• Experiencing the Las Vegas Sphere: First Timers Guide
    May 8 2026

    We’re taking you inside The Sphere, one of the most talked-about attractions in Las Vegas. We’re sharing our firsthand experience attending Illenium’s Odyssey show and what makes this next-generation venue unlike any other, from its massive 360° LED screen and immersive visuals to spatial audio and interactive effects that make you feel like you’re inside the performance. You’ll also get practical tips on tickets, seating, and what to expect when visiting, making this episode a must-listen for anyone planning to see a show at the Sphere.

    Hotels in Las Vegas we recommend:

    • The Venetian - The Sphere is connected to this hotel

    • We love The Flamingo for a good location on the strip at a great price with amenities, a good free pool and flamingos!

    • Or check out these highly rated hotels in Las Vegas

    Check out the Las Vegas experiences and activities we recommend in our curated Viator shop.

    Find a great flight deal to Las Vegas, or anywhere else, with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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    Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com 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!

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    9 mins
  • Dallas, Texas: Best Fun Things to See, Do & Eat When Visiting
    May 5 2026

    We’re taking you to Dallas, TX, a vibrant and fast-growing city packed with incredible food, unique neighborhoods, and endless things to do. From scenic spots like the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and the Katy Trail to deep history at the The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, we’re covering how to explore Dallas like a local, a few restaurants and spas we love and share practical tips for navigating this sprawling Texas city.

    Episode Highlights:

    • Top things to do in Dallas

    • Best neighborhoods: Deep Ellum & Bishop Arts District

    • Unique stops like the Eyeboretum

    • Spa experiences at WorldSprings & Spa Castle

    • Where to eat: Pecan Lodge, Hutchins BBQ & Eatzi's Market & Bakery

    • Travel tips: weather, transportation & hotels

    Hotels in Dallas we recommend:

    • Canvas Hotel Dallas

    • Marriott Dallas Las Colinas

    • Magnolia Hotel Dallas Downtown

    • Or check out these highly rated Dallas hotels

    Find more fun things to do in Dallas, and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to, in our curated Viator shop.

    Find a great flight deal to Dallas, or anywhere else, with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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    Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

    Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com 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

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    31 mins
  • Which Hawaiian Island is Right for You? The Pros and Cons of Each, and Which Ones Are Better Suited to Your Travel Style and Wants
    May 1 2026
    This week's Just the Tip episode will help you choose which Hawaiian island to visit (or in which order!) to best match your travel style and what you want to see and do in Hawaii.Download our ⁠Big Island itinerary⁠ and check out these ⁠recommended activities ⁠to optimize your time there! Where to stay in Big Island (Kona Hotels): ⁠PACIFIC 19 Kona⁠, ⁠Royal Kona Resort⁠, ⁠Courtyard by Marriott⁠Download our ⁠8-day Kauai itinerary⁠ and check out these ⁠recommended activities⁠ for all the best things in Kauai.Where to stay in Kauai: ⁠Club Wyndham Bali Hai Villas⁠, ⁠Nihilani 22C: Spacious Condo⁠, ⁠Ko’a Kea Resort on Po’ipu Beach⁠, ⁠Sheraton Kauai Resort⁠ Download our ⁠Oahu itinerary⁠ and check out these ⁠recommended activities⁠ before you go!Where to stay in Oahu: ⁠⁠Park Shore Waikiki⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Aston Waikiki Beach Tower⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore⁠⁠⁠.⁠Check out these ⁠recommended activities⁠ in Maui. Where to stay in Maui: ⁠AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea⁠, ⁠Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort⁠ or ⁠The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa Find a great flight deals to Hawaii, or anywhere else, with ⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠, sign up to 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 travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com 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!
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    17 mins
  • 4 Days in Beautiful Oahu, Hawaii
    Apr 28 2026

    We’re taking you along for a four-day trip to Oahu, Hawaii for beach adventures, Hawaiian living, outdoor and historical adventures.

    Highlights of Oahu in this episode:

    • Waikiki Beach
    • Foodland
    • Hiking Manoa Falls, Koko Crater Tramway, Lanikai Pill Box Trail
    • The North Shore beaches
    • Pearl Harbor
    • Dining at local spots like Kono's and Ted's Bakery


    If you want to take this exact trip, you can download our ⁠Oahu Itinerary⁠.

