Exploring the Madeira, Portugal’s Hidden Island Paradise

In today’s episode, we’re sharing everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip to Portugal’s sun-soaked capital  Lisbon. You'll be inspired to wander the historic streets lined with pastel-colored buildings, taste mouthwatering pastries and explore hilltop viewpoints. Lisbon offers a mix of old-world charm and modern energy and this episode will make you fall in love with.If you want to take this exact trip, download our 4 day Lisbon Itinerary! Lisbon Episode Highlights: How to get to and around LisbonWhere to stay in Lisbon and the best neighborhoods to check outTips for experience Lisbon like a localLisboa CardLisbon Food TourOur top recommended Hotels in Lisbon Pestana Rua Augusta Esqina Urban LodgeHotel Convento do SalvadorThe Emerald House Lisbon Or check out these hotels in LisbonCheck out our Lisbon Activities & Tours for all activities we recommend and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to.Find a great flight deal to Portugal by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.—---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] 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.Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

In today’s episode we’re sharing everything you need to know to plan a trip to the Portuguese island of Madeira, a lush, volcanic island known for its rugged coastline, terraced hillsides, and dramatic mountain peaks. We cover money-saving travel tips and how to navigate the island’s winding roads and ever-changing microclimates. Then we dive into our four days in Madeira, filled with breathtaking views, hikes, and incredible food and wine. We’ll take you all over the island, from the Funchal cable car and Monte Palace Gardens to hiking the dramatic São Lourenço Peninsula and Pico do Arieiro trails, to discovering the island’s most spectacular coastal viewpoints.If you want to take this exact trip, download our 4 day Madeira Itinerary! Madeira Episode Highlights: ​How to get to Madeira, Portugal ​How to use TAP Airlines Stopover Program ​Where to stay in Madeira​Weather in Madeira ​Hiking in Madeira Madeira wine tasting at Blandy's Scenic viewpoints in MadeiraOur top recommended hotels in Madeira: ​Vidamar Resort Madeira ​Hotel Caju​Hotel PortoBay Santa Maria​Or check out these hotels in Madeira Check out our Madeira Activities & Tours for all activities we recommend and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to.Find a great flight deal to Portugal by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.—---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] 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.Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

On this week's Just the Tip we share 5 of our sneakiest tricks to lowering the price of flights. These tips has saved us hundreds of dollars on individual flights, with a little extra research you can save a ton of money too!- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Shop:⁠ Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠&⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠Connect:⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠, and⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and contact us at [email protected] 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.

Perched on dramatic cliffs overlooking the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea, Positano is the crown jewel of Italy’s Amalfi Coast. We’ll walk you through its pastel-colored houses on the hillside, luxury chic boutiques, sunny beaches, and winding cobblestone streets, and recommend the best beach clubs, cooking classes, restaurants, and nightlife in town. Positano Tips in this Episode: How to get to Positano, Italy (book your train through RailEurope) Where to stay in PositanoTips for getting into and around PositanoOur top recommended hotels in PositanoAlbergo Miramare - great location with a beautiful ocean view restaurantLe Sirenuse - great location, swanky interior Nino’s in Nochelle (where we stayed) - affordable and had a great view  but hard to get to and from Or check out these hotels in Positano Check out our top picks for Positano Activities & Tours on Viator for all activities we recommend and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to. Looking for more Italian inspiration? Check out our episodes on Rome and Florence.Find a great flight deal to Italy by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.—---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] 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.Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re sharing tips to take that trip your company is paying for and use it as an opportunity to explore more of a new destination, enjoy experiences you might not pay for if you were going on your own, maximize points for your personal travel, and make the most out of the hotel your company is paying for.—---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] 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.

Planning a trip to Switzerland? In this episode, we’ll walk you through the ultimate 8-day Switzerland itinerary, filled with must-see sights, local highlights, and tips to maximize your adventure. Discover Interlaken’s stunning landscapes, immerse yourself in the alpine magic of Zermatt, and soak in the history and charm of Lucerne. Perfect for first-time visitors or seasoned travelers looking for inspiration, this guide is your key to experiencing Switzerland at its best.Check out our Switzerland Itineraries: 8 Day Summer Switzerland Itinerary, 4 days in Interlaken, 2 days in Zermatt, & 2 days Lucerne Switzerland Tips & Must Visit Places Episode Highlights: Top of Europe: JungfraujochStaubbach Falls- Interlaken Lauterbrunnen- Interlaken Oeschinensee Lake Hike- Interlaken Gornergrat Railway - ZermattRiffelsee - Riffelberg via Gornergrat Hike- ZermattLion Monument- Lucerne,Musegg Wall- Lucerne Stoos Ridge Hike- Lucerne Our top recommended Hotels in Bern, Switzerland Hotel Moxy Bern  Hotel Jardin BernHotel Bären am BundesplatzIf these hotels are fully booked, you can also check out other great hotel options in Bern.Check out our Switzerland Activities & Tours, featuring the top experiences we recommend, plus a few we couldn’t fit in but are worth adding to your own itinerary.Find a great flight deal to Switzerland by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.—---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] 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.Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re taking you to the newest wellness escape in Central Texas. Ottine Mineral Springs is about an hour drive from Austin ultimate day and makes a great day trip destination to soak in mineral springs pools, relax in the sauna, lounge in comfy beds, and make a day of it with food and drinks. We share a full walkthrough of the spa experience: reflexology pools, hot & cold plunges, barrel saunas, wood-fired pizzas, frozens, and tease what’s coming soon with yoga, sound baths, more pools, and a hotel!Where to stay in Gonzales, TX: Belle Oaks Inn, a gorgeous manor property and The Alcalade, a classic stay.Find a great flight deal to a major Texas city near Ottine 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 TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.—---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] 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.

