An Inside Look at Traveling with the 'Today' Show Anchors from the Morning Crew

As the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics kick off this week, nearly 10,500 elite athletes from 206 nations will take center stage, but American viewers may recognize the familiar faces of the Today show anchors, who will serve as part of the NBC Olympics coverage team.

The morning show's Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie, and Craig Melvin are all set for sports mode, having packed their bags as they return as seasoned Olympic journalists, having traveled together for previous events.

However, their most memorable moments often happen off camera, as the crew shares with Dinogo before departing for Paris.

"While in London, we found ourselves stuck in a car due to heavy traffic,” Guthrie reminisced. “At the stoplight, Al said, ‘See you later!’ and jumped out, taking the Tube. He ended up beating us by an hour and a half! That’s professionalism for you!”

Indeed, Roker is always prepared to use public transport. “I love the Paris Metro,” he mentioned. “When I arrive at Charles de Gaulle, I typically take the train. Depending on the arrival time, it takes about 90 minutes to reach the city, but it's under an hour by train!”

This precise and strategic skill set is what allows the Today team to balance hard work with play during the 19 days of Olympic coverage. Despite their long hours, they often find themselves spending downtime together as well.

A standout moment from the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics was their planned hot tub party, where only two participants actually got in. “Al and I jumped into the hot tub in our underwear,” Guthrie recounted. Roker chimed in, “It was fantastic! It’s one of my all-time favorite photos!”

The unusual hours due to the time difference often lead them to explore cities when they’re less crowded. After finishing a broadcast at 1 a.m. in Asia, they were all still buzzing with energy, as Guthrie described, and chose to go out. Roker arrived at the bar first, ordering appetizers and drinks to get the party started. “I wanted everything ready for them to dive right in,” he shared. “We had such a great time that they ran out of bourbon…”

“To be honest, they were low on bourbon,” Melvin noted. With more epic moments anticipated in the City of Light, we spoke with the four Today stars about their excitement for Paris 2024.

What’s your favorite spot in Paris?Hoda Kotb: I've visited Paris a few times with my mom — it holds some of my favorite travel memories. We adored strolling along the Left Bank and the Seine. It wasn’t a specific location, but a cozy café in the rain, soaking in the art. We stayed in the tiniest hotel, which felt quintessentially Parisian.Al Roker: My daughter has lived in Paris for about six years now. One of my favorite places is Rue Cler, filled with food and cheese shops, as well as delightful patisseries and boulangeries. You can stroll and gather treats for lunch or dinner, really immersing yourself in the Paris experience. There's also a French-American breakfast spot called Eggs&Co. But the fun lies in discovering quirky little places like...Craig Melvin: Not the Sewer Museum!Roker: We're focusing on food! But I'm really trying to persuade them to visit the Sewer Museum!Savannah Guthrie: The readers of Dinogo probably won't be interested in the Sewer Museum! Anyway, we all cherish the feeling of being "in Paris" for the moment, whether it’s relaxing at a café or enjoying a glass of wine. Personally, I love getting recommendations for great vintage shopping. Those French women must have let go of some clothes at some point, so I enjoy sifting through the racks.

How would you characterize your travel styles?Kotb: There's no one better at flying than Savannah, the girl next to me. She has a meticulous plan for arriving at the airport, what she does while seated, when she eats, sleeps, takes her Ambien, and lands, all to be fully ready. She also encourages everyone to stick to her schedule, saying, “Hoda, you need to eat, have some wine, and get some sleep!”Guthrie: I never eat on the plane; I prefer the lounge. Have a glass of wine, then take an Ambien, but only once the wheels are up. Never while on the ground.Kotb: You might be on the ground for a while! Let me tell you, this girl arrives refreshed, so maybe she’s onto something!Melvin: For me, Roker is the ultimate traveler because, aside from the Sewer Museum, he tends to find delightful, non-touristy spots that are truly enjoyable.

Who arrives at the airport first? Kotb: I’m definitely an early bird. Al and I are usually the first two there. Roker: At least two hours ahead. Kotb: Then there’s Savannah, as soon as the wheels are moving…Roker: She’s sprinting and tossing her bag onto the plane! Melvin: I aim to arrive about an hour and a half early. I don’t like lingering at the airport, though I’m actually looking forward to this trip since they have a new lounge.

Hoda, you've been such a passionate advocate for gymnastics! What makes the sport so thrilling for you?Kotb: For me, watching gymnastics is both thrilling and nerve-wracking. I often miss a lot of the action because I’m watching through my fingers! It gives me butterflies, and I tend to stress eat. Just think about walking along a beam as thin as your phone — it makes me anxious just watching!

What do you think of this year's team?Kotb: This team is incredible! It features four veterans: Suni [Lee], Simone [Biles], Jade [Carey], and Jordan [Chiles]. They know the ropes and handle the stress well. Then there’s Hezly [Rivera], the youngest Olympian at just 16 — she brings a refreshing sense of wonder. Having her on the team will remind everyone how delightful this experience is. I believe they’re going to win gold!

Which sports are you all looking forward to?Melvin: Swimming is always a thrill to watch. I love basketball — I played it years ago and now coach my son's rec league team. These athletes are competing during their offseason, risking injury for the love of their country. It's exciting to see the best athletes go head-to-head. The women's teams have dominated for nearly two decades, and the international men's basketball scene is really heating up, especially with many recent NBA MVPs being foreign-born. The Greek team is fantastic, and the French team will be playing on home soil, making it even more exciting. It's going to be competitive and fun to watch!Guthrie: Tennis is my favorite sport, and I’m particularly excited about Roland Garros. I also enjoy sports we don’t see every day, like track and field events, especially shot put and long jump. And beach volleyball is always entertaining!Melvin: Al, you were quite the athlete back in high school? What sports did you play?Roker: The piano! But I first experienced beach volleyball in Athens. It was like a party atmosphere. Back then, it was so accessible; you could walk right in without needing a ticket. Now, it’s just incredible. In fact, Craig and I both have the men's beach volleyball swimsuits we’re planning to wear!

What Olympic moment stands out the most for you?Roker: I was present in 1996 when Muhammad Ali lit the torch. It was such an emotional experience; there wasn’t a dry eye in the venue. Guthrie: My favorite Olympic moment is Kerri Strug’s performance in Atlanta 1996; she vaulted injured and saved Team USA.Kotb: A recent standout moment was at the Rio Games when the gymnasts won gold. Simone Biles came out of nowhere; at first, people struggled to pronounce her name, and now she’s a sensation. Savannah and I were reminiscing about Mary Lou Retton, too; I recall the Sports Illustrated headline, “Only You, Mary Lou!”Melvin: I still consider myself somewhat of a rookie. Honestly, my highlight is spending time with our team outside of the Games, enjoying dinners and sipping rosé! Our work hours are so odd, so we rarely get to hang out together. That’s what I cherish most.

The Today crew's coverage will air from July 26 to August 11 on NBC, as well as on the streaming app Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC app, and the NBC Olympics app.