Sunshine Travelers Podcast
Sunshine Travelers Podcast

Sunshine Travelers Podcast

Scott and Melissa Barronton

Overview
Episodes

Details

Real Travel Tips, Bucket List Inspiration, and the Confidence to Book the Trip and Go! Ready to travel more and better? The Sunshine Travelers Podcast is your go-to travel podcast for real-world travel tips, inspiring stories, and expert guidance to help you plan extraordinary trips, with less stress and more joy. Hosted by real travelers Scott and Melissa Barronton, this podcast is built for midlife travelers and couples looking to finally take that dream trip—whether it’s a luxury safari in Kenya, a scenic train journey or walk through Europe, a coastal road trip in the US, or that dream cruise. Each weekly episode features: • Bucket list destination guides (think places like Italy, Iceland, South Africa, Greece, & more) • Practical tips on packing, planning, and using points & miles • Curated itineraries with hidden gems & local insights • Interviews with experienced travelers and travel pros • Travel hacks that save you time, money, and overwhelm • Travel Deals that are too good to pass up From avoiding overtourism, finding the best-value travel deals, traveling to new places and in new ways, this podcast helps you navigate every stage of your journey. They believe travel should be meaningful, memorable, and attainable, no matter where you’re starting from and they help you do just that. Follow the show and join them each week as they help you stop dreaming and start booking.

Recent Episodes

Episode 150 - Lombok Cruise Port Guide: The Perfect Day Trip to Waterfalls & the Gili Islands
DEC 9, 2025
Episode 150 - Lombok Cruise Port Guide: The Perfect Day Trip to Waterfalls & the Gili Islands

 Our first stop in Asia was nothing short of unforgettable. In this episode, we take you with us to Lombok, Indonesia—just east of Bali—where we spent one of the most meaningful travel days of our lives. From learning traditional weaving techniques in a quiet village to riding motorbikes through a rainforest (crutches and all), and snorkeling with clownfish off the Gili Islands, this day was packed with adventure, connection, and soul. It was the kind of day that reminded us exactly why we travel—and why Indonesia is so much more than Bali. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Help Support the Podcast by Buying us a Coffee  ☕️

Book the Private Tour we did in Lombok with Andy Lombok Driver 

Other Related Episodes You'll Love:

Episode 140 - Lombok, Indonesia: What Bali Was Like Before the Crowds

Episode 142 - Discovering Malaysia: Insider Tips on Kuala Lumpur and Penang with Colin + Meg

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

  • What it felt like stepping onto Asian soil for the first time 

  • How we planned a private, authentic tour in Lombok (and why we skipped the cruise excursion)

  • Getting strapped into a loom and weaving with the women of a local village 

  • The wild motorbike ride that left us breathless and laughing in disbelief 

  • Scott’s heartwarming chat with locals using Google Translate 

  • Hiking (and not hiking) to the stunning Kelambu Waterfalls 

  • The moment we climbed onto the roof of a traditional jukung boat 

  • Snorkeling off the Gili Islands with thousands of fish—and unexpected clownfish 

  • The GoPro deal of a lifetime (complete with a private underwater photographer!) 

  • Why our lunch of nasi goreng and homemade sambal was worth the trip alone 

  • Dodging a missed cruise departure—and what to know if you’re booking excursions on your own

  • How Indonesia welcomed us in ways we never expected—and why we can’t wait to return 

Destinations Covered in this Episode:

  • Lombok, Indonesia 

  • Kelambu Waterfalls 

  • Gili Islands 

  • Traditional Weaving Village in Lombok 

  • Local beachside warung (restaurant)

Helpful Links and Travel Resources 

  •  Want curated travel deals every week? Subscribe to Travel Deal Insiders — the best travel deals sent straight to your inbox.
  •  Get Our Ultimate Packing Guide for Traveling Smart and Packing Light + Access to Exclusive Weekly Content here.
  •  Don’t waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, get Flykitt and watch Jet Lag disappear!
  •  Protect your privacy, boost your security, and keep your browsing data safe with Express VPN. Plus, get 3 months free with a yearly plan.

