Commodore Everette Hoard talks about the history and maritime achievements of The RMS Queen Mary, one the greatest liners to ever sail the seas. Now docked permanently in Long Beach, California, the ship is now a hotel and tourist attraction, but it still remains the last remaining example of the golden age of the great liners.

Award-Winning Cruise Journalist/Culinary Travel Expert Janice Wald Henderson talks with Paul about Crystal Cruises newest developments, as well as what they both agree are the best cruise cabins afloat on board the Regent Seven Seas Explorer. But you can bet that their conversation will inevitably include the latest food trends that are catching on while dining at sea. SaveSave SaveSave

A fun hotel with great design, complimentary breakfast, and free, hi-speed Wi-Fi for $90 to $110 a night? That's the promise of Tru by Hilton. With spacious lobbies where guests can work, play games, eat, or just plain lounge about, these hotels are designed to attract a wide range of travelers. Fitness centers and snack markets are also open 24 hours a day. The first Tru by Hilton opened at the Oklahoma City Airport, and more than 400 more are in the pipeline. Alexandra Jaritz, Global Head of Tru by Hilton joins Paul and Elizabeth in a fun, freewheeling chat about Hilton’s new design-driven, mid-scale hotel brand.  SaveSave SaveSave

[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.  

Caroline Beteta,CEO of VisitCalifornia has shaped a message that resonates around the world. California is a place where dreams do come true and you can realize your dreams while visiting California. She talks with Paul and Elizabeth about the opportunities in marketing the iconic image California has to the world. It seems that everyone does want to visit California but that sometimes they need an invitation geared to their interests and dreams. She has created video campaigns that project energy and most of all the possibility of fulfilling visitor's dreams in California. We discuss the creative processes that go into creating the California Dream. You'll also hear Karin King give us the lowdown on what visas are needed and what procedures should be followed by visitor and resident alike when traveling to and from the U.S., Karin is with the U.S. State Department, so she speaks with accuracy.

Celebrity Cruises’ President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo joins Paul and Elizabeth to discuss the new Celebrity Edge, a ship destined to revolutionize the cruise experience when it sets sail in late 2018. One innovative concept involves Eden, a three-deck-high space at the ship’s aft that will offer a variety of dining and entertainment throughout the day: yoga and croissants in the morning, enrichment seminars and performances in the afternoon, fine dining at night. “We call it going from chillful to playful to a little bit ‘sinful,’” says Lutoff-Perlo. Eden’s design, featuring almost 7,000 square feet of glass walls furthers one of Edge’s prime directives: providing guests enhanced connectivity with the sea. Enjoy this preview of Celebrity Edge’s Eden.  

The Hyatt Place in Charleston, South Carolina is actually two hotels in one. Rachel Frost, director of marketing for Hyatt House joins Paul to talk about this unique new concept that's the first of its kind in the United States.     SaveSave SaveSave

Helen Hill is CEO of Explore Charleston. As a life long Charlestonian, Helen has seen the city grow to become a prime visitor destination.  She joins Paul to talk about her insights, and the tragedy at Mother Emmanuel church in 2015. Rather than suffer the fate of so many other cities with unrest, the entire community followed the lead of the families involved in the tragedy and not only forgave  but worked actively to help the community. It was a defining act of forgiveness when the call might easily be for vengeance.     SaveSave SaveSave

The USS Yorktown and two other historical ships, are a popular tourist destination in Charleston Harbor. Paul talks with Christopher Hauff, the Public Information Officer of Patriots Point, about the history of these ships and a new exhibit that brings the Vietnam conflict to life with uncanny realism.  SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave

Paul and Elizabeth chat with Ariela Wertheimer an artist whose work is in this years 57^th annual Venice Art Biennale. It's  an international art exhibition that attracts visitors from various countries around the world. Now through November, the world-class art festival will feature notable artists such as Wertheimer of Israel's Farkash Gallery who will be exhibiting her highly anticipated "Light Boxes" for the first time at this year's event. Paul and Elizabeth also talk about ways to see Venice and save money. 

Correspondent Jennifer Dombrowski talks with Paul about the realities of trekking in Nepal. Surprisingly you can even have pizza on your trek. Katmandhu is surprising and she finds that everything about the country is different in some ways much different  than she imagined. Check out her travels with husband, Tim Davis at LuxeAdventureTraveler.    

Correspondent Greg Geronemus discusses with Paul and Elizabeth how Smartours is still providing affordable travel to Cuba - now, "the world's most expensive travel destination," according to Greg. He clarifies for us what the recent Trump Administration updates to Cuba policy mean for Americans traveling there. The company is also once again offering tours to Egypt. Egypt is affordable and the people are welcoming and very hospitable. Greg points out that the Egypt tours are selling out.

Discover the Spain you didn’t know existed.. Spain expert Leon Liberman joins Paul and Elizabeth again to reveal some of the country’s lesser known treasures. Learn why Paradors offer great value as well as insights into Spain’s culture and history, and how to make use of an abundance of resources. Explore Bilbao and learn about “pinchos" culture (the region’s distinctive tapas) and thrill to the joy of riding on Spain’s trains, among the best in Europe. Listening to Leon, you’ll feel as though you’re relaxing in a sidewalk cafe in Barcelona.

Marcus Hibdon of Visiting Portland joins us to talk about Portland Oregon. From VooDoo Donuts, to food carts, to how easy it is to get around, the City of Roses is a prime vacation destination and the best kept secret in travel.   

Award winning photographer and insatiable traveler Susan Portnoy joins us to talk about photo tours and how traveling with your camera is one of the best ways to see the world.  Susan shares how to choose a photo tour by looking to see what inspires. SaveSaveSaveSave SaveSave

Roving reporter John Poimiroo and Gaylene Ore join us to talk about Grand County Colorado, a charming place in the Rockies which not only has an authentic, historical vibe, but their dude ranches are a great place to visit, no matter what season you're in. SaveSave

Jim Markel spent half his life as a Marine rigger.Now he's taken that tough attitude and philosophy and put it into designing  Red Oxx Luggage.  Made in The USA in Billings, Montana. Paul and Elizabeth have bought and used Red Oxx for years and it as close to the perfect luggage as they have found. Jim and Paul talk about luggage and most of all travel. Jim is a regular on Traveling. SaveSave SaveSave