Traverse Talks Podcast

Join Tucker and Mauricio as they discuss a new chapter of Traverse Tours & Travel!

Kyle tells us about his experience he had this past summer on a trip with his family to Glacier National Park and Alberta, Canada. Kyle's first stop was Flathead Lake, It's the biggest fresh water lake on the west side of the Mississippi. Its HUGE! Not only is the size crazy, but the views are AMAZING also! The following day they headed up into Glacier National Park. They spent the day driving on the Going To The Sun Road, this is one road you must drive on! It winds high up into the mountains with BEAUTIFUL views the whole entire way! The next stop was in Canada, Kyle and his family headed into Alberta. They stopped to see Lake Moraine and Lake Louise, two of the most beautiful lakes you can get to without a crazy hike. These lakes were formed by glaciers giving them an awesome shade of blue and green from the minerals the glaciers left behind. 

There have been a LOT of changes at the Disney park properties this last year for both Disneyland and California Adventures.  Our in-house Disney Travel Specialist, Denise, visited both park with her family this last fall. She talks about the new changes to each park, what to eat, how to handle naps for a toddler, and about some of the new features on the Disney Parks app. If you are planning a Disney trip soon, Denise is the one you want in your corner!

This is a very special expedition that Eagle Condor takes at least once a year. It is special for many reasons: the projects have maximum impact, the local people are extremely grateful, and the experience is unforgettable. When Eagle Condor plans a trip they first meet with the local leadership to decide what project would have the most impact. This ensures that the project us meaningful and useful to the local population.  For this trip, the local leadership and Eagle Condor decided that an updated septic system is what the village needed the most. The trip into Guayacana is a tale all on its own. Missy and her crew of eager volunteers spared no energy in finishing the project on time and to exact specifications. It really is wonderful to hear about how the volunteers and locals work together to accomplish something that neither could accomplish, alone.  We are so grateful to Missy, and all the other humanitarian organizations that allow us to be a part of the important work that they do. 

Traverse Tours & Travel is excited to introduce a new guest, Missy Webster from Eagle Condor Humanitarian! We talk with Missy about her involvement with the organization and what volunteers can experience while on humanitarian expeditions. Eagle Condor's mission statement is: "Alleviating Poverty Through Self Reliance Training." They accomplish this through providing career development, children's programs, and volunteer expeditions in Ecuador, Columbia and Peru.  Get involved with humanitarian work! Traverse Tours & Travel: flytraverse.com Eagle Condor: eaglecondor.org See the World, Change Your World

Welcome our newest guest on Traverse Talks, Denise!  She's our Disney expert here in the office and has tons of personal experience traveling to Disneyland.  She loves it because she feels like everyone can feel the magic and be a kid. Signature dining experiences, holiday events, private tours, Disneyland resorts, and favorite foods are some of the things that Denise and Tony cover in this episode.   Keep your eye out on our Instagram account @FlyTraverse for more Disney tips from Denise.  Our Magic Minutes will begin airing soon! www.FlyTraverse.com

While some "hot deals" do work—with a lot of interesting parameters—watch out for overcharges and surprise fees when it comes to heavily discounted vacations.  Our travel agency is knowledgable about getting you the best deal, whether that's through Traverse Tours & Travel or through these vouchers. We're always happy to help from our side in the travel industry.  In this episode, Mauricio discusses what you can do to make sure you don't become involved in a travel scam yourself! See the world.  Change your world. www.flytraverse.com

Although it takes more preparation, it's not impossible to travel with special needs.  Most airlines, hotels, and cruise lines can make accommodations for individuals with special needs.  Everyone should be able to have these experiences. In this episode, Mauricio speaks from personal experience about helpful tips and joyous opportunities for traveling with individuals with disabilities. See the world.  Change your world. www.flytraverse.com

How do I earn points, miles, and awards?  Which credit card should I use to get the best return?  Should I book my trip using my points or should I use my credit card so I can keep earning?  What's the difference between earning and redeeming points and miles?  We receive questions like this every day, and this episode has the answers! Being able to maximize your benefits can save a lot of money overall. Give us a listen, tell us what you learned, and let us help you plan your next trip! See the world. Change your world. www.flytraverse.com

Traveling can be very safe, if you do you part.  In this episode, we go into some details of how to stay safe and not become a target for theft or being taken advantage of.  Some of the things we talk about might sound like common sense, but when you are new to a place it's easy to be distracted and forget to be vigilant. We talk about how to prepare for airport security and getting to the plane in one piece.  We discuss what to watch out for, how to protect your valuables, and how to not become prey for eager street vendors! Paying attention to the behavior and customs of the locals will give big clues as to how to behave and how to blend in as much as possible. Be confident, stay positive. When you see the world, it will change your world!

