Pies Descalzos with Laila Navarro Part 2 How Travel Can Transform You

In this heartwarming continuation of our conversation with Mexico City guide Laila Navarro, we go deeper into the why behind her unforgettable tours.

Moments That Matter Laila shares powerful stories from her guests—like the man who returned to the Basilica after healing. These aren't just tours. They're memories made together. Laila pours her heart into making each experience “something special,” and it shows.

Travel as a Force for Good For Laila, travel is more than checking off a list. It’s a way to shift perspectives, prioritize meaningful experiences over material excess, and reconnect with what really matters—nature, kindness, and joy. Her hope is that guests leave not just with photos, but with a renewed sense of self.

Not Just a City Tour – An Invitation to See Differently Want to taste your way through street markets? Wander a forest in the middle of the city? Dive into Mexican culture in Coyoacán? Laila’s tours are full of thoughtful details and unexpected stories. They're designed to give you a richer understanding of Mexico City and the people who live there.

Let Go of the Fear – Mexico City Is Waiting Laila gently challenges common fears about travel in CDMX, from tap water to street food to riding the metro. Her message: Mexico City is alive with generosity, friendliness, and wonder—if you’re willing to see it with fresh eyes.

Connect with Pies Descalzos Learn more or book a tour at piesdescalzos.fun Like on Facebook: facebook.com/piesdescalzostours Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/piesdescalzostours

This episode is for anyone craving more connection, more meaning, and more discovery in their travels.

A Two-Part Journey Through Mexico City

What if your next trip felt less like sightseeing… and more like a revelation?

Laila didn’t plan to be a tour guide — in fact, she studied architecture and design. But after burning out in underpaid creative jobs, she stumbled into the world of guiding and discovered something that lit her up. Learn how a simple trial tour turned into a calling, and how she sees travel as a bridge between people, history, and nature.

Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra.

Laila explains why most visitors miss the depth of Teotihuacan — and how starting at the on-site museum transforms your understanding of what you're seeing. You’ll also hear what it was like to watch hot air balloons rise with the sun over ancient ruins. It’s not just a visit. It’s a chance to feel small and in awe. For more information about this tour, check it out on Viator.

When Christopher and Ashleigh asked for a tour focused on Diego Rivera’s murals, Laila created one from scratch — and got emotional in the process. This episode unpacks how art, politics, and memory are fused into Mexico City’s walls — and why this tour might just change how you see public art forever. For more information and to book this tour, check out Viator.

You’ve heard of the party boats — but Lila takes Riley (and others) into a different Xochimilco: quiet canals, morning mist, ancient farming techniques, and a farm-to-table breakfast after kayaking. You'll hear how indigenous wisdom still echoes here, if you're willing to listen. To learn more about this tour, visit Viator.

For Laila, guiding isn’t about facts — it’s about feelings. She talks about building relationships, not just delivering information. For travelers like you who crave real connection, this episode is a reminder that the best trips are built on shared humanity.

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be deeply seen, heard, and invited into a culture — not just observe it — this is your episode.

Listen now, and get ready to rethink what a "tour" can be. Be sure to check back in next week for the second half of this interview! More information about Laila and her tours can be found at PiesDescazlos.fun.

Mexico City: Must-Do Experiences Beyond the Guidebook

In this episode, Ashleigh and Christopher share the standout moments from their Mexico City trip—what was absolutely worth it, what surprised them, and what they’d do differently next time.

Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra.

Centro Histórico The city’s historic core is packed with must-see sites like the Zócalo, Templo Mayor, the Cathedral, and Diego Rivera’s murals. It’s easy to explore on foot, even from neighborhoods a bit farther out like Reforma.

Anthropology Museum This museum is essential for understanding Mexico’s pre-Hispanic cultures. We booked a guided tour, which made a huge difference in helping us connect with what we were seeing.

Diego Rivera’s Murals Seeing Rivera’s art at Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Museo Mural Diego Rivera gave us a visual crash course in Mexican history and revolution. To check out the tour we took, click here.

Chapultepec Park A massive park with museums, a zoo, and even a castle. It’s a peaceful place to escape the bustle and spend a few unhurried hours.

Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul Visiting the Blue House in Coyoacán helped us understand Frida’s art and life in a more personal way. Make sure to get tickets in advance—it’s popular for a reason. Consider a guided tour if you want to dig deeper into Frida's life.

Sunrise Kayaking in Xochimilco One of our most memorable experiences. Paddling through early-morning canals past floating farms and birds was peaceful and unforgettable. For more info on this tour, click here.

