Episode 180 - Walking Through History: Visiting Normandy’s D-Day Beaches and Memorials

Episode 183 - Is Zanzibar Worth Visiting? Our Honest Experience

Zanzibar delivers on the turquoise water and white sand — but there are a few things we wish we'd known before landing. In this episode, we share our honest firsthand take on the arrival process, where to stay, what the beach is really like, and the one decision we'd make differently next time. WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER The airport surprise most travelers miss — Zanzibar now requires visitors to purchase a specific travel insurance policy before arrival. It's not your existing policy. It costs around $45/person and you won't get through without it. We learned this the hard way at the terminal. We'll tell you exactly what to do before you fly. Nungwi vs. Stone Town — These two parts of the island offer completely different experiences, and staying in one makes it hard to visit the other. We break down how to choose and what we'd do differently if we went back. Turaco Nungwi Beach Resort — our honest review of this Marriott Autograph Collection property, the dining plan we chose, and what surprised us about the beach itself (tides, vendors, and a nightly soccer match we didn't expect). The Dream Dhow — our private snorkeling excursion near Mnemba Island was the highlight of the trip. We cover what made it special, what it cost, and what to look for if you book one. Stone Town and the Freddie Mercury Museum — we didn't go. Scott still regrets it. We'll tell you why it ended up on the cutting room floor and how we'd plan it next time. Spice farms, village tours, and the real Zanzibar — what you see beyond the resort walls, and why the conversations we had off the beach stayed with us long after we left. QUICK TIPS * Buy Zanzibar's required travel insurance before you leave home — save the QR code offline * Every person needs hotel name, address, and reservation details on their own phone for immigration * Pack water shoes — the water bottom is rocky in places * Check tide times before planning beach walks; the beach changes dramatically throughout the day * Arrange airport transfers through your hotel in advance — it's 90 minutes to Nungwi RESOURCES * Dream Dhow excursion: [Viator link in show notes] * Zanzibar required travel insurance: Visit the official Visit Zanzibar insurance site before your trip * Kenya Group Safari, June 2027: sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/safari-group-trip [https://sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/safari-group-trip] * Plan your trip with us: sunshinetravelersexperiences.com [https://sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/] Sneak Peek - Next week — Episode 184: Diani Beach vs. Zanzibar. Should you add a beach stop after an East Africa safari, and which one is right for you? We compare costs, logistics, beaches, and atmosphere.  📲 Follow us: @SunshineTravelersPodcast [https://instagram.com/sunshinetravelerspodcast] (one L) · Leave us a 5-star review · Subscribe so you don't miss Episode 184

