Travel Squad Podcast

We're taking you inside the Arasan Spa & Bathhouse in Almaty, Kazakhstan, for one of the most interesting spa experiences we've ever had! We break down the Russian banya, Finnish sauna, steam rooms, and pools, how to navigate a communal (and nude!) bathhouse, and our nearly 2-hour spa package with a body scrub, seaweed wrap, and a massage from a Kazakh lady who does not hold back. Highlights of this episode: What the Arasan Bathhouse is Tips: finding the right entrance, how pricing works, and what to bring Bathhouse etiquette (yes, it's nude) Finnish sauna vs. Russian banya vs. steam room The venik ritual The swimming pools (bring a swim cap) Eastern/Turkish hammam Spa services: massages, peels, wraps & packages Our "Tales of Maghreb" package: body peel, seaweed wrap & massage Hotels in Almaty we recommend: Rahat Palace - where we stayed; big atrium, pool, hot tub, sauna & steam room The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty - home of the Sky Lounge, Vista, and Le Petit Chef InterContinental Almaty by IHG Holiday Inn Almaty Stay connected with an e-SIM from Airalo and check out our Kazakhstan Viator Experiences for all activities we recommend and even some we wanted to do but couldn't get to. Find a great flight deal with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription. —--------------------------------------- Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We're taking you along for one of our favorite experiences in Almaty, Kazakhstan — a personalized color analysis at YESCOLOR. We break down what a color analysis actually is, how Korean and Chinese color-typing goes beyond the classic four seasons, and why we paid $80 for the same 90-minute session that costs $300–$500 in the U.S. This is the first episode in our new beauty tourism series! What you’ll hear in this episode: What beauty tourism is and why it's growing What a professional color analysis is (and how draping works) The four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter Korean & Chinese color-analysis methods vs. the Western seasonal system Booking YESCOLOR in Almaty over WhatsApp What the 90-minute session includes Our results: Cool Summer & True Winter Beyond color: contrast, Kibbe body types, silhouettes, fabrics, necklines, jewelry, makeup, nails & hair Cost: $80 in Almaty vs. $300–$500 in the U.S. Hotels in Almaty we recommend: Rahat Palace - where we stayed The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty InterContinental Almaty by IHG Holiday Inn Almaty Check out our Kazakhstan Viator Experiences for all activities we recommend and even some we wanted to do but couldn't get to. Find a great flight deal with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription. —--------------------------------------- Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We're taking you to Almaty, Kazakhstan, where we attended the TBEX travel creators conference and explored the city and the Tian Shan mountains around it! We share some of the best highlights of Almaty, Kok Tobe, the Green Bazaar, Ayusai waterfall hike and Alma-Arasan hot springs, Shymbulak and the best Kazakh food - including horse meat! - we ate along the way. Highlights of this Almaty episode: How to get to Almaty Where to stay in Almaty Where and what to eat in Kazakstan Sky Lounge & Vista at the Ritz-Carlton Kok Tobe: bob carts, Ferris wheel & eagle photoshoot Rakhat chocolate store Green Bazaar Panfilov Park & Zenkov (Ascension) Cathedral Arbat Street Le Petit Chef dinner experience Ayusai (Bear Valley) waterfall hike Alma-Arasan Gorge & Hot Springs TBEX conference & opening night party Color analysis Arasan Spa experience Arba Wine tasting Shymbulak gondolas to Talgar Pass Hotels in Almaty we recommend: Rahat Palace - where we stayed; big atrium, pool, hot tub, sauna & steam room The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty - home of the Sky Lounge, Vista, and Le Petit Chef InterContinental Almaty by IHG Holiday Inn Almaty Stay connected with an e-SIM from Gigsky or Airalo. Check out our Kazakhstan Viator Experiences for all activities we recommend and even some we wanted to do but couldn't get to. Find a great flight deal with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals — including business class award redemptions. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription. —--------------------------------------- Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We're taking you to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and sharing everything you need to know before you go! We cover the city's Soviet-era landmarks, the stunning Turkish Central Mosque, Osh Bazaar, where to eat, and the travel tips that made our first days in Central Asia a breeze. Highlights of this Bishkek episode: How to get to Bishkek & from the airport to your hotel Tips for visiting Bishkek (cash, e-SIMs, Yandex Go, tipping & more) Where to stay in Bishkek Bishkek Central Mosque (Turkish Central Mosque) Victory Square Oak Park & the Open-Air Sculpture Museum Vladimir Lenin Statue State Historical Museum Panfilov Park Ala-Too Square & the changing of the guard Osh Bazaar Dinner at Papuri (Georgian khinkali!) Hotels in Bishkek we recommend: Sheraton Bishkek — booked with Marriott points, great home base before and after the tour Ak Keme Hotel Orion Hotel Bishkek Book a Private Airport Transfer from Manas International Airport to your hotel — it's about 45 minutes into the city. Check out our Kyrgyzstan Viator Experiences for all activities we recommend and even some we wanted to do but couldn't get to. Find a great flight deal to Bishkek with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription. —--------------------------------------- Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We're taking you off the beaten path to Kyrgyzstan, and sharing an unforgettable private 4-day tour around Issyk-Kul Lake! We cover the canyon hikes, horseback riding, an eagle hunting show, yurt camping, and hot springs that make this Central Asian gem worth the trip. Highlights of Kyrgyzstan: How to get to Kyrgyzstan Where to stay in Bishkek Burana Tower Konorchek Canyons hike (Boom Gorge) Horseback riding in Chon-Kemin National Park Eagle hunting show in Bokonbaevo Yurt camp & swimming in Issyk-Kul Lake Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyons Barskoon Gorge & waterfall Jeti-Oguz (Seven Bulls) Gorge Ak-Suu Hot Springs Karakol's Holy Trinity Cathedral & Dungan Mosque Semenov & Grigoriev Gorges Ruh Ordo Cultural Center & boat tour on Issyk-Kul Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs Hotels in Bishkek we recommend Sheraton Bishkek — booked with Marriott points, great home base before and after the tour Ak Keme Hotel Orion Hotel Bishkek Book a Private Airport Transfer from the airport to your hotel, and check out the exact 4-Day Issyk-Kul & Chon-Kemin Private Tour and Eagle Hunting Show we booked. Check out our curated list of other Kyrgyzstan Viator Experiences we recommend and even some we wanted to do but couldn't get to. Find a great flight deal with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription. —--------------------------------------- Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!