Picture yourself bundled up in a warm puffy coat, sipping a thermos of hot mulled wine. You’re looking up at the clear night sky, freckled with bright stars in every direction. Suddenly, you notice a hazy fog forming due north. Your guide enthusiastically grabs the camera and announces that this is it. The moment you’ve been waiting for …

You’re about to meet the Aurora Borealis.

If you’ve been dreaming of a celestial vacation, then experiencing the majestic phenomenon of the Northern Lights should be on your bucket list.

Today, Traveling with AAA host Angie Orth welcomes Valerie Stimac, a travel and space tourism writer who grew up in Alaska. She’s the author of Lonely Planet’s Dark Skies: A Practical Guide to Astrotourismand has previously been on the show to share her astrotourism expertise. Raised under skies filled with the famous Aurora Borealis, she joins us to share her knowledge on traveling to witness this colorful, heavenly event.

You’ll discover the science behind the aurora phenomenon and the weather conditions necessary for them to be visible. You’ll learn which locations are most active in the United States and abroad as well as get tips that could increase your chances of seeing them. You’ll also hear helpful packing tips for staying cozy and learning which apps to download before you go.

What You’ll Learn:

• (2:36) Why we see colors during the Aurora Borealis
• (5:42) The best seasons and locations and to see them
• (9:15) Apps to use and the KP index explained
• (12:44) Packing tips for a Northern Lights vacation
• (15:36) The number one mistake most people make

Connect with Valerie Stimac:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vstimac

Book: Stargazing Around the World: A Tour of the Night Sky https://shop.lonelyplanet.com/products/stargazing-around-the-world-a-tour-of-the-night-sky

Previous Episodes:

Astrotourism: Visiting the Heavens with Valerie Stimac

5 Biggest Upcoming Astronomical Events and Where to See Them, with Valerie Stimac

Connect with AAA:

Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprises

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

Souvenirs are more than objects. They’re how we jog our memories to reflect on the experiences we’ve had exploring the world. They are also thoughtful gestures that let people back home know they are important.

That’s why selecting souvenirs can be considered an art form. Sometimes, it’s as simple as buying a kitschy shot glass or tea towel. Other times, the objects we choose might hold deeper significance. Knowing how to select the best keepsakes at the right moment for the intended recipient takes experience.

Today, Angie Orth is back with travel writer Rolf Potts. His book, Souvenir (Object Lessons), is a deep dive into the cultural history and significance of souvenirs.

You’ll hear how to weigh emotional authenticity over physical authenticity when it comes to selecting souvenirs, and how to budget for space and finances when deciding what you want to take home. You’ll also learn how to choose locally made crafts and why that’s important to tourist economies.

What You’ll Learn:

• (0:45) Being instinctive about the items you choose
• (2:41) Consideration for authenticity
• (3:43) Opting for locally-produced gifts
• (4:43) Budgeting for souvenirs
• (7:30) Thinking outside of the gift box

Connect with:

https://rolfpotts.com

https://www.instagram.com/rolfpotts/

https://x.com/rolfpotts

https://www.facebook.com/rolf.potts

Connect with AAA:

Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa

https://clubadventures.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprises

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

Holding on to the memories of the places we travel through souvenirs is an act of preservation. They are the physical manifestations of our travel experiences captured through the things we buy, collect, and even photograph, along the way.

Souvenirs are meaningful not only for ourselves but they’re also a way of sharing those stories with others when we return home.

Today, Angie Orth welcomes travel writer Rolf Potts. He has reported from more than seventy countries and six continents for publications including National Geographic Traveler, The New Yorker, Slate.com, the New York Times Magazine, and the Travel Channel. He is the author of Souvenir (Object Lessons), a book that explores the cultural history of travel souvenirs.

You’ll learn the history of bringing objects home from travel journeys through the ages, and how souvenirs have evolved as access to travel has expanded and changed. You’ll hear about a Japanese-inspired tradition that imparts a deeper connection between the objects we choose and the people we gift them to, and you’ll learn how to be a more discerning shopper when it comes to selecting souvenirs.

What You’ll Learn:

• (3:02) The definition of a souvenir
• (7:38) A deeper way to think about souvenirs
• (11:58) How photography has influenced our travel memories
• (14:49) The evolution of travel keepsakes
• (17:53) Advice on when to buy souvenirs

Connect with:

https://rolfpotts.com

https://www.instagram.com/rolfpotts/

https://x.com/rolfpotts

https://www.facebook.com/rolf.potts

Connect with AAA:

Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa

https://clubadventures.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprises

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises