Suitcase Divas: Travel Agent Tips, Tricks & Travel Tales

Suitcase Divas
  • 5.0(3개의 평가)
  • 장소 및 여행
  • 매주 업데이트

 Join co-hosts Denise and Jackie as they chat about the journey of life and how travel plays an intricate role in navigating its twists and turns. Whether it's sharing travel tips, swapping stories over a glass of wine or mimosa, or welcoming special guests, there's always something new to explore! Grab your suitcase, pour a drink, and let’s dive into the adventure of life together—because travel makes everything better! 

  1. 1일 전

    Am I The A**hole? Christmas Edition!

    Send us a text Holiday cheer meets hard choices, and we’re not pulling any punches. We wade into five real “Am I the A**hole?” dilemmas that hit every pressure point of the season: a mom skipping a ski trip while 22 weeks pregnant with triplets, divorced parents clashing over “two Santas,” a last‑minute Thanksgiving disinvite after a stepfamily slight, a young family refusing the Christmas Day tour to protect nap schedules and sanity, and a guest with a severe nut allergy walking out when the table wasn’t safe. We talk through what’s tradition and what’s pressure, why “family first” only works when health and safety come first, and how to create new rituals without declaring war on the old ones. You’ll hear where we draw lines on high‑risk pregnancy travel, why Santa shouldn’t become a co‑parenting scoreboard, how language can make or break belonging for stepkids, and what real accommodation looks like for life‑threatening allergies. We also untangle the classic group trip headache—money fairness, room swaps, and the one relative who expects everyone else to foot the bill—and share practical ways to set expectations before resentment takes the wheel. If your holidays feel like a juggling act of logistics, emotions, and competing needs, this conversation is a reality check and a relief. Come for the drama, stay for the playbook: scripts for saying no without guilt, simple safety rules for shared meals, and ideas for making magic at home when travel just isn’t it. Listen, vote on each story, and then tell us where you stand. If this hits home, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find us. Leave us a message! Visit Our Website! Follow Us! Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok

    35분

  2. 11월 28일

    Gratitude On The Go

    Send us a text The holidays have a way of speeding up the calendar and slowing down the heart. We leaned into that pause to take stock of what truly mattered this year: a community that keeps showing up, trips that became milestones, and tiny travel comforts that somehow mean the most. From crossing a decade-long Napa and Sonoma dream off the list to recovering health just in time to fly, we trace how gratitude can turn ordinary moments into markers you carry forward. We dig into why travel amplifies thankfulness. New places wake up your senses—sunsets feel brighter, street food tells a story, and hotel coffee tastes better when you didn’t have to brew it. Even a simple staycation can reset your pace and remind you to be present. We talk about “double gratitude,” the way you feel thankful during a trip and then again when the memory lands, and how that echo can power real planning for what’s next. Experiences over things is more than a trend; it’s a shift that makes budgets, priorities, and calendars line up with values. That lens inspired our new Gratitude Journal—simple prompts, open space, and intentional questions that help you reflect, dream, and plan your next adventure with clarity. We share practical ways to use it without pressure and explain why the words you choose and the people you surround yourself with can change your trajectory. Clear intentions follow: a full week somewhere warm, a first solo escape, and the courage to put yourself on your own itinerary. Gratitude isn’t just looking back; it’s a compass for where to go next. If this conversation sparks something, grab the journal in the show notes, take five minutes to write, and map a trip future you will thank you for. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review to help more travelers find us. Where will your gratitude take you next? Get your copy of our Gratitude Journal here: Canva Template Link PDF Download Happy Thanksgiving from the Divas to you! Leave us a message! Visit Our Website! Follow Us! Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok

    21분

  3. 11월 14일

    A Veteran’s Network That Turns Isolation Into Camaraderie

    Send us a text The hardest part of leaving the military isn’t the paperwork—it’s the silence that follows. Len from Irreverent Warriors joins us to share how humor, short shorts, and shared miles become a lifeline for veterans navigating the identity gap after service. We get real about the numbers, the isolation, and the way a veteran-only space can flip a switch from “I’m fine” to “I’m understood.” We walk through exactly how a Silkies hike works: Friday meet-and-greet, Saturday’s ruck at an easy pace with support vehicles and water stops, a surprise route that keeps the focus on connection, and a Sunday brunch to cap the weekend. First-timer bracelets spark conversations, sober-friendly guides offer safe company, and accessibility is built in for all abilities. Beyond hikes, IW now runs retreats, floats, fitness events, and destination cruises, pulling vets out of the house and into a tribe that gets them in five minutes without a heavy backstory. We talk about the power of humor as a pressure valve, the stigma women veterans still face, and how her show, The Mental Health Warrior, spotlights practical healing modalities from equine therapy to cold plunges. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to show up, this is it: you don’t need special gear, perfect shoes, or a full ruck. You just need to take the first step. Search Irreverent Warriors on your platform of choice or head to irreverentwarriors.com to find an event near you. If this conversation helped you think of someone, share it with them, hit follow, and leave a quick review so more veterans can find their people. Leave us a message! Visit Our Website! Follow Us! Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok

    43분

  4. 11월 12일

    Napa Eats And Secret Menus: A Foodie Detour

    Send us a text Food shapes the way we remember a trip, and Napa proved it. We invited Denise to unpack her bucket list getaway through a different lens: how a small-portion, selective eater can still eat wonderfully in a destination famous for indulgence. From Italian comfort to Mediterranean hospitality and two bakery heavyweights, this conversation maps a realistic, satisfying path through Napa’s food scene without forcing yourself into a three-course script. We start with Restaurante Allegria’s chicken parm and the joy of capturing meals in photos—because sometimes the memory is half the flavor. Tarla adds warmth with family-run energy and Mediterranean plates that balance richness and freshness. Then we hit the bakery trail: Model Bakery’s cult “English muffins” that skip the nooks and crannies for pillowy, sandwich-ready goodness, and Bouchon’s bread and pastry perfection that travels well and fuels a day of tastings. Along the way, Denise shares practical strategies: check menus on Google before committing, don’t feel obliged to join every appetizer-entrée-dessert parade, and be honest with friends about what works for you. We also road-test hype. The group tried In N Out for the novelty and secret menu, but for a non–fast food eater, the grilled cheese landed as more curiosity than comfort, and the fries didn’t win over the table. The takeaway is simple: trends are optional, taste is personal. What counts is building a trip that fits your appetite, budget, and mood. If you’re planning Napa or Sonoma and want real-world restaurant recommendations, bakery musts, and tips for stress-free group meals, this conversation gives you a clear, friendly guide. Subscribe for more travel-smart, flavor-forward episodes, share with a friend who’s Napa-bound, and leave a quick review to tell us your favorite bite from the road. Leave us a message! Visit Our Website! Follow Us! Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok

    11분

  5. 11월 12일

    Tourism As A Lifeline When Islands Need Us Most

    Send us a text A Category Five on the map changes how you think about travel. We revisit the hard lessons of Katrina and apply them to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean right now, asking what smart preparation looks like when an island’s only exit may be a runway that closes days ahead of landfall. From insurance that actually pays when flights shift and hotel nights stretch, to simple steps like embassy registration and offline copies of IDs, we lay out a clear plan to travel wiser without losing the heart that makes trips worth taking. We also talk about why tourism isn’t just leisure in places like Jamaica. It’s payroll for housekeepers, captains, and cooks; it’s school fees and rent; it’s the engine that restarts communities after debris is cleared. When the time is right and local authorities give the all-clear, returning with intention becomes a real way to help. Book local, tip fairly, and bring patience for supply delays and shorter menus. Your presence can be a small but meaningful act of recovery. Along the way, we share field-tested advice: what “cancel for any reason” actually means, how to document closures for claims, why moving early beats moving perfectly on an island, and how to choose relief organizations that direct funds where they’re needed. If you’ve got a Jamaica trip on your bucket list—or clients and loved ones in the path—this guide gives you tools to protect your plans and support people on the ground.  Looking for ways to help? Support Jamaica – Official Disaster Relief & Recovery Portal UNICEF - Hurricane Melissa Relief Stay In The Know Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who travels, and leave a review to help others find practical, compassionate guidance when storms gather. Leave us a message! Visit Our Website! Follow Us! Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok

    9분

  6. 10월 31일

    Pop Culture Time Capsule: Celebs, Songs, And Costumes Of 2005

    Send us a text Step onto Flight 2005 and relive a Halloween soaked in glitter, flip phones, and the TRL countdown. We crack open a time capsule of pop culture—tabloid-fueled celebrity drama, the rise of Brangelina, Paris Hilton’s paparazzi era, and the TV shows that shaped group chats before group chats existed. Grey’s Anatomy made us feel medically fearless, Lost kept us guessing, and a packed slate of films—from Batman Begins and Goblet of Fire to The 40-Year-Old Virgin—pulled us into theaters and Blockbuster aisles with equal force. We share the textures and rituals that made 2005 unforgettable: crafting party playlists, burning CDs, and guarding iPod Nanos like treasure. The soundtrack was undeniable—Hollaback Girl’s spell-out swagger, Since U Been Gone’s cathartic chorus, We Belong Together’s slow-burn devotion, and Rihanna’s early spark on Pon de Replay. Beyoncé stepped into solo stardom while American Idol crowned Carrie Underwood, proving reality TV could still mint icons. And yes, we talk fashion: Juicy Couture tracksuits, Ugg boots, bedazzled belts, layered tops, and those infamous low rise jeans that commanded confidence and controversy in equal measure. We also revisit the gear that defined a generation of bedrooms and basements: iHomes, Guitar Hero showdowns, and the Xbox 360 frenzy that turned Black Friday into a contact sport. To cap it off, we play a quick Halloween trivia game that tests your 2005 mix of movies, TV, and chart-toppers. It’s a warm, witty ride through the year’s best and boldest, equal parts nostalgia and honest appraisal—because some trends deserve a comeback and others belong safely in the costume bin. Got a 2005 story, song, or costume we missed? Share your memories, then hit follow to join us each week. If this trip made you smile, send it to a friend who still has an iPod in a drawer and leave a quick review—your notes help us keep these flights full of joy. Leave us a message! Visit Our Website! Follow Us! Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok

    26분

  7. 10월 17일

    Napa Girls’ Trip, Finally Checked

    Send us a text A promise we made in college finally came true: six friends, one shared bucket list, and a Napa and Sonoma escape that blended caves, sparkling flights, and a few curveballs we didn’t see coming. We open the gate on the full story—what worked, what surprised us, and how to plan a group trip that actually feels easy. We'll start with: a walkable Airbnb in downtown Napa, realistic pacing at two tastings per day, and reservations booked six months out to secure coveted spots. From Gloria Ferrer’s crisp sparkling lineup and friendly insider perks to Schramsberg’s immersive cave tour and hands-on education in riddling, yeast, and aging, we get beyond the pour into the craft. Private tasting moments at The Prisoner pair food thoughtfully with wine, while the terrace at Domaine Carneros reminds us to slow down and watch the valley change in the afternoon light. Then the showstopper: Del Dotto’s dramatic gate, barrel sampling with the wine thief, and a wood-fired pizza finish with a guide who knows how to translate technique into memory. Jarvis closes the loop with elegance and a reminder that not all favorite bottles are the most expensive. Along the way, we share real group travel tactics: handling mid-trip colds without derailing the plan, using pooled dining funds or Splitwise to keep money drama off the table, tipping well with cash, and letting people opt in or out without guilt. We talk about comfort zones at the Golden Haven mud bath—yes, it’s intimate, yes, it smells earthy, and yes, it can be worth it—and the power of souvenirs and small rituals to anchor big memories. If you’re aiming for fewer crowds and patio-perfect weather, we make the case for mid to late September in Napa. If you’re curious whether wine clubs are worth it, we break down the perks, from member-only pours to real discounts on bottles you’ll want to bring home. If Napa or Sonoma is on your list, consider this your friendly blueprint: plan ahead, pace your days, join a club or two for access, and leave room for moments you can’t schedule. Loved this journey? Follow, share with your travel crew, and leave a quick review—then tell us your bucket list destination and who you’re taking with you. Leave us a message! Visit Our Website! Follow Us! Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok

    40분
  8. Travel Anxiety Toolkit: Packing Calm, Not Chaos

    10월 3일

    Travel Anxiety Toolkit: Packing Calm, Not Chaos

    Send us a text Nervous about flying? You’re not alone. In this episode, we break down simple, proven rituals that calm your nerves so you can board with confidence instead of chaos. Airports aren’t built for calm, but your travel routine can be. We’re opening Season Three with a practical, field-tested anxiety toolkit—pulled from years of flying, parenting through layovers, and one candid bartender’s view of what really happens in terminals. From the moment you park to the second you buckle in, we break travel into manageable steps and share the exact rituals that lower the noise in your head: breathing patterns you can do in line, scent and sound that ground you fast, and small comforts that change how your body reads stress. We get real about safety and judgment, too. Mixing anxiety meds with alcohol can backfire quickly, and we talk through what bartenders are trained to watch for—and how they can help when you ask. You’ll learn the human trafficking hand signals posted in restrooms, why naming your needs gets faster support, and how to set smart boundaries whether you fly solo or as a group. If planning overwhelm is your kryptonite, we’ll show you how to shrink the day into bite-size moves, choose what truly matters, and build buffer time so delays don’t wreck your mood. Tools you can use today: the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding reset to stop spirals mid-flight, box breathing to regulate your nervous system, color walks that turn terminals into a calming focus game, and TSA-friendly scent hacks (think roll-ons and lotion blends) that soothe without hassle. Add noise-canceling headphones, comfort shows, and a simple micro-itinerary, and you’ve got a carry-on for your mind that travels anywhere. Hit play, pack lighter emotionally, and tell us—what’s the one ritual that helps you board with a steadier heart? If this helped, follow the show, share it with a friend who hates flying, and leave a quick review so others can find these tools. Leave us a message! Visit Our Website! Follow Us! Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok

    35분
모두 보기(79개)

평가 및 리뷰

5
최고 5점
3개의 평가

소개

 Join co-hosts Denise and Jackie as they chat about the journey of life and how travel plays an intricate role in navigating its twists and turns. Whether it's sharing travel tips, swapping stories over a glass of wine or mimosa, or welcoming special guests, there's always something new to explore! Grab your suitcase, pour a drink, and let’s dive into the adventure of life together—because travel makes everything better! 

정보

좋아할 만한 다른 항목