Podcast
Inside Travel Talk
Hosted by Mark Faldmo & Patrick Wiscombe · EN
Discover the world one conversation at a time with Inside Travel Talk, the best travel podcast for curious explorers. Each episode delivers expert travel tips, hidden gems, and insider advice on the best destinations. We deliver inspiring stories, proven travel strategies, and insider travel tips you can trust. Learn the smartest ways to save money while experiencing the best destinations. Plus, hear from travel pros who know the must-see spots around the globe. Whether you crave beaches, city adventures, or cultural escapes, this podcast sparks wanderlust instantly. Above all, we make travel planning fun, simple, and inspiring. Tune in weekly for the latest travel hacks and get motivated to book your next adventure today! Brought to you by Blue Planet Vacations.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Luxury Train Travel, Viking Mediterranean Cruises & Avalon River Cruise Airfare Deals
1w ago00:38:14Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailPower banks catching fire. Earbuds tossed into TSA bins. A dream lagoon in Mexico that looks like the Maldives. Today we bounce between the tiny travel habits that keep you safer and the big, bucket-list trips that remind you why you travel in the first place.We start with updated airline and FAA-driven battery concerns, breaking down how to pack lithium-ion power banks, why “accessible” matters, and what to ditch before you leave home. Then we head south for hidden gem Mexico travel: Holbox for sandy streets, whale shark season, and slow sunsets, plus Bacalar and its Lagoon of Seven Colors for kayaking, boutique stays, and a calmer alternative to busier Caribbean hot spots. We also share an easy airport hygiene win: never place headphones directly in TSA bins, and what to use instead.From there, we lean into classic Americana at the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, a historic New England inn that ties perfectly into early US history and the Berkshires. Our main travel feature spotlights Canyon Spirit, the luxury sightseeing train between Salt Lake City and Denver with daylight-only scenery, hotel overnights, and unforgettable Colorado River views through Glenwood Canyon, plus promo details for 2026 departures.Segment two goes deep on cruising: MSC Cruises growth out of Galveston, Viking quiet season Mediterranean sailings with notable savings, the real pros and cons of cruise line airfare programs, and a practical river cruising reality check on double docking. We wrap with Avalon Waterways Europe river cruise deals, including free airfare options that can save thousands. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a friend planning a trip, and leave a review so more travelers can find us.
Transcribe →Croatia Small Ship Cruises, Riviera Maya Resorts & Travel Industry Changes Explained
3w ago00:31:39Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailFlight schedules are shifting under our feet, and pricing is getting smarter than the average traveler. We dig into Delta’s summer route cuts out of major hubs and what that can mean for nonstop availability, competition, and airfare. If you’ve ever wondered whether driving to a different airport or accepting a connection is worth it, we walk through the real tradeoffs and how a travel advisor looks for better routings you might never see in a basic search.Then we get into the topic that’s making travelers uneasy: surveillance pricing. After a JetBlue customer watched a fare jump and got the classic “try incognito mode” advice, we break down how dynamic pricing, AI, and data signals can shape what you’re shown. We also explain why advisor tools can help level the playing field by focusing on availability-based fares, not your browsing history.From there, Mark shares the personal side of why travel matters, from a perspective-changing Lower Danube River cruise to powerful moments in Israel and Jordan, plus repeat trips to China that reveal new layers each time. We also spotlight El Dorado Seaside Suites in Riviera Maya and its more inclusive all-inclusive benefits, followed by cruise updates: Royal Caribbean’s Santorini beach club, Disney cruises from San Diego, AMA Waterways river cruise expansion, small ship cruising in Croatia, and Norwegian Cruise Line deals including a Hawaii-to-Tahiti sailing.If you got value from this, subscribe, share the show with a traveler who loves a deal, and leave a review so more people can find us.
