Guest: Jenny Gowan, Special Events Manager at Wilderness Travel

Looking for travel that does more than check boxes? We sit down with Wilderness Travel’s special events manager, Jenny Gowen, to unpack how truly adventurous journeys are built: small groups, local leadership, and a guiding principle that we’re not spectators. From the company’s pioneering roots in 1978 to today’s topic-driven itineraries, Jenny shares how curiosity and humility turn a trip into a deeper experience.

We dive into eclipse travel that sells out in hours, including why 2027 Egypt is a standout with six minutes and twenty-two seconds of totality over Luxor. Jenny reveals how they balance maximum totality, historic cloud cover, and the cultural story of a place while partnering with expert astronomers like UC Berkeley’s Alex Filippenko. You’ll hear the strategy behind short, flexible event trips in Europe with smart add-ons, plus longer, immersive routes in destinations like Egypt, Patagonia, and Mongolia.

If you’ve wondered how to pick the right adventure, we break down Wilderness Travel’s trip rating system, the benefits of small groups capped at 15, and why even level-one journeys involve authentic walking and real access. We talk logistics in remote regions such as Namibia, included meals and scheduling that reduce friction, and the upside of traveling with an outfitter that keeps funds local and opens doors independent travelers rarely reach. Jenny also shares practical booking advice: use the website’s search bar, join interest lists, act early, and flip to the back of their stunning annual catalog to spot new itineraries. With generous cancellation policies on most small-group trips, you can plan ahead with confidence.

Ready to chase totality, reconnect with family, or revisit a place with new eyes and expert context? Hit follow, share this episode with your favorite travel buddy, and leave a review to help more curious travelers find us. Safe travels!

• 0:00 Meet Jenny From Wilderness Travel
• 1:45 Origins And Ethos Of Adventure Travel
• 3:35 Travel With Purpose And Local Impact
• 5:36 Eclipse Travel And The Expert Factor
• 8:10 Why 2027 Egypt Is A Standout
• 10:30 Trip Lengths, Add-Ons, And Flexibility
• 13:20 Small Groups And Trip Ratings
• 16:15 Scheduling, Dining, And Remote Logistics
• 19:30 Value, Access, And Stress-Free Planning
• 22:45 Booking Early, Catalog Secrets, Waitlists
• 26:00 Topic-Driven Travel And Renewed Wonder
• 28:20 Family Travel And Generational Legacy
• 30:00 How To Book, Deposits, And CTA
• 32:30 Host Closing And Follow Us

For more information:

https://www.wildernesstravel.com/

2025 Eclipse trip in Northern Spain:

https://www.wildernesstravel.com/trip/total-solar-eclipse-2026-northern-spain/

2026 Eclipse trip in Luxor, Egypt:

https://www.wildernesstravel.com/trip/total-solar-eclipse-2027-luxor-egypt/

► IG: @wildernesstravel
► FB: @wildernesstravel
►YouTube: @Wildernesstravel

►LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wilderness-travel/

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Steve Guilday - Director of Travel at AARP Services Inc.

What if a $20 membership could make your bucket list trip finally happen? We sit down with Steve Guilday, Director of Travel at AARP, to reveal practical, stackable ways to cut costs on flights, hotels, rental cars, tours, and cruises—without sacrificing comfort or adventure. Steve explains how AARP’s nonprofit model passes negotiated savings directly to members, why international travel intent is surging among the 50+ crowd, and how to turn once‑in‑a‑lifetime ideas into booked itineraries that fit your budget.

We dig into the biggest trends shaping smart travel right now: intergenerational getaways that build deeper bonds, Alaska cruises that put the destination center stage, and the art of choosing secondary cities for Europe to dodge crowds while keeping the culture. You’ll hear how to time trips for shoulder season, why weekday departures stretch dollars, and how to make road trips easier by renting instead of racking up miles on your own car. From British Airways flight savings to hotel deals across major brands, we outline where the real, usable discounts live and how to stack them with your credit card rewards.

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to go, consider this your sign. Pick your destination, choose the smarter route, and put the savings to work so the memories last longer than the bills. For links and details on member perks and current travel offers, head to aarp.org/save. If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe, share with a travel‑loving friend, and leave a quick review—it helps more people discover the show and start planning the trip they’ll talk about for years.

For more information:

aarp.org & aarp.org/save

@aarp & @aarpmemberbenefits

https://www.aarp.org/travel/travel-tips/travel-trends-survey/

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Suzanne Kenzer - Freelance Travel Journalist

Ready to swap your Paris-London loop for a city that blends fairy-tale grandeur with everyday ease? We head to Copenhagen with travel journalist Suzanne Kenzer to unpack a long-weekend plan that hits royal palaces, storied museums, waterfront strolls, and a dining scene that’s as welcoming as it is ambitious. Think crown jewels at Rosenborg, the lifeguard change at Amalienborg, and a canal cruise past Nyhavn’s candy-colored facades—all within walking distance and perfect for first-timers.

Food lovers get the inside track on smørrebrød done right, why reservations matter even for casual spots, and how Copenhagen’s 26 Michelin stars reflect a city obsessed with quality without the fuss. We wander Tivoli Gardens for vintage thrills, nighttime lights, and weekend fireworks, then step into day trips that elevate your itinerary: Kronborg Castle in Helsingør, Shakespeare’s Elsinore, and Roskilde’s duo of the Viking Ship Museum and the royal tomb-filled cathedral.

We also tackle the practicals that make or break a short stay: the best shoulder-season windows, how layers beat forecasts, when to walk versus ride, and why the Copenhagen Card streamlines transit and admissions. Learn how to handle Danish kroner in a mostly cashless culture, what tipping really looks like, and which souvenirs travel well—Royal Copenhagen porcelain, Georg Jensen design, licorice, butter cookies, and Lego for the win. If you’ve been craving a European city that feels both grand and grounded, this guide gives you everything you need to plan with confidence.

If this helped map your next trip, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a quick review—it helps more travelers find the show and fuels future guides.



0:20 Welcome And Guest Intro
1:47 First Impressions Of Copenhagen
3:11 Royal Palaces And Crown Jewels
6:48 Museums And Nyhavn By Water
9:18 When To Go And What To Wear
10:26 What Copenhagen Tastes Like
12:13 Dining Culture And Reservations
13:36 How To Get Around The City
15:05 Tivoli Gardens And Lego Roots
18:06 Why It Belongs On Your List
18:46 Day Trips To Kronborg And Roskilde
23:19 Hans Christian Andersen And The Mermaid
24:26 Where To Stay And Neighborhoods
27:20 Biking Culture, Clean Harbors, Parking
30:45 Shoulder Seasons And Tivoli Tips
32:06 Copenhagen Card And Money Basics
34:11 What To Buy And Where To Shop
36:23 Resources, Articles, And What’s Next
35:40 Gratitude And Ways To Connect

For more information:
visitcopenhagen.com

*Articles coming this fall on familytravelck.com & roundtripcolleenkelly.com
**Disclaimer: King Christian visited Amsterdam. Finland is a Nordic country.

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