Follow Sunshine Travelers

Music: This Acoustic Happy

Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/the_mountain-3616498/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371">Dmitrii Kolesnikov</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371">Pixabay</a>

 

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37 MIN
Episode 149 - Disneyland Hong Kong: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go: Our Experience
DEC 1, 2025
Episode 149 - Disneyland Hong Kong: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go: Our Experience

We literally hit record on this episode as soon as we got back to the hotel from visiting Hong Kong Disneyland.  We had an amazing day and don't want you to miss out on all the fun! In this episode you'll discover:

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

You can get your Hong Kong Disneyland Park Tickets Here on Klook!

Help Support the Podcast by Buying us a Coffee  ☕️

Related Episodes You'll Love: 

 Episode 145 - Hong Kong: Disney by Day, Skyline by Night, Two Perfect Days in Hong Kong

More Resources & Links 

  •  Want curated travel deals every week? Subscribe to Travel Deal Insiders — the best travel deals sent straight to your inbox.
  •  Get Our Ultimate Packing Guide for Traveling Smart and Packing Light + Access to Exclusive Weekly Content here.
  •  Don’t waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, get Flykitt and watch Jet Lag disappear!
  •  Protect your privacy, boost your security, and keep your browsing data safe with Express VPN. Plus, get 3 months free with a yearly plan.

Follow Sunshine Travelers

Music: This Acoustic Happy

Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/the_mountain-3616498/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371">Dmitrii Kolesnikov</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371">Pixabay</a>

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42 MIN
Episode 148 - Exploring Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef: Our Unforgettable Upolu Reef Snorkel Adventure
NOV 25, 2025
Episode 148 - Exploring Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef: Our Unforgettable Upolu Reef Snorkel Adventure

Some adventures feel almost dreamlike—where even in the moment, you know you’ll remember every detail. That was Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef for us. After sailing up from Tasmania, we arrived in the tropical north of Australia, where palm trees frame the marina and the Coral Sea glows in every shade of blue.

Cairns practically invites adventure, and for us, the Great Barrier Reef was the moment we’d been waiting for. We booked a small-group snorkel trip heading out to Upolu Reef—and what we found there was unforgettable. Vibrant coral, giant clams the size of a loveseat, clownfish, sea turtles… and we were merely visitors in their world.

But the adventure didn’t end in Cairns. As the sun set and we sailed away, we began a new chapter—five full days at sea. Just us, the Crown Princess with 3000 of our newest friends, and the wide-open ocean… while a Category 4 cyclone churned only a couple hundred kilometers away near Darwin.

This episode is all about that contrast: the wonder of the reef and the vast quiet of days spent crossing open water. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Help Support the Podcast - you can Buy Us a Coffee

Book This Snorkel Tour with Reef Adventures

Don't miss more episodes from this trip: 

Episode 147 - What Surprised Us the Most About Sydney & Brisbane Australia - One Day Itineraries & Tips

Resources & Links 

  •  Want curated travel deals every week? Subscribe to Travel Deal Insiders — the best travel deals sent straight to your inbox.
  •  Get Our Ultimate Packing Guide for Traveling Smart and Packing Light + Access to Exclusive Weekly Content here.
  •  Don’t waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, get Flykitt and watch Jet Lag disappear!
  •  Protect your privacy, boost your security, and keep your browsing data safe with Express VPN. Plus, get 3 months free with a yearly plan.

Follow Sunshine Travelers

Music: This Acoustic Happy

Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/the_mountain-3616498/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371">Dmitrii Kolesnikov</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371">Pixabay</a>

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22 MIN
Episode 147 - What Surprised Us the Most About Sydney & Brisbane Australia - One Day Itineraries & Tips
NOV 17, 2025
Episode 147 - What Surprised Us the Most About Sydney & Brisbane Australia - One Day Itineraries & Tips

We spend one day in each port - Sydney & Brisbane Australia and could Sydney be the best port view in the world? Here's how we recommend that you spend one day in each of these port cities in Australia to get just a taste, especially if you want to see the native species.  Listen in for our experiences and tips and continue to follow along as we sail from Tasmania to Singapore with Pricess Cruises. 

Some links are affiliate links.  See our disclosure.

