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:
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