirus concerns, it's very difficult to pick up policy. But, in today show I'm going to show you how to do it easily by using a comparison website. 2020-06-0208 minSafe Travels#27: How to assess travel risks: advice from former military intelligence officer K. CampbellToday I'm speaking with K Campbell (goes by KC) who is a military intelligence veteran and currently a senior security and intelligence consultant at a company calledBlue Glacier Security & Intelligence. He has experience and training in intelligence; risk, threat, and vulnerability assessments; executive protection; counterterrorism, and business continuity. Even though a background like that seems like it's overdoing it for leisure travel, KC brings some useful perspective to what’s happening right now with coronavirus, and travel safety going into the future. He has specific tips about government warnings and how the different ri...2020-06-0123 minSafe Travels#26: Afraid of losing reward points during the shutdown? Get advice that will make you happy with guest Jamie Larounis of UpgradedPoints.comThis show is not just for rewards points gurus...but for new people too. Rewards points programs can be confusing to figure out (which is why I just have a United CC, good enough for me). But, many travelers are pros at earning, saving, and spending points with their favorite travel suppliers. They get to take free trips, upgrade to 1st class, and get hotel suites "on the house". However, with the coronavirus shutdown...most people are not traveling. They're not booking travel either, so that means nobody is using their points. 2020-05-2914 minSafe Travels#25: How does travel insurance cover coronavirus? w/ host Damian TysdalMost travel is still shut down. But, as travel suppliers start offering deals too good to pass up...some travelers, are thinking of booking for fall and winter of 2020. However, with all the uncertainty surround coronavirus, additional outbreaks, and destination issues...travelers also don't want to lose their money. Travel insurance is usually the first thing we think about when we want to protect a trip...but how does travel insurance cover coronavirus? Today is a solo show with me (host Damian Tysdal) from Travel Insurance Review. I will cover all...2020-05-2812 minSafe Travels#24: Shark Tank lessons, slashing time at the airport, and making your bed with Brian Altomare from LugLess.com Today I'm speaking with Brian Altomare from Lugless.com. Even though most travel is still shut down, some parts of the country are starting to move around again. I was curious about getting some advice for those who were still concerned about coronavirus, but who needed to fly whether for work or other necessary reason. What could they do to minimize exposure and get through the flying process with as little concern as possible? Today’s show is a little different, be...2020-05-2720 minSafe Travels#23: Campground tips for RVers amid the coronavirus situation, advice for success, and mistakes to avoid with expert guest Jeff Crider In this episode we are talking about RV travel for the summer of 2020, and how to handle coronavirus concerns. I'm joined by Jeff Crider, who is a publisher and author for several RV and campground-related publications, and has been in the business for decades. Jeff is especially tuned into campgrounds and their specific procedures for handling coronavirus concerns this summer. He will share some of the actions campgrounds are taking, tips for smooth travels this summer, and some common mistakes that new RVers make and how you can avoid...2020-05-2634 minSafe Travels#22: "Road-schooling" tips for traveling families and more with Leslie Stroud (7Wayfinders.com) In this episode I speak with Leslie Stroud of 7Wayfinders.com. She and her family (5 kids!) were traveling the world full-time when coronavirus came along and brought their plans to a halt....in New Zealand. Leslie talks about the very strict and thorough safety lockdown in New Zealand, handling this with kids, and plans to get out when things open up again. She also shares family travel tips, advice for road-schooling, and more. 2020-05-2233 minSafe Travels#21: Tips & advice for RV travel during coronavirus with guests Marc & Julie Bennett of RVLove.com In this episode I speak with full-time RVers Marc and Julie Bennett about the challenges, and benefits, of RV travel during coronavirus. The Bennett's are not only full-time RVers, but make a living running RVLovee.com where they produce a wealth of content. They are also the authors of "Living the RV Life: Your Ultimate Guide to Life on the Road". Much of the country is still in some phase of lockdown, but many travelers are starting to think about summer travel. 2020-05-2031 minSafe Travels#20: How to know when it's smart to plan travel again after coronavirus, with guest Janice LintzTravelers are playing the waiting game. On one hand, much of the United States is still on some sort of shutdown in an effort to slow the spread of covid-19. Because of this, it's hard to feel comfortable booking any sort of travel for the future. On the other hand, travel suppliers are offering deals to entice travelers back to booking. Janice Lintz is a world traveler (139 countries and counting) and is on her way to visiting every country. She is also a writer and consumer advocate, and she has strong...2020-05-1832 minSafe Travels#19: Is RV travel a good "Coronavirus-friendly" choice for trips this summer? An interview with Jason Epperson from RVMiles.com In this episode I speak with Jason Epperson from RVMiles.com...and we're talking about RV travel as a good alternative during the coronavirus situation. Many travelers who might usually take flights or cruises are looking for something more low key, with social distancing options, and staying a little closer to home. In this show Jason talks about: "Roadschooling" strategies for RVing with kids full time Why the National Parks might be very busy this year How the "2-2-2" rule helps keep you sane on...2020-05-1539 minSafe Travels#18: Advice for picking the safest airlines post-Covid19 with Simone Collins from TravelMaxIn this show we try to answer the concerns of many travelers who are thinking of booking travel for after coronavirus. "How can I book post-Coronavirus trips, but also stay safe and protect my investment?" I am joined by Simone Collins of TravelMax, a travel management company. Simone discusses the ways they have assisted travelers during the pandemic, tips for booking flights, which airlines are the cleanest, and some general travel tips and hacks.2020-05-1336 minSafe Travels#17: Tips for educational family travel from former teacher Kirsten Maxwell, plus planning travel post-Covid19 In this episode I'm joined by Kirsten Maxwell from KidsAreATrip.com. Kirsten is a former teacher, and now runs a blog that documents her travels with her family of 3 boys. In addition to her main blog Kids Are A Trip, Kirsten runs a Facebook group and separate site for multi-generational travel planning. In the show she shares her coronavirus cancellation story, advice for family travel, and some tips and tricks from a former teacher on how to make it educational. For more information, shownotes, timestamps...2020-05-1122 minSafe Travels#16: How to plan travel post-Covid19, obsessive travel planning, and "vacations" vs. "trips" with guest Tamara GruberThis episode I'm joined by Tamara Gruber from We3Travel.com. Tamara is a self-described "obsessive travel planner", and her website shares in depth information about destinations and travel advice. In the show she shares her coronavirus cancellation story, advice for getting refunds from various travel suppliers, family travel tips, and mistakes to avoid. For more information, shownotes, timestamps, transcript, and links visit: travelinsurancereview.net/safe-travels2020-05-0724 minSafe Travels#15: How to get a refund or credit if your cruise was canceled due to coronavirusCruise travel has come to a complete halt throughout the world. In fact, with thee no-sail order from the CDC and many ports not allowing entry, many currently sailing cruise ships are at anchor or waiting to dock...with up to 80,000 crew members on board. And what if you have a cruise booked for later this year? Should you cancel, and if so how do you do it? Today's short show is about getting a refund or credit from the cruise line, and tips to make the process easier.2020-04-2305 minSafe Travels#14: How to protect yourself when you book a travel deal after coronavirusCoronavirus travel deals are getting hard to pass up. Travel suppliers are offering huge discounts on airfare, hotels, cruises, and more. Flights are 50% off, 5-star hotels are 80% off, the list goes on and on. But who isn't a little nervous about booking trips while thee country still deals with coronavirus? Today's show has 4 tips for how to protect yourself when you do decide to book travel.2020-04-1704 minSafe Travels#13: Should I cancel my summer vacation & falls trips for Coronavirus?Travel is done....for now. But it's not dead forever. Travel will return slowly as we work our way out of the Coronavirus lockdown. But many of us have trips planned for the summer, fall, and beyond. And the question is, "Should I cancel those trips now or wait to see what happens?". Today's show discusses how to answer that question, why, and how to make the right call.2020-04-1607 minSafe Travels#12: Why it might be less risky than you think to book travel for laterTravel deals are abundant right now, but is it crazy to book them? Since Coronavirus shut down virtually all travel, the vacation industry is trying hard to get you to book a trip for the future. To do this, they are changing some of their long-held policies regarding fees and cancellations