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All Things Travel Podcast

All Things Travel Podcast

著者: Ryan Hedstrom and Julie Shaffer
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You don't need to be a travel expert to plan like one — you just need to listen to two who are. All Things Travel brings you real destination advice, planning tips, and behind-the-scenes travel stories from Ryan and Julie, co-owners of Wonder and Beyond Travel.


He's your travel professor, breaking down what you actually need to know. She's a Disney-loving Maryland mom of 3 and family travel specialist who knows what real trips with real kids look like.


New episodes every week — destinations, tips, and the stories that make travel worth it.

© 2026 All Things Travel Podcast
旅行記・解説 社会科学 経済学
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  • Your Guide to Disney Parks in Hong Kong and Shanghai
    2026/08/12

    Not every Disney castle looks like Cinderella's — and two of the most underrated Disney parks in the world are sitting in Hong Kong and Shanghai, with rides, lands, and a castle you won't find anywhere else. If your Disney bucket list stops at Orlando and Anaheim, this episode is about to expand it.

    Hong Kong Disneyland
    This smaller, single-park destination is home to Mystic Manor — a trackless dark ride tied to deep Disney lore that even longtime fans may not know. Add in World of Frozen, two Marvel attractions, and Duffy and Friends, alongside classics like Space Mountain and It's a Small World, and you've got a park worth two full days. Just plan ahead: most visitors need a visa, and language on rides is a mix of Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.

    Shanghai Disneyland
    Home to the tallest and largest Disney castle in the world — with attractions built right inside it. This newer park (opened 2016) brings state-of-the-art tech, the fan-favorite version of Pirates of the Caribbean, an entire Zootopia land you won't find anywhere else, and a Spider-Man-themed ninth land already in the works.

    Seeing Both Parks the Right Way
    Ryan and Julie break down a 12-day Adventures by Disney itinerary that hits both parks the smart way — bookending a trip through Hong Kong, Guilin, and Beijing (Terracotta Warriors, the Great Wall, Forbidden City included) with Disney days on either end.

    Where in the World?
    This week's spotlight is on a multi-generational family fresh off the Disney Treasure's Eastern Caribbean itinerary — their first Disney cruise and first cruise ever. Highlights included The Baths in Virgin Gorda, St. Thomas, and a stop at Castaway Cay.

    Next week: the right way to pair European countries for a trip across the pond. Curious how Hong Kong or Shanghai could fit into your next Disney trip? Hit play to hear exactly how Ryan and Julie would plan it — and head to wonderandbeyondtravel.com when you're ready to start.

    Support the show

    Love the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/new


    Ready to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress!

    Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"

    Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!

    • Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show!
    • Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!
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    20 分
  • All Aboard Canyon Spirit: A Luxury Train Journey Through the American Southwest
    2026/08/05
    From the National Parks to the Rails Picking up where last week left off, Ryan and his family leave Moab, Utah on the 4th of July — and board the Canyon Spirit for what he calls the crown jewel of the entire trip. If you've ever seen those glass-domed luxury trains in a magazine or travel commercial and wondered what it's actually like, this episode answers that question in detail.What Is Canyon Spirit, and What's Included? Canyon Spirit grew out of Rocky Mountaineer — the famous Canadian Rockies train experience — and operates its own route through the American Southwest between Salt Lake City and Denver. Guests can book two days, three days, or a full six-day back-and-forth journey, mixing and matching their itinerary as they go. Nearly everything is included: all meals on board, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day, hotel nights before and after each leg, baggage handling, and all transfers between train and hotel. Coffee comes from a Denver roastery, desserts from a local bakery, and wines and beers are sourced from Utah and Colorado — a regional focus that will feel familiar to river cruise fans.What's It Like On Board? Think first-class airline seats, panoramic wall windows, angled ceiling panels for sky views, and a dedicated host team for each car who handle everything from drinks to destination commentary. Ryan's group lucked into an overflow car with just 13 passengers, giving them the run of the space — but even at capacity, the cars are designed to be comfortable. Guests can step out to the open vestibule for fresh air and unobstructed views. A signature (standard) and premium level are available; the main premium upgrade is a lounge car, a bar, and a larger outdoor viewing area.Day One: Moab to Glenwood Springs Picked up by shuttle from the Hoodoo Hotel, Ryan's group boarded around 11 AM, settled in, toasted their hosts, and sat down to a plated lunch as the red rocks of Utah gradually gave way to the Rockies. Five hours later, they pulled into Glenwood Springs — a charming Colorado River town that happened to be buzzing with 4th of July festivities. Evening was relaxed: a walk around town and, naturally, ice cream.Day Two: Glenwood Springs to Denver Boarding again at 9 AM from a beautifully restored historic train station, day two was all Rockies and Colorado River. Fishermen, rafters, rushing rapids, the occasional Colorado salute from river floaters — and then Gore Canyon, which Ryan called jaw-droppingly beautiful. After lunch, one tunnel later, Denver appeared stretched across the plains below, and the train snaked its way down over the next hour. Their hotel — the Limelight — was literally next door to Union Station. Bags already there. Dinner out. Perfect end to the trip.Who Is This Trip Right For? Ryan's picks: nature lovers, multi-generational families, anyone with mobility considerations, and river cruise fans who want something similar on land. It's not for people who want to be active at every stop — this is a see-it-from-the-window, glass-in-hand kind of journey. His pro tips: build in time before the train to adjust to time zones and altitude, and save the train for last. Do the active stuff first, then finish with the most relaxing leg of the trip.What Would He Add Next Time? A few extra days in Colorado, or doing the full Salt Lake City leg to catch the scenery in fall foliage. And yes, the Canadian Rockies version — Rocky Mountaineer — is very much on the list.Where in the World? 🗺️ Ryan spotlights a family of four heading to Peru on an Adventures by Disney itinerary — Machu Picchu, river rafting, llamas, alpacas, Andean music, and traditional weaving demonstrations across eight nights and three different regions of the country. A special shoutout: they're listeners who connected with Ryan on a previous ABD trip to Italy.Next week: castles around the world, Disney style. Plan your own adventure at wonderandbeyondtravel.com.Support the showLove the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/newReady to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress! Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show!Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!
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    26 分
  • Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, and the Mighty Five: A National Parks Road Trip
    2026/07/28

    A Trip Born from a Train Obsession (and Family History)
    Ryan has had his eye on the Rocky Mountaineer since 2018, when he first heard about their Canadian Rockies routes at a travel conference. Add in a grandfather who was a train engineer between South Bend and Chicago, and a new Canyon Spirit line running from Salt Lake City to Denver — it was only a matter of time. About a year ago, Ryan brought the idea to his parents, and six months before departure, it was officially booked. The result: three trips in one — Las Vegas, the Mighty Five National Parks of Utah, and a two-day train journey from Moab to Denver, with the 4th of July spent riding the rails on the 250th birthday of the United States.

    Las Vegas: More Than Just the Casinos
    Ryan, his wife Jasmine, and his parents stayed at Park MGM — smoke-free, well-connected to the strip via tram, and conveniently the pickup point for their Hoover Dam tour and Mighty Five transfer. Day one was a hop-on, hop-off bus tour to orient the first-timers, covering the old strip, new strip, and Fremont Street. A word of caution from Ryan: know exactly what you're buying. Their "24-hour pass" ran from 10 AM to 5 PM and only circled one direction — worth knowing in advance. Day two was a VIP Hoover Dam tour, complete with a comedian-guide who grew up in the area, a descent into the dam's tunnels to see the power plant and turbines, and bridge views overlooking the dam. Lunch was included. Total time: about 8 AM to 2 PM — leaving the evening free for dinner and a little fun.

    A Few Vegas Tips Worth Knowing
    The airport is a 10-minute Uber from most strip hotels. Ubers and Lyfts are easy and reliable. And a heads-up for anyone who hasn't been in a while: Las Vegas has fully reinvented itself as an entertainment city — the 99-cent buffets are long gone, and the price tag reflects it. Budget accordingly.

    The Mighty Five: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands
    All five parks are in Utah, and Ryan's group covered them in three days through Moab Express — a highly recommended tour company operating out of 12-passenger vans with a guide who doubles as driver. Groups of eight, stops every hour and a half, snacks and water onboard, and a guide named Ben who could riff on geology, history, or nature depending on what you wanted. The pacing was relaxed — visitor centers, photo stops, souvenir shops, and a few short hikes on day three. Not a trip for serious hikers, but absolutely the right vehicle for first-time park visitors who want to see a lot without driving themselves. Meals were included, accommodations ranged from a well-kept Best Western Plus in Bryce to the Hoodoo Hilton (Curio Collection) in Moab, and the only out-of-pocket cost was alcohol. Each park managed to one-up the last — from the red-rock drama of Zion to the alien hoodoos of Bryce Canyon to the staggering scale of Canyonlands, which Ryan says rivals the Grand Canyon.

    Where in the World? 🗺️
    Julie shares a back-to-back Royal Caribbean cruise surprise in the works for a repeat client family — a four-night Bahamas sailing on Wonder of the Seas added on to their already-booked seven-night Icon of the Seas cruise. The kids don't know yet.

    Next week: Ryan boards the Canyon Spirit for two days from Moab to Denver. Visit wonderandbeyondtravel.com to start planning your own adventure.

    Support the show

    Love the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/new


    Ready to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress!

    Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"

    Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!

    • Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show!
    • Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!
    続きを読む 一部表示
    32 分
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