Travel Advice Show

Chris and Jerry talk about Chris' recent Christmas Viking Longship Mani Rhine River cruise between Basel, Switzerland, and Amsterdam. Learn what it is like traveling with fourteen other family members on an eight-day river cruise visitiing six ports on one of the world's top river cruise companies. Chris discusses the offered-in-the-price shore excursions, things to do in your free time, the great and plentiful food, cabins, tipping, onboard nightlife, December weather, and his impression of river cruising. Listen to this unique interview to learn some of the realities of taking a European river cruise in December and other exciting reasons why you should take a river cruise any time of the year on your next vacation.

One of the top five countries in the world to visit, Mongolia should be a must-visit destination and definitely soon as it is gradually becoming more modern. Chris and Jerry discuss Mongolia's highlights and neat things to do while there including visiting the capital, Ulaanbaatar, with its museums, religious and sacred sites, and very interesting day or overnight trips to the semi-Gobi desert where you can ride a camel, Hustain Nuruu National Park to see Pnewski Mongolian horses and genuine Mongolian nomads, and Ghorki-Terelj National Park for impressive rock formations. If you go in the winter, a few miles from Ulaanbaatar you can ski on beginners to advanced trails! Karakorum, base of Genghis Khan and nearby Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia's largest and oldest Bhuddhist monastery, Altai Tavan Bogd National Park in the far west Mongolian Altai Mountain range with its beautiful lakes, hiking trails,  horseback riding, and Golden Eagles, and the massive Gobi desert are just some of the topics discussed along with how long to stay, how to travel the country , types of accommodations, and when to go. Pack your bags and go as you will rank your experience there as one of your best ever!

Because of many requests from our listeners to have shows on country itineraries, we have selected the Netherlands as the first. Chris and Jerry give a suggested minimum itinerary and ideas to lengthen your stay so you will get a great first visit overview. Day-by-day itinerary, where and when to go, where and when to see the tulips, the Red Light District, many museums, Dutch traditional villages, hop on hop off bus tours, windmills, tin-glazed Delft blue pottery, dikes, and week-long country river cruises are just some of the numerous things discussed to ensure you get a great overview of the Netherlands.

Kathleen Evans, katsjourney.com, Chris, and Jerry give excellent safety precautions advice for women traveling alone internationally. In this informal and fun, but serious topic show, we discuss ways to make your trip safer including taking a basic self-defense course prior to departing, never, ever leaving your purse on the back of a chair in a restaurant, bar, or other public places, dressing appropriately for your destination, taking photos of your taxi, driver, car license, and driver's registration, booking the entire sleeper cabin on trains, and other important ideas to have a fabulous and safe trip.

Chris and Jerry explore and discuss in detail western Indonesia especially Sumatra and the smaller islands off its coast. Sumatra, the world's fifth largest island, has three major cities: Medan, Padang, and Palembang and many neat things to do. You will be impressed with the variety of sightseeing and adventure options available including climbing volcanoes, hiking through jungles searching for gibbons and orangutans, visiting Buddhist temples, spending time at Lake Toba, the world's largest volcanic lake, shopping for unique items in Palembang's malls, river rafting, and many other exciting things that are just some of the experiences you will have in this destination not often visited by US citizens, but by the rest of the world.

The first question you should ask when planning a vacation is "What do I want most out of my vacation?" Chris and Jerry give numerous ways to get the exact destination you need to best fulfill the reason you are taking your vacation. They discuss the three main reasons people travel: have to because of business, weddings, funerals, family reunions, etc., fulfill a dream that you have wanted to satisfy, and escape to get away for at least a little while from your normal life. They give many ideas and examples to narrow your vacation destination including researching, becoming better educationed and realistic, the reason you are traveling, and your budget. Listen to the show to to have a vacation that not only will you love, but will fulfill many of the reasons you are taking it.

Chris and Jerry talk about one of the top ten destinations in the world to visit - Eastern Indonesia. There is something there that will excite and amaze nearly every traveler of any age. The island of Java with its access to Krakatoa volcano, Jogjakarta and Surakarta with impressive Javanese temples including Borobudur and Prambanan, the active volcano Mount Bromo, and the beautiful Tengger mountain chain, Bali which appeals to nearly everyone with  magnificent beaches, hill-country Ubud, and a variety of physical activiities, orangutans, culture, and festivals in Sumatra, the amazing three hundred Stone Age societies of West Papua, Sulawesi's Londa burieal caves and Kete Kesu, unique home architure of Troja village, and other unique sites, and rarely visited East and West Timor with their excellent diving and snorkeling, beaches, and unique cemeteries. You will want to go to this fantastic area of the world after listening to this show.

