The Vacation Nerd with Patrick Wiscombe cover art

The Vacation Nerd with Patrick Wiscombe

The Vacation Nerd with Patrick Wiscombe

By: Patrick Wiscombe
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Everybody likes to go on vacation. I’ve never found an exception to that rule. Going on vacation recharges the mind, cleanses the soul, and yet it’s the one activity humans put off every single year because life gets in the way. The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or simply give listeners ideas of where they might consider going on vacation next. Plus, we give you the travel news that actually matters or general stuff that is simply entertaining.


Time is going to pass anyway, so you might as well do the things that inspire you. This show is all about living life deliberately and intentionally. Our goal is to help our listeners live their lives deliberately and intentionally. You only get one shot at life so you might as well 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 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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerd


© 2026 The Vacation Nerd
Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Episode 124: A $10,000 Train Car and Diet Coke
    Jun 28 2026

    SEND US A VOICEMAIL! Be part of the show. Tap or click the link to ask your travel related question(s)...or just say hi. Tell us your name and where you live.

    Delta is bringing 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners into the fleet, and that’s the kind of headline that actually matters when you’re the one stuck on a long flight. We talk through what makes the 787 such a traveler favorite, where Delta plans to use it, and why cabin quiet, layout, and comfort can be just as important as the fare you see on a screen. We also dig into United’s new economy meal policy on flights over 1,200 miles, where preordering in the app becomes the only way to get a meal, and what that means for planning ahead.

    Then we slow things down on purpose with a look at some of the best new US train journeys to consider for 2026, from upgraded Amtrak experiences to true sightseeing routes that build in hotel overnights. After that, we answer a listener question with a practical three-night Copenhagen pre-cruise itinerary: Nyhavn, canal tours, Tivoli Gardens, classic landmarks, palace history, and the walkable streets that make the city so easy to love. We even cover Danish foods that are approachable if you want to try local flavor without getting too adventurous.

    In our Just Cruising segment, we hit the big cruise headlines: a developing cruise port in remote Mayaguana, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aura coming in 2027, and Oceania’s move to an adults-only policy. We also break down a Princess Cruises offer featuring up to 40% off, extra instant savings, and onboard credit, then help a listener compare 2026 routes that include Iceland and Norway, plus an option that includes Greenland. If this helps you plan even one detail better, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave us a review.

    Thank you for taking the time to listen to the show. There are literally thousands of podcasts from which you can choose, yet you listened to my show.

    The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or simply give listeners ideas of where they might consider going on vacation next. Our goal is to help our listeners live their lives deliberately and intentionally. You only get one shot at life so you might as well make it count. Make memories with those that matter most to you.

    TAKE ACTION: Quit talking about going on vacation, just do it. If you want more information about any of the destinations we discussed during the show, or have your own custom vacation in mind, I can help you. Please call, text, or email me.

    Here's my contact information:

    Patrick Wiscombe

    Cell/Text: (801) 874-7717

    Email: patrick.wiscombe@gmail.com

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerd

    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Episode 123: Pick your Chaos - Volcanoes Or Waikiki
    Jun 27 2026

    SEND US A VOICEMAIL! Be part of the show. Tap or click the link to ask your travel related question(s)...or just say hi. Tell us your name and where you live.

    Hawaii is one of the easiest “yes” vacations you can book, but choosing the right island can feel like a quiz you didn’t study for. We walk through a simple way to decide by matching the island to the experience you actually want, then we stack the conversation with specific, practical ideas you can plug straight into your itinerary.

    We start with a few travel-planning updates that can save you time and headaches. TSA is expanding touchless ID to more airports, and we explain how TSA PreCheck, your passport profile, and airline enrollment work together to make security smoother. We also run through passport tips travelers still miss, like the six-month validity expectation, keeping your passport in good condition, and having enough blank pages for stamps and visas.

    Then we answer a listener question head-on: what are the top things to do on each Hawaii island? Think Big Island volcano time, manta ray night snorkeling, Kona coffee, and black sand beaches. Kauai brings the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, and the start of the Kalalau Trail. Maui gets the full bucket-list treatment with Haleakala sunrise, the Road to Hana, Molokini Crater snorkeling, and Ka’anapali. Oahu rounds it out with Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, and the North Shore. We also share a Hawaii deal that can save up to $250, plus a cruise corner update on Alaska price drops and Holland America’s limited $1 deposit window.

    If this helps, subscribe to the podcast, share it with your favorite travel buddy, and leave a review so more listeners can find our Hawaii and cruise planning tips.

    Thank you for taking the time to listen to the show. There are literally thousands of podcasts from which you can choose, yet you listened to my show.

    The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or simply give listeners ideas of where they might consider going on vacation next. Our goal is to help our listeners live their lives deliberately and intentionally. You only get one shot at life so you might as well make it count. Make memories with those that matter most to you.

    TAKE ACTION: Quit talking about going on vacation, just do it. If you want more information about any of the destinations we discussed during the show, or have your own custom vacation in mind, I can help you. Please call, text, or email me.

    Here's my contact information:

    Patrick Wiscombe

    Cell/Text: (801) 874-7717

    Email: patrick.wiscombe@gmail.com

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerd

    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Episode 122: Alaska Cruise Deals
    Jun 26 2026

    SEND US A VOICEMAIL! Be part of the show. Tap or click the link to ask your travel related question(s)...or just say hi. Tell us your name and where you live.

    Southwest Airlines with airport lounges? That headline stopped us in our tracks, because it signals a real shift in how Southwest wants to compete and how travelers might plan airport time, starting with a lounge planned for Honolulu. We also talk through a practical route update for Hawaii fans: Southwest flying from Las Vegas to Hilo, which makes the Big Island easier to reach if you’d rather land closer to waterfalls, rainforests, and Volcanoes National Park.

    Then we jump to Europe, where Rome is experimenting with a two-euro fee to get close to the Trevi Fountain during peak hours. It’s a small price, but it raises a big travel question: how do you keep iconic places enjoyable when the crowds never stop? We share the simple planning mindset that helps, including when to visit so you can still get that “I can’t believe I’m here” moment.

    A listener text takes us to Norway, one of our favorite destinations for fjords, towering cliffs, and waterfall-packed cruises. We break down the best time to go for fjords and long daylight, the best season for northern lights, and what to do in Oslo, including an easy “Norway in a Nutshell” route. Finally, the cruise headlines: Great Stirrup Key’s new pier, French Riviera cruise limits, and long Alaska cruises from 10 to 16 days, including an Alaska and Hawaii itinerary. If you like travel deals, cruise news, and real-world trip planning, subscribe, share this with a travel buddy, and leave us a review.

    Thank you for taking the time to listen to the show. There are literally thousands of podcasts from which you can choose, yet you listened to my show.

    The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or simply give listeners ideas of where they might consider going on vacation next. Our goal is to help our listeners live their lives deliberately and intentionally. You only get one shot at life so you might as well make it count. Make memories with those that matter most to you.

    TAKE ACTION: Quit talking about going on vacation, just do it. If you want more information about any of the destinations we discussed during the show, or have your own custom vacation in mind, I can help you. Please call, text, or email me.

    Here's my contact information:

    Patrick Wiscombe

    Cell/Text: (801) 874-7717

    Email: patrick.wiscombe@gmail.com

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerd

    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
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