Traveling with AAA

So you’ve made up your mind: Jamaica is your next beach vacation. In our previous episode with Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, we traveled to the best beaches and whet your appetite for Jamaican jerk, beef patties, and of course, rum punch.  Today, Angie Orth welcomes journalist and photographer Kris Griffiths to talk about another very important part of Jamaican culture, reggae music. Specifically, the i...

Craving a beach vacation that’s not too far from home? There are many places where you can dig your toes into the sand and experience a breathtaking sunset. But if you also want to move to the beats of reggae and sip a fruity rum punch, then the beautiful island of Jamaica is calling your name. Today, Angie Orth welcomes Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, a.k.a. JetSetSarah. She’s a writer, editor, on-screen...

Astrotourism is trending, and for good reason. The skies above us are magical places where things are happening all the time. Every once in a while, major events take place that are definitely worth putting on the calendar, even traveling for.  But you can’t go if you’re not in the know.   Today, Angie Orth is back with travel and space tourism writer Valerie Stimac. In our previous episode, we ta...

Everyone looks forward to a vacation. But did you ever think about looking up?  Countless spectacular events take place in the skies above us. From magnificent meteor showers to the amazing auroras that blanket the North and South Poles, these natural phenomena are unforgettable experiences. So, why not build a travel itinerary that includes seeing something out of this world?  Today, Angie Orth w...

Guidebooks are great for when you’re a first-time visitor to a city. But what about when you want to dig a little deeper? How do you find those hidden gems that give you a real feel for how locals experience their home turf?  The answer is obvious, but not always so easy to do. You talk to a local. Luckily for you, we’ve got just the one you want to talk to if you want to experience the more authe...

Is it the Michelin-starred restaurants, the wild and whimsical architecture, or the easy-going energy of the people that keeps people coming back? Of course, we’re talking about the coastal Catalonian city of Barcelona. And the answer is all of the above.  Today, Angie Orth welcomes Matt Ford. He’s a Barcelona-based journalist and filmmaker who has spent over 20 years telling stories. He’s been ev...

The landscape is magical, the people are open and welcoming, and there’s always something dark and delicious on tap.  In this episode, we’re going back to Northern Ireland to help you experience this fantastic UK destination like a local.  Today, Angie Orth is back with Keryn Means, a freelance writer and founder of WalkingOnTravels.com. She’s got some great tips for experiencing Northern Ireland...

Are you ready to explore a truly unique, majestic, and storied part of the UK? It’s a place where you can meander endlessly along green-shaded hills, stand among dramatic cliffs and watch waves crash far beneath your feet, and cozy up to your new local friends in a pub with a creamy pint of stout. Today, Angie Orth welcomes Keryn Means. She’s a freelance writer and founder of WalkingOnTravels.com....

Your bags are packed for New Zealand's South Island, and you couldn’t be more excited! Nature, wine tours, exotic wildlife…how are you even going to fit it all in? But before you go, you want to know more about the culture.  Well, you’ve come to the right place.  Today, Angie Orth is back with Kyle Mulinder, AKA, Bare Kiwi . In our last episode, he took us on a tour of New Zealand’s spectacular So...

Can’t decide between a mountaineering adventure or a relaxed beach vacation? Not sure whether you want to swim with dolphins or see penguins in their natural habitat? Dying to try bungee jumping or whitewater rafting, but a wine tour sounds equally tempting?  Well, today’s destination has all of the above… and so much more!  Today, Angie Orth welcomes Kyle Mulinder, the creative mind behind the vl...

Still mulling over where to spend your vacation time this year?  A beach vacation, a spectacular hiking destination, or a ….? With so many options, how can you decide where to go?  Well, you’re in luck! In part 2 of our Hot Destinations series, we’re helping you narrow it down, pointing you in the direction of your next memorable trip.  Today, Angie Orth is back with Paula Twidale, the senior vice...

A new year means a new travel season. With so many global destinations to choose from, the selection can start to feel overwhelming.  But have no fear! Our short list of the hottest, most trending destinations is here! Today, Angie Orth welcomes Paula Twidale, senior vice president of travel at AAA. Paula is a true travel enthusiast who offers a wealth of information about some of the most excitin...

When you’re immersed in a beautiful destination, it’s only natural to want to capture the moment on camera.  With the rise of social media, a lot has changed in the travel-verse. It’s important to consider whether we’re capturing moments to preserve those memories for ourselves—or if it’s really about “the likes.” On the flip side, “likes” equal exposure. For people learning about places for the f...

If last week’s episode already has you packing your bags for a vacation to Puerto Rico, then today’s mini-episode will answer the next, obvious question…. What should I eat in Puerto Rico? Today, Angie Orth is back with food blogger Jessica van Dop DeJesús, author of The Dining Traveler Guide to Puerto Rico.  You’ll hear about Puerto Rican food culture and learn where to find the most mouthwaterin...

What if there was a festive, friendly Caribbean island with rich culture and incredible food close enough for you to slip away for a long weekend?  Puerto Rico is the ultimate island destination. And believe it or not, you’re just a few hours away from walking along the white, sandy beaches and swimming in the crystal blue waters.  While a few days certainly isn’t enough time to see all that the i...

Planning on splashing out this New Year’s Eve, but you’re still not sure where to go?  If last week’s episode stimulated your appetite for celebration, then this week’s mini episode will help you narrow your party options down even further.  Today, Angie Orth circles back with Lee Abbamonte and Alexandra Baackes to get their expert recommendations, sharing a few of their all-time favorite New Year...

Where are you celebrating New Year’s Eve this year? It’s a question that feels exciting and a bit nerve-racking at the same time. New Year’s Eve is both a beginning and an end. It’s bidding farewell to the year that’s passed, and welcoming the new one in the best way possible. Naturally, we want to celebrate in a place that feels special. Today, Angie Orth welcomes a pair of trusted travel experts...

Dreaming of a vacation to the island of Maui?  Well, you’ve come to the right place! Today, Angie Orth is back with Leanne Pletcher, director of Public Relations & Marketing at the Maui Visitors & Convention Bureau. Last week, she shared everything you need to know about visiting the island and helping the local economy recover from the 2023 fire in Lahaina.  In this mini-episode, we’re fi...

If you were to dream up the ultimate beach vacation, you’d want a place that’s warm, welcoming, and unbelievably scenic in every direction. You’d want a place where you could relax on a soft sandy beach, and just as easily go for a mountain hike to work up an appetite for epic local food and tropical fruit-filled drinks.  In other words, you’d dream of Maui. Today, Angie Orth welcomes Leanne Pletc...

Last week, you heard why cemeteries around the world should be making it onto your travel itinerary.   This week, we’re pointing the compass toward 5 must-see cemeteries to help you kick start what’s sure to be your new favorite travel curiosity.   Today, Angie Orth shares more of her interview with Loren Rhoads, author of 199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die and Wish You Were Here: Adventures in...

If you haven’t already been adding cemeteries to your travel itineraries, then you’ve been missing out.   These quiet, contemplative places might be filled with the bones and ashes of the deceased, but they hold a lot more than meets the eye.   Cemeteries are full of history, both in terms of what (or, rather, who) lies beneath, and in the stories of their construction. Some were built by famous a...

Do you often wonder how much social media is in the driver's seat of your travel experience?   In the era of influencers and our ever-greater accessibility to travel, it’s essential to ask ourselves about the role of social media. It affects everything, from our choices about where to go, what to see, where to stay, to perhaps most importantly, how we document our experiences for others to see. As...

Bordeaux, Barolo, and Prosecco…oh my!   Wine is one of the simple pleasures in life and one of the most enjoyable. Whether you’re sipping a glass on the hilltop of an ancient European castle or sharing a bottle with a friend on a Friday night, you’re holding history in the palm of your hand.   And, let’s face it, there’s no better travel combination than wine, travel, and history.    Today, Angie...

Seeing bears and caribou while floating past gem-like glaciers isn’t a normal, everyday experience for most people. But for Alaskans, it’s just another day in the wild paradise of America’s 49th state.   If you’ve been dreaming about seeing Alaska’s incredible range of wildlife and exploring the state’s crystal-clear waters, then you’re in luck. Today’s guest is here to help you get closer to tick...

When you think of going somewhere that’s a true departure from the familiar, a place with both stunning natural beauty and impressive modern flair, then it won’t take long before visions of Japan begin to fill your mind. The cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are natural starting points for the first-time visitor.  If you’re ready to discover the rich cultural traditions of Japan and witness the co...