Episode 183: Traveling Safety with Nick Hughes

Nick Hughes is a former member of the French Foreign Legion who parlayed his military experience in to being a body guard for the rich and famous. His career took him around the world and his clients have included members of the Saudi Royal family, the artist Peter Max, various rock and roll stars and dignitaries. He has appeared on Spike TV’s Deadliest Warrior, and teaches self defense. Recently he published the critically acclaimed “How To Be Your Own Bodyguard,” a collection of tips and tricks he used to keep his clients safe in hostile places. It’s been nominated for book of the year in its genre in the UK and made it to #2 on Amazon. Nick also has a blog about the book with some additional safety resources, as well as a safety app you can download.  Note: we had some sound difficulties this episode, and we have done what we can to retain continuity during some sections of spoken content.
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Episode 182: An Incredible Summer – Toy Story Land

Something big is coming our way! You may have seen the commercials recently with the large ball from Pixar rolling across America, heading toward Walt Disney World! Well, the time is almost here! Recently several Outlander Agents were able to attend the Toy Story Road Shows to hear about the new stuff heading to the parks this summer, as well as the one we’re especially excited for: Toy Story Land (opening June 30!) We’re excited to share all of the new info with you!

Episode 181: See Norway with Hurtigruten

Friends of the podcast Kevin and Peter joined one of their closest friends and spent 3 weeks this past August on the trip of a lifetime exploring Norway from many different vantage points. Norway is ranked as “The second happiest country” in the world, on criteria such as freedom, honesty, welfare, good health, and generosity. Norway is a Scandinavian country encompassing mountains, glaciers, and deep coastal fjords. Oslo, the capital, is a city of green spaces and museums. Bergen, with colorful wooden houses, is the starting point for many cruises into beautiful Fjords. Norway is also known for fishing, hiking,  skiing and is a hub for outdoor activities, fresh fish, farm to table foods, warm and welcoming people and some of the most beautiful scenery your eyes can behold. The fjords are said to be the soul of Norway, and that is in fact where Peter and Kevin’s journey began so listen in on this Norwegian adventure!

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Episode 180: Airline Etiquette

Vacations help us relax and unwind, but the airplane ride to paradise can sometimes have the complete opposite effect. So we thought it might be helpful, maybe even therapeutic, if we took a closer look at some of the ays we could make flying a little more enjoyable.  What are your pet peeves from your fellow passengers? Can we start with feet on the airplane armrest?

Episode 179: Flying with Pets

What could be better than traveling with your best friend, but what happens when your best friend has 4 paws and a tail? Recently Outlander agent Lindsay had the opportunity to find out first hand when she flew home with her brand new puppy, Watson. So, this week we are talking about all of the logistics involved when you want to fly the fur friendly skies with your bff!

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Episode 178: Life is an Adventure!

One of the fastest-growing trends in the world of travel is adventure. Defining exactly what it means is a little tricky. For some, adventure could mean leisurely biking and hiking tours. For others, it might entail BASE jumping into an underground cave in Mexico. The main facets of adventure travel usually include traveling to a distant location, interacting with different cultures and undertaking a physical activity of some kind.

Can you imagine yourself paddling a kayak through the lush vegetation of the Amazon rainforest. Can you picture walking side-by-side with the mighty elephants of Africa? Maybe a bike trek along the Great Wall of China or a cattle drive through Patagonia is more your speed or camping under the stars on an iceberg in Antarctica sends your heart soaring. If any of these trips sound like a great way to spend your holiday, then adventure travel may be for you.

Episode 177: Girlfriend Getaways

Spring is in the air at Outlander Travel and everyone is looking forward to their next big adventure. While getting away with the one you love, or spending quality time with your family can be essential for your well being- there is another type of travel that is dear to our hearts- Girlfriend Getaways! Whether you are relaxing at a spa resort or visiting a luxurious all inclusive resort- taking time away from our busy lives to bond with our friends can be one of the most important way to feed our spirits and unwind!

Episode 176: Carnival Paradise

Carnival Cruise Line prides itself on being the most accessible cruise line in the country. What we mean is that their ports are within driving distance of more Americans than any other cruise line in the US. The Carnival Paradise ship, in particular, calls Tampa, Florida, home. Outlander Travel agent Ashley recently went aboard the Paradise and she is here to share her experiences with us. Have you cruised with Carnival? What did you think?

Episode 175: Understanding Disney Dining Plans

One of the questions we hear most often from clients is whether or not it’s worth it to purchase a dining plan for their Walt Disney World vacation. Well, like most things, the answer depends on the individual. Disney has a few options as far as their dining plans go, so we thought we’d take some time to go over what’s included, what’s not, and how to figure out if it’s a good fit for your family.
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Episode 174: Adventures by Disney – China

This week, we are joined by a very special guest, Freddy Valderrama!  Freddy is the Disney Destinations District Sales Manager (DSM) for the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas territory.  He is our “line to the Mouse,” helping us Master our knowledge of Disney Destinations and supporting us as we help our clients plan their Adventures with Disney Destinations.  We invited Freddy here tonight to share with us his most recent experience with one of our favorite Disney Destinations offerings… Adventures by Disney. Freddy recently went to China with Adventures by Disney and is here tonight to tell us all about it! So let’s get started!