Vacation Mavens Travel Podcast

Kim Tate and Tamara Gruber
  • 4.7 (106)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
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Vacation Mavens Travel Podcast

Vacation Mavens is a travel podcast offering practical travel tips and destination inspiration from two moms who know how to plan the perfect trip. Hosted by Kim Tate, from StuffedSuitcase.com, and Tamara Gruber, from YourTimetoFly.com, we have over 40 years of combined travel expertise. We share our favorite vacations from road trips to cruises, European adventures to theme parks. Whether you are planning a family vacation, romantic couples trip, or mom getaway we have the tips and tricks to make memories that will last a lifetime.

  1. How to Choose the Best Seats (for you) on an Airplane

    19 HR. AGO

    How to Choose the Best Seats (for you) on an Airplane

    Airplanes are not known for their comfort or service. So if you want to have the best experience that you can while cramped inside with a bunch of strangers, here is some advice on how to choose the best seats on an airplane. We share our pros and cons of the bulkhead seats and areas of the plane to avoid. Episode Highlights Tamara doesn't like row 1 or the bulkhead row because you can't keep your personal item at your feet and often the overhead bins above that row are full you end up needing to store your valuables and even your carry on bag a few rows back. Often the first couple of rows of economy is where they store crew luggage, blankets, emergency kits, etc and the room is really limited. Also, since those rows are often "premium economy" people sitting there board early and have status and take up the overhead space. Those bulkhead rows also have fixed armrests that are a bit of a wall that can be uncomfortable. Also, this is where your tray table and tv screen is stored there so you also end up looking down if you are watching the screen. These seats also often have the very thick seatbelts with a built in airbag that can be uncomfortable. The middle section bulkhead is also where they put a bassinet and a baby. The pro is that you have leg room and you aren't going to have someone reclining in front of you On the exit row, you also sometimes have a bump out for the slide that cuts into your space in the window seat Remember to always double check your seat assignments in the days and weeks leading up to the trip, especially if there have been any changes to your flights as they may have shifted your seats if there was an equipment change Sometimes the middle section of a larger plane or international flight you can find a seat without someone next to you, especially if you are traveling solo When choosing a seat, always look at the layout and be aware of where the bathrooms are. You don't want to be either right across from the bathroom or the rows nearby if possible Also, if you are sensitive to sound, you may not want to be in the very front or back near a galley because of the noise, light, and movement The row just in front of the exit row is often used for storage in the overhead bins and space is tighter The seats in the exit row or just before/after sometimes don't recline. Also, the very back of the plane or section have seats that only recline a tiny bit Kim and Tamara both prefer the aisle for easy access to the bathroom and to not feel as claustrophobic Windows can be nice if you want to sleep and you aren't getting bumped by people walking by or the carts going up the aisle Kim likes the aisle of the middle section on international flights because sometimes there might be an open seat next to you If you see all four seats of that section booked, it is likely a family and you might want to be two rows before or after that row If you have a tight connection, try to be as far forward as you can in the plane. It is worth paying extra for a premium seat towards the front Seat Guru is not always updated but can be a good resource. Another site that gives seat reviews is Aerolopa If you have an American Express Platinum card you get a $200 airline credit each year but you need to select your airline. This doesn't go to the fare but can be used for seat upgrades or baggage fees If they change your flight schedule, you need to go in and accept or reject the changes. If the schedule changes more than a certain amount of time, they have to give you a full refund

    33 min
  2. Mystery Weekend on Whidbey Island (A Perfect Getaway from Seattle)

    JAN 28

    Mystery Weekend on Whidbey Island (A Perfect Getaway from Seattle)

