Adventurer Ann joins us today to share her travels through Ireland. Her road trip avoided the major tourist spots so that they could see the "real" parts of the country. What did they experience? How about soaring cliffs, the Lousitania museum, AirBnBs, wonderful foods, and Irish scones! Ann shares all of her best travel tips, including how she creatively made it to Ireland on points and what she'd do differently if she went again (and she definitely plans to go again!). 

Looking for our gear of the day list? We added a great new one on today's show. You'll find the whole list at HTTP://stackingadventures.com/gotd

Share YOUR Ireland adventure with us by heading to HTTP://stackingadventures.com/mystory. You'll have five minutes to detail the good, bad, and ugly. Whether it's a funny anecdote or best practices, we want to hear! 

Emmy winner Joseph Rosendo joins us! In this special episode, Joseph, known for his PBS show 'TravelScope,' shares invaluable travel tips focusing on the importance of immersing oneself in local cultures rather than merely visiting tourist sites. He emphasizes the need to interact with locals to truly enrich your travel experience. The episode also covers Joseph's thoughts on packing smartly, the significance of speaking a few phrases of the local language, and the art of bargaining responsibly. His candid reflections will give you not only important tips, but also practical advice to enhance your future travels.

RUN OF SHOW

• Introduction to a Special Episode
• Greatest Hits and Special Interviews
• Travel Insights with Joseph Rosendo
• Engaging with Locals
• Supporting the Show
• Upcoming Episodes and Listener Contributions
• Interview with Joseph Rosendo
• Behind the Scenes of Travel Scope
• The Essence of Travel Experiences
• The Importance of Language in Travel
• Curiosity and Spontaneous Interactions
• The Art of Bargaining
• Final Thoughts and Reflections

Looking for our awesome gear of the day page? You'll find all of our favorite travel aids, hacks, and fun toys here: https://stackingadventures.com/gotd

We need your help! We are prepping episodes on New Orleans, Ghost Tours, and Peru & Chile! If you have adventures in these areas, share your stories with us for a future episode of the podcast! You'll have five minutes to tell your story, so let it fly! HTTP://stackingadventures.com/mystory

Today, we'll take you to BACK to Japan, a place that Crystal visited and shared her experiences from. Now we share YOUR hilarious and insightful adventure stories, including mishaps like throwing up in your boss's wife's shoes, avoiding canceled flights due to typhoons, and playing the exchange rate game. We also gather practical travel tips including public transportation, eating at 7-Eleven, and must-try food experiences. Learn the importance of not over-planning, early starts to beat the crowds, and how to make the most out of your trips. This episode is packed with both funny and useful advice to make your future Japan trips unforgettable.

RUN OF SHOW

• Introduction and Japan Trip Teaser
• Adventurers Share Their Stories
• Joe's Daughter's Japan Experience
• Teaching English in Japan
• Travel Tips and Cultural Insights
• Public Transportation in Japan
• Japanese Toilets and Bathroom Culture
• Japanese Cuisine Adventures
• 7-Eleven in Japan: A Unique Experience
• Gear of the Day Teaser
• Travel Planning Insights
• Exploring Japan: Key Destinations
• Travel Tips and Personal Anecdotes
• The Importance of Flexibility in Travel
• Navigating Japan's Transportation System
• Unique Experiences and Local Cuisine
• Final Travel Tips and Reflections
• Gear of the Day and Closing Thoughts

Find more episodes, blog posts, and our gear of the day at https://stackingadventures.com.

Dive into the vibrant and enigmatic world of New Orleans as Crystal and Joe are joined by authors Sharon Keating and Christi Keating Sumich, who take us on a journey through the city's rich (and haunted) cocktail history. In this episode, you'll learn about iconic drinks such as the Absinthe Frappe and the famous Sazerac and explore some historic and haunted hotspots like Jean Lafitte's Old Absinthe House and the Roosevelt Hotel's Sazerac Bar. Sharon and Christie share their expertise on New Orleans' unique blend of life, death, and celebration. Plus, get ready for some gear of the day suggestions to enhance your adventure experience!

Find gear of the day, including Sharon & Christi's book, Hauntingly Good Spirits, in our Gear of the Day shop!

