Explore every episode of the podcast The Informed Traveler
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Travel Takes Off & Inside YYC’s New Lounge | 19 Sep 2026 | 00:21:30 | |
With Summer coming to an end, Fall travel is showing increasing numbers so on this week's show travel expert Onanta Forbes will join me to discuss the shift towards travelling during over the Fall season. Plus, Calgary International Airport opened a new airport lounge this past week so we'll talk about what it offers guests and airport lounges in general. | |||
| Bid Your Way to an Upgrade & The Villa Premiere Puerto Vallarta | 12 Sep 2026 | 00:37:15 | |
Have you ever tried a bid upgrade? It's where passengers can offer to pay extra for a chance to move from their current class (like economy) to a higher class. Airlines and cruise lines use it all the time so on this week's show travel expert Onanta Forbes will join me to walk us through the process. Then we'll head to Puerto Vallarta to learn about the Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel. Located in the heart of Puerto Vallarta, just a few blocks from the iconic “El Malecón” boardwalk focusing its service on romance, taste & relaxation. | |||
| Pan Am 103 Fallout & Rafting in the Kootenays | 05 Sep 2026 | 00:28:44 | |
Have you seen the Netflix series The Bombing of Pan Am 103? It's about the tragedy of Lockerbie, Scotland that happened in Dec. of 1988. On this week's show Travel Expert Onanta Forbes joins me to discuss the tragedy and fallout that Pan Am 103 had on the travel industry as a whole. Plus, we took a short trip to Radium, BC last week and went whitewater rafting with the folks from The Kootenay River Runners. I talked with one of their guides afterwards to get some insight into what they are all about so we'll play that conversation for you. | |||
| Cruising Northern Europe & Inside the Fairmont Tokyo | 29 Aug 2026 | 00:30:04 | |
Travel Expert Onanta Forbes was on the last leg of her cruise around Northern Europe last week so we'll get the highlights on this week's show. Plus, travel writer and luxury hotel reviewer Debra Smith will join us to give her take on her stay at the Fairmont Tokyo. | |||
| Cruising Northern Europe & Hotel Escape Rooms | 22 Aug 2026 | 00:32:35 | |
Travel Expert Onanta Forbes continued her cruise around the British Isles and Northern Europe last week so we'll catch up with her to see what she's been up to. Plus, have you ever thought of doing or have done an Escape Room experience while on vacation? It's a growing trend where hotels are offering that right on site so we'll talk to Laura Hawkins, President of Gamemasters Escape Solutions, the people behind that trend. | |||
| Cruising Ireland and A Taste Of Alberta | 15 Aug 2026 | 00:30:55 | |
Travel Expert Onanta Forbes is travelling again so we'll catch up with her cruising around Ireland where she managed to take in the solar eclipse that happened this week. Plus, last week I got the chance to visit the area of Diamond Valley, only about a 40 minute drive south of Calgary. It's also home to Eau Claire Distillery, known for it's fabulous whiskey, gin and vodka and is Canada's most awarded craft distillery. It was a fun night out so we'll talk to the CEO of Eau Claire Distillery to learn more about the story behind their success. | |||
| Online Passport Renewals & Lessons From A Cruise Ship Life | 08 Aug 2026 | 00:46:32 | |
Renewing your passport has become a bit simpler as you can now renew it online, so on this week's show Travel Expert Onanta Forbes joins me to go through the process. Then we'll talk with the author of a new book titled Sales to Success: How a Cruise Ship Salesman Turned Jewelry, Stories, and Human Connection into a Life of Adventure. He's Rick Domanski and he's sailed the world's oceans as a cruise ship sales professional, luxury retail promoter, and shopping expert. He was also my supervisor when I did the same job many years ago while working on the cruise ships. So we're going to talk about the cruise ship life, what we learned and how he put it all together in his new book. | |||
| Overbooked, Now What? & A Visit to San Antonio | 01 Aug 2026 | 00:28:27 | |
Have you ever volunteered to give up your seat on an overbooked flight? It can be tempting sometimes depending on your circumstances. On this week's show Travel Expert Onanta Forbes joins me to discuss overbooking, not just with the airlines but with hotels and cruise lines. Why it happens and what to do to avoid losing your seat, room or cabin. Plus, we'll chat with our friend Dee Dee Poteete from Visit San Antonio to see what's new in a city full of historic sites and their famous Riverwalk. | |||
