Adventures Stories and Travel Tips from Travel Con 2025

What happens when you take a bus to Travel Con, pack a Pilates bar, and chase the best local experiences? Crystal finds out.

Crystal Hammond returns from Travel Con with her backpack full of insider tips, unexpected laughs, and some seriously useful travel hacks. From the moment she stepped on a shuttle in Tucson, this adventure was all about curiosity, connection, and clever ways to travel smarter.

🧭 In this episode:

• A behind-the-scenes look at Travel Con—including the quirky bus ride that kicked it all off
• Must-know gear tips, like collapsible water bottles and a surprisingly travel-friendly Pilates bar
• Why Airbnb Experiences are the secret to unlocking a destination’s real culture
• Smart ways to save money using airport shuttles, public transport, and Costco car rentals
• Sustainable travel practices and how to stay grounded (even when jet-lagged)
• Credit card strategies and road trip snack wisdom that might just change how you pack

Plus, Crystal shares tips from fellow adventurers she met along the way—like Dominic’s genius hack, new tricks for navigating unfamiliar cities, and how to keep a routine while still saying yes to spontaneity.

🌍 Bottom line:

If you want your next trip to be more intentional, more fun, and way less expensive, this episode is your passport to better adventures.

Looking for our gear-of-the-day? Head to https://stackingadventures.com/gotd

Hoping to contribute to a future show? Tell your story at https://stackingadventures.com/mystory