Episode 182 - Mont-Saint-Michel: Everything We Wish We Knew Before Visiting

We'd looked at photos of Mont-Saint-Michel for years. They didn't prepare us for what it's actually like to walk toward it. In this episode, we share what it's really like to spend a full day at Mont-Saint-Michel — the walk in from the parking area, the climb to the abbey, a lunch mistake worth avoiding, and why we think this is one of the best day trips in Normandy. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/disclosure-and-disclaimer]. QUICK ANSWER: IS MONT-SAINT-MICHEL WORTH A DAY TRIP? Yes — if you give it a full day and base yourself in Normandy (we stayed in Bayeux) rather than doing a rushed round-trip from Paris. Between the walk in, the village, and the abbey climb (roughly 350 steps once you reach the entrance), you'll want 5–7 hours minimum to do it without feeling rushed. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Why we based ourselves in Bayeux, not Paris Mont-Saint-Michel is doable as a day trip from Paris, but by the time you factor in travel time both ways, you're spending nearly as much time in transit as at the destination. Staying in Normandy (we used Bayeux as our base for both the D-Day sites and Mont-Saint-Michel) let us take the day at a slower pace. Parking, the shuttle, and why we walked Private vehicles can't cross onto the island — everyone parks on the mainland. From there, you can take a free shuttle (runs roughly every 15 minutes) or walk the causeway, which takes about 30–40 minutes. We walked, and it turned into one of our favorite parts of the day: the view builds gradually instead of arriving all at once. First impressions and the causeway The geography is what makes this place — a rock rising out of the bay with an entire medieval village built up its side and the abbey crowning the top. Trail markers near the entrance are a reminder that pilgrimage routes still end here today, just as they have for centuries. Entering the village The main street climbs steadily from the gates toward the abbey, lined with shops, cafés, and a few small hotels. A small number of residents still live and work on the island. It's touristy, but it doesn't feel manufactured — you can still picture daily medieval life happening here. Our lunch mistake We ate at Le Logis Saint Catherine partway up the hill. The menu posted outside didn't match the one we were handed once seated (higher prices, smaller selection), and we were too hungry to go looking elsewhere. The food and the courtyard view over the bay were genuinely good — but if that matters to you, confirm the menu before you sit down, or eat before you start the climb. The climb to the abbey (bring the right shoes) Walking through the village is uphill almost the entire way, and once you reach the abbey entrance itself, there's still about 350 steps to the top where guided tours begin. It's manageable — we saw families and visitors of all ages make it — but budget more time than you think you'll need, especially after a meal. Touring the abbey The included guided tour runs 30–45 minutes in English or French, and you sign up for a specific tour time when you buy your ticket (a separate step from the ticket purchase itself — easy to miss). Tour groups are capped at 10–12 people, so slots fill fast even though hundreds of people hold tickets for the same entry window. After the guided portion, you're free to explore on your own. Walking the bay — and why we didn't do it ourselves At low tide, the water pulls back dramatically, exposing sand and mudflats around the mount. It's not illegal to walk out on your own, but it's strongly discouraged — there are pockets of quicksand that aren't obvious, and the tide comes in fast (our guide described it as "the speed of a galloping horse"). If this interests you, hire a licensed local guide. What we'd do differently Arrive earlier for cooler temperatures and better light, eat before the climb rather than mid-schedule, and walk the causeway again — some of our favorite photos were taken before we ever reached the gates. PLANNING YOUR VISIT: PRACTICAL DETAILS * Village access: Free, always. Only the abbey at the top requires a ticket. * Abbey ticket prices (2026): €16 high season (April 1–September 30), €13 low season (October 1–March 31). * Booking window: Tickets are timed entry and release about 30-60 days ahead of your visit date on the official site — abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr [https://www.abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr/en]. Put the release date on your calendar; popular time slots fill up.   * Guided tour sign-up: Included in your abbey ticket, but requires a separate time-slot booking — look for "guided tour with ticket" or select "I already have a ticket" if booking it after the fact. * Hours: Vary seasonally with daylight; last entry is one hour before closing. * The climb: Uphill through the village, plus ~350 steps once inside the abbey grounds. * Restrooms: Available at the visitor center by the parking lot (free) and near the village entrance. Limited and inconsistent once you're higher up — go before you start climbing. * Drones: Strictly forbidden and fineable. An action camera on a pole is your best alternative for aerial-style shots. * Overnight stays: Possible in the village, but you'll need to carry your own bags in (the shuttle is your friend for this) — pack light. * What3Words for the classic photo spot: ///muddier.graphs.accordingly [https://what3words.com/muddier.graphs.accordingly] FAQ Is Mont-Saint-Michel worth visiting if I only have one day? Yes, but plan for a full day rather than a half-day. Between the walk from parking, the village, and the abbey tour, most visitors need 5–7 hours. How many steps are there at Mont-Saint-Michel? Roughly 350 steps once you reach the abbey entrance, on top of a steady uphill walk through the village streets to get there. Can I drive onto Mont-Saint-Michel? No. All private vehicles park on the mainland; you reach the island by free shuttle or by walking the causeway (30–40 minutes). Is it better to visit Mont-Saint-Michel from Paris or from Normandy? Basing yourself in Normandy (we used Bayeux) gives you a slower, less rushed day. A Paris day trip is possible but adds significant travel time on both ends. Can you walk out onto the bay at Mont-Saint-Michel? It's allowed but strongly discouraged without a guide — there are areas of quicksand and the tide comes in quickly. Guided bay walks are available and recommended if you're interested. RESOURCES MENTIONED * Official abbey tickets: abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr [https://www.abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr/en] * Lunch spot: Le Logis Saint Catherine (confirm the menu before being seated) * What3Words classic photo location: ///muddier.graphs.accordingly [https://what3words.com/muddier.graphs.accordingly] Have questions about planning your own Normandy or Mont-Saint-Michel trip? Find us at sunshinetravelers.com [https://sunshinetravelers.com/] or on social @sunshinetravelerspodcast. MORE RESOURCES & LINKS:  * Get Our FREE Ultimate Packing Guide  [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/opt-in-56f0e184-9884-4c9f-934b-ff2d80ac0f1a] * See ALL our Favorite Travel Resources [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/travel-resources] * Want to learn more about making money planning and booking travel for yourself and others.  Learn more at https://www.sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/become-an-advisor [http://sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/becomeatraveladvisor]  FOLLOW SUNSHINE TRAVELERS * Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/] | YouTube [https://youtube.com/] *   [https://youtube.com/]Read more about this and other travel destinations on our BLOG [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/blog] *   [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/blog]Follow our travels on TikTok @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@sunshinetravelerspodcast] * Follow us on  [https://x.com/sunshinetrvlrs]X @sunshinetrvlrs [https://x.com/sunshinetrvlrs] * Connect with us on LinkedIn @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.linkedin.com/company/104020955/admin/dashboard/] *   [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/blog]Get travel tips and follow our travels on Instagram: @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/sunshinetravelerspodcast/] * Follow us on Facebook @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.facebook.com/sunshinetravelerspodcast] * Connect with us on Threads @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.threads.com/@sunshinetravelerspodcast] * See our travel videos on YouTube @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@sunshinetravelerspodcast] * Save our travel ideas on Pinterest @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.pinterest.com/sunshinetravelerspodcast/] Music: This Acoustic Happy Music by https://pixabay.com/users/the_mountain-3616498/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371 from https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371

