The Vacation Nerd with Patrick Wiscombe
Everybody likes to go on vacation. I’ve never found an exception to that statement. Going on vacation recharges the mind and soul and yet it’s the one activity humans put off year after year because life gets in the way. The entire purpose of this podcast is to help you get out and see the world. We do that by helping you plan and book your next vacation or give you ideas where you should consider going next. Plus, we give you the travel news that actually matters and general news that's simply entertaining.
Time is going to pass anyway, so you might as well do the things you love and inspire you. This show is all about living life deliberately and intentionally. You only get one shot at this life so make it count. Make memories with those that matter most to you.
I hope you enjoy listening. If you do, please subscribe to the show and leave a review. Thanks for listening.
TAKE ACTION: Quit talking about going on vacation, just do it. If you want more information about any of the destinations we discuss during the show, or have your own custom vacation in mind, I can help you. Please call, text, or email me.
Here's how to get a hold of me:
Patrick Wiscombe
Cell/Text: (801) 874-7717
Email: patrick.wiscombe@gmail.com
The Vacation Nerd (Audio Podcast): https://www.thevacationnerd.co
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerd
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.wiscombe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrick.wiscombe/
Episodes
92 episodes
Episode 162: The Sun Disappears but the Buffet Remains
A great cruise isn’t just about the ship, it’s about timing, ports, and knowing where the real deals are hiding. We jump into a packed travel run-down that starts with solo cruising and ends with why your airport experience can set the tone for...
Episode 161: Speedboat Archaeology with a Side of Check-In Rubdown
Miami just added a traffic jam you’ll actually want to swim through. We kick things off with Reefline, a brand-new underwater sculpture park off Miami that’s built to become a living reef over time, plus a smart tip for anyone arriving early fo...
Episode 160: Whale, Hello There!
You do not have to choose between “easy planning” and “authentic travel.” We’re talking about practical trip ideas that feel special, including how to experience Alaska without booking a cruise ship and why a daylight rail itinerary can be the ...
Episode 159: C4 Fudge and an $800 Apple
One river cruise can feel effortless and unforgettable, and another can feel cramped, overpriced, or oddly restrictive, even when the ships look similar on paper. We break down what actually changes your day-to-day experience on the water: cabi...
Episode 158: The Hawaii Flight is $399. The Croissant is $21
$399 round trip airfare to Hawaii sounds like a typo, but we’re looking at real fall dates out of Salt Lake City and showing how to turn that low fare into an actual vacation plan. We talk through what “basic economy” really means, when it’s wo...
Episode 157: Cruise Mansions & TikTok Morons
A cruise sale can sound huge until you run the numbers, read the cabin rules, and figure out what it actually costs for your dates and your family. We do that work with you, starting with MSC Cruises’ Fourth of July sale: 40% off cruises plus k...
Episode 156: Gross! Who Passed the Sargassum?
The travel stories worth your attention are the ones that change your options, your budget, or your timing and we hit all three. We talk through the Boeing 737 Max 7 getting cleared and why a smaller aircraft can reshape routes for airlines lik...
Episode 155: The Cruise Cabin Was 8,800 Square Feet
72 million Americans are expected to travel for July 4, and that’s just the start of the summer chaos. We break down what’s changing in the travel world right now, where the best values are hiding, and how to plan a trip that feels fun instead ...
Episode 154: Nessie Made Me Book It
Fireworks are fun, but the real July Fourth flex is knowing you can explore the world and still come home grateful. We keep this show tight and practical, starting with travel headlines that affect your next booking: SkyWest investing in Embrae...
Episode 153: Blimey! Pepsi Walks The Carnival Plank
You know that one travel ritual that makes airport security feel like a chore? Taking your shoes off. We talk about the big change rolling out across major US airports that finally lets many travelers keep their shoes on during TSA screening, w...
Episode 152: Guaranteed Emptyness
Airport security lines. Tight seats. Slow inflight internet. These are the little frictions that can wreck an otherwise great trip, so we get practical about what’s changing right now and what it means for your next booking. We talk through the...
Episode 151: Vacationing with Bowling Pin Penquins
Tiny penguins that waddle ashore like clockwork, a luxury day train through Laos, and a villa on the Amalfi Coast that suddenly makes “group travel” pencil out, that’s the kind of practical travel inspiration we love. We’re coming to you with f...
Episode 150: The Southwest Seating Hunger Games Are Over
Southwest flyers, get ready for a major shift: for the first time, reserved seat assignments are coming. We walk through what’s changing, when it starts, and what the new fare options really mean if you care about boarding stress, legroom, or s...
Episode 149: Stretch Your Strudel and Bring Goulash
Airport lines, border rules, private islands, and that one city you should never treat as a quick stopover all collide in this fast-moving travel-packed hour. We start with the kind of travel news that actually changes your day: TSA testing ded...
Episode 148: Monaco for $1,500. My Tooth Was Extra
Monaco has a reputation for yachts, supercars, and sticker shock, so we decided to put the rumors to the test with real numbers and a simple plan you can actually use. We walk through how to get to Monaco the smart way by flying into Nice, Fran...
Episode 147: Cancun's Cooler Cousin
A worldwide travel caution doesn’t have to kill your vacation plans, but it should change how you prepare. We walk through the U.S. State Department’s rare global alert, what “increased caution” looks like in real life, and the best habit we us...
Episode 146: Parka, Swimsuit, Submarine
Five stars sounds like the obvious choice until you look closely at what you’re actually paying for. We break down the real-world differences between four-star and five-star hotels, including why “more amenities” often means “more stuff you won...
Episode 145: Peak Vacation Nerd...Literally!
We’re not exaggerating when we say this one has altitude. Mark joins the show live from the top of Tower Butte in Page, Arizona, after a helicopter ride drops him onto a massive sandstone summit with 360-degree desert views and a Starlink conne...
Episode 144: The Mouse Moved the Cheese
Disneyland fans know the math: a small perk can equal a huge time win. We dig into Disneyland’s decision to end early park entry for hotel guests in California and replace it with one Lightning Lane per resort stay, then talk honestly about who...
Episode 143: Greece is the Word
Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy again, and we know the first thought is, “What does that mean for my ticket?” We walk through what travelers should realistically expect during a Chapter 11 restructure, why the airline says it will keep ope...
Episode 142: Twilight Bag Droppings
A “window seat” that doesn’t have a window sounds like a joke until you’re stuck staring at a blank wall for three hours. We dig into the United Airlines windowless seat lawsuit that’s moving forward, why airline seat maps can be misleading, an...
Episode 141: A Six Minute Sell Out
Six minutes, one deposit, and zero itinerary details: Celebrity’s first move into river cruising sold out almost instantly, and we break down what they revealed next and why it signals a bigger shift in premium river cruise demand. We also cele...
Episode 140: Congratulations, the Algorithm Thinks You’re Rich
Airline shopping used to feel simple: find a route, compare times, buy the ticket. Now it’s starting to feel like the ticket is shopping you back. We dig into the latest concerns around airlines using AI pricing tools and customer profiles to s...
Episode 139: The New Meaning of Sleeping with the Fish
A great trip is rarely about one “perfect” destination. It’s about making smart choices that fit your budget, your time, and the experience you actually want once you arrive. We kick things off with quick travel news you can use right away, inc...
Episode 138: Sunscreen Flavored Ice Cream
Cancun is quieter than usual right now, and that’s the kind of travel signal we pay attention to because lower demand often leads to lower prices. We walk through a limited promotion that can save you up to $550 on a Cancun vacation when you pa...