| Now is the Time to Plan Your Winter Getaway & Edinburgh's Historic Castle | 25 Jul 2026 | 00:31:09 | |
Even though winter seems a long way off, now is the time to start planning for that winter getaway, so on this week's show Travel Expert Onanta Forbes joins me to offer some tips on what to plan for and some ideas on where to go. Plus we'll head to Edinburgh, Scotland and talk with one of the tour guides of the historic Edinburgh Castle. A place full of stories and majestic views overlooking the city of Edinburgh. | |||
| Double Dip Your Travel Rewards & Discovering Perce Rock, Quebec | 18 Jul 2026 | 00:27:08 | |
We talk a lot about Travel Rewards on this show so this week Travel Expert Onanta Forbes joins me to discuss how to double dip to help you to earn those rewards faster. And then we'll head to Quebec and visit the Gaspe region and in particular Perce Rock, one of Canada's most iconic natural landmarks overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence. | |||
| My River Cruise Was Cancelled, Now What? & Historic Franklin, Tennessee | 11 Jul 2026 | 00:29:24 | |
Travel Expert Onanta Forbes was supposed to be leaving for a river cruise in Europe next week but the cruise was cancelled at the last minute, so now what? On this week's show we'll discuss what happens with a last minute river cruise cancellation. Then we'll head to Franklin, Tennessee, a historic town located only minutes south of Nashville, known for its beautifully preserved Main Street, Civil War history, vibrant music scene, boutique shopping, and outstanding Southern dining. | |||
| America 250 & A Fiji Paradise | 04 Jul 2026 | 00:25:32 | |
Our friends in the US have been busy celebrating America 250 this year and the website Roamright.com has come out with a guide on planning a trip to the US around America 250 so on this week's show travel expert Onanta Forbes will join me to discuss what you should know. Then we'll head across the Pacific and visit Vomo Island in Fiji. It's a beautiful private island which is home the best luxury resort for families in Fiji and the 5th best beach in the world. | |||
| Alberta Adventures & Car Rental Insurance | 27 Jun 2026 | 00:26:00 | |
The Canada Strong Pass is back this summer and with Canada Day coming up I thought it might be a good idea to showcase what we have here in our own backyard so on this week's show travel expert Onanta Forbes joins me to share some of the sights and activities in and around Calgary and Alberta. Then we'll talk about car rental insurance coverage from your credit card, what it covers and what you should be aware of. Rewards Canada founder Patrick Sojka will join us to give some insight. | |||
| Avoiding Booking Scams & Alternative Destinations | 20 Jun 2026 | 00:26:36 | |
There's all kinds of travel scams waiting to take advantage of you, one of them that seems to be on the rise is fake booking sites. On this week's show, travel expert Onanta Forbes will join me to discuss what to look for and how to avoid them. Plus, the folks from Skyscanner have come out with The Smarter Summer Report so you can find the best places to go this summer. So we'll have a look at some of their handpicked alternative destinations. | |||
| What's Happening in Cuba? Plus, Where Canadians Are Headed | 13 Jun 2026 | 00:35:07 | |
Cuba has been in the travel news a lot lately as a number of airlines, tour operators and hotels have ceased operations, so on this week's show travel expert Onanta Forbes will join me to discuss what's going on in Cuba. Then we'll chat with the VP of DCI, Development Counsellors International as they've recently released their fourth edition of the Capturing the Canadian Consumer study. So we'll dive into the numbers to see where Canadians are going and why. | |||
| Don't Get Tagged: Bag Tag Safety & A Campbell River Escape | 06 Jun 2026 | 00:30:30 | |
Have you heard about the issue of bag tag switching at Canadian airports? It doesn't happen often but you certainly don't want to be the one caught up in it. Travel expert Onanta Forbes will join me to discuss what it involves and what you can do to make sure you're not. Then we'll head to Vancouver Island and visit Campbell River, home to the Naturally Pacific Resort. We'll chat with the GM to get the highlights of visiting Campbell River this summer. | |||
| Summer Travel Concerns & MSC World America Review | 30 May 2026 | 00:33:23 | |
