Passport Diaries by TravelStore

How to Give the Gift of Travel

Now more than ever, people cherish memorable experiences over material goods. We travel professionals know there is nothing more meaningful than receiving the gift of travel - and we have endless real-life stories to prove it! It may be a story of an employer surprising his employee with a fully completed itinerary to Paris. Or, it may be the story of a mother-in-law sneakily upgrading her son and daughter-to-be’s flights from Economy to First Class on their way to their destination wedding. Whatever it may be, the surprise and joy of receiving a gift of travel stays with the recipient forever. Join us in this special Passport Diaries episode and hear from four of our expert Travel Advisors – Tanya Bryant, Michelle Keith, Patrick Hinds, and Julia Cadar – as they share real-world stories and ideas for how to give your loved ones travel memories…as well as advice on what NOT to do!

Family Travel with Cara Kobzeff: How living and traveling abroad broadens horizons and opens the world to kids

How valuable is it for kids to travel at a young age? What happens when kids grow up visiting other countries and are exposed to different cultures? According to Cara Kobzeff - a world-traveler extraordinaire - traveling as a family is incredibly valuable. Sh00:39:28e has been traversing the globe with her niece and nephew since they were young, taking them to places like Fiji, Jamaica, France and Spain. During the pandemic, they left the US and the kids got to experience living abroad in Mexico, surrounded by the culture. In this episode of Passport Diaries, we get to chat with all three members of this globe-trotting family. They share their favorite experiences, unexpected surprises and challenges of living abroad, and several great tips and tricks to make the most out of family travel. 
 
P.S. This episode is GREAT for travel foodies. One added benefit of traveling with kids is they are always hungry and happy to eat. In this episode, Ana and Eli describe the best meals they've ever had, including Jamaican beef patties, hot chocolate at a Michelin star restaurant in Paris, an elusive white pizza in Lourdes, Spanish Tortilla in San Sebastian, and many more treats. By the end of the episode, your mouth will be watering and your shopping cart will have a plane ticket in it.

The Great Lakes with Victory Cruise Lines: Sailing to big cities and tiny towns in search of Americana, maple syrup, and Niagara Falls

We’ve all heard of ocean and river cruises, but have you ever considered cruising the Great Lakes? On this episode of Passport Diaries, we set sail aboard the only cruise line that sails to all five lakes: Victory Cruise Lines. Join us to visit sites along Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. We’ll stop at Mackinac Island where only horse-drawn carriages and bicycles roam the fudge shoppe-lined streets of downtown. We will spend time with an Anishinaabe tribe to learn about the First Nation culture and experience a smudging ceremony. For rock and roll fans, we will visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. For architecture lovers, we’ll take the Towers & Design of Toronto tour to visit both the modern skyscraping CN Tower and Canada’s gorgeous Casa Loma castle. There is so much to discover along the shores of the Great Lakes, from the picturesque White Meadows Maple Farm to the roaring Niagara Falls.

Borneo with Susanne Hamer: Walking with Orangutans Away From The Crowds

If you have ever wondered what it's like to travel deep into Borneo's thick rainforests full of chittering wildlife, this is the episode for you! On today's Passport Diaries entry, we are joining travel expert Susanne Hamer on her journey to Borneo, Singapore, and Malaysia. Listen in on her experience taking a 2-hour boat ride into the jungle of Borneo to stay at multiple eco-lodges supporting Borneo's conservation efforts, watching long-limbed Orangutans swing freely from tree to tree above her, and spotting wild Malaysian elephants lumbering through the dense forest. She also makes stops in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur for excursions to the Hindu Batu Caves and the Petronas Twin Towers for jaw-dropping views. 
 
Join us for a phenomenal trip to Borneo and get to meet a true expert of off-the-beaten-path travel!
 
Passport Diaries is a travel podcast by TravelStore , here to bring you amazing stories from around the globe from our travel experts and partners.  

Africa with Sherwin Banda, Part 1: Why Travel to Africa Matters

On today's episode, we are taking our passports to get stamped in Africa with the President of African Travel, Sherwin Banda. Sherwin shares why Africa is "the world's best kept secret" when it comes to travel. He also talks about what makes him excited to share Africa with first-timers to the continent and how tourism is a necessary part of the conservation efforts for Africa's wildlife and cultural heritage. Listen in for Sherwin's personal stories of going on safari in Africa, like spotting a leopard with an expert game tracker, and hear how Africa is more than just an incredible place to visit - it's a feeling. 
Photos and videos courtesy of Katie Cadar, Africa Specialist at TravelStore.
Passport Diaries is a travel podcast by @TravelStoreInc, here to bring you amazing stories from around the globe with our travel experts and partners.

Cruising with Cunard: Transatlantic Crossings, Alaska, Caribbean Islands, and World Voyages

In this episode of Passport Diaries from TravelStore, climb aboard one of the four Queens of Cunard and set sail around the globe. We invite you to hear from Cunard Cruise expert Cindy Woloshyn about her personal experience doing a Transatlantic crossing aboard the Queen Mary 2, why the East Caribbean itinerary is her favorite, and how the Alaska itinerary aboard the Queen Elizabeth is a delight for all members of the family. If that's not enough, pack a bag and find out what it's like to visit 40 countries across all seven countries on the trip of a lifetime: the World Voyage aboard a Cunard Queen. From glitzy gala nights to the best fish and chips of your life at the Golden Lion pub, discover what treasures await you on a Cunard cruise. Passport Diaries is a travel podcast by @TravelStoreInc, here to bring you amazing stories from around the globe with our travel experts and partners.

Japan with Katie Cadar: Discovering Hidden Corners on a Ponant Expedition Cruise

In today’s episode of Passport Diaries, hear from TravelStore's adventure travel expert Katie Cadar about her recent trip to the far reaches of Japan. Katie shares her experiences aboard a Ponant Cruises expedition ship to tiny Japanese villages that rarely see tourists. She talks about meandering through ancient streets surrounded by Edo architecture while a modern car zips by, being invited into a village chief’s home for tea and cookies while a musician plays a traditional Japanese instrument, taking a Zodiac out to see a huge rock formation in the shape of Napoleon’s head, and so much more. Ryo, the Japan Coordinator for Ponant Cruises, spent three years meeting with village leaders to craft this itinerary and to make sure bringing tourists to these remote villages was not only feasible, but welcomed by the villagers themselves. It is a fantastic conversation with Katie and a great example of getting away from the crowds to connect with another culture. 
Passport Diaries is a travel podcast by TravelStore, here to bring you amazing stories from around the globe from our travel experts and partners.