Travelogue | Condé Nast Traveler

A recap of the year's good, bad, and tragic travel moments. After three years of the Travelogue podcast, this is our last episode. We’ve had such an amazing time sharing our travel stories and tips with you, and want to thank you for being such loyal listeners. Read more here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/a-year-in-travel-2018-travelogue-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

January 2019 marks the first transatlantic print issue of Condé Nast Traveler—and what better issue to launch with than an exhaustive list of our New York and London editors' favorite hotels, resorts, and cruise ships? In honor of this inaugural edition and our annual best-of-the-best Gold List, we put together a cast of British and American editors to chat about what it really takes to make the cut. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

For the most part, travel goes smoothly. But when it doesn't, it seems like it really doesn't: The river cruise you've been waiting the whole year to take is skipping a port you're excited about due to low water levels. Or your flight is delayed. And delayed. Delayed, delayed, delayed again, until eventually, it's canceled. Say you finally get on a flight, then, only to arrive at your destination and find that your hotel room has been given to someone else, since you didn't check in when you said you would. But what do you actually do in any or all of these situations, and better yet, what rights do you have? On this latest episode of the Travelogue podcast, we set out to answer these questions. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

All year long, Condé Nast Traveler editors meet with hotel owners and cruise operators, tourism boards and globe trotters, to pick their brains; we rack up air miles checking out new openings and revisiting places we haven't seen in 20 years. We talk to our peers in the U.K. at Condé Nast Traveller (two Ls, folks) about where they're heading next year. And we take all that intel and wrangle it this annual list of the best places to go next year—19 in 2019, lest you get bored. For more info: https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/19-best-places-to-go-in-2019 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this week's episode of Travelogue, our editors are walk through our gift guides and give a few hints as to what they're giving this year (and what they're hoping to get). There's a little bit of everything: luggage (Away, of course), stocking stuffers to help reduce your plastic consumption, and the noise-cancelling headphones we've been raving about. Find all of the products mentioned at: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/everything-we-want-for-christmas-this-year-travelogue-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This'll serve you well on your second—or twenty-second—visit, too. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

It's possible, we swear. Tune in to hear: Samantha Brown, host of PBS's Places to Love and mom to five-year-old twins Ellis and Elizabeth; Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler's features director and mom to Nell (12), Charlie (17), and Sam (19); Gina Lee, senior director of product at Priceline and mom to Sebastian (4) and Colette (5 months); Brian Sumers, senior aviation business editor at Skift and dad to Taylor (19 months); and host Laura Redman, Condé Nast Traveler's deputy digital director and mom to Hailey (18 months). See the full show notes at https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-to-survive-holiday-travel-with-the-kids-travelogue-podcast. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This episode originally aired October 20, 2017. Packing up your life and moving halfway around the world is exciting, but it can also be extremely challenging. Here, we learn from those who have done it. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

For many of us, road trips across the U.S. were our first introduction to travel—for others who grew up abroad, the road trip was the pinnacle of American-ness. In this episode, our editors tackle the do's, don'ts, and *oh hell no's* of the road trip. And, as usual with *Traveler* editors, there is no grey area. Only the most navigation-savvy person gets to sit in the passenger seat. That's right, shotgun does not apply. The shortest person gets the middle seat (#sorrynotsorry). The driver gets the all-powerful veto on music, full stop. And wild card: Italy's Autogrill may one-up any American rest stop. Be prepared for lots of laughs, and plenty of yelling. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The first thing you need to know is that this is a part two of sorts, to an overtourism podcast episode we ran in 2017. You should probably that episode first. But in this week's episode, we check in on places in almost every stage of overtourism—from the brink of discovery (the Azores), to the one who's got it all figured out (Bhutan), to the city potentially past the point of no return (Venice). All while arguing over whether this overtourism problem facing islands, cities, and entire countries around the world will ever have a perfect solution. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

