Destinations Beyond Expectations

Disney recently unveiled a few details about Disney Genie, which uses predictive technology to help enhance the customer experience. What can we expect from this new service that Disney is preparing to launch this upcoming Fall? Travel Advisor Miranda Haley joins the show to talk about Disney Genie, Genie Plus and more. Learn More About Adventures By Miranda Follow Miranda on Facebook and Instagra...

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is full of great hikes, fresh air and scenic views. Stevie is joined by Olivia Migacz from the Olivia Outside travel blog to talk about things to do in the national park, grabbing a slice of pizza from Pies and Pints in Fayetteville, going for a swim in Summersville Lake and more! Check out the Olivia's West Virginia Blog Follow Olivia on Instagr...

From diverse landscapes, designated wilderness areas and beautiful hikes, New Mexico's outdoors hold plenty for visitors to discover. Stevie is joined by journalist Tina Deines to talk about the Jemez Mountains, the Taos region, activities to do on the Rio Grande and more. Find Tina's Articles and Learn More About Tina Here! Follow Tina on Instagram Explore Group Experience to Learn how...

With a background as a sports journalist and a passion for travel, Tom Bushell loves experiencing new places through sport and adventure. On today's episode, Tom joins Stevie to talk about a 3 month journey he's taking across America. From historic baseball stadiums to unique hikes, Tom has enjoyed a mix of well known sites and hidden gems throughout his US travels. Subscribe to The Spor...

From picturesque lighthouses to scrumptious food to beautiful beaches, Nantucket is the perfect place for a New England weekend escape. Stevie G. is joined by Melissa from Meliss Meets World to talk all about this magical island in Massachusetts. Melissa shares tips for traveling around the island, when to book your Nantucket hotel and more. Follow Along With Melissa's Comprehensive Weekend G...

Glacier Bay National park is an absolutely beautiful national park located in southeastern Alaska. The park, which is named for its abundant tidewater and terrestrial glaciers, is a popular stop for Alaskan cruises - in fact over 80 percent of Glacier Bay visitors arrive via cruise. Stevie is joined by Maci Cozart from Passport for Adventure , who shares some insight on unique places to see around...

Just a couple hours north of Boston by car, you'll find some of New England's most beautiful scenery. The White Mountains are full of great hiking trails, quality camp sites and stunning views. Katy Ryan, a photographer and outdoor enthusiast, joins the show to talk about why she loves exploring this beautiful mountain range. Learn More about Katy's Outdoor Adventures Follow Katy or...

Are you ready to plan your next trip? Have you thought about how to prepare for your adventure? Stevie G. re-airs his interview with travel enthusiast Anne L'Heureax that covers Trip Prepping 101. Follow Anne on Instagram! Explore Group Experience to learn how to build your travel tribe

Stevie G. is the man behind Destinations Beyond Expectations, but did you know he produces another travel-related podcast? On Business Class, host Steve Ekstrom interviews tourism industry leaders as they share fascinating knowledge and insight. Today's episode of Destinations Beyond Expectations takes you into the Business Class podcast's most recent episode featuring Greg Takehera from...

Baton Rouge is a charming city that's certainly worth a visit! African Americans have played a critical role in the history of Louisiana's capital, so when you explore Baton Rouge for yourself you should check out Baton Rouge's Black History Trail! Stevie is joined by Karron Alford and Tamaria Williams from Visit Baton Rouge to talk about some of the must-see stops along Baton Rouge...

When you turn on your TV to watch your favorite team, do you ever think about how many fans traveled to be at that game? Sports-related travel plays a larger role in the travel industry than you may think, but just how important are sports to tourism? Stevie G. looks at pre-pandemic findings from the US Travel Association to find out how sports have impacted travel in recent years, and how importa...

The days surrounding the 4th of July is typically a time where many Americans travel. We know travel was down heavily in July of 2020, but what do the statistics say about this past Independence Day? Did Americans fly and drive to gatherings across the country? What does the data say and what does it mean moving forward? In this mini episode, Stevie G. looks at the travel statistics from this past...

