“Secret Boston” with Kiernan Schmitt

This week on Out of Office: A Travel Podcast, the boys celebrate the season with discussions of the Immaculate Conception (it’s not what Ryan thinks), an idea for holiday film commentaries yet to come, and the LAST Ugly Ornament contest. And another year passes without seeing pictures of the Nativity Ryan’s father painstakingly carved from a single block of wood. Here’s what we cover in this episode: Debora https://www.instagram.com/deborarest/?hl=en    LATAM 50 Best Restaurants https://www.theworlds50best.com/latinamerica/en/    “White Christmas” movie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Christmas_(film)    Day of the Little Candles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Little_Candles    Reba McEntire “Christmas Guest” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57fS-9kGZqU    Jimmy Fallon “Chipmunks and Chestnuts” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CChx2qVNl0    Kiernan’s Ugly Ornament for Ryan https://johnderian.com/products/mushroom-person-ornament?srsltid=AfmBOoqJ58ABMzRZ1iiMibeH0zVvGJn3ZumEEEhUAHIicz2ZfBsFIk4T    Ryan’s Ugly Ornament for Kiernan https://www.etsy.com/listing/1814317312/bespoke-funny-prank-xmaschristmas?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=ugly+ornament&ref=sr_gallery-1-9&pro=1&pop=1&content_source=fde4cc23f7c035e7d3ac14a1cd6a7a4bf6a9e3ed%253A1814317312&search_preloaded_img=1&organic_search_click=1   

This week on Out of Office: A Travel Podcast, Ryan recaps his recent trip to Monterrey, Mexico, covering highlights from the scenic River Walk to an interactive steel museum. He also shares a wild story about a run-in with a bribery-seeking cop in Puerto Vallarta. Here’s what we cover in this episode: https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-places-to-go-2025-8739580

This week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” Kiernan talks with one of the greatest Star Wars collectors of all time: Steve Sansweet. Steve is the founder of Rancho Obi-Wan, the largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia in the world. Located in Petaluma CA, the museum is open for public tours, but be sure to pre-book. And if it all goes according to plan, soon Rancho Obi-Wan will be joining forces with 3 other top collections to become the brand-new Saga Museum. Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Saga Museum https://ranchoobiwan.org/new-saga-museum-to-celebrate-legacy-of-star-wars-fandom/  Steve Sansweet Bio https://ranchoobiwan.org/board/  Rancho Obi-Wan https://ranchoobiwan.org/  Ralph McQuarrie https://www.iamag.co/star-wars-the-art-of-ralph-angus-mcquarrie-100-concept-art/  Head Man Action Figure https://ranchoobiwan.org/  Lucas Museum of Narrative Art https://lucasmuseum.org/  Last Star Wars episode https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/out-of-office-a-travel-podcast/id1438098925?i=1000581538592  Britannic Explorer https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/12/travel/brittanic-explorer-belmond-train-luxury/index.html  Lidar-delivers again! https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/02/world/americas/maya-city-mexico.html 

In this episode of Out of Office: A Travel Podcast, Ryan talks with Stephanie Wallach, one of the first women to break into the world of commercial aviation in America. Plus, Kiernan faces an unfortunate bout of gate lice. Follow Along On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ooopodcast/ Things We Talked About In This Week’s Episode:  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/23/business/american-airlines-line-cutters.html https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/welcome-aboard

On this episode of Out of Office: A Travel Podcast, the boys embrace Spooktober by sharing their favorite graveyards. Plus, there’s an update on friend of the pod Rick Steves’ health and some Boston travel tips from Kiernan. Things We Talked About In This Week’s Episode:  UPDATE RICK STEVES HEALTH  https://x.com/ricksteves/status/1843844907833950542?s=46 Our Share Of The Night By Mariana Enriquez  https://www.amazon.com/Our-Share-Night-Mariana-Enriquez/dp/0451495144  

In this episode, Ryan chats with Rory, a travel agent, about why people still use agents in 2024 and what it’s like booking tickets for Andrew Scott. Plus, Kiernan talks about his new job as a Boston tour guide. Things We Talked About In This Week’s Episode:  Last Stop Ryan: https://www.businessinsider.com/avoid-visa-mistake-no-middle-name-almost-ruined-trip Kiernan: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/27/world/europe/westminster-abbey-bronte-plaque-accent-marks.html 

This week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” Kiernan and Ryan chat about the deep connections between music and travel, including how a well-chosen song can be the ideal souvenir. They also dig into how much Ryan prepares for each episode. Plus, Norwegian Children’s Music! Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Rick Steves endorses Kamala: https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/4878714-rick-steves-endorses-harris/  Travel therapy https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240905121025.htm  ”Earth Room’ https://www.diaart.org/visit/visit-our-locations-sites/walter-de-maria-the-new-york-earth-room-new-york-united-states/     

This week on the pod, Ryan takes us to El Salvador, the land of volcanoes and Bitcoin. Hear about how he almost made it inside a beautiful church and his visit to Hermit Island. Plus, what was the miniature controversy at the Kentucky State Fair? LAST STOP Ryan:  https://nypost.com/2024/08/23/us-news/kentucky-state-fair-removes-ribbon-winning-miniature-after-realizing-it-depicted-a-porn-set/ Kiernan:  https://www.travelandleisure.com/hotels-resorts/vacation-rentals/most-unique-airbnb-stay-every-us-state 

This week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” Kiernan chats with Sarah Robbins, the COO of 21C Museum Hotels, a unique chain that combines modern art and comfortable accommodations. They talk through what it takes to run both a thriving hospitality business AND a compelling art operation. Plus, Things we talk about in this week’s episode: “North to Alaska” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoqVPcXDtUs  21C Museum Hotel https://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/  New UNESCO World Heritage Sites https://www.euronews.com/culture/2024/08/02/a-roman-road-sand-dunes-and-gold-mines-these-are-the-24-new-unesco-world-heritage-sites-fo Dems whipping airlines into shape https://www.npr.org/2024/08/01/g-s1-14662/airline-junk-fees-family-seating-dot  

This week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” the boys put on their finest yacht-wear and head to that enclave of the rich and famous, The Hamptons. Kiernan talks about what exactly “The Hamptons” refers to, logistics of exploring there as a tourist, and a few cultural treasures hidden out among the seaside mansions. Things we talk about in this week’s episode: Hamptons Jitney https://www.hamptonjitney.com/hjmobile/ Surf Lodge https://thesurflodge.com/  Montauk Point Lighthouse https://montaukhistoricalsociety.org/montauk-point-lighthouse/  Coopers Beach https://www.discoverlongisland.com/listing/coopers-beach/1047/  Parrish Art Museum https://parrishart.org/  Pollock-Krasner House https://artistshomes.org/site/pollock-krasner-house-and-study-center  Green River Cemetery https://greenrivercemetery.org/  Museo Cacao https://museocacao.com/  Palmero’s Breaththrough Saint https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/03/world/europe/palermo-catholic-saint-hindu-pantheon.html   Buy “Secret Boston: An Unusual Guide” https://bookshop.org/p/books/secret-boston-an-unusual-guide-kiernan-schmitt/21037780?ean=9782361957179  https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Boston-Unusual-Guide-guides/dp/2361957175