The Traveling Fool
Traveling off the tourist path. Talking about those places most tourists just don't know about because, well, nobody ever told them. Also travel tips and news about travel and tourism to make your trip a little easier, cheaper and more memorable.
Episodes
59 episodes
Left for Dead, How One Texas Ranger Became A Legend
Wounded, no food, no water, no weapon. A young Texas Ranger wakes up on the ground near the Nueces River, realizes everyone has left him for dead, makes a decision that turns him into a legend. Subscribe for more travel history stories, share t...
From Tiny Eden Texas To D-Day Glory And A College Town Worth Visiting
A lot of towns get remembered for a stadium or a slogan. Bryan-College Station deserves to be remembered for a man most people can’t name and for the living history that still surrounds Texas A&M. We trace the life of Major General James Ea...
How a Small Texas Town Became Famous for the Most Unofficial Attraction Ever
A small Texas town holds one of the most improbable American legends: a tightly run brothel that fed families during the Depression, helped sheriffs solve crimes, and then ignited a statewide showdown once a TV crusader and a governor took noti...
The Most Important 2026 Travel Trends You Need to Know
We map the biggest travel shifts for 2026 using real search data, from spontaneous short escapes and small-town storytelling to purpose-driven city breaks and the return of cruises. Practical questions and examples help you plan a flexible, mea...
Corsicana Texas, World Famous Bakery, One Legged Daredevil and a Reel Cop
A quiet Texas town with a world-famous sweet tooth, a high-wire legend, and an oil claim that rewrote state history—Corsicana packs more surprises per mile than most big cities. We head south of Dallas to trace how a German baker created an ear...
Incredible man Born in 1700s, Died in 1900s: Was He Really That Old?
We chase the disputed lifespan of Isaac Brock from headstone to census record, then turn a myth hunt into a smart Waco travel plan. Between archives, museums, and good food, we map a route where Texas legend meets places worth your time.
Holiday Travel Tips: Smart Ways to Make Your Trip Easy This Year
We share a practical holiday travel game plan to cut stress, avoid delays, and keep your cool from booking to baggage claim. From early departures and car prep to smart packing, safety, and flexibility, these tips help you arrive safe and sane....
Travel Deals 101: How to Hunt Down the Best Vacation Savings
Prices keep climbing, but the best travel bargains are hiding in plain sight. We walk through the smartest ways to cut travel costs using military portals, deal alerts, credit card strategies, and overlooked memberships that unlock private rate...
How to Find Day Trips Near Me: Smart Tools for Local Exploring
Your next great getaway might be hiding an hour from home. We break down a practical, repeatable system for finding day trips that feel fresh, personal and affordable—without getting stuck in the same “top 10” lists. Instead of relying on broad...
Travel Like A Local Or How To Be A Modern Day Explorer
What if your best travel memories aren’t on any list? We dig into the difference between moving through a place and letting a place move through you, with practical tips to shift from tourist to explorer. Instead of racing to landmarks, we talk...
Do I Need Travel Insurance for My Trip? What the Fine Print Really Means
Ever wondered if you need travel insurance and just what it covers? We break down when travel insurance is worth it and plenty of real-world detail, so you can decide what to buy, when to buy it, and how to make it pay when things go sideways
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Aurora Texas Mystery: The Curious Story Behind the Legend of Ned
A strange 1897 newspaper report turns Aurora, Texas into a place with a curious story, a lasting legend and a mysterious visitor named Ned. We weigh thin evidence against rich folklore, then share nearby spots to explore if you go chase the sto...
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6 Texas Road Trip Stops With History, Culture, and Bloodsucking Creatures
We map a six-stop Southeast Texas loop where Texas independence, immigrant craft, Spanish missions, and small-town museums meet rivers, saloons, and a famously strange cryptid. The route works as a long weekend or a slow, weeklong wander with t...
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Why Abilene Kansas Was Voted The Best Small Town To Visit
We trace Abilene, Kansas from a Chisholm Trail boomtown to Eisenhower’s hometown, stopping for a mansion wired by Edison, a Greyhound Hall of Fame greeting, a 1901 carousel ride, and a back-room chocolate secret. History, food, trains, murals, ...
Think Travel Is Too Expensive? Here’s Why That’s Just a Myth
Think travel demands deep pockets? We push back with a road-tested guide to seeing more while spending less. We challenge the idea that travel is only for big budgets, using a lifetime of road trips, points strategies, and common-sense choices ...
Louisiana River Parishes Why Every Traveler Should Explore at Least Once
We head upriver from New Orleans to explore Louisiana’s River Parishes—where grand oaks, Creole stories, and a rare tobacco aged in whiskey barrels share a landscape with gators, smokehouses, and a 1950s drive-in. History isn’t erased here; it’...
How a Notorious Dutch Conman Became the Namesake of a Texas Town
Ever wonder what happens when a con man's legacy becomes a cornerstone of state history? The story of this Texas town unravels like a frontier thriller – complete with embezzlement, assumed identities, and a silver-tongued fugitive who changed ...
Ashton Villa’s Hidden Past Meets Galveston Texas Coastal Charm
Step into the shadows of Galveston's most captivating historical mystery as we unlock the secrets of Ashton Villa and its unforgettable resident, Betty Brown. We'll also explore modern Galveston's vibrant charm—from historic districts and...
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How to Use AI Travel Planning for Memorable Trips
Dreaming of the perfect getaway but overwhelmed by endless planning details? You're not alone. The latest wave of travel innovation is here, and it's transforming how we discover, plan, and experience destinations around the world.As I ...
Indian Maiden Legends, Medal of Honor Valor, and the Tunnel to Nowhere
Tucked away in the northwest corner of South Carolina, Oconee County reveals itself as an undiscovered treasure where natural beauty intertwines with captivating history. As I wandered through this Blue Ridge Mountain paradise, I uncovered the ...
From Kansas City to Palawan: Forgotten Stories of Valor
Every monument tells a story. Every museum preserves voices that might otherwise be forgotten. As a veteran who served for two decades, I've always been drawn to military history – not for political reasons, but because these sites connect us t...
20 Underrated Historic Spots in Texas for Curious Travelers
The famous historical landmarks of Texas like the Alamo and San Jacinto battlefield draw thousands of visitors each year, but the Lone Star State harbors dozens of lesser-known historic treasures that tell equally compelling stories without the...
15 Reasons Visitors Bureaus Are a Traveler’s Best Friend
Uncover the secret weapon that savvy travelers have been using for years – local Visitor's Bureaus. These often-overlooked offices hold the keys to transforming good vacations into unforgettable journeys, and today we're diving into exactly why...
10 Best Underrated Places in Texas You Need To Visit
What happens when you venture beyond the bright lights of Austin, the packed River Walk of San Antonio, or the urban sprawl of Dallas-Fort Worth? Texas reveals itself in ways no guidebook fully captures—through towns with characters as big as t...
You won't find these adventures on Instagram: How to become a modern-day explorer
Ever feel like you're stuck in a tourist trap, surrounded by selfie sticks, waiting in line just to glimpse something you've already seen a thousand times on social media? There's a better way to travel, and it doesn't require visiting the Eiff...