Two Gas Tickets To Anywhere

Ep 6. The Season Finale: Travel Hacks We Swear By

We’ve reached the end of Season 1! To wrap up a fantastic first series, Aoife and April are emptying their bags and sharing every travel hack, tip, and hard-earned lesson they’ve picked up over decades of exploring the globe. Ever wonder how April manages a family of six with only carry-on luggage? Or how Aoife navigates the "unspoken rules" of traveling with friends without ending a relationship? We’re diving into the psychology of travel partners and why you should never, ever "wing it" when it comes to your accommodation. We also tackle the challenge of traveling with teenagers—from the "WiFi bribe" to choosing destinations like New York and Orlando that keep them engaged. Whether you're a nervous traveler or a seasoned pro, this finale is packed with the "crack" and candid advice you need for your next adventure. In this episode: * The Carry-On Challenge: How to pack for 10 days in one small bag. * Travel Etiquette: The "Third Wheel" rule and how to split costs fairly. * Teen Travel Tips: Why keeping them busy is the key to a peaceful holiday. * A Walk Down Memory Lane: How April and Aoife’s lives have been "hilariously intertangled" from New York restaurants to the podcast studio. 🗓️ While this is our Season 1 Finale, remember we have old episodes you can listen to! TILL NEXT SEASON 🛫 SAFE TRAVELS ⏱️TIMINGS * 00:00 – Season 1 Finale: Reflecting on the journey so far. * 02:15 – The Ultimate Travel Hacks: Packing cubes, laundry on the go, and the "less is more" philosophy. * 05:30 – Traveling with Teens: The importance of activities, food, and (of course) good WiFi. * 09:45 – The Travel Partner Test: How to choose who you fly with and the "life rules" for shared accommodation. * 14:20 – Money & Mates: Why you should always use a "Kitty" or an app like Splitwise to avoid awkwardness. * 18:10 – Why we never "wing it" with hotels anymore—The "No Star" horror stories. * 23:00 – Planning for 2026: Taking the stress out of the "Big Trip." * 28:45 – The "Intertangled" Lives of Aoife and April: From the Bronx and Queens to becoming "Podcast Sisters." * 33:40 – Season 1 Wrap-up and a huge thank you to our listeners. SHOW NOTES & IMPORTANT INFO * Tools We Mentioned: * Splitwise / Revolut: Essential for splitting costs with friends. * Packing Cubes: The secret to organizing a family suitcase. * Destinations for Teens: New York City, Orlando, and European cities with great public transport. * Stay Connected: We are already manifesting Season 2! Follow us on Instagram to see where we’re "gallivanting" during the break. A massive thank you to our team: Rebecca, Terry, Colm and Justin for getting this show off the ground. Please rate us 5 stars on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to help us move up the charts! 🎙️✨ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Ep 5. Milestone Birthdays & Bucket List Blowouts: Where to Go for the Big 40 and 50!

Got a big birthday on the horizon? Whether you’re turning 30, 40, 50, or even 60, this week Aoife and April are diving deep into the world of Milestone Travel. From the glitz of Las Vegas to the iconic skyline of New York City, we discuss why certain cities just scream "celebration." Aoife shares her dream 50th birthday plans (which involve a very specific Greek island cruise) and explains why sometimes, a milestone is the perfect excuse to finally book that "bucket list" luxury stay. But first, we talk about the reality of mid-term break. April is holding down the fort at home while her husband takes the teenagers skiing in Poland, and she shares her genius hack for surviving the week without losing her mind—the "Mid-term Movie Morning." Plus, in this episode: * The "Two-Star" Dilemma: A listener asks if she should stay in a budget hotel just to be near the stars at the Cannes Film Festival. Our answer? It’s a hard "No" for us! * Cruising vs. Land: Why a cruise might be the best way to see the Greek Islands without the stress of constant packing. * Vegas Baby! Why Las Vegas is the ultimate group destination, even if you aren't a gambler. * The "Big 5-0": How we’re already planning our own half-century celebrations. 🗓️ NEW EPISODES DROP EVERY THURSDAY! ⏱️ TIMINGS * 00:00 – Welcome to Episode 5: Milestone Birthdays! * 00:30 – Mid-term Reality: Skiing in Poland vs. Minding the smallies at home. * 03:00 – April’s Mid-term Survival Hack: The Cinema Morning. * 06:50 – The Big 4-0 & 5-0: Why milestone birthdays are the ultimate excuse to travel. * 09:15 – New York City: Why the Big Apple is the #1 choice for a celebratory weekend. * 13:40 – Las Vegas: It’s not just for gambling—shows, food, and Grand Canyon tours. * 18:20 – Aoife’s Dream 50th: A Virgin Voyages cruise through the Greek Islands. * 22:15 – The pros and cons of "All-Inclusive" for big group celebrations. * 25:40 – Listener Question: "Should I stay in a 2-star hotel in Cannes just to be at the Film Festival?" * 28:00 – Why "Life is too short for a bad hotel room." * 29:04 – Season 1 Wrap-up: What’s coming in our grand finale next week! SHOW NOTES & LINKS * Destinations Mentioned: * Poland: Skiing in the Zakopane region. * New York: Best for shopping, shows, and iconic landmarks. * Las Vegas: Tips for group bookings and the "High Roller" experience. * Greece: Cruising the islands (Athens, Santorini, Mykonos). * Travel Tips: * Booking for Groups: Why you should use a travel agent for parties of 10 or more. * The Cruise Life: Why Aoife recommends Virgin Voyages for an adults-only celebration. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss our Season 1 Finale next week! See you next Thursday. 🎙️ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Ep 4. Lapland Unlocked: The Ultimate Guide to the North Pole.

Hello from the "North Pole!" This week, Aoife and April are taking a deep dive into the most magical destination on Earth: Lapland. Aoife is fresh off a 10-day DIY adventure and is here to bust the myth that Lapland is only for December. She shares her "lightbulb moment" on why visiting in January is actually the ultimate travel hack—it’s quieter, cheaper, and the perfect way to say "thank you" to Santa after his busiest night of the year. Meanwhile, April shares her experiences with the package deal side of things, including her emotional six-hour whirlwind trip to the real Lapland and why Lapland UK in Ascot might be the best "bang for your buck" if you can’t make the flight to Finland. Whether you’re dreaming of log cabins in the woods, husky sledding through a winter paradise, or hopping on the overnight Santa Claus Express train, this episode is packed with the tips, hacks, and "crack" you need to plan your own Arctic escape. Plus, in this episode: * The DIY Itinerary: Flying into Helsinki and the 12-hour train journey to Rovaniemi. * Driving in the Snow: Why you shouldn’t be afraid to rent a car in Finland. * Theme Park Face-off: The pros and cons of day trips vs. long stays. * Aoife's Word for 2026: Why "Prosperity" is her focus for the year ahead. 🗓️ NEW EPISODES DROP EVERY THURSDAY! ⏱️ TIMINGS * 00:00 – Welcome to the North Pole!  * 01:07 – Aoife’s Word for 2026: Choosing Prosperity  * 02:33 – Lapland UK: The magical portal in Ascot and why it’s worth the price  * 07:07 – The Real Lapland Day Trip: Tears, -28 degrees, and 6 hours of pure magic  * 10:15 – The Cost Breakdown: Package deals vs. DIY  * 12:15 – The January Hack: Why Santa’s "home" is better (and cheaper) after Christmas  * 16:00 – The Santa Claus Express: An overnight train journey to remember  * 17:30 – Exploring Levi: Skiing, snowmobiling, and the Elves Village  * 19:30 – Driving in Finland: Busting the myths about driving in the snow  * 21:30 – Husky Rides vs. Reindeer Sleighs: Which is better?  * 34:30 – Coming up next: Big birthday and anniversary trip. SHOW NOTES & LINKS * Companies Mentioned: * Canterbury Travel & Sunway: Package experts for Lapland trips. * Irish Ferries: Aoife’s preferred way to start a stress-free Disney trip. * Inside Car Hire: Highly recommended for renting a car in Rovaniemi. * Key Locations: * Ounasvaara: The "cabin in the woods" ski area near Rovaniemi. * Levi: A family-friendly winter sports paradise. * Santa Claus Village: The commercial heart of Lapland (great for postcards!). Don't forget to rate us 5 stars on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! See you next Thursday. 🎙️ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Ep3 Disney vs. Efteling: The Ultimate Theme Park Battle 🎢 + The Holiday We’ve Taken for 30