Episode 181 - Planning an African Safari? What We Learned After Returning Again

For more information about our Safari Group Trip in June 2027, Click HERE. [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/safari-group-trip] If you are looking to plan a private custom safari, please click here [https://www.sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/plan-your-safari]. We have a form specific to safari planning. We just got back from another Kenya safari, and once again, it's confirmed what we already knew: this is our favorite trip in the world. In this episode, we walk through our full itinerary and share why each stop earns its place on our 2027 group safari. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/disclosure-and-disclaimer]. What you'll discover in this episode: * Why were're adding Nairobi National Park game drive on day one  for our group trips— and the rhinos, giraffes, hippos, and more we spotted right on the edge of the city * Our visit to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage and why we now sponsor an orphaned elephant for our granddaughter * Learning about endangered Rothschild giraffes at the Giraffe Center near Giraffe Manor * Solio Ranch - one of the best places anywhere to see black and white rhinos, plus a rare evening feeding a baby rhino at the rhino orphanage and why we may not be able to continue to visit here long term, but will in 2027. * Samburu National Reserve — the "Samburu Special Five," riverside elephant families, and our first big cat sightings * The scenic (and slightly wild) bush-plane transfer into the Maasai Mara * Big cat encounters in the Mara, lion pride dynamics, and seeing the Big Five twice on one trip * Exploring the quieter Mara Triangle and staying at Mara Engai Lodge * Why we personally visit and vet every camp and lodge before recommending it to clients * Details on our June 2027 small-group safari through Solio, Samburu, and the Maasai Mara More Resources & Links:  * Want to learn more about making money planning and booking travel for yourself and others.  Learn more at https://www.sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/become-an-advisor [http://sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/becomeatraveladvisor] * Get Our FREE Ultimate Packing Guide  [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/opt-in-56f0e184-9884-4c9f-934b-ff2d80ac0f1a] * See ALL our Favorite Travel Resources  [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/travel-resources] * Don’t waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, get Flykitt [http://flykitt.pxf.io/mOZZKO] and watch Jet Lag disappear! * Protect your privacy, boost your security, and keep your browsing data safe with Express VPN. Plus, get 3 months free with a yearly plan [https://go.expressvpn.com/c/5619374/1462855/16063].  Follow Sunshine Travelers * Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/] | YouTube [https://youtube.com/] *   [https://youtube.com/]Read more about this and other travel destinations on our BLOG [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/blog] *   [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/blog]Follow our travels on TikTok @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@sunshinetravelerspodcast] * Follow us on  [https://x.com/sunshinetrvlrs]X @sunshinetrvlrs [https://x.com/sunshinetrvlrs] * Connect with us on LinkedIn @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.linkedin.com/company/104020955/admin/dashboard/] *   [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/blog]Get travel tips and follow our travels on Instagram: @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/sunshinetravelerspodcast/] * Follow us on Facebook @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.facebook.com/sunshinetravelerspodcast] * Connect with us on Threads @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.threads.com/@sunshinetravelerspodcast] * See our travel videos on YouTube @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@sunshinetravelerspodcast] * Save our travel ideas on Pinterest @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.pinterest.com/sunshinetravelerspodcast/] Music: This Acoustic Happy Music by https://pixabay.com/users/the_mountain-3616498/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371 from https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371

