The Travel Brats

Ecuador Isn't Just a Destination—It's a Fresh Start. What if one trip had the power to completely change the direction of your life? For author Lindsey Goldstein, that's exactly what happened. Long before she became a published novelist, Lindsey spent a gap year living in Ecuador—a decision that shaped not only her love of travel but ultimately inspired her debut novel, Gap Year. In this episode o...

Planning a vacation should be exciting—not overwhelming. But between choosing a destination, booking flights, creating an itinerary, and figuring out logistics, it's easy to feel stressed before your trip even begins. At The Travel Brats, we've planned everything from last-minute city getaways to international adventures booked nearly a year in advance. Over time, we've learned that the best trips...

Serving the World: Travel, Impact & Adventure with Kimberly Haley-Coleman What if your next vacation could change not only your perspective—but someone else’s life, too? In this episode of The Travel Brats Podcast, we sit down with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, the founder and Executive Director of Globe Aware, to explore what it really means to travel with purpose. With more than 25 years of experience...

Tokyo vs. Paris: Two Completely Different Kinds of Magic Would you rather wander the electric streets of Tokyo or get cozy inside a vintage bookstore in Paris? Tokyo is a sensory overload in the best way possible. It’s the kind of place where you don’t need a plan—just walking around becomes the experience. You’ll find vending machines selling everything from hot meals to mystery items, themed caf...

The Moment That Changed Everything  Like so many travelers, Bryan’s love for exploring started with one unforgettable trip. At just 18, he took a road trip to Florida — and saw the ocean for the first time. It wasn’t just about the destination. It was about: Meeting new people Experiencing a different way of life Realizing how big the world really is That moment sparked something bigger — a lifelo...

How to Get Around Like a Local: Choosing the Best Transportation Transportation can make or break your travel experience. Choosing the best way to get around while traveling depends heavily on the destination. In some places, high-speed trains are the fastest option, while in others renting a car gives you the most freedom to explore. Here’s a simple travel transportation cheat sheet: Travel Goal...

  The Trip That Started It All: Ghana 🇬🇭 Like many great travel stories, Caitlyn’s journey started with one life-changing trip. When she was just 18 years old, she signed up for a college course that included a trip to Ghana focused on social entrepreneurship. Instead of a typical tourist experience, Caitlyn and her classmates worked with women in a village, teaching business skills so they could...

What Makes Seabourn Different? Seabourn is known for its intimate, yacht-like ships. Instead of mega-ships carrying thousands, ships like Encore host around 600 guests — with nearly as many crew members onboard. That nearly 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio translates into highly personalized service. Staff quickly learn your name. Your preferences are remembered. Your suite is refreshed seamlessly. It feel...

From Vacation Mode to Purpose-Driven Travel Like many of us, Ting Ting didn’t always travel with intention. Early trips were about fun, escape, and ticking destinations off a list. But over time, something shifted. Nature-based experiences, cultural immersion, and meaningful connections started to matter more than luxury or convenience. She describes herself as a traveler who lives between extreme...

The Unexpected Path to Cycling   Nathaniel's journey began on a small family farm in rural Oregon, where he faced significant challenges during his childhood. Struggling with family dynamics and a deep-seated desire for justice, he initially pursued a political career, enrolling in a prestigious liberal arts college. However, disillusionment with the political system led him to drop out and seek a...

A Year of Adventure: Why 2025 Set the Bar High 2025 was stacked. International trips, deep dives into U.S. cities, mountain towns, beach escapes, national parks, and friendships that only happen when you travel together. From Europe to the Caribbean to coast-to-coast U.S. adventures, this year reminded us why we started The Travel Brats in the first place: Travel opens doors—to places, people, and...

President’s Day Weekend 2025 started like any other legendary Colorado ski day: fresh “pow,” bluebird vibes, and me—Skier Sof—feeling like the queen of Tucker Mountain. Copper locals know Tucker used to be snowcat- and hike-only, which gave it this mysterious backcountry allure. Now it’s still expert terrain, but with lift access…and on Presidents Day , that means crowded. But hey, what’s a little...

To finish up our Disney Series, we wanted to talk about a few things you can do that don’t involve the four main parks. Putt Putt and Water Parks!   Winter Summerland Mini Golf It’s festive, holiday-themed mini-golf, featuring two unique 18-hole courses (Winter & Summer) that tell the story of Santa and his elves building a Florida vacation spot, with wintry, snowy obstacles on the Winter course a...