The U.S. and Canada have a solid relationship, and that includes strong ties in travel & tourism. While the United States is ready to travel, Canada isn't quite ready to welcome visitors just yet. Stevie takes a look at Canada's tourism industry and explores some of the destinations that American's can't wait to visit when Canada eases its travel restrictions. Explore Group...

On today's episode, Stevie is joined by Kevin Cabe from Mission City Travel. Kevin talks about how he became involved in the world of travel and why faith-based travel is important to him. Kevin also shares advice for those looking to sell travel as a side job or a career.  Book your next travel experience with Mission City Travel Explore Group Experience to learn how to build your travel tri...

Destination professionals from Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana teamed up to put together an epic 8-day itinerary that's full of history, attractions, amazing food and more. Stevie has already broken down this itinerary state by state, but now he's putting it all together. Join the adventure from Grapevine to New Orleans as we dive into Cowboys, Indians, and All That Jazz from start to fini...

Stevie G's latest adventure takes him to Northeast Florida in America's Oldest City! St. Augustine is a destination full of history, attractions, great food and more. Join Stevie and this week's special guest to learn about the iconic fort, pirates and more on this episode of Destinations Beyond Expectations. Explore Group Experience to learn how to build your travel tribe

We're back with another Destination Rewind! Cindy Gross joins the show to share her recent adventure in Columbia Falls, Montana. From huckleberry treats to breathtaking hikes, Columbia Falls and the surrounding area is a wonderful place to explore. Explore Group Experience to learn how to build your travel tribe

Are you trying to figure out your next trip? Here’s an idea – follow the Cowboys, Indians and All That Jazz itinerary! Carefully crafted by destination pros, this multi-day, drivable journey takes you through Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. In part 3 of this 3-part series, Stevie G. is joined by Erica Telsee from the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourism Bureau , Cathy Carter from the Alexandri...

Are you trying to figure out your next trip? Here’s an idea – follow the Cowboys, Indians and All That Jazz itinerary! Carefully crafted by destination pros, this multi-day, drivable journey takes you through Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. In part 2 of this 3-part series, Stevie G. is joined by Todd Stallbaumer from Oklahoma Tourism and Sandy Price from the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bu...

Are you trying to figure out your next trip? Here's an idea - follow the Cowboys, Indians and All That Jazz itinerary! Carefully crafted by destination pros, this multi-day, drivable journey takes you through Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. In part 1 of this 3-part series, Stevie G. is joined by Heather Egan from the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau to take a closer look at the history...

There's been an absence of proper training and educational resources for those in the travel trade. Stephen Ekstrom  joins the podcast to talk about how the Tourism Academy can change that. With courses that are transformative, engaging and accessible, the Tourism Academy aims to make the travel industry smarter. See what the Tourism Academy is all about  Explore Group Experience to learn how...

Have you taken some time to explore your own backyard? Vanessa Holloway from Travel the World History joins the show to talk about exploring her hometown of Kansas City. From the American Jazz Museum to the National World War I Museum & Memorial and so much more, Kansas City is full of historical sites to discover. Follow along using Vanessa's Kansas City blog Explore Group Experience to...

Looking to plan your next vacation? Well you may want to consider a visit to Long Island! From the award-winning beaches to the beautiful wineries and everything in between, Long Island is loaded with hidden gems. Jenn Rothman and Alfredo Gonzalez from Discover Long Island join Stevie to review some amazing places around the Island to explore. Discover Long Island by visiting Discover Long Island!...

Taking a trip anytime of year is fun - but there are many unique advantages of taking a trip during the Fall season! In this week's episode, Stevie is joined travel pro Terry Twitchell to talk about Fall travel deals, destinations that have beautiful autumn weather and so much more. Terry also offers up some unique Fall travel opportunities that students can take advantage of, and shares info...

Recently named the Happiest City in America by the Wall Street Journal, Lafayette is sure to put a smile on your face when you visit! Each year in "The Hub City", you can experience festivals that revolve around food, music, and other aspects of Acadian culture. Stevie sits down with Ben Berthelot, President & CEO of the Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission, to review some...