Episode 4: Christmas Time Eastern European Contiki tour (+ a Taste of Italia) with 3-time JEOPARDY! Winner Diandra

This week, I’m joined by my brilliant friend and 3-time Jeopardy! champion Diandra, who took on 6 countries in 10 days on a whirlwind Contiki tour through Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, and Italy — all during the cozy (and sometimes chilly!) Christmas Market months of November and December.From making pierogies in Warsaw to ice skating outside in Budapest, visiting Auschwitz, sailing through Venice on a gondola, and even exploring Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg, Diandra shares the highs, the heart, and the unexpected magic of fast-paced group travel.We talk about:How to make the most of a tightly packed itineraryContiki tips for all travelersBalancing heavy historical moments with lighthearted memoriesWhat she’d do differently — and what she’d do again in a heartbeatIf you’ve ever dreamed of seeing a lot in not a lot of time, this one’s for you.🎧 Hit play — and let’s wander.Timestamp:00:00 Varadero, Cuba: The Not-As-Planned Group Trip with Diandra in 20175:40 Overview of Contiki13:28 Warsaw: Meeting the Contiki Tour, Palace of Culture and Science + Blueberry Pierogis? 15:15: Krakow: Hourly Trumpets, Pazcki + Somber Reflection at Auschwitz21:50 Overview of Ibis Hotels24:17 Banská Bystrica: A Little Taste of Slovakia26:08 Budapest: Goulash, Ice Skating + Danube River Cruise31:37 Salzberg: Mozart, Mulled Wine + Ribs and Schnapps36:47 Ljubljana: Picturesque Lake Bled, Traditional Slovenian Dancing + Canadian Karaoke39:32 Venice and Rome Recap: Wine and Cicchetti Tours, Gondola Rides + Rome Tourist Highlights43:36 Contiki Reflections47:47 This or That: Eastern Europe + Italia Edition48:25 Listener Questions48:58 Closing Recommendations and Thoughts