Boston Travel & Adventure Show

One of the questions I constantly get asked is, “Where do you think I should go next?” It’s the question that avid travelers are constantly thinking…I actually think it while I’m on a beach chair sipping a cocktail on my current vacation! If you are wondering where to have your next adventure…look no further…you’ll find your answer at the Boston Travel and Adventure Show. Located in the Hynes Convention Center on Boylston Street, the second year of this show here in Boston, this show did not disappoint.

Here are 10 reasons to attend the Boston Travel & Adventure Show

EXPLORE OVER 200 DESTINATIONS

There are so many different places to travel, it’s sometimes hard to narrow down your choices. Here you can discover lots of new places that you never would have thought of. I was very intrigued by Alaska, Antigua, Azores, Miami, Africa, and Montreal. It was also nice to discover local stuff to do. I can’t wait to take the Taste of Boston food tour, take a cooking class at the Essex, and explore more of Freeport, Maine. I also was excited to find new places to visit while in Florida.

TALK TO TRAVEL EXPERTS

This is the perfect opportunity to talk to people who are knowledgeable on the location. Ask them questions about resorts, transportation, and what to do in the area. We are heading to Jamaica this spring and the Jamaica tourism board gave me great ideas of things to do while there. After I told him the ages of my girls, he was able to tell me which attractions I should skip and which I should definitely do. He even told me about cute beach bars they would love.

WORKSHOPS

Whether you are a traveler, blogger, or travel writer, there are sessions for everyone. This year they had some exciting ones, such as:

99 Ways to Cut Your Travel Costs – Without Skimping (Russell Hannon)

The Best Travel & Packing Tips for the Ultimate Vacation (Angel Castellanos)

Travel Safe, Travel Smart, and Travel Well (Lindsay Henderson)

Heritage Travel: Walking in Your Ancestors’ Footsteps (Mickela Mallozzi)

TRAVEL CELEBRITIES

Samantha Brown (PBS’s Samantha Brown’s Places to Love)

There are certain travel celebrities I’ve always looked up to and this show gave me the opportunity to geek out when I saw them. I was most excited about seeing Samantha Brown, since I’ve watched her shows on the Travel Channel for years and I love her new show Places to Love…Season 3 aired this weekend! She was so inspirational, reminding us travel is about the people and cultures you meet. I also love that she believes travel doesn’t have to be Bucket List big. There are many hidden gems right in your own area. Her talk inspired me to focus more on local travel. It was such a pleasure being able to meet her!

Andrew McCarthy (Award-Winning Travel Writer, Actor and Director)

When I was 11, I saw Pretty in Pink for the first time. I took a poster from my Teen Beat magazine of Andrew McCarthy and GLUED it to my wall…which got me grounded for 2 weeks. He got a kick out of that when I told him while meeting him. His talk was about WHY you should travel. He claims that travel is the last hope for the world and I couldn’t agree more. He also talked about connection you make while traveling…with other people, locations, and yourself. His favorite quote that I’ll take with me is, “Tell me a story, don’t sell me a destination.”

Pauline Frommer (Editorial Director of the Frommer’s Guides and Publisher of Frommers.com)

She is travel guide royalty and it was great to hear her speak. I never take a trip without buying a Frommer‘s guide first. She spoke about spending less, and seeing more. She gave strategies for creating dream vacations in all price ranges.

Peter Greenberg (Emmy Award-Winning Investigative Reporter and Producer and CBS News Travel Editor)

He spoke about everything you need to know to win the travel game every time. I wish I had the chance to hear him speak but I couldn’t stay for it.

SAVINGS

Who doesn’t like a bargain? This show offers exclusive show-only savings. Ahead of time, I would suggest looking at the list of destinations that will be at the show and make a list of who you would like to talk to and what questions you have for them. There are also some fun giveaways, like free travel gear, free trips, and free activities!

LEARN ABOUT CULTURES

One of the advantages of travel is being about to take a look at different cultures. At the Boston Travel & Adventure Show, you see culture from around the world such as…

Dances from Bahamas. This was an amazing way to open the show!

There was music…

and dancing from all around the world!

They were amazing!

TASTE SOME YUMMY TREATS

Another advantage of travel is tasting some of the local cuisine! The show gives you the opportunity to learn a few tricks from the pros. On this stage, you watch chefs prepare their cuisine, learn about the culture, and finally…you get to taste the finished product!

I got the chance to meet Chef Chris Valdes, who told me all about the food scene in Miami and how the culture influences it. I’ve always wanted to go to Miami, but he put it at the top of my list! He was such a nice guy and an amazing chef. He made a skirt steak and sweet plantain baked empanadas with my signature garlic aioli and Guava and Cheese Empanadas. Heaven!

More chefs at the show included:

Chef: Yesim Otsuz

Hunkar Begendi / Babaganoush with Meat / Traditional Ottoman Sultan’s Dish

Chef: Dan Bazzinotti, Executive Chef, Eataly

Cuore di Lattuga

I also got a chance to taste Oban single malt scotch whisky. Oban is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland with only two pot stills.

GET A PASSPORT

Don’t let the lack of a passport keep you from going on amazing adventures. At the show you can get a new passport or even renew one you already have. Make an appointment online first to get a time slot. Make sure you look at what you need to bring to your appointment. Remember that if you are getting a passport for a child, BOTH parents have to be there.

IT’S A FUN, INEXPENSIVE DAY

I always include my girls in the planning of our trips and this is a great place to get them involved. It is a very inexpensive way to spend the day since all kids under the age of 16 are FREE. If you purchase online, you get an even better deal…

Adults: 1-day pass: $11

2-day pass: $18

If you purchase onsite: Adults 1-day pass: $15

2-day pass: $22

They ONLY ACCEPT CASH at the box office! (But I’m pretty sure there was an ATM machine there.)

SPARK YOUR INSPIRATION

You will leave this show excited about travel and will probably already be planning for the year ahead. Whether you’re inspired to take a faraway adventure or discover something closer to home, I ensure you that you will develop a sense of WANDERLUST!

Take a peek at the website….

https://travelshows.com/

WHERE IS THE SHOW GOING NEXT?

San Diego January 18-19

Chicago February 8-9

Los Angeles February 15-16

Denver February 22-23

Atlanta February 29- March 1

Washington DC March 7-8

Philadelphia March 14-15

San Francisco March 21-22

Dallas March 28-29