Here’s what a perfect day in Hollywood Studios looks like!   Morning: Rope Drop Energy & Star Wars Dreams If you arrive at rope drop, you’ll find excitement buzzing through the crowd. The sun is barely up, but everyone is already strategizing. For many, the first mission of the day is navigating Batuu. I headed straight to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge , where the sounds of droids and starships fill th...

A Day in Disney’s Animal Kingdom: A Complete Guide to Adventure and Awe Arriving early is one of the best ways to experience Animal Kingdom. As you walk across the bridge from the Oasis toward the Tree of Life, the park begins to reveal itself slowly. Birds call from hidden perches, foliage rustles, and the elaborate carvings on the Tree of Life seem to come alive in the morning light. If you plan...

Epcot at Walt Disney World is unlike any other theme park. It blends innovation, culture, and entertainment into one unforgettable experience. Whether you’re fascinated by technology, drawn to global flavors, or simply want to enjoy a different kind of Disney day, Epcot has something for everyone. Here’s how to make the most of one perfect day at Epcot. Start Early: Arrive for Rope Drop Epcot open...

How to Do a Full Day at Magic Kingdom in Orlando For many travelers, Magic Kingdom is the heart of Walt Disney World — the park that captures the essence of Disney storytelling and wonder. With iconic attractions, timeless parades, and dazzling nighttime fireworks, it’s where fairytales truly come to life. Trying to see and do everything in one day can feel overwhelming, but with a solid plan and...

What to Do When Visiting Mechelen, Belgium Nestled between Brussels and Antwerp, Mechelen is one of Belgium’s most charming yet often overlooked cities. With its rich history, vibrant culture, and welcoming atmosphere, it offers visitors an authentic Belgian experience without the crowds. Whether you’re spending a day or a weekend, here’s how to make the most of your visit to Mechelen. 1. Start at...

Beyond Boston: Epic Day Trips & Weekend Getaways in New England Boston is amazing, but here’s the thing: sometimes you’ve gotta escape the city limits to really soak in New England magic. Lucky for us wanderers, Boston sits at the heart of some of the coolest, quirkiest, most historic little towns in the U.S. We’re talking witch trials, fishing villages, patriotic battlegrounds, and even beachy bo...

Boston is one of those cities that just gets under your skin in the best way possible. Equal parts old-school history and modern-day hustle, it’s where cobblestone streets meet glass skyscrapers, where the story of America was born, and where you can eat your body weight in lobster rolls without a shred of regret. Founded in 1630 by English Puritans, Boston has played host to some of the most pivo...

The Travel Brats Podcast had the pleasure of sitting down with Karen King, the OG “escapepreneur” and founder of Gold Star Pro, who helps solopreneurs and small business owners build a lifestyle of freedom. Karen shares how automation, AI, and smart business systems can unlock more time for travel, play, and doing the work you love. Explore her top tools, travel tips, and Q&A insights from The Tra...

Ever dreamed of ditching your 9-to-5 to travel the world? Meet Karen King—the visionary entrepreneur who did just that, kids in tow. In this episode, the Travel Brats chat with Karen about her bold leap from corporate burnout to full-time global adventuring. As the founder of Gold Star Pro, she helps coaches and solopreneurs simplify their systems and embrace location freedom. She also launched Fr...

The Best Things to Do in - 1. St. Louis, MO: St. Louis is often called the “Gateway to the West,” but it’s also a gateway to a memorable, well-rounded travel experience. From world-class art and live entertainment to major league baseball and local culinary treasures, this Midwestern gem packs a punch. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, here are some of the top things to do in St....

🇬🇷 Greece vs. 🇮🇩 Bali: Island-Hopping or Beach Bumming? 🛥️ We both said: GREECE ! We’re all about island-hopping vibes — think Santorini sunsets, Mykonos parties, and quiet gems like Zakynthos and Milos . Want the best cruise recs? We gotchu: 🔗 Celebrity Cruises – Greek Island Routes 🔗 Celestyal Cruises – Authentic Greek Vibes 🔗 Windstar Cruises – Yacht-Style Romance 🔗 Seabourn – Ultra Luxe &...

The Travel Brats Q&A with Erica Sunshine Lee   Meet the Georgia Gypsy Q: Erica, would you kick us off by telling us more about yourself? Where did you grow up, and how did you become the country star you are today? A: I grew up in a small town called Elberton, Georgia, population 5,000, the granite capital of the world.  I loved my small-town upbringing, where you know everybody, and people are ge...