Suitcase Divas: Travel Agent Tips, Tricks & Travel Tales
Join co-hosts Denise and Jackie as they chat about the journey of life and how travel plays an intricate role in navigating its twists and turns. Whether it's sharing travel tips, swapping stories over a glass of wine or mimosa, or welcoming special guests, there's always something new to explore! Grab your suitcase, pour a drink, and let’s dive into the adventure of life together—because travel makes everything better!
Episodes
Holiday cheer meets hard choices, and we’re not pulling any punches. We wade into five real “Am I the A**hole?” dilemmas that hit every pressure point of the season: a mom skipping a ski trip while 22 weeks pregnant with triplets, divorced parents clashing over “two Santas,” a last‑minute Thanksgiving disinvite after a stepfamily slight, a young family refusing the Christmas Day tour to protect nap schedules and sanit...
The holidays have a way of speeding up the calendar and slowing down the heart. We leaned into that pause to take stock of what truly mattered this year: a community that keeps showing up, trips that became milestones, and tiny travel comforts that somehow mean the most. From crossing a decade-long Napa and Sonoma dream off the list to recovering health just in time to fly, we trace how gratitude can turn ordinary mom...
The hardest part of leaving the military isn’t the paperwork—it’s the silence that follows. Len from Irreverent Warriors joins us to share how humor, short shorts, and shared miles become a lifeline for veterans navigating the identity gap after service. We get real about the numbers, the isolation, and the way a veteran-only space can flip a switch from “I’m fine” to “I’m understood.”
We walk through exactly...
Food shapes the way we remember a trip, and Napa proved it. We invited Denise to unpack her bucket list getaway through a different lens: how a small-portion, selective eater can still eat wonderfully in a destination famous for indulgence. From Italian comfort to Mediterranean hospitality and two bakery heavyweights, this conversation maps a realistic, satisfying path through Napa’s food scene without forcing yoursel...
A Category Five on the map changes how you think about travel. We revisit the hard lessons of Katrina and apply them to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean right now, asking what smart preparation looks like when an island’s only exit may be a runway that closes days ahead of landfall. From insurance that actually pays when flights shift and hotel nights stretch, to simple steps like embassy registration and offline copie...
Step onto Flight 2005 and relive a Halloween soaked in glitter, flip phones, and the TRL countdown. We crack open a time capsule of pop culture—tabloid-fueled celebrity drama, the rise of Brangelina, Paris Hilton’s paparazzi era, and the TV shows that shaped group chats before group chats existed. Grey’s Anatomy made us feel medically fearless, Lost kept us guessing, and a packed slate of films—from Batman Begins and ...
A promise we made in college finally came true: six friends, one shared bucket list, and a Napa and Sonoma escape that blended caves, sparkling flights, and a few curveballs we didn’t see coming. We open the gate on the full story—what worked, what surprised us, and how to plan a group trip that actually feels easy.
We'll start with: a walkable Airbnb in downtown Napa, realistic pacing at two tastings pe...
Nervous about flying? You’re not alone. In this episode, we break down simple, proven rituals that calm your nerves so you can board with confidence instead of chaos.
Airports aren’t built for calm, but your travel routine can be. We’re opening Season Three with a practical, field-tested anxiety toolkit—pulled from years of flying, parenting through layovers, and one candid bartender’s view of what really happens in te...
Ever wondered what it feels like to climb an active volcano while locals desperately try to warn you with mysterious hand signals? Our new co-host Jackie G has lived that experience, and it's just one of many travel tales she's bringing to Season 3 of the Suitcase Divas podcast!
Meet Jackie G, our fantastic new addition to the Suitcase Divas family. A seasoned travel industry professional based in F...
You’ve seen them floating gracefully across the sky—those dreamy hot air balloons that look like they belong in a storybook. A big puff of color, a little basket, and poof! You’re flying. Easy, right? Not so fast, Diva. Behind that peaceful ride is a whole world of serious science, sky-high strategy, and major skill.
This week, we’re pulling back the curtain with Damian from Get Loft Hot Air Balloons, and trust us—this...
Think you know cruises? Think again. This week, the Divas are flipping the script on everything you thought cruising was – and trust us, it's not your grandma’s buffet boat. We’re joined by Tracy from Virgin Voyages, and she’s here to spill the tea on why this adults-only escape at sea is truly the ultimate “uncruise” experience.
No kids. No formal nights. No buffets. Just a floating boutique hotel bursting with p...
This week on Suitcase Divas, we’re unpacking more than just luggage—we’re unpacking life, healing, and the power of getting beautifully confused.
We’re joined by the fabulous Giovanna Silvestre, author of the soon-to-be-released Confused Girl and the fierce founder of Confused Girl in the City. What starts as a raw convo about hitting that dreaded quarter-life crisis turns into a powerful, soul-deep journey through sha...
Ever feel like you need a getaway yesterday—but without the airport drama, packing chaos, or actually, y'know… leaving town? Same. That’s why we were downright shocked to discover Rob Wallace Park, a stunning hidden gem just 25 minutes from home that somehow managed to stay off our radar for over a decade. (Rude.)
Armed with nothing but leftover snacks from the fridge and a fierce need to escape our home office wa...
Whew, honey… travel scams are out here multiplying like bad airline snacks—with a jaw-dropping 900% spike in just the last year! 😱 Scammers are getting slicker, and their schemes? Way too convincing. From charming con artists to full-on digital deception, it’s getting harder to tell what’s legit and what’s just plain shady.
This week, your favorite Divas are calling out the trickiest travel scams in the game—from thos...
Ever wonder what your travel quirks say about you? In this episode, we’re spilling the tea on the little (and not-so-little) decisions that shape our adventures—starting with the ultimate packing showdown. One of us swears by the art of rolling clothes, but let’s be real... by the time we’re heading home, that suitcase is a full-on disaster zone.
Then it’s time to settle some hot debates: planes vs. trains, hotels vs. ...
As the days get warmer, so do the debates about spring break plans! In this lighthearted yet thought-provoking episode, we’re diving into the real relationship dynamics that surface when routine takes a holiday.
First up: A husband asks his teacher wife to handle more chores during her much-needed break. Fair request or relationship foul? We unpack the fine line between teamwork and taking advantage of downtime.
Then, i...
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been five years since the world hit pause—since our passports collected dust, grocery store runs felt like high-stakes missions, and we all learned the true value of toilet paper. Travel as we knew it came to a screeching halt, leaving cruise ships stranded, borders slammed shut, and entire industries scrambling to survive.
Fast forward to today, and while the world is open again, travel ...
Traveling with friends and family is all fun and games—until the bill arrives! 🤑 Who gets the master suite, and who’s stuck on the sleeper sofa? Should the big eaters and cocktail lovers pay the same as the light snackers? And what about those must-do activities—do you split them evenly or let everyone do their own thing?
In this episode, we’re tackling the sometimes awkward (but totally necessary) conversation about ...
Ready to shake up spring break, Diva-style? Gone are the days of jam-packed family itineraries and chasing kids through theme parks. This season, it's all about us—luxurious escapes, unique adventures, and the kind of relaxation that feeds the soul.
Forget the crowded beaches and kid-friendly chaos—this is grown-up spring break! We're diving into dreamy destinations like the Maldives, where overwater bungalow...
We’re back with Part 2 of our chilling conversation with Kim from the Slaycation podcast! 🎙️ Last time, we explored the dark side of travel, but now we’re diving even deeper. We pick up right where we left off, asking Kim the big question: How does she handle the emotional weight of covering such heavy, real-life tragedies?
From there, we unravel more haunting cases she’s covered, including:
🕵️ Episode 47: Welcom...
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