Round Trip With Colleen Kelly

About Round Trip With Colleen Kelly

Travel expert Colleen Kelly takes you on the road and overseas, to destinations near and far, with “Round Trip with Colleen Kelly.” As national PBS TV host of Family Travel with Colleen Kelly, radio talk show host, media influencer, and digital contributor to National Geographic and Travel + Leisure, “Round Trip” offers up exploration, cuisine, and culture—not to mention the newest travel supplies and some of the best small businesses to support domestically and abroad.

Publisher

OMG Media Partners, LLC.

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Jul 2022

Latest episode

4 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

1 of 126 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   4 Aug 2026

   Episode 165 - Traveling to Porto? Here's What You Need to Know (with Megan Kudla)

   Guest: Megan Kudla, Producer & Travel Writer Portugal has a way of feeling both easy and full of discovery, and Porto is a perfect example. In this travel conversation, we map out why Porto belongs on any Portugal itinerary, especially if you want a city that feels lively without feeling overwhelming. Porto sits in northern Portugal along the Douro River, with hills, cobblestone lanes, staircases, and viewpoints called miradouros that reward anyone willing to walk. The Ribeira riverfront is the classic place to linger with a drink at sunset, while Vila Nova de Gaia across the water is where many of the famous port wine cellars age their bottles. If you’re building a Porto travel guide for yourself, start with the river, plan for slow wandering, and treat the views as part of the experience, not a quick photo stop. Where you stay can shape the whole trip, and Porto has options that range from budget-friendly to full-on luxury. One memorable choice is São Bento train station, famous for its blue-and-white azulejo tiles, and yes, you can even find lodging tied to the station experience. It’s a reminder that in Portugal the logistics can be beautiful too, especially if you travel by rail. Porto is also a strong base for exploring the Douro Valley wine region, the birthplace of port wine and a top destination for vineyard tours and tastings. Staying in the valley lets you wake up surrounded by terraced hillsides, vineyards, and the winding river that defines the landscape. For travelers who want a “city plus countryside” plan, Porto makes the transition simple. For a standout Douro Valley stay, Octant Douro is designed to mirror the vineyard terraces as it cascades down the hillside, blending into the scenery while still feeling modern and calm. Inside, the style leans minimal so the view can be the star: floor-to-ceiling windows, bright rooms, and a sense of quiet that makes it easy to actually rest. The property offers multiple room types, from terraces and balconies to private pools, plus shared pools including adults-only space. There’s also a spa with a heated indoor pool, sauna, and gym, which matters if you’re planning a wellness-forward Portugal trip or a celebratory escape like a honeymoon or friends getaway. Add in pet-friendly and kid-friendly policies and it becomes a flexible luxury hotel in Portugal that works for different travel styles. Food and culture round out the best Portugal travel tips. In the Douro, the experience pairs naturally with local wine, including creative port wine cocktails and a more ambitious tasting menu at RAIVA, noted as Michelin Guide featured, where the meal becomes a kind of storytelling. Beyond the plate, the region invites you onto the water: a small-group Douro River tour on a refurbished Rebello boat connects you to the history of transporting port barrels back to Porto. Back in the city, many cellar tours weave in Fado, Portugal’s soulful music tradition. For practical planning, English works well in Lisbon and Porto, but learning a simple “Obrigado” goes a long way. Take the Lisbon to Porto train if it fits your route, pack supportive walking shoes, and show up hungry: pastel de nata, bacalhau (cod), and the Porto classic Francesinha should all be on your list. Finally, ask locals for recommendations because the best meals are often down the side streets Google won’t highlight. Chapters 0:00. Welcome And Guest Introduction 1:00 Porto And The Douro In Context 5:00 Porto Stays And Iconic Tile Stations 6:15 Octant Douro Rooms, Pools, And Spa 12:20 Food With Port Cocktails And Michelin 15:10 Douro Adventures On Boats And Fado 21:10 Travel Logistics And Must-Eat Tips 29:45 Resources, Social Links, And Farewell Photo credits: Megan Kudla For more information: douro.octanthotels.com/en visitporto.travel @octant.hotels | @octant.douro @megan.kudla Follow us & Subscribe! FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ► IG: @roundtripcolleenkelly ► FB: @roundtripcolleenkelly ► Tik Tok: @roundtripcolleenkelly GET IN TOUCH! ► Website: roundtripcolleenkelly.com ► Email: roundtripcolleenkelly@gmail.com #roundtrip #roundtripcolleenkelly #travelpodcast #octantdouro #octanthotel #luxuryhotel #dourovalley #douroriver #portugal #portugaltravel #porto #portwine #vineyard #michelin #luxurytravels

2. 

   25 Jul 2026

   Episode 164 - How Scenic And Emerald Make River And Yacht Cruising Feel Effortless w/ Alex Lazerow

   Guest: Alexa Lazerow, Head of Public Relations, Scenic Group (Scenic Cruises, Emerald Cruises) A cruise can be flashy, crowded, and overwhelming or it can feel like you’ve checked into a calm, floating boutique hotel that just happens to move you to a new destination every day. That’s the lane we’re exploring with Alexa Lazerow, Head of Public Relations for Scenic Group, the parent company behind Scenic Cruises and Emerald Cruises. We get clear on what people mix up all the time: both Scenic and Emerald offer luxury river cruises and luxury yacht-style cruising, but they’re not identical. We talk about the small differences that shape the whole experience, from Emerald’s more active excursion options to Scenic’s headline-grabbing discovery yacht concept. Alexa paints the picture of super yacht life, including the marina platform at the back of the ship and the onboard water toys, and why small-ship capacity changes everything for solo travel, meeting people, and genuinely getting to know the crew. Then we go deeper into the behind-the-scenes details that make luxury feel effortless. Scenic Group designs and builds its ships in-house, and their teams are full-time employees, which helps create consistent service. We also get practical about what first-time cruisers care about most: cabin space, storage, laundry options, and how “unpack once” can transform the way you see Europe. Finally, we dig into what’s hot right now, from Christmas market cruises and Mediterranean sailings to new growth areas like Portugal’s Douro, India, and the Seychelles and we don’t skip the bucket-list dream of Antarctica aboard Scenic Eclipse with an expedition team onboard. If you’re planning a river cruise, a luxury yacht cruise, or an expedition cruise and want to book smarter, listen through, then subscribe, share this with a travel buddy, and leave a review with the destination you’re chasing next. Chapters: 0:19 Welcome To Scenic And Emerald 2:50 River Cruises Vs Super Yachts 8:39 Why In-House Shipbuilding Matters 10:26 Small-Ship Capacity And Solo Travel 11:40 Cabins Storage Laundry And Ease 15:03 Where Cruisers Are Going Next 16:59 Antarctica On A Luxury Discovery Yacht 18:54 First-Timer Tips Service And Booking Deals Videos courtesy of and episode in collaboration with Scenic Group. For more information: Scenic.Cruises Emerald.Cruises @scenic.luxurycruisestours | #ScenicCruises @emeraldcruises.global | #EmeraldCruises Follow us & Subscribe! FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ► IG: @roundtripcolleenkelly ► FB: @roundtripcolleenkelly ► Tik Tok: @roundtripcolleenkelly GET IN TOUCH! ► Website: roundtripcolleenkelly.com ► Email: roundtripcolleenkelly@gmail.com #roundtrip #roundtripcolleenkelly #travelpodcast #cruiseship #cruising #scenic #sceniccruise #emeraldcruise #yacht #rivercruise #marina #yachtlifestyle #multigenerational #excursions

3. 

   15 Jul 2026

   Episode 163 - A First-Timer-Friendly Guide To Budapest Travel w/ Suzanne Kenzer

   Guest: Suzanne Kenzer, Travel Journalist Budapest doesn’t just surprise you, it keeps changing on you. Cross the Danube and you’re suddenly in a different mood, a different landscape, and almost a different city. We sit down with our longtime friend Suzanne Kenzer, a freelance travel journalist, to unpack why Budapest, Hungary belongs near the top of your Europe travel list, especially if you want big history and big beauty without the Western Europe price tag. We talk through the fundamentals that make planning easier: the real difference between Buda and Pest, what it feels like to stay on each side, and what Americans should know about the Hungarian forint (HUF). Suzanne also shares why she loves tools like the Budapest Card for transportation and attraction access, plus how to build a trip that feels smooth instead of rushed. If hotels are part of your travel experience, you’ll want to hear her take on the Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel, including its famous New York Cafe and why it’s considered one of the most beautiful cafes in the world. From there, we get into the can’t-miss experiences for a smart Budapest itinerary: thermal baths like the Széchenyi Baths (and how to avoid peak crowds), a walking tour that brings the Jewish Quarter to life, and a Danube River cruise at night for those unforgettable views of the Hungarian Parliament Building. We also cover Castle District highlights, reconstructed landmarks after World War II, what to eat first (goulash, lángos, chimney cake), and why restaurant reservations can require real lead time. If you’re choosing dates, we share the best time to visit Budapest for pleasant weather and fewer lines. If this travel conversation helps you plan, please subscribe, share the episode with a friend heading to Europe, and leave a review so more travelers can find us. What’s the one Budapest question you want answered before you go? Chapters: 0:00 Welcome And Why Budapest 1:30 Buda Versus Pest Basics 3:18 Currency And Affordability Reality Check 4:29 Getting Around With The Budapest Card 5:24 Choosing A Hotel With Local Flavor 10:03 New York Palace And New York Cafe 11:13 Hotel Spa And Jet Lag Reset 14:46 Thermal Baths And The Beer Bath 15:51 Walking Tours And The Jewish Quarter 18:44 Danube Night Cruise And Parliament 22:58 Castle District And WWII Rebuilds 26:25 What To Eat And Where 28:54 When To Visit For Fewer Crowds 29:50 Andrássy Avenue Heroes Square Opera 32:02 Final Tips And How To Follow Photos courtesy of Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel For more information: anantara.com budapestinfo.hu/en Follow us & Subscribe! FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ► IG: @roundtripcolleenkelly ► FB: @roundtripcolleenkelly ► Tik Tok: @roundtripcolleenkelly GET IN TOUCH! ► Website: roundtripcolleenkelly.com ► Email: roundtripcolleenkelly@gmail.com #roundtrip #roundtripcolleenkelly #travelpodcast #budapest #anantara #luxuryhotel #palace #travel #europetravel #castle #hungary #goulash #spa

Inside a recent episode

Episode 121 - Big City Summer

Published 24 May 2024 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Yeah, definitely. So, you know, whenever I'm traveling, I'm conscientious that I'm generally flying places. And, you know, that is something that takes a toll on the environment. So when I get to places, I like to do things that are a bit more environmentally friendly. And New York makes it easy. […]

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Spotify

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1 ratings

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Guest appearances

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