Chris and Jerry continue the discussion on Uzbekistan talking in greater detail on mosques, mausoleums, markets, and what to do and see. A first time visit itinerary should be fourteen days to get the greatest overview of the country from Tashken to Khiva and it should be overland by private driver and guide or on an escorted tour preferably with fewer than twenty guests. If a visit to Fergana in the east including Osh, Kyrgystan, is included, add at least three extra nights. More details about types and prices of accommodations ranging from guesthouses to five star properties and various mosques, mausoleums, and markets are given. Various types of souvenirs including carpets, clothing, skullcaps, ceramics, musical instrtuments, and Samarkand paper are discussed to sharpen your shopping urges. Uzbekistan should be a must visit for world travelers and both parts one and two will start you on your way.

Chris and Jerry give an excellent overview of Uzbekistan, one of the world's top five countries to visit. History, culture, minimum itinerary, length of time to stay, best times to visit, hotel categories and prices, variety of ways to travel the country, discussion of the palaces, mosques, and masadahs, money, and many other things you need to know to move Uzbekistan to the top of your travel bucket list and  begin your travel plans to this truly fabulous country.

Chris, Jerry, and Jessie Blinman., Chris' friend, talk about the various fears of travel people have and how you can adjust to have a fabulous vacation that will change your life positively. Fear of taking a cruise, flying, going to countries that are very different than your own, and driving rules and customs are discussed with real examples and ways that we and others have overcome them enough to enjoy our trips. Listen to this, especially if you have a fear, are anxious, or a are bit intimidated about traveling. It may help you a lot.

Chris and Jerry talk about six unique and not often visited countries that they really like. Although not their favorite countries, they really love these  destinations and have visited them often. Most people travel to famous destinations often forgetting absolute fabulous and interesting countries that often are more exciting than the famous ones. Did you know that you can walk with lions in West Africa, observe nesting turtles in Surinam, visit Roman ruins in northern England, drink excellent tap beer in Belgium, walk pure white sand beaches and snorkel in crystal clear water in the Cook Islands, and visit a major departing point for African slaves bound for the Americas in Senegal? This show explores northern England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Surinam, Cook Islands, and Senegal and gives information that will inspire you to include them in your travel plans.

Chris and Jerry discuss the types of adventure travel including overlanding, walking, and bicycling throughout the world, cost, trip length, tour operators that offer a wide variety of adventure travel options, and what you can expect when you take them. They also talk about passport and visas requirements and the amount of money you can expect to take take. This show is a must listen for anyone wanting to take an adventure trip and for those that are thinking about it. It can change your life for the better.

Chris and Jerry love adventure travel. All types and levels of adventure travel. Listen as they give personal examples and talk about the definition of adventure travel, who should take them, physical, financial, and psychological requirements, and categories or levels of adventure travel including specialty, soft, medium, hard, extreme, and terrifying. This show will change your travel style and life and make your next vacation truly unique and exciting. Click on the show to begin your adventure travel life.

Chris, Jerry, and Nicky Brandon of Ker & Downey, kerdowney.com, talk about exciting Rwanda and the many things that make this country well-worth visiting. To explore this once not-often-visitedo a great overview of Rwanda, you need to spend eleven days and ten nights to see gorillas, baboons, chimpanzees, visit tea plantations, and many other things to explore in this once not-often-visted country including ways to travel and accommodations. After listening to the show, you will want to either add Rwanda to your east African adventure or make it a single destination visit.

Chris, Jerry, and Jerry's friend, Siamak Gholami, give advice for traveling Iran, one of the world's top five destinations to visit, that you should know, but may not even have thought about. Tea, caviar, historical monuments, exotic food, rice, ways to travel, types of accommodations, ghaliyan (hookah), dress codes, geographic areas, when to go, what to do, culture, and many other things that will make your visit to Iran truly one to remember. You will want to return.

Many people are hesitant to visit Iran because of misconceptions about safety, freedom to explore on your own, hotel accommodations, food, and other concerns. Chris and Jerry talk about the reality of visiting this varied, scenic, historic, and fabulous country and help alleviate any misconceptions you may have about making Iran your next travel destination. Listen to get excited about visiting Iran.

If you have ever taken a trip and returned either disappointed or ecstatic, it may be the way you traveled that made the difference. Listen as Chris and Jerry discuss the four categories of ways to travel: independent, flexible independent travel, hosted, and escorted. They define and give examples of each category so you can decide which is best for you. It could raise the level of your next vacation to fabulous!

