176 episodes
Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast A Travel Podcast
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- Society & Culture
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4.7 • 273 Ratings
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Out of Office is a travel podcast hosted by us, Ryan Davis and Kiernan Schmitt. From early childhood, we were each infected with a serious case of wanderlust (among other things.)
We define travel broadly, from local day trips to high-flyin’ overseas adventures. Every episode, we dig into one topic—ranging from the serious to the silly, the practical to the outlandish—and give advice on how to get out there and explore the world.
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Guatemala
On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Kiernan leads us through highlights from his trip to Guatemala—museums of Guatemala City, the pyramids (and howler monkeys!) of Tikal National Park, Antigua volcano hikes, and the part-devil/part-saint of Lake Atitlan. Plus, LOTS OF GORY CATHOLIC STUFF!
Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
The Rick Steves Guide to Life
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2024/04/29/rick-steves-home-partner-philanthropy-washington/
US State Department Guatemala Safety Information
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Guatemala.html
Brief History of Guatemala’s complicated political history and civil war
https://cja.org/where-we-work/guatemala/
Palacio Nacional de la Cultura
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Palace_(Guatemala)
Museo Ixchel
https://museoixchel.org/en/museo-ixchel-english/
Museo Miraflores
https://www.museomiraflores.org.gt/
Museo Nacional de Arqueologia y Etnologia
https://sig.muniguate.com/proyectosDIGM/cultura/museos/MUSEOS/Arqueolog%C3%ADa%20y%20Etnolog%C3%ADa.html
Tikal National Park
https://www.tikalnationalpark.org/
Antigua
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antigua_Guatemala
Santa Catalina Archi
https://theculturetrip.com/central-america/guatemala/articles/a-brief-history-of-antiguas-santa-catalina-arch
Convento de las Capuchinas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iglesia_y_Convento_de_las_Capuchinas,_Antigua_Guatemala
Efrain Recinos sculpture park
https://intothearmsofamerica.com/destinations/guatemala/antigua/the-little-museum-up-in-the-antigua-hills/
Lake Atitlan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Atitl%C3%A1n
Maximon
https://atitlanliving.com/guatemala-travel-information/how-to-visit-a-cofradia-in-santiago/
Michelin Star Analysis
https://www.chefspencil.com/michelin-dining-costs-analysis/
Your iPhone’s Hidden Noise Machine
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/iphone-tips-tricks/
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Traveling For Concerts (Taylor’s version)
On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Ryan interviews Emma Weissmann on the boom of concert travel led by Taylor Swift. Plus, Kiernan endorses Mitt Romney again.
Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
Mitt Romney for Harvard President.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/04/16/mitt-romney-harvard-president-antisemitism/
Emma Interview:
TravelAge West: https://www.travelagewest.com/
Emma’s podcasts: https://www.travelagewest.com/Podcasts
Taylor Swift cruise: https://www.travelagewest.com/Travel/Cruise/taylor-swift-cruise
NPR article on economic impact: https://www.npr.org/2023/12/27/1221483930/girl-economy-taylor-swift-beyonce-barbie-2023
Last Stop:
https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a60314481/literary-travel-boom/
https://www.bnbfinder.com/
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Italian Cuisine Expert Fred Plotkin is BACK!
On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Kiernan digs in on regional Italian cuisine with one of the show’s most interesting guests ever: opera and Italian cuisine expert Fred Plotkin. Fred talks us through some of the most popular and most obscure foods of Italy, sharing history and wonderful anecdotes all along the way. Part 2 of 3!
Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
“Italy for Food Lovers”
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/italy-for-food-lovers
Fred Plotkin biography
https://www.wqxr.org/people/fred-plotkin/
The Atlantic’s “Crying Myself to Sleep on the Biggest Cruise Ship Ever” by Gary Shteyngart
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/05/royal-caribbean-cruise-ship-icon-of-seas/677838/
CNN’s Grandmother and Son Are on the Move
https://www.cnn.com/travel/grandma-joy-ryan-grandson-seven-continents/index.html -
Trip Planning With ChatGPT
On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Kiernan grades ChatGPT, evaluating its organization of three weekend getaways. Ryan shares tips on how to correctly leverage ChatGPT for travel plans. Introducing a fresh segment, "The Layover," Ryan chats with Tommy Wallach from Hatch Escapes on the launch of their latest immersive adventure, "The Ladder."
Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
ChatGPT:
https://chat.openai.com/
Hatch Escapes:
https://www.hatchescapes.com/
OOO Episode on Escape Rooms:
https://outofofficepod.com/podcast/episode-50-escape-rooms-with-tommy-wallach/
LAST STOP
Ryan: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-admin-accelerates-plan-to-unleash-apex-predator-near-rural-community-over-widespread-local-opposition
Kiernan: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/willy-wonka-musical-parody-inspired-by-viral-event-1235852849/
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Italian cuisine expert Fred Plotkin
On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Kiernan interviews one of the show’s most interesting guests ever: opera and Italian cuisine expert Fred Plotkin. Decades ago, Fred published a breakout hit for intrepid eaters: his book “Italy for the Gourmet Traveler.” During COVID, he collaborated with frequent “Out of Office” guest Rick Steves on a new update, which the duo published in 2023 as “Italy for Food Lovers.” Fred’s knowledge proved so encyclopedic, this will be Part 1 of 2!
Note: Some SFX are missing from the top of the show, which explains the weird pauses. We’ll talk about it on the next episode.
Things we talk about in this week’s episode:
Willy Wonka Immersive Experience
https://www.salon.com/2024/03/02/fyre-festival-20-everything-to-know-about-the-less-than-stellar-willy-wonka-immersive-experience/
“Italy for Food Lovers”
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/italy-for-food-lovers
Fred Plotkin biography
https://www.wqxr.org/people/fred-plotkin/
“The Myth of Your Phone’s Airplane Mode”
https://qz.com/phone-airplane-mode-myth-1851286214
“Pod Save the World” CPAC Doubles Down on Creepy Autocrats
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cpac-doubles-down-on-creepy-autocrats/id1200016351?i=1000647359648 -
Buenos Aires 101
On this episode of "Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast," Ryan ventures to Buenos Aires and shares his top neighborhood picks, eats too much steak, and embarks on a quest for elderly giraffes. Also, the boys debut a fresh segment called Nonsense Banter.
Ryan's BA photos on Insgagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C32MfWpuTpH/?img_index=1
Other Links:
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/02/air-canada-must-honor-refund-policy-invented-by-airlines-chatbot/
Customer Reviews
Travel for Concerts and Guetmala
Again, two fantastic episodes! Love these guys!
As far as travel for concerts, I did it regularly in my youthful days. We followed Dave Mathew’s Band Regularly! As far as Taylor, my son’s girlfriend is traveling to see her in December in Vancouver. She tried regularly to get tickets. She was not succcessful here in Dallas or anywhere else in the world for that matter. She finally hit the jackpot with Vancouver! I get it. It was impossible for her to see Taylor anywhere else. Now, she finally gets her wish and gets to see a very cool city while at it. I get why this is a new phenomenon.
Also, yes please! I would love an occasional episode reviewing or discussing a Rick Steves episode! One of my favorite podcasts, “Rick Steves Over Brunch” did just that. I miss it so much! 😭 Would love to geek out on Rick again. I think you two are the perfect ones!
As far as Guatemala, it has also been on our list. For different reasons, we just have not made it yet. Listening to this episode has made think we need to. Sooner verses later! Thank you for all the great content!
Jen Pennoyer
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I love these guys. It’s a little bit of a nerdy show, but with enough irreverent humor to give them an edge. It’s the best travel podcast.
Favorite Travel Podcast
Very fun travel podcast with good info and down to earth laid back hosts. I enjoy the interviews with folks like the NYT person or Rick Steves. Also the (insert city) 101 is quite helpful.