The Places Where We Go Podcast

Travel costs are rising, new attractions are opening, and some important changes are affecting how we plan our next adventures. Episode 170 brings us the September 2026 travel news roundup where Art covers the latest noteworthy travel developments, including higher airfares and gasoline prices, new TSA airport access, the opening of Los Angeles's Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Thailand's updated entry requirements, and European river cruise disruptions. We'll also explore why day trips are becoming increasingly popular, how Google is expanding its AI-powered travel planning tools, and what you should know when organizing your Christmas travels. Join us for practical travel news, destination inspiration, and useful tips to help you plan your next getaway. ❤️ Support the Show If this episode helped you stay travel-smart, please leave us a review—it helps more travelers discover the show! The Places Where We Go Resources PODCAST: Released every other week in your favorite podcast app WEBSITE & BLOG www.theplaceswherewego.com 👉 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER YOUTUBE: The Places Where We Go YouTube Channel INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/theplaceswherewego TWITTER / X: https://twitter.com/theplaceswhere1 FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ThePlacesWhereWeGo EMAIL: Write to us at [email protected] GEAR WE USE: The Places Where We Go Amazon Storefront We’ll see you at the places where we go. Julie & Art AFFILIATE LINK DISCLOSURE The Places Where We Go contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read our disclaimer and privacy policy for more information.

How are rising fuel prices impacting the cost of travel in 2026? On episode 169 of The Places Where We Go Podcast, we take a look at current diesel prices and the impact on travel costs. With diesel prices reaching record highs, transportation expenses are becoming an increasingly important consideration for vacation budgets. In this episode, we examine how high diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel prices are affecting RV travel, road trips, rental cars, motorcoach tours, passenger trains, airline tickets, and cruises. Using current fuel price data, industry reports, and real-world travel cost examples, we explore which transportation expenses are increasing, how fuel surcharges are affecting travelers, and where the biggest financial impacts may occur. Whether you're planning a cross-country RV adventure, a family vacation, or an international getaway, discover why understanding today's transportation costs is an essential part of planning your next trip. 📖 Read Our Companion Article: https://theplaceswherewego.com/rising-fuel-prices-travel-costs/ ❤️ Support the Show If this episode helped you stay travel-smart, please leave us a review—it helps more travelers discover the show! The Places Where We Go Resources PODCAST: Released every other week in your favorite podcast app WEBSITE & BLOG www.theplaceswherewego.com 👉 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER YOUTUBE: The Places Where We Go YouTube Channel INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/theplaceswherewego TWITTER / X: https://twitter.com/theplaceswhere1 FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ThePlacesWhereWeGo EMAIL: Write to us at [email protected] GEAR WE USE: The Places Where We Go Amazon Storefront We’ll see you at the places where we go. Julie & Art AFFILIATE LINK DISCLOSURE The Places Where We Go contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read our disclaimer and privacy policy for more information.

Planning to fly for Christmas? The timing of both your booking and your travel dates can have a big impact on airfare. In this episode, Art shares practical guidance on when to book domestic and international Christmas flights, which holiday travel days tend to be the most expensive, and why flying on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day could potentially save you money. You’ll also hear tips for comparing nearby airports, using price alerts, considering one-way tickets, weighing nonstop flights against connections, and finding what Art calls the “cheapest acceptable itinerary” when holiday fares start climbing. ❤️ Support the Show If this episode helped you stay travel-smart, please leave us a review—it helps more travelers discover the show! The Places Where We Go Resources PODCAST: Released every other week in your favorite podcast app WEBSITE & BLOG www.theplaceswherewego.com 👉 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER YOUTUBE: The Places Where We Go YouTube Channel INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/theplaceswherewego TWITTER / X: https://twitter.com/theplaceswhere1 FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ThePlacesWhereWeGo EMAIL: Write to us at [email protected] GEAR WE USE: The Places Where We Go Amazon Storefront We’ll see you at the places where we go. Julie & Art AFFILIATE LINK DISCLOSURE The Places Where We Go contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read our disclaimer and privacy policy for more information.

In this monthly travel news recap, we explore some of the most noteworthy travel developments from August 2026 on episode 167. Travel costs, airline rules and international travel procedures were all changing in August 2026. In this monthly travel-news recap, Art looks at rising fall prices and record August gas costs, Delta and JetBlue fare changes, Europe’s biometric Entry/Exit System, Edinburgh’s new visitor levy, higher cruise gratuities and Mexico’s growing cruise passenger fee. There’s plenty of destination inspiration too, including 25 new UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient Egyptian treasures in San Francisco, the upcoming reopening of Los Angeles’ Japanese American National Museum, new attractions in Abu Dhabi and Northern Norway, major Alaska cruise plans and the extraordinary August 2027 total solar eclipse. Plus, hear what all these stories could mean for planning your next trip. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter at ThePlacesWhereWeGo.com to access links to all the resources mentioned in this episode. Stay informed and inspired for your travels, and join us again next time as we uncover more incredible places to explore! ❤️ Support the Show If this episode helped you stay travel-smart, please leave us a review—it helps more travelers discover the show! The Places Where We Go Resources PODCAST: Released every other week in your favorite podcast app WEBSITE & BLOG www.theplaceswherewego.com 👉 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER YOUTUBE: The Places Where We Go YouTube Channel INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/theplaceswherewego TWITTER / X: https://twitter.com/theplaceswhere1 FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ThePlacesWhereWeGo EMAIL: Write to us at [email protected] GEAR WE USE: The Places Where We Go Amazon Storefront We’ll see you at the places where we go. Julie & Art AFFILIATE LINK DISCLOSURE The Places Where We Go contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read our disclaimer and privacy policy for more information.

February 2027 may still be six months away, but some of the world's most interesting festivals, cultural celebrations and special events are already taking shape. In episode 166 of The Places Where We Go, we look ahead at top events that could be worth planning an entire trip around—from the Sapporo Snow Festival, Venice Carnival and Rio Carnival to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, film festivals in Santa Barbara and Sedona, the Savannah Book Festival, Tucson's Gem Showcase and Rodeo, and the Daytona 500. We're also looking at these experiences through a couples-travel lens. Which events make especially good trips for two? What else can you build around the main event? And what happens when one partner is much more excited about the festival, film, book, rodeo or race than the other? Whether your ideal February getaway involves snow sculptures, samba, books, films, citrus, theater or racing, this episode might give you a reason to start planning now. ❤️ Support the Show If this episode helped you stay travel-smart, please leave us a review—it helps more travelers discover the show! The Places Where We Go Resources PODCAST: Released every other week in your favorite podcast app WEBSITE & BLOG www.theplaceswherewego.com 👉 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER YOUTUBE: The Places Where We Go YouTube Channel INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/theplaceswherewego TWITTER / X: https://twitter.com/theplaceswhere1 FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ThePlacesWhereWeGo EMAIL: Write to us at [email protected] GEAR WE USE: The Places Where We Go Amazon Storefront We’ll see you at the places where we go. Julie & Art AFFILIATE LINK DISCLOSURE The Places Where We Go contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read our disclaimer and privacy policy for more information.