Go See Do Explore cover art

Go See Do Explore

Go See Do Explore

By: Go See Do Explore
Listen for free

About this listen

 Go See Do Explore is for travelers who make it work. We share stories, hacks, and perspectives from people who fit travel into everyday life—whether it’s weekend escapes or long-haul adventures. No fluff, no filters—just honest travel talk.Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Travel Smarter: B-Side Destinations, Route 66 Dreams, and the Best Travel Advice from the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show

    Travel Smarter: B-Side Destinations, Route 66 Dreams, and the Best Travel Advice from the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show
    Mar 8 2026

    Travel Inspiration from the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show

    We attended the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show and heard from some of the most respected voices in travel. Here are the ideas that stuck with us.

    Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra.

    Seek Out “B-Side” Destinations

    Travel expert Samantha Brown encouraged travelers to look beyond Europe’s most famous cities.

    Instead of only visiting places like Venice or Florence, consider nearby destinations that offer incredible culture with fewer crowds—like Bologna or Modena in Italy.

    These “B-side” cities often deliver deeper, more authentic travel experiences.

    Is Route 66 the Most Iconic American Road Trip?

    With the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026, several speakers highlighted it as one of the most meaningful road trips in the United States.

    Rather than rushing from Chicago to Santa Monica, consider tackling the route in segments and exploring the small towns and stories along the way.

    Travel Like a Local

    Travel writer Jen Ruiz shared how her travels changed when she started staying with local families.

    Homestays and local connections can transform a trip from sightseeing into cultural immersion—offering experiences that are nearly impossible to replicate in traditional hotels.

    A Simple Way to Give Back While Traveling

    One initiative we learned about was Pack for a Purpose, which allows travelers to bring requested supplies to communities they visit.

    It’s a small way to create a positive impact while traveling.

    Smart Travel Planning Tips

    Pauline Frommer shared several practical strategies that can help travelers save money and plan smarter.

    When to Book Flights

    According to their research:

    • Domestic flights: best booked 15–30 days in advance
    • International flights: best booked 31–45 days in advance

    That timing can sometimes save travelers hundreds compared to booking many months in advance.

    Gateway Hopping

    Another strategy is flying into a major hub city and then connecting onward on a budget airline.

    For example:

    • Fly to major gateways like New York, Barcelona, London, or Paris
    • Then book a short flight to your final destination

    This approach can dramatically reduce airfare costs.

    Chicago Highlights from the Trip

    A Classic Chicago Steakhouse

    One of our favorite experiences was dinner at Gene & Georgetti, a legendary Chicago steakhouse known for its old-school atmosphere and incredible steaks.

    If you love classic steakhouses, this one is worth the splurge.

    Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

    We continued our unofficial mission to try Chicago’s most famous deep-dish pizza spots.

    This trip’s stop: Lou Malnati’s, a Chicago favorite known for its buttery crust.

    A World-Class Tiki Bar

    We also returned to Three Dots and a Dash, one of the most famous tiki bars in the world.

    If you visit, make a reservation—this place fills up fast.

    Key Takeaways

    Some of our biggest travel lessons from the show:

    • Look beyond famous destinations for richer travel experiences
    • Some of the best travel ideas come from conversations with other travelers
    • You don’t always need to travel farther—just travel smarter
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
  • Toronto in February: One King West, a Day Trip to Wine Country, and the Shameful Tiki Room

    Toronto in February: One King West, a Day Trip to Wine Country, and the Shameful Tiki Room
    Feb 22 2026
    A long weekend escape to Toronto that somehow included a cheese-wheel pasta moment, a winter-friendly “walk indoors” downtown route, a surprise winery day trip, and (of course) a tiki bar stop. Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra. In this episode Ashleigh and Christopher recap their February getaway to Toronto, including where they stayed, what they ate, the best sights for a cold-weather trip, and a side quest to Niagara-on-the-Lake for wine tasting—plus a final stop for iconic Windsor-style pizza on the way home. Highlights & trip recap Where we stayed One King West Hotel & Residence (near the line between the Financial District and Old Town) Why we loved it: great amenities (breakfast/coffee, bar/restaurant, fitness center, spa) and an ideal, walkable location Getting there Originally planned to take the train, but price jumped—driving ended up being the better deal Having a car also made the day trip possible Best meal of the weekend Sal’s Pasta & Chops (Little Italy) The showstopper: tableside pasta tossed in a Parmesan wheel (yes, a literal cheese “mixing bowl”) Also: fried artichokes—and lots of extra cheese on top Tourist day: downtown classics CN Tower Go early for lighter crowds We paid extra for the higher observation deck Fun fact: the tower’s origin story is tied to broadcasting/antenna needs as Toronto’s buildings got taller Ripley’s Aquarium Busy on the holiday weekend (so many kids!) The moving walkway exhibit made it much easier to see sharks, stingrays, turtles, and big fish even when crowded Market lunch St. Lawrence Market for sandwiches + pastéis de nata Note to future travelers: we learned the hard way it’s not open on Monday (plan accordingly) Valentine’s dinner curveball A reservation got canceled without explanation, so we pivoted to The Carbon Bar Barbecue Place with multi-course menu options Day trip: Niagara-on-the-Lake A chance to finally explore one of Canada’s most famous wine areas Wineries we visited: Tawse (Burgundy-focused, standout tasting—so good we brought bottles home) Ravine (beautiful property, tasting room + restaurant, great for a longer lunch-style stop) Lunch: The Olde Angel Inn (historic vibes + a little ghost lore) Strolling the town: coffee, shops, and lots of “we need to come back” energy Tiki stop Shameful Tiki Room Lounge seating, strong drinks, and a mystery bowl that comes with a gong moment Food is more snacky—good to know before you go Last morning: Hockey Hall of Fame A must for hockey fans (and surprisingly exciting even if you’re just nostalgic for the Red Wings era) Seeing the Stanley Cup + classic jerseys, gear, and trophies Great exhibits, including women in hockey, plus interactive stations (shooting pucks, etc.) Final food mission: Windsor pizza We crossed to Windsor specifically to try it What makes it “Windsor-style”: distinctive shredded cheese, pepperoni cut into strips, and the classic canned mushroom vibe Pro tip: if you’re heading back across the border right after, consider ordering smaller than you think Bonus travel tip Windsor can be shockingly affordable for hotels compared to Detroit—worth considering if you have a passport and don’t mind the border logistics.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Puerto Rico in a Week: Old San Juan, Santurce, and the Stops We’d Repeat

    Puerto Rico in a Week: Old San Juan, Santurce, and the Stops We’d Repeat
    Feb 8 2026
    Puerto Rico in a Week: Old San Juan, Santurce, and the Stops We’d Repeat A last-minute holiday trip turned into one of our favorite Puerto Rico itineraries yet. This was our fifth visit to the island, and instead of trying to see everything, we split the trip between Old San Juan and Santurce, rented a car only when it made sense, and focused on the experiences we genuinely love repeating. In this episode, we share the practical decisions that made this trip work, what we’d do differently next time, and the places we keep returning to — from winter baseball and rum tours to beach days, food favorites, and one surprisingly great seasonal fast-food discovery. Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra. Trip Strategy That Worked Split Your Stay Old San Juan WalkableHigh energy day and nightBest explored without a car Santurce Arts, museums, nightlifeGood base for driving day tripsNeighborhood choice matters more than you might expect Rental Car Tip That Saved Hundreds Instead of renting directly at the airport, we took a short Uber ride to an off-airport rental location and saved a significant amount of money. This strategy works in many destinations, not just Puerto Rico. What We Did Old San Juan Favorites Paseo de la Princesa Christmas Lights Walk-through light displaysFood vendors and craftsA lively extension of the holiday season well into January Rum Walking Tour One of the best ways to discover places you would normally walk pastIncludes historical context plus bar and restaurant stops Carly’s Fine Bistro A memorable stop from the rum tourKnown for live piano and excellent mojitos La Factoría Famous cocktail bar with multiple hidden roomsSalsa and nightlife atmosphere later in the evening Ferry to Cataño + Bacardí If you want to visit Bacardí while staying in Old San Juan, the ferry provides an easy and scenic route across the bay. Puerto Rico Winter Baseball League One of the most unexpectedly fun nights of the trip. Affordable ticketsStrong local energyRuns roughly November through JanuaryLeads into the Caribbean Series Even if you are not a huge baseball fan, this is a great cultural experience. Santurce Experiences La Placita Farmers market during the dayTurns into a nightlife hub in the evening Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico Excellent introduction to Puerto Rican art and historyLarge sculpture garden and park area Sunset Salsa Class at Ocean Park Beach Beautiful locationConsider smaller or private classes if you want more instruction time El Yunque National Forest Mount Britton Trail Short but steepModerate difficulty with significant elevation gainWorth it for the views We also saw progress being made on trails closed since Hurricane Maria, which was encouraging. Luquillo Beach (Returned Three Times) Why we love it: Protected cove with safer swimming conditions in winterExcellent food kiosksEasy to spend several hours relaxing here Glass-Bottom Kayak Tour (Condado Lagoon) Early morning tours provide the best wildlife viewing opportunitiesWe saw rays, turtles, puffer fish, and iguanas Ron del Barrilito Distillery Heritage tour offers strong historical insightGreat option if you enjoy rum and want a smaller-scale production experience Where We Ate and Drank Old San Juan El Viejo Almacén Argentinian steakhouse we return to every visit Favorite order: meat platter for two Orabori Empanadas Casual, affordable, and excellent quick lunch option Cafetería Mallorca Historic café known for coffee and traditional pastries Tip: Arrive early on cruise ship days El Vino Crudo Natural wine bar with standout creative dishes Higher price point but memorable meal Chocobar Cortés Chocolate-inspired breakfast and brunch dishes plus excellent drinks La Madre Reliable modern Mexican restaurant with great margaritas Café Cola’o Small shop serving excellent Puerto Rican coffee at surprisingly reasonable prices Condado / Isla Verde Area Barista Squared Specialty Puerto Rican coffee in a more resort-oriented area Cayo Blanco Excellent Puerto Rican cuisine Standout dish: churrasco steak Unexpected Favorite Seasonal Coquito Frosty A holiday drink inspired by Puerto Rico’s traditional coconut holiday beverage. Surprisingly good and widely available during the Christmas season. Wine Break: Why Some Cheap Bottles Are Worth Saving We opened a 2018 Bordeaux purchased for around $15 and aged at home. After several years, it drank like a much more expensive bottle. A simple storage space and tracking app can make aging wine accessible and affordable. Where We Stayed Old San Juan Vacation rental on Calle San Francisco A quieter area that still allows easy walking access to major sites. What We Would Do Differently Next Time Stay closer to Santurce’s museum or arts districtConsider spending more time in Luquillo or FajardoLook for smaller group salsa classes Planning ...
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.