When 429,000 of you speak, we listen—and then we talk about it on the podcast. If you want to know how the sausage gets made, why editor-favorite Hot List hotels (and destinations) are popping up in our RCAs faster than ever, why we're so freaking excited that Traveler readers voted a hotel like the Sagamore Pendry Baltimore as the number one hotel in the U.S., listen in. (Visit cntraveler.com for a list of all hotels mentioned.) Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Those who know it wouldn't dare call Chicago a second city, so it's no wonder it won the best city in the U.S. in our recently released Readers' Choice Awards. Listen in for intel on where to eat, stay, and play in Chicago. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Warning: Do not listen to this episode on an empty stomach. From fries to doner kebabs, here's what our editors eat after hours. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Do you opt for the durability of a hard shell or the flexibility of soft canvas? Is a built-in battery a must-have or a frivolous marketing ploy? Does the way a suitcase looks matter more than how smoothly it rolls? These luggage questions spark iron-clad opinions in frequent travelers. So on this week's episode, we hit the proverbial baggage claim to look at the backpacks, rollaboards, and check-in suitcases that rule... And the ones that don't. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

From Mexico to New York, here are some fall getaways we can't wait to take. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We cover when it's ok to eat with your hands (steak, never; bacon, always), as well as how to navigate all the different utensils, how picky you're allowed to be, and our overall pet peeves. (Don't use flash photography. Just don't.) Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Every September, knuckles from Maine to Venezuela whiten with the approach of storm season, that 3-month window when the wide stretch of the Atlantic between Dakar and Antigua threatens to fling spirals of torrential rain and wind at our eastern coasts. In this episode, we give you tips on staying safe and protecting your vacation in hurricane zones, including how to choose a low-risk island and what to do when things go wrong. We'll revisit the classics, and update you on Puerto Rico, St. Barth's, St. Maarten, and other spots that were hit hard during last year's season. And we'll tell you, as we've told you many times before, why it's so important to go—not just for them, but for you. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Historical sites, the best dive bars, and (of course) the Green Monstah: We cover it all. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Because we actually planned in advance this year... Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The tried, tested, and new. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Your squeeze-the-most-outta-those-precious-18-summers playbook to family travel. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Wait. What's that? You still haven't been to Sydney? What the "bloody hell" are you waiting for? Actually, it's all good. Because on this week's episode, our editors who know, love, and, in some cases, have lived in Australia's biggest city tell you exactly what you need to know for your first trip down there. We unpack everything, from why you should not be put off by the long flight over to the neighborhoods to hit, day trips to take, and beaches to spend entire days on. And then, well, there's the food... Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Spoiler alert: none of them are vegetables. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Do you take a bath? Raid the mini-bar? Work in the lobby? Get your towels replaced every day? Use the hotel safe? As usual, our editors have lots of opinions, and duke it out over hotel do's and don'ts in this week's episode. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

It seems fair to say Tony Bourdain changed travel even more than he changed food. He may not have *invented* what we now call “experiential” or “immersive” travel, but it *was* how he rolled, and he did it so completely, so consistently, and on such massive stages that it’s become the default mode of travel for an entire generation, leading to a wholesale reshaping of the industry. So in this week’s pod we take a look at how his work, from *Kitchen Confidential* through *Cook’s Tour* and *No Reservations* all the way to *Parts Unknown*, laid down not just a way of looking at the world, but of moving through it. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this week's episode, we handed the hosting reins over to contributing media editor Mark Ellwood to answer some complicated questions: Is LGBTQ+ travel political just because it's LGBTQ+ travel? Does spending your money as an LGBTQ+ traveler mean you're encouraging anti-queer policies? The answers? That's complicated, too. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Here at the Traveler office, we may disagree on a few things, but Barcelona isn’t one of them. What’s not to love? The capital of Catalonia is at once a late-night party town and a destination for those seeking time-traveling tranquility; a place where you can be eating Michelin-starred tapas one minute and listening to live jazz on the rooftop of a Gaudí masterpiece the next. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

