Travel Guys Radio
341 episodes - English - Latest episode: 25 days ago - ★★★★★ - 12 ratingsA Travel Show for Everyday People...
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San Francisco is first major city to require vaccinations at indoor venues
August 15, 2021 06:09 - 44 minutes - 20.2 MBListen Now On the Sunday, August 15th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, San Francisco has become the first major city to require vaccinations at many indoor venues, including restaurants. Seems as though New Orleans might be next. Mark reports on a new railroad in the Rockies, a ride which takes you to the edge of the Utah National Parks. Mark was in the Chicagoland area last week, around O’Hare Airport, attending...
San Francisco & Broadway theaters to require mask & COVID vaccination/test this fall
August 08, 2021 07:07 - 42 minutes - 19.4 MBListen Now On the Sunday, August 8th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, if you want to attend theater in San Francisco or on Broadway this fall, you are going to have to wear a mask and be vaccinated or tested to get into the theater, at least until November. Two people headed into Canada found that having false documents will set you back a healthy chunk of cash and American and...
Canada to open to US visitors on August 9th
August 01, 2021 05:25 - 43 minutes - 20.1 MBListen Now On the Sunday, August 1st edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Canada will open to US visitors on August 9th, but the US won’t open to Canadians (and perhaps people returning from Canada) until August 21st at the earliest. Is it just us, or is something wrong with the way the dates (don’t) line up? Delta has promised its frequent flyers their status will be preserved into 2022 and a...
Can tourism prevail with COVID and travel both making a comeback?
July 25, 2021 20:11 - 44 minutes - 20.3 MBListen Now On the Sunday, July 25th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News: COVID and travel are making a comeback at the same time. Can tourism prevail? Or are we destined to go back into hiding? We have a breakdown. Southwest Airlines offers an apology for a string of incidents which have left many people short of their destination in the past few weeks, and an airport piano player in Atlanta is...
Canadian border could open before end of summer
July 18, 2021 07:37 - 44 minutes - 20.2 MBListen Now On the Sunday, July 18th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, it’s looking more and more like the Canadian border will open before the end of summer. Amtrak is investing some of our tax dollars in some new train sets and the Eiffel Tower joins the reopened attractions list in Europe. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we renew the discussion about smoking charges in rental cars and hotel rooms. Mark...
Maui mayor asks airlines to reduce seats on flights to the island
July 11, 2021 20:31 - 43 minutes - 20 MBListen Now On the Sunday, July 11th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, The mayor of Maui, Hawaii asks the airlines to cut the number of seats on flights to his home island. Too many tourists, the mayor says. Canada updates its travel policy, but it doesn’t help Americans; and Hilton becomes the first major chain to eliminate daily housekeeping at most of its hotels. In our Smarter Traveler segment, with summer flight...
Government to back plan giving air travelers a baggage fee refund when bags arrive late
July 04, 2021 20:16 - 43 minutes - 20 MBListen Now On the Sunday, July 4th Independence Day edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, the government appears ready to back a plan to give passengers who’s bags don’t arrive on time a refund of their baggage fees. Why isn’t that ALREADY the airlines’ policy? Excellent question. Delta airlines is now selling COVID testing kits you can use when returning from international destinations. Travelers United is behind a drive to get the...
Hawaii is dropping quarantine for vaccinated travelers
June 27, 2021 04:47 - 45 minutes - 20.9 MBListen Now On the Sunday, June 27th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Southwest and American are short staffed and it’s starting to show on the front line, Hawaii is dropping the quarantine for vaccinated travelers and if you were a fan of the TV show Friends, we have a cruise to tell you about, where you can relive those TV memories. Joe Brancatelli, author of the Joe Sent Me web site,...
Southwest Airlines suffers computer glitches and delays
June 20, 2021 19:22 - 42 minutes - 19.7 MBListen Now On the Sunday, June 20th Father’s Day edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Southwest Airlines had a week of computer glitches and delays throughout their system, and since they aren’t really saying why it happened, no one knows if the coming week will bring a repeat. National Parks are reporting long lines to get in, so make sure you know if you need a day pass, camping permit or whatever,...
Southwest adding flights to Palm Springs and Kona
June 13, 2021 18:20 - 44 minutes - 20.2 MBListen Now On the Sunday, June 13th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Southwest will add flights to Palm Springs and Kona this fall and we have the latest episodes of “people behaving badly on planes.” In our Smarter Traveler segment, Hawaii’s governor has spelled out when the testing and quarantines might be relaxed; cruise ships are getting back in the ocean – with one already reporting positive COVID passengers on board;...
