Out Travel The System Expedia

Welcome to 2022 - we couldn't let it go by without a little something from our team at Out Travel the System, even as we continue planning Season Four!

On this mini-episode, we're hoping to help you set your travel intentions for the year by giving you the inside scoop on 2022's hottest destinations. Host Nisreene Atassi also details what the Expedia search data is showing in terms of trends for the 12 months ahead, including slower, more immersive travel, travel as a key priority of self-care, and yes, even a bit of thrill-seeking too.

Supply and demand is always in effect for travel, so use our insider knowledge and best travel hacks to make sure you have the jump on keeping your travel budget right where you want it. As we've said all along, travel when it's the right time for you.

Here's to all of your travel dreams coming true in 2022!

2022 Hot Destinations
U.S.
Orlando, FL
Destin, FL
Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge
Panama City, FL
Maui, HI

International
Riviera Maya/Playa del Carmen/Tulum
Rome
Bali
London
Paris

Beach Escapes
Destin, FL
Panama City, FL
Maui, HI
Myrtle Beach, SC
Fort Myers, FL
St. Petersburg - Clearwater, FL
Gulf Shores, AL
Riviera Maya/Playa del Carmen/Tulum
Sarasota, FL
Bali

City Breaks
Orlando
Rome
Phoenix
Miami
London
Paris (we talk about Paris in our France episode)
Los Angeles
Charleston
Atlanta (we explore Atlanta a bit in this past episode of Out Travel the System)
Nashville



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Hey Out Travel the System listeners - we're not slouching on our mission to be your ultimate travel companion, even while we're on hiatus between Season Three and Season Four!

In this episode, we are bringing you deep data right from the vaults of Expedia and the Airlines Reporting Corporation, an industry leader in air travel intelligence. These are our very best travel tips, tricks, and hacks.

Listen in as host Nisreene Atassi takes you through everything you need to know to maximize your travel experiences, including:
-what days to book your flights, and what days to travel on
-why what month you travel in can make a big dent in your travel budget
-why upgrading your seat may be less of a splurge than you think
-what 'downstarring' means, and how it can help you save big on accommodations
-what not to skimp on, especially when it comes to peace of mind

If you're looking for inspiration for good ways to splurge a bit with all of your well-researched savings, check out this past episode of Out Travel the System.

We also have some international inspiration here, with past episodes to specific destinations:
France
Spain
Australia
Japan

We want to make sure you can research and plan your travels with confidence, so make sure to make time to check out these handy guides assembled by Expedia:

COVID-19 Travel Advisory tool
Expedia COVID-19 Travel Guide

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We're wrapping up Season Three of Out Travel the System on an extremely high note - by interviewing none other than Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney! Although you may know them best from their antics on both the small and big screen, the topic at hand is their new project, Wrexham AFC - one of the oldest football clubs in the world. 

Listen in to our last episode of the season as they talk about their business bromance with host Nisreene Atassi, ably supported by Wrexham AFC executive director Humphrey Ker. The fellas talk about what they sincerely admire about each other, their hopes for the team, and what there is to check out in town, should you have the opportunity to go to northern Wales to watch a match in person.

Along the way, they share details about some of their favorite travel memories (why is Ryan running around Paris at 3 am), poke fun at Humphrey, and drop a few cusswords (please don't mind the bleeps.) They also confirm why they're likely to be using Expedia in the near future!

Here are handy links to a couple of things mentioned within the episode:
A Ryan Reynolds-approved place to visit and stay
A hotel Rob McElhenney wants to check out the next time he's in Philly

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Ooh la la, it's time for the last deep dive into an international destination this season - get ready for it, Out Travel the System is heading to France!

In this episode, host Nisreene Atassi draws on the expertise of Jackie Kai Ellis, an author, designer, and classically-trained pastry chef with a home base in Paris, and Antoine Walter, a Director, Market Management in France for Expedia, to suss out everything you need to plan out a jaunt to live la belle vie.

Listen in as they list off all of the many places you can dream about visiting, from world-class museums, houses of high fashion, and the prehistoric art of the Lascaux cave. Take in the sights that inspired Monet, Brancusi, and Rodin, and make sure to make time to stop at a cafe for a restorative coffee and pastry every so often.

They share their inside tips on how to access the best of French history and culture, outdoor adventure, and family-friendly fun. From how to get around to what days to avoid visiting museums, it's all right here in this episode.

Here are just a few handy links to inspire your planning inspiration in France:
Paris Travel Guide
Brittany for beach time
Rodin Museum
MuCEM in Marseilles

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In all of the conversations we've had this season, a couple of threads keep resurfacing:  how much we appreciate the ability to travel, and how to really maximize a trip. Well, we thought it was high time to devote an episode specifically to this!

Out Travel the System host Nisreene Atassi dives into the idea of splurging while traveling, and how that can mean different things to different people. She is joined by expert travel planner Sarah Groen, host of the Luxury Travel Insider podcast, as well as Tomiko Harvey, Vice President of the Black Travel Alliance, and writer at Passports and Grub.

They'll take you through how a splurge - whether it's adding on a private tour, upgrading your seat on a flight, or making sure your home away from home has everything you need - can make or break the way you remember your travels. Sarah shares how to plan out the 'arc' of a trip (hint, save the best hotels for last), and Tomiko talks about some of her favorite splurges.

So go ahead, book that second massage at your vacation hotel, line up that private tour, and borrow a page out of Sarah's book by really upgrading your rental vehicle - take this episode as the encouragement you need to say yes to your next travel splurge!

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It's time to wrap up the 'Only In' series we've been taking on this season of Out Travel the System, by heading to Hollywood South. Yes, it's Austin's turn in the spotlight, and you know we had to line up an extremely special guest for this - none other than Becca Tobin, of The Ladygang, among many endeavors.

She takes host Nisreene Atassi through why she left the bright lights of L.A. to make Austin home, and what makes it such an incredibly special place. Just off the top of her head: the thriving music and arts scene, a bridge where you can see a spectacular aerial display from bats, and did we mention breakfast tacos?

Don't miss her insights on when to visit and what to check out, especially if you're Only in Austin for 24 hours.

Here is a list of some of the things mentioned within the episode:

Entertainment
The Paramount
Stubbs BBQ

Nightlife
The Line Hotel
The Proper Hotel
Redheaded Stepchild
The Beez Kneez

Dining
Joe's Coffee (My Name is Joe)
Umi Sushi
Aba
Mattie's

BBQ (because this deserves its own category in Austin):
Stubbs BBQ
Salt Lick
Terry Blacks BBQ
Franklin's

Places to check out
Lady Bird Lake
Barton Springs Pool

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