    Anyone looking for a weekend getaway from Seattle, or a small-town add-on to a trip to the Pacific Northwest, Whidbey Island is a great choice. Learn all about where to stay and things to do on Whidbey Island and hear about a fun time to visit during Mystery Weekend in February! Episode Highlights: Whidbey Island is one of the northern islands off of Seattle At the end of February each year the town of Langley hosts a Mystery Weekend You can get there via the Whidbey-Clinton ferry route or you can drive and take the bridge Learn more about Mystery Weekend: Kim's article on 5 Things to Know About Langley Mystery Weekend: https://stuffedsuitcase.com/langley-murder-mystery-weekend/ Langley Mystery Weekend: https://whidbeycamanoislands.com/event/langley-mystery-weekend/2025-02-22/ If you live locally, the winter is a great time to visit Whidbey Island because there aren't any crowds and the prices are much lower. Where to stay on Whidbey Island: Comforts of Whidbey - winery bed and breakfast Saratoga Inn - cute historic home turned into a hotel in downtown Langley The island is very dog-friendly with many hotels and restaurants that welcome dogs For the Langley Mystery Weekend you go to the tourism office and purchase a booklet and entry form to guess who did the crime. It offers discounts/coupons for local businesses and encourages you to explore and find clues at different locations. You then put all the clues together to guess and solve the crime. There are also volunteers around town who are in character as part of the story. A local resident writes the mystery every year and it changes each year so you can go every year for a different experience. You need a car to get around Whidbey Island. There is a long highway down the middle of the island and it is easy to navigate. Whidbey Island has an impressive food scene. A few to highlight include: Saltwater - offers pub-style seafood restaurant in Langley Savory - small-plates style restaurant that is perfect for sharing Langley Kitchen - good for breakfast Braeburn - good for lunch and breakfast Things to do in Whidbey Island: Take a hike or get outdoors Earth Sanctuary - $7.00 entrance fee, a space to be in nature, there is also a labyrinth Hammons Family Preserve - great walking trails State Park Beach with kite surfing Shopping Wine, cider and mead tasting rooms What to pack: a raincoat and waterproof shoes Where to take a photo: Hammons Preserve with a view of the water

    28 min
  3. Istanbul, Türkiye Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

    JAN 21

    Istanbul, Türkiye Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

    Kim and Tamara recently visited Istanbul, Türkiye for the first time to attend the SATW (Society of American Travel Writers) Annual Conference. In this episode, they share their insights and tips for others planning a trip to Istanbul including where to stay, top sights to visit, safety, and other travel tips. Show Highlights: Turkish Airlines has a lot of direct flights from the USA (including Boston and Seattle) Turkish Airlines business class varies depending on what plane you are on and you need to be strategic about choosing your seat It takes about an hour to get from the airport to the city center and there is a lot of traffic in Istanbul. Tamara used Welcome Pickups and Kim used Sun Transfers for private transfers, which were both affordable and possibly cheaper than taxis. It is best to stay in the Sultanahmet neighborhood for first time visitors near the main attraction, Kim also stayed in the Galata Tower area but it is very hilly and hard to access for cabs. Tamara stayed at the Hagia Sofia Mansions Hotel (a Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel) and Kim stayed at the White House boutique hotel. They also stayed at the Conrad Hilton during the convention but wouldn't recommend that area unless you are about to get on or off a cruise. You can ask Google Maps for an accessible route to avoid hills. Kim and Tamara really enjoyed taking a small group tour of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. You can do it on your own but the guide takes care of getting the tickets and plan it so you don't need to figure out what time the mosques are open for visitors. You need to cover your hair when you enter a mosque and take off your shoes so it is helpful to wear slip off shoes and socks. In the Hagia Sofia, visitors can only go to the second level and look down at the main prayer area. You can also see the gold mosaics and Christian imagery from when it was a church. The Basilica Cistern is also nearby and it is very popular with very long lines. We would recommend that you buy skip the line tickets online in advance. Tamara took a guided tour but it was hard to stay together in the crowd and you need to use a listening device to hear the guide. The Sulimaniye Mosque, near the Spice Market, is also well worth a visit for its gorgeous architecture. It is equal or even better than the Blue Mosque. The Rustem Pasha Mosque is also beautiful, but smaller. The Spice Market, also known at the Egyptian Market, has tons of shops selling tea and spices. Just beware that they sell via the kilo and that is a huge amount so you need to request a much smaller amount unless you want to spend an arm and a leg. The sales guys are very good at upselling and aggressive about engaging you to get you into the shop. They also offer free samples. See Tamara's tips on visiting to Istanbul as a solo female traveler: https://yourtimetofly.com/istanbul-solo-female-travel/ The Grand Bazaar is largely gold jewelry and knock off designer goods with just a few more authentic shops with Turkish linens or carpets. Make sure you try simit in the morning, baklava, Turkish Delight, and Turkish coffee and tea. There are some shops or tours that include someone who "reads" your tea leaves or coffee grounds. Turkish cuisine is very beef and lamb centric. A braised beef and eggplant is a popular dish. Let the restaurant bring different types of mezze, as many of these are delicious and things you might not have tried if you picked yourself. Gozleme is a flatbread topped with cheese or cheese and spinach. Credit cards are widely used but you should bring cash (or get cash from an ATM) for taxis and you will be able to spend less if you pay in cash when you go shopping. Be prepared to tip. Make sure the taxi starts the meter and know ahead of time about how much it should cost. And if you use Uber, don't let them tell you that they don't pay via the app. The tram is an easy way to get around and there is a kiosk to purchase tickets with an English option.