Trip Planning Tips Plan for at least 3–4 full days. Staying in more than one neighborhood adds variety. Big breakfasts and late dinners worked better for us than three structured meals. Give yourself time to slow down.

We highly recommend checking out tours from Pies Descalzos!

What We’d Do Differently We’d allow more time at Templo Mayor, build in time to relax in Roma Norte, and be better prepared for early mornings, especially when it comes to food and coffee.

Wine Break We took a pause with a bottle of Auxerrois from Chateau Fontaine in Northern Michigan.

Want the full itinerary when it is available? Join our list to get it.

In this episode of Go See Do Explore, Ashleigh and Christopher continue their Mexico City series by focusing on one of the best parts of the trip: the food.

They share favorite dishes, reflect on what makes Mexican cuisine so regionally distinct, and talk about how trying local food can deepen your connection to a place.

Mole Negro Enchiladas Christopher starts with the mole negro enchiladas from Azul Histórico. Mole is a complex, deeply rooted Mexican sauce, and this version left a lasting impression.

Carnitas Tacos with Cheese Ashleigh highlights the carnitas tacos from their food tour—made even better with a layer of melted white cheese. A good example of how a small touch can make something familiar feel new.

Huitlacoche and Cooking Class Quesadillas Christopher shares two dishes that featured huitlacoche, a corn fungus used in Mexican cooking: tacos from Girasoles and quesadillas from their cooking class. Both show how Mexican food often celebrates ingredients that don’t show up on most tourist menus.

Churros from El Moro Ashleigh talks about the churros at El Moro, one of Mexico City’s most well-known spots. Fresh, hot, and paired with dipping chocolate—they’re a treat worth seeking out.

Wine Break at Bel Lago Midway through the episode, they pause for a wine tasting at Bel Lago, a local winery. Ashleigh shares her thoughts on Auxerrois Moreno, one of their standout wines.

More to Explore They close with a few other food highlights from the trip—like tacos gobernador and sopes with steak—and talk about how meals like these help shape the story of a place.

April 2025 Travel News: Airline Perks, Cruise Comebacks & Wine Country Wandering

This month’s travel news roundup comes to you from a breezy spring campsite in Traverse City, Michigan, where we’ve been sipping wine, stargazing, and dreaming up our next adventure. Along with headlines that caught our attention, we’re also teasing a new series inspired by our recent trip to Mexico City — more on that soon.

Airline News Highlights

• A United flight had to turn around mid-air because the pilot forgot his passport (yes, really).

• Spirit Airlines is adding 15 new routes out of Detroit, aiming to shake up Delta’s dominance.

• Ryanair introduced its first-ever membership program with discounts and free seat selection.

• American Airlines plans to roll out free WiFi starting in 2026.

• Fiji Airways joined the OneWorld alliance, unlocking easier international connections.

• WalletHub ranked Spirit as the best U.S. airline in 2025 — a surprise worth looking into.

Wine Break: Dune Bird Winery Midway through recording, we made a stop at Dune Bird Winery in Leelanau County — great wine, low-key setting, and just the right kind of place to slow down and take in the view.

Travel News & Cruise Comebacks

• Royal Caribbean has temporarily stopped visits to its Haiti private island due to regional unrest.

• Victory Cruise Line returning to the Great Lakes, offering itineraries from 9–14 nights.

• AmaWaterways is launching new river cruises in Colombia on the Magdalena River.

• MSC World America, a ship built for U.S. travelers, has just debuted.

• Both Disney World water parks will be open this summer for the first time since 2019.

• Kansas City is now home to the world’s first barbecue museum.

• Crater Lake National Park in Oregon will be closing for construction between 2026 and 2029 — plan accordingly.

Coming Soon We’ve just wrapped a deep dive into Mexico City — art, food, hidden gems, and the kind of travel moments that stick with you. Stay tuned for a full series, including interviews and itinerary tips.

If this episode gave you new ideas or made you smile, we’d love it if you rated, reviewed, or shared it with a fellow traveler. Thanks for being here.

If you find value in our podcast and have the means to support our work, please support us here: goseedoexplore.com/support

Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such we earn a small commission from each purchase that allows us to continue to tell our stories without costing you anything extra.

In this episode, Christopher and Ashleigh dive deep into the world of the Straits of Mackinac area. They share practical tips, can't miss experiences, and insights to help you make the most of visiting this region of northern Michigan.

Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra.