RUN OF SHOW

• Introduction to Ghost Tours and Party Scenes
• Exploring New Orleans: Drinks and History
• Pronunciation Fun and Gear of the Day
• Meet our guests, Sharon and Christi
• New Orleans: A Unique American City
• The Mystique of Absinthe
• Cemeteries and Celebrations
• Speakeasies and Vampire Legends
• Making the Perfect Absinthe Frappe
• Hemingway's Connection to New Orleans
• Exploring New Orleans: Walking Distance and Maps
• Death in the Afternoon: Hemingway's Cocktail
• Commander's Palace and Lafayette Cemetery
• Streetcars and Navigating New Orleans
• The Iconic Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt Hotel
• Writing 'Hauntingly Good Spirits': A Family Collaboration
• Final Thoughts and Farewell

Find out show notes and other adventures/past episodes at StackingAdventures.com.

Today we embark on a spine-tingling journey through America's most haunted ghost tours. Discover eerie hotspots like New Orleans, Williamsburg, and Charleston, where tales of haunted houses, mysterious tunnels, and historic lantern-lit streets come to life. Along the way, Crystal and Joe delve into their personal ghost tour experiences, sharing memorable costumes from childhood and the quirks that make each tour unforgettable, including an Asheville tour featuring a hilarious mad Russian scientist and unexpected props. Get ready to see these famous cities in a ghostly new light—spooky and fun in equal measure.

Plus, we'll dive deeper into the elements that make these ghost tours truly exceptional. From the haunted house Nicholas Cage reportedly fears to live in to some exhilarating hands-on experiences with EMP devices in Traverse City, you'll understand the importance of a knowledgeable and engaging guide. We also highlight lesser-known gems like Delray's Halloween house decorating contest and historical tours in small American towns. Equip yourself with essential travel tips, from must-have toiletries to reusable containers, ensuring your spooky adventures are smooth and comfortable. As we wrap up, we preview our upcoming episodes, teasing New Orleans drink recipes perfect for a Halloween bash, and we encourage you to share your ghost tour stories with us. Whether it's wandering through historic towns with original gas lanterns or enjoying the immersive performances of costumed characters, our episode promises to entertain and enlighten. Don't miss out as we share our 'Gear of the Day' and elevate your next haunted journey!

Run of Show

• Exploring Historic and Spooky Cities
• Ghostly Encounters in Texarkana
• The Allure of Ghost Tours
• Memorable Costumes and Halloween Fun
• What Makes a Good Ghost Tour?
• Haunted Tales and Paranormal Activity
• Favorite Ghost Tours and Haunted Houses
• Hammond Court Anecdote
• Road Trip Pit Stop
• Gear of the Day Hint
• Favorite Ghost Tours
• Quirky Ghost Tour in Asheville
• New Orleans Vampire Stories
• Finding the Best Ghost Tours
• Gear of the Day Reveal
• Upcoming New Orleans Adventure

You'll find show notes AND all of our travel adventures at StackingAdventures.com

Have you been on a ghost tour? Leave us your story at HTTP://stackingadventures.com/mystory. You'll have five minutes to share! Be a part of the show!

On today's episode we asked YOU for advice on packing for travel, accumulating points, and generally making things easier and more fun. Boy, did you come through! We feature advice from MANY people from our adventure community on this episode.

Have you been to Japan? Peru? Chile? Those episodes are coming soon, so share your advice on our voicemail at http://stackingadventures.com/mystory

In week one of this podcast we featured Neighbor Doug from the Stacking Benjamins Show, sharing his story about traveling to Scotland. We asked YOU for stories or tips and you didn't disappoint us! Today we'll hear from Gwen, Amanda, and Stephanie about their best and worst moments visiting this beautiful country. Gwen shares stories from Edinburgh and the Highlands, Stephanie shares a story about an impromptu picnic, and Amanda covers fun with locals AND her own Edinburgh adventure. Throughout the show, Joe and Crystal share their own stories as well. Joe also has been to Edinburgh and shares his stories about the festival.

At the midway point, Crystal gives us clues about her "gear of the week." At the end of the show she reveals some great gear. 

You can see all of our gear from this show (and past episodes) at StackingAdventures.com/gotw.

We need your stories about Japan, Peru, and Chile! Leave those at: StackingAdventures.com/MyStory

Today Joe recounts his recent South American adventure, exploring iconic destinations like Machu Picchu, Santiago, and Lima. Discover his experience with an Adventures By Disney guided tour. You'll hear about vibrant destinations like Cusco and Chilean vineyards, as well as incredible culinary experiences, including dining at some of the world's best restaurants. Plus, get insights into using public transportation, selecting the best accommodations, and making the most of premium travel options. Whether you're planning a trip or love travel stories, this episode is packed with tips and entertaining tales from Joe's journey.