Transcribe →Small Group Tours, Cruise Tips & Europe Travel Scams
Apr 2500:32:37Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailA resort delay on Kauai might sound like small news, but the Coco Palms timeline keeps grabbing attention because it’s tied to real Hawaii nostalgia and decades of false starts. We talk about the latest update pushing the reopening estimate to 2028, then zoom out to what actually makes a Kauai vacation great right now: Waimea Canyon drives, Na Pali Coast helicopter views you can’t get any other way, and the kind of simple local food stops that end up being your favorite memory. If Hawaii travel deals are on your radar, we also point to current Delta Vacations offers that can lower the cost of a Hawaii package when the dates and terms line up.Next, we get practical before Europe summer travel hits full speed. Pickpockets thrive on distraction, phone snatching happens in seconds near the curb, and taxi scams still catch smart travelers when they’re tired and rushed. We walk through the “free gift” scam, restaurant overcharging, and third-party ticket resellers that look legit in search results. The theme is simple: slow down, keep valuables secured, and book through official attraction sites or trusted travel providers.A listener question takes us into small group tours, especially for travelers who want community-focused travel without roughing it. We explain why G Adventures comes up so often, what their “Classic” style feels like, and how locally guided experiences can add real meaning. Then we shift from land to sea with cruise news from Princess Cruises, Alaska itinerary changes around Tracy Arm, and MSC’s new private island Sandy Key. Finally, we break down cruise fare types like non-refundable deposits and “guarantee” cabins so you know what you’re buying before you hit submit.If this helps, subscribe to Inside Travel Talk, share it with a friend planning a trip, and leave a review so more travelers can find it. What trip are you planning next?
Transcribe →African Safari Travel, Expedition Cruises, and Travel Deals You Can’t Miss
Apr 1100:27:36Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailAirport security, airplane Wi-Fi, airline fares, safaris, and cruises all changed quietly while you were busy living your life, and those changes can either save your trip or stress you out at the worst possible moment. Justin and Mark break down what’s actually happening and what it means for real travelers who want fewer lines, fewer surprises, and better experiences for the money.We dig into the push toward private airport screening through the TSA’s Screening Partnership Program and why it keeps resurfacing during shutdown fears, even though travelers already pay a dedicated security fee. From there, we look at Delta’s move toward low Earth orbit satellite internet with Amazon and why lower latency is the difference between “it technically works” and Wi-Fi you can truly use for streaming, messaging, and getting work done. We also unpack United’s expanding tiered fare categories and how “unbundling” can follow you into premium cabins, making it more important than ever to read what your ticket includes.Then we go big: a listener question sparks a detailed Kenya vs South Africa safari comparison, from Cape Town, Kruger, and Victoria Falls to the Maasai Mara and the Great Migration. Finally, we shift to cruise travel trends, including MSC’s Caribbean redeployment, Norwegian’s Haven ship-within-a-ship luxury, and expedition cruising to Antarctica with a practical guide to HX Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions, and Quark Expeditions, plus an HX anniversary offer worth timing. If you enjoyed this kind of trip-planning clarity, subscribe, share the show with a travel buddy, and leave a review with the destination you want us to tackle next.
Transcribe →Big Island Volcanoes and Hawaii Cruises: Expert Travel Tips You Can’t Miss
Mar 2800:22:44Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailHawaii can feel like one destination on a map, but it behaves like several completely different trips depending on how you plan it. We start with travel news that could change long-haul comfort for everyone: United is testing a lie-flat “couch” concept in economy, aiming at that sweet spot between basic economy and business class. If you’ve ever landed in Honolulu exhausted, you’ll understand why a rest-focused economy option matters for Hawaii flights and other long routes.From there we get practical about what’s happening on the islands right now. We talk about local-style Hawaii travel and why the best memories often come from slowing down, driving, and letting food lead the way, from poke to plate lunches to the perfect malasada stop. We also address flooding headlines with real context: Hawaii is multiple islands, weather impacts are often localized, and smart travelers check conditions before hitting the panic button.Then we go deep on the Big Island, including how realistic it is to plan around volcanic activity, where to check Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and USGS updates, and where to stay based on your vibe. Mark shares a full-day Big Island loop that connects the dots between Hilo-side scenery, meaningful history, waterfalls, mochi, Volcanoes National Park, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, and even South Point if you’ve still got energy.We wrap with cruise news and the big decision many travelers don’t realize they have: a 14–16 day round-trip Hawaii cruise from the mainland with more sea days, or a 7-day inter-island sailing from Honolulu on Norwegian’s Pride of America that works like a floating hotel with rare overnight stays. If you’re comparing a Hawaii cruise versus a land vacation, we help you think through value, time in port, and what kind of trip you actually want. If this helps, subscribe, share the show with a Hawaii-planning friend, and leave a quick review so more travelers can find us.