We are back for Episode 3 and beating the February blues! After a chaotic start to the year juggling kids' activities and work, April and Aoife are sitting down to debate the heavyweights of European family travel. In this episode, April shares her recent New Year's trip to Efteling in the Netherlands. Is it really a budget-friendly alternative to Disney? We discuss the fairytale forest that inspired Walt Disney himself , the surprising lack of queues in winter , and a cautionary tale about a very expensive bottle of water. Meanwhile, Aoife reveals how she convinced her "Disney-allergic" husband to visit Disneyland Paris. She breaks down her "hack" for a stress-free trip: taking the ferry from Dublin to Cherbourg in an executive suite and staying in the Davy Crockett cabins for that crucial Magic Hour access. Plus, our Question of the Week: "Is there anywhere in the world you would go back to over and over?". Aoife opens up about her family’s deep connection to Barbados dating back to 1977 , while April tries to figure out how to finance another dream Christmas trip to Orlando. Pack your bags (and your snacks)—it’s time for Two Gas Tickets to Anywhere! 🗓️ NEW EPISODES DROP EVERY THURSDAY! ⏱️ CHAPTER TIMINGS * 00:00 – Welcome Back: The struggle of the January juggle. * 01:30 – Words of the Year: April chooses "Prevention" & Aoife forgets hers!. * 03:22 – April’s Trip: Inside Efteling, the Dutch fairytale theme park. * 04:30 – Aoife’s Trip: How to do Disneyland Paris if you hate flying (The Ferry Hack). * 08:00 – Emily in Paris vibes: Combining Disney with the Eiffel Tower. * 12:45 – Did Efteling inspire Walt Disney?. * 14:50 – The Comparison: Costs, crowds, and sensory-friendly options. * 18:40 – The €7.50 Water Bottle Incident. * 21:40 – Question of the Week: The destinations we return to forever. * 22:00 – Aoife’s love letter to Barbados & the Irish connection. * 26:30 – April’s Orlando obsession & the Santa dilemma. SHOW NOTES * Destinations Mentioned: * Efteling (Netherlands): The "Winter Efteling" experience and the new Grand Hotel. * Disneyland Paris: Staying at the Davy Crockett Ranch for free parking and Magic Hours. * Barbados: The Cassina Beach Club and the island's Irish history. * Paris: Doing a Tuk-Tuk tour of the city. * Travel Tips: * Ferry Travel: Irish Ferries from Dublin to Cherbourg for a relaxed start. * Flights: Ryanair/Aer Lingus into Eindhoven or Amsterdam for Efteling. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a trip! See you next Thursday. 🎙️ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Ep 2 Aoife And April Spill Their Holiday Regrets And 2026 Hot List

On Episode 2 of Two Gas Tickets To Anywhere hosts Aoife Bermingham and April Drew break down their travel regrets and their 2026 bucket lists. From terrifying nights in India to holidaying through grief + The ultimate guide to 2026 Bank Holiday getaways. We are back with a bang for Episode 2! After a Christmas hiatus, Aoife and April are back in the hot seat to map out their entire travel calendar for 2026. In this episode, we reveal exactly where we are jetting off to this year. Aoife shares her plans for a magical return to Lapland and a new adventure driving through Albania , while April prepares for an emotional nostalgia trip to New York City with her eldest kids. We also tackle the big debate for the upcoming Bank Holidays: Staycation vs. Jetting Off. Aoife champions unique Irish rentals (including a mansion in Clifden with a heated outdoor pool!), while April argues for the ease of European city breaks like Berlin and Amsterdam. Plus, things get real. We answer a surprise listener question: "Have you ever regretted a trip?". The answers go deep—from a backpacking nightmare in Mumbai involving padlocks and one-eyed hotel owners to a heartbreaking story about trying to holiday while grieving a tragedy. Pack your bags and tune in—it’s time for Two Gas Tickets to Anywhere! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.