Summer travel is on the minds of many these days and with it many concerns and questions so on this week's show Travel Expert Onanta Forbes will join me to discuss what those concerns might be. And the Cruise Guru, David Yeskel who is often a guest on our show, will stop by to give us his review of the MSC World America. It's one of MSC Cruises newest ships so we'll get the lowdown from David. | |||
| Fort Lauderdale Takes Center Stage at IPW 2026 | 23 May 2026 | 00:21:14 | |
This week's show is all about sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida where we attended IPW 2026 last week — one of the travel industry’s premier international marketplaces, hosted by Brand USA and the US Travel Association. One of the conversations we had was with Visit Lauderdale sharing all the fun things Ft Lauderdale has to offer. I also had a sit down with Brand USA, talking about traveling to the US, visitation numbers and the plan going forward. | |||
| Island Journeys: The Philippines & Grenada | 16 May 2026 | 00:38:13 | |
On this week's show we'll catch with Travel Expert Onanta Forbes as she winds up her stay in the Philippines. Plus we'll find out if she's encountered any travel disruptions with the jet fuel shortage that's effecting many places. Then later in the show we'll hear from the Grenada Tourism Authority on why Grenada is a great choice for your next Caribbean vacation. | |||
| Two Tropical Adventures: The Philippines & Costa Rica | 09 May 2026 | 00:48:30 | |
On this week's show we'll get some tips and insight on travelling to the Philippines. Travel Expert Onanta Forbes is there, so we'll join her live from the Philippines. Then we'll head to Costa Rica, a popular vacation spot for many people. Known for it's rainforests, sunny beaches, mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls and rivers. If you've been you know what I'm talking about so we'll chat with the co-founder of Anywhere.com who is an expert on traveling to Costa Rica. | |||
| Mobile, Alabama: Historic Charm, The Battle House & A City on the Rise | 02 May 2026 | 00:20:15 | |
I just got back from the Travel South USA Media Marketplace in Mobile, AB. So on this week's show we'll share a couple of conversations we had. One is with the Battle House Renaissance Hotel and Spa. That's where we stayed while in Mobile. It's beautiful hotel that dates back to the 1800's. So we'll share the story about it's historical past and what it's like now. The other is with Visit Mobile sharing the historic past, the colorful present and exciting future plans for Mobile. | |||
| Georgia Gems | 26 Apr 2026 | 00:43:03 | |
We've taken our show on the road this week and we invite you to travel with us through the state of Georgia—a place where history, music, and Southern charm come together. Our journey took us from the timeless streets of Savannah, to the soulful sounds of Macon, and finally to the big city attractions of Atlanta. | |||
| Six Stops in Florida: Quick Hits from the Sunshine State | 18 Apr 2026 | 00:50:24 | |
We're doing something a little different on our show this week, a number of different destinations from Florida plus the folks from Visit Florida were in Vancouver last week each promoting their specific area of Florida so I got the chance to chat with all of them (6 to be exact) in a short meet and greet, speed dating type fashion, asking each of them 3 or 4 questions to get to know what each destination in Florida has to offer. | |||
| Into South America & Across the Western Front | 11 Apr 2026 | 00:39:09 | |
If traveling to South America is on your radar in the coming year you'll want to hear our chat with Adam Booth, Sales and Marketing Representative in the US and Canada for Explora, a company that’s been named the World’s Leading Expedition Company multiple years in a row. Specializing in immersive experiences across South America. Adam will join Travel Expert Onanta Forbes on this week's show. Then we'll talk with the author of a new book called "There Will Come Soft Rains, A Journey Along The Western Front." Briana Gervat is the author and she actually walked the entire Western Front so Briana will share her adventure with us. | |||
| Splurge or Skip? Luxury Upgrades & Scenic Cruise Dining Revealed | 04 Apr 2026 | 00:37:42 | |
On our show this week we'll discuss Luxury Travel Upgrades, my co-host Travel Expert Onanta Forbes joins me to share which ones are worth it and which ones you might want to skip. Plus, have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes serving all those meals when you take a cruise? We'll get some insight from the VP of F&B & Hotel Operations for Scenic Ocean Cruises. | |||