Travel More, Spend Less, Skip the Search, Join Travel Deal Insiders and get the latest and hottest travel deals delivered straight to your inbox -- for the price of a cup of Joe, you could save hundreds, if not thousands on your next trip.

 You're already planning everyone's vacations. Might as well get paid for it.

Get Our Ultimate Packing Guide for Traveling Smart and Packing Light + Access to Exclusive Weekly Content here.

Do More with Viator. Visit sunshinetravelers.com/viator to book local tours & experiences you’ll remember.

Stay connected when you travel for WAY LESS than using your carriers international plan, download an Esim from  Gigsky and save a ton of money.

Use code sunshine for 10% off

 

Never Overpay for a Flight Again, Get Daily Drop Pro

 

Don’t waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, Get Flykitt and watch Jet Lag disappear!

 

Protect your privacy, increase your security, keep your browsing data secure,  and don’t get locked out of websites with

Express VPN -  get 3 months free with a yearly plan

 

Follow Sunshine Travelers

Music: This Acoustic Happy

Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/the_mountain-3616498/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371">Dmitrii Kolesnikov</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371">Pixabay</a>

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36 MIN
Episode 146 - Cruising Australia to Asia: Tasmania, Eden, and the Journey North on the Crown Princess
NOV 11, 2025
Episode 146 - Cruising Australia to Asia: Tasmania, Eden, and the Journey North on the Crown Princess

In this episode, we are live from aboard the Crown Princess as we sail along the coast of Australia and are sharing the highs, hiccups, and unforgettable moments from the start of our 3-week adventure through Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. From emergency medical landings and luggage weight surprises to whale sightings and stunning views in Hobart, this episode captures the real, raw, and magical moments that happen when you travel across the world (sometimes on crutches). Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Whether you’re dreaming of cruising through the South Pacific or just want to hear what happens when your carry-on is too heavy in Australia, you’re going to love this behind-the-scenes peek into life at sea.

And while cruising offers an incredible way to explore multiple destinations without packing and unpacking, many travelers also choose to extend their adventures on land—especially in places like Tasmania, where the freedom to explore remote beaches, rugged national parks, and hidden coastal viewpoints is easier with a vehicle. That’s why some visitors compare options such as road-trip travel with the top-rated campervan hire in Tasmania, traditional car rentals for shorter routes, or guided tour packages for those who prefer planned itineraries—all depending on comfort level, budget, and how deeply they want to immerse themselves in nature. Each approach creates a different rhythm of travel, and combining cruise days with land exploration can turn a great trip into an unforgettable journey that blends convenience, spontaneity, and breathtaking scenery.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Why getting to Tasmania is no small feat from Florida 

  • Why Virgin Australia’s strict carry-on weight limits caught them off guard 

  • A review of the Tasman Hotel in Hobart (Marriott Luxury Collection) 

  • How locals in Tasmania and Eden warmly welcome cruise travelers 

  • What makes the Salamanca Market a must-do Saturday experience 

  • The once-in-a-lifetime whale encounter in Eden you have to hear to believe 

  • Our first impressions of Princess Cruises vs. Holland America 

  • Real talk about traveling in an inside cabin for 3 weeks (and how to make the most of it!) 

  • How this cruise gets us prepared to check the final continent off their list

Related Episodes You'll Love:

Episode 139 - Seeing the World, from Tasmania to Singapore - In Memory of Gene Bright

Episode 142 - Discovering Malaysia: Insider Tips on Kuala Lumpur and Penang with Colin + Meg

More Resources & Links 

  •  Want curated travel deals every week? Subscribe to Travel Deal Insiders — the best travel deals sent straight to your inbox.
  •  Get Our Ultimate Packing Guide for Traveling Smart and Packing Light + Access to Exclusive Weekly Content here.
  •  Don’t waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, get Flykitt and watch Jet Lag disappear!
  •  Protect your privacy, boost your security, and keep your browsing data safe with Express VPN. Plus, get 3 months free with a yearly plan.

Follow Sunshine Travelers

Music: This Acoustic Happy

Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/the_mountain-3616498/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371">Dmitrii Kolesnikov</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371">Pixabay</a>

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38 MIN