The Sansei Traveler

Podcast Episode 026: Wrigley Field and Bar Sotano, Chicago

Sat, 16 Oct 2021 08:00:00 -0600

This week's podcast episode comes a few weeks after I said that I would broadcast it. I was going to let you know about places I visited in Chicago and Los Angeles in the last month. But I've had a lot of personal issues going on with my family, which has prevented me from recording and producing this episode, as well as others.

So, I've decided to focus on my visit to Chicago, which involved seeing a baseball game at Wrigley Field and eating some ballpark food. I'll also let you know about Bar Sotano, which is one of several Mexican restaurants from Rick Bayless, all located within the same block. I especially loved the food here, which was innovative and complex and delicious. It was also a great alternative to my original plan of going to Frontera Grill, which I couldn't get a table at.

This is a short episode, which marks the next phase or season of my podcast. You'll get shorter episodes about my upcoming travels. For instance, the next two will be about the all-inclusive resorts that I recently stayed at and toured on the Riviera Maya in Mexico.

Podcast episode 025: Las Vegas - the Venetian, Virgin Resorts, Mob Museum, Food Tour

Sat, 25 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0600

In this episode of the Sansei Traveler podcast, I have a conversation with Kathy Waldorf, travel advisor with Cruise Planners. Kathy and I attended a training in Las Vegas, and while I went home afterwards, she and our fellow advisor and friend Carla stayed on at the Venetian Resort. In addition, they toured the new Virgin Resort, went on the Secret Food Tour and spent time at the Mob Museum.

As many of you may know, I'm not the biggest Vegas fan because I'm not a gambler of party person. But after talking with Kathy, I'm now convinced there's so much more to do there away from the usual activities found on the major Strip resorts. If you love trying different foods and learning about the city's history,

Kathy also gave some great insight about the Venetian Resort, where she stayed for a few nights. She described the suites, atmosphere and entertainment of the Strip resort, as well as the Virgin Resort, formerly the Hard Rock Cafe Resort.

My next episode will be on my trips to Chicago and Los Angeles - just some quick insights on what to do and where to eat.

Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Need help with travel planning? Please check out my Cruise Planners site:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256
https://kite.link/sansei-traveler

Thanks for your support!

Podcast episode 024: a quick trip to Maui

Sat, 21 Aug 2021 08:00:00 -0600

This week’s Sansei Traveler podcast episode is about the three things my kids and I did in Maui back in May of this year. I didn’t discuss anything about COVID-19 protocols or restrictions, because what my family and I went through didn’t apply to travel to Hawaii until recently. Instead, I mentioned the state’s Safe Travels site, which gives you the most updated information on the virus and how to travel to the islands.

Rather, my focus was on two things we did and one place we ate dinner. The first was driving on the West Maui North Shore road. While it was a challenge for my kids, you might enjoy it if you’re on the adventurous side and don’t mind a few harrowing one-lane driving stretches to view some otherworldly scenery. Here’s a good resource to check it out:
http://mauiguidebook.com/adventures/west-mauis-north-shore-kapalua-to-wailuku/

The second activity I’d recommend while you are in Maui is going to Haleakala National Park, which is known for its sunrise spectacle. It provides incredible views of the island from its 10,000-foot summit and all along the way, as well as great hiking. Hopefully, you won’t the small insects that bothered my kids:
https://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm

Finally, if you’re in the Lahaina area, don’t miss out on Star Noodle (which I called Star Noodle Café in the broadcast – it’s just Star Noodle). It’s probably one of the best noodle houses I’ve been to, with fantastic ramen and local saimin.
https://www.starnoodle.com

On the next episode of the Sansei Traveler, I'll attempt to do my first podcast broadcast on the road, from southern California and Arizona. Maybe I'll get my husband and younger daughter involved :)

Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Need help with travel planning? Please check out my Cruise Planners site:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256
https://kite.link/sansei-traveler

Thanks for your support!

Podcast Episode 023: all about culinary travel

Sat, 14 Aug 2021 08:00:00 -0600

This week's episode of The Sansei Traveler Podcast details culinary travel, with my conversation with travel advisor Rhonda Macier Lathen of Culinary Latitudes Travel. Rhonda is an expert in this travel niche, where you can discover a destination's culture through food discovery.