Episode 180 - Walking Through History: Visiting Normandy’s D-Day Beaches and Memorials

There are some places you visit because they have always been on your bucket list. Then there are places that mean something to you long before you ever arrive. Normandy was one of those places for Scott. Both of his grandfathers served in the Army in the European theater during World War II. Neither of them stormed the beaches of Normandy, but one of my grandfathers helped build temporary bridges during the war, helping Allied forces continue moving across Europe. His brother also served and received both a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his acts of valor. I remember being a child and my great-aunt showing me those medals. At that age, I do not think I fully understood what they represented, but I remembered them. Now, all these years later, we were heading to Normandy. We were going to stand on the beaches, walk through the cemeteries, see the remains of the German defenses, and visit the places where thousands of young men were asked to do something almost unimaginable. We often call them the Greatest Generation. After visiting Normandy, I understand that description a little differently than I did before. But our trip to Normandy actually started somewhere completely different. It started with Monet's garden, a tiny Citroën, two very aggressive truck drivers, and my sudden discovery that apparently I like quiche. This episode takes you through the places we visited, along with tips and suggestions for planning your trip. This was as emotional to record as it was walking through these sites when we visited. Standing in the places where this happens makes me realize just how much this one day changed the course of our history forever, and the bravery and sacrifice that took place here.  We think it is a place that every American who is able should visit at least once in their life. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/disclosure-and-disclaimer]. Here are a few resources to help you plan your trip to Normandy:  Where to stay - Bayeux  You can take guided tours from here    Here are a few suggestions of things to watch or read before you go: We found this Rick Steves Podcast Episode [https://soundcloud.com/rick-steves-audio-europe/normandy-d-day-sites-audio]extremely helpful.  The museum at Arromanches is recommended by a local tour guide. We started our day there.  Saving Private Ryan  Band of Brothers  The Longest Day  Delta's D-Day Survivors documentary where they fly WWII survivors to Normandy    MORE TRAVEL RESOURCES Get help planning your trip to Normandy or your next trip.  Learn more at sunshinetravelersexperiences.com [https://www.sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/] or sunxtravel.com [http://sunxtravel.com] SUNSHINE TRAVELERS GROUP TRIP Come with us on Safari in Kenya in June 2027.  We are hosting a maximum of 10 on a luxury, privately guided safari to 3 places in Kenya, where we have been on safari twice, in order to bring you the best experience.  Click HERE to learn more and sign up [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/safari-group-trip].   More Resources & Links:   Want to learn more about making money, planning, and booking travel for yourself and others?  Learn more at https://www.sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/become-an-advisor [http://sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/becomeatraveladvisor] * Get Our FREE Ultimate Packing Guide  [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/opt-in-56f0e184-9884-4c9f-934b-ff2d80ac0f1a] * See ALL our Favorite Travel Resources  [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/travel-resources] * Don’t waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, get Flykitt [http://flykitt.pxf.io/mOZZKO] and watch Jet Lag disappear! * Protect your privacy, boost your security, and keep your browsing data safe with Express VPN. Plus, get 3 months free with a yearly plan [https://go.expressvpn.com/c/5619374/1462855/16063].    Follow Sunshine Travelers * Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/] | YouTube [https://youtube.com/] *   [https://youtube.com/]Read more about this and other travel destinations on our BLOG [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/blog] *   [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/blog]Follow our travels on TikTok @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@sunshinetravelerspodcast] * Follow us on  [https://x.com/sunshinetrvlrs]X @sunshinetrvlrs [https://x.com/sunshinetrvlrs] * Connect with us on LinkedIn @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.linkedin.com/company/104020955/admin/dashboard/] *   [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/blog]Get travel tips and follow our travels on Instagram: @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/sunshinetravelerspodcast/] * Follow us on Facebook @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.facebook.com/sunshinetravelerspodcast] * Connect with us on Threads @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.threads.com/@sunshinetravelerspodcast] * See our travel videos on YouTube @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@sunshinetravelerspodcast] * Save our travel ideas on Pinterest @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.pinterest.com/sunshinetravelerspodcast/] Music: This Acoustic Happy Music by https://pixabay.com/users/the_mountain-3616498/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371 from https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371