Transcribe →Peru, Machu Picchu, and American River Cruises Explained
Mar 1400:36:42Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailBig shifts in air travel meet big journeys on land and river. We start with Southwest’s move to assigned seating and the surge to regulate hidden fees, then dive headfirst into a Peru itinerary that earns its “most complete” label: rainforest nights in the Amazon near Puerto Maldonado, dawn over the canopy, and a guided, two-entry experience at Machu Picchu that crescendos with sunrise across the Andes. Along the way, Cusco’s Inca-and-colonial layers, the Sacred Valley’s markets and stonework, and a spectacled bear sanctuary connect wildlife, culture, and conservation in a way guidebooks can’t. Time your visit for Inti Raymi on June 24 and history turns living and loud.From there we trade rails for rivers and look at why American river cruising is booming. Think Mississippi lore brought to life—Memphis blues, Vicksburg battlements, Natchez’s grand homes—and the Columbia and Snake Rivers’ basalt cliffs, waterfalls, and Lewis-and-Clark history. We compare American Cruise Lines’ intimate ships and paddlewheel nostalgia with Viking’s sleek, Scandinavian design and enrichment-forward approach, highlighting who each line suits best and how to choose smartly. Add timely perks like free airfare on select U.S. river sailings and inclusive pricing, and the value becomes as clear as the view from a sunlit promenade.We also spotlight cruise news with Norwegian Luna’s spacious design and Los Angeles’ new outer harbor terminal plans that promise more West Coast options. Throughout, we keep it practical: how to read total trip costs, when to book small ships, and how Delta Vacations can boost savings and SkyMiles by rewarding the whole package. Ready to rethink your next trip—Peru’s peaks and jungle, or America’s rivers and roots? Follow the show, share with a travel-loving friend, and leave a quick review to tell us where you’re headed next.
Transcribe →Norway Fjords, Northern Lights, River Cruises & Expert Travel Advice
Feb 2800:26:22Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailReady to turn travel dreams into plans you’ll actually love? We dig into Norway’s magnetic pull and show you exactly how to make it work—when to go for roaring fjords and the midnight sun, when to hunt the Northern Lights above the Arctic Circle, and why Norway in a Nutshell delivers big scenery without big stress. We also share a personal heritage itinerary that stitches together a Stockholm–Narvik sleeper train, a Hurtigruten coastal segment, and time in Oslo’s top museums to transform a vacation into a family story.From there, we zoom out to the bigger travel landscape. A brand-new luxury daylight train between Denver and Salt Lake City turns the American West into a glass-domed, chef-served panorama with an overnight in Glenwood Springs. On the water, cruise lines are reshaping the experience with curated beach clubs that trade port chaos for easy, relaxing resort days, while expedition operators launch ice-class ships to reach Antarctica, Greenland, and remote Arctic fjords for zodiac landings and close-up wildlife encounters.If Europe calls, we break down river cruising so you match the line to your style: AMA Waterways for active days and standout dining, Avalon for wall-to-wall windows and slow-scenic mornings, Viking for structured clarity and cultural lectures, and Riverside Luxury for space, quiet, and boutique polish. We also flag the best booking window—when free airfare and added land stays arrive—because river ships sell out early and last-minute deals are rare.We wrap with the safety net that keeps great trips great: work with a connected advisor, enroll in the State Department’s free STEP alerts, and choose travel protection that includes medical coverage abroad, with Cancel For Any Reason if you want flexibility. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s plotting their next escape, and leave a quick review—what journey are you planning next?
Transcribe →Hawaii, Alaska Trains, And Safaris
Feb 2100:25:08Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWant travel that feels effortless but still blows your mind? We unpack three smart moves that open big experiences without adding stress: nonstop Salt Lake City to Kona for easier winter sun, rail through the heart of Alaska for wildlife and wilderness, and a step-by-step guide to unlocking a full-transit Panama Canal cruise that’s more expedition than vacation.We start with the win for Mountain West travelers: Delta’s daily nonstop from SLC to Kona returns November 9, launching earlier than last year for better Thanksgiving and Christmas options. Then we trade highways for rails with Alaska Railroad routes linking Seward, Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Denali. Think glass-dome cars, narration, and glacier views as you glide into the interior that many cruisers miss. Add three to five land days to see Denali without the rental car stress, and you’ll likely call the rail segment the best part of your trip.Next, we head to Africa. Kenya’s Masai Mara and the Serengeti corridor shine during the Great Migration in late August through mid-September, while parks like Samburu and Ol Pejeta offer distinct wildlife signatures—from prolific giraffe to rhinos. Luxury tented camps, sunrise game drives, and bush breakfasts bring you face to face with elephants, big cats, and hippos at a humane pace. We also share a real savings offer: $500 off any custom or private safari itinerary, perfect for tailoring routes, lodges, and photography time. Plan 8–12 months ahead to secure top camps.We wrap with cruise insights that add substance. MSC partners with ORCA to bring marine conservationists onboard in Alaska, turning whale watching into an education. Ocean Cay Marine Reserve gets upgrades for quieter, beach-first days—expanded sands, better dining, evening ambiance, and more marine protection. Then we break down the Panama Canal: best seasons (late spring and fall), why a full transit beats a partial, balcony tips, old vs new locks, and why Princess Cruises remains a standout with naturalists and enrichment that elevate every lock and lake. If this helped you plan smarter, subscribe, share with a friend, and drop your next dream itinerary in the comments—where are you headed next?