| Cruising on the Sapphire Princess (Part 2) & Earning Bonus Travel Rewards | 28 Mar 2026 | 00:34:42 | |
On this week's show we'll catch up with my co-host, Travel Expert Onanta Forbes who is sailing on the Sapphire Princess along the Mediterranean. We'll see what she's been up to and where she's been. Plus, Patrick Sojka from Rewards Canada will stop by to talk about loyalty program bonus offers. Turns out many people are booking flights, hotels, going shopping etc. and not realizing they could be earning additional points and miles. So Patrick will share some tips on how to find them, earn them, which ones you should take advantage of and others that may not be so great. | |||
| Cruising on the Sapphire Princess & Vacations Can Be Murder | 21 Mar 2026 | 00:32:53 | |
My co-host, Travel Expert Onanta Forbes is sailing on the Sapphire Princess stopping at various spots along the Mediterranean, so we'll catch up with her on this week's show to get the highlights. And then we'll dive into the world of Dark Tourism and talk to the author of a new book called Vacations Can Be Murder, A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide to the Mid-Atlantic States. It's the second of a multi-volume series covering the U.S. and beyond for those who enjoy reading about true crime, law enforcement, the paranormal, and/or tombstone travel. | |||
| Exploring Sicily & The Residence Inn by Marriott Bromont | 14 Mar 2026 | 00:34:16 | |
My co-host Travel Expert Onanta Forbes was finishing up her long stay in Sicily last week before moving on to her next adventure so we get the highlights. Then we'll head to Bromont, Quebec to learn about the new opening of the Residence Inn by Marriott Bromont. Which features 134 suites with full kitchens and direct access to ski slopes, hiking, and biking trails. | |||
| Exploring Mt. Etna, Sicily & Events in Valencia, Spain for 2026 | 07 Mar 2026 | 00:33:44 | |
Travel expert Onanta Forbes was exploring Mount Etna in Sicily and sampling some of Sicily's tasty food last week, so on this week's show Onanta will join us to share her experience. Then we'll head over to Valencia in Spain to learn about some of the events coming up and see why it's becoming an popular place for visitors in 2026. | |||
| Tips For Tours In Sicily & The Solo Female Traveler Network | 28 Feb 2026 | 00:37:52 | |
Travel Expert Onanta Forbes has been touring around Sicily this past week so we'll get the highlights and insights from her on this week's show. And if your mom, daughter, sister, aunt or even yourself (if you're a female) has been hesitant to travel because you don't have anyone to go with and don't want to travel alone, The Solo Female Traveler Network might be the answer. We'll chat with the founder to learn more about it. | |||
| Sicily Long Stay Tips & Brugge Tours | 21 Feb 2026 | 00:33:27 | |
Travel Expert Onanta Forbes switched long stay locations from the Canary Islands to Sicily this week so Onanta will join us from Ortigia, Sicily to give us her first impressions of Sicily. Then we'll keep with a European theme and head to Bruges, Belgium and talk with the founder of Brugge Tours to find out everything there is to know about spending some time in Bruges. | |||
| Unique Winter Experiences in Canada & Credit Card Travel Insurance | 14 Feb 2026 | 00:31:16 | |
From dogsledding to ice skating, there's still a lot of places to go and things to do this winter in Canada so on this week's show Travel Expert Onanta Forbes will join me to share some unique winter experiences across Canada. And Patrick Sojka from Rewards Canada will be joining us for his monthly visit this week to talk about travel insurance coverage offered through your credit card. | |||
| Cruising To The Canary Islands & Provence-Alpes Côte d'Azur, France | 07 Feb 2026 | 00:34:28 | |
Travel Expert Onanta Forbes continued her winter stay in the Canary Islands last week which as she quickly found out is a popular stop for cruise ships so on this week's podcast we'll talk about cruising to the Canary Islands. Plus, a few weeks ago I was invited to a presentation and meet and greet from the folks at Provence, Alpes and Côte d’Azur Tourism Office. And it was there I got the chance to speak with the CEO of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Tourism located in the South of France. So we have that conversation for you. | |||
| Activities In Canary Islands & River Retreat Kananaskis, AB | 31 Jan 2026 | 00:28:31 | |
