In week one of this podcast we featured Neighbor Doug from the Stacking Benjamins Show, sharing his story about traveling to Scotland. We asked YOU for stories or tips and you didn't disappoint us! Today we'll hear from Gwen, Amanda, and Stephanie about their best and worst moments visiting this beautiful country. Gwen shares stories from Edinburgh and the Highlands, Stephanie shares a story about an impromptu picnic, and Amanda covers fun with locals AND her own Edinburgh adventure. Throughout the show, Joe and Crystal share their own stories as well. Joe also has been to Edinburgh and shares his stories about the festival.

At the midway point, Crystal gives us clues about her "gear of the week." At the end of the show she reveals some great gear.

You can see all of our gear from this show (and past episodes) at StackingAdventures.com/gotw.

We need your stories about Japan, Peru, and Chile! Leave those at: StackingAdventures.com/MyStory

Today Joe recounts his recent South American adventure, exploring iconic destinations like Machu Picchu, Santiago, and Lima. Discover his experience with an Adventures By Disney guided tour. You'll hear about vibrant destinations like Cusco and Chilean vineyards, as well as incredible culinary experiences, including dining at some of the world's best restaurants. Plus, get insights into using public transportation, selecting the best accommodations, and making the most of premium travel options. Whether you're planning a trip or love travel stories, this episode is packed with tips and entertaining tales from Joe's journey.

Plus, Joe will share his "gear of the week" pick at the halfway point. Can you guess it?

See all of our gear of the week at StackingAdventures.com/gotw

Be a part of the show! Have you been to Peru or Chile (or have your own experience with Adventures By Disney)? Leave us a voicemail, and YOU can be on the show during our recap episode. You can just head to StackingAdventures.com/voicemail and leave your note.

Today, we take you halfway around the world and delve into Crystal's exhilarating journey to Japan. From the bustling streets of Tokyo and the serene temples of Kyoto to the breathtaking heights of Mount Fuji, you'll be taken on a tour of Japan's top destinations. The episode highlights the intricacies of traveling with a friend, navigating public transportation, using Groupon for travel deals, and maximizing sightseeing experiences. Additionally, we address Crystal's challenges, such as broken luggage, and provide actionable travel tips like using packing cubes and leveraging technology for translations. Can you guess the gear of the week? Joe couldn't!

On this episode:

• Introduction and TWA Nostalgia
• Revealing the Destination: Japan
• Travel Companions and Planning
• Booking and Using Groupon for Travel
• Flight Experience with Singapore Airlines
• Exploring Tokyo and Mount Fuji
• Pit Stop and Gear of the Day
• Exploring Tokyo's Must-See Sites
• The Sensory Overload of Tokyo's Fish Market
• Shopping Adventures: Takita Street and the Hundred Yen Store
• Luggage Troubles and Souvenir Overload
• Dining Experiences in Tokyo
• Kyoto: Ancient Temples and Modern Delights
• Mount Fuji and the Awe-Inspiring Cable Car Ride
• Japan's Cleanliness and the Bullet Train Experience
• Final Thoughts and Future Adventures

Head to StackingAdventures.com for our show notes!

Have you traveled to Japan? Share your story for our follow-up episode! http://stackingadventures.com/voicemail

In this episode of the Stacking Adventures podcast, hosts Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy discuss the challenges and strategies of packing for travel. They share personal anecdotes about overpacking and underusing items, the advantages of rolling clothes versus laying them flat, and the quirks of packing cubes. They also delve into the importance of choosing the right suitcase size, dealing with lost luggage, and how to pack smarter to avoid extra baggage fees. The hosts offer practical tips such as using collapsible bags for souvenirs, packing versatile clothing, and keeping travel necessities in the bag at all times. The episode concludes with Joe’s gear recommendation of Bluffworks pants, perfect for both casual and fancy occasions.