There are some things that are just too damn big to fit into our little brains: The scale of the universe, the size of a T-Rex, the amount of plastic in our oceans. To wrap our heads around it, we need to resort to analogies, comparisons, or shrink the problem down into something comprehensible—so how's this? The equivalent of an entire NYC garbage truck full of plastic enters our oceans every minute, and by 2050, there will be more plastic in the sea than fish. Or this: There are 500 times more pieces of plastic on earth than there are stars in our galaxy. But despite the problem being so immense, sometimes we don't notice it until it washes up on our favorite beach, or gets into our favorite food (yep, there are probably microplastics in that tuna you're eating). This week on the Travelogue podcast, we try our best to understand the magnitude of plastic's hold on our ocean ecosystems—and talk about what you can do to end it. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Air travel this summer is going to be nuts: Some 246.1 million passengers will fly on U.S. airlines between June 1 and August 31—an average of about 2.68 million passengers per day, according to the recent forecast from Airlines for America (A4A), a trade group that represents the largest airlines in the U.S. Put more simply? That security line—and the one at your regular airport Auntie Anne's—is going to be longer than usual. Here's what you can do to minimize the stress of handling the summer rush. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Each year, we vet hundreds (hundreds!) of hotel openings around the world to produce our annual selection of the best of the new: the Hot List. We're not gonna lie, it's a sweet gig. But there's a lot more to the process than simply dialing room service, testing the fluffiness of bathrobes, and hoping the bartender in the (fabulous) lobby bar remembers that we like our Old Fashioneds with *one* piece of ice. On this week's podcast we unpack just what goes into the year-long process of creating the final list. And in the process, we ask ourselves how the meaning of "great," when it comes to hotels, may be changing. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Everyone has their summer vacation spot—the beach bungalow on the Outer Banks or the Jersey Shore, or the lake house in Michigan or Idaho where the whole family gathers every year. It's wonderful, it's nostalgic, it...gets old. What if you could convince the crew to visit, say, Isla Holbox in Mexico this Fourth of July, where there aren't any crowds or chain restaurants, the weather is in the mid-80s, and the hot new Punta Caliza resort just opened? Or maybe you plan that trip to Switzerland you always wanted to take because the Swiss franc is no longer stronger than the U.S. dollar, and resorts in St. Moritz are more affordable now than in the winter? Those are just two spots that are prime vacation destinations this summer—and there are ten more we recommend in this week's Travelogue podcast. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Planning a safari can be overwhelming. So on this week's Travelogue podcast, some of our more seasoned safari-goers chat with a first-timer to talk the malaria threat (the farther south, the lower the risk), where and when to bring your kids, and how to book a camp where your plunge pools might double as elephant drinking holes. We also share some of our more, let's say, adrenaline-raising safari tales; you'll have to listen to find out at which camp an editor was joined by predatory leopards and hyenas on her walk back to her tent, and argue over which creature is the savanna's deadliest (a few colorful anecdotes are attached to that one, too). To check out our complete guide to safari head to: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-complete-guide-to-safari Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We called in some experts to school us on National Parks 101: What's the difference between a monument and park? How many are there of each? How long have we had them? Are any of our beloved parks under threat? What does it take to maintain a national park, and can we all help? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

As of today—April 20, natch—recreational marijuana is legal in 9 states plus the District of Columbia. That gives everyone who *doesn't* live in those states a whole new reason to travel. And it’s birthing a new wing of the travel industry, too—one that’s spread roots through everything from food to hotels to souvenir shops. On this week’s podcast we take a long, deep hit of this nascent phenomenon. No doubt weed, now that it’s legit, will be big. But how will Big Weed change travel? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Humans have chased higher understanding around the globe since before recorded history. We may not always recognize them, but those journeys continue today. On the heels of our recently released exploration of Sacred Travel (https://www.cntraveler.com/story/sacred-travel), we're talking about spiritual journeys, including those from our own experiences. What separates a “spiritual” trip from any other kind? How do we find something greater than ourselves—intentionally or not—when we get away from home? And who, at the end of the day, will transport and house us on those journeys? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We sit down with Jessica Nabongo, on a mission to be the first black woman to visit every country in the world. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Pet deaths on a plane are rare, statistically speaking, but any one loss is very real to a pet owner. And when a major airline like United seems to screw up repeatedly, we need to put them on notice. In this week's Travelogue podcast, we cover what you need to know about flying with an animal, be it a cat in a carrier in the cabin, a Great Dane in cargo, or an emotional support pig...well, anywhere. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