    42 min
  4. Plan a Swiftie Trip to NYC (at Christmas)

    JAN 14

    Plan a Swiftie Trip to NYC (at Christmas)

    Kim and her daughter Amelia went to New York City in December to experience the Big Apple for the holidays. In addition to enjoying the holiday markets, ice skating, and decorations, they went on a quest to find all the of the Taylor Swift related spots in the City. If you have a Swiftie fan, give this episode a listen! Trip Highlights: Kim stayed at the Grayson Hotel near Bryant Park, which has a good location but the rooms are very small and the rooftop bar is pretty loud and crowded They visited from Sunday - Wednesday to avoid the weekend crowds Earlier December is better because the crowds get heavier the closer it gets to Christmas and between Christmas and New Years Ice skating in Bryant Park is much cheaper than skating in Rockefeller Center and if you have your own ice skates, it is free. You need to book your time slot when it opens a week in advance. You get 20 minutes to get your skates and 50 minutes on the ice for your time slot. Kim and Mia used CityPASS New York to see many of the sights. The passes are available digitally and you can book reservations (when needed) from within the CityPASS app. They did Top of the Rock at night and then the Empire State Building during the day. During the holidays, Top of the Rock has a seasonal Christmas pop up bar. There are Christmas Markets at Columbus Circle, Bryant Park, Herald Square, and Union Square to visit. Bryant Park is one of the busiest markets. The storefronts on Fifth Avenue are decorated and Sixth Avenue has a lot of large ornaments and other holiday decorations. They didn't get to visit the lights in the neighborhood of Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Taylor Swift Spots in NYC: Housing Works - where Taylor Swift filmed part of the "All too well" video House on Cornelius Street Bus Stop Cafe near Cornelius Street Walk on the Highline Chelsea Hotel See more details in Kim's Instagram post

    24 min
  5. Our 10 Favorite Hotels from 2024

    JAN 7

    Our 10 Favorite Hotels from 2024

    On this episode, we recap our favorite hotel stays from 2024, with picks that are great for international and domestic travel for couples, friends, or family trips. Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht - part of Hyatt Hotels, this hotel has a fabulous location on one of the main canals in a great area. The staff was helpful and the room was stylish. The only thing to keep in mind is that it has an open bathroom concept, so it wouldn't be great for families or two friends sharing a room. This is a good option for those who travel with points. Chase is a transfer partner with Hyatt. Tamara visited this hotel in January on her weekend getaway to Amsterdam. Exeter Hotel Reykjavik - this hotel also has an open bathroom format. The location is about a 10-minute walk from the main shopping and sightseeing district. The room rate also included free breakfast and there was a passcode-locked gate for storing luggage. Kim stayed here with her daughter before their Windstar Cruise. Weston Inn Vermont - this is a nice luxury inn in Southern Vermont with top-notch service, a great restaurant, nicely appointed rooms, a spa and fitness center with fantastic yoga classes. This is a perfect romantic getaway. Read Tamara's full review. Inn at Laurel Point, Victoria - Kim talked about this hotel on a recent episode about Victoria, BC. It is located right on the waterfront just a short walk from downtown. They have spacious rooms, nice L'Occitane bath products, soaker tubs, and a fabulous cafe and full-service restaurant on site. Sandestin Hilton, Florida - located along 30A near Destin, Florida, this area has gorgeous white sand beaches and calm water. This is a great hotel for families because one of the towers has 300 rooms that have bunk beds. It is easy to have a family of five in one room and not feel cramped. Read Tamara's full Sandestin Hilton review. White House Hotel, Istanbul - had rooms with three twin beds, making it a great choice for a friend trip to Istanbul. The price was extremely reasonable and it is in the Sultanahmet neighborhood near all the main attractions. Hagia Sofia Mansions, Istanbul - this is a Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel, also in the Sultanahmet neighborhood and it was beautiful. The rooms are spread across multiple buildings and the rooms feel very luxurious. There are two restaurants and the breakfast has so much food. Park Hyatt Istanbul - Macka Palas - the hotel room was fabulous but it is located in a high-end shopping district, which may mean you spend more on cabs getting around the city. Avantgarde Refined Urgup - Cappadocia is a region of towns and this hotel is in the up-and-coming town of Urgup. This is a newly-opened, cave-style hotel with excellent service and food. Meneghetti Wine Hotel, Croatia - this is Tamara's favorite hotel of the year. They stayed in a one-bedroom residence that had a living room, 1.5 baths, loft bedroom, with a private backyard and patio. The hotel is located on a wine estate and has multiple restaurants, two pools, a beach club, spa, and more. Read about Tamara's couples trip to Croatia. Other Episodes You May Enjoy Where to go in 2025 Explore Iceland on a Windstar Cruise Weekend getaway in Victoria, BC Explore Croatia from Dubrovnik to Istria Amsterdam with kids