00:00 Introduction and Packing Woes

00:46 Unpacking the Packing Process

00:58 Gear of the Day and Travel Tips

01:40 Packing Strategies and Tips

03:39 Rolling vs. Laying Flat

05:51 Keeping It Simple

10:14 Souvenirs and Packing Cubes

17:20 Lost Luggage Stories

22:15 Road Trip Pit Stop

22:59 Gear of the Day Teaser

23:27 Exploring Italy: The Bridge of Sighs

25:17 Venice: A City of Canals and Gondolas

27:21 Packing Tips and Quirky Items

29:32 Overpacking Woes and Solutions

34:02 Shoe Dilemmas and Travel Hacks

40:15 Final Thoughts and Gear of the Day Reveal

Today Crystal and Joe explore the world of reward points and travel hacking with expert Lee Huffman. The discussion covers the benefits and drawbacks of various credit card reward programs, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the perks of having a Southwest Companion Pass, and the value of using portals and dining reward programs. Lee shares his experience with traveling internationally, including tips on using mobile hotspots and the benefits of using eSIM cards. In addition, the show addresses avoiding debt while chasing points and the importance of spending points effectively rather than hoarding them. The episode wraps up with their 'Gear of the Day' segment featuring a handy mobile hotspot and invites listeners to share their own travel and reward tips.

00:00 Introduction to Reward Points

00:43 Meet Lee Huffman: The Reward Hacking Expert

02:23 Travel Adventures and Family Road Trips

05:13 The Joy of Hugging Wombats

09:40 Travel Hacking Tips and Tricks

20:55 Pit Stop and Trivia Time

25:42 Discovering Point Programs

26:02 Comparing Marriott and Hyatt Points

27:18 Airline Loyalty Programs

29:46 Maximizing Credit Card Rewards

33:01 Stacking Points and Rewards

39:42 Avoiding Credit Card Debt

46:08 Gear for International Travel

50:56 Conclusion and Resources

Doug describes his unforgettable trip to Scotland that included playing golf at iconic courses, navigating logistics, and soaking in the stunning scenery. He shares the challenges of booking flights with Aer Lingus amidst a strike, securing last-minute lodging on the Isle of Skye, and the unique experiences of driving a stick shift rental car. Highlights include golfing with local sheep at Brora, dodging crowds at popular tourist spots, and exploring picturesque landscapes for photography. Doug’s candid recounting of Scottish cuisine and spontaneous adventures serves as an inspiring guide for future travelers. Introduction and Banter Welcome to the Stacking Adventures Podcast Travel Stories and T-Shirt Anecdotes Introducing the First Guest: Doug Doug's Travel Preferences and Show Format Planning the Scotland Trip Challenges of Booking Lodging in Scotland Flight Adventures and Industrial Action Road Trip Pit Stop and Gear of the Day Highlights of the Scotland Trip A Memorable Viaduct Experience Disappointing Tourist Attractions The Food in Scotland Exploring Castles and Drones Golfing in Scotland Scotch Distillery Tours Hiking Adventures on the Isle of Skye Travel Tips and Souvenirs Documenting the Trip Gear of the Day and Final Thoughts

00:00 Introduction and Banter

01:11 Welcome to the Stacking Adventures Podcast

01:42 Travel Stories and T-Shirt Anecdotes

02:25 Introducing the First Guest: Doug

02:48 Doug's Travel Preferences and Show Format

06:20 Planning the Scotland Trip

09:15 Challenges of Booking Lodging in Scotland

15:20 Flight Adventures and Industrial Action

20:01 Road Trip Pit Stop and Gear of the Day

26:47 Highlights of the Scotland Trip

30:11 A Memorable Viaduct Experience

31:28 Disappointing Tourist Attractions

32:51 The Food in Scotland

34:38 Exploring Castles and Drones

35:53 Golfing in Scotland

37:46 Scotch Distillery Tours

39:37 Hiking Adventures on the Isle of Skye

46:16 Travel Tips and Souvenirs

47:58 Documenting the Trip

52:32 Gear of the Day and Final Thoughts

One week till launch!

How much money should we bring along?