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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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  • There's More to Mexico Than Your All-Inclusive — Here's Where to Start
    2026/09/23
    Country Most Americans Have Only Seen From a Swim-Up Bar The majority of US travelers who visit Mexico never leave the resort — and Ryan includes himself in that confession. But Mexico is one of the world's great cultural destinations: 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a food culture so significant it holds its own UNESCO designation, over 150 museums in Mexico City alone, and thousands of years of layered civilization across the country. Today's episode is a practical introduction to three cities that rival European capitals for depth of culture, history, and food — and are significantly easier to reach.Why Mexico Deserves a Closer Look Two to two-and-a-half hours from most US cities, often with nonstop options. Economical compared to comparable European destinations. Operating on Central Time, so jet lag isn't a factor. And a cultural richness — art, architecture, indigenous traditions, and cuisine — that most visitors never encounter because they don't know to look for it. Ryan and Julie make the case before diving into the destinations themselves.Mexico City: A European-Scale Capital That Surprises Every First-Timer Built on the ruins of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, Mexico City is one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world — walkable, food-obsessed, and home to more museums than Paris. Highlights include the Zócalo, the National Palace with Diego Rivera's murals, and the Templo Mayor — the literal heart of the Aztec Empire, discovered beneath the city in 1978. A 45-minute ride outside the city brings you to the Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. One practical note: the altitude is higher than Denver, so give yourself time to acclimate, stay hydrated, and take it easy on the tequila the first day or two. Uber works seamlessly throughout. And yes — there is a street taco stand in Mexico City that has earned a Michelin star.Oaxaca: The Birthplace of Mole, Mezcal, and Mexico's Most Authentic Food Market Smaller, slower-paced, and set in a temperate mountain valley at 5,000 feet, Oaxaca is celebrated globally for food and artisan culture. The most talked-about experience is the Mercado 20 de Noviembre — a famous smoke corridor where you choose your cut of meat and watch it grilled in front of you, one of the most hands-on food experiences in the country. Beyond the market, the Monte Albán ruins sit dramatically atop a flattened mountain with panoramic valley views and far smaller crowds than more famous Mayan sites. Day trips to surrounding villages offer handwoven rugs, black clay pottery, and painted wood carvings — each village known for a specific craft. Timing tip: the Día de los Muertos celebrations in late October and early November are extraordinary but draw crowds, so book early. Foodies should also look up the Netflix show Somebody Feed Phil — the Oaxaca episode covers all of it.San Miguel de Allende: Colonial Beauty, Hot Springs, and a Disney Connection A perfectly preserved colonial city consistently ranked among the most beautiful in the world, San Miguel de Allende is known for its colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and the iconic pink spires of its central church. A well-established expat community means strong English accessibility throughout. The main plaza — set against that famous church — is the kind of place where sitting with a coffee and watching the world go by counts as a full morning. Just outside the city, La Gruta is a natural thermal hot spring built into a cave, popular with locals and visitors alike and extremely affordable. A day trip to Guanajuato — with its dramatically stacked colorful houses built into hillsides and underground roadways — is worth adding, and Disney fans will recognize it as the visual inspiration behind the Pixar film Coco. Getting there requires a connection through León or Mexico City, so factor that into planning.A Note on Safety Ryan and Julie close with a practical reminder: Mexico's safety profile varies significantly by destination and neighborhood, just like any major international city. Work with someone who knows the country — the same advice they'd give for Budapest or Barcelona.Where in the World? 🗺️ Ryan shares a last-minute booking for a couple celebrating their 40th anniversary with the honeymoon they never had — a Las Vegas long weekend built around an Earth, Wind & Fire show at the Sphere, a visit to the Neon Museum, and a stay at the Park MGM.Next week: cruising in Hawaii. Start planning your Mexico trip 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...