    27 min

  6. 12/17/2024

    Nova Scotia for the Holidays

    Tamara is just back from a festive trip to Nova Scotia, Canada where she was able to experience small town holiday celebrations, the Halifax Evergreen Festival, and the Christmas Tree Capital of the World! Her trip was sponsored by Tourism Nova Scotia. All opinions are her own. We are looking for feedback for 2025! Do you want weekly episodes? More interviews? Short episodes? Video? Drop us a line at tamara@yourtimetofly.com and kim@stuffedsuitcase.com. Mentioned on the podcast: Tamara visited Halifax, New Ross, Mahone Bay, Lunenberg, Barrington, Liverpool, and Shelburne in Nova Scotia. While Nova Scotia is popular in the summer, it has plenty to offer in the winter for the holidays Many of the small towns feel like walking into a Hallmark Christmas movie set with a great small town, community atmosphere. It is a different vibe from big city holidays or German Christmas Markets, but it is perfect for those that prefer a small town environment. The Canadian dollar is also weak against the U.S. dollar so it is a good budget, off-season destination. It is only a 1.5 hour direct from Boston, but there are also direct flights to other cities on the U.S. East Coast. Downtown Halifax has an Evergreen Festival that includes an Evergreen Bright Trail, a small Evergreen Market with shops and fire pits, and other special events like a sports area with mini curling. Glow Gardens in Halifax is a great event for families featuring indoor light displays, bouncy houses, mini golf, roller skating, a Christmas train, live entertainment, and more. 2 days in Halifax was perfect. Museums in Halifax include the Pier 21 Immigration Museum and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which has a great exhibit on shipwrecks including fragments from the Titanic. New Ross is the Christmas Tree Capital of the World, which ships its Balsam Fir trees. You can visit the Ross Farm Museum or one of the cut-your-own Christmas tree farms. There is also a trail called Ruby's Trail that you can climb through the evergreens to a small chalet, which is home to "Twig the Elf." Mahone Bay had a Christmas festival with a small craft fair and a Christmas bells concert, as well as holiday decorations throughout the shops downtown. Lunenberg hosted a huge community arts and crafts fair for the holidays. The town of Lunenberg is very pretty, with colorful architecture and plenty of restaurants and shops. In Shelburne, Tamara stayed in a huge waterfront suite at Albert's Inn. Shelburne hosted Miracle on Dock Square with a walk-through Christmas parade, visit with Santa, craft fair, and various stands throughout town. It finished with fireworks over the water. Tamara also went searching for the lobster trap and buoy Christmas trees along the coast of Nova Scotia. Tamara finished her stay at the White Point Beach Resort, which has cabins, a lodge, and glomes (glamping domes). It was warm and cozy, with a great view and very nice, even in the winter. Other Episodes You May Enjoy: Summer travel recap: New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island German Christmas Markets European Christmas Markets

    19 min

  7. 12/03/2024

    Where to go in 2025!