At around 5 miles long, the Mackinac Bridge is an impressive sight spanning the Straits of Mackinac. Christopher shares key details and stats about the bridge. He and Ashleigh recommend walking the bridge on Labor Day during the annual bridge walk event. They also suggest visiting the parks on either side of the bridge, which offer beautiful views.

Mackinac City is known for its tourist shops and proximity to Mackinac Island ferries. But Christopher and Ashleigh share their favorite spots including the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Colonial Michilimackinac, and Headlands International Dark Sky Park.

Across the bridge, St. Ignace provides a more relaxed small town vibe. Recommendations here include walking the long boardwalk, visiting Father Marquette National Memorial, and taking in the views from Castle Rock.

For food, Christopher raves about the pasties from Lehto's in St. Ignace. Other recommendations in St. Ignace include Clyde's Drive-In, Java Joe's, and Double Decker Ice Cream. In Mackinac City, they suggest stopping at the Mackinac Bakery and Cafe.

Looking to expand your itinerary? Check out Legs Inn in Cross Village, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Sault Ste. Marie, Tahquamenon Falls, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Ashleigh and Christopher wrap up with practical tips like allowing extra time for ferry logistics and building in a night before/after visiting Mackinac Island.

During their wine break segment, Christopher and Ashleigh taste and discuss a Pinot Noir from Two Lads Winery on Michigan's Old Mission Peninsula.

If you find value in our podcast and have the means to support our work, please support us here: goseedoexplore.com/support

Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra.

In this episode of Go See Do Explore, Ashleigh and Christopher share some of their favorite things to do, places to stay, and restaurants on Mackinac Island in Michigan.

Ashleigh's pick: The Inn on Mackinac - A small boutique hotel away from downtown, offering lower rates than other island hotels. It has a front porch, bay window views, and a complimentary continental breakfast.

Christopher's pick: The Chippewa Hotel - Located right downtown, attached to the Pink Pony restaurant. More budget-friendly than luxury, but nice with convenient location.

Christopher's pick: Bike around the 8.2 mile perimeter of the island. See the water, bridge, fall colors, and more.

Ashleigh's pick: Rent a carriage and drive it yourself around the island. A unique activity once you're familiar with the island layout.

Christopher's Pick: Kingston Kitchen - Bringing Jamaican cuisine to the island, with authentic and delicious dishes.

Ashleigh's Pick: The Pink Pony at the Chippewa Hotel - Great patio overlooking the water, with local wine, fun cocktails, and good food.

Bonus: Gate House Restaurant - Appetizers were really good at this Grand Hotel restaurant located in the old gatehouse.

Visit Fort Holmes for island views from the highest point.

See Arch Rock, accessible by carriage tour or by hiking the steps.

Go during the off season for fewer crowds, lower rates, and a different island experience.

Get Ashleigh and Christopher's free Mackinac Island guide at goseeexplore.com/mackinac

If you find value in our podcast and have the means to support our work, please support us here: goseedoexplore.com/support

Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such we earn a small commission from each purchase that allows us to continue to tell our stories without costing you anything extra.

In this episode, we dive into the unique island of Mackinac, sharing its history, what makes it special, and tips for planning your visit.

Mackinac Island is located in Lake Huron between Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas. What makes it unique is its ban on cars - the only transportation is by horse, bike, or foot. The Victorian-era architecture adds to the feeling of stepping back in time.

Mackinac has a rich history as an outpost occupied by the French, British, and Americans. Fort Mackinac was the site of battles during the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. Today, the fort is a tourist attraction with historical reenactments and one of the best views on the island.

The iconic Grand Hotel boasts the world's longest porch, while Mission Point Resort offers views of the sunrise side of the island. Downtown hotels like Lilac Tree Suites and Chippewa Hotel put you steps from the main street. For a quieter experience, consider the inland options like The Inn at Stonecliffe.

A carriage tour introduces you to the island's history and stories. Biking the 8-mile perimeter loop is a classic activity. And you can't miss the fudge shops that made Mackinac famous. We'll share more of our favorite sights and activities in an upcoming episode.

For this Mackinac-themed wine break, we sipped on a cherry-forward red blend from Thunder Bay Winery, located in Alpena.

Mackinac Island offers a uniquely relaxing, screen-free getaway. With its history and charm, it's a one-of-a-kind destination for travelers. Stay tuned for our next episode where we'll dive deeper into Mackinac's hidden gems and share recommendations to help you plan your perfect island vacation.

For more information about the island, download our Free Travel Guide at www.goseedoexplore.com/mackinac!