Passport Diaries by TravelStore

The results are in! Our network of expert Travel Advisors have spoken and declared the “Hot Spots” of 2026. Three of our experts join us to break down why these destinations are so popular this year, as well as share insight into how you can discover hidden treasures even in the most popular destinations. Join Jeanine Mak, Lori Ekdahl, and Mona Stephenson as they take you on a river cruise down th...

What is Travel Insurance and why do you need it? In this Passport Diaries episode, listen to three top-tier travel insurance experts dive into how Travel Insurance can be an invaluable tool when planning your trips. Trips are more expensive, more lavish, and more adventurous than ever before; if something prevents you from departing or hiccups occur in destination, the right coverage policy can he...

Ever daydreamed about spending a year traveling to the world’s best and most luxurious beach destinations? Good news: you can! Meet Brett Cook, the man who ditched the 9 to 5 to travel the world (give or take a little dramatization on our part) and who is living out all our tropical travel fantasies. With expert trip planning by Susanne Hamer , one of our top Luxury Travel Advisors, Bret (aka “Mr....

The rumors are true: The perfect itinerary for visiting South Africa does exist and includes extra special amenities and experiences just for TravelStore clients! Join us for a conversation with Sherwin Banda of African Travel Inc. as he takes us through a custom-built 11-Day itinerary he calls “The Splendors of Southern Africa.”   On this trip, you will experience stunning sights, exciting excurs...

Picture this: You are sitting in a covered safari vehicle, looking out across vast plains and grasslands. The vehicle bumps along, jostling the Tracker sitting in a lone chair at the very front. Suddenly your face splits into a huge grin as your Safari Guide says the words you’ve been waiting all your life to hear: “We’ve found them… lions!”   These are the moments a Safari Guide lives for: To see...

Now more than ever, people cherish memorable experiences over material goods. We travel professionals know there is nothing more meaningful than receiving the gift of travel - and we have endless real-life stories to prove it! It may be a story of an employer surprising his employee with a fully completed itinerary to Paris. Or, it may be the story of a mother-in-law sneakily upgrading her son and...

How valuable is it for kids to travel at a young age? What happens when kids grow up visiting other countries and are exposed to different cultures? According to Cara Kobzeff - a world-traveler extraordinaire - traveling as a family is incredibly valuable. Sh00:39:28e has been traversing the globe with her niece and nephew since they were young, taking them to places like Fiji, Jamaica, France and...

We’ve all heard of ocean and river cruises, but have you ever considered cruising the Great Lakes ? On this episode of Passport Diaries, we set sail aboard the only cruise line that sails to all five lakes: Victory Cruise Lines . Join us to visit sites along Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. We’ll stop at Mackinac Island where only horse-drawn carriages and bic...

If you have ever wondered what it's like to travel deep into Borneo's thick rainforests full of chittering wildlife, this is the episode for you! On today's Passport Diaries entry, we are joining travel expert Susanne Hamer on her journey to Borneo , Singapore , and Malaysia . Listen in on her experience taking a 2-hour boat ride into the jungle of Borneo to stay at multiple eco-lodges supporting...

On today's episode, we are taking our passports to get stamped in Africa with the President of African Travel, Sherwin Banda. Sherwin shares why Africa is "the world's best kept secret" when it comes to travel. He also talks about what makes him excited to share Africa with first-timers to the continent and how tourism is a necessary part of the conservation efforts for Africa's wildlife and cultu...

In this episode of Passport Diaries from TravelStore , climb aboard one of the four Queens of Cunard and set sail around the globe. We invite you to hear from Cunard Cruise expert Cindy Woloshyn about her personal experience doing a Transatlantic crossing aboard the Queen Mary 2, why the East Caribbean itinerary is her favorite, and how the Alaska itinerary aboard the Queen Elizabeth is a delight...

In today’s episode of Passport Diaries, hear from TravelStore's adventure travel expert Katie Cadar about her recent trip to the far reaches of Japan . Katie shares her experiences aboard a Ponant Cruises expedition ship to tiny Japanese villages that rarely see tourists. She talks about meandering through ancient streets surrounded by Edo architecture while a modern car zips by, being invited int...