Transcribe →Alaska Cruise Excursions, Resort Mistakes Travelers Make & Airline Fare Changes
Feb 1400:26:36Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailReady to travel smarter and come home with better stories? We dig into the headlines that actually change your plans—like Carnival’s first calls to Africa—and the on-the-ground tactics that keep your trip smooth, from airfare fine print to street-level scams targeting cruisers and city wanderers alike. You’ll hear clear, practical ways to protect your budget without losing the joy of discovery.We start with cruise news that widens the world: how adding African ports lowers the barrier to a continent many travelers find complex and costly to visit, and what that means for choosing itineraries that balance sea days with meaningful, unrushed shore time. Then we unpack a big airline shift as carriers roll out “basic” business and first class. Cheaper up front doesn’t always mean value; we outline what could be missing—seat flexibility, upgrades, mileage accrual, or changes—and how to read fare rules like a pro before you click buy.Scam-proofing is next. From taxi fares that morph into “per person” charges to fake ticket hookups, staged “free” gifts, and distraction plays that separate you from your phone or wallet, we map the patterns and give you scripts and habits that work anywhere. Small bills separate from cards, official ticket sources only, no return rides prepaid, and firm boundaries for unsolicited photo ops and “helpful” strangers.If a sunny escape is calling, we share the all-inclusive missteps that derail a getaway—and how a knowledgeable advisor can match you to the right beach, room category, and vibe. Learn why concierge tiers sometimes add outsized value, how early dinner reservations save your evenings, and the free water sports and sister-property perks most guests miss.Finally, we head north to Alaska with shore excursions that earn their price: Juneau’s whale watching with Mendenhall Glacier, Skagway’s White Pass Railroad and Gold Rush lore, Ketchikan’s totems and Misty Fjords floatplanes, Sitka’s wildlife rescues, and quick-hit ideas for a magical evening in Victoria. These are the choices that turn a bucket-list cruise into a lifetime highlight.Enjoy the episode, subscribe for weekly travel insights, and share it with a friend who’s planning a trip. If we earned it, leave a quick review—it helps more travelers find their way to better journeys.
Transcribe →11 Rookie Europe Mistakes, Best Shore Excursions & Rhine vs Danube River Cruises
Feb 700:26:29Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailJet lagged, lost, and staring at a two-hour line outside a must-see museum? We’ve been there—and we’ve got the fixes that turn a stressful Europe trip into a smooth, joy-filled one. We unpack 11 common mistakes first-time travelers make and share simple, practical ways to avoid each one, from when to take a taxi instead of the train to why “free” bread and water can quietly pad your bill. You’ll learn how to score timed-entry or skip-the-line tickets, manage cash and credit for the best rates, set up your phone for cheap communication, and switch to 24-hour time so you never miss a train.Then we switch gears to pure inspiration with a guided tour of standout shore excursions that actually deliver. Think Lamanai’s jungle river ride to a serene Mayan site in Belize, Capri’s dramatic cliffs and Anacapri lift, Kotor’s misty sail into Europe’s “southern fjord” and the tiny church on a man-made island, Moorea’s shark-and-ray swim with a lagoon lunch, and the slow, romantic drift of bamboo rafting in Jamaica. We round it out with bonus gems: the hilltop charm of Eze near Monaco, Grand Cayman’s Stingray City with its playful detour to Hell, and the postcard-perfect lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove.To close, we tackle the big river-cruise decision: Rhine or Danube. The Rhine brings castle-lined shores and fairy-tale stretches; the Danube leans into layered history and city drama, with Budapest as a star. Can’t choose? Connect them on a Grand European journey through canals and locks. For value seekers, we share the best months to book, including shoulder dates and festive Christmas market sailings. Hit play, get smarter, and plan a trip that saves time, dodges fees, and gives you more of what you came for: unforgettable moments. If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and share with a friend who’s planning Europe—then tell us where you’d cruise first.
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