Episodes

In this episode, part two of our 12 Best Northern California Day Trips series, we journey to the awe-inspiring Muir Woods National Monument. Nestled just north of San Francisco, Muir Woods is a sanctuary of towering coastal redwoods, some of the tallest and oldest trees in the world. We delve into the history and significance of this ancient forest, a place of natural beauty preserved thanks to conservationist John Muir and early efforts to protect California’s wilderness. From the peaceful trai...

In episode 53, Best Things to Do in San Francisco for First-Time Visitors, we share our top recommendations from nearly 30 years of living in the Bay Area to help you make the most of your visit to this iconic west coast destination. The city by the Bay offers a wealth of activities for first time visitors, but knowing where to go can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. This podcast episode gives you an insider’s perspective on the must-see spots, from the vibrant energy of Pier 39 and the ...

In this Part Three episode of our discussion of the Top Day Trips from Tokyo by Train, we conclude our series with four more incredible destinations easily explored from Tokyo by train. The areas we discuss in this episode include: the Izu Peninsula, a stunning coastal getaway less than a hour away from Tokyo, Fuji Five Lakes region, a must-visit for nature lovers offering stunning views of Mt. Fuji, the Japanese Alps of Nagano, and finally Japan's premier hot spring the Kusatasu Onsen. This epi...

In this Part Two episode of our discussion of the Top Day Trips from Tokyo by Train, we're diving into four more incredible destinations you can easily reach from Tokyo by train, perfect for those looking to escape the city's hustle and bustle and immerse themselves in Japan's rich culture and natural beauty. The areas we discuss in part two include: Kawagoe, also known as "Little Edo," Mount Takao, a nature lover’s paradise just an hour from Tokyo, Enoshima and its stunning sea views, and final...

Pura Vida and welcome to episode 50 of Pure Life Podcast: Top Day Trips from Tokyo by Train, part 1. In this episode we dive into four must-visit destinations that are just a short train ride away from Tokyo; Kamakura, Nikko, Hakone, and Yokohama. Whether you are looking for the ultimate cultural experience, breathtaking natural landscapes, or looking to experience more vibrant city life, these must-visit spots offer something for every traveler. A compliment to our blog post, this episode is pa...

In this episode, we're continuing to highlight one of our favorite destinations, Japan! For first time travelers, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out how to get around, what to bring, and how best to prepare for all that awaits you in Japan. So, we break it all down in this ultimate Japan Survival Guide - based on first-hand, native-Japanese experience - to help you make the most of your travels throughout Japan. Whether you are planning to visit big cities like Tokyo and Osaka or ...

In this episode, we dive into the vibrant heart of Tokyo, exploring the top areas to stay in Tokyo that promise unforgettable stays. Whether you are looking for bustling streets filled with shops, towering skyscrapers, or the tranquil and traditional beauty of old Japan, Tokyo offers some amazing neighborhoods - or wards - that are sure to indulge your senses and immerse you in unforgettable experiences. This episode not only focuses on some of our favorite spots but also dives into areas of sig...

In this captivating episode of Pure Life Podcast, we dive into the heart of Tokyo to explore the new Toyosu Manyo Club, the city's latest addition to its esteemed luxury onsen and spa culture. Join us as we uncover the allure of this premier destination, from its tranquil hot springs, rejuvenating spa treatments, to its exquisite dining experiences. We'll share insider tips on making the most of your visit, highlight the unique features that make Toyosu Manyo Club the premier onsen in Tokyo, and...

In this podcast episode, we continue our Disney exploration and delve into the enchantment of Walt Disney World for adults. Join us as we uncover the top locations for adult beverages in Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. From delightful and refreshing sips to surprisingly potent concoctions, we offer our expert recommendations that guarantee a truly enjoyable Disney World experience for adults. Whether you're exploring the futuristic landscapes of Epcot or embarking on an exciting ad...

Maximize Your Disney World Adventure with Lightning Lane and Genie Plus In this episode, we dive into the best strategies for exploring Disney World in Florida, focusing on how to make the most of your visit using the Lightning Lane and Genie services to truly unlock the Disney magic. Learn how to skip the long lines, plan your day efficiently, and enjoy more attractions with these time-saving tools. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Disney fan, we’ll share tips and tricks to hel...

Pura Vida and welcome to our latest episode - Episode 44: Tuscan Cooking Classes. In this episode, we continue our adventures through the Tuscany region of Northern Italy and explore some amazing Tuscan Cooking Classes. Tuscany is world-renown for its wine, culture and cuisine but the best way to experience all three is by partaking in some cooking classes and we discovered two incredible gems you need to add to your bucket list! Our first cooking experience was at Il Falconiere near Cortona whe...

In this episode of Pure Life Podcast, we dive into some of Northern Italy's finest Wineries! We love Italy - the food, the culture, the scenery and of course, the wine - and we recently planned a gastro tour of Northern Italy where we could explore some of the famed wineries of the Tuscany. So strap yourselves in as we embark on a sensory journey through the lush vineyards and historic cellars of of the Chianti and Montepulciano wine regions. Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or a curious wine...

