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Sunshine Travelers Podcast

Sunshine Travelers Podcast

By: Scott and Melissa Barronton
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About this listen

 Real Travel Tips, Bucket List Inspiration, and the Confidence to Book the Trip and Go! Ready to travel more and better? The Sunshine Travelers Podcast is your go-to travel podcast for real-world travel tips, inspiring stories, and expert guidance to help you plan extraordinary trips, with less stress and more joy. Hosted by real travelers Scott and Melissa Barronton, this podcast is built for midlife travelers and couples looking to finally take that dream trip—whether it’s a luxury safari in Kenya, a scenic train journey or walk through Europe, a coastal road trip in the US, or that dream cruise. Each weekly episode features: • Bucket list destination guides (think places like Italy, Iceland, South Africa, Greece, & more) • Practical tips on packing, planning, and using points & miles • Curated itineraries with hidden gems & local insights • Interviews with experienced travelers and travel pros • Travel hacks that save you time, money, and overwhelm • Travel Deals that are too good to pass up From avoiding overtourism, finding the best-value travel deals, traveling to new places and in new ways, this podcast helps you navigate every stage of your journey. They believe travel should be meaningful, memorable, and attainable, no matter where you’re starting from and they help you do just that. Follow the show and join them each week as they help you stop dreaming and start booking.© 2026 Sunshine Travelers Personal Development Personal Success Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Episode 157 - Princess Cruise Lines: An Honest Review of the Crown Princess

    Episode 157 - Princess Cruise Lines: An Honest Review of the Crown Princess
    Jan 27 2026
    If you’re searching for an honest Princess Cruises review, especially a real-world look at the Crown Princess, you’re in the right place. We recently sailed for 21 days in an Inside Cabin on the Crown Princess, from Hobart, Tasmania to Singapore, and in this episode, we're sharing our firsthand experience. In this episode, you'll discover what it’s really like onboard, what Princess Cruises does well, and where it may or may not be the right fit depending on how you like to travel. This is a candid conversation based on our 21 days spent onboard, conversations with crew and fellow passengers, and how the experience compares to other cruise lines we’ve sailed. From ship atmosphere and dining to entertainment, service, and who Princess Cruises is best for, this episode is designed to help you decide if a Princess Cruise, and the Crown Princess specifically, belongs on your shortlist, or if another cruise style might suit you better. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure. Help Support the Podcast by Buying us a Coffee ☕️ Resources & Links: From choosing the right cruise to planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip, we can help you plan your next trip with confidence. Learn More Here! Get our Curated List of Cruise & Travel DealsGet Our FREE Ultimate Packing GuideSee ALL our Favorite Travel Resources Follow Sunshine Travelers Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Read more about this and other travel destinations on our BLOG Follow our travels on TikTok @sunshinetravelerspodcastFollow us on X @sunshinetrvlrsConnect with us on LinkedIn @sunshinetravelerspodcast Get travel tips and follow our travels on Instagram: @sunshinetravelerspodcastFollow us on Facebook @sunshinetravelerspodcastConnect with us on Threads @sunshinetravelerspodcastSee our travel videos on YouTube @sunshinetravelerspodcastSave our travel ideas on Pinterest @sunshinetravelerspodcast Music: This Acoustic Happy Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay
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    34 mins
  • Episode 156 - What I Found When I Returned to Hong Kong After 20 Years

    Episode 156 - What I Found When I Returned to Hong Kong After 20 Years
    Jan 20 2026

    Hong Kong was the final stop on Scott and Melissa’s month-long journey through Asia, following their cruise from Hobart to Singapore. For Scott, it was a return after nearly 20 years. For Melissa, it was a first visit. What they both discovered was a city that felt surprisingly familiar, efficient, and easy to navigate.

    In this episode, they explore Hong Kong through its world-class public transportation system, share memorable food experiences, reflect on cultural familiarity, and balance the intensity of the city with a day at Disney.

    In this episode, you’ll hear about:

    • Why Hong Kong felt far more familiar than expected—despite major political changes

    • How Hong Kong’s public transportation compares to London’s Underground

    • Riding the MTR, the iconic Star Ferry, and the historic “ding ding” trams

    • Why the tram ride to Victoria Peak is a must-do (especially at night)

    • Navigating the city easily using the Octopus card vs. tap-to-pay

    • A memorable first-night meal at a Michelin-star Cantonese restaurant—and why it felt universal

    • A reminder that shrimp really does show up in everything in Asia

    • Experiencing Hong Kong Disneyland as a cultural contrast to the city

    • Why character meet-and-greets were busier than ride lines at the park

    • How locals approach Disney differently, especially when it comes to photos and costumes

    • Where they stayed and why location matters in a fast-moving city

    • A Sunshine Travelers advisory on staying at the Conrad Hong Kong

    • How many days you really need in Hong Kong—and when to add an extra day

    • Real-world travel hiccups and why patience is an essential packing item

    • Why Hong Kong turned out to be the perfect place to end a long journey
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    44 mins
  • Episode 155 - How to See Singapore in 36 Hours!

