Traveling with AAA

Auto Club Enterprises
  • 4.9 (157)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

To help you get the most of your travel experiences, Traveling with AAA takes you around the country and the world through conversations with industry pros. You’ll hear tips and tricks, travelers’ tales, and hard-won wisdom that will inspire you to plan your next adventure. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of Auto Club Enterprises/The Automobile Club of Southern California, AAA and/or its affiliates.

  1. 1d ago

    7 Sacred Sites in Japan You Can’t Miss with Chris Peskosky and Alex Murphy

    Japan’s most photographed sacred sites may draw the largest crowds, but quieter temples and shrines can be just as memorable. Taking the time to explore beyond the best-known landmarks can offer visitors a broader appreciation of the country’s religious traditions, architecture, and history. In this episode, host Angie Orth continues her conversation with Chris Peskosky and Alex Murphy, the travel content creators behind It's Chris and Alex. The pair share more of their favorite discoveries from traveling through Japan, including the most underrated shrines and which temples are worth the extra effort to reach. You'll hear which shrine surprised them the most, why some of the region's most photographed sites are still worth the crowds, and the practical habits that make traveling in Japan easier. Chris and Alex also share the story behind Nara's largest Buddha statue and a piece of advice that catches almost every first-time visitor off guard. What You’ll Learn: 0:17 Kyoto's most underrated shrine, dedicated to star-crossed lovers 3:18 The hidden temple trek that leads to a secluded bamboo grove 4:37 Why Fushimi Inari's iconic gates still live up to the hype 7:07 Inside Nara's Todaiji Temple and its massive bronze Buddha 10:11 The one packing tip every visitor to Japan needs to know Connect with Chris and Alex: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itschrisandalex/ Website: https://www.itschrisandalex.com/ Have you been to Japan? What was your most memorable experience? Tell us in the comments! Connect with AAA: Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Podcast: TravelingWithAAA.com

  2. Aug 6

    Exploring Japan's Sacred Sites with Chris Peskosky and Alex Murphy

    Taking time to understand local customs can help travelers explore Japan more thoughtfully and respectfully. Learning the etiquette associated with a shrine visit, an onsen soak, or even a train ride can deepen your appreciation of everyday life and traditions in Japan. Host Angie Orth talks with Chris Peskosky and Alex Murphy, the travel content creators behind It's Chris and Alex. The pair has spent extensive time exploring Japan and built a following by helping travelers experience the country the way locals do.  You'll learn about etiquette at sacred sites, from approaching a torii gate to taking part in a shrine's prayer ritual. Chris and Alex also share what to expect during a traditional bathhouse visit, how to behave respectfully on Japan's famously punctual trains, and the unwritten rules for interacting with some beloved animal residents. What You’ll Learn: 1:21 The traditional ryokan stay that made them fall in love with returning to Japan 9:29 How to tell a shrine from a temple, and what each gate signals 12:36 The proper etiquette for praying at a shrine 23:17 What actually happens inside a traditional Japanese onsen 31:44 Meeting Nara's famous bowing deer, and how to handle them Connect with Chris and Alex: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itschrisandalex/ Website: https://www.itschrisandalex.com/ What are you most excited to see and experience in Japan? Tell us in the comments! Connect with AAA: Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Podcast: TravelingWithAAA.com

