5 TRAVEL PODCASTS FOR AN AUDIO ESCAPE
Years ago, I worked for a summer cleaning hotel rooms (to earn money to travel, of course) and wanted something to listen to while I was scrubbing toilets. It was then that I discovered podcasts, and my life has never been the same.
Now, whenever I go for a walk, clean my house, or work on any kind of hands-on project, I stick in my earbuds and learn and plan and dream. Travel podcasts are my go-to, and these are a few of my favorites.
TRAVEL WITH RICK STEVES
Rick Steves is the reigning authority on European travel. All of his publications—whether it be his television show, his guidebooks, or his podcast—are professional, informative, and accessible.
In his podcast, he typically compiles three segments per episode. These segments can focus on destinations (and they aren’t always European), travel tips, philosophy of travel, and sometimes even politics. He definitely leans pretty far one way on the political spectrum, but I appreciate that he does once in a while interview people with an opposing viewpoint.
You can find his show wherever you get your podcasts or you can listen to any episode on his website found HERE.
AMATEUR TRAVELER TRAVEL PODCAST
Chris Christensen is a down-to-earth guy with an all-star podcast. Each episode is destination-specific, and he produces a new episode each week.
Typically, he brings in an expert on the destination—someone who has traveled there or lived there—and, together, they create a mini-guide for that place. He includes information about hotels and restaurants, logistics for transportation, ideas for activities, and why you should visit that particular place. It is concise yet brimming with information.
He also has an award-winning blog found HERE.
TRAVEL TALES BY AFAR
AFAR Magazine just recently started a travel podcast called Travel Tales. Each short episode is a story written by a traveler about the way travel changed him or taught him something special. They are often humorous tales. Yes, you can learn about a place, but more engaging is what you learn about humans and the way travel affects us, changes us, and shapes us.
Subscribe to the podcast or simply read the stories on the website found HERE.
THE TRAVELERS
This is an older podcast (last episode was published in July 2016) but its messages are timeless. While there are some practical travel tips scattered throughout, the main focus of each episode is the internal journey that takes place for each traveler. Host Nathaniel has an engaging, laid-back interview style and travel stories that showcase the many benefits of travel. The podcast really digs into the “why” of travel and its transformative power.
Find links to the podcast as well as other treasures on the website found HERE.
ABROADERS PODCAST
Using points and rewards credit cards can be a great way to save money on travel, but it is sometimes complicated. Erik and A.J. keep you up-to-date with the latest in travel rewards news while offering advice on how to maximize your points and redemptions. It’s like a full course on travel hacking—full of timely and pertinent information presented in a clear way.
Learn the art of discounted or free travel on their website found HERE.
Happy listening!