Episode 178 - Planning a Trip to Italy? Here’s What We’d Tell a Friend

We just spent an amazing month in Italy but there were quite a few things that really surprised us, both good and bad.  Join us as we give out Italy Travel Awards for our favorite food destination, where we would return to, best experience, and more...plus the Italy tips we would give you and what we would do differently. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/disclosure-and-disclaimer].   * For more FREE Italy resources from our destination guides, blog posts and ALL our Italy podcast episodes, CLICK HERE [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/italy] * Get help planning your next trip to Italy and beyond.  Learn more about our Travel Planning Services at sunshinetravelersexperiences.com [https://www.sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/]  * Want to learn more about making money planning and booking travel for yourself and others.  Learn more at https://www.sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/become-an-advisor [http://sunshinetravelersexperiences.com/becomeatraveladvisor]   SUNSHINE TRAVELERS GROUP SAFARI TRIP Come with us on Safari in Kenya in June 2027.  We are hosting a max of 10 on a luxury privately guided safari to 3 places in Kenya, where we have been on safari twice in order to bring you the best experience.  Click HERE to learn more and sign up [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/safari-group-trip].   More Resources & Links:  * Get Our FREE Ultimate Packing Guide  [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/opt-in-56f0e184-9884-4c9f-934b-ff2d80ac0f1a] * See ALL our Favorite Travel Resources  [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/travel-resources] * Don’t waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, get Flykitt [http://flykitt.pxf.io/mOZZKO] and watch Jet Lag disappear! * Protect your privacy, boost your security, and keep your browsing data safe with Express VPN. Plus, get 3 months free with a yearly plan [https://go.expressvpn.com/c/5619374/1462855/16063].    Follow Sunshine Travelers * Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/] | YouTube [https://youtube.com/] *   [https://youtube.com/]Read more about this and other travel destinations on our BLOG [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/blog] *   [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/blog]Follow our travels on TikTok @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@sunshinetravelerspodcast] * Follow us on  [https://x.com/sunshinetrvlrs]X @sunshinetrvlrs [https://x.com/sunshinetrvlrs] * Connect with us on LinkedIn @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.linkedin.com/company/104020955/admin/dashboard/] *   [https://www.sunshinetravelers.com/blog]Get travel tips and follow our travels on Instagram: @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/sunshinetravelerspodcast/] * Follow us on Facebook @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.facebook.com/sunshinetravelerspodcast] * Connect with us on Threads @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.threads.com/@sunshinetravelerspodcast] * See our travel videos on YouTube @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@sunshinetravelerspodcast] * Save our travel ideas on Pinterest @sunshinetravelerspodcast [https://www.pinterest.com/sunshinetravelerspodcast/] Music: This Acoustic Happy Music by https://pixabay.com/users/the_mountain-3616498/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371 from https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371