  3. Jul 30

    Where to Play Pickleball Around the World with Joey Skladany

    A pickleball court with the Rockies rising in the distance. A game played beside glaciers off the coast of Alaska. A lesson on the grounds of a historic château in the French countryside. For a fast-growing wave of travelers, a love of pickleball is inspiring vacation destinations at home and abroad. In this episode, host Angie Orth is joined by Joey Skladany, a travel journalist and avid pickleball player who has taken his game to some of the world's most extraordinary settings. He recently shared his favorite pickleball travel destinations for AAA Explorer and Westways magazines, and today he's breaking down why pickleball and travel are a perfect pair. Joey explains why pickleball has become the world's fastest-growing sport, which domestic and international destinations are leading the charge in pickleball-focused hospitality, and how everyday travelers can find a game or a lesson no matter where they land. From bucket-list courts at the sport's birthplace to ultra-luxury games in Jamaica, this episode covers every level of the pickleball travel experience. What You’ll Learn: 3:21 Why pickleball's multigenerational appeal has made it the fastest-growing sport in the world 8:54 The ultimate active traveler's retreat in the birthplace of pickleball  14:11 What makes Palm Springs one of the friendliest places to pick up a paddle 21:05 Up-and-coming pickleball destinations  29:13 How to pack smart for your pickleball vacation Connect with Joey Skladany: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeyskladany/ Website: https://www.joeyskladany.com/ Read more at: https://www.ace.aaa.com/pickleball Have YOU tried Pickleball? Which destination is on your bucket list? Tell us in the comments!  Connect with AAA: Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

  4. Jul 23

    5 Tips to See the Caribbean Differently with Matt Meltzer

    Beach or no beach, island or mainland, the Caribbean refuses to fit into one neat box. The range is far more diverse than the tourism brochures let on, whether it’s a volcanic island with zero sand or a mainland destination that still feels unmistakably Caribbean. Host Angie Orth continues her conversation with Matt Meltzer, a Lowell Thomas Award-winning travel journalist and former Marine who writes about food and travel for Thrillist, Matador Network, and his own newsletter, The Leftovers Miami.  You'll learn how to reframe your idea of a Caribbean vacation. Matt breaks down how much physical ability different islands really require—and how food shapes where he chooses to explore next. What You’ll Learn: 0:22 The one mindset shift that opens up an entirely different kind of Caribbean trip 0:57 How to approach an island with no beaches, and the wild story tied to its waters 2:47 A destination that isn't even an island  4:33 What kind of fitness level you need for the region's most demanding hiking trails 7:50 The flavors that shape how Matt decides where to eat and explore next Connect with Matt Meltzer: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meltrez1/ Are you planning a trip to a lesser-known Caribbean destination? Tell us in the comments!  Connect with AAA: Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Podcast: TravelingWithAAA.com

  5. Jul 16

    Lesser-Known Caribbean Destinations with Matt Meltzer

    Most travelers see only a sliver of what the Caribbean actually has to offer. Beyond the beaches and duty-free shops lie hidden waterfalls, active volcanoes, centuries-old ruins, and cultures barely touched by tourism.  Host Angie Orth sits down with Matt Meltzer, a Lowell Thomas Award-winning travel journalist and former Marine who writes about food and travel for Thrillist, Matador Network, and his own newsletter, The Leftovers Miami. Recorded at the Beach House Hilton in Fort Lauderdale, the conversation explores what separates an authentic travel experience from a manufactured one, and why the Caribbean has far more to offer than white sand beaches. You'll learn how to gauge a destination's real culture before you book, and why a cruise stop rarely gives you a true sense of a place. Matt also shares blunt, practical advice for travelers ready to move beyond the usual itineraries—and explains the mindset it takes to make those trips worth the extra effort. What You’ll Learn: 7:19 The unspoiled queen of the Caribbean 12:44 The surprising history behind “Statia” 17:01 A destination that rewards hikers who are willing to work  27:08 Savannas and jungles with anteaters, giant otters, and a Wild West spirit  34:18 Secluded beaches when you push past the tourist hot spots on a popular island Connect with Matt Meltzer: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meltrez1/ Which lesser-known Caribbean destination are you most excited to explore? Tell us in the comments!  Connect with AAA: Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Podcast: TravelingWithAAA.com