What does that mean? While people people thing that culinary travel just involves going to local markets or restaurants (and not American fast food chains), it's evolved beyond that initial concept. You can now visit people's homes or estates, where they will prepare and serve you a meal that's representative of the area or region. You might even get to learn from them through a cooking lesson, preparing your own meal and enjoying it as a reward.

Rhonda and I talk about the following topics:

What interested her about culinary travel, and how she defines it
What are the current trends
Who’s the “typical” culinary traveler
How culinary travel can be for everyone
What travel companies provide the best culinary travel experiences, both cruises and land
How they accommodate special dietary needs and requirements

Podcast episode 022: Craft beers and travel

Sat, 31 Jul 2021 08:00:00 -0600

Episode 22 of The Sansei Traveler Podcast focuses on beer and the best ways to appreciate it. I spoke with Natalie Jones, the owner and founder of two businesses, Rocky Mountain Brew Runs and Beer Feelings. Natalie is based in the Denver area and has owned Rocky Mountain Brew Runs since 2020. She also started beer Beer Feelings shortly afterward. Both focus on enjoying beer, especially for those who feel somewhere intimidated by trying it.

Rocky Mountain Beer Runs combines fitness through 5K running events. Afterwards, participants enjoy beer and even some drinking games. Beer Feelings is an informational site that helps people learn more about different craft brews. Natalie also organizes events for her followers.

We talked about the following topics:

How did you start Beer Feelings and Rocky Mountain Brew Runs?
How do you see craft brews becoming part of the culinary travel trend?
What are some places around Colorado that would be great for travel and beer tasting?
What are some other areas around the country known for their craft brews?
If you can describe it, who’s the typical “beer traveler?”
How does someone who enjoys beer find ways to pair it with the right food?
How does a beer connoisseur compare to a wine connoisseur? How is it less intimidating?
Where do you like to travel for great brews?

Podcast Episode 021: Cancun All-Inclusive Resorts

Sat, 29 May 2021 08:00:00 -0600

I'm back with a new season of The Sansei Traveler podcast! In this episode I talk with fellow Cruise Planners travel advisor Carla Woolstrum, who owns All Who Wander Travel (https://www.allwhowander.biz) in Dunwoody, Georgia. It's the first episode in a series of conversations with fellow travel advisors, friends and acquaintances who specialize or have exclusive knowledge in a certain aspect of travel.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Carla has been to the Cancun/Riviera Maya area twice in the past year. She visited various all-inclusive resorts, which are becoming an increasingly popular option for travelers. In particular, Mexico has been right at the top of destinations outside the US. We talked about how she started out as a travel advisor, what are her travel specialties and the following topics:

How she visited these all-inclusive resorts
What was the best one for families. romance and other groups.
How the resorts implemented COVID safety protocols
What’s the appeal of going to an all-inclusive over a cruise
What would she tell someone who has never been to an AI what they could expect.

Podcast Episode 020: Interview with UnCruise's Julie Quarry

Sat, 27 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0600

In this week’s Sansei Traveler Podcast, I chat with Julie Quarry, business development manager with UnCruise. Since I’ve started working as a travel advisor, UnCruise has always been on my radar as a good example of the kind of travel I’d like to recommend to clients. They provide a memorable active adventure travel experience, sail to destinations that I’d like to see, have unparalleled enrichment opportunities and have great cuisine.

Since 1996, they’ve been pioneers in small-ship cruising. Starting with one boat and sailing the small harbors and fjords in Alaska, they’ve now grown to nine ships that carry 22 to 86 guests. Their itineraries now include Hawaii, Baja California, Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, the Galapagos Islands, the Pacific Northwest and Columbia and Snake Rivers. Truly, UnCruise lives up to its name and provides a great alternative to anyone who believes traditional cruises on large ships aren’t for them. They are increasingly becoming popular with younger travelers and multi-generational family groups.

Julie and I talked about how UnCruise is able to avoid the current cruise ship ban imposed by the Canadian government, which has hampered sailings to Alaska this summer. Since the company’s ships are registered in the US, they do not have to follow the regulations that the major cruise must do and make a port stop in Canada. As you’ll find out from the conversation, Julie revealed that UnCruise will start their sailings this May. We also talked about the following:

What’s UnCruise’s background or history?
What makes a vacation with UnCruise unique?
Will there be any new destinations in the future?
Who is the typical UnCruise guest?
Expedition cruising seems to be gaining in popularity, and other lines are starting to offer those itineraries. How does UnCruise set itself apart from its competition?
How does UnCruise appeal to the luxury adventure traveler?
What is UnCruise doing to ensure guests’ health and safety protocols for COVID-19?

This will the last episode for the second season. I'll be taking a month-long break and planning the next part of this podcast.

Podcast Episode 019: Interview with American Cruise Lines' Mary Grimes

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -0600

In this week’s Sansei Traveler podcast episode, I had a conversation with Mary Grimes, business development manager with American Cruise Lines. This New England- based company started in 1991, and has grown its business since then. Their primary destinations are the Mississippi, Columbia and Snake Rivers, the southeastern United States coast, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and New England. Their 13 ships fall into five different classes, either as coastal ships or riverboats, and some are classic paddlewheel ships that look like they’re from the 19th century (with modern touches, of course).

What makes American Cruise Lines appealing is that they will be start sailing this month (March 2021), well before many of the larger, more well-known cruise lines have even given their start dates. They can do this because their ships are registered in the United States, whereas all other cruise lines have foreign-registered ships that must port in a foreign country. Cruisers are taking notice and many of their sailings are booking up.

Like many river cruises, American Cruise Lines provides a significantly more intimate cruising experience. Its largest ships holds 190 passenger maximum. They’re well known for their spacious staterooms, even the entry-level category, and each has a private balcony.

Mary and I talked about all of these topics, plus the following:

Who is the typical American Cruise Line passenge
What is included on a typical cruise itinerary?
Do many people who have done ocean cruises consider going with American Cruise Lines?
What kind of health and safety protocols are in place for a cruise?
What are some of the newest additions to ACL fleet?

On March 27th, I'll be talking with Julie Quarry, business development manager with UnCruise - another domestic based cruise line that'll be sailing here within the next few months.

Podcast episode 018: Backroads' Alicia Kjeldgaard

Sat, 27 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0700

In this week’s episode of The Sansei Traveler podcast, I talk with Alicia Kjeldgaard, business development and travel industry manager with Backroads. They are a California-base company that pioneered active adventure travel, where you can bike, hike, walk and other activities while you see the world. If there is anything that typifies the ideal trip that I enjoy, a vacation with Backroads is essentially what I would do. I love to be active and enjoy a bit of culinary exploration and luxury accommodations.

My own sister has been on dozens of Backroads trips, and that is a true testament to their quality as a travel vendor. They cultivate a loyal following where guests return again and again to explore the world. I’ve yet to go on one, but that is my plan within the next few years.

As Alicia revealed, Backroads has been leading tours in 2020 for domestic destinations. Naturally, as COVID numbers decrease and the travel restrictions lift, they’ll be returning to more international destinations. Backroads will also be in a prime position, as they are primarily land travel with a few river and ocean cruise options. They also now offer Dolce Tempo trips, which go at a slower pace and are ideal for travelers who might be intimidated by constant active travel.

Some of the topics Alicia and I discussed:

Backroads’ history
Their destinations and types of trips they offer
The “typical” Backroads guest
What sets Backroads apart from other land travel vendors
Backroads partnerships with cruise lines, AmaWaterways and Ponant?
How Backroads caters to culinary/wine travelers
What are some of the company’s future offerings

Podcast episode 017: Interview with Royal Caribbean's Dan Iacobelli

Sat, 13 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0700

For this 17th episode of The Sansei Traveler Podcast, I talked with Strategic Account Manager Dan Iacobelli for Royal Caribbean. One of the more well-known cruise lines, Royal Caribbean is known for its large ships and amazing innovations in the cruising experience. As a travel advisor, I’ve recommended them more than any other to first-time cruisers because of all the awesome things you can do while you’re on the ship, not to mention the various ports of call around the world. As a traveler, I’ve enjoyed two Royal cruises with my own family to the eastern Caribbean and Alaska.