On the latest episode of the Travelogue podcast, we dive into all the ways you can be polite and impolite when traveling abroad, covering everything from hugging people in Britain upon meeting them (don't) to passing food with chopsticks in Japan (seriously, don't). Along the way, we talk about how English-speaking countries may be united in language but differ significantly in their etiquette, and how knowing how to tip in a country is just as important as knowing whether or not to tip at all. What do you do when you want a cappuccino in Italy and it's after 11 a.m.? How do you go about things if you really want a fork in Korea? Listen up. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This week, we're sharing the first episode of the new season of Women Who Travel, Condé Nast Traveler's second podcast. Hosts Lale Arikoglu and Meredith Carey chat with Alysia Kezerian and Julia Buckley about their experiences traveling with disabilities. Along the way, we learn how far we've come in terms of accessible travel, but also see how much work there is still to do. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Everyone has heard of Tokyo: its grander-than-grand fish market; its imperial palace; its extravagant street fashions. Being there is a fever dream that you don't want to wake up from. With this in mind, we decided to do a deep dive into the Japanese capital, which was voted the world's best city in this year's Readers' Choice Awards and is featured in our brand-new collection of City Guides on the redesigned cntraveler.com—you know, ICYMI. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We've been talking a lot on Travelogue about where you should be going, but how are you supposed to get there? This week, we're replaying our 2017 episode about frequent flier miles so you can fly for less (if you play your cards right). Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We take you inside our March 2018 issue and break down what to do in northern, central, and southern Italy. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

You can't cover a whole city in three days (but you can try). With that in mind, we dive into the anatomy of the perfect long weekend in this week's Travelogue podcast—sharing real stats (fact: more people are taking more long weekends) and lessons learned from our own trips. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Olympics or no Olympics, you should get there. Get your own winter games on in PyeongChang or explore one of the most exciting and varied cities in Asia: Seoul. Fair warning: If you're anything like us, you won't be able to get through the podcast without Googling your flight options. And we're emphatically not responsible for any impulse trips to Asia that might result. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

As airlines change the way they play the game—like adding basic economy seats and unbundling fares—travelers need a new set of hacks to feel a little more in control. Let's start with TSA PreCheck. Do you have it? Why not? No, seriously, tell us why: We debate its merits, along with Global Entry, Mobile Passport, and something called Clear, all of which can help you get through airport security or customs without having to wait in interminable lines. Plus, have you heard that some airlines now allow for automatic check-in? Or that they'll do biometric screenings—like, scan your eyes or face—to let you on the plane? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Here at the Traveler office, we wholeheartedly agree on most things: that Summer Fridays should be taken full advantage of, that you shouldn't let fear get in the way of travel, and that Georgia is a country everyone should visit, like, now. But there are a few areas where the gloves come off and the disagreements fly—and admittedly, most of these are centered around air travel. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Grabbing a beer to-go while hopping from one venue to the next, where some of the world's best musicians are playing to intimate crowds; a sculpture garden all to yourself; a plate of jambalaya that tastes like it's been perfected over generations one day, modern Israeli fare that will make you question everything you know about hummus the next. If any of that sounds good to you, we've got you covered on this episode of Travelogue, in which we talk all things New Orleans. The Crescent City can be overwhelming to the uninitiated—there's just so much to do, eat, drink, see, and hear, and far too often visitors spend three days in the admittedly quaint and fun French Quarter and call it a day. From a neighborhood-by-neighborhood breakdown of the city to the best places to check out some local music (see: everywhere), we make New Orleans just a little easier to navigate. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

On this week's Travelogue podcast, we wanted to show the Caribbean—a region very close to our hearts—some much-needed love. Now that we're in the thick of winter, it's the perfect time to book tropical getaways, and we've got a guide for what's happening on each and every island. From post-hurricane updates to our favorite activities (cuddling sting rays in Cayman is a must), listen in for all the latest Caribbean intel. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Looking for the next Iceland? We’ve got you covered. Because there its a new year, and there are plenty of new places to explore. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This week, we're sharing the first episode of "Women Who Travel," a new podcast at Condé Nast Traveler by women, for everyone. You can listen to our other episodes and subscribe anywhere you find podcasts. Join the conversation as we dive into one of our favorite topics: solo travel. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices