Join me in conversation with my Guest Elaine Mercedes Mondeza. Yes, we talk about travel, social issues, and just about everything else. Elaine has been a nomad for the past eight years and finally has decided to make Spain her forever home. Elaine is so much more, an author, advocate, TEDx speaker and travel writer.

Elaine and I talk about she did everything by the book, the way the system says to do it and then the system failed her. The American system failed her and so did American society.

Elaine and I get a little hungry when we start talking about great dishes made by locals while in our destination, rather than eating at those chains. Eat where the locals eat, the place may not look like much, but trust us, the food is out of this world.

To learn more about Elaine, check out FinallyElaine
Get a copy of her book "Humanized: The Journey Back to You without Labels"
Facebook
Be sure to check out where it all started with her TEDx talk
Be sure to check out more of  her writing 

To learn more about your Host, Randall McKeown

Join me in conversation with Erika Bud. Erika went from being a Los Angeles Police Officer to an Author of Children's Books, but not just any type of book as we find out in this podcast.

Erika has travelled to some 30 countries and has actually lived in Spain and Australia and found her back in Barcelona for this podcast where she is spending a month with her son. Some people think you should not take your child out of school, however, we both agree that travelling to another country is a better way of educating.

Erika is also a podcaster with her own podcast called "Planes, Trains & Kids Abroad"

There is more to this story and we could have talked for hours.

To find out more about Erika you can check out her webpage, check Erika out on Instagram and be sure to check out Erika's podcast, Planes, Trains & Kids Abroad

To find out more about the host, check out Randall McKeown

Sit back and enjoy as your host Randall McKeown has a conversation with Scott Poniewaz, Head of EXEC at joinEXEC.com, a travel, hotel and life benefits program. Take a journey with Scott through his exciting experiences as a traveller, his journey with the international travel company he worked for, and his current projects. Listen as he talks about discovering new and exotic destinations, the changes in business travel due to the pandemic, his experiences of moving back to Montana, and his plans for the future. Embark on a journey of exploration and adventure with Scott to get a glimpse into his unique experiences and passions.

For those interested in the great benefits of JoinEXEC.com, Scott has a special offer for our listeners. 

For Passports and Postcards listeners, we are extending a lifetime annual access rate of just $195 per year* ($300 off the current $495/year rate). 

*Offer expires December 31, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The $195 annual rate only applies to the single-seat membership. The promo code will apply $300 off to higher-tier memberships. All memberships are subject to a nominal one-time initiation fee.

Use Code:  PASSPORTS2023

More about Scott Poniewaz can be found on LinkedIn, his website and the travel and life benefit program at JoinEXEC.com

More info about your host Randall McKeown can be found here

Join me in conversation with Teodor Mihail as we discuss some hidden destinations within Europe. Many travelers take the time to visit well known cities, however, there is so much more to discover off the beaten path. 

If you would like to contact Teodor when booking your next holiday, he can be reached at the following 

Phone 01-647-223-7530 
Web: www.unraveltravel.com
or email uwt@centreholidays.com

What a great thing to do during lockdown. I never ever imagined that I would create and produce a podcast. I have so much fun travelling and I love hearing other peoples travel stories. While we could not travel, I wanted to create something to encourage you all to continue to dream about travel. 

Season 1 was more about my travels and then as I moved into Season 2 , I changed it up more to an interview style. I loved the two way conversation and hope you loved it to. 

You can contact by writing to

Passports and Postcards
24-3350 Hornbeam Crescent
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
L5L 3Z7

or you can email me at randall.mckeown@jlsetor.com

On this episode we speak with Katherine Barker Culclosure, Travel Advisor at Kindly Compass Travel. LLC. I have a candid conversation with Katherine about her career with NATO and having to relocate to Brussels. From the tearing down of the the WALL in Berlin to the joy of nations being accepted into NATO.

Katherine discusses her passion for dancing and booking group travel with that community. We explore current travel and some destinations that are open for Americans to travel to as well as future plans to explore Southern Africa with a River Cruise.

We delve into the importance of Normandy, the lives lost by both the US and Canada and why it is important to include Normandy to your bucket list.

If you are in the US and looking at booking a vacation and looking at Alaska, Europe or group travel you can contact Katherine through her website or check out her Instagram page

Sarah  is a veteran travel at the age of 29. A student of Travel at Fleming College and after graduation Sarah found herself working in Lake Louise Canada a hamlet in Banff National Park. 

After working there Sarah decided she wanted to see the world so at first she booked a one way ticket to New Zealand and then found out she had to have a return ticket in order to enter. After spending some quality time in New Zealand, Sarah found herself exploring and working in Australia and then a trip with a friend to Asia and then to Perth, Australia before touring Europe.

Once back in Canada, Sarah was approached by a family friend to come and work at his travel agency. Sarah said yes, and enjoyed working there until COVID and she has been out of work since March. If you are listening to this and you think you may have a job for Sarah, contact me and I will get the two of you in touch. Email me at : randall.mckeown@jlsetor.com

An experience traveler and now Travel Advisor, Teodor has done it all. Visiting 43 countries, five ocean cruises and one river cruise, Teodor uses his experience to guide his travel clients to destination and back again.

You can connect with Teodor at email: uwt@centreholidays.com
Visit his website at Unravel World Travel
Phone: 647-233-7530

Facebook
Instagram

Dream to Travel. You may not be travelling now, or you may be travelling. From where I sit, not many people are traveling due to government travel restrictions. That can't stop us from dreaming. Here at Passports and Postcards, I want you to always dream about travel.

My friend and colleague discuss a bit about our trip to Cancun, Mexico and visiting all the Palace resorts in the area and having the opportunity to stay at two. We first stayed four nights at the beautiful Grand at Moon Palace and then we spent three nights at the Le Blanc.

We discuss the impact COVID has had on the tourism industry and especially travel advisors, agents, counsellors...whatever you want to call us.

Caren from www. planavacation.ca  gives a heart warming story of a the kindness of a stranger at the end of wild trip to Disney, almost home again, only to be diverted to Detroit and then having to fly back to Orlando as the airline had lost a car seat and the struggle to survive another six days in Orlando before the kindness of a stranger gave them the best gift.

Tune in to hear her story.
If you have any travel inquires you can reach Caren at cfunnell@planavacation.ca or visit her website at Plan a Vacation

If you like to send me a comment, you can reach me at randall.mckeown@jlsetor.com

Why travel? Join me as I interview Robert Norton a seasoned traveler who has visited 39 countries and many of those have been long haul travel spending up to 6 months on the road. His last long haul was an epic 14,500 km driving odyssey through 5 of Australia's 6 Territories.

Join us as Robert talks about the benefits of travel, and that travel is not always smooth sailing. The Good, Bad and Ugly

Robert is an author, photographer, entrepreneur and world traveler.

You can find out more about Robert and his company Eyes On Photo Tours

Check out Robert Norton's incredible photography

Robert Norton has been published in Accenti

Welcome and thanks for all of you who listened in over 40+ countries and over 170+ unique cities. Season was fun, and I am looking forward in bringing more travel insight in the next season. 

We Dream Travel even though we are in the midst of a Pandemic.
I ask three people about their Travel Dreams
We hear from my friends Phil Spade, Toby Tullis, Rachel Ann Brickner, Taylor J, Deborah Pardes, Who Diss and Robin Miline

People never stop dream about travel, they are just waiting for the all clear.


Special Thanks to Swell and my Swell Community

What a way to cap of Season One. I thank everyone for listening and I will be recording more podcasts.

As we come to a close of Season 1, I want to thank everyone from around the world who has listened. My message has been about keeping the dream of travel alive during a pandemic. I want you to close your eyes and listen to the sounds of places I have been. 

Host Randall McKeown invites some of the world's most interesting nomads and entrepreneurs to share their stories of health, travel, and career goals. From the twelve-year-old Ricardo Wilkens, who wanted to be a basketball player or a spy, to Randall's own story of pursuing a career in communications instead of a police officer due to his poor vision, you'll be inspired to take risks and think outside the box to achieve your dreams.

Throughout the podcast, Randall and his guests explore life-long memories, how to be smarter about our health, and most importantly, how to create a life full of adventure. Join Randall and his guests as they discover what can be achieved with a little bit of courage and creativity.

To travel is to learn as along the way you discover new cultures and a new way of thinking So much to see and do, and trying to find out what to do next is very hard.

Ricardo is a Candidate for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Visionary of the Year Award, which starts a campaign from April 4 - June 16 to raise funds for the non-profit. 

Follow Ricardo Wilkins

Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Book

It has been difficult to try and stay positive about travel, future travel as we are dealing with a pandemic. A lot of people say nothing to worry about as the number of infections or deaths are just a small percentage. Try saying that to someone who has lived through being infected with COVID or someone who has lost someone from COVID. 

I try to inspire people to travel with caution or to continue to dream about travel. You don't have to travel far to have a getaway, you just have to plan properly. Do your due diligence by doing your research, contacting places to see if they are open and if you need to make reservations. 

Think about rural trips, trips along back roads, discover new towns, parks, lakes, rivers, mountains. Support local businesses, Mom and Pop shops, not big name franchises who have been the death of small town Canada and America.

First we begin with my very first trip to Cuba and the Club Bucanero in the South East of Cuba. While there we go snorkeling and I almost die...too much salt water. A tour of Santiago de Cuba. We discover Gran Piedra, a 63,000 ton volcanic rock sitting on top of a mountain and better yet, you can climb it. A must see, Boconao- Dinosaur Park and join the fish at Acuraio de Baconao.

Second Trip is to Varadero, white sandy beaches, the Beatles Bar, Mall of America and classic cars all over the place. A overnight trip to Havana and to see the spectacular Tropicana show and then the next day tour some sights like, Malecon, National Capital Building, Castillo De Los Tres Reyes Del Morro, Revolution Museum, Great Theatre of Havana and Plaza de la Catedral just to list a few...

The third trip was an in and out event. Arrive late on a Sunday night, stay at Melia Las Dumas and then tour 8 resorts on Monday, 8 on Tuesday and back on a plane on Wednesday. We had a great dinner and beach party at Iberostar Selection Ensenachos. 

Why visit New York City. Yes, I understand that we are in the middle of a pandemic and travel restrictions besiege us all, but one day we will return to travel as we once did. In this episode we talk several times about eating, shopping, Central Park, Statute of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Port Authority.

There is so much to do in New York City, sports, theatre, sites and sounds.

There are parts of New York that I might have missed, but that can be for another podcast episode.

You can always check out my web at randymckeown.thetravelagentnextdoor.com and you can always send me an email to randall.mckeown@jlsetor.com 

Come explore London. I have been three times and look forward to going again. In this episode we go over just a few places that you may like to visit.

For admission to most attractions, please check out www.londonpass.com before you go and you can save lots of money.
For transferring your baggage from the airport to where you are staying, I recommend Transfer Bags

For booking your travel, you can contact me as your experienced  Travel Advisor

Join me as I travel to Dublin, we drive across to Galway and back and then take a train through the Wicklow Mountains to Aughrim and then off to Carlow and back to Dublin. 
I feel in love with Ireland and the people. I will return one day. 

In the travel industry, travel professionals are invited to attend FAM trips. These trips aren't free and they are designed to familiarize yourself with the destination and the properties. This hard to do when you arrive late on a Sunday night, travel 600 kms over two days and head home on the morning of the third day.
I had a quick tour of Dreams Las Mareas, Secrets Papagayo, Occidental Papagayo, Villas Sol, The Weston Reserve (was called the Golf Resort) Conhal, Villas Playa Samara, Occidental Tamarindo. I love Costa Rica from what I saw and want to go back. I will do a future podcast and give you information on these properties.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at randall.mckeown@jlsetor.com or my travel email rmckeown@thetravelagentnextdoor.com or visit my great website

In this episode, let us focus on local travel. Exploring our own backyards. It doesn't matter if you live in a big city, town, or out in the country. Some of us are suffering Cabin fever and we have a natural desire to travel, explore, and learn. 

Never stop dreaming about travel, but for now, let us take baby steps...and as things start to open up we can start taking trips further away.

