Travel Is Back : Travel Fast, Travel Smart, 10-Minute Travel Tips

Explore the alien landscape of Joshua Tree with Johnny Mac, where twisted, spiky giants create one of the most distinctive and otherworldly environments in the National Park System. Discover how the meeting of the Mojave and Colorado deserts creates two completely different ecosystems within a single park, from the famous Joshua trees of the higher elevations to the stark beauty of the lower desert. Experience the spectacular panoramic views from Keys View, learn which easy walks like Skull Rock and Hidden Valley offer the best introduction to desert life, and understand why this park attracts rock climbers from around the...

Experience the most famous national park in America with Johnny Mac as he guides you through a landscape so massive it challenges human comprehension. Learn the differences between the South Rim and North Rim, discover the best viewpoints along the accessible Rim Trail, and find out which below-rim hikes offer incredible experiences without requiring expedition-level commitment. From sunrise at Desert View to sunset at Hopi Point, Johnny shares the perfect timing for witnessing the canyon's ever-changing light show. Explore options for seeing the Colorado River up close, understand the park's complex ecosystems, and get practical tips for avoiding crowds while...

Journey with Johnny Mac to the dramatic peaks and pristine wilderness of Glacier National Park, where ancient glaciers carved a landscape so spectacular it's called the "Crown of the Continent." Experience the engineering marvel of Going-to-the-Sun Road as it climbs through diverse ecosystems to Logan Pass, discover the best wildlife viewing opportunities in areas like Many Glacier and Two Medicine, and learn which hiking trails offer the most rewarding encounters with mountain goats, grizzly bears, and alpine meadows filled with wildflowers. From the accessible Hidden Lake Overlook to the challenging trek to Grinnell Glacier, Johnny reveals how to safely explore...

Travel with Johnny Mac to the land of extremes, where the lowest, hottest, and driest places in North America coexist with surprising beauty. Explore the salt patterns of Badwater Basin, witness the rainbow colors of Artists Palette, and learn how to safely experience a place that holds the world record for air temperature at 134 degrees. Discover the best times to visit for comfortable temperatures and the rare wildflower blooms that transform this seeming wasteland into a desert garden. From the mysterious moving stones of the Racetrack to the towering sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells, Johnny reveals how to appreciate the...

Join Johnny Mac as he explores the otherworldly landscape of Bryce Canyon, where thousands of orange and red stone pillars called hoodoos stand in perfect formation like an ancient army frozen in time. Discover how to navigate the park's scenic drive and rim trails that offer spectacular views without breaking a sweat, then venture below the rim on the famous Navajo Loop for an up-close encounter with these geological sculptures. Learn when wildflowers transform the high desert into a colorful garden, where to find the best sunrise and sunset views, and why this technically-not-a-canyon remains one of America's most photographed...

Travel with Johnny Mac to the majestic sandstone corridors of Zion, where thousand-foot cliffs create nature's most dramatic cathedral. Discover how to navigate this increasingly popular park like a pro, from securing permits for the heart-pounding Angels Landing hike to wading through the cool waters of The Narrows slot canyon. Learn the best times to visit for fewer crowds, where to find hidden gems beyond the main canyon, and how to capture those postcard-perfect photographs.

Also check out Episode 38 of Travel is Back, to hear John's audio on-the-ground at Zion in 2022.

Step into a land of bubbling mud pots, clockwork geysers, and vast wilderness as Johnny Mac explores America's first national park. From the iconic Old Faithful to the technicolor Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone's geothermal wonders reveal the powerful forces beneath our feet. Discover the best wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley, where wolves, bears and bison roam free, and learn how to navigate this massive park without getting caught in tourist crowds. Johnny shares the perfect itinerary to experience Yellowstone's diverse regions, from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to peaceful backcountry lakes, and explains why this remarkable landscape continues to...

Journey with Johnny Mac to the rugged coast of Maine, where granite mountains rise dramatically from the sea. Discover Acadia National Park's unique character as the first place in America to see the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, explore historic carriage roads built by the Rockefeller family, and find hidden coves along the park's dramatic shoreline. Get insider tips on the best lobster shacks, scenic hiking trails, and how to experience "the quiet side" of Mount Desert Island like a local. From thundering ocean waves to peaceful forest paths, Acadia proves that sometimes the most profound wilderness experiences come in compact...

Travel to the southernmost city on Earth with Johnny Mac as he visits Ushuaia, Argentina's gateway to Antarctica. Experience Christmas at the edge of civilization at the Ushuaia Brewing Company, ride the historic "End of the World Train," and discover the pristine wilderness of Tierra del Fuego National Park where the Pan-American Highway finally reaches its conclusion. This remote outpost, reminiscent of Ketchikan, Alaska, offers breathtaking landscapes, unique wildlife encounters, and the magical golden light of Patagonia. Join us for this penultimate stop before our journey continues to the frozen continent beyond (those episodes coming later this year).

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Step into the passionate heart of Argentina with Johnny Mac as he explores Buenos Aires, the essential gateway to Antarctica and Patagonia. Discover a metropolis where European elegance meets Latin American soul, where tango was born, and where the rhythm of life runs on its own unique schedule. From the historic neighborhoods and vibrant markets to the city's complex political past and football obsession, this episode reveals why Buenos Aires demands to be experienced, not merely passed through. Join us for an exploration of a city that refuses to be defined by a single story.

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