In this powerful episode of the Travel Chicks Podcast, Melissa sits down with Susan Catto, Head of Publishing & Production for TravelZoo Canada, former New York Times travel writer, and a leading global voice on real-world travel trends, consumer behaviour, and how to navigate the fast-changing world of online travel reviews.

With over 30 million TravelZoo members’ data at her fingertips and decades of industry experience, Susan shares practical, insider knowledge that every traveler needs before booking their next vacation.

✨ Top Travel Trends for 2026 – Why “bucket list travel” is still booming – The rise of small-ship cruising and personalized experiences – Why domestic travel—especially within Canada—is at an all-time high

✨ How to Decode Travel Reviews Like an Expert – How to spot fake reviews across Google, TripAdvisor, Trustpilot, and more – Why 3-star reviews are often the most accurate – What consistency patterns reveal (and when to walk away) – How TravelZoo builds its internal trust scores and validates partners

✨ Smart Pre-Travel Research Strategies – The best way to use search filters inside review platforms – Which review comments matter and which ones you should ignore – How to read reviews based on your travel style, not someone else’s

✨ Cuba Travel Reality Check – Why Cuba is cheap right now – What travelers need to know about service levels, food, and infrastructure – When the “cheap deal” isn’t worth it

✨ AI Trip Planning — Should You Trust It? – How AI can speed up research – What not to rely on AI for – How to combine AI with human expertise for the best results

Susan also shares deeply personal reflections on family travel, creating memories before life gets in the way, and why waiting for “someday” is the biggest mistake travelers make.

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On this episode of Travel Chicks, Melissa sits down with fellow Travel Chick Jacqueline—fresh off a Tourism Spain invite—to spill the real Spain: fragrant orange-lined boulevards in Valencia, royal-meets-Moorish magic at Seville’s Real Alcázar, skywalks atop the city’s “Las Setas” sculpture, late-night tapas culture, and a hands-on paella class where tradition meets taste. You’ll also hear smart timing tips (why April–May and Oct–Nov beat the 40°C sizzle), ease of English for travelers, and foodie pilgrimages—from Mercado Central to the Basque Country’s cluster of Michelin-star temples.

Whether you’re a solo traveler dreaming of new friends or planning an unforgettable girls’ getaway, this episode is your permission slip to go beyond Barcelona and Madrid—and fall hard for Spain’s underrated gems.

What you’ll learn

• The vibe difference between Seville & Valencia (and which one stole Jacqueline’s heart)

• Why shoulder season > summer for comfort, crowds, and cost

• Must-do moments: flamenco, Las Setas viewpoints, Mercado Central, and paella origins

• Bucket-list extras: Las Fallas festival and Spain’s Michelin hot spots up north

Loved this chat? Please follow, rate & review, and share with a friend who needs a little Spain in their life. Want help planning your own Spain itinerary or a Travel Chicks group trip? Email: jacquelineclick here!

In this powerful episode of the Travel Chicks Podcast, host Melissa Mackey sits down with award-winning filmmaker, author, and adventurer Dianne Whan, the visionary behind the documentary 500 Days in the Wild. What started as a 500-day solo trek across Canada turned into a transformative 6-year odyssey of over 1,800 days—by foot, canoe, and snowshoe—on the world’s longest trail.

Dianne shares what inspired her to burn the schedule and embrace surrender, how Indigenous wisdom shaped her journey, and why connection—to nature, to others, and to self—is the ultimate medicine for healing and hope. From near-hypothermic storms to heartfelt teachings from First Nations elders, this conversation is raw, rich, and deeply relevant for anyone navigating grief, reinvention, or a yearning to reconnect with what really matters.

You’ll hear about:

• The real reason Dianne left everything behind after a divorce and the death of her dog

• How the kindness of strangers and Indigenous teachings shaped her path

• Her lessons on fear, trust, and feminine resilience in the wild

• Why 500 Days in the Wild is more than a film—it’s a movement for reconnection

• What “travel with” vs “travel on” the land truly means

📺 500 Days in the Wild is now streaming in Canada on Paramount Plus and other platforms. International viewers can visit https://500daysinthewild.com/ https://www.diannewhelan.com/