Temples, Tea, and Tokyo Magic: A Springtime Adventure in Japan’s Capital
We’re taking you with us to vibrant, bustling Tokyo! From theme parks to tea ceremonies, ancient temples to glowing digital art museums, we packed our itinerary with the best of Japan’s capital city—and now we're sharing it all with you. Whether it’s your first trip to Tokyo or you’re planning a return visit, this episode is full of helpful travel tips, must-do activities, and honest insights to help you experience the magic of Tokyo like a squad pro.Download our 5 Day Tokyo Itinerary to make your trip planning even easier!Stay at the Rembrandt Style Tokyo Nishikasai Grande Hotel or DoubleTree by Hilton near the Kyoto StationGet an eSim from Airalo before you go and the Tokyo Tourist Subway Passes as soon as you get thereReserve your Tokyo Disney Sea tickets well ahead of timeWe highly recommend the Tea Ceremony Workshop, Sumo Wrestling Show the Onsen experience, and going to TeamLab Planets while it’s still there.Visit iconic sites like Sensoji Temple, Sumida Park, Nezu Shrine, and Ueno Park during cherry blossom seasonStroll through Tsukiji Outer Market, sampling sushi, seafood, and Japanese street snacksDiscover hidden gems like Hamarikyu Gardens and the peaceful Nezu Shrine away from the crowdsTake in sweeping skyline views (for free!) from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s observatory and catch their epic Godzilla-themed light showFind more recommended activities in our Japan Experience's Viator ShopFind a great flight deal to Tokyo by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and watching the daily flight deals (points & cash) that are emailed directly to you! Use our promo code TS10 to get $10 off your first year subscription.—---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.
27 Mai 1h 18min
Singapore Airlines Premium Economy Review: Worth the Upgrade?
We’re taking you aboard Singapore Airlines’ Premium Economy for their 10-hour flight from Tokyo to LAX. Was the experience worth the points? How does it compare to flying economy or splurging on business class? (P.S. We’ve reviewed Singapore Airlines Business Class too—check that one out after this!We’re breaking down the entire experience:Booking with points & paying extra for those prime bulkhead seatsPre-flight perks like priority check-in and 2 free checked bagsThe seat comfort (hello calf rests & 8-inch recline!)In-flight service & amenity kitsOur gourmet meals via Book the Cook Entertainment options, WiFi access, and more!Find great flight deals with Singapore Airlines by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and watching the daily flight deals (points & cash) that are emailed directly to you! Use our promo code TS10 to get $10 off your first year subscription.—---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.
23 Mai 18min
48 Hours in Seoul, South Korea: DMZ, K-Food, Korean Skincare & Culture
We’re taking you on a fast-paced, culture-packed journey through Seoul, South Korea. From digging into crispy Korean fried chicken and sizzling BBQ, to exploring ancient palaces and tea houses, to stepping foot near the tension-filled border of the DMZ, we made the most of every moment. Jamal shares the wild adventure of navigating Seoul’s public transit, Brittanie gets cozy with traditional teas and sweets, and we offer travel tips to help you explore Seoul like a pro. Don’t miss this episode filled with history, K-culture, epic eats, and real talk about what it’s like to squeeze Seoul into just two days!Stay at the Moxy Hotel, a trendy, metro-accessible hotel with a rooftop barGet an eSim from Airalo before you goEat Korean Fried Chicken at KyoChon and Korean BBQ at MyeongdongTake a DMZ Tour and explore this forbidden land (you can book with Julie, our amazing tour guide on Instagram)Wander through the traditional Bukchon Hanok VillageRelax at Chatteul Tea HouseTour the iconic Gyeongbokgung PalaceRide the Namsan Cable Car to the Observation Deck Seoul Tower for panoramic nighttime views.Find a great flight deal to Seoul by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and watching the daily flight deals (points & cash) that are emailed directly to you! Use our promo code TS10 to get $10 off your first year subscription.—---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.
20 Mai 57min
Hong Kong Disneyland & Completing Every Disney Park in the World!