Cruise lines can’t sail from Florida until they reach required vaccination threshold
June 06, 2021 05:09 - 41 minutes - 19 MBListen Now On the Sunday, June 6th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Florida governor Ron DeSantis has an interesting Catch-22 on his hands. The cruise lines can’t sail from Florida, even on test cruises, until they reach 95% vaccination for passengers and 98% for crew. But DeSantis has declared no one will have to give out their vaccination status in Florida. So how do the cruise lines meet those thresholds? Mediation...
Cruise ships approved to begin process of sailing again
May 30, 2021 04:54 - 43 minutes - 20.1 MBListen Now On the Sunday, May 30th, Memorial Weekend edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, cruise ships are getting approval to begin the process of sailing again, and a Sacramento flyer will never board a Southwest plane again after attacking a flight attendant. Vaccine passports are becoming a reality in many international countries. Want to travel? You may need one, like it or not. We’ll give you an update in our Smarter...
How to be prepared for unusual weather when traveling
May 23, 2021 07:12 - 39 minutes - 18.2 MBListen Now On the Sunday, May 23rd edition of The Travel Guys… Mark is live from Oracle Park in San Francisco, Tom is in studio in Sacramento. In the Travel News, Spain says if you’ve been vaccinated, welcome; as we predicted last week, at least half of the Alaska cruise season has been salvaged, and the Canadian and Mexican borders remain closed for another month – but there’s a glimmer of hope. In our Smarter...
US Senate making last minute effort to save Alaska cruise season
May 16, 2021 05:55 - 42 minutes - 19.5 MBListen Now On the Sunday, May 16th edition of The Travel Guys… Clayton Whitehead sits in for Tom Romano In the Travel News, the US Senate is making a last minute effort to save the Alaska cruise season and Delta Airlines tells all new employees they must be vaccinated. Our Smarter Traveler segment features Airbnb. We share some tips on when to know your reservation isn’t on the up-and-up, and how to detect and protect...
Hawaii is expecting a big summer, but vaccine/testing requirements remain
May 09, 2021 20:34 - 43 minutes - 19.7 MBListen Now On the Sunday, May 9th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Hawaii is expecting a big summer with lots of visitors – but vaccine/testing requirements remain in place for most. USTOA, one of the country’s largest tour operator groups, says despite limited cruising, Alaska is the most inquired about/booked destination for the summer, with Arizona, Florida, Wyoming and Utah close behind, as travelers continue to prefer beaches and wide open...
TSA extends mask mandate until September 11
May 02, 2021 18:31 - 43 minutes - 20 MBListen Now On the Sunday, May 2nd edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, TSA has announced the mask mandate, scheduled to expire in the next two weeks, has officially been extended until September 11th. This means you will have to remain masked on trains, planes, buses and other public transport through the summer. Real ID, the universal ID card, has a new deadline and the cruise industry is encouraged about the opportunity...
Airlines expanding summer flights to meet growing demand
April 25, 2021 06:46 - 43 minutes - 19.9 MBListen Now On the Sunday, April 25th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, airlines are expanding summer flight schedules to meet growing travel demand and Hawaii reports hotel numbers are going up each month. Sadly, the Hotel Pennsylvania, the New York Hotel whose phone number, Pennsylvania 6-5,000, became a hit for Glenn Miller, is likely to stay closed. It shut down during the pandemic and its owner wants to demolish the hotel...
Reopening continues at museums, hotels and theme parks
April 18, 2021 07:08 - 44 minutes - 20.4 MBListen Now On the Sunday, April 18th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, reopening continues at museums, hotels and attractions, especially theme parks. Southwest has announced new service to two Pacific Northwest cities, Eugene, Oregon, and Bellingham, Washington. While you would have to connect to those destinations (no non-stops from Sacramento), it’s important to note that Bellingham is very close to the Canadian border (when it reopens) and is also the jumping...
Carnival Cruise Lines threatens to move operations off shore
April 11, 2021 05:39 - 45 minutes - 20.6 MBListen Now On the Sunday, April 11th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Carnival Cruise Lines threatens to move operations off shore if they aren’t allowed to sail from US ports, many national parks will be tied or appointment entry only this summer and we tell you about a new airline taking to the sky, headquartered in Burbank. Baby’s Away is the place to get travel supplies to help you go the...
You can travel to Italy without quarantine
April 04, 2021 05:12 - 44 minutes - 20.2 MBListen Now On the Sunday, April 4th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, the CDC has a host of new guidelines for travel, starting with domestic trips and including guidance for the cruise lines. American Airlines says you can travel to Italy without a quarantine and several airlines have weighed in on the laws which appear to restrict the ability to vote in Georgia and other states. Mark headed to Seattle for...
NYC launches effort to vaccinate Broadway workers
March 28, 2021 19:22 - 42 minutes - 19.5 MBListen Now On the Sunday, March 28th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, New York City launches an effort to vaccinate all the workers in the theater district, the former president’s hotels get dumped by a major booking group and a Southwest pilot has a rant on an open mic that probably won’t end well for him. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about stadiums, theaters, spring and summer festivals, cruise...
Where does travel go from here, and how do we do it safely?
March 21, 2021 20:34 - 42 minutes - 19.7 MBListen Now On the Sunday, March 21st edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Disneyland is reopening at 15% of capacity and only Californians are allowed to buy tickets; and the pandemic is causing airlines to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in NBA, NFL and MLB sports sponsorships. Will that impact player salaries soon? Did you hear the one about the airline passenger who tried to bite his seat mate’s ear off?...
Amtrak puts Covid relief funds to good use
March 14, 2021 08:16 - 43 minutes - 19.8 MBListen Now On the Sunday, March 14th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Amtrak is putting Covid relief funds to good use, restoring daily services on many long distance trains, including the California Zephyr. American Airlines tells 15,000 employees to forget the furlough notices, and air travel has had a significant bump in the past 7-10 days. But, hotels are still in big trouble. Now it’s the Fairmont San Jose, the centerpiece...
Marriott to pay employees to get vaccinated
March 07, 2021 08:17 - 42 minutes - 19.4 MBListen Now On the Sunday, March 7th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Marriott is paying its employees to take the COVID vaccine, California theme parks are reopening – sort of, and you can now fly to Cancun non-stop from Sacramento. The man who is The King of Walking Tours of Times Square has a new virtual tour, a Broadway Pub Crawl. The next one is on St. Patrick’s Day (fee for...
California destinations hoping for spring openings
February 28, 2021 19:51 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBListen Now On the Sunday, February 28th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, formal complaints to airlines jumped by over 500% last year. Not surprising, considering all the fuss over refunds and vouchers. California tourism destinations are hoping for spring openings, at least on a limited basis. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about how both Americans and Canadians are trying to make sure the closing of Canadian ports to cruise...
Travel tips for the best of Oregon
February 21, 2021 08:05 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MBListen Now On the Sunday, February 21st edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, a new option for Hawaii bound travelers who are vaccinated is expected as early as next week. There shouldn’t be a reason to quarantine if you are vaccinated, but with Hawaii, who knows. United Airlines is investigating how Ted Cruz‘ flight information to/from Cancun last week became public. American Steamboat Lines expect to be back on America’s Rivers March...
The Valentine’s Day edition of The Travel Guys is here
February 14, 2021 08:02 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBListen Now On the Sunday, February 14th Valentine’s Day edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, after meetings at the White House, officials on both sides say there is little interest in restricting domestic air travel. Disneyland is reopening its California Adventure Park in southern California. But wait, no rides? Entertainment, shops and restaurants only? “A limited-time ticketed experience,” Disney is calling it. Starts March 12th. We share the history of Valentine’s Day,...
Three cruise lines will require vaccines to board
February 07, 2021 08:32 - 43 minutes - 40.3 MBListen Now On the Sunday, February 7th Super Bowl Sunday edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Canada says no cruise ship calls at its ports in 2021. Does this mean an old US law threatens the Alaska summer cruise season? Reminder: If you are picking up someone at an airport, train or bus station, you will need a mask in the lobby. The fine is $1,500 and apparently it’s going to be enforced....
President Biden makes masks mandatory on trains and planes
January 31, 2021 02:54 - 42 minutes - 78 MBListen Now On the Sunday, January 31st edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, President Biden has made masks officially mandatory on trains and planes (or in/on federal land/property); Tauck Tours has launched its first trip in 10 months, and American Airlines is watching for cheaters – skiplaggers, you know who you are. The idea was floated last week to require passengers on domestic airline flights to be COVID tested before flying. The...
New Executive orders impact the travel industry
January 24, 2021 18:47 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBListen Now On the Sunday, January 24th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, several of President Biden’s Executive Orders during his first week on the job have impacted the travel industry; and could you live inside an airport for three months? We’ll tell you about one man who did. Vaccines and travel are undoubtedly going to be linked in the short term. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we discuss when this might...