Most travelers want to know as much as possible about the destination they are going to visit. One of the most popular ways to learn information is through travel books. Chris and Jerry talk about how travel guide books are written, their purpose, selected audience, ways to use them, and when to purchase them. Suggested guides are mentioned by name with explanation of their importance and directed audience and who should purchase them. Chris and Jerry also mention Jerry's traveladvicebooks.com and their purpose. Listen to this short show to help you simplify your travel guide books selection.

Chris and Jerry discuss the importance, necessity, and consequences of vaccinations in your travel plans. As the world rids itself of many diseases, some countries require vaccinations to enter them. Listen to the Short Vaccination   Travel Advice Tips show to learn what shots may be required, what is required to show proof you had them, sources to find what vaccinations are reqired, where to get them, and other valuable tips that will help you have a better vacation. In fact, failure to have the required vaccinations could prohibit your entering a country that requires them.

Chris and Jerry discuss TSA and Global Entry Services  programs to simplify your US airport TSA security process and and return US entry with the Global Entry Services. If you have ever flown within the US or completed US immigrations, you will want to listen to this show. TSA, Transportation Security Administration, is a US government security department that screens air travelers at the airport prior to entering their flight. Global Entry Services, a US Customs and Border Protection program, allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to accelerate clearance procedures, immigations, upon returning to the US. Definitions, costs for each program, tips to simplify the process, and other suggestions are given to help make your air travel, both within and returning to the US, less complicated and more enjoyable. 

Chris and Jerry talk about passports  from a world-wide perspective. Each country has its own requirements for obtaining a passport and the length of time it is valid valild. Many countries require a visa, but who needs a visa is determined by the passport holder's country. Definitions of passports, who needs them, possible costs, time required to obain them, how soon do you need to get them, and many other elements are discussed so you can have a better understanding of them.

Chris and Jerry continue discussing common questions you may have and situations and problems that occur while flying. Learn your legal rights and airlines rules and regulations, options you have about getting seats using your frequent flier miles, what you can do or expect when your flight is delayed or cancelled, what happens when you get bumped from a flight, and what to expect when your baggage is lost or damaged. Listening to this show will get you prepared for many things that can happen when you decide to fly.

Listen as Chris and Jerry continue their discussion about visiting Cuba. Cuba Part Two Travel Advice Show talks about other activities you may want to consider, when to go, nightlife, and other options to make your vacation even better. Riding in 1950s American convertibles to take a night Havana tour, definition and descriptions of casa particulares or guesthouses, four and five star hotels, and other accommodations, visiting an alligator farm, weather, food, safety, and other information to help give you an exciting experience in the largest Caribbean island.

Join Chris and guest Jim Dykman to learn how to manage culture shock while you are travelling. Jim gives a great travel perspective to accepting different cultures around the world. Listen to real examples of how to deal with culture shock. Jim tells ways to handle situations to gain better enjoyment in your travels. This show will make your travels more fulfilling.

Chris and Jerry discuss some important information needed prior to boarding your plane. Topics include: who should fly, times when it is not best to fly, overcoming or at least controlling your fear of flying, what to expect from arriving at the airport to prior to boarding your flight, including TSA airport security, and the types of luggage you should consider taking. Regardless of your flying experience, you will learn things that will make the experience smoother.

Chris and Jerry continue discussing hotels with Hotels Part Three Travel Advice Show. It contains important information to answer many question that travelers have, including how do you book a hotel, is there a best way to book a hotel, are there problems with these booking methods, who, how much, and when do you tip, the numerous legalities which you should know about booking, cancelling, and changing a reservation, check in and check out times, and the various acceptable types of hotel gurantees and payment. Listen to complete this three part hotel series to help you make better hotel decisions and prevent surprises.

Join Chris and guest George Starks to learn and explore the Camino de Santiago. George has done the Camino 5 times and gives great tips and how to plan the adventure. This show explains where to stay, how to plan and all the in's and out's in having the Camino de Santiago experience. This show is a must before you plan your Camino. 

Tony Perdomo of Tucan Travel, tucantravel.com, Chris, and Jerry explore adventure travel in a way you may never have considered. Overlanding where you do the shopping and cooking, taking local transportation within cities and between countries, no single supplements, small group size, free time to explore, and trips ranging from 7 to 77 days are just some of the options discussed. And all at prices less than staying home. Tucan Travel offers tens of trips throughout the world that you should highly consider for a unique perspective of cultures and adventures you're friends have yet to experience, but will when you return.

Chris and Jerry explore the DPRK (North Korea) as Jerry recently returned from visiting much of the country. Entrance requirements, expectations, realities, and experiences are discussed. This is an important show for those desiring to see this seldom visited, exciting country.