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    17 分
  • Beat the Heat: Julie's Honest Guide to Disney World in Summer
    2026/09/16
    From Vowing Never Again to Going Back in August Last summer, Julie endured a Walt Disney World trip in July and declared she would never do summer Disney again. This August, she went back — this time with a plan, a one-bedroom villa at the Riviera Resort, and a whole lot of personal fans. This episode is her honest debrief: what worked, what she'd skip, what new attractions are worth the trip, and how to actually enjoy Disney World when Florida feels like the surface of the sun.The Resort Switch That Changed Everything The single biggest game-changer before the trip even started was switching from Saratoga Springs to Disney's Riviera Resort about a month out. Saratoga is sprawling, exterior-facing, and requires a lot of outdoor walking just to get from the room to the bus stop. Riviera is a tower — compact, walkable, with quick service that rivals table service in quality, two pools right outside the main building, a Skyliner stop just steps away, and the ability to stay in air conditioning almost all the way to park entry. Julie and her family stayed in a one-bedroom villa and spent the first few minutes just taking it all in.The Gear That Helped Five personal fans — one for every family member — with wristlet attachments so they could be worn in line and on rides. Three 24-packs of water ordered through Amazon Fresh before the trip, carefully rationed across the week. Insulated water bottles with shoulder straps for the parks. A triple stroller with UV-protective shades for the little ones. Two full changes of clothes per child per day. Cooling towels made the bag but never left it — Julie's honest take: great idea, didn't actually use them.The Lightning Lane Upgrade Worth Talking About For two of three park days — Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios — Julie upgraded to the Lightning Lane Premier Pass, which functions like Universal's Express Pass: walk up to any Lightning Lane entrance, any time, no scheduled return windows. It's not cheap, but with three kids under eight and a hard out-of-park deadline of 2 PM each day to beat the worst of the heat, the flexibility was worth every dollar. She didn't have to watch a ride's next available time slot be 4 PM and decide whether to chase it. She just went.What Was New and Worth SeeingMagic Kingdom: The updated Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin now has handheld blasters you can aim and move — a significant improvement. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is back after a long closure, smoother than ever with a few new scenes, and Julie's three- and five-year-old both rode it without hesitation.Hollywood Studios: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster featuring The Muppets has a genuinely fun pre-show and a new guitar prop, but Julie felt the ride itself had room for more — a lot of the coaster runs through darkness without much Muppet scenery. The real standout was the updated Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live show, now tightly focused on Mickey and Minnie with an actual storyline, interactive moments, and choreography that genuinely surprised her. For families with young kids, this is a must-do. Also on the radar: World of Animation, the upcoming indoor attraction in Animation Courtyard, which wasn't open yet but looks to be a complete little land for little kids when it arrives.Animal Kingdom: The draw here was Bluey's Wild World at Rafiki's Planet Watch. You take the train back, walk into the one main building, and find an interactive show featuring Bluey and Bingo that lasts about 10 minutes, incorporates games from the series, and had Julie completely won over. Not a sit-and-watch experience — the characters are moving through the space and the kids are actively participating. Worth the trip out.The Heat Strategy That Actually Worked Early entry every day to get the most done before the sun peaked. Two to three outdoor attractions, then one indoor one — deliberately alternating to stay out of the heat. Out of the park by 2 to 3 PM. Back to the villa for air conditioning, snacks, and a rest until about 5. Then down to the pool, followed by quick service dinner from Primo Piatto or Bar Riva right at the resort. It never rained during park hours the whole trip — but Julie brought ponchos every day anyway. That's the right call.Where in the World? 🗺️ Julie spotlights an anniversary couple heading out on a Princess cruise through Northern Europe — Southampton to Falmouth, Cork, Liverpool, Belfast, the Orkney Islands, Invergordon, Queensferry, and a stop in France before returning. A mix of iconic stops and genuinely off-the-beaten-path ports, complete with custom port guides from Julie for each one.Next week: traveling to Mexico beyond the cruise and all-inclusive resort. Start planning your Disney trip 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...