This podcast gives a first hand account of one young man's decision to stay in Laos with a group of friends and attempt to ride out the lockdown on travel. What they did in Laos. Listen to the frustration when trying to get a flight home. 

On this episode I try to bring you just a little taste of Paris. Follow along as I take a romantic stroll in Paris for the weekend. 

Some if not all of you are aware that currently the Canadian border is closed to all Americans wanting to come into Canada. The Canadian Government has a travel band in effect for Canadians wanting to travel to many countries, America being one them. This does not mean that people are not flying into one country or the other, however in my opinion for now I believe this should be banned as well. If you like to reach out to me, you can send an email to ranmck@outlook.com

Just a brief update about Porter Airlines introducing flights from Toronto to Vancouver and back again.  Flights from YYZ to YVR. 

I had the pleasure of visiting Cancun, Cozumel and area. This podcast will give you a feel for the Grand at Moon Palace, Le Blanc, Cancun and other Palace properties in the area.

I had the opportunity to spend a week on this beautiful Island in the Eastern Caribbean Sea. 
Come join me as I explore specific properties and enjoy the sites, sounds and flavours of this island paradise.

Intro to a new Podcast Series called "Passports and Postcards". Follow me as I travel to new and exciting destinations and share with you my experience. Isn't time to start dreaming about travel again?

Born in Los Angeles, and not in the good part. Tara had an advantage, she was smart and knew what she wanted. A Yale and MIT-trained architect, Tara understands the need for a great foundation on which to build.

Tara is a certified Life Mastery Consultant, a Certified Parent Educator, and a Religious Science Practioner and is certified by both The Brave Thinking Institute and Emerson Institute.

Today on our podcast, Tara teaches us that it is our calendar and we can add to the Calendar what we want but fun has to come first!

We talk about travel. Where do you want to go, when do you want to go, what are you going to do when you get there? Put it on your calendar, "commit" and you can make it happen.

To find out more about Tara Brown click here
Check her out on Facebook
Check out her book, Awaken Your Fertility

On this episode I welcome Chef Mathew Gray. At age 10, Mathew moved from New York to Los Angeles. At age 17 he travelled with Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd for five years (selling official merchandise) before heading off to Le Cordon Bleu London where he studied to be a Chef.

Give listen to this podcast and the extraordinary life travels of Mathew Gray. We explore his passion for food, people and health.

You can find out more about Mathews's Professional life or Hawaii Food Tours

In this episode we speak with Christine Virbrant about her life as a nomad and the challenges and opportunities that arise when you allow yourself to travel the world. New cultures, new aromas, new foods, new languages and more experiences.

Originally from South Africa, Christine found herself living and working in Taiwan, before relocating to the United States of America.

Christine is a certified Life and Health Coach and she can help you.

You can check Christine out at Being Better Me You can text  Christine at 1-706-397-5801 check her out on Youtube Waking Hope and be sure to like and subscribe. You can also find Christine on Facebook

In this episode, I review the crisis in the Airline Industry here in Canada. The industry opened too fast. It is not just the airlines but the Airlines that offer packages. They don't care about you, they only care about profit. 

The industry has been exposed through all social media platforms, grilled by the federal government here in Canada and still they don't care, you should.

I can't in good conscious continue on providing travel services when the industry is in such free fall.

In this episode, we arrive at our last Gamer Reserve and have an excellent time. We go on several sunrise and sunset Safaris and spend a whole day in Kruger National Park. 

We all got along, although we were not riding together, we came together for the Sundowner overlooking the watering hole 

 #Safari  #Africa 

In this episode, we are travelling from Humala River Lodge in the Mpumalanga Highlands along the Panorama Route. We make stops at God'Window, Lisbon Falls, Bourke's Luck Potholes, and the Three Rondavels all part of the Blyde River Canyon.

A visit by Tom Rourke, who had a strong hunch that there was gold in these parts, staked his claim. Tom had no such luck with Gold, however, others that came after him and were not too far from where his claim. was registered, many a man found gold and became rich. 

The road trip was long, from one camp to another, however, stopping along the way to see these sites was amazing. 

I hope in this episode to make you think of maybe planning a trip to South Africa and doing the Safari's and the Panorama Route. 