We’re taking you to the incredible country of Georgia, one of the most underrated countries in the world where wine, history, and culture come together in the most magical way in the main city of Tbilisi and beyond. We explore historic spas, wine baths, local nightlife, cultural sites, natural wonders in the Caucasus Mountains.We also dive deep into our experience at WINECAST, a five-day festival celebrating cinema, wine, and Georgian culture with film screenings, wine tastings and masterclasses, live music, and more!Highlights of Georgia:The rich history of Georgia as the birthplace of wine 🍇Exploring Tbilisi’s  food, art, nightlife, and vibrant energyDay trip to Mtskheta: Jvari Monastery & Svetitskhoveli CathedralGeorgia’s Balneological Spa - sulfur and wine bath experiencesThe magic of WINECAST Festival 2025 – wine, cinema, and cultureSupra dining traditions & the role of the Tamada (toastmaster)Visiting Kazbeggi & Gergeti Trinity Church in the Caucasus MountainsSupra feast with a local winemaker and a once-in-a-lifetime wine tastingIf you want a great overview of Georgia, check out Dr. Matthew Horkey’s premier film about the country and its culture here: A journey through GEORGIA ‘The Cradle of WINE’Hotels in Tbilisi, Georgia we recommend are the Radisson Blu Tbilisi (we stayed here and loved it!) or Mercure Tbilisi Old Town. If those are booked you can search Tbilisi hotels on Trip Advisor.Check out our Tbilisi Activities & Tours on Viator for all day trips, wine tastings, city tours, and airport transfers that we recommend.Find a great flight deal to Tbilisi by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.—---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] 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.Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re taking you along to see the best of Liechtenstein in just one day. We’ll start the sightseeing journey at the Liechtenstein Center, wander through Vaduz’s Städtle, walk the cobblestone streets, see the Cathedral of St. Florin, and take in the atmosphere by the Government and Parliament buildings, and iconic Ruhende Frau sculpture by Fernando Botero. If you want to take this exact trip, you can download our 1 day Liechtenstein Itinerary! Highlights from this episode include:Highlights of Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Center Städtle (Vaduz Pedestrian Zone)- including the Cathedral of St. Florin, Government building, Parliament Building, and the Ruhende Frau von Fernando Botero SculptureHop on the City Train in Vaduz Castles of Liechtenstein: Gutenberg Castle & Vaduz castle Our top recommended hotels in Lichtenstein are Giessen Hotel & Coffeehouse, Hotel Schatzmann, or check out other highly rated hotels in LiechtensteinThings to pack while visiting Lichtenstein:Electrical outlet adapterReusable water bottle & water bladderCollapsible Day BackpackPurchase an e-Sim to have cellular data on the goFind a great flight deals to Liechtenstein by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.—---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] 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.Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We're sharing 10 amazing places you have to visit in Arizona! Arizona has impressive landscapes that allow you to immerse yourself in nature. It's a gorgeous state with healing and incredibly special energy.Download our ⁠Arizona national parks road trip itinerary⁠ and our ⁠Grand Canyon/Page road trip itinerary⁠ to see many of these places in one trip.Here are 10 places we love and recommendations we have on each:Sedona: Episode: ⁠Weekend Hiking Trip in Sedona⁠Where to Stay in Sedona: ⁠Southwest Inn at Sedona⁠, ⁠Matterhorn Inn⁠, or ⁠Los Abrigados Resort and Spa⁠Saguaro National Park Episode: ⁠Saguaro to Petried Forest Road Trip⁠Where to Stay in Near Saguaro: ⁠Adobe Rose Inn B&B⁠, ⁠Courtyard by Marriott Tucson⁠, or ⁠Lodge on the Desert⁠⁠Arizona National Parks Itinerary ⁠Petrified Forest National ParkEpisode: ⁠Saguaro to Petried Forest Road Trip⁠Where to Stay near Petrified Forest: ⁠Holiday Inn Express⁠, ⁠Best Western Paint Pony Lodge⁠, or ⁠Days Inn by Wyndham⁠⁠Arizona National Parks Itinerary ⁠Lake HavasuWhere to Stay in Lake Havasu: ⁠WorldMark Havasu Dunes⁠, ⁠Sway Hotel⁠, or ⁠Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lake Havasu⁠ScottsdaleWhere to Stay in Scottsdale: ⁠Orange Tree Resort⁠, ⁠DoubleTree by Hilton Paradise Valley Resort Scottsdale⁠, or ⁠Scottsdale Camelback Resort⁠Grand Canyon National Park Episode: ⁠Day in Grand Canyon⁠Where to Stay near the Grand Canyon: ⁠Thunderbird Lodge (inside the park)⁠, ⁠Bright Angel Lodge (inside the park)⁠, ⁠The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon⁠, or ⁠Red Feather Lodge⁠Monument ValleyWhere to Stay in Monument Valley: ⁠Goulding's Lodge⁠ or ⁠The View Hotel⁠Page Episode: ⁠American Southwest Road Trip⁠Where to Stay in Page: ⁠Best Western View of Lake Powell⁠, ⁠La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Page at Lake Powell⁠, or ⁠Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell⁠Bullhead CityWhere to Stay in Bullhead City: ⁠Holiday Inn Express & Suites⁠, Havasupai Falls Episode: ⁠4 Days Backpacking Havasupai Falls⁠Where to stay before your hike into Havasupai: ⁠Hualapai Lodge⁠ or ⁠Grand Canyon Caverns Inn⁠In this episode we mentioned ice cleat crampons, ⁠⁠these are the ones we recommend⁠⁠.-------------------------------------------Shop:⁠ Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠&⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠Connect:⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠, and⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and contact us at [email protected] 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.