to get you to commit now. Today’s show talks about how to take advantage of the great deals now, while still protecting your investment and making sure you can stay safe.2020-04-1504 minSafe Travels#11: What changes to expect when we start traveling again after CoronavirusCoronavirus has caused travel to come to a screeching halt throughout the world. Flights are empty, cruise ships are waiting in port, and everyone's waiting to find out when they can start planning trips again. But, much like after 9/11, there will be changes to how we travel. From flights to cruises, it's safe to expect several changes in procedures, regulations, and traveler habits. Today's show discusses several of the most likely changes coming in the wake of Coronavirus. 2020-04-1308 minSafe Travels#10: When will we know it's safe to travel again? Key indicators to watch for, and what to ignore.The Coronavirus outbreak seems to be peaking right now. And although it has been devastating for many, it seems to be less so than many models predicted...which is great news. The hard work of medical workers, travel bans, restrictions, and social distancing have combined to keep this under relative control. As we work through this, one of the next questions for many becomes, “When can I start planning travel again?”. Or first...”When will we know it is safe to travel again?”. This show covers a few indicators to watch for that...2020-04-1006 minSafe Travels#9: Jeremy Murchland- How travel insurance covers Coronavirus, how to plan trips going forward, and other tips for safe travelsIn this interview we discuss the basics of travel insurance, how it covers Coronavirus, tips for planning travel in light of the virus, and some general ideas for worry-free travel. The interview features Jeremy Murchland from Seven Corners Insurance. Jeremy is an expert in travel insurance and international medical insurance, and has been President of Seven Corners since 2019. Coronavirus has virtually shut down travel (both international and domestic) but travelers still have plenty of questions. Does travel insurance cover COVID-19 cancellations, does it cover medical emergencies related to it, can I still buy insurance. 2020-04-0828 minSafe TravelsEpisode 8: 16 Ways for you to help during the coronavirus outbreakAs the US enters a second week of widespread shut downs due to the Coronavirus pandemic, travel has almost completely shut down. However, instead of planning their next trip, travel fans (and everyone else) are looking for ways to help out. In this show I talk about many non-profits who are directly helping in the Covid-19 effort, how they are doing so, and how you can get involved2020-03-2107 minSafe TravelsEpisode 7: What to do if you are traveling abroad during the State Dept. Level 4 AdvisoryThe US State Department issued an unprecedented Level 4 travel advisory on March 19th, recommending all US citizens to avoid international travel. It also recommended that all US citizens currently abroad return to the US as soon as possible. What should you do if you are abroad during this warning?2020-03-2004 minSafe TravelsEpisode 6: 5 ways to help small businesses during the Coronavirus shutdownTravel has screeched to a halt and most citizens are social distancing. This means they're not only avoiding travel...but not even going out of their homes unless necessary. Small businesses around the country are seriously hurting from the lack of business, so here are some tips for those who want to help out. 2020-03-1607 minSafe TravelsEpisode 5: How to plan travel the smart way while considering coronavirusAs the country enters a "self quarantine" for a while, many people want to think ahead and plan trips. But with the uncertainty surrounding coronavirus it's hard to plan too much. Here are some tips for planning travel in the uncertain times of coronavirus.2020-03-1305 minSafe TravelsEpisode 4: What you need to know about the Europe travel banPresident Trump declared a 30 day travel ban from all European countries on March 11, and we’re going to talk about what you need to know.2020-03-1205 minSafe TravelsEpisode 3: Answers to 7 of the top travel questions when it comes to coronavirusToday we're answering some common questions travelers are asking about their travel plans and coronavirus. 2020-03-1110 min
Safe TravelsEpisode 2: State department advises US citizens against cruise travelOn Sunday March 8th the US Department of State issues a statement advising US citizens to avoid travel on cruise ships, in response to the growing concerns of Coronavirus. The statement includes recommendations and we discuss on the show some of the key points.2020-03-0905 min
Safe TravelsEpisode 1: How travel insurance covers CoronavirusIn this episode we talk quickly about how travel insurance covers cancellations due to Coronavirus, and tips on how to get coverage as we go forward.2020-03-0407 min