We get this question every day- why should I use a travel agent when I book my trips? There is a short and a long answer. For the most part, the answer is- if you like to have someone hired to handle the details of putting a trip together, then a travel agent is perfect for you. If you would rather booking your trip on your own then we want you to have that experience! We often get asked if working with a travel agency costs more or less than booking trips solo. The answer also depends. Most of the time, using a travel agent will not cost anything extra, but has huge benefits. Come listen and find out what those benefits could be for you! Give us a call and see how we can make your next trip the easiest trip you will plan!

We introduce a new guest one the show- Marylin! Marilyn is our All Inclusive and European Leisure Specialist. She has been sending happy travelers to destinations all over the globe for years. She goes through some common questions that many first-time and veteran cruisers have. We talk about scheduling, pricing, family accommodations, travel insurance, and cruise lines. Join us!  As we say here at Traverse Tours & Travel- See the World. Change Your World. www.flytraverse.com

Have you ever heard that buying airfare on Tuesday afternoons after a full moon while standing on one foot is the best time to buy airfare. Believe it not, those are just myths.  Learn how airfare is priced, when to buy at the best price, how to shop for airfare, and how to plan flight routes. Come and listen!  Visit out website at www.flytraverse.com and let us know where you are planning to fly to. We'll find you the best route and the itinerary that fits your trip the best. 

Traveling is such an enlightening experience! What is even better than traveling with your travel partner is traveling with children. It gives them the opportunity to see and learn the same things that you do and provides the experience to create memories.  In this episode, we talk about travel with babies and travel with young children. What to expect, what to plan for, what to prepare for, and how to book travel with children.  Tell us what you have learned and what else you would recommend when traveling with children. As we say here at Traverse Tours & Travel- See the World. Change your World.

Traveling is such a rewarding experience! However, there are are laws about traveling from one country to another and that means being prepared with information and the proper identification to smoothly move in and out of your travel destinations.  We discuss the difference between the different identification types and which ones are used in each situation. We also give some tips on apps and processes to use to shorten the time spent waiting in line to have documentation checked.  Have a listen and let us know what you learned! As we say here at Traverse Tours and Travel- See the World. Change your World.

Choosing a cruise line can feel like trying to decide what's for dinner- there are so many options out there! Cruise options vary from starter options to sailing in style. In this episode, we quickly review some of the highlight features of some of the most popular cruise lines.  Carnaval Norwegian Royal Caribbean Princess Rengent Seven Seas What other questions do you have about what each cruise line offers? Send us a message, call us, or email us with your questions. And as always, thank you so much for listening to the show! As we say here at Traverse Tours & Travel- When you see the world, it will change your world.

Join us for Mauricio's trip to Israel! It was a quick three-day trip that was packed with sight-seeing and touring the Holy Land.  Mauricio and his parents joined up with Anderson tours during the portion of the tour that covered the last days of Chirst. Sites like the The Church of the Gethsemene, Orson-Hyde park, the Sacred Pit, and the Garden Tomb were some of the locations visited during the tour.  After the tour, a bit of sight seeing was done at the Dead Sea, Palestine, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem. This part of the world is an incredible melting pot of cultures and beliefs. There is so much to learn and appreciate about the cultures that have stood for a millennia. We recommend that everyone take the chance to visit the Holy Land. If you are planning a trip to the Holy Land, give us a call and plan your trip with someone that has been there.  If you like any of the information in this show, subscribe! See the world. Change your world.

Join us for our first episode as we dive into cruising! We talk about what to plan for, what to avoid, and some things to expect on your cruise.  Taking a cruise can be an incredibly rewarding experience. The key is to plan correctly to minimize any issues during the planning and booking stages of the trip. Your cruise should be all about making memories and not about stressing over the details of your trip. If you still have any questions about booking or taking a cruise after listening to this episode, send us a message via social media or by sending us an email. We are happy to help! --info@flytraverse.com If you like what you hear on the show, hit the subscribe button!