Travel Tales From Beyond The Brochure

Hello :) A month or so ago, Amanda Kendle had a natter with me, so she could make an episode of her Thoughtful Travel Podcast. Now that's gone live, I'm using the same interview to make my own version. We chatted for about 100 minutes in total - both our episodes are edited highlights! The discussion we had was a general one around travel, framed by a Buzzfeed quiz she found online. Because we're both Gen-X and still surf the web like it's 2007. But we used the questions to delve (a great word, sadly much maligned) deeper into the subjects raised. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Feeling low - ultramarathon blues or just the world being rotten? * "Why do you travel?" * "How do you think about budgeting for your trip?" * “What type of accommodation do you normally go for?” * “How long do you usually go away for?” * “What do you normally eat when you travel?” * “How do you usually pack for a trip?” * “How do you normally spend your time travelling” * “How do you usually feel after a trip?” * So are we tourists or travellers? A PDF transcript of this podcast is not yet available, because admin. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. Amanda's edit of this chat can be found here. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) So, this podcast is all about comfort zones, primarily but not exclusively, in travel. I look at what they are, why people stay in them, how you can break them comfortably, and talk about times I've broken my own comfort zones, with both good and bad outcomes. Because that's what makes good travel experiences, right? Topics discussed in this episode are: * The British Guild of Travel Writers AGM * Standing on a stage, barefoot and vulnerable, reading teenage diaries * What is a comfort zone? * Language and culture are comfort zones to many * Personal Identity * Don't you just love being in control?! * The beneficial role of travel influencers * Breaking your comfort zone in five easy steps * Little things you can do: solo travel, new foods, local events * The beneficial role of bucket lists * When Comfort Zones Break You (Italy 2002) * People like it when things go wrong for other people (as long as they're safe) * What are my limits? * "The Barefoot Backpacker. No luggage, no shoes, no plan. What could possibly go right?" A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. Contributions in this pod come from Amanda Kendle and Curious Claire. I ought also to link to Becky The Owlet's blog too, given she got a shoutout. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) In March 2025, me and my travel buddy Laura surprisingly went to Maldives for four nights. Given I'm a budget backpacker who can't swim and gets bored easily, we figured it would make a great concept for a podcast. Very few people think of Maldives as a budget backpacker destination, and we thought we'd talk about how we managed to visit without spending the world. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Why on earth would I go to Maldives * Maldives is small, flat, hot, and ... full of Russians? * Budget travel around Maldives * Two nights on Gulhi Island - mainly on the beach * Budget accommodation in Maldives * Eating on a budget in Maldives * Travelling during Ramadan (!) * Visiting Malé * What our budget was for our trip A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) This podcast is on Festivals, and as we're coming up to the season where people are likely planning their summer, this feels quite pertinent. It came off the back of my episode from last year about Travelling For Music, where I got a couple of contribs that made me think a dedicated episode on festivals would be a good idea. Topics discussed in this episode are: * The weather in 2012 * The delights of camping  * My history of attenting festivals (Off The Tracks, Cropredy, Barefoot) * Music festivals in town centres * Local beer festivals * The Great British Beer Festival * Volunteering at festivals * The price and future of festivals A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. Contributions in this pod come from Lucy (Absolutely Lucy), Fizz (On The Fly Blog), and two friends (Viv and Peter) Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) This episode details the second half of my 2-week backpacking trip around South America in October 2024 - this one covers Iguzau Falls and Paraguay. Because everyone wants to go to Paraguay. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Admin caused by a lost phone * The Jesuit Ruins of Argentina and Paraguay * The German influence of SE Paraguay * Iguazu Falls (both sides) * Ciudad del Este and the absence of the Brazil border * Asunción is interesting (derog.) A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions in this podcast, and the intro noise is the sound of the Devil's Throat (Argentina Side) at Iguazu Falls. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) This episode details the first half of my 2-week backpacking trip around South America in October 2024 - this one covers Uruguay and Buenos Aires. The rest of the trip will follow in my next episode. My voice doesn't really sound that great today, and I'm not quite sure why. Topics discussed in this episode are: * I went to Chester to meet my mother! * Why did I go to South America? * First impressions of Montevideo * The old town, the promenade, and the street market * My accommodation in Montevideo * Uruguayan cash flow issues * Colonia del Sacramento * San Telmo and the pub that trolls * The Parisian aesthetic of Buenos Aires * How aroace dyspraxics get to dance the Tango A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions in this podcast, but the intro was recorded by someone called Dorhel in San Telmo market, and posted to FreeSound.org. I don't have any recordings of Tango. Listen to the pod to find out why! Also, in case you're interested. here's Sasha Cagen's website and Tango discussions. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) This episode is about Luxury Travel. This isn't a topic that comes naturally to barefoot backpackers in general, but sometimes even we put on our metaphorical shoes and drink free champagne. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Running Training & Rate of Percieved Exertion * Future potential backpacking trips * What it means to be a 'barefoot' backpacker * Flying business class on Air Europa from South America * Short-haul business class travel isn't really worth it * Flying business class on Emirates from Sri Lanka is * We need a middle ground option - like a train * First Class on UK Trains is nothing special * Eurostar is nice I suppose * Business hotels * Afternoon Tea, but not yet at the Ritz * {bonus} Helicopter Rides over a volcano - the ultimate luxury experience A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. Contributions in this episode come from Kate-Frankie, Amanda Kendle, and Curious Claire. In addition, my VA, Victoria Pearson, can be found here. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) This podcast comes off the back of another press-trip I was sent on by Jet2. This time me and Laura went to Austria to explore the Christmas Markets. While we were there we did a few other things, not all of which involved alcohol. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Pills and Snow * What is a Christmas Market anyway * Our impressions of six of them * Things to eat and drink * Things to do at and around the markets * Schönbrunn Palace * A Night At The Opera * Lots of dead musicians * How to ride the U-Bahn A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions in this episode. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) Yeh, I’ve not podded for a while. Had an existential crisis. Still have. It’s fine. Conditional normal. With fog patches. Rising slowly. This episode is all about me, a couple of events I've been to in the past couple of months, and how my content might change in scope going forward. Because I am the UK's leading AroAce Non-Binary Gen-X Travel and Lifestyle Blogger. Arguably. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Small things I did in November * The Traverse Creator Awards 2024 * What is the World Travel Market (WTM)? * What I should do at WTM v what I actually do * My niches * Attending WTM as a non-binary travel blogger * Getting old * Being assumed female in a pub A PDF transcript of this podcast is available. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions in this episode, however I nicked from my appearance on Amanda Kendle's podcast her opening and closing remarks either side of my contrib. Until next time, bye for now. :)

Hello :) This is an episode I've been meaning to do for about three years, but for mainly logistical reasons, this is the first chance I've had. The original idea came from the lifestyle podcast Sounds Fake But Okay; whenever they get stuck for content they scour the AITA forums on Reddit, and similar content in other places, to highlight allonormativity and generally go 'NTA, dump him'. I figured I could do the same for this pod, but looking at things more travel-related, ecen if there's less content about that. However it's not the sort of episode that works well with just one person as it sounds like I'm just being bitter and ranty. So, my friend V was more than happy to help get involved. Even though she's not an ardent traveller.  Topics discussed in this episode are: * I'm going to South America * Running update * Reclining seats on aeroplanes * Be nice to your flight crew * Yes, you do need to stow your designer handbag * How many photos do you need to take? * How to take a selfie * Does travel broaden the mind or narrow the attitude? * Travel privilege (in brief) * The trouble with defining how to count countries * Do travel bloggers need more accurate visas? * Learned helplessness and weaponised incompetence with travel companions * Foreign Languages * The Bermuda Triangle and Public Information Films * Is 22 too old, or too young, to backpack Europe? A PDF transcript of this podcast is available, largely due to the wonders of open-source AI which saved me several hours of transcription work. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. I have a newsletter with extra content, and where I'll be mentioning future podcast episodes if you want to make your own contribution. I also have a Patreon - if you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over. There are no contributions in this episode, however here's the articles we discussed (assuming they're still up): * Couple banned from Cathay Pacific after seat reclining incident * Passenger evicted from flight following row over handbag * What's the appropriate number of photos to take on a trip? * Traveling the world makes people assholes * Learned Helplessness of my travel companions * Is the Bermuda Triangle still A Thing * Is 22 too old to backpack Europe In addition, I ought to link to: * The Sounds Fake But Okay Podcast * Victoria Pearson's Website Until next time, bye for now. :)