Join me in conversation with Mathieu Dufour. Mat and his pregnant wife and young son decided on a whim to sell everything and make the move from Canada to Mexico. Mat talks about the local ex-pat community and how they have been so helpful in assisting the family in settling in.

It may not be the life for everyone and this may not be the final destination for these nomads.

To connect with Mat check out his fitness program!

In this episode, I tell of our adventure of being stuck in a jeep on Safari at night with no one around. No cellphone reception and just sit there as easy prey for any night hunters. 

Come listen to what happens as 6 people are stuck  in the middle of the reserve under the stars. 

In this episode I relieve the experience of Day 4 of our South African adventure. 

We start off from The Shark Bay
-Buffelsfontein Game and Nature Reserve
-Khwa ttu- The San people, the first people of Southern Africa

In this episode, we continue with our South African Experience. Today we find ourselves waking up at The Shark Bay Hotel & Spa in Langebaan, West Coast South Africa.

We explore Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, Cape Columbine Lighthouse, and lunch at Die Gaaitjie Restaurant in Paternoster-right on the beach, with the South Atlantic Ocean as our backdrop.

We explore Velddrif on the mouth of the Berg River and then make our way to the West Coast Fossil Park where we are shown the fossils of the great animals that use to roam these parts. 

Finishing off our day with a champagne & sunset Cruise before heading back to The Shark Bay for dinner and our last night there before moving to Stillness Estate

Day 2 of our Cape Town adventure and they take us to Langa Township. Langa has been stated to be the safest Township to visit and probably the most walkable. The day was not all about Langa, however, my experience has left an impression and one that I wish there was more that I could do to eradicate racial discrimination even knowing that Apartheid was abolished many years ago, the race classification is still in the minds of all. 

We visit a schoolhouse and hear the children sing and watch them dance, there are hundreds of satellite dishes mounted on the walls, so even the poorest of the poor can still watch TV. 

We have lunch with a lady in the township and she serves up an excellent meal and tells how she used to create meals that would be packaged and sold at grocery stores. That business took a nose dive and she had to find another way to make money, so she contacted Touch Down DMC, the inbound tour operator who was guiding us and offered to make food for their guests. After eating her cooking, I can see things only looking better for her. 

We did go to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and then to the top of Table Mountain.

Probably the most visited Museum in South Africa, Robben Island has a history dating back several hundred years. Nelson Mandela spent 18 of 27 incarcerated years here on Robben Island.  Nelson Mandela, a Political activist and Lawyer fought to end apartheid in South Africa.

We did also visit some artisans at Watershed, visited a Diamond Museum and had dinner at Cape Town Fish Market before being whisked away to Belle Maroc and some much-needed sleep. 

Yes, Africa Mother Land, touchdown. We have arrived in Cape Town, South Africa and we stay at the lovely Hotel Verde and our South Africa tour starts the next day with a full week in and around Cape Town. 

We journey to Belle Maroc Boutique Hotel in Bloubergstrand and have our first experience of the beach, the South Atlantic Ocean and of course Table Mountain.

We meet our fellow travellers who will be joining us on this action-packed, go go go, tour of Cape Town before we head off to Johannesburg to go on Safari. 

We will need all our energy and food gives me energy. Let's Go..........

I generally don't like to come out and rip into a tour company especially being a travel professional myself. I have to come out and warn travellers to stay away from this company.

I used this tour company for our trip of a lifetime, and financially it was and the experience was not so exciting. I must say that I enjoyed the Safari portion of our trip and the people in destinations Cape Town, Humala, Tshukudu and Kruger National Park were amazing.

The people at the hotels, Belle Marco, The Shark Bay, and Stillness Manor were excellent as well. Our drivers and guides were also excellent.  Where I had an issue with staff in the North American offices.

Everyone is still using the excuse of the Pandemic and staff shortages and people working from home and information is in different places. We live in a world of technology, a funny thing called computers, the digital world.

The company sent us a receipt of all the money that we paid for this trip as we were allowed to pay it over time.  They had a flight for us from Cape Town to Johannesburg and when the agent called she told us we were starting our tour off on Safari. I don't think so, based on the information they provided to me we were flying from Cape Town to Johannesburg and that is how we booked our own flights, a flight into Cape Town and a flight out of Johannesburg.

Give it a listen, beware of this tour company and if you are looking for one that will deliver on all their promises, you can reach out to me as I am a travel professional

On this episode we finally make it to see the windmills of Zaanse Schans, just north of Zaandam. This after our Trip with Viator was cancelled. We did receive an email around 10:30 at night the day of the Viator trip that a refund had been requested. I did not request one, but I guess they cancelled the tour.

I talk about the trip to see the Windmills, and our trip to Bever so that my wife could purchase her Trekking poles.  Also we explore parts of Amsterdam by just walking. We came across many different canals and found the floating flower market. We used the Tram a lot today and they were comfortable (don't attempt to take them during rush hour if you are a tourist). 

We find a lovely restaurant to have dinner and then we tour Ann Frank House before 
heading back by Tram to Amsterdam Central and taking a train back to Zaandam. Packing and going to bed as we had a Taxi picking us up at 5:30am to take us to the Airport so we could catch our flight to Cape Town

In this podcast, I give a little synopsis of our first two days in Zaandam and Amsterdam. Viator failure to inform us that our Tour to Zaanes Schans to see the Windmills had been cancelled. To people watching from the lobby couch and having our first romantic dinner at McDonalds.

We head on a search to Sugar City, Halfweg to the Style Outlets in search of Trekking Poles at Solomon. 

A rainy canal tour and the same on the hop-on and hop-off bus tour of Amsterdam finally finding a nice place to have dinner at De Dam at a restaurant called Mail Company Grand Cafe. 

In this episode, I look into the Status of Airports after returning and flying over 36000 km. I flew through Pearson International Airport, Schiphol International, Cape Town International, Johannesburg International, Paris International and back through Toronto International Airport.

Do not believe everything you have heard or seen through the media or social media. I had no real bad experiences with lineups. Yes, there were some other issues....but you have to listen to hear. 

On today's podcast, I dive deep into a conversation with Linda King. Linda is a traveller who has visited 32 countries with plans to visit many more. Linda has captured her experiences, tips and tricks to help you. Founder of The  Smart Travelista, Linda has published a five-book series all geared to help you the traveller.

To connect with Linda, you find more details at "The Smart Travelista"

To find out more about the host "Randall McKeown"

Be sure to check out my Book "Gonzalo Guerrero: Travel Insight with Randall McKeown"

In this episode, I try to explain why there has been such a disaster at airports. I explain that the majority of staff, from pilots to cabin crew, to baggage handlers, to Check-In staff are short-staffed. When everything shut down in 2020 and we thought we might be able to ride this out, the longer it carried on, most Airlines laid off staff, or let staff go. Staff was hopeful that the pandemic would end soon, however, it has not. A large percentage of those people went and found jobs elsewhere.

Now that almost all restrictions around the world have been lifted everyone and their brother, and their brother's brother want to travel. The demand is high and Airlines and Airports are having a difficult time staffing up.

In this episode, I talk about my new adventure of returning to the travel industry with Passports and Postcards Travel

Hello. and welcome.  News to share with you all. Yes, I have been away for a while. It would take me hours to tell you all the reasons why I have been away. 

I am getting back into travel as a travel advisor under my own brand Passports and Postcards Travel. I am licenced to sell travel to Canadian travellers. However, since a lot of you are international listeners you can be my source in the destination.

For my Canadian listeners, you need to book with a professional. Someone who can navigate you through this reboot of travel.

I am super excited as my South Africa trip that was booked in 2016 is a go for September 2022 with a three-day stopover in Amsterdam, well actually we will be staying in Zaandam) just outside of the city at the Inntel Hotel Zaandam.

We are planning a private tour from Zaandam to Zaanee Schans to see traditional windmills and the countryside. 
 
In Amsterdam, we plan to check out the Anne Frank house and for that, we will need to book tickets in early August.  

We will have to do the A'Dam Lookout and I will be daring enough to do Europe's highest swing "Over the Edge" and dangle 100 metres above the ground. Care to join me.

I will do a podcast about my journey in October and other podcasts will be about my experience in Cape Town and Johannesburg.