    These are the hotels, tours, and resources we recommend in Oahu:

    • Waikiki: ⁠Park Shore Waikiki⁠, ⁠Aston Waikiki Beach Tower⁠, or ⁠Halepuna Waikiki⁠
    • North Shore: ⁠Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore⁠ or ⁠Turtle Bay Resort⁠
    • ⁠Oahu activities we recommend via Viator⁠

    If you're looking for a flight deal to Oahu, or anywhere else, we recommend signing up for⁠ Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠ to get daily flight deals (points & cash) emailed directly to you! Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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    Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠&⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠

    Connect:⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠, and⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com 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!

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    56 mins
  • 2 Days of Joshua Tree National Park's Best Hikes & Scenic Stops
    Apr 24 2026

    Learn everything you need to plan the perfect 2-day trip to Joshua Tree National Park. We’ve been three times now and are telling you the best hikes, scenic stops, and must-see rock formations like Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, Arch Rock, and Ryan Mountain. Plus we share tips for how to prepare for desert conditions, where to find the best stargazing spots, what to download before entering the park and where to eat near Joshua Tree.

    Here are a few places to stay near Joshua Tree: Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, & RESET Hotel. You can also check out a full list of hotels near Joshua Tree for more options.

    Find a great flight deal to SoCal, or anywhere else, with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals alerts. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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    Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

    Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com 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!

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    21 mins
  • Destinations We Want to Return To – and a Few We Don’t
    Apr 21 2026

    We’re sharing the destinations we would go back to in a heartbeat and the ones we feel are one-and-done. From bucket list favorites like Japan, Greece, and Uganda to more debated spots like Morocco and Singapore, we’re giving our unfiltered takes.

    Plus, we’re featuring Squaddie input from, sharing where YOU would and wouldn’t return, and how those opinions have even influenced our future travel plans. Tune in for honest travel reviews, surprising takes, and inspiration for planning your next trip.

    Find a great flight deal with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deal alerts. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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    Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

    Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com 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!

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Experience the Best Hot Springs in La Fortuna, Costa Rica with Arenal Volcano Views
    Apr 17 2026

    We’re taking you to The Springs Resort & Spa, the most scenic and fun hot springs resort in La Fortuna. We’re giving you the details on how the day pass works, why this spot stands out with its 25 thermal pools and water slide, how to enjoy the swim-up bar and restaurants, and share the epic views of Arenal Volcano.

    More Costa Rica Travel Resources

    • Costa Rica 1 Week Itinerary

    • Things to do in Costa Rica via our curated Viator list

    • Stay at Arenal Paraíso Resort & Thermo Mineral Hot Springs

    Find a great flight deal to San Jose, Costa Rica 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.

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    Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

    Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com 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!


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    15 mins
  • 7 Days Exploring Costa Rica's Highlights and Must-Dos
    Apr 14 2026

    We spent 7 days in Costa Rica hiking to waterfalls, spotting wild sloths in the jungle, soaking in volcano-fed hot springs, and exploring our way through this amazing country. On this trip we flew in and out of San Jose and bookended our trip there. We spent two nights in Arenal and two nights in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

    Episode Highlights:

    • Costa Rica Travel Tips
    • Hiking to the best views of the Arenal Volcano
    • Things to do in La Fortuna including: The Springs Resort, Sky Adventures Arenal Park & La Fortuna Waterfall
    • Things to do in Monteverde including: Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, Sloth Observatory, El Tigre Waterfall hike, Santa Elena Reserva Bosque Nuboso


    Take this exact same trip by following our⁠⁠Costa Rica Itinerary⁠⁠ - download the PDF guide now!

    Check out our⁠⁠ Costa Rica Viator Experiences⁠⁠ for all activities we recommend and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to.

    Hotels we stayed at on this trip:

    • ⁠DoubleTree by Hilton Cariari⁠⁠ - San Jose Costa Rica
    • ⁠Arenal Hotel⁠⁠ - Arenal Paraíso Resort & Thermo Mineral Hot Springs
    • ⁠Monteverde Hotel⁠⁠ - El Establo Mountain Hotel


    If you're looking for a flight deal to Costa Rica, or anywhere else, we recommend signing up for ⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠ to get daily flight deals (points & cash) emailed directly to you! Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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    Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠&⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠

    Connect:⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠, and⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com 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!

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    1 hr and 26 mins