Go See Do Explore

Travel Rules We Changed Our Minds About

In this episode of Go See Do Explore, we’re talking about the travel opinions we’ve changed over time. Not necessarily dramatic reversals, but the kind of practical shifts that happen after enough trips, mistakes, surprises, and “we are never doing that again” moments. We each brought five things we’ve changed our minds about, without comparing lists ahead of time. Topics include: * Why we’ve become more committed to carry-on travel, especially when flying airlines where carry-ons are included * How TSA PreCheck changed our airport arrival strategy * Why cruising can still make sense in the Caribbean, but may not be our favorite way to experience Europe * Rethinking how much public transit we actually want to use on a trip * Why private or small-group tours can completely change the experience  * The kind of itinerary that leaves room for slowing down, wandering, and actually thinking * Cooling a bit on Disney-focused travel, without rejecting Disney entirely * Why we’re more open to third-party cruise excursions now, but much less interested in big bus tours * Whether visiting all 50 states still feels like a meaningful goal * How beach time finally became more appealing with shade, swimming, and better timing We also take a wine break with a 2023 rosé of Pinot Gris from Two Lads, a spring-friendly Michigan wine that sits somewhere between rosé and orange wine. The big takeaway: travel preferences are allowed to change. The point is not to follow someone else’s perfect travel formula. It is to notice what actually makes a trip better for you and plan accordingly.

Back to Mexico City: Murals, Markets, and Our Favorite Repeat Stops

We’re back in Mexico City — this time returning with family and revisiting many of our favorite spots while mixing in a few new experiences. Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra. We talk through what it’s like flying a low-cost airline internationally, navigating delays and airport chaos, and why private tours made a big difference on this trip. From there, it’s a deep dive into one of the best cities in the world for museums, food, and culture. We revisit iconic Diego Rivera murals, explore the National Palace, and compare two very different approaches to touring the Anthropology Museum. We also share a few lesser-known stops that most visitors would completely miss. Food-wise, we hit some repeat favorites (and one we almost skipped), from courtyard dining to street tacos to churros that were a long time coming. We also spend time in Chapultepec Park, including a cable car ride, hidden public art, and a museum experience that may or may not have been too much in one day. Finally, we wrap up with a return to Xochimilco — but not the party version — and why it’s still one of the most meaningful experiences in the city if you do it right. Just like last trip, we did several tours with our good friend Laila of Pies Descalzos [https://podcast.goseedoexplore.com/e/pies-descalzos-with-laila-navarro-part-1/]. You can learn more about her tours on TripAdvisor [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/iGJl4XuA]. If you’re planning a first trip or thinking about going back, this episode should give you a good mix of must-sees, strategy, and honest takeaways. Mentioned in this episode: * Hotel Fontán Reforma [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/47zVyxB7] (budget-friendly, great location) * Museo Nacional de Antropología [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/5SmhXgAO] * Palacio Nacional [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g150800-d152461-Reviews-Palacio_Nacional_de_Mexico-Mexico_City_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html] * Chapultepec Park & Castle [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/wWXjcu9p] * Carcamo de Dolores [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/cdVdC8WQ] * Museo Soumaya [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/ceYSk6te] * Xochimilco [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/ceYSk6te] Tip: If you’re visiting during Holy Week or the week after Easter, expect crowds — but also some unique cultural experiences you won’t see at other times.

Travel Is Not a Luxury (And Why That Matters More Than You Think)

Travel Is Not a Luxury (And Why That Matters More Than You Think) How We Think About Travel and Money We are not anti-budget. We do value enjoying life. The goal is to have a plan and then fit travel into that plan in a way that makes sense for you. Not based on what someone on a podcast says, but based on what you actually want your life to look like. Travel is just one of the things in that mix, but for us it is an important one. How We Budget for Trips * Come up with a rough estimate for a trip * Break it into what we need to save each month * Make sure it fits alongside everything else going on It is less about having a perfect system and more about being aware of the cost and making intentional decisions. Thoughtful Spontaneity * Plan enough to know where we are staying and what we want to do * Leave space to change plans once we are there * Book things that can be canceled when possible The goal is to avoid stress and not be locked into a rigid schedule. Getting More Value Out of Travel * Save where it does not matter * Spend where it does * Be cautious of experiences that look better than they feel Some of the best trips we have taken were not expensive. Some of the most expensive things we have done did not stick with us. Takeaways * Travel does not have to be expensive to be meaningful * You do not need to wait until everything is perfect to take a trip * Having a plan matters more than following someone else’s rules * It is possible to be responsible and still enjoy your life * The best trips are the ones that actually add something to your life * Check out YNAB [https://www.ynab.com/] for your family's budgeting needs (not sponsored or affiliated, just an honest recommendation).

Travel Smarter: B-Side Destinations, Route 66 Dreams, and the Best Travel Advice from the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show

Travel Inspiration from the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show We attended the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show [https://travelshows.com/] and heard from some of the most respected voices in travel. Here are the ideas that stuck with us. Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra. Seek Out “B-Side” Destinations Travel expert Samantha Brown encouraged travelers to look beyond Europe’s most famous cities. Instead of only visiting places like Venice or Florence, consider nearby destinations that offer incredible culture with fewer crowds—like Bologna or Modena in Italy. These “B-side” cities often deliver deeper, more authentic travel experiences. Is Route 66 the Most Iconic American Road Trip? With the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026, several speakers highlighted it as one of the most meaningful road trips in the United States. Rather than rushing from Chicago to Santa Monica, consider tackling the route in segments and exploring the small towns and stories along the way. Travel Like a Local Travel writer Jen Ruiz shared how her travels changed when she started staying with local families. Homestays and local connections can transform a trip from sightseeing into cultural immersion—offering experiences that are nearly impossible to replicate in traditional hotels. A Simple Way to Give Back While Traveling One initiative we learned about was Pack for a Purpose, which allows travelers to bring requested supplies to communities they visit. It’s a small way to create a positive impact while traveling.   Smart Travel Planning Tips Pauline Frommer shared several practical strategies that can help travelers save money and plan smarter. When to Book Flights According to their research: * Domestic flights: best booked 15–30 days in advance * International flights: best booked 31–45 days in advance That timing can sometimes save travelers hundreds compared to booking many months in advance. Gateway Hopping Another strategy is flying into a major hub city and then connecting onward on a budget airline. For example: * Fly to major gateways like New York, Barcelona, London, or Paris * Then book a short flight to your final destination This approach can dramatically reduce airfare costs.   Chicago Highlights from the Trip A Classic Chicago Steakhouse One of our favorite experiences was dinner at Gene & Georgetti [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/IoC2w1JB], a legendary Chicago steakhouse known for its old-school atmosphere and incredible steaks. If you love classic steakhouses, this one is worth the splurge. Chicago Deep Dish Pizza We continued our unofficial mission to try Chicago’s most famous deep-dish pizza spots. This trip’s stop: Lou Malnati’s [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/tVpnTjX9], a Chicago favorite known for its buttery crust. A World-Class Tiki Bar We also returned to Three Dots and a Dash [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/VwC4enCu], one of the most famous tiki bars in the world. If you visit, make a reservation—this place fills up fast.   Key Takeaways Some of our biggest travel lessons from the show: * Look beyond famous destinations for richer travel experiences * Some of the best travel ideas come from conversations with other travelers * You don’t always need to travel farther—just travel smarter

Toronto in February: One King West, a Day Trip to Wine Country, and the Shameful Tiki Room

A long weekend escape to Toronto that somehow included a cheese-wheel pasta moment, a winter-friendly “walk indoors” downtown route, a surprise winery day trip, and (of course) a tiki bar stop. Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra. In this episode Ashleigh and Christopher recap their February getaway to Toronto, including where they stayed, what they ate, the best sights for a cold-weather trip, and a side quest to Niagara-on-the-Lake for wine tasting—plus a final stop for iconic Windsor-style pizza on the way home. Highlights & trip recap Where we stayed * One King West Hotel & Residence [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/utphYNXr] (near the line between the Financial District and Old Town) * Why we loved it: great amenities (breakfast/coffee, bar/restaurant, fitness center, spa) and an ideal, walkable location Getting there * Originally planned to take the train, but price jumped—driving ended up being the better deal * Having a car also made the day trip possible Best meal of the weekend * Sal’s Pasta & Chops (Little Italy) [https://www.opentable.com/r/sals-pasta-and-chops] * The showstopper: tableside pasta tossed in a Parmesan wheel (yes, a literal cheese “mixing bowl”) * Also: fried artichokes—and lots of extra cheese on top Tourist day: downtown classics * CN Tower [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/z1JBm3Yi] * Go early for lighter crowds * We paid extra for the higher observation deck * Fun fact: the tower’s origin story is tied to broadcasting/antenna needs as Toronto’s buildings got taller * Ripley’s Aquarium [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/PE2912KK] * Busy on the holiday weekend (so many kids!) * The moving walkway exhibit made it much easier to see sharks, stingrays, turtles, and big fish even when crowded Market lunch * St. Lawrence Market [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/6pXmmmQ2] for sandwiches + pastéis de nata * Note to future travelers: we learned the hard way it’s not open on Monday (plan accordingly) Valentine’s dinner curveball * A reservation got canceled without explanation, so we pivoted to The Carbon Bar [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/nridKaLv] * Barbecue Place with multi-course menu options Day trip: Niagara-on-the-Lake [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/o4vNNKtn] * A chance to finally explore one of Canada’s most famous wine areas * Wineries we visited: * Tawse [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/LE5XgwUt] (Burgundy-focused, standout tasting—so good we brought bottles home) * Ravine [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/HtcfBNyS] (beautiful property, tasting room + restaurant, great for a longer lunch-style stop) * Lunch: The Olde Angel Inn [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/NkAhd4IY] (historic vibes + a little ghost lore) * Strolling the town: coffee, shops, and lots of “we need to come back” energy Tiki stop * Shameful Tiki Room [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/CaCqcHrQ] * Lounge seating, strong drinks, and a mystery bowl that comes with a gong moment * Food is more snacky—good to know before you go Last morning: Hockey Hall of Fame [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/S3eNr04X] * A must for hockey fans (and surprisingly exciting even if you’re just nostalgic for the Red Wings era) * Seeing the Stanley Cup + classic jerseys, gear, and trophies * Great exhibits, including women in hockey, plus interactive stations (shooting pucks, etc.) Final food mission: Windsor pizza [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/qLSJFRof] * We crossed to Windsor specifically to try it * What makes it “Windsor-style”: distinctive shredded cheese, pepperoni cut into strips, and the classic canned mushroom vibe * Pro tip: if you’re heading back across the border right after, consider ordering smaller than you think Bonus travel tip * Windsor [https://tripadvisor.tpx.gr/j8PQNg79] can be shockingly affordable for hotels compared to Detroit—worth considering if you have a passport and don’t mind the border logistics.