Plus, Joe will share his "gear of the week" pick at the halfway point. Can you guess it?

See all of our gear of the week at StackingAdventures.com/gotw

Be a part of the show! Have you been to Peru or Chile (or have your own experience with Adventures By Disney)? Leave us a voicemail, and YOU can be on the show during our recap episode. You can just head to StackingAdventures.com/voicemail and leave your note.

Today, we take you halfway around the world and delve into Crystal's exhilarating journey to Japan. From the bustling streets of Tokyo and the serene temples of Kyoto to the breathtaking heights of Mount Fuji, you'll be taken on a tour of Japan's top destinations. The episode highlights the intricacies of traveling with a friend, navigating public transportation, using Groupon for travel deals, and maximizing sightseeing experiences. Additionally, we address Crystal's challenges, such as broken luggage, and provide actionable travel tips like using packing cubes and leveraging technology for translations. Can you guess the gear of the week? Joe couldn't!

On this episode:

• Introduction and TWA Nostalgia
• Revealing the Destination: Japan
• Travel Companions and Planning
• Booking and Using Groupon for Travel
• Flight Experience with Singapore Airlines
• Exploring Tokyo and Mount Fuji
• Pit Stop and Gear of the Day
• Exploring Tokyo's Must-See Sites
• The Sensory Overload of Tokyo's Fish Market
• Shopping Adventures: Takita Street and the Hundred Yen Store
• Luggage Troubles and Souvenir Overload
• Dining Experiences in Tokyo
• Kyoto: Ancient Temples and Modern Delights
• Mount Fuji and the Awe-Inspiring Cable Car Ride
• Japan's Cleanliness and the Bullet Train Experience
• Final Thoughts and Future Adventures

Head to StackingAdventures.com for our show notes!

Have you traveled to Japan? Share your story for our follow-up episode! http://stackingadventures.com/voicemail

In this episode of the Stacking Adventures podcast, hosts Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy discuss the challenges and strategies of packing for travel. They share personal anecdotes about overpacking and underusing items, the advantages of rolling clothes versus laying them flat, and the quirks of packing cubes. They also delve into the importance of choosing the right suitcase size, dealing with lost luggage, and how to pack smarter to avoid extra baggage fees. The hosts offer practical tips such as using collapsible bags for souvenirs, packing versatile clothing, and keeping travel necessities in the bag at all times. The episode concludes with Joe’s gear recommendation of Bluffworks pants, perfect for both casual and fancy occasions.

00:00 Introduction and Packing Woes

00:46 Unpacking the Packing Process

00:58 Gear of the Day and Travel Tips

01:40 Packing Strategies and Tips

03:39 Rolling vs. Laying Flat

05:51 Keeping It Simple

10:14 Souvenirs and Packing Cubes

17:20 Lost Luggage Stories

22:15 Road Trip Pit Stop

22:59 Gear of the Day Teaser

23:27 Exploring Italy: The Bridge of Sighs

25:17 Venice: A City of Canals and Gondolas

27:21 Packing Tips and Quirky Items

29:32 Overpacking Woes and Solutions

34:02 Shoe Dilemmas and Travel Hacks

40:15 Final Thoughts and Gear of the Day Reveal

Today Crystal and Joe explore the world of reward points and travel hacking with expert Lee Huffman. The discussion covers the benefits and drawbacks of various credit card reward programs, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the perks of having a Southwest Companion Pass, and the value of using portals and dining reward programs. Lee shares his experience with traveling internationally, including tips on using mobile hotspots and the benefits of using eSIM cards. In addition, the show addresses avoiding debt while chasing points and the importance of spending points effectively rather than hoarding them. The episode wraps up with their 'Gear of the Day' segment featuring a handy mobile hotspot and invites listeners to share their own travel and reward tips.

00:00 Introduction to Reward Points

00:43 Meet Lee Huffman: The Reward Hacking Expert

02:23 Travel Adventures and Family Road Trips

05:13 The Joy of Hugging Wombats

09:40 Travel Hacking Tips and Tricks

20:55 Pit Stop and Trivia Time

25:42 Discovering Point Programs

26:02 Comparing Marriott and Hyatt Points

27:18 Airline Loyalty Programs

29:46 Maximizing Credit Card Rewards

33:01 Stacking Points and Rewards

39:42 Avoiding Credit Card Debt

46:08 Gear for International Travel

50:56 Conclusion and Resources