  6. Jul 9

    Top 5 Theme Parks You Need to Add to Your Bucket List with Zachary Laks

    Europa Park has a coaster that drops you inside the Phantom of the Opera. Knoebels,  in rural Pennsylvania, has free admission and food that tastes like a real home-cooked meal. Neither one is a household name, but they just might be the best theme park days you'll ever have. In this episode, host Angie Orth continues her conversation with Zachary Laks, travel journalist and theme park expert who has written for Fodor’s, The Points Guy, and Lonely Planet. He shares his favorite, most underrated parks worth going out of your way for.  You'll learn which European parks belong on your travel itinerary, why family-owned parks often outperform the big chains, and the single unmissable ride Zachary would book a flight for right now. What You’ll Learn: 0:26 Why Europa Park is the essential first stop for any European theme park itinerary 3:23 What keeps wooden coaster loyalists coming back to Knoebels in Pennsylvania 5:16 How to make the case for adding Efteling to a European trip 8:22 Why independent, family-owned parks deliver a guest experience the big chains can't replicate 10:01 The one ride at Silver Dollar City that Zachary would hop on a plane for today Connect with Zachary Laks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachlaks/ Website: https://www.zacharylaks.com/ Which theme park are you adding to your itinerary? Tell us in the comments! Connect with AAA: Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Podcast: TravelingWithAAA.com

  7. Jul 2

    Theme Parks Around the World with Zachary Laks

    Some of the most exhilarating theme parks in the world have no mascot and no movie franchise behind them. What they do have is decades of obsessive craftsmanship, immersive storytelling, and rides good enough to build a trip around.  In this episode, host Angie Orth is joined by Zachary Laks, a travel journalist and theme park expert who has written for Fodor’s, The Points Guy, and Lonely Planet. Before covering the world's parks, Zachary spent more than  20 years as a theater producer, which sharpened his eye for what separates a good theme park experience from an unforgettable one. You'll learn what makes a theme park memorable, which underrated domestic and European parks deserve a spot on your travel list, and why 2026 may be the most exciting year yet for thrill-seekers. What You’ll Learn: 3:18 The three qualities that separate a great theme park from a merely fun one 8:51 Why Europa Park in Germany keeps winning Best Theme Park Worldwide 16:35 What makes Silver Dollar City and other regional parks worth a road trip 21:47 Budget-friendly parks where you can stretch your dollar (or euro) 26:04 Why you should add a theme park day to your European itinerary Connect with Zachary Laks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachlaks/ Website: https://www.zacharylaks.com/ What's a theme park that surprised you? Share it in the comments! Connect with AAA: Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Podcast: TravelingWithAAA.com

  8. Jul 1

    When Travel Doesn’t Go As Expected: Top travel mishaps and how to handle them with Daniel Durazo

    You're standing at the gate, boarding pass in hand. Then the flight board flashes “cancelled”, your bag doesn't show up on the carousel, or you wake up on day two feeling under the weather in an unfamiliar place. These things can happen to even the most seasoned travelers.  Host Angie Orth welcomes back Daniel Durazo, Director of External Communications at Allianz Partners USA, for a conversation recorded at the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront in Richmond, Virginia. Daniel is one of the most trusted voices in travel protection, helping travelers navigate everything from canceled flights to medical emergencies abroad. You'll hear how travel insurance actually works, the lesser-known benefits most travelers don't realize they have access to, and why buying coverage the moment you book is the smartest move you can make. What You’ll Learn: 2:51 Why this year has tested even the most seasoned travelers 9:25 How rising travel costs change the case for protecting your investment 14:19 The core protections of travel insurance and the lesser-known benefits  26:14 Where Americans are traveling this year and why younger travelers are driving international trips 32:02 How extreme weather and hurricane season are reshaping when and how people buy coverage Connect with Daniel Durazo: Previous Episode: Traveling Unprotected? Why Travel Insurance is Worth It with Daniel Durazo What's the closest call you've had while traveling? Share it in the comments! Connect with AAA: Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Podcast: TravelingWithAAA.com

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4.9
out of 5
157 Ratings

About

To help you get the most of your travel experiences, Traveling with AAA takes you around the country and the world through conversations with industry pros. You’ll hear tips and tricks, travelers’ tales, and hard-won wisdom that will inspire you to plan your next adventure. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of Auto Club Enterprises/The Automobile Club of Southern California, AAA and/or its affiliates.

Information

  • Creator
    Auto Club Enterprises
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    190
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2022-2023 Automobile Club of Southern California and its licensors. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Traveling with AAA

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