Travel Expert Onanta Forbes continues her winter stay in the Canary Islands, so on this week's podcast we'll get an update on the many activities you can do while staying in the Canary Islands. Then we'll head to Southern Alberta and chat with the co-owners of the River Retreat Kananaskis. Self described as where off-grid meets upscale in the Foothills of the Rocky Mountains. | |||
| A Long Stay In The Canary Islands & Personalized Ireland | 24 Jan 2026 | 00:40:59 | |
Travel Expert Onanta Forbes has been in the Canary Islands the past couple of weeks so we'll get some insight from her on what it's like to do a long stay there, escape the winter and blend in with the locals. Then we'll chat with the founder and CEO of Tenon Tours, a company that specializes in personalized tours through Europe and in particular Ireland. So we'll get some tips on planning a trip to Ireland. | |||
| Tourist's Bad Behaviors & Alaya Resort Ubud, Bali | 17 Jan 2026 | 00:29:43 | |
We've probably all witnessed it to some degree or at least seen it on social media; examples of bad behavior by tourists. Travelpulse Canada recently had a write up on it called Travel Fails: Lessons From 2025's Worst Behaved Travelers so on this week's show Travel Expert Onanta Forbes will join me to discuss some of those bad behaviors. Then, travel writer Debra Smith will stop by to share her recent visit to Bali and her stay at the Alaya Ubud Resort. | |||
| Cruising the African Coast (Part 2) & The Top Travel Rewards Cards | 10 Jan 2026 | 00:37:15 | |
Travel Expert Onanta Forbes continued her cruise down the west coast of Africa last week so we'll get an update from her on this week's show. Plus, what is the best travel rewards credit card? We'll find out when Patrick Sojka from Rewards Canada joins us for our monthly visit as they recently released their 18th Annual list of the Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards. | |||
| Cruising The African Coast & Booking.com's Travel Trends for 2026 | 03 Jan 2026 | 00:33:13 | |
Travel Expert Onanta Forbes has been doing what she loves best for the past few week's and that is travelling. She began her journey in Barcelona so on this week's show we'll catch up with her to see what adventures she's been up too. Plus, we'll start the New Year chatting with one of our regular guests, Dani Musse from Booking.com who'll run down their travel trends for 2026 on what kind of experiences travelers are looking for this year. | |||
| Best Places To Travel In 2026 & Exploring Puerto Rico | 26 Dec 2025 | 00:26:01 | |
So where will you travel to in 2026? If you're looking for some destination ideas, travel expert Onanta Forbes will join me on this week's show to review the 12 Best Places to Travel in 2026. That's at least according to Trafalgar Tours. Plus, you might want to consider visiting Puerto Rico in 2026 as they have a lot going on from new openings and events to emerging travel experiences. We'll chat with the Chief Marketing Officer from Discover Puerto Rico to find out more. | |||
| Travel Year in Review & Tennessee Holiday Celebrations | 20 Dec 2025 | 00:26:39 | |
Only a few week's now until we turn the page from 2025 to 2026 so on this week's show Travel Expert Onanta Forbes joins me to look back on the year and review some of the top travel stories of 2025. Then we'll head to the state of Tennessee to learn what kind of traditions and celebrations they have during the holidays. | |||
| Holiday Air Travel Reminders & Squamish Canyon, BC | 13 Dec 2025 | 00:39:42 | |
Tis the season for holiday air travel so on this week's show travel expert Onanta Forbes will pop by to offer some holiday air travel reminders. Then we'll head to the west coast of BC and talk with the GM of Squamish Canyon, an area that allows you to explore the rain forest through a series of bridges, walkways and viewing decks. And once a month we like to check in with Patrick Sojka from Rewards Canada to offer up the latest news and tips in the world of travel rewards. This month we'll get some tips on using your rewards to book and all inclusive vacation or cruise. | |||
| Returning To Jamaica & Biking In The Netherlands | 06 Dec 2025 | 00:43:50 | |
Travel expert Onanta Forbes is in Jamaica this week as she was invited to the Sandals-hosted BackToJamaica2025 event at Sandals Dunns River Resort. So on this week's podcast we'll check in with her and special guest CJ Smith from Sandals Resorts. Plus, if getting more exercise is in your plans for the New Year how about doing a family bike trip, Travel Writer Lisa Lucas did just that with her family cycling through the Netherlands so Lisa will join us to share her experience and offer some tips. | |||