    Episode 155 - How to See Singapore in 36 Hours!
    Jan 13 2026
    In this episode we share that by only having 24 hours in Singapore puts you in “taste-test mode” — you’re not trying to do everything, you’re trying to feel the city. After disembarking from a cruise (with a few early-morning obstacles), we spent a full day chasing iconic Singapore experiences: kaya toast and local coffee at Ya Kun, the wow-factor of Gardens by the Bay (OCBC Skyway, Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome), lunch at the famous Lau Pa Sat hawker center, and a festive night at Christmas Wonderland in Supertree Grove. (Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.) Help Support the Podcast by Buying us a Coffee ☕️ or using our links whenever you book a trip! We also share where we stayed (Conrad Singapore), what we’d do differently next time (food tour, satay, more time), and a key lesson about visiting Jewel Changi Airport — including what no one tells you about early baggage drop and terminal logistics. What You’ll Learn in This Episode • How to plan a Singapore stopover when you only have one day • What’s worth paying for at Gardens by the Bay (and what you can skip) • What to expect at a hawker center without a guide (and how to order smarter) • The truth about durian ice cream (smell, taste, and the after-effects) • Why Jewel Changi Airport can be trickier than it looks (check-in timing + terminals) • Why Singapore is a great gateway for Southeast Asia cruises • How many days you really need to do Singapore right (your sweet spot: 3–4 days) Here's Your 36-Hour Singapore Itinerary Morning (arrival + hotel area) • Cruise disembarkation + immigration e-gates tip: pack a day bag for the final night (toiletries, meds, pajamas, change of clothes, laptop) • Transport tip: Grab is the main ride-hailing app • Breakfast: Ya Kun Kaya Toast (kaya toast + coffee) Late Morning–Afternoon • Gardens by the Bay • OCBC Skyway (iconic Supertree views and Marina Bay Sands) • Cloud Forest (Jurassic Park exhibit + indoor waterfall + walkways) • Flower Dome (holiday train display and botanical zones) Lunch • Lau Pa Sat hawker center • Tip: order small items from multiple stalls instead of one big dish • Reminder: clear your tray — signs warn of fines/bans Evening • Evening Light Show at the SuperTree Grove (FREE) or if visiting during the holidays you'll need a ticket to the Christmas Wonderland at Supertree Grove • or see the light and water show in front of Marina Bay Sands Hotel - if you're not familiar check out the Marina Bay Sands episode on Amazing Hotels Departure Day Add-On • Jewel Changi Airport waterfall + photo spots • Reality check: early bag drop depends on airline desk hours • Terminal note: you may have to change terminals by bus/taxi, depending on where you depart Quick Tips • Don’t rely on same-day ticket luck if you only have one day — book Gardens by the Bay tickets ahead. • If you’re choosing between Supertree Observatory and OCBC Skyway, you probably only need one for views. • At hawker centers, go with a plan (or better: take a food tour). If you’re unsure, order a few small things from different stalls. • For Jewel: check your airline’s early check-in hours and your departure terminal before building your timing around it. Where We Stayed Conrad Singapore (Hilton) • Strong location for getting around • Great value (you paid cash because points redemption wasn’t worth it) • Upgrades + Diamond benefits made a big difference • Excellent breakfast (lounge available but you didn’t have time) Best Moments • The first “wow” view from the OCBC Skyway • Cloud Forest: mist, waterfall, and Jurassic Park exhibit • Holiday train display surprise inside Flower Dome • Christmas Wonderland vibes in warm weather • The chance encounter at the airport with fellow cruisers (and the Georgia Bulldog hat moment) What We'd Do Differently Next Time • Add a food tour (especially for hawker centers) • Try the satay you skipped at Lau Pa Sat • Make time for Raffles Hotel + Singapore Sling • Go up to Marina Bay Sands rooftop bar / viewing area • Plan a longer stay: 3–4 days to slow down and go beyond highlights If Singapore is on your list — whether as a stopover or a longer stay — we’d love to help you plan it in a way that fits how you actually like to travel. More Resources & Links Want curated travel deals every week? Subscribe to Travel Deal Insiders — the best travel deals sent straight to your inbox. Get Our Ultimate Packing Guide for Traveling Smart and Packing Light + Access to Exclusive Weekly Content here. Don’t waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, get Flykitt and watch Jet Lag disappear! Protect your privacy, boost your security, and keep your browsing data safe with Express VPN. Plus,...
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    46 mins
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