Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story

Do you dream of embarking on a legendary pilgrimage filled with breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable encounters, and just enough unexpected twists to keep things interesting? This episode, we lace up our boots and dive into the adventure of a lifetime: hiking the Camino de Santiago with special guest Tom Schwab (founder: Interview Valet) . Tom trekked 500 miles in 26 days alongside his wife, Kar...

Ever dreamed of  jetting off to Thailand for a mix of adventure, culture, and surprisingly affordable luxury? Crystal takes center stage in this episode, sharing her 2019 journey across three stunning islands, giving us an inside look at Thailand's vibrant food scene, picturesque beaches, and budget-friendly splurges. Flights with Qatar Airlines – Was the experience worth it, and what should you k...

Strap on your hiking boots (or just grab a comfy chair) as Crystal, Joe, and a crew of adventure enthusiasts take you on a journey through the wild wonders of Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Muir Woods . Expect epic tales, unexpected detours, and a few moments of sheer survival mode—because what's a national park trip without a little chaos? In this episode: Amanda's Grand Canyon Trek – She and her...

Today we talk to not one but TWO guests who BOTH know how to save TONS of money on travel. First, Chris Hutchens from All The Hacks podcast LOVES to find ways to travel the world for nothing (or next to nothing). Second, George Igoe has a top series on the Million Stories YouTube page about seeing different cities for $100 or less. He shares some of his favorites on today's show!  These interviews...

Remember when  Libby Gifford raved about Olympic National Park being her all-time favorite? Well, we took that as a challenge and just wrapped up an epic two-day adventure through its jaw-dropping landscapes. Spoiler alert: Libby was absolutely right. From the snow-capped peaks of Hurricane Ridge to the rugged coastline of Rialto and Ruby Beach , we packed in as much as possible—including hidden g...

Today Joe and Crystal embark on a journey to the world's most romantic destinations. From the sun-kissed beaches of Indonesia to the charming gondolas of Venice, they reveal their top five picks for couples seeking unforgettable getaways. Along the way, they explore breathtaking hotels, intimate dining spots, and hidden gems in Greece, France, Italy, and beyond. Even if you're not romantically inv...

Can a  pigeon lead to an Italian adventure? Turns out, yes! 🐦 Join Crystal and Joe as they chat with Adventure Annette about a spontaneous, bird-inspired journey through Rome, Venice, and Pompeii —all thanks to her son's unexpected obsession with pigeons. What's Inside This Episode? 🏛 Rome: The Eternal City – Walking is the best way to explore (and dodge tourist traps). Annette shares insider tip...

Ever wonder which U.S. national parks are truly breathtaking—and which ones might not live up to the hype? Today,  Joe and Crystal sit down with Libby Gifford , a seasoned park explorer and co-organizer of TravelCon , to swap stories about awe-inspiring landscapes, unexpected surprises, and the parks that didn't quite make their bucket list. Along the way, you'll hear: 🏕️ Crystal's shocking confes...

Big changes coming to the show (well, not really...more tweaks than anything)...and we're super excited to share them with you. Join our community online and let's have fun learning and laughing our way around the world.   

Here's the revised version without timestamps: Ready to swirl, sniff, and sip your way through some unforgettable wine-tasting adventures? Today's episode of  Stacking Adventures is a toast to wine tours, featuring hilarious and heartfelt stories, practical tips, and a few spills (hopefully just metaphorical). Crystal shares her dream of leading wine tours in retirement—because why not get paid to...

Ready to dive into the charm of the Emerald Isle? In this episode, we're taking you on a journey through Ireland's rugged countryside, lively cities, and ancient landmarks. Whether you're chasing rainbows or trying to master driving on the other side of the road, we've got stories, laughs, and plenty of tips to inspire your next great adventure. Sheena starts us off with her unplanned escape to Du...

Planning a dream vacation shouldn't feel like a nightmare for your wallet. In this episode, Crystal and Joe unpack practical strategies to make your 2025 travels more affordable, enjoyable, and stress-free. Crystal is inspired as Joe shares his plan to extend FinCon with an unforgettable visit to Crater Lake National Park and Willamette Valley wineries. From there, they dive into how smart budgeti...

What better way to kick off the new year than by planning your next great adventure? On this episode, we're sharing another podcast which will make your adventures brighter, the  Everyday Bucket List Podcast. Karen Cordway and her husband (and co-host) Rich share their best tips for setting ambitious but achievable travel goals and bucket list ideas for 2025. From sparking brain growth (yes, reall...

Ever wonder where to find the most haunted hotspots in the country? Buckle up, because in this episode, Joe and Crystal share the spine-tingling ghost tours recommended by our Adventurers! From Savannah's famous hearse ghost tours to the mysterious halls of the Winchester Mystery House and Salem's historical haunts, we've got your next spooky adventure covered. Plus, we highlight our Gear of the D...

Are you making the most of your travel points? Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just dipping your toes into the world of rewards, this episode of Stacking Adventures is a must-listen. We're joined by Cindy Greenstein, aka The Points Mom , who shares her insider secrets for getting top value from your travel rewards. From transferring points for better deals to stacking perks for triple the be...

Why does wine taste different when you're sipping it abroad? And how do you design a wine tour that's both unforgettable and Instagram-worthy? Today, we pop the cork on all things wine tourism with Kylie Sherriff, an Australian expat who traded her banking career for the lush vineyards of Chile. Kylie takes us behind the scenes of wine tourism, revealing the secrets to crafting the perfect wine to...

This week on  Stacking Adventures , Joe and Crystal take us on a journey through Peru with two unique travel stories and a treasure trove of tips for travelers of all styles. First, Carrie and Eric share their unforgettable slow-travel experience, staying in an Airbnb, shopping at vibrant local markets, and immersing their kids in Peruvian culture. They reveal how to avoid tourist traps and truly...

Adventurer Ann joins us today to share her travels through Ireland. Her road trip avoided the major tourist spots so that they could see the "real" parts of the country. What did they experience? How about soaring cliffs, the Lousitania museum, AirBnBs, wonderful foods, and Irish scones! Ann shares all of her best travel tips, including how she creatively made it to Ireland on points and what she'...

Emmy winner Joseph Rosendo joins us! In this special episode, Joseph, known for his PBS show 'TravelScope,' shares invaluable travel tips focusing on the importance of immersing oneself in local cultures rather than merely visiting tourist sites. He emphasizes the need to interact with locals to truly enrich your travel experience. The episode also covers Joseph's thoughts on packing smartly, the...

Today, we'll take you to BACK to Japan, a place that Crystal visited and shared her experiences from. Now we share YOUR hilarious and insightful adventure stories, including mishaps like throwing up in your boss's wife's shoes, avoiding canceled flights due to typhoons, and playing the exchange rate game. We also gather practical travel tips including public transportation, eating at 7-Eleven, and...

Dive into the vibrant and enigmatic world of New Orleans as Crystal and Joe are joined by authors Sharon Keating and Christi Keating Sumich, who take us on a journey through the city's rich (and haunted) cocktail history. In this episode, you'll learn about iconic drinks such as the Absinthe Frappe and the famous Sazerac and explore some historic and haunted hotspots like Jean Lafitte's Old Absint...

Today we embark on a spine-tingling journey through America's most haunted ghost tours. Discover eerie hotspots like New Orleans, Williamsburg, and Charleston, where tales of haunted houses, mysterious tunnels, and historic lantern-lit streets come to life. Along the way, Crystal and Joe delve into their personal ghost tour experiences, sharing memorable costumes from childhood and the quirks that...

On today's episode we asked YOU for advice on packing for travel, accumulating points, and generally making things easier and more fun. Boy, did you come through! We feature advice from MANY people from our adventure community on this episode. Have you been to Japan? Peru? Chile? Those episodes are coming soon, so share your advice on our voicemail at http://stackingadventures.com/mystory

In week one of this podcast we featured Neighbor Doug from the Stacking Benjamins Show, sharing his story about traveling to Scotland. We asked YOU for stories or tips and you didn't disappoint us! Today we'll hear from Gwen, Amanda, and Stephanie about their best and worst moments visiting this beautiful country. Gwen shares stories from Edinburgh and the Highlands, Stephanie shares a story about...

Today Joe recounts his recent South American adventure, exploring iconic destinations like Machu Picchu, Santiago, and Lima. Discover his experience with an Adventures By Disney guided tour. You'll hear about vibrant destinations like Cusco and Chilean vineyards, as well as incredible culinary experiences, including dining at some of the world's best restaurants. Plus, get insights into using publ...