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    26 分
  • Beyond the Butterbeer: Hidden Gems and Easter Eggs at Universal Orlando
    2026/09/09
    More Than Most People Think Universal Orlando Resort has a reputation built almost entirely on Harry Potter and a handful of classic rides. But with four theme parks, 11 hotels, and a full entertainment district, it's become a destination in its own right — one that Ryan has done as a multi-day vacation more than once, with plenty to fill every day. This episode is all about what gets overlooked: the Easter eggs, the hidden experiences, and the details that make a Universal visit genuinely memorable for first-timers and repeat guests alike.Epic Universe: The New Park Everyone Underestimates Most people hear "Epic Universe" and go straight to Super Nintendo World. Ryan and Julie want you to slow down. Dark Universe, the Ministry of Magic expansion of the Wizarding World, How to Train Your Dragon's Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park are each worth your time — and plenty of guests come back saying Super Mario wasn't even their favorite. A few things to watch for: the flux capacitors hidden inside the Stardust Racers vehicles (a nod to the original Back to the Future ride that closed in 2007), the windmill in Dark Universe that spontaneously bursts into flame at random intervals, and the glowing red well outside Das Steakhouse that signals the vampires have awoken after dark. Also tucked into Isle of Berk: look up in the queue for Hiccup's Wing Gliders and you'll spot a half-donkey, half-dragon perched in the rafters — a very cheeky Shrek crossover.Islands of Adventure: Jurassic Park and a Hidden Dining Gem Inside the Discovery Center at Jurassic Park, a paleontologist leads a live dinosaur hatching experience where your child could be chosen to name a baby raptor. It's completely free, included in your park admission, and easy to miss if no one tells you it's there. For dining, Confisco Grille at the park entrance is a solid sit-down option with global cuisine — especially worth knowing as Mythos prepares to close and sit-down choices get thinner.Universal Studios Park: Dial This Number In Diagon Alley, the red phone booth in front of King's Cross Station looks like a photo op — and it is — but pick up the receiver and dial 62442 (M-A-G-I-C) for a special message from the Ministry of Magic. Also back on the schedule: the Horror Makeup Show, closed as of May 2026 but reopening in winter 2026 with a revamp Ryan is genuinely looking forward to.Resort-Wide Tips Like Disney, most Universal quick-service locations will hand you a free cup of ice water if you ask. You can bring your own food and snacks into the parks, though locker requirements are worth checking in advance. Universal's on-site resorts are dramatically underrated — theming ranges from a 1950s motel with a bowling alley (Cabana Bay) to an Italian village to the Hard Rock Hotel, where you can actually rent a guitar delivered to your room. Most resorts offer walking paths or short boat rides to CityWalk and the parks.CityWalk: Disney Springs With Later Hours and Dueling Pianos CityWalk sits at the entrance to the parks and keeps going after they close around 6 or 7 PM. Highlights include a section of the actual Berlin Wall behind Hard Rock Cafe, Hollywood Drive-In Golf with haunted house and alien invasion themed courses, a karaoke bar with a full live band and backup singers, Pat O'Brien's with Cajun food and dueling pianos, and Cowfish — a sushi burger bar where Ryan and Julie once shared something called a Burgushi, which is exactly what it sounds like. For sweet treats: mobile-order Voodoo Doughnuts to skip the line, and find the over-the-top milkshakes at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. Universal resort guests also get priority seating at CityWalk restaurants.Where in the World? 🗺️ Ryan spotlights two couples heading out on a Viking Mediterranean cruise with a custom pre-cruise itinerary he built around it — several days in the Plaka neighborhood of Athens with Acropolis tickets and walking tours, a half-day in central Rome near the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, an early-morning Vatican tour before the crowds arrive, then on to a cruise through Italy and France ending in Barcelona.Next week: Julie recaps her family's August trip to Walt Disney World and how she survived the heat. Start planning your Universal 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 ...
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    19 分
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