Round Trip With Colleen Kelly

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 inte...

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 cana...

Paul Kelly, Turkey Farmer + Managing Director of KellyBronze

Holiday travel doesn’t have to be chaos, and turkey doesn’t have to be dry. We open with hard-won airport strategy—exact arrival windows, snack planning, and the surprising magic of flying on Thanksgiving morning—then bring on Paul Kelly of KellyBronze to change how you think about the main course. Paul is a two-time Guinness World Record holder (fastest turkey plucke...

Johnny Jet - Travel Expert

Named “the original travel influencer” by Forbes

Fear at the gate. Tears, a canceled dream trip, and three years grounded. That’s where Johnny Jet started—before a last-minute call and a single turned page sent him onto a plane and into a life of travel, family memories, and quietly powerful habits that make journeys work. We sit down with Johnny to unpack how anxiety became fuel, how a first long-haul...

Ralph Velasco – Chief DRIFTER at Continental DRIFTER® Experiences

What if the best photos happen after you put the camera down? We sit with travel photographer and tour leader Ralph Velasco to rethink how we move through the world—less rushing, more noticing, and a renewed focus on why we went in the first place. After 17 years of fast‑paced travel, Ralph embraces “pre‑tirement,” dialing back the hustle to lead smaller, cu...

What's the one travel essential that seasoned travelers never leave home without? Hint: it's not your passport, credit card, or smartphone. It's travel insurance – that often overlooked protection that can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a financial disaster.

Travel insurance might not sound like the most thrilling topic, but as Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip reveals, it's pac...

Have you ever wondered what it's truly like to witness a glacier's blue ice from your private balcony while sipping mimosas at 10 AM? Join me as I unpack my bucket list Alaska cruise with Princess Cruises, an experience that left both me and my husband utterly spellbound.

My conversation with Mary Jacquel, Director of Alaska Planning & Marketing for Princess Cruises, reveals why Princess has become synonymous...

Audrey Wilson, Author & Video Producer

Travel has the power to change everything—even when we least expect it. 🌍✈️

In this inspiring conversation, Audrey Wilson shares how she went from avoiding air travel for 20+ years to becoming a globe-trotting thriller author. Her adventures across California, Ireland, the Bahamas, and Colorado not only helped her conquer travel anxiety but also fueled the stories behind...

Experience Europe by Train: Why Rail Travel Beats Flying | Interview with Rail Escape

What if the journey could be just as unforgettable as the destination? In this episode, we sit down with Julian Schmid from Rail Escape to uncover why train travel in Europe remains the ultimate way to explore the continent’s beauty, culture, and diversity. 

🚄 Why choose trains over planes in Europe?
Julian explains how European rail often...

Discover Wisconsin: Hidden Gems, Outdoor Adventures & Small-Town Charm with Noreen Rueckert, Director of Green County Tourism; Malorie Paine, Representative with the North Central Wisconsin Tourism Partnership; and Meridith Jumisko, Public Relations Director for Visit Kenosha.

Tucked just beyond Chicago's reach lies Wisconsin – a treasure trove of experiences that might have you reconsidering those expensive European vacati...

Looking for the best travel rewards programs in 2025? We break down the brand-new U.S. News & World Report Travel Rewards Rankings (2025–2026) with Senior Travel Editor Elizabeth Von Tersch.
Discover which airline loyalty programs and hotel rewards programs actually give travelers the most value:

✈️ Best Airline Rewards 2025 – Alaska Airlines takes the top spot over United & American.
🏨 Best Hotel Rewards 2025 ...

Dreaming of your 2025 adventures? We're serving up a diverse platter of travel inspiration to fuel your wanderlust as holiday festivities wind down. This episode delivers the perfect mix of accessible weekend getaways and exotic international journeys to brighten even the darkest winter days.

We kick off with a fascinating look at how entertainment shapes travel choices. The "Glickid" phenomenon—where films ...

What does it mean to truly experience the Arctic? Not just viewing it from a distance, but immersing yourself in its wild landscapes, connecting with its indigenous communities, and learning from experts who've dedicated their lives to understanding this extraordinary region? 

Megan recently returned from Adventure Canada's Heart of the Arctic expedition, a transformative 12-day journey through the Canadian Arcti...

Venturing into the far reaches of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland aboard Adventure Canada's Ocean Endeavor reveals a world few travelers ever experience. Through frost-kissed waters and remote communities, this expedition cruise unveils both the stunning natural wonders and the rich cultural tapestry of the North.

The journey takes you through breathtaking Arctic landscapes, from the bird-covered cliffs of East Digg...

Have you ever dreamed of sailing across crystal blue waters on a majestic tall ship while exploring charming coastal villages untouched by mass tourism? Join Colleen Kelly and her daughter Dunovan as they recount their extraordinary journey aboard a Star Clippers vessel through the Mediterranean, taking listeners on a vicarious adventure to Corsica, the French Riviera, and the picture-perfect harbor of Portofino, Italy.

Un...

Ever dreamed of a destination that feels like stepping into another world without the hassle of long-haul travel? This week, Colleen and Megan uncover two gems that deliver exactly that - Southern Illinois and Prague, Czech Republic.

Southern Illinois emerges as the surprise star of our Midwest explorations, now incredibly accessible thanks to Contour Airlines' direct 45-minute flights from Chicago O'Hare to Vete...

Yee-Haw! On this two-parter episode of Round Trip, Colleen and Megan head south to Galveston Island, Texas. They talk to Executive Director of Visit Galveston, Tony Lyle, to hear the ins and outs of the islands. Plus, hear about their experience visiting the island while filming Family Travel! 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

TONY LYLE: https://www.visitgalveston.com/

WATCH THE EPISODE: https://www.pbs.org/show/family-travel-colleen-kelly/ 

S...

This week on Round Trip, Colleen and Megan talk with our neighbors to the north. Vladimir Jean-Gilles, Manager of Travel Media Relations for Ottawa Tourism, shares some of the highlights of the capital, from eats to sights. Darcy Ferron, VP of Strategic and External Affairs for the Canadian Museum of Nature, talks about the natural history of the city. Finally, Megan shares her experience taking a quick weekend trip there!

FOR MORE...