Virtually attend the inauguration with Destination DC
January 17, 2021 19:31 - 43 minutes - 20 MBListen Now On the Sunday, January 17th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, if you are coming or returning to the US, you will need a covid test. Norwegian Airlines, famous for super low fares across the Atlantic, has become the latest victim of covid. The airline will no longer fly across the pond, rewriting itself as a much smaller regional carrier. The rules for traveling to Hawaii continue to evolve, and...
Get your junior traveler to wear a mask
January 10, 2021 18:47 - 44 minutes - 20.6 MBListen Now On the Sunday, January 10th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, a number of flights in and out of Washington, D.C. had to deal with passengers violating mask and other rules; and a new Travel Advisory in California says you shouldn’t travel more than 120 miles and if you leave the state and return, a 10-day self-quarantine is recommended. Making you a Smarter Traveler – tips on getting the junior...
Uber tells riders to wear a mask, or you aren’t riding again
January 03, 2021 19:36 - 44 minutes - 20.3 MBListen Now On the Sunday, January 3rd edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Uber is telling riders wear a mask, properly, or you aren’t riding again. Alaska Airlines is tightening which animals are allowed on its planes, and its bad news for those with “emotional support animals.” Norwegian Cruise Lines is waiting until at least April to sail again and the island of Kauai is trying to find its way with tourism....
How thousands of Americans are vacationing in Mexico
December 27, 2020 09:25 - 45 minutes - 20.6 MBListen Now On the Sunday, December 27th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, we discuss how the border to Mexico is closed, but if you fly ABOVE the border, it’s a different story….an interesting story for sure. How thousands of Americans are vacationing in Mexico. Favorite guest Ed Perkins is on board to discuss how and when he sees travel coming together. Ed’s been writing about travel a long time, so his...
Our special Christmas show is here
December 20, 2020 19:52 - 43 minutes - 19.9 MBView more images of the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery Wreath Project: Listen Now On the Sunday, December 20th edition of The Travel Guys… It’s our special Christmas show, and if you are a kid of any age, you’ll enjoy our trip to the North Pole! In the Travel News, Bar Harbor, Maine says if Key West can limit the number of cruise ships and how many passengers can descend on their special destination, so can...
Cruise Passenger Protection Act mandates doctor on every ship
December 13, 2020 20:19 - 43 minutes - 20.1 MBListen Now On the Sunday, December 13th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, the new defense bill passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives this week contains a signature item from Sacramento Congresswoman Doris Matsui, the Cruise Passenger Protection Act, which was placed inside the bill. The defense spending bill could still be vetoed by President Trump. The Cruise Passenger Protection Act was originally introduced by Congresswoman Matsui in April...
Airbnb is about to go public
December 06, 2020 22:11 - 43 minutes - 19.8 MBListen Now On the Sunday, December 6th edition of The Travel Guys… In The Travel News, we shared an update on emotional support animals on airplanes. Perhaps the tiniest bit of sanity is returning to the issue. Airbnb is about to go public, perhaps at a higher price than recently anticipated. Mark shared his thoughts on the stock. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau doesn’t see the northern boarder open anytime in the next 2-3 months...
U.S. airlines to play big role in vaccine distribution
November 29, 2020 07:59 - 45 minutes - 21 MBListen Now On the Sunday, November 29th edition of The Travel Guys… In The Travel News, there’s trouble in paradise once again as the island of Kauai pulls out of the pre-arrival testing program, effective December 2nd. U.S. airlines are going to play a big role in vaccine distribution. United and American both announced this past week they are positioning planes in preparation. We have also posted A Tribute to Travel Hero Alex Trebek on...
Delta to block middles seats through March
November 22, 2020 19:16 - 43 minutes - 20.1 MBListen Now On the Sunday, November 22nd edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Delta Airlines has decided to block the middle seats through March of next year. No other carrier has committed to the practice past December and most have either already abandoned the middle seat block or will do so in the coming weeks. This gives Delta a significant advantage in what could be a pretty bleak first quarter for travel....
Travelers buying fake COVID test results
November 14, 2020 23:18 - 43 minutes - 20 MBListen Now On the Sunday, November 15th edition of The Travel Guys… In The Travel News, Delta says the “banned for no mask” list has reached 550. Air tickets and hotels for the Biden-Harris inauguration in January are in short supply and prices are climbing. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we share the story of travelers buying fake Covid test results and how you can avoid being a victim. Joe Brancatelli is a travel blogger/columnist...