| Top Cruise Lines for 2026 & Hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro | 29 Nov 2025 | 00:33:40 | |
U.S. News & World Report, recently released its 2026 Best Cruise Lines rankings. So on this week's show travel expert Onanta Forbes will join me to discuss some of the findings and to offer some cruise tips in general. Then we'll get some insight into hiking Mt Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania from hiking guide, outdoor enthusiast and founder of TJHiker.com. | |||
| Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit | 22 Nov 2025 | 00:28:43 | |
This week's show is all about the area of Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico as travel expert Onanta Forbes is in Puerto Vallarta, so we'll check in with her to see what she's been up to. Then we'll chat with Israel Urbina with Visit Nayarit as Westjet recently announced new non-stop service from Calgary to Tepic, the Capital of Nayarit. Which opens up a whole new area to explore so we'll get some insight into that. | |||
| Black Friday Travel Deals & Destination Morocco | 15 Nov 2025 | 00:29:38 | |
You might have heard a few Black Friday sale ads in the last few days and you can be assured that you'll hear more in the coming days and weeks. There no shortage of them when it comes to the travel industry either so on this week's show Travel Expert Onanta Forbes will join me to discuss whether those deals are worth the hype. Then we'll get some insight and tips on traveling to Morocco. The founder of the Destinations Morocco Tour Company and host of the Destination Morocco podcast, Azdean Elmoustaquim will be here to share his expertise on visiting Morocco. | |||
| Disaster Travel, Revelstoke Mountain Resort & Rewards Canada | 08 Nov 2025 | 00:47:30 | |
In the wake of the devasting hurricane in Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, when is it ok to head to those places who rely so much on tourism. In other words, how soon is too soon to visit after a disaster? Travel Expert Onanta Forbes will join me on this week's show to tackle that question. Then we'll chat with the folks from the Revelstoke Mountain Resort as they gear up for the coming ski season. And we've got a bonus segment for you this week as we begin a new monthly feature with Rewards Canada founder Patrick Sojka. Once a month he'll stop by to give us the latest news and advice on what's going on in the world of travel rewards. | |||
| Advantages of Guided Tours & Touring Machu Picchu | 01 Nov 2025 | 00:54:32 | |
According to a new survey from Globus Travel guided tours are becoming more and more popular. So on this week's show Travel Expert Onanta Forbes will join me to discuss the advantages of taking a guided tour versus doing it yourself. Then, speaking of guided tours, we'll get some insight and tips on visiting Machu Picchu, Peru from Adios Adventure Travel. | |||
| Dark Tourism & The People You Meet | 25 Oct 2025 | 00:34:48 | |
With Halloween coming up travel expert Onanta Forbes will join me on this week's show to share some spooky travel ideas and spooky destinations to visit not just this time of year but at anytime. Plus, I think we can all recall someone we've met while traveling so podcast host and author Melissa Rodway will stop by to talk about her new book called "The People You Meet: Luxury, Leeches, Love, and Lao-Lao With a Host of Interesting Characters in Southeast Asia". | |||
| Travel Trends for 2026 & Dublin Walking Tours | 18 Oct 2025 | 00:38:59 | |
A recent survey from Skyscanner highlights everything from emerging travel behaviors to the top 10 trending and best value destinations. So, on this week's podcast travel expert Onanta Forbes will join to me to share what those behaviors and destinations are for 2026. Then we'll head to Dublin, Ireland and chat with Garvan Rushe, the founder of Dublin Tour Guide, to learn all about discovering Dublin through the walking tours they offer. | |||
| Westjet News & Ixtapa & Huatulco | 11 Oct 2025 | 00:27:19 | |
There was a lot of different announcements from Westjet in the last few days from new cabin configuration to baggage fee increases and more so on this week's podcast travel expert Onanta Forbes will join me to share what it means for you. Plus, I had the pleasure of attending a breakfast presentation a few weeks ago hosted by Visit Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and the Huatulco Hotel Association and it was there I got to chat with representatives from both areas so we'll have that conversation for you as well. | |||