Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story

The first Christmas song of the season hits, and suddenly Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy are deep into holiday travel daydreaming mode. Some people want snow, twinkling lights, and mulled wine at a European Christmas market. Others want to flee the cold entirely and spend December with their toes in warm sand. Both are valid, and this episode celebrates them equally. Crystal and Joe map out their top five dream holiday escapes, from sparkling European markets to sun-drenched beaches that make you question why anyone owns a winter coat. They reflect on destinations that nail the holiday magic, the ones that fall frustratingly short, and the places that surprised them in ways they didn't see coming. Whether you're drawn to crackling fireplaces and postcard-worthy snowfall or prefer December afternoons where sunscreen beats sweaters, this episode has something for your travel style. Along the way, you'll hear stories about Shazam mishaps in public places, unexpected holiday frustrations that no guidebook warns you about, and the quirks that make December travel both delightful and occasionally maddening. Crystal and Joe get honest about which famous holiday destinations actually deliver on their reputation and which ones are better left to Instagram rather than your actual itinerary. The episode wraps with practical gear recommendations that make holiday travel smoother, whether you're hopping between Christmas markets, chasing holiday parades, or trying to pack gifts without everything arriving in pieces. What You'll Take With You: • What actually makes a holiday destination magical versus just crowded and expensive • Crystal's and Joe's top five dream holiday getaways, plus a few they're happy to skip • Ideas for warm weather December retreats when you need a break from winter • Which Christmas markets around the world stand above the rest and why • How to avoid the worst holiday travel pitfalls like crushing crowds and endless lines • Why Shazaming Christmas music in public is always a gamble worth taking • Gear that makes holiday travel easier and significantly less stressful • Ways to blend family traditions with new travel adventures without losing either This Episode Is For You If: • You're dreaming of a holiday escape but can't decide between cozy and tropical • You want honest takes on famous holiday destinations before you book anything • You're curious which Christmas markets are worth the trip and which are tourist traps • You need permission to skip the traditional holiday and do something completely different • You believe December is the perfect time to travel, crowds and chaos be damned Before You Hit Play, Think About This: What's the best holiday destination you've ever visited, or the one still sitting at the top of your dream list? After hearing Crystal and Joe debate their favorites, we want to know where your perfect December escape would take you. Drop it in the comments because we're building the ultimate holiday travel bucket list together.   To find our awesome Gear of the Day picks, present and past! Gear of the Day To share YOUR holiday adventure stories: StackingAdventures.com/MyStory  

Some people go to Barbados and never leave their resort. They come home with a tan and some poolside photos, having experienced about 10% of what the island actually offers. Crystal Hammond just wrapped her third trip to Barbados with the same group of friends, and she's here to tell you what you're missing if you think paradise begins and ends at the swim-up bar. Don't get her wrong—the resorts are fantastic, and there's real value in a good all-inclusive. But Barbados has layers most tourists never discover, from local rum shops to muddy ATV adventures to beaches where you're more likely to meet Bajans than other Americans. Joe Saul-Sehy brings the curiosity while Crystal unpacks how Barbados effortlessly blends relaxation with adventure. You'll hear about the moments that made each trip different, from sampling flying fish at local spots to hanging on during jeep safaris through terrain that definitely wasn't in the resort brochure. She shares how to balance tourist favorites with authentic Bajan experiences, which excursions are worth the money, and how to slip into local culture without abandoning your pool time entirely. This isn't just a resort recap. It's an island deep-dive from someone who's learned what works through trial, error, and three separate trips. Whether you're planning your first Caribbean escape or your fifteenth, Crystal's got the insider perspective that turns a good vacation into one you'll actually remember. Plus, the Gear of the Day helps Adventurers make their next tropical trip smoother, lighter, and maybe even a little more stylish. What You'll Take With You: • The honest truth about all-inclusive resorts in Barbados and when they're worth the premium • How to enjoy local culture and authentic experiences without giving up resort convenience • The best ways to explore the island through ATV tours, jeep safaris, and snorkeling with turtles • How to balance tourist favorites with experiences that feel genuinely Bajan • What to expect from island dining, including must-try flying fish dishes most visitors skip • Smart packing and planning tips specifically for Caribbean travel conditions • Ways to stretch your budget while still enjoying the full Barbados experience • Crystal's favorite local finds and surprising spots most guidebooks miss This Episode Is For You If: • You're considering Barbados but not sure if it's worth the hype (or the cost) • You want more from your Caribbean vacation than just beach and pool time • You're tired of tourist trap recommendations and want the real local spots • You're planning a trip with friends and want ideas beyond the resort property • You believe the best travel happens when you venture past the comfortable and familiar Before You Hit Play, Think About This: What's one place you've visited multiple times, and what finally made you feel like an "expert" there? Drop your answer in the comments because Crystal's three trips to Barbados got us wondering how many visits it takes before you earn your honorary local badge. Find our Gear of the Day here: StackingAdventures.com/GOTD Call in and share YOUR story! StackingAdventures.com/MyStory

River cruises look amazing in the brochures, but are they actually worth the money? Or do you end up trapped on a floating hotel with mediocre food and tours you could've Googled yourself? Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy sit down with Nathan and Kathrin, two experienced travelers who just finished a Viking River Cruise through France's Rhône Valley. They're here to give you the real story about what worked, what surprised them, and whether this style of travel lives up to the hype (spoiler alert: mostly yes, with some important caveats). From the towering Papal Palace in Avignon to the Roman ruins of Arles and the quiet charm of Viviers at night, Nathan and Catherine walk you through the moments that made their journey unforgettable. You'll hear about the quality of local guides, the tiny towns with massive personalities, and a remarkable side trip through Lyon's hidden traboules (because France hides its secrets well). They also get honest about the cabin size (shoebox would be generous), the onboard experience versus their expectations, and how river cruising compares to ocean sailing. Then the conversation takes an unexpected turn when they share their medical emergency story. When Nathan's mom needed urgent care in Lyon, they got a crash course in navigating foreign healthcare systems. The experience became less about panic and more about learning how systems work differently abroad, and why preparation matters more than perfection. Whether you're considering your first river cruise, wondering if Viking lives up to its reputation, or just looking for inspiration for your next European adventure, this episode delivers honest insights you can actually use. What You'll Take With You: • The honest truth about river cruising and whether it's worth the premium price • How Viking's excursions, guides, and onboard experience stack up against the marketing • Insider tips for exploring Avignon, Arles, Viviers, and Lyon beyond the standard tour • What to know about handling medical emergencies abroad before you need to know it • The best food, wine, and cultural highlights along the Rhône that you shouldn't miss • How to make a tiny cruise cabin actually work for you (gear hacks included) • Why souvenirs matter more than you think when chosen thoughtfully • How to blend adventure, history, wine, and wellness into one trip without it feeling rushed This Episode Is For You If: • You've been curious about river cruises but worried they're overhyped tourist traps • You want honest feedback from real travelers, not just glossy travel blog content • You're planning a European trip and wondering if this style of travel fits your personality • You want to know what can go wrong abroad and how to handle it without losing your mind • You believe the best travel stories come from the unexpected moments, not just the planned ones Before You Hit Play, Think About This: What's the most unexpected thing that's ever happened to you while traveling, and how did it change the trip for better or worse? Drop your story in the comments because Nathan and Catherine's Rhône medical emergency reminded us how common (and character building) those twists can be.   Nathan and Kathrin's awesome cookware company (Joe can verify!): DaTerraCucina.com Their travel blog: TakingTheBigBreak.com   Share YOUR Story! StackingAdventures.com/MyStory Check out our Gear of the Day: StackingAdventures.com/GOTD

Want to know how to travel smarter? Ask people who obsess over every dollar and still manage to see the world. Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy just got back from FinCon in Portland, where they collected travel wisdom from some of the sharpest money minds and most experienced travelers they know. These aren't Instagram travel influencers with brand deals—these are people who've figured out how to maximize every trip, extract value from corporate travel, and turn credit card points into actual adventures. From Lacey Langford's wallet-friendly strategies to Steve Stewart's genius networking hack (that works way beyond conferences), this episode is packed with tactics you can actually use. You'll hear how to leverage corporate discounts for personal travel, pack like a minimalist without sacrificing essentials, squeeze every drop of value from credit card perks, and even use Instacart to skip the vacation grocery run. Crystal and Joe also tackle the AI question: can ChatGPT actually plan your trip, or will it send you to a restaurant that closed three years ago? Plus, they share stories from YouTubers, TikTok creators, and fellow travel hackers who've cracked the code on exploring without going broke. Whether you're planning your next weekend getaway or dreaming of something bigger, this episode turns money-nerd wisdom into your personal travel playbook. And stick around for the Gear of the Day—a roadside essential every adventurer should keep close. What You'll Take With You: • Steve Stewart's networking strategy that makes conferences (and travel connections) actually pay off • Lacey Langford's proven tactics for saving money without sacrificing comfort or fun • How to turn business travel into personal adventures using corporate perks • Michelle Lambright's credit card strategy: which perks matter and which are just marketing • Em's frugal travel hacks that let you travel like you have money even when you're watching every dollar • When AI travel planning helps—and when you need to verify everything it tells you • The corporate discount secrets that work even if you're not traveling for work This Episode Is For You If: • You want to travel more but your budget keeps saying "maybe next year" • You're tired of travel advice from people who clearly aren't paying for their own trips • You've got credit card points but no idea how to actually use them effectively • You want practical hacks, not just inspiration porn from someone's highlight reel • You believe smart travel is about experiences per dollar, not just checking boxes on a bucket list Ready to Level Up Your Next Trip? What's your best travel hack that actually saves money? Drop it in the comments—we're always looking to add to our arsenal. And if you've got a disaster story about following bad travel advice (looking at you, AI recommendations), we want to hear that too.  

Here's what most music lovers get wrong about road trips: they hit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and call it done, missing dozens of museums where music history is still alive, personal, and unexpected. Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy sit down with Josephine Matyas and Craig Jones, co-authors of The Music Lovers' Guide to North America, who've spent decades visiting music museums across the continent—from world-famous institutions to tiny storefronts kept alive by passionate locals. They've got the insider stories about what makes each one special, which ones are worth the detour, and why some of the smallest museums pack the biggest emotional punch. From Chicago's blues archives to Detroit's Motown Museum, from Alabama's surprising music riches to Seattle's MoPOP celebrating grunge, Josephine and Craig reveal the museums that bring music history off the walls and into your heart. You'll hear about Minneapolis and the legacy of Prince, the studio musicians who shaped your favorite hits but never got famous, and why Craig's museum visit somehow ended with a pickup basketball game with Bob Seger. But here's the reality: many of these smaller museums are struggling. Visiting them isn't just about your experience—it's about keeping music history alive for the next generation. Whether you're planning a music pilgrimage or just want to add depth to your next road trip, this episode will completely reshape what you think belongs on your travel list. Crystal also shares her Gear of the Day—the one thing every music museum explorer should pack. What You'll Discover: • The music museums everyone knows (Rock Hall, Country Music Hall of Fame) and the lesser-known ones that rival them • Why Alabama is a surprise goldmine for music museums—and what makes them worth the trip • Seattle's MoPOP and how it brings the grunge era to life in unexpected ways • Minneapolis, Prince, and the music museums that honor his legacy • What makes Motown Museum in Detroit such an essential pilgrimage for music fans • Hidden museum gems in places like Floyd, Virginia and Indianola, Mississippi that most travelers miss • The unsung heroes of music: studio musicians whose work you know by heart but whose names you've never learned • How small-town music museums are fighting to survive—and why your visit matters more than you think This Episode Is For You If: • You've been to the big music museums but want to discover the ones that still feel like secrets • You love music history but want immersive experiences, not just glass cases and plaques • You're planning a road trip and want destinations that add story and soul to your journey • You want to support the passionate people keeping music history alive in small towns across North America • You believe the best museums are the ones where you feel something, not just see something Ready to Plan Your Music Museum Road Trip? Grab a copy of The Music Lovers' Guide to North America and start plotting your route - we'll have a link at our Gear of the Day page: StackingAdventures.com/GOTD. Then come back and tell us: what's the most memorable music museum you've ever visited? Drop it in the comments—we're building the ultimate music lover's travel list together.