The Departure Lounge

We’re crossing the Atlantic to explore North America, from the bright lights of the USA to Canada’s wilderness and Mexico’s rich history and culture. Joined by special guest Jenny, the team share their favourite experiences from across the continent, swap travel tips, and discuss why there’s never been a better time to plan a trip.There’s a twist on this week’s Deal Challenge as Allie builds Aaron the ultimate North American itinerary, fitting the USA, Canada and Mexico into one unforgettable holiday. We also look at new EU passenger rights that could make flying a little easier, uncover one of the most chilling archaeological discoveries ever made beneath Mexico City, and round things off with three facts to reveal next week’s destination.In this episodeTravel State of Mind – What the new EU airline passenger rights mean for travellers, from cabin bags to family seating.The Deal Challenge – Can you build the ultimate North American adventure, visiting the USA, Canada and Mexico in a single trip?Destination Deep Dive – Jenny, Gee and Allie share their favourite destinations, travel stories and tips from across North America.Don’t Go Alone – The terrifying discovery of the Aztec tzompantli beneath Mexico City and what it revealed about the ancient capital.Destination Unknown – Three facts to guess next week’s destinationAllie's Ultimate West Coast Adventure3 weeks · 3 countries · ~4,500 miles. Fly into Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), fly home from Calgary (Canada). Two border crossings, four US states, two Canadian provinces — desert, Pacific coast, volcanoes and glaciers.Best time to go: Late June to mid-July. It gets better the further north you go, and it's peak orca season in the San Juans.The route, day by dayAct 1 — Baja California, Mexico- Day 1 · Cabo San Lucas — boat to the Land's End arch.- Day 2 · Todos Santos — art town; lunch at Hotel California (order the tequila).- Day 3 · La Paz — malecón, seafood, whale sharks/sea lions (seasonal).- Day 4 · Baja desert → Tijuana — drive Highway 1, drop the car, walk the border at San Ysidro, Trolley into San Diego. (Maybe skip Tijuana as the FCDO are currently advising against travel there)Act 2 — Southern California- San Diego — zoo, Balboa Park, fish tacos; morning hop to Tijuana's Zona Río.- → LA on the Pacific Surfliner. LA (2 nights, no car): Walk of Fame, In-N-Out, Griffith at dusk, Venice Beach, Sunset Blvd.- → San Francisco on the overnight Coast Starlight.Act 3 — California- San Francisco — Alcatraz (book ahead), Fisherman's Wharf, Bubba Gump.- Yosemite (2 nights) — Half Dome, Glacier Point, Vernal Falls (permit needed).- → Point Reyes → Mendocino up Highway 1.Act 4 — Oregon- Oregon Dunes → Crater Lake (rim drive + Cleetwood Cove Trail) → Portland (Kennedy School, Powell's Books, Voodoo Doughnut).Act 5 — Pacific Northwest- Mount St Helens → Seattle (2 nights): Pike Place, Chihuly, Space Needle, Fremont Troll → San Juan Islands orca watching.Act 6 — Canada- Vancouver (2 nights) (eTA in advance) → Sea to Sky → Whistler → Kamloops → Banff (2 nights) + Icefields Parkway → Calgary, fly home.Book in advanceAlcatraz ferry · Yosemite permit · Canada eTA · USA ESTAThe numbers (for two)Flights ~£2,900 · hire cars ~£1,500–1,900 · trains £200–300 · accommodation £3,500–4,000 · activities £600–800 · food & fuel £3,000 → Grand total ~£11,000–12,500.

This week we’re heading to Greece, where ancient myths, island-hopping adventures, and all-inclusive holidays collide. With Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey arriving in cinemas soon, Aaron, Gee and Allie explore why we’re still obsessed with Greece thousands of years after Odysseus supposedly sailed its seas.The team takes on a very specific Deal Challenge, attempting to book Aaron the ultimate all-inclusive break somewhere connected to Odysseus’ legendary journey. Along the way they discuss the Greek evil eye, whether social media has turned Greece into the world’s most photographed destination, and debate if the country’s most famous islands are still worth the hype.Plus three facts to guess the destination for next week’s episode.In this episode:The Deal Challenge – Book Aaron an all-inclusive holiday somewhere linked to Odysseus’ journeyDon’t Go Alone – The evil eye, ancient superstition, and why Greeks still wear protective charms todayGate Change – Has social media changed Greece forever, and can a destination still feel mythical when everyone’s already seen it online?

This week we're heading to one of Spain's most beautiful cities – Seville. Aaron and Gee have both been, Allie hasn't, and she has questions.We get into the current state of travel (it's complicated), put Gee and Allie to work on a last-minute booking challenge, uncover a dark piece of Seville's history that might put you off your lunch, and have a heated debate about whether tapas is actually overrated. Spoiler: Aaron thinks it is.Plus – three facts to guess the destination for next week's episode.In this episode:The Deal Challenge – £350pp, last-minute, flying from LondonDon't Go Alone – the Spanish Inquisition and a very popular food marketGate Change – is tapas culture overrated, and is Seville becoming a victim of its own success?