One place that Dan and I explore further is Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. I went to CocoCay when it was a pleasant but standard beach resort. With an extensive renovation and new name, the island now has a colorful waterpark, luxury beach club, several large pools and swimming lagoons, various dining options and even a tethered balloon ride. As cruising resumes, cruise line-owned places like Perfect Day at CocoCay will be the focus for a safer travel experience, where they can more easily implement COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Here are some of the topics we discussed over the course of the episode:

Why go on a Royal Caribbean cruise
How does Royal Caribbean set itself apart from its competition
How they come up with their many game-changing innovations
Why you don’t have to feel intimidated being on a Royal Caribbean ship, even the biggest ones
What’s a Royal Amplification
What makes Perfect Day at CocoCay special
What health and safety protocols are currently in place
What are some promotions or specials that are currently available from Royal, and are there any exclusive to Cruise Planners

Here is the registration link for virtual event that Dan and I mentioned toward the end of the episode: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2437460460764704267

In the next podcast episode on February 27th, I'll be talking to Alicia Kjeldgaard, business development manager with Backroads, one of the pioneering active adventure companies with biking, hiking, and multi-sport vacations around the world. (This episode was postponed from an earlier date)

Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Need help with travel planning? Please check out my Cruise Planners site:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256
https://kite.link/sansei-traveler

Thanks for your support!

Podcast episode 016: Interview with Rocky Mountaineer's Jeff Caesar

Sat, 30 Jan 2021 17:00:00 -0700

For this week’s episode of the Sansei Traveler podcast, I talked with Jeff Caesar, business development manager with Rocky Mountaineer, which is a Canadian-based company specializing in luxury rail travel. Since 1990, they’ve taken travelers from all around the world between the Vancouver and the beautiful Canadian Rockies. Unlike other rail travel, guests don’t stay on the train but in luxury hotels at points along the way.

The newest destination for Rocky Mountaineer and the first American itinerary is close to home (at least for me) - a route going from Denver to southern Utah’s Red Rock country and the several National Parks in the Moab area. Jeff will talk at length about this exciting development for the company.

Here are some other topics that Jeff and I discussed:

What's Rocky Mountaineer's history?
What makes a vacation with them unique?
Where do they go, and where are the planning to go in the future?
What's Rocky Mountaineer's new destination between Denver and the National Parks in Utah, and why was this region chosen?
What kind of service and amenities can guests expect with this new itinerary
What kind of health and safety procedures do you have in place to protect guests from COVID-19 transmission?

In the next podcast episode on February 13th, I'll be talking to Alicia Kjeldgaard, business development manager with Backroads, one of the pioneering active adventure companies with biking, hiking, and multi-sport vacations around the world.

Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Need help with travel planning? Please check out my Cruise Planners site:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256
https://kite.link/sansei-traveler

Thanks for your support!

Interview with AmaWaterways' Brandon Oscarson

Sat, 16 Jan 2021 14:00:00 -0700

This week's Sansei Traveler podcast episode is with Brandon Oscarson, business development manager at AmaWaterways.

Ama is one of the leading river cruise lines in the travel industry, and its popularity grows every year. River cruising in general offers a very different experience than an ocean cruise. It's more intimate, with only a few hundred passengers maximum. Accommodations are more luxurious. The ship staff gets to know you more personally. You'll see land everywhere you go - no endless days at sea - and stop in a port each day, where you'll experience local culture firsthand through carefully curated shore excursions. Best of all, you'll enjoy gourmet meals and fine local wines and spirits.

Brandon and I talked about some of the following during our conversation:

What's AmaWaterways' background?
What sets it apart from other river cruise lines?
Why have river cruises become more popular in recent years?
What are Ama’s most popular destinations?
What are the highlights of an AmaWaterways cruise?
Describe your partnerships with other travel vendors, like Adventures with Disney and Backroads.
Why would a family or multi-generational group want to go on an AmaWaterways cruise?

We also have an upcoming virtual event on Wednesday, Jan. 20th, at 5:30 PM Mountain Time, where you can learn more about river cruising in depth, and the chance to sail with me on a river cruise through Provence in October 2021! Register for it here.

Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Need help with travel planning? Please check out my Cruise Planners site:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256

Thanks for your support!

Interview with Globus' Amanda Ward

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 08:00:00 -0700

My second podcast interview is with Amanda Ward, business development manager with Globus. The company consists of Globus, Cosmos and Monograms, which provide land vacations of different types and budgets.

I talked with Amanda because in this time of COVID-19, land travel has become a more viable option for people versus cruising, which hasn’t started yet. She offered some great reasons why you should consider going on a guided land vacation, even if youj’ve never considered one before.

Some of the topics we discuss include:

• What areas of the world does Globus serve?

• How are each of Globus’ brands different from the others?

• What makes a Globus vacation a great value?

• Which destinations have been the most popular?

• How would Globus’ brands best serve the adventure, culinary and wellness traveler?

• Are guided trips really for everyone?

• What is Globus doing to keep guest safe and healthy from COVID-19?

Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Need help with travel planning? Please check out my Cruise Planners site:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256

Thanks for your support!

Interview with InsideJapan

Sat, 12 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0700

I'm back!

After taking about two months off - and this is the beginning of Season 2 - I'll be bringing you a series of interviews with travel professionals from around the industry.

I start this off with Karin Tompkins, travel consultant with InsideJapan Tours in Boulder, Colorado. InsideJapan develops and leads small group guided, customized and independent tours of the Japan. I went on one of their tours (J-Pop and Go) with my family, which was a whirlwind tour of country and inspired all of us to return there someday. I've also recommended and booked with them as a travel advisor, with every client being happy with the services they provided.

Karin and I talk about why travel to Japan has become increasingly popular in recent months, what makes travel to Japan unique and some of the challenges of traveling there, both cultural and practical with COVID-19.

Programming note: The podcast episodes will be coming every two or three weeks now, because of the interviews I'll be conducting over the next few months.

Coming up in the next episode of The Sansei Traveler Podcast: Amanda Ward, business development manager with Globus. We'll be talking about the new interest in land tours versus cruising, how there's one for everyone (not just mature travelers) and the best tours for active adventure, culinary and wellness travel.

Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Need help with travel planning? Please check out my Cruise Planners site:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256

Thanks for your support!

Los Angeles: My top 5 favorites eats and to-do’s

Sat, 10 Oct 2020 08:00:00 -0600

Los Angeles is almost a second home to me. I've visited many times since my siblings went to college there and one of my sisters still lives there. I went to college myself east of LA, then lived there for six years after graduation

Admittedly, I have a love-hate relationship with LA, because I like it for everything that’s appealing (sunshine, beach, diversity, activity) but hate it for everything that most people also detest (traffic, superficiality, the Dodgers and other sports teams)

I personally couldn’t live there anymore for any reason but I always love to visit, as do my family.

Favorite foods

Chin Chin
Korean BBQ in Koreatown: here are a few - Hae Jang Chon, Bae Kung, Park's BBQ
Figaro Bistro
Tomato Pie Pizza Joint

Favorite things to do

I mention how safe is air travel in the age of COVID-19. My next episode will be be released on October 24th - a COVID 19 travel update.

Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Need help with travel planning? Please check out my Cruise Planners site:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256

Thanks for your support!

Culinary travel: eating your way through the world

Sat, 03 Oct 2020 08:00:00 -0600

Episode 11 of The Sansei Traveler podcast is about the second area of my niche or specialty, culinary travel.

According to Food Travel Monitor, a global study from the World Food Travel Association, 95% of Americans would like to have some kind of unique culinary experience during their travel. It’s a major factor that influences decisions, and especially strong with millennial travelers.

Anthony Bourdain’s various shows have definitely influenced travelers to think of food as a major focus of travel, and to experience authentic local cuisine. In other words, no chain restaurants. This also extends to people who love to cook, taste wine, beer and other spirits and who are active on their travel.

What can you do on a culinary vacation? A tour to a market with a chef or knowledgeable local, take cooking classes, private home meals or tastings.