In this episode of Pure Life Podcast, we discuss a road trip we took across the Western United States. We kick off this episode right where it all began; Day 1 of our road trip for a quick over-nighter in lovely Mammoth Lakes, California on our way through Las Vegas and onto Utah. We’d never been to Mammoth before, so we thought this would be a great way to break up the first leg of our journey and get out on some of the many trails all over the Mammoth area. What an amazing first stop and an in...

In this episode of Pure Life Podcast, we kick things off with our "drink of the week" - the perfect piña colada cocktail. With summer always around the corner, beach vacations and tropical settings tend to dominate all thoughts. Regardless of what time of year it happens to be, it's easy to bring the beach to us with a perfect piña colada cocktail. This satisfyingly refreshing recipe is sure to set the perfect tone for a relaxing shelter-in-place stay-cation! Be sure to check out our latest blog...

Pura Vida and welcome to our latest podcast - Ultimate Mojito Virtual Happy Hour! With the hectic pace of modern day life, it's always a good idea to celebrate hope and reconnecting with each other - with a delicious cocktail of course! So grab your glass and plenty of ice, because it's time for a trip to our virtual happy hour! This week, we kick off the happy hour with our "drink of the week" home-made cocktail. Our drink this week is the Mojito - a perfect spring and summer cocktail that goes...

Pura Vida! We kick off this podcast with our "drink of the week" segment. This weeks concoction is a delicious and delectable cocktail called the Buffalo Bramble. Made with Vodka, Creme de Cassis and fresh blackberries, it's a refreshing addition to our coping cocktails series, packing an equal punch of potency and flavor! Next we shift gears and dive into our latest findings on all things travel, including which countries lifted travel restrictions, which ones didn't, and how to deal with cance...

In this episode of Pure Life Podcast, we take a pause for our travel topics and dive into keeping your private information secure with some important online safety tips while also discussing one of our featured drinks. This weeks feature is not a cocktail but one of my favorite bourbons: Basil Hayden's. Basil Hayden's is a light-bodied small-batch bourbon that goes down smoothly either neat or on the rocks (especially with Whiskey Ball ice cubes), and compliments any occasion. Cheers! The episod...

With so many challenging things going on all at once, we could all use a break from the news to focus on more enjoyable distractions. And one of our favorite distractions is doing research on traveling. So in this episode we continue our discussion on the best credit cards by diving into research we have been doing on airline rewards cards and programs . Before discussing the best airline credit cards, we start off this episode with what we hope will be a favorite segment of the show: our featur...

In this episode, we venture away from our normal format and dive into some topics we hope you find helpful during stressful times and in-between travels. In particular, we will be highlighting some of our favorite cocktails you can craft at home - with the right tools and ingredients. In this episode, we will break down a simple but satisfyingly delicious margarita. As we’ve mentioned before, we are known to enjoy some libations! And one of our favorites is a margarita, but not just your run-of-...

In the last episode, we provided some tips on how to identify the best credit card rewards program for your travel needs. In this episode, we go a bit deeper and explore some of the cards we personally own that have worked well for us. Whether traveling domestically or internationally, there are some great programs to satisfy where ever your travels take you. Now is the perfect time to start doing some research on how to maximize your next hotel stay. And credit card rewards programs are a great...

Every day we see ads for various credit cards. Whether it’s Capital One, American Express, Chase, or Discover, they all offer attractive rewards programs geared toward travel. But that begs the question: which are the best credit card rewards programs for me? Choosing the right travel rewards program can be time consuming, confusing and frustrating. In this episode – Best Credit Card Rewards Programs: Part 1 – we break down the questions you need to answer as well as share some tips to help guid...

In this episode, we continue our adventures in and around Tokyo with some of our top day trip destinations for exploring the area around Tokyo. As amazing as Tokyo is, the surrounding countryside, coastlines and rustic beauty of Honshu Island are in full display when you venture just a bit south and west of the city. Some of our favorite destinations that are within an hour or two of Tokyo include Hakone, Nikko, Izu, and Kamakura. In this episode we break down all four cities – at most about a 2...

With this episode of Pure Life Podcast, we start a much anticipated series on Japan with a special focus on Tokyo and the area around Tokyo. Tokyo holds a special place in our hearts and has been a frequent destination for us – both for pleasure and business – that covering all must-see and must-do activities can’t be done in just one episode. For first timers or seasoned travelers to Japan, this episode provides first-hand tips and guidance on what to expect getting in and out of Tokyo as well ...

In this episode, we return to Mexico to continue exploring the Yucatan Peninsula. Before we jump into exploring the area, we share some advice and things to look out for when selecting your next all-inclusive resort to ensure you maximize your stay and avoid any unintended surprises. Next, we jump into some of the sights and sounds that we recommend for first-timers as well as seasoned travelers to the Yucatan, including the amazing Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum ruins. However, if water adventure...