Key West residents vote to limit cruise ship traffic
November 08, 2020 18:08 - 46 minutes - 21.2 MBListen Now On the Sunday, November 8th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Southwest Airlines tells a passenger she isn’t covering enough of her body, removed her from the plane and then relents, but only with a qualification. Is it fair? Key West, a small destination over run by cruise ships in the past three years, saw its residents vote to put serious limitations on who and how many can disembark in...
Airline travel is slowly increasing
November 01, 2020 20:16 - 44 minutes - 20.6 MBListen Now On the Sunday, November 1st edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, by the numbers, airline travel is actually slowly increasing; Sasha Barron Cohen’s Borat character has delivered a new tourism slogan for Kazakhstan and the way you pay for parking at Sac International is changing just a bit. Our Smarter Traveler segment focuses on cruise ships. They are trying to get back into the water soon, and making some big...
Southwest announces no longer blocking middle seats
October 25, 2020 16:43 - 44 minutes - 20.2 MBListen Now On the Sunday, October 25th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, There aren’t nearly as many flights, but airfares for Christmas/New Year’s are down 20-30% because of Covid. But you need to consider buying your ticket soon. And it appears Carnival Cruise Lines faces more than just the virus as an obstacle to getting cruise lovers back at sea. Seems Carnival has a stack of environmental violations in recent years,...
Safe Travels Hawaii Quick Facts
October 18, 2020 19:05 - 43 minutes - 19.9 MBListen Now On the Sunday, October 18th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, you can visit Hawaii again. But, there are a few hoops you have to jump through. You need a negative Covid test, within 72 hours of departure. Two islands have additional optional testing provisions. You can find all the info here. Jet Blue brings back the Big Apple non-stops and we tell you one of the safest places you can be...
Some of the Most Haunted Sites in the US
October 11, 2020 14:20 - 43 minutes - 19.8 MBListen Now On the Sunday, October 11th edition of The Travel Guys: In the Travel News, Hawaii “thinks” it has a plan to welcome visitors without a two-week quarantine. They’ve been working on it for a long time. For details, click here. Hilton pilots are new plan for remote workers, “day use” rooms. Consumer confidence in travel is coming back, but our governor says it’s not time to open Disneyland and other major theme parks. In our...
An aircraft that will change the future of flying and ways to travel virtually
October 04, 2020 20:56 - 44 minutes - 20.6 MBOn the Sunday, October 4th edition of The Travel Guys… In a reflection of how many people are NOT flying right now, United Airlines says they will fly 49% of its 2019 schedule in November of this year. That’s significant, because it includes the Thanksgiving holiday period. Exciting news to future flying. Airbus is working on a new type of plane, one which could change flying forever. It would use eco-friendly hydrogen-based fuels and would come in several...
What will make travelers feel safe to fly again?
September 27, 2020 16:56 - 44 minutes - 20.3 MBOn the Sunday, September 27th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, you plan to head to Hawaii again, starting October 15, but Covid testing will be mandatory. United and Hawaiian have announced on site testing at SFO only to start. United’s instant test will be $250, Hawaiian’s is priced at $150. In Honolulu, drive through testing will be offered, and both airlines offer a less expensive non-instant testing option. Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks have reopened as...
COVID safety while flying and recent travel trends
September 19, 2020 16:38 - 43 minutes - 19.9 MBOn the Sunday, September 20th edition of The Travel Guys: In the Travel News, travelers desperate to go ANYWHERE are holiday airfare, Shivaji Ds, The ‘Other’ Shangri-La, travel trendsscooping up flights to NOWHERE, we tell you why it’s pretty hard to get COVID while flying and the airlines are all holding their collective breaths, hoping for more taxpayer money to avoid major layoffs. Our Smarter Traveler segment features information on what to buy and what...
Current COVID-19 etiquette and an interview with one of the original Burning Man attendees
September 13, 2020 17:07 - 43 minutes - 19.8 MBOn the Sunday, September 20th edition of The Travel Guys… In theTravel News, MGM Resorts in Las Vegas has a package to entice you to move your home office work into an MGM hotel room, at a pretty reasonable price. There’s an updated travel warning involving Mexico and Holland America is putting five ships on European itineraries in 2021. We make you a Smarter Traveler by discussing COVID courtesy. What’s appropriate has changed a bit, especially...
Airline Change Fees, Baseball Spring Training, and Ghost Ship Tours
September 07, 2020 04:16 - 45 minutes - 20.8 MBOn the Sunday, September 6th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Southwest adds Palm Springs and Hawaii to its route map, as airlines try to pivot away from business travel to the leisure side. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about the airlines getting rid of changes fees…or did they. Fact is there are many fares where the change fees are not waived. Plus, the airlines are playing a few other tricks. ...