A travel advisor can recommend the right tours and itineraries, put together a customized trip and even determine the right time to visit a certain destination

Some cruise lines have emphasized their culinary offerings as a way to separate themselves from other lines

Everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve tried to choose local options for food. Some of it has been great, some has been challenging. I mention my culinary travels to Italy, Central Europe and Japan.

My news segments include the no-sail order from the CDC, and American Airlines' new pre-flight COVID-19 testing.

Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Need help with travel planning? Please check out my Cruise Planners site:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256

Thanks for your support!

All about river cruising

Sat, 26 Sep 2020 08:00:00 -0600

River cruising and ocean cruising is like comparing apples and bananas – they are two totally separate things. But it's been gaining in popularity over the past few years, for these reasons:

It’s a far more intimate experience, with only several hundred passenger total, rather than thousands.
You don’t get seasick, because you’re not on a rough ocean, and you’ll see land every day of your trip
There’s more included, from drinks to food to excursions
Some are more for adults, and some are geared to family and multi-generational travel.

While they seem to have a reputation for “older” travelers, the average age of a river cruise guest has come down to about 45 years old. Other travel companies have partnered with river cruise companies to enhance the traveler experience. River cruise itineraries can have special emphasis with photography, wine, beer, religious themes or any other common interest. Most river cruises are in Europe, but some are now going to Southeast Asia, China, Africa (Zambezi, Nile). More are going to US rivers such as the Mississippi and Columbia and Snake. Finally, you can always add land components to the cruise, either pre or post.

Here are the most popular cruise companies:

Viking
AmaWaterways
Uniworld
Scenic/Emerald
Avalon
Crystal and Tauck
American Cruise Line, American Queen and Victory

I also review a few travel news stories and preview next week's episode, culinary travel.

Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Need help with travel planning? Please check out my Cruise Planners site:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256

Thanks for your support!

Seattle: My top 5 eats and do's

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 08:00:00 -0600

With episode 9 of The Sansei Traveler podcast, I return to letting you know about my favorites in a particular destination.

I have to say that one of my favorite cities in the US happens to be Seattle, Washington. Probably one of my kids will eventually end up in Seattle, either for school or work or bothWe’ve been going there for nearly 10 years, because my husband’s sister lives nearby, east of the city. My older daughter loves it there - so much that she's become a devoted Seahawks fan. My younger one might attend college at Seattle University next year.

Why do I love Seattle? It's a lot like my favorite city, San Francisco, although it's more spread out. I've gotten to know it over these last few years, and if my kids should happen to live there, I'll become even more familiar with the city. Seattle has great scenery, energy, and all the things you can do there, as well as the food options.

Here are some of my favorite restaurants:

And here are my favorite things to do

Space Needle

Pike Place Market

Olympic Sculpture Park and Waterfront Pathway

Alki Beach

Museum of Pop Culture

I also talk about Hawaii and cruising in my news segment, and preview my next episode - all about river cruising.

All about active adventure travel

Sat, 12 Sep 2020 08:00:00 -0600

Adventure travel is one of the fastest growing niches in the market. I think that's because people want to be at least somewhat active as they would at home. People also want to be more immersed in local cultures when they travel, rather than have an experience they could easily have in their own hometown. Active adventure travel is a subset of adventure, and often involves either "soft" or "hard" adventure

Soft adventure involves activities that most people do on a regular basis: biking, hiking, walking, kayaking.

Hard adventure includes those once in a while (or lifetime) things like rock climbing, expeditions, multi-day hiking and camping or ziplining.

If you like being active on a trip, try going on a soft adventure trip, and one that allows you to take days off or have a modified ride or hiking schedule. I talk about two of my favorite active adventure companies, Backroads and G Adventures. I go into greater detail about both in the podcast, and help you determine which one could be right for you.

I talk about some of the latest travel news, and preview my next podcast episode about my five favorite places to eat and things to see in Seattle.

Guide to first time cruising

Sat, 05 Sep 2020 08:00:00 -0600

Have you wanted to go on a cruise but haven't tried it yet? Let me help you figure out what to do when you want to try cruising for the first time. In this episode of The Sansei Traveler Podcast, I talk about why the vast majority of people haven't tried cruising, and why (even in this era of COVID-19) it's a great time for you to try it, especially if you haven't been on one before

Even with the COVID pandemic, cruise lines have already seen increased bookings for both 2021 and 2022. That's especially true for river cruising.

