Adventure Begins Podcast

Michelle McKnight of MEI-Travel shares her family's experience visiting the US National parks this summer and offers lots of great tips on saving money, maximizing time, and limiting your exposure to others when traveling during a pandemic.  *PLUS* - We discuss the new Pan Am board game - Some of our favorite travel shows (and their hosts) - Solo travel is the best kind of self care - And mattresses that may help fight the spread of Coronavirus   ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

While we all try to navigate our wanderlusty souls through stay at home orders; the gals offer some great tips and advice to feel the joy of traveling from the comfort of your couch. * PLUS * - Emily finally leaves the house and visits Fort Collins, CO - Cruise ships are delayed - We decide to craft our own passports and start drinking around the house.  ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

Meet our brand new co-host, Meghan Hayes of MEI-Travel, we get to know her a bit and discuss why travel agents are not only important, but a necessity, especially in this uncertain travel world. * PLUS * - Emily tells us about her snowy Crater Lakes Hike in Rollinsville, Colorado - Meghan reminds us to prepare our cars before a big summer road trip. ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

After a break, we are ready to share our travels with you once again. So, get your luggage out of storage and adventure along with us. We've missed you.

Emily hits England and she’s breaking all the travel rules. We are checking in with her this episode to find out what happens when you buy cheap restricted air, plan your hotels hours before your trip and have almost nothing planned in advance. * PLUS * - Melissa shares a few romantic trips to take with someone to determine if they are The One - Jennifer goes to Disneyland - Melissa gives some tips for those ski vacations ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!  

New Years is one of the liveliest and most explosive holidays celebrated around the world. This year, friend of the show Julie Dey, rang in 2019 with a bang while visiting one of the most glamorous places around, Dubai and paired this vacation with a few other can’t miss sights along the way. * PLUS * - Emily runs all the miles and get a passport - Jennifer shares the renaming of an airport  - Melissa reminds you about those pesky connecting flights ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

Do you ever flip through Facebook or Instagram, look at your favorite travel bloggers, and think how in the world do they make all that happen? Is it really as glamorous as it seems? How do they have the time or money to make all these wanderlust dreams come true? We had the opportunity to chat with Paul Corgan and Christine Corgan, two travelers that have managed to find the ultimate loophole of life and have an awesome sponsorship with White Claw Hard Seltzer to travel the world.  * PLUS * - Melissa tours the world one brewery at a time - Jen gets ready to rummmmbble! - Emily is super duper smart when it comes to saving for travel ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!  

In the past, we have talked about some of the wonderful land vacations that Adventures by Disney has to offer, but did you know that they also offer a line of river cruises as well?  In this episode, we chat with Beci Mahnken about her recent experience on the Danube River Cruise onboard the AmaLea, which offered an opportunity to explore the European Christmas Markets. * PLUS * - Emily finds a snack that would make Buddy the Elf happy - Las Vegas has some new rooms accommodations that sounds great for the ultimate slumber party - Jennifer is always prepared with a day bag ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

Royal Caribbean has been revolutionizing the cruise industry for years.  They are masters at creating amazing new ships, and have the ability to revitalize their older ships to feel more up to date.  Jennifer recently had the opportunity to sail on Royal Caribbean’s newly renovated Mariner of the Seas, as well as their newest ship Symphony of the Seas. * PLUS * - Emily ran another marathon - Melissa wants to sleep in an airport - Melissa gives a tip to maximize the space in your cruise cabin ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

Emily and Melissa already miss the warmer weather, so they decided to compare and contrast two American summer island vacation staples-  Martha’s Vineyard located just 7 miles from Cape Cod, and Mackinaw Island about 250 miles north of Detroit located in Lake Huron. * PLUS * - Emily might miss warmer weather, but she has Christmas on the brain - SeaTac is ready to allow people drop off passengers at the gates - Melissa shares some tips for acclimating to a new travel sleep schedule ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

This episode, the girls open up the mail bag and listen some listener questions! * PLUS * - Emily runs the Denver Half Marathon and drinks with Gnomes - Melissa wants to win Mega Millions and sail away on the Titanic - Jennifer has a new app to keep us safe ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

We are a group of ladies that love a good adventure, and sometimes that adventure includes Disney.  The Walt Disney Company offers so many different ways to vacation, from their immersive theme parks to their cruise ships and even tours through Adventure By Disney.  Emily was a lucky girl and got to experience a Canada cruise on the Disney Magic! * PLUS * - Emily tells us about the Newcastle Eye - Jennifer went for an adventure in Zion - Emily announces a new offering through G Adventures - Melissa loves packing a towel ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

