Podcast Summary: Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Episode: Samantha Brown on Places to Love, Route 66, and the Travel Habits That Save You Money
Date: January 7, 2026
Hosts: Sally French & Megan Coyle
Special Guest: Samantha Brown (Travel TV Host)

Overview:

This episode kicks off the new year with a powerhouse guest—Samantha Brown—renowned travel television personality, best known for hosting “Places to Love” on PBS and formerly “Great Hotels” on Travel Channel. Sally French and Megan Coyle fan-girl over their travel idol while diving into topics ranging from discovering hidden gems, travel on a budget, the magic of Route 66, savvy points and miles usage, and the changing mindset of modern travelers. The conversation is personal, insightful, and packed with practical tips for maximizing your next adventure—whether you're solo, with family, or inspired by nostalgia.

Episode Structure & Key Segments

1. [01:12] Hosts Catch Up—Personal Travel and Trends

• Megan’s update: Visited East Coast family, relaxed during winter break.
• Sally’s recap: Quick Oceanside getaway (kayaking, biking, Top Gun House turned pie shop—Hi Pie), trend toward nighttime light events at gardens and zoos (San Francisco Botanical Garden, Oakland Zoo’s GloFari).
• Observations: Zoos and gardens increasingly create dynamic, family-friendly winter experiences.

2. [05:16] Introducing Samantha Brown

• About Samantha: Breakout host of “Great Hotels,” now on Season 9 of “Places to Love.”
• Season Announcement: Places to Love Season 9 premieres January 9, featuring Route 66 during its centennial year.

3. [06:11] Samantha Joins - Deep Dive into Travel Philosophy and Route 66

3.1 [07:11] Ted Drewes Frozen Custard (St. Louis)

• Sally asks for Samantha’s review:

  “A concrete is just this extra, extra thick ice cream shake...You can tip it upside down and nothing's going to spill out... it was outstanding. And I love the history of the place.” —Samantha Brown [07:11]

3.2 [08:28] Finding Authentic, Affordable Travel Eats

• Samantha’s tip:

  “You go to the main shopping street... and then you just explore the side streets, the peripheral streets, because that's where the locals are...on the parallel streets you’re going to find the more local spots.” [08:28]

• Key takeaway: Travelers should duck off tourist corridors for richer, often cheaper, experiences.

3.3 [09:37] Chasing Hidden Gems—Anecdote of Zurich

• Found a badminton hall with a quirky honky-tonk bar attached, showing “something more unexpected about the local, everyday life” [11:36].

3.4 [12:28] Modern Travel Trends: Post-COVID Shifts

• Samantha observes that travelers are genuinely seeking local connections and supporting small businesses, a sentiment heightened by pandemic experiences.

  “We all tried to do everything we could to make sure that our community came out of it okay.” [13:57]

4. [14:29] Affordability and Destinations

• Samantha aims to dispel the myth that travel is only for the privileged.
• About budget travel in "A-list" destinations (Vienna, Budapest):

  “We make sure we balance that actual trip, getting there, with what you do while you're there.” [14:55]

• Example: Found a Vienna café pairing retirees with millennials for intergenerational community—a cheaper, authentic alternative to grand cafés.

5. [17:16] Splurging and Saving—Budget Priorities

• Samantha’s splurge: Hotels in good locations (especially near parks, for families).

• Never flies first class, does “poor man's first class” by booking hotels for early morning arrivals so she can check in straight away.

• Food:

  “I rarely spend a ton of money on food...I don't really value the high end culinary experience anymore.” [18:01]
  Prefers local street food.

• [19:13] Megan suggests using hotel points for early arrival hacks; Samantha loves the idea, but Megan cautions: inform the hotel about late arrivals to avoid no-shows.

6. [23:41] Points, Miles, and Flexible Strategies

• Samantha: “Sometimes” uses points—main obstacle is job-mandated inflexibility.

  “A lot of my travel is not flexible at all... we're booking travel maybe two weeks before we leave. And within that window, it's just not, not possible.” [23:48]

• Sally shares: Points/miles redemptions best at 11 months or 1-2 weeks out.

  “Still check. Sometimes they open up award seating.” —Sally French [25:18]

• Samantha appreciates tip: Book “protected” flights with miles during uncertain periods, as miles can be easily refunded if you don't fly.

• Caution: Don’t book two overlapping flights on the same airline—airlines may cancel duplicate itineraries. Use different carriers for true backup [27:42].

7. [27:51] Social Media vs TV—Samantha’s New Era

• Social is for “play,” candid advice, and personal voice, unlike the reverent TV vibe.

• Viral tip: Board last with kids for flights—avoid stress and extended time in seats; sparked heated debate among followers.

  “When you use a pre board with young children, you're actually boarding at the worst time...wait till the very last person...and walk on.” [28:50]

• Packing:

  • Sally is ultra-minimal (“just a backpack”); Samantha checks bags and advises always packing essentials in a carry-on, just in case.

8. [32:22] Loyalty, Lounge Life, and Airports

• Samantha is loyal to Delta (from JFK), her husband to United (ex-Continental roots); they even travel separately as a safety move.

  “If my husband and I are traveling on business together, we take—I take Delta, he takes United...I don't want to go to Newark, New Jersey...” [32:36]

• Samantha is not a lounge devotee; prefers to stay mobile at airports.

• Admits ongoing travel anxiety:

  “Knowing that everything could go wrong...whether it's traffic...getting through security...I travel with my crew...with 26 cases of professional gear...we get to the airport...five hours before...” [34:49]

9. [36:22] The Infamous Audition Flight – Memorable Anecdote

• Samantha nearly missed her Travel Channel audition flight at Washington Dulles; emotionally appeals to the pilot to get on board.

  “Get on the plane, Sam...And the pilot gave me a thumbs up...” [38:47]

• Dulles remains her least favorite airport (“Never flown through again”), but her favorite is Tampa, Florida [39:21].

10. [40:01] Value for Money—When to Splurge, When to Pass

• Most valuable trip: Dream journeys with aging parents—“put it all on a credit card” for lifetime memories.

  “Time is everything...” [40:19]

• Least value: Destinations like Dubai/Abu Dhabi feel over-curated, less authentic (“put into a very certain pathway”), wishes to visit Oman instead [41:05].

• Places to Love Season 9 recommendation highlights:

  • Tulsa, Oklahoma: Young, forward-thinking, fantastic local food initiatives (Mother Road food court).
  • Flagstaff, Arizona: Great hiking, cool temps, university vibe.

  “Two great cities, small cities...the people of Tulsa, I just got them right away...Flagstaff is a great city...the hiking was phenomenal...” [42:30]

11. [45:57] Filming Route 66—Behind the Scenes

• Meticulously pre-planned; crew always scouts and times everything in advance.
• Road trip production allows less spontaneous detouring than viewers might imagine.

12. [46:21] Hot Takeoffs—Samantha’s Travel Prediction

• Travelers will increasingly seek under-the-radar spots, as over-tourism and crowds become less appealing:

  “We're exhausted by the crowds, the prices, and we're going to be traveling to places that no one really knows about...we want to be in connection with human beings in a way that AI can never give us.” [46:21]

• Sally echoes: “Oman is one of those places.” [47:03]

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• “Things don’t have to be off the beaten path. They just—you didn’t know to look there, right? You didn’t know to make that turn.” —Samantha Brown [08:28]
• “Affordability is the filter which everything comes through.” —Samantha Brown [14:55]
• “We all tried to do everything we could to make sure that our community came out of it okay.” —Samantha Brown [13:57]
• “I want to see and be a part of a culture.” —Samantha Brown [41:07]
• “We're exhausted by the crowds, the prices, and we're going to be traveling to places no one knows about.” —Samantha Brown [46:21]

Tips & Tactical Advice Recap

• Explore parallel/side streets for authentic, budget-friendly experiences [08:28].
• Balance splurges (like hotels in good locations) with savings (flights, food) [17:16].
• Use points for “protected” or backup flights, especially when travel disruptions are possible [25:36].
• For early morning flight arrivals, book the hotel for the night before (pro move: use award nights or “fifth night free” benefits) [18:01, 19:13].
• Inform hotels about late arrivals to avoid no-shows when using these hacks [20:03].
• Families with young kids should consider boarding flights last, not first [28:50].
• Always pack essentials in a carry-on, even if you check bags [32:04].
• Consider airline-branded credit cards to save on checked bag fees [32:22].

Conclusion & Takeaways

This episode distills Samantha Brown’s deep, joyful approach to travel—one that values community, serendipity, affordability, and cultural connection above status or luxury. The conversation sparkles with practical wisdom, memorable stories, and actionable tips, making it an essential listen—or read!—for anyone hoping to travel smarter in 2026 and beyond.

Catch "Places to Love" Season 9 on PBS from January 9, and keep following Smart Travel for more advice.

Timestamp Index for Key Segments:

• [01:12]—Hosts’ travel updates & trends
• [05:16]—Intro to Samantha Brown
• [06:11]—Samantha joins, Route 66 focus
• [08:28]—Finding authentic, affordable food
• [09:37]—Hidden gems in Zurich story
• [12:28]—Changing travel trends post-COVID
• [14:29]—Affordability and destination selection
• [17:16]—Splurge-vs-save decisions
• [23:41]—Points/miles usage, booking tips
• [27:51]—Social media tips, boarding with kids
• [32:22]—Packing, loyalty, lounge life, airports
• [36:22]—Travel Channel audition airport story
• [40:01]—Value of bucket-list trips, destinations to skip
• [42:30]—Insider recommendations: Tulsa & Flagstaff
• [45:57]—Route 66 behind the scenes
• [46:21]—Hot take: Escape the crowds, seek lesser-known places

Summary prepared to inform and inspire both veteran travelers and those planning their next getaway!