[caption id="attachment_12417" align="alignleft" width="240"] Image Credit - Taylor DeRuvo[/caption] Our tech lord and family travel reporter James DeRuvo has spent the summer at both D23 and San Diego Comic-Con. He joins Paul with a report of what he calls "nerd stock." SaveSave SaveSave SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Don George joins Paul to talk about his most recent trip to the Japanese Island of Shikoku and the tour he led for Geographic Expeditions. They discuss, food, hotels and an ancient pilgrimage that attracts thousands to the island. They also discuss the Japanese rituals associated with bathing. And in mid August it is time once again for the 26th annual Book Passage Travel Writers Conference. Don creates a totally unique weekend of workshops with some of the world's leading authors and editors dedicated to great travel writing. It's been a called an "adult summer camp".   

Janice Wald Henderson talks about small ship cruising with Paul and both agree that Windstar is one of the best. They have both motor/sailing ships and small ocean-going yacht-like vessels that can dock and anchor right along with today's mega-yachts. Plus they are casual and hence comfortable. Paul and Elizabeth spent their 25th anniversary on a Windstar cruise in the Mediterranean.

Rich Grant, the self styled "Curmudgeon of Denver," joins Paul to talk about the 125 year old Brown Palace in Denver, and how it used to serve as the Western White House for President Eisenhower and the First Lady during the summer.   SaveSave SaveSave

When traveling, how much should you tip? And is it safe to give to beggars in the streets? There's a complicated and varying set of rules of when and how to do both that varies from country to country, and even area to area. Wallace Immen joins Paul and Elizabeth to talk about tipping and whether to give to children begging in poor areas.   SaveSave SaveSave

Anyone who has traveled the waterways of France knows that it can be quite a majestic experience. Travel writer Anna Hobbs joins us to talk about the advantages of an Emerald River Cruise and the unique experience of traveling through France and its rivers.     SaveSave SaveSave

The Barbados have a very historical and unique connection with the city of Charleston South Carolina. With this connection in mind, Paul chats with historian Dr. Karl Watson, Dr. Carrie Hall (CEO of Barbados Tourism Product Authority), and Petra Roche, of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. SaveSave

Stu Snyder co-owner of Maine's famous Beal's Lobster Pier chats with Paul about what makes lobster such a treat in Maine. They also talk about seasonal differences, best ways to prepare and who has the best lobster roll. Beal's is on a beautiful part of the Maine coast. Here's some more about Beals in their own words. A visit to Beal’s Lobster Pier is always a highlight – no matter the season. At our working lobster pier in Southwest Harbor, Maine, you and your family will have a blast watching the boats coming in and the lobstermen unloading fresh Maine lobster. Hear the creak of rope on the moorings. Catch the scent of saltwater on the breeze. And enjoy the waterfront view. But make sure you bundle up if you stop by during the autumn and winter months! Maine has so much to offer – even in the off season. From October’s vibrant foliage, to December’s beautiful, thick blankets of snow, you’re sure to see something that will take your breath away at our working lobster pier in beautiful Southwest Harbor. Our restaurant is closed from October to May, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy fresh lobster from Maine’s pristine coast. Even when Maine is cold enough to freeze our beards and eyelashes, we’re still hard at work to deliver live lobsters, fresh and frozen lobster meat, and more to your doorstep. Use our Beal’s at Home service any time to order. Imagine a steaming stock pot, the fresh scent of lobster plucked straight from the salty sea, the satisfying crunch as you crack into this delicacy, and the sweet, succulent taste of a dish you thought you could only have in the summertime. So shake off those cold-weather blues and serve up a fresh Maine lobster dinner for your family – you know you want to! Our Beal’s at Home service also offers a favorite cold weather seafood delight – scallops. When the temperatures drop, the scallop season begins, and we’re happy to offer you these delicious saltwater morsels in addition to your order of fresh Maine lobster – think of them as a side that can only come from Maine’s coast.