Podcast Summary: "Are You Travelling This Summer?"

All Of It on WNYC, hosted by Koosha (in for Alison Stewart)
Guest: Nithya Chambers, Executive Editor of Lonely Planet
Date: June 24, 2024

Episode Overview

This episode dives into summer travel, exploring hot destinations for 2024, travel planning strategies, domestic gems, and trends like “set jetting.” Through engaging listener calls and texts, host Koosha and guest Nithya Chambers—from Lonely Planet—offer tips, personal stories, and practical advice for making the most of your summer vacation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Joy and Art of Travel Planning (01:24–02:49)

• Travel as Daydreaming: The thrill isn’t just in the journey or the destination, but in planning, researching, and imagining future adventures.
  • Koosha: "It's not, in fact, actually about the journey nor the destination. It's just about daydreaming, really." (02:49)
• Lonely Planet’s Travel Lists: Nithya explains the annual “Best in Travel” and their new “Offbeat North America” list, both aiming to uncover hidden gems as alternatives to crowded hotspots.
  • Nithya: "We have a global network of about 750 writers ... They nominate places all around the world that they love, that they think should be on the radar of travelers." (03:50)

2. Off the Beaten Path: Domestic Summer Destinations (04:57–07:15)

• Highlighted U.S. Options:
  • New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania: Staten Island, Bucks County, Lambertville, Ithaca, Catskills
  • Maryland: Assateague Island National Seashore, Harriet Tubman National Park
  • Midwest & West: Wisconsin, North Dakota (Fargo, Teddy Roosevelt National Park), Portland, Oregon
• Firsthand Experiences:
  • Bucks County: "Beautiful farm to table, small businesses, art galleries... local wines and unplugging a bit that wasn't too far from New York." (06:10)
  • Harriet Tubman Park: "A 17-acre green park with farmland surrounding it and... a really amazing place to visit." (06:40)

3. Listener Q&A: Practical Tips for Summer Travelers (07:15–12:29)

• Maine: Portland is a great entry point—fly in if possible.
  • Nithya: "Acadia National Park is about three hours north of Portland... honestly like one of the greatest experiences that my family has had." (08:07)
• Long Island: Shelter Island (kayaking, beaches, can be pricey on weekends), Bellport (walkable, Main Street, ice cream, small-town charm) (09:48)
• Southern Hemisphere/Destinations Abroad:
  • Advance planning essential due to travel time, pay attention to local seasons, pack layers, research events and cuisine.
  • Nithya: "Packing layers is always good... researching the Inca Trail and when is the rainy season..." (11:39)

4. Trends: “Set Jetting” and Pop Culture Tourism (12:29–15:18)

• Set Jetting Defined: Choosing destinations based on their appearances in films and TV series (versus classic event “jet setting” for things like the Olympics).
• Popular Influences:
  • “White Lotus” (Italy, now Thailand anticipated)
  • “Wednesday” (Romania)
  • “Emily in Paris” (Paris)
  • “Squid Game” (South Korea)
  • “Succession” (NYC karaoke bar tours!)
  • Nithya: “There is something about seeing a place on screen and then wanting to go have that experience in person.” (15:18)

5. More Listener Interactions: Diverse Destinations and Foodie Finds (15:18–23:03)

• Fargo, North Dakota:
  • Nithya: "We profiled Fargo… public art, diverse dining, and street festivals... inventive and fresh farm-to-table dining, experimental ciders, buffalo sausage..." (15:42)
  • Teddy Roosevelt National Park highlighted for history, scenery, cowboy culture.
  • Jeff (listener): “We had a bison and elk meatloaf... as good as anything in the Big Apple." (17:01)
• Japan: Worth visiting now due to the favorable exchange rate.
  • Jeff: "It's actually cheap to go to Japan now." (17:25)

6. Practical Updates: Passport Renewal (17:44–19:22)

• New Online Passport Renewal (US):
  • Pilot program now running, but turnaround still estimated at 6–8 weeks.
  • Early planning emphasized.
  • Nithya: "Passports still take six to eight weeks if you're not doing expedited... But passports are... what they've recently reinstated is an online renewal program as a pilot." (18:11)
  • Expedite if in a hurry, but some non-expedited processed in 4 weeks.

7. More Listener Tips & Regional Recommendations (19:22–22:58)

• Colonial Williamsburg/Virginia:
  • Treat as an anchor for a weeklong trip; explore Richmond, Newport News, the beaches, hiking, and local cuisine. (19:42)
• Marseille, France:
  • Nithya: "Great sunsets... open air markets, a lot to eat and drink... sailing, exploring the history, ancient Mediterranean civilization." (21:12)
  • Lonely Planet article: “15 Top Things to Do in Marseille” recommended.
• Newport, Rhode Island:
  • Listener tip: “...passes our ‘no screens test’... beaches, kite flying, Brenton Point, the Cliff Walk, lighthouses, lemonade, biking.” (22:06)
  • Nithya: “I feel like as a mom of two kids, I love places that get them off their phones...” (22:37)

8. Personal Travel Plans and Final Thoughts (22:58–23:52)

• Nithya’s Traditions & Plans:
  • Considering the Pacific Northwest, Seattle, Portland
  • Family tradition: North Miami Beach in summer—less crowded, warm.
  • Nithya: “…going to North Miami Beach is always a tradition for us. And we love being there.” (23:03)
• Koosha thanks listeners: Emphasizes the communal aspect of shared travel dreams and invites all to make summer unforgettable.

Notable Quotes

• On the thrill of planning:
  • Koosha: “It's not ... about the journey nor the destination. It's just about daydreaming, really.” (02:49)
• On hidden gems:
  • Nithya: “The goal of the book is to highlight hidden gems. Off the Beaten Path is something we hear about all the time.” (03:50)
• On travel inspiration from TV:
  • Nithya: “There is something about seeing a place on screen and then wanting to go have that experience in person.” (15:18)
• On the travel experience with family:
  • Nithya: “The experience while you’re there is just so full and rich that they want to be fully present and not plugged into things happening in other places.” (22:37)
• On practicalities:
  • Nithya: "Passports still take six to eight weeks if you're not doing expedited ... give yourself the window but know that there's a chance it could come back sooner." (18:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Travel Planning & Philosophy – 01:24–03:50
• Offbeat Domestic Destinations – 04:57–07:15
• Listener Q&A (Maine, Long Island, Abroad) – 07:15–12:29
• “Set Jetting” TV Travel Trends – 12:29–15:18
• Fargo/North Dakota & Japan – 15:18–17:44
• Passport Renewal Tips – 17:44–19:22
• Family Travel & Regional Recommendations – 19:22–22:58
• Personal Traditions & Closing Thoughts – 22:58–23:52

Tone & Style

The episode maintains an enthusiastic, inclusive, conversational tone, inviting listener participation and valuing all kinds of travel—from local day trips to international treks and pop-culture pilgrimages. Nithya provides expert, approachable tips, while Koosha keeps the energy lively and community-focused.

For anyone dreaming, planning, or about to set off on a trip—this episode is packed with inspiration, practical tips, and the reminder that the adventure begins the moment you start imagining your next escape.