Cruise lines do have their ardent fans, but many others have misconceptions about the health protection and safety of cruising. Not surprisingly, cruise companies will go above and beyond to ensure public trust and integrity.

In the broadcast, I give you the best cruises to go on for each travel purpose, as well as six ways to prepare for your first cruise. I also report on several top travel news stories.

Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Need help with travel planning? Please check out my Cruise Planners site:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256

Next week's episode I'll report on two of my favorite active adventure travel companies, Backroads and G Adventures.

Thanks for your support!

San Francisco: my top 5 eats and to-do's

Sat, 22 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0600

I grew up in a town 90 miles south of San Francisco called Watsonville. Whenever my family wanted to do something special, we'd go to "The City" to see stage shows, concerts and sporting events, go Christmas shopping and enjoy great dining. I always thought I'd live there, but as the years went on, I realized that I couldn't and probably never will, because it's one of the most expensive places to live in the country.

Of course, that doesn't mean I don't like to visit. It's actually preferable to living there. Since I go to San Francisco at least twice a year because family is still there, it's home to me. As such, I have my favorite places to visit and to eat. I go into each of these in more detail in this episode.

My top 5 favorite places

Marina Green to Fort Point
Oracle Park
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
Golden Gate Park and Lands’ End
Marin Headlands

My top 5 favorite restaurants

Yank Sing
Tacorea
Any restaurant in Japan Center
La Taqueria
Boudin

Find out more about my blog, The Sansei Traveler, here:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Need help with travel planning? Please check out my Cruise Planners site:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

If you like this podcast, please give it a (great) review, subscribe and let your friends and family know about it!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sansei-traveler/id1521880256

Next week's episode will detail what to do when you're cruising for the first time. Don't let COVID-19 prevent you from experiencing the fun of going on a cruise!

Thanks for your support!

7 reasons why you need a travel advisor

Sat, 15 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0600

Some people think travel advisors barely exist, but more travelers are seeking our services. This is especially true as the COVID-19 pandemic has taken hold and disrupted travel.

Travel "agents" would essentially be order takers for people needing a flight, hotel, rental car, cruise or tour. Now we "advisors" are taking on a more consultative role. With travelers being more knowledgeable and informed, we can help clients make the right decisions when it comes to planning.

Here are seven reasons why you should consider hiring a travel advisor for your next vacation planning, (which I get into more detail in the podcast). You

o Can get better rates, prices and value

o Use industry connections for exclusive access

o Benefit from hiring trained professionals

o Get perks you can’t get elsewhere

o Have an advocate before, during and after travel

o Enhance your knowledge from destination and travel vendor experts

o Help you create unforgettable travel experiences

(Plus one more: Avoid travel research overwhelm)

Subscribe to the Sansei Traveler podcast and give a review!

If you'd like to know more about my travel agency, please click here:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

And if you'd like to know more about The Sansei Traveler:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Thanks for your support!

In the next episode of The Sansei Traveler Podcast, I'll let you know about what to do in my very favorite city in the world...San Francisco!

Chicago travel: 5 must-do activities

Sat, 08 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0600

My daughters and I went to Chicago a few weeks ago. The purpose was to visit a few campuses that my younger daughter is interested in to apply for college. But it was also to just get away from quarantine at home and get a change of scenery.

Although we debated on cancelling or going, we decided on moving forward and going. We took safety precautions – wearing face coverings, distancing, taking food out, washing our hands – very seriously wherever we went. Most people in the city did too, except for those on Lake Shore Drive Trail. I know it’s hard to wear a mask while running, walking or biking, but it still gave me pause.

We enjoyed the short weekend time we spent in the Windy City. In the podcast, I tell you some of the five must-do’s while you’re here. Granted, things may have been more fun if more places had been open, but we made the best of the situation.