We finally went to Hong Kong Disneyland and completed visiting every single Disney park in the world! For those Disney adults or anyone visiting this park, we’re sharing tips on how to get the most out of your day, wait in the least lines and what food to get and what to skip.We went to Disneyland on one of our four days in Hong Kong. You can follow the other parts of our trip in our Four Day Hong Kong Itinerary.Get an eSim from Airalo before you go, stay at the The Salisbury YMCA Hotel and make sure to reserve your Hong Kong Disney passes well ahead of time!Check out the experiences we did in in Hong Kong in our curated Viator ShopFind a great flight deal to Hong Kong by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and watching the daily flight deals (points & cash) that are emailed directly to you! Use our promo code TS10 to get $10 off your first year subscription.—---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.
16 Mai 21min
Dim Sum to Disney: The Overdue 4-Day Hong Kong Adventure
We’re taking you on a 4 day Hong Kong adventure exploring the city and Hong Kong Disneyland! If you want to take this exact trip, you can download our Hong Kong Itinerary It gives travel tips, restaurant and hotel recommendations, links to every activity we booked, packing list, and a day by day itinerary for you to follow.Highlights of Hong Kong:Stay at the The Salisbury YMCA HotelGet an eSim from Airalo before you goReserve your Hong Kong Disney passes ahead of timeVisit Avenue of Stars, monasteries and temples, and day and night marketsSee the Symphony of Lights and views from observation decks and wheelsRide the Mid Level EscalatorsUse the Airport Express public transportationGet the Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card for shopping and dining.See all the experiences we did in our Hong Kong Viator ShopFind a great flight deal to Hong Kong by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and watching the daily flight deals (points & cash) that are emailed directly to you! Use our promo code TS10 to get $10 off your first year subscription.—---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.
13 Mai 1h 7min
An Honest Review of Cathay Pacific's Premium Economy Experience
We’re giving you the inside scoop on what it’s really like to fly Premium Economy with Cathay Pacific. From priority check-in to mid-air meals and in-flight sleep quality, we break down every part of the 16-hour red-eye journey from Los Angeles to Hong Kong. Whether you're considering an upgrade or just curious if it’s worth the points, this honest review covers everything: seat comfort, service, entertainment, food, and overall experience.Enjoy bulkhead seats with extra legroom, located right behind business classReceive priority check-in and early boarding benefitsGet 2 free checked bags, up to 50 lbs eachExperience upgraded seating with amenity kits, larger pillows, and calf restsElevated in-flight meals: beef with roasted veggies, fried pork noodles, Ghirardelli chocolate, and Haagen-Dazs ice creamSip on wine and cocktails, with a broader drink selection than economyNoise-canceling headphones and enjoy a wide selection of in-flight entertainmentCons: limited storage, no window, and no Wi-FiFind great flight deals with Cathay Pacific by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and watching the daily flight deals (points & cash) that are emailed directly to you! Use our promo code TS10 to get $10 off your first year subscription.—---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.
9 Mai 15min
7 Days Adventuring in the Rainforests of Costa Rica
We spent 7 days in Costa Rica hiking to waterfalls, spotting wild sloths in the jungle, soaking in volcano-fed hot springs, and exploring our way through this amazing country. On this trip we flew in and out of San Jose and bookended our trip there. We spent two nights in Arenal and two nights in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.Episode Highlights:Costa Rica Travel TipsHiking to the best views of the Arenal VolcanoThings to do in La Fortuna including: The Springs Resort, Sky Adventures Arenal Park & La Fortuna WaterfallThings to do in Monteverde including: Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, Sloth Observatory, El Tigre Waterfall hike, Santa Elena Reserva Bosque NubosoTake this exact same trip by following ourCosta Rica Itinerary - download the PDF guide now! Check out our Costa Rica Viator Experiences for all activities we recommend and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to.Hotels we stayed at on this trip:DoubleTree by Hilton Cariari - San Jose Costa RicaArenal Hotel - Arenal Paraíso Resort & Thermo Mineral Hot SpringsMonteverde Hotel - El Establo Mountain HotelIf you're looking for a flight deal to Costa Rica, we recommend signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium to get daily flight deals (points & cash) emailed directly to you! Use our promo code TS10 to get $10 off your first year subscription.-------------------------------------------------------------------Shop:Trip Itineraries &Amazon Storefront Connect:YouTube,TikTok, andInstagram and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.
6 Mai 1h 26min
Our Top 3 Favorite Countries - Greece, Uganda & Japan
In this week's Travel Flashback mini episode, we each share our #1 favorite country destination that we have been to. It's hard to pick just one, but tune in to hear which 3 countries made our list, what we loved about it, and what we would want to do differently and experience next time we go back.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.
2 Mai 17min