G Adventures has specialized in small group travel for over 25 years. It is the very best way to get up close and personal with the world in a way you’d never manage on your own. And when you travel with them, you support local communities and help make the world a little bit better for everyone. Melissa's friend Sean recently experienced his own G Adventure, and he can’t wait to share it with us. * PLUS * - Emily is gearing up for a fall cruise  - Melissa wants to go glamping Oregon Trail style - Emily knows her way around a ziplock bag ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

Paris!  Just saying that famous city’s name reminds us of the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame cathedral, and high fashion. The city’s open-air cafes are an institution for casual eating and people-watching. And let’s not forget about pastries, bread and cheese, and wine!  Our friend Sara recently went on a girls trip to Paris and we can’t wait to hear all about it * PLUS * - Emily gives us the weather forecast according to the Farmers Almanac - Jennifer discusses some increasing airline fees - Emily explores Fort Collins and hikes Horsetooth - Melissa provides some tips when traveling internationally with your credit cards ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

Comicon has been ruling the comic fan world for almost 50 years with an annual gathering in San Diego, California. Over the years the event has transformed from a one day gathering of around 100 attendees to a three day extravaganza bringing in over 130,000 visitors. Those who attend these days are treated to film screenings, programs, panels, a 460,000 sq ft exhibit hall, and over 700 different events including art shows, meet and greets, autograph areas and of course the ever popular costume contest. * PLUS * - Jennifer shares a fun photo collage tool from our friends at Royal Caribbean - Emily has a tip to get through security faster ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

Cuba is the largest Caribbean island just roughly the size of Pennsylvania, and is located just 90 miles south of Key West FL between the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas. After much government turmoil most tourism was halted to the outside world until the 1990’s and continued for those in the United States until 2016 when President Obama opened the doors for US travel within certain guidelines. Emily recently had the opportunity to explore Cuba on a People-to-People mission trip, and we all want to go now! * PLUS * - Melissa shares some new technological developments from the TSA - Jennifer provides us with a tip for getting a great price on a rental car ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

New Zealand is a country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean consisting of 2 main islands, and it has both volcanoes and glaciers. There is plenty to do, like hiking mountains, seeing amazing museums, and drinking local wine . Meanwhile, Wellington’s dramatic Mt. Victoria is popularly known as Middle Earth in Peter Jackson’s "Lord of the Rings" films. Kelli Trent is back to tell us all about her trip of a lifetime! * PLUS * - Jennifer shares a bit about her most recent cruise on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas - Emily has a sunscreen advisory from Hawaii - Jaimie gives us another reason to stick to beer (like we needed one!) ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

Asia is a must see place for travelers over the last few years and our friend Meghan recently returned from a trip to Taiwan. This island is also known as the Republic of China. Just South East of mainland China, it is a country rich with heritage - you can find over 15,000 temples which are used as community and festival centers, places of worship, and art houses.  Whether you love to hike, cycle, or eat food from one of the 300 night markets, we think Taiwan is a place you’ll want to visit too. * PLUS * - Melissa wants to go cruising with Oprah - Emily reminds us to download the right apps before flying ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!  

Norwegian Bliss has been custom-built for the spectacular - featuring a revolutionary Observation Lounge for you to soak in every stunning moment, go karts and laser tag to keep the adrenaline pumping, and staterooms for every budget. Jennifer and Emily had the unique opportunity to go on an inaugural cruise, and they have all the details about this amazing ship! * PLUS * - Jaimie shares flight attendant secrets to looking refreshed on your next trip - Melissa brings her whole family on to talk about their weekend adventure to the New England Air Museum - Melissa wants you to take a picture of your luggage ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!

Seattle is located on the Puget sound in the Pacific Northwest. This city has mountains, lush forests, and water every direction you look. The city is also well known for it’s massive tech industry including giants like Amazon, Microsoft and Boeing. These innovative minds are part of what creates this vibrant and entertaining city crowned with the iconicly futuristic Space Needle from the 1962 World’s Fair. Jennifer and Melissa also took another cruise out of Seattle on Explorer of the Seas, and give a quick recap on some of the staterooms and ports that they visited * PLUS * - Melissa really wants to explore an "abandoned theme park" - Emily knows just what to pack for lightweight, breathable clothing ... So pack your bags and tune in, and let the adventure begin!