What will your next domestic getaway look like? Imagine arriving to a gleaming new airport terminal opening its doors to California sunshine, a Midwestern city claiming its title as America's soccer capital, or the birthplace of independence preparing for the celebration of a lifetime.

2026 isn't just another year. It's a milestone moment when extraordinary, yet often overlooked, destinations are rewriting their stories with billion-dollar renovations, world-class events, and experiences you won't want to miss.

In this episode, host Angie Orth welcomes two AAA insiders who spend their days tracking trends and scouting destinations: Jim Benning, Editor-in-Chief of Westways, and Derrik Lang, Editor-in-Chief of AAA Explorer. Recording from the historic Ace Garage in Tustin, California, they reveal the domestic destinations that deserve a spot on your 2026 travel list.

You'll discover why San Diego's new terminal and NASCAR debut make it more than just a beach town, and how Kansas City is transforming with adaptive architecture and high-profile athletics. You’ll hear what makes Santa Fe's art scene timeless, how Lexington is redefining its identity beyond horses and bourbon, and how Philadelphia is preparing for America's 250th birthday.

What You’ll Learn:

3:41 Why San Diego's multi-billion dollar airport renovation and first-ever NASCAR race

6:25 The soccer capital of the USA and the FIFA World Cup

8:27 The innovative Rock Island Bridge project

18:54 Lexington's transformation beyond horses and bourbon

22:13 Philadelphia's year-long America 250 celebration

Where are YOU planning to go in 2026? Tell us in the comments!

Connect with AAA:

Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprises

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

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Every decision you make on a trip—where you stay, what you eat, how you get around—has an impact on the place you visit. Whether it’s an Airbnb that displaces a local resident or a tour bus that crowds neighborhood streets, the travel choices we make ripple through communities in ways we might not notice. But what if small, thoughtful shifts could transform your trips into meaningful exchanges that actually benefit the people who call these destinations home?

In this episode, host Angie Orth is back with Daniel Maurer, journalist, travel writer, and author of The Future of Travel. Daniel shares his top five strategies for responsible travel. He shares practical tips that help you avoid tourist traps, find authentic experiences, and ensure your money supports local communities.

You'll discover how to choose accommodations that don't harm housing markets, how to spot the red flags of “tourist” restaurants, and how to experience authentic culture when you travel. Daniel also reveals why connecting with locals is the secret to unlocking the most memorable travel experiences.

What You’ll Learn:

00:55 How to book accommodations with the local economy in mind

02:39 The art of finding authentic tours and activities while avoiding over-hyped tourist traps

03:48 Daniel's rules for identifying locally-owned restaurants

04:55 Transportation choices that support communities without crowding out residents

06:21 The one mindset shift that transforms how you travel and connect with people

Connect with Daniel Maurer:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-maurer-2331685

X: https://x.com/moscamaurer

Book: https://mhpbooks.com/books/the-future-of-travel

What's your best tip for supporting local economies while traveling? Share in the comments!

Connect with AAA:

Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprises

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

In some of the world’s most coveted destinations, tourism is fueling a crisis that's pushing locals out of their own neighborhoods. Venice's new tourist taxes and Barcelona's growing anti-tourism protests show how beloved destinations are fighting back against over-tourism. And as travelers, it's time we listen.

In this episode, host Angie Orth welcomes Daniel Maurer, a James Beard Award-winning food and travel journalist who has contributed to the New York Times, New York Magazine's Eater, and Atlas Obscura. As the former editor of Grub Street and author of the new book The Future of Travel, Daniel shares firsthand experiences from his digital nomad journey across Spain, Japan, and beyond—witnessing both the beauty of cultural exchange and the burden of mass tourism.

You'll learn how to travel with respect for local communities, with insights that will show you why Catalan speakers aren't being snobbish and why that to-go coffee cup matters more than you think. Daniel reveals practical ways to lighten your footprint, connect authentically with locals, and travel with reciprocity in mind. You’ll discover what gives him hope for the future of travel and how Anthony Bourdain's philosophy can transform the way you experience the world.

What You’ll Learn:

3:30 Why Barcelona became ground zero for anti-tourism protests and what travelers need to understand before going

7:08 How tourist taxes and etiquette campaigns are reshaping popular destinations

13:35 The role technology should (and shouldn't) play in authentic travel experiences

18:32 How to move through destinations with reverence rather than extraction

21:44 What connecting with locals teaches us about breaking down stereotypes and misconceptions

Connect with Daniel Maurer:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-maurer-2331685

X: https://x.com/moscamaurer

Book: https://mhpbooks.com/books/the-future-of-travel

What are your thoughts on responsible travel? Share them in the comments!

Connect with AAA:

Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprises

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises