When the sun dips below the horizon and the city goes quiet, history becomes more pronounced. From creaking hotel corridors to shadowy alleys, the stories told after dark can reveal the true spirit of a place.

Ghost tours can help us see the personal side behind the places we visit, balancing goose bumps with grounded history. You leave these places with more than a fright. You gain context that enriches the travel experience.

In this episode, host Angie Orth is joined by travel journalist and former paranormal investigator Jennifer Billock. Together, they explore what makes a ghost tour truly worthwhile, balancing spine-tingling tales with historical accuracy. Whether you’re a skeptic, true believer, or simply curious, this conversation will help you find tours that are memorable for all the right reasons.

You’ll hear about haunted hot spots in New Orleans, Chicago, Michigan, and beyond; tips on how to be a respectful paranormal tourist; and tours that can actually deepen your connections by blending history, storytelling, and mystery.



What You’ll Learn:

00:00 Why haunted places hook us

02:19 The rise of paranormal tourism and why interest is growing worldwide

06:18 The Bourbon Orleans Hotel and other can’t-miss New Orleans ghost sites

10:27 Chicago’s Iroquois Theater fire and how tours balance history with chills

17:03 Ghost tour etiquette: honoring the past and making sure nothing “follows” you home

Connect with Jennifer Billock:

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

CTA: Ex: What’s the scariest ghost tour you’ve ever been on? Tell us about it 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

Cruising offers access to some of Earth’s most magical destinations—and the added convenience of unpacking only once while you travel. Whether you dream of witnessing penguins in Antarctica or floating past storybook villages on the Rhine, it’s time to chart your next unforgettable voyage.

Traveling with AAA host Angie Orth is back with cruise expert and travel journalist Meena Thiruvengadam to share her favorite bucket-list cruises, from polar extremes at the edge of the world to often overlooked destinations closer to home.

You’ll discover how unique ships can feel like Nordic-style hotels at sea, and why the Great Lakes are a surprisingly enchanting destination. You’ll also hear about the majestic fjords of Norway, onboard dining splurges that are worth the money, and a river itinerary that feels like stepping into a fairy tale.

What You’ll Learn:

00:48 The place at the top of Meena’s list of unforgettable destinations

03:09 The surprising beauty of cruising the Great Lakes

04:41 How Norway’s fjords and northern lights deliver authentic magic

06:13 Why specialty dining is worth the splurge on board

07:13 The Rhine River itinerary that feels like sailing through a fairy tale

Connect with Meena Thiruvengadam:

Website: https://travelwithmeena.com/

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

CTA: What’s your bucket-list cruise destination? 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

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

**You can Win a trip to Walt Disney World**

The Grand Prize is for 1 winner and up to three (3) guests at Walt Disney World® Resort.

Runner-Up Prizes will be one of 10 Disney Gift Cards valued at $50.

You can enter via the form here: https://aaa-text.co/podcast

From spooky nights to festive lights, Walt Disney World transforms during the fall and holiday season into something truly unforgettable. Between Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival, dazzling parades, and brand-new attractions, there’s no shortage of magic to discover.

In this episode, host Angie Orth takes us on a seasonal journey through all four parks with the help of Disney insiders. You’ll hear from Plan Disney panelist Christina, Disney Ambassadors Shannon Smith and Serena Arvizu, Marketing Strategy Manager Lisa Hain, Conservation Director Dr. Zak Gezon, and Imagineer Priya Sampath. They share holiday traditions, behind-the-scenes details, and the secrets that make this time of year so special.

Whether you’re planning your first trip or returning to create new memories, this episode is your insider’s guide to the parks during their most enchanting season.

What You’ll Learn:

03:56 How one Disney family celebrates Halloween with themed costumes every year

08:15 Why Magic Kingdom’s holiday parade is a must-see tradition

14:22 EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival highlights and the debut of GEO 82 for Disney adults

19:48 Animal Kingdom’s conservation mission and magical wildlife encounters

26:30 Behind the scenes with Imagineer Priya Sampath on creating Zootopia: Better Zoogether

Enter for your chance to win a trip to Walt Disney World® Resort via: https://aaa-text.co/podcast

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

Is the awe-inspiring open ocean or an undulating river calling your name? Today’s cruise ships are floating realms where each sunrise leads to a new adventure. From cozy thermal spas to adrenaline-pumping slides, there are cruise amenities for every kind of traveler.

In this episode, Traveling with AAA host Angie Orth welcomes cruise super-fan and travel journalist Meena Thiruvengadam to reveal the latest trends in cruising in 2025 and beyond. With nearly 20 sailings under her belt, she’s here to decode what’s next at sea, along rivers, and in ports.

You’ll learn about chef-driven dining, mood-boosting wellness sanctuaries, next-gen technology, and bucket-list itineraries ranging from Antarctica to the Mekong. You’ll also hear about smaller expedition-style ships that put passengers closer to nature, proving that the new era of cruising can be immersive, intimate, and luxurious.

What You’ll Learn:

05:00 Why cruising really has something for every style of traveler

12:30 Game-changing shipboard tech

20:15 What it’s really like to cruise Antarctica

27:45 How to choose between big-ship thrills and small-ship intimacy

35:10 Emerging destinations and next-wave trends

Connect with Meena Thiruvengadam:

Website: https://travelwithmeena.com/

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

CTA: What cruise destination or amenity are YOU most excited about? 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

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

If food is your favorite travel companion, Chicago may be your ultimate destination in the U.S. Beyond its iconic hot dogs and deep-dish pizza, the Windy City is bursting with flavors that tell stories of immigrant traditions, culinary innovation, and neighborhood pride. Every corner offers something delicious, whether you’re savoring a Michelin-starred tasting menu, lining up for a beloved Italian beef sandwich, or uncovering lesser-known haunts.

Today, host Angie Orth is back with Chicago insider and veteran travel journalist Kit Bernardi on the rooftop of the Virgin Hotel. She shares her top must-try food and drink experiences, from classic dishes that built Chicago’s reputation to unexpected neighborhood treasures. Kit maps out a flavorful itinerary across the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

You’ll hear about iconic bites like Italian beef, deep-dish pizza, and the famed Vienna hot dog. You’ll learn where to book for an elevated night out at award-winning spots, including a Michelin-starred brewery. You’ll also hear how to “set-jet” with a food tour that hits filming locations and beloved bakeries featured in the hit show The Bear.

What You’ll Learn:

01:13 The Chicago staples you have to try first

02:45 Michelin-starred spots and hidden cocktail bars

04:10 Where to “set-jet” The Bear

06:05 The neighborhoods that give Chicago its flavor

08:12 Blending tradition with constant reinvention

Connect with Kit Bernardi:

Website: https://kittravels.com/

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

CTA: What’s your favorite Chicago foodie find? Tell us about it 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

Dreaming of a city escape that blends world-famous architecture, lakefront beauty, rich history, and dynamic culture? Chicago has it all. From iconic skyscrapers to hidden neighborhood gems, this episode will change the way you see the Windy City.

Today host Angie Orth welcomes Kit Bernardi, a Chicago native and travel journalist, on the rooftop of the Virgin Hotel in Chicago. She’ll reveal the stories and experiences that make her hometown shine, from the Great Fire that reshaped the city to the immigrant roots that continue to define it. Kit shares insider insights that go far beyond the guidebooks.

You’ll hear about the best ways to see Chicago’s legendary skyline, when to hit the lakefront for outdoor adventures, where to explore can’t-miss museums and theaters, and how to begin a Route 66 journey. Whether you’re planning your first trip or a repeat visit, this episode is packed with tips that will help you experience Chicago like a local.

What You’ll Learn:

05:32 How the Great Chicago Fire reshaped the city

12:27 Must-see museums and surprising niche gems

15:49 Chicago’s thriving theater scene

17:53 Sports culture and the “no ketchup” hot dog rule

19:23 Starting Route 66 the classic way

Connect with Kit Bernardi:

Website: https://kittravels.com/

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

More of Kit’s Chicago Recommendations:

Neighborhoods to Visit: Hyde Park, Oak Park, Pilsen

Attractions: Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago Sports Museum, National Museum of Mexican Art, DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, The American Writers Museum, Chicago History Museum, Jane Addams Hull House Museum

CTA: What’s your favorite must-see in Chicago? Tell us about it 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

California’s most unforgettable sights are often far from the tourist trail. They’re the ones you stumble upon by accident or hear about as a whispered recommendation: the beach crowned by a pirate tower, the candy-colored hotel room that feels like a movie set, the ethereal desert where art springs up from the sand. These are the places not on postcards, but stay etched in your memory forever.

In this episode, host Angie Orth is back with explorer and storyteller Josh McNair of California Through My Lens. Known for uncovering the unexpected, from whimsical art installations to wild desert landscapes, Josh curates a lineup of offbeat destinations tailored to every type of traveler. Whether you’re in search of mystery, history, romance, family fun, or something wonderfully weird, Josh’s picks prove that California still has plenty of surprises in store.

From Muir Woods’ towering trees and the pastel glamour of San Luis Obispo's Madonna Inn to Death Valley’s remote mining relics and the ever-changing art scene of the Salton Sea, you’ll discover places that are as unforgettable as they are unconventional.

What You’ll Learn:

00:53 Where to find mystery among ancient trees

01:42 The underrated side of Death Valley’s mining history

02:48 A pirate tower beach adventure kids will never forget

03:28 A romantic getaway at California’s most eclectic hotel

05:16 The bizarre beauty and evolving art of the Salton Sea

Episode Mentioned:

Exploring Retro Hotels with B.A. Van Sise

Connect with Josh McNair:

https://www.instagram.com/californiathroughmylens/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZFRs1R9ECKDwnLy5IQzwkg

https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaThroughMyLens/

Read the Westways story:

https://AAA.com/hiddencalifornia

CTA: Which Hidden California type of traveler are you? Tell us where you want to go 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