This week, I’m joined by my brilliant friend and 3-time Jeopardy! champion Diandra, who took on 6 countries in 10 days on a whirlwind Contiki tour through Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, and Italy — all during the cozy (and sometimes chilly!) Christmas Market months of November and December.

From making pierogies in Warsaw to ice skating outside in Budapest, visiting Auschwitz, sailing through Venice on a gondola, and even exploring Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg, Diandra shares the highs, the heart, and the unexpected magic of fast-paced group travel.

We talk about:

• How to make the most of a tightly packed itinerary
• Contiki tips for all travelers
• Balancing heavy historical moments with lighthearted memories
• What she’d do differently — and what she’d do again in a heartbeat

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing a lot in not a lot of time, this one’s for you.

🎧 Hit play — and let’s wander.

Timestamp:

00:00 Varadero, Cuba: The Not-As-Planned Group Trip with Diandra in 2017

5:40 Overview of Contiki

13:28 Warsaw: Meeting the Contiki Tour, Palace of Culture and Science + Blueberry Pierogis?

15:15: Krakow: Hourly Trumpets, Pazcki + Somber Reflection at Auschwitz

21:50 Overview of Ibis Hotels

24:17 Banská Bystrica: A Little Taste of Slovakia

26:08 Budapest: Goulash, Ice Skating + Danube River Cruise

31:37 Salzberg: Mozart, Mulled Wine + Ribs and Schnapps

36:47 Ljubljana: Picturesque Lake Bled, Traditional Slovenian Dancing + Canadian Karaoke

39:32 Venice and Rome Recap: Wine and Cicchetti Tours, Gondola Rides + Rome Tourist Highlights

43:36 Contiki Reflections

47:47 This or That: Eastern Europe + Italia Edition

48:25 Listener Questions

48:58 Closing Recommendations and Thoughts