Here are some of the places I mentioned on the broadcast:

Skydeck Chicago (at the Willis/Sears Tower)

Portillo’s

Lou Malnati’s

Navy Pier

Chicago’s First Lady Cruises

I also report on some news stories, particularly Royal Caribbean’s new Muster 2.0, with updated safety and evacuation procedures. If you’ve been on a cruise ship and done the muster drill, you’ll appreciate this new way to fulfill a necessary procedure. Disney World resorts will also open soon, on a staggered schedule. I personally think it’s too early to travel to Florida and to Disney World because of its being a pandemic hotspot.

Another update is on cruising. From an order from the CDC, cruises cannot sail until September 30th. This even applies to smaller lines, with a few dozen to a few hundred passengers total. This just typifies the fluid nature of how cruising and travel in general is going now.

Land tours: Domestic Travel Is Hot Right Now

Sat, 01 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0600

In this week's episode of The Sansei Traveler Podcast, I share how land tours, guided travel and independent customized trips are becoming more popular now, especially as cruises are still closed until October 2020. Domestic destinations, especially those in certain areas of the United States, are trending with those who want to travel now.

Trafalgar, a UK-based travel company that's been around for more than a century, is offering more US-centric itineraries. This is especially important as American travelers are currently restricted to where they can go. I gave Trafalgar as one example of a land-based tour company, but this is the case with others such as Collette, Globus and Trafalgar's sister companies Insight/Luxury Gold and Contiki.

I also spend some time talking about my family's trip to Japan last year, and how I enjoyed the guided group tour being in an unfamiliar country. Our trip was planned through InsideJapan, which I hope to talk about in a future episode.

Coming soon: Subscribe to The Sansei Traveler Podcast and give it a review

If you'd like to know more about my travel agency, please click here:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

And if you'd like to know more about The Sansei Traveler:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Cruising: What's Really Going on Right Now?

Sat, 01 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0600

In the next episode of The Sansei Traveler podcast, I talk about cruising and the current status of when they will next sail. The situation remains fluid, and as of today cruises won't happen until at least October 1st, and probably later.

I give you some of the official guidelines from the Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA), and how they've come to their next steps to ensure the health and safety of their guests. I try to dispel the idea that cruise ships are floating "Petri dishes" and can be quite safe and healthy for travel. I also mention some smaller cruise lines that you might want to consider if you still want to go on a cruise any time soon.

Cruising will look very different from pre-COVID times. Some cruises, when it does begin again, will probably be a less than full capacity and may even be only half-full. This would present an interesting opportunity to experience a cruise, especially if you haven't been on one and might be intimidated by the crowd sizes.

These lines have a smaller passenger capacity, about a few hundred or less, and definitely have a more intimate travel experience:

UnCruise
American Cruise Lines
American Queen
Windstar

If you'd like to know more about my travel agency, please click here:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

And if you'd like to know more about The Sansei Traveler:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Coming soon: subscribe to the Sansei Traveler podcast and give a review.

In the next episode of The Sansei Traveler Podcast, I'll give you my take on the land tours, guided group tours and independent customized travel, and why it's trending now.

Welcome to the Sansei Traveler podcast!

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 09:00:00 -0600

Hi - I'm Janice Sakata-Schultze, a certified travel advisor, blogger, writer and photographer. I have a home-based travel agency with Cruise Planners and a blog called The Sansei Traveler. This podcast is a companion to the blog. In this first episode, I'm just here to say "hi" and introduce you to the why of this podcast. I also talk a little about myself and giving you a quick update on the ever changing state of travel. You'll also learn about what's coming in the podcast, so please subscribe and let others know about it too!

I want to start a podcast because I want to be perceived as an authority in travel advising, and to a lesser extent travel in general. But more important, I want to inspire you to travel and discover things about active adventure, culinary and wellness travel that you may not know about or were not aware of. Most of all, I want you to be brave when you travel and never fear the unknown, because it can take you to something wonderful and memorable.

If you'd like to know more about my travel agency, please click here:
https://www.redrockstravelcompany.com

And if you'd like to know more about The Sansei Traveler:
https://www.sanseitraveler.com

Coming soon: subscribe to the Sansei Traveler podcast and give a review.

Thanks for your support - I'm looking forward to taking this journey with you! Next week...I'll be talking about the state of the cruise industry for summer 2020.