Visit Rome or Stay Home
Travel
Audio By Carbonatix
In this lively episode of Travel Tuesday, host Linda Perillo welcomes back her longtime travel buddy Erik Hastings, aka “Erik the Travel Guy.” The duo dives into a spirited conversation about the joys and challenges of travel, the importance of stepping away from screens, and the irreplaceable value of real-world experiences. Erik shares updates on his PBS show Beyond Your Backyard, including upcoming shoots in Washington, D.C., and Turkey.
The conversation takes a nostalgic turn as Linda and Erik reflect on their high school days and how social circles shaped their perspectives—much like today’s algorithms. They passionately argue that travel is the ultimate education, teaching life skills from navigating airports to handling flight delays. Linda recalls how even nuns encouraged her to skip school for travel, calling it the best education possible.
Things heat up when Linda vents about her co-host Kevin McCullough’s trip to Italy—without her! The duo hilariously critiques travelers who skip Rome, calling it essential to understanding Italy’s soul. Erik doesn’t hold back, suggesting that anyone who dismisses Rome should just stay home. They also poke fun at Lake Como’s Clooney obsession and the fantasy of sipping cappuccino with George.
The episode continues with a discussion on travel misconceptions, like the romanticized idea of spending 10 days in a Tuscan farmhouse. Erik emphasizes the importance of asking “why” before booking a trip and encourages listeners to seek advice from travel specialists. He also shares his preference for hotels over Airbnbs, citing cleanliness and consistency.
To wrap things up, Linda asks Erik for his top five tips for planning a great vacation. His advice? Start with a dream destination, define your travel goals, consider timing and budget, and—most importantly—don’t let your kids run the itinerary. It’s a dictatorship, not a democracy! The episode ends with laughs, love, and a plug for Erik’s Orlando murder mystery show, Speakeasy Murder.
