Italy Trip, Porto's Strip, and TSA Bins

Travel Podcasts

Audio By Carbonatix

Kevin McCullough and Linda Perillo kick off the new year lamenting the dreaded post-holiday blues. The decorations are down, January feels like a bad houseguest, and both agree: this month needs a serious attitude adjustment. Linda’s solution? Pray for snowstorms—or better yet, plan a trip.

Cue the travel talk! Linda, a principal at Perillo Tours, makes a passionate case for Italy as the ultimate bucket-list destination. Rome, Amalfi, Naples, Venice—she’s “sono innamorata” with them all. Her advice? Stop procrastinating and go. Life’s too short for “maybe next year.”

But Italy isn’t the only star. Portugal steals the spotlight thanks to Travel & Leisure naming Porto’s Rua de Bom Jardim the “coolest street” in Europe. Linda raves about Portugal’s affordability and charm, calling it one of the best bangs for your buck in 2026.

The episode also detours into Amtrak dreams—Linda’s eyeing a luxe Western rail adventure—and then swerves into global travel bans. With 39 countries now restricted, including Venezuela and Cuba, Kevin and Linda debate safety, vetting, and why some idyllic islands made the list.

Finally, a quirky etiquette debate: should you stack bins at airport security? Kevin says yes (because chaos drives him nuts), but beware—Salt Lake City says hands off! The takeaway? Be kind, plan your next adventure, and maybe start with Italy2026.info for that intimate, behind-the-scenes tour with Linda herself.