    Not sure where to go on vacation next year? We have all kinds of ideas from new theme parks, new attractions, new hotels, cities and destinations celebrating anniversaries, destinations that are easier to access thanks to new direct flights, and more. Plus, stick around to hear where to avoid in 2025 too! Universal Orlando is opening Epic Universe in May of 2025 and you currently need to buy a three-day ticket, with one day to be spent in the Epic Universe Park. There are also three new hotels opening in 2025 in conjunction with the new park. Walt Disney World is also reopening the Test Track attraction and getting a new parade in Magic Kingdom. Disneyland will also be celebrating its 70th anniversary all year long and adding a new Walt Disney animatronic attraction. Two new attractions will also open in the Avengers land. Mattel Adventure Park is opening in Glendale, Arizona with a Barbie Fun House and Hot Wheels roller coaster. Oklahoma City is opening an Okana Resort with a hotel and waterpark right next to the new First Americans Museum near the Bricktown entertainment district. Santa Rosa, California is celebrating the Peanuts comic strip's 75th anniversary at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center. (Hear more about Kim and Tamara's trip to Santa Rosa.) Germany is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Fairy Tale Route (read more about Jade from Vagabond 3's tripwith her daughter) Southwest is now flying direct flights to Iceland from more cities (such as Nashville). Just know that you won't be able to use your Companion Pass for Iceland flights. This winter is also supposed to be another peak solar cycle to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, Alaska, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. There are also new direct flights from Atlanta and Philadelphia to Copenhagen via a KLM code-share with Delta. Copenhagen is one of the oldest theme parks in the world and the city is quite family friendly. If you are traveling to Europe next year, at some point they will introduce the ETIAS visa and the UK is now going to introduce its own visa system in January 2025. 2025 is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth and cities like Bath, England will be doing a lot to celebrate. It is a great time to plan a trip for literary fans! Fiji now has direct flights from Dallas. Fiji is an affordable and exotic destination for families, which is easier to get to and much cheaper than places like the Maldives. There will also be new direct flights from Newark, NJ to Faro in the Algarve in Portugal (hear about Kim and Tamara's trip to Portugal). United also has flights to Sao Miguel in the Azores. Turks and Caicos has opened many new luxury hotel properties and beachfront villas and offers beautiful beaches. They are also opening a second airport. Indianapolis will be a great spot for a girls' trip or a mother-daughter sports-themed trip - just get your tickets to the Indiana Fever very far in advance. Seattle is also a great sports city with a women's soccer team and WNBA team. Italy is celebrating the Jubilee year from December 2024 through Epiphany January 6, 2026. Rome is going to be extra busy next year, especially at the Vatican (and it could be closed for events.) In 2025, Tamara will be visiting both Peru and Chile in March and April 2025. Kim is meeting her daughter Mia in Paris in July and doing eight days in Switzerland.

    35 min

  8. 11/19/2024

    Weekend Getaway to Victoria, British Columbia (By Ferry!)

    Imagine taking a weekend getaway to another country without needing a car or getting on a plane! Kim recently took a trip to Victoria, British Columbia. Victoria is on the tip of Vancouver Island and is actually closer to the U.S. than Vancouver. You can take a high-speed ferry on the Victoria Clipper directly from Seattle. Another option is to take a seaplane from Kenmore Air or Harbour Air from Vancouver. There is also a car ferry from the Port Angeles area. You can listen to more about Kim's previous trip on Episode 139 about Victoria or read her tips for taking the Victoria Clipper. This trip was hosted by the Victoria Clipper. The high-speed ferry takes about 2.5 hours from Seattle. The ferry drops off in the main Victoria Harbor and you can walk to the Inn at Laurel Point. Kim has also stayed at the Coast Hotel during a previous stay, but that is slightly further away from the city center. The Fairmont Empress is great for a luxury stay or even just to book a high tea experience. Things to do on a weekend getaway: Butchart Gardens - which also offers high tea in the original family home. If you book a trip on the Victoria Clipper, they offer vacation packages that also include things like bus transfers to the Gardens. In the Harbour, Canada has done a place-making project to give more visibility to First Nations as it was historically a very important cultural site for many local First Nations people. There are three free daily shuttles to the Malahat Skywalk, which is owned by the Malahat Nation. You climb a ramp through an open, beehive-like structure and at the top, you can climb on a net and look out over the scenery and the water. There are also various sculptures made by locals. You can walk back down or take a slide for part of the descent. You can also go wine tasting in Victoria at Blue Grouse Estate Winery with a gorgeous tasting room, or the Venturi-Schultz Vineyard, where they also make estate balsamic vinegar and Enrico Winery. Local wines include Pinot Noir, sparkling wine, and white wines. Ritual Nordic Spa in downtown Victoria has a great Nordic spa experience with steam, a sauna, a cold plunge pool, salt room, showers, an infrared sauna, and a private patio for relaxation. Aura is the restaurant at the Inn at Laurel Point and is excellent (the coffee shop also has amazing croissants) Endive is a pescatarian restaurant with seasonal ingredients and many things are served family style.

    32 min
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4.7
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About

Vacation Mavens is a travel podcast offering practical travel tips and destination inspiration from two moms who know how to plan the perfect trip. Hosted by Kim Tate, from StuffedSuitcase.com, and Tamara Gruber, from YourTimetoFly.com, we have over 40 years of combined travel expertise. We share our favorite vacations from road trips to cruises, European adventures to theme parks. Whether you are planning a family vacation, romantic couples trip, or mom getaway we have the tips and tricks to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Information

  • Creator
    Kim Tate and Tamara Gruber
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    240
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2016-2025 Vacation Mavens, all rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Vacation Mavens Travel Podcast

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