Global Travel Planning

Επεισόδια

• 
  How to Add Soft Adventure to Your European Itinerary 09.09.2026 32λ

  Adventure gets sold to us as faster, harder, higher. In this week's Tracy chats with Lynne Nieman, founder of Wander Your Way and Wander Your Way Adventures, about soft adventure travel in Europe and why gentle can be the most memorable way to explore. What soft adventure means and what it avoidsWhy Europe's countryside and small towns make travel feel more connectedSimple ways to add a short walk to a city-based itineraryUsing local tourism boards and information centres to find easy routesA...
• 
  Cape Town in Winter: What to Know Before You Go 26.08.2026 34λ

  Winter might not be the obvious time to visit Cape Town, but after three weeks there we would happily do it all again. Cape Town in winter turns out to be quieter, cheaper and far more enjoyable than we had envisaged, so in this episode we share the practical details that made our stay smooth, from where we based ourselves to how we handled transport, tipping and staying connected. In this episode: - Why we chose winter for Cape Town and what the weather is really like - How to time Table M...
• 
  South Africa Travel Guide: Best Things to Do in Cape Town in Winter 12.08.2026 38λ

  We share the Cape Town highlights from our three week winter stay, from Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront to day trips for penguins, history and wine. We also talk honestly about what surprised us, what we skipped, and how to plan around weather, tours and travel comfort. The tablecloth cloud and winter wind can change everything fast, so we explain how we handled tickets, when to go, and how to stay flexible. Kirstenbosch saved us a day when the mountain was blocked, and Bo-Kaap turn...
• 
  A Wine Lover's Guide to Planning a Trip to France 29.07.2026 24λ

  We talk with Paris-based wine expert Elisa about how to plan a French wine trip that fits your taste, your budget, and your travel style, whether you are wine-curious or a long-time collector. We share practical ways to choose regions, book tastings, and build a full vineyard experience that goes beyond the bottle. • France as a top wine travel destination thanks to wine, food, landscapes and culture • quick guide to Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne differences • how Elisa m...
• 
  Slow Travel With a Baby and a Dog [with Riana Ang-Canning] 15.07.2026 43λ

  Nine months on the road with a five-month-old baby and a twelve-year-old chihuahua is ambitious. Doing it after your carefully planned French long-stay visa is rejected two days before the flight is something else entirely. In this week's episode, Tracy is joined by travel writer Riana Ang-Canning of Teaspoon of Adventure, freshly home in Vancouver after a slow travel adventure that took her family from Toronto to the Loire Valley, through London and Brighton, and on to Málaga for a first bir...
• 
  10 Essential Travel Tips for Every International Trip 01.07.2026 42λ

  After more than 20 years and close to 50 countries together, Doug and I share the actual routine we follow before every international trip. Not a generic list, just the 10 things that keep us organised, connected and confident. Booking your airport transfer in advanceeSIMs and VPNs, sorted before you leave homeThe apps we download before we flyTravel insurance and why it matters more than you thinkVisas and entry requirements without the overpriced sitesWise cards, cash and your currency stra...
• 
  Why Travel Is About So Much More Than an Itinerary 17.06.2026 36λ

  AI can generate an itinerary in seconds. What it cannot do is sit with your story, hear what a place means to you, or notice the detail that changes everything. That is what this conversation is about. Tracy and Cate from My Germany Vacation explore why the most unforgettable trips are built on personal meaning, not perfect lists, covering: Cate's 2019 Germany road trip with Aaron and why sharing meaningful places made it extraordinaryTravel as time travel, and what happens when your destinat...
• 
  Train Travel in Türkiye: A 12-Day Family Trip on a Budget 03.06.2026 37λ

  £25 for a 14-hour sleeper train with beds, a sink, and power points. £6.50 for a seven-hour scenic ride across central Türkiye. If you've ever assumed Türkiye is a fly-and-spend destination, this episode is here to change that picture entirely. Tracy is joined by Sinead, a York-based travel blogger and passionate train traveller, to walk through her family's 12-day loop: Istanbul, down to the Aegean coast and the ruins of Ephesus, overnight to Konya, across to Cappadocia, up to Kayseri, into ...
• 
  How to plan an Outer Hebrides road trip to Lewis and Harris 20.05.2026 52λ

  Scotland's Outer Hebrides don't forgive poor planning. Ferries sell out, accommodation is limited, and the roads demand your full attention. But get it right and you're rewarded with some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. In this episode Tracy has just returned from Lewis, Harris, and Skye and is sharing exactly how she put the trip together so you can do the same. We cover the full route from the Midlands up through Glencoe to Ullapool, what the CalMac ferry crossing to Storn...
• 
  My Favourite Destinations, Top Travel Tips and the Story Behind Global Travel Planning 06.05.2026 30λ

  Travel has shaped everything about who I am, and I wanted to get personal and answer the questions you’ve been sending in: why I travel so much, how it all began, what destinations I love most, and how I actually plan a trip without turning it into a stressful project. If you enjoy honest stories and practical travel planning, this solo chat is for you. I talk through the places that keep calling me back, including Morocco, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and Scotland, plus the destinations...
• 
  Europe by Train: Real Tips and Highlights from a Three-Week Multi-Country Rail Trip 22.04.2026 27λ

  Narelle Mather joins Tracy to share how she planned and took a three-and-a-half-week multi-country train trip through Europe with her husband, sister, and a close friend. Starting in London and finishing in Warsaw, the group travelled through France, Switzerland, Austria, and Poland using a first-class Eurail pass bought at a discount more than a year in advance. Narelle covers everything from choosing routes and booking seat reservations to managing luggage, finding accommodation...
• 
  How to Plan an Independent Trip to China: Tips for First-Time Visitors 08.04.2026 57λ

  How to Plan an Independent Trip to China: Trains, Apps, Payments & Real Tips When you think of China, you probably think of Beijing, Shanghai, or the Great Wall. But planning an independent trip across such a vast and culturally different country can feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Global Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy Collins is joined by traveller Lucy, who shares insights from her recent independent adventure across China with her long-time travel partner Joe. Together, Tracy...
• 
  Philippines Trip Report: Moalboal Eco Lodge Experience 25.03.2026 48λ

  In this episode of the Global Travel Planning Podcast, host Tracy Collins and co-host Doug Collins swap roles with special guest interviewer Amanda Kendle as they share their firsthand trip report from the Philippines. The conversation centres on their ten-night stay at Moalboal Eco Lodge, located a few hours southwest of Cebu. Tracy and Doug share what it was like staying in an eco-conscious accommodation and why this peaceful corner of the Philippines made such a strong impression on them d...
• 
  Japan Travel Planning: Ultimate Guide to Japanese Theme Parks 11.03.2026 43λ

  This week Tracy is joined by Japan travel specialist Helen Foster to share expert advice on visiting Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. If you are planning your first Japan trip and considering adding a theme park, this episode covers what you really need to know before you go. Helen draws on nine trips to Japan to explain how each park differs, how ticketing systems work, what catches first-time visitors out, and whether Japan’s theme parks are worth it ...
• 
  Exploring Switzerland by Train: Scenic Rail Journeys and Mountain Experiences 25.02.2026 30λ

  What makes Switzerland one of the most breathtaking countries in the world to explore by train? This week Tracy is joined by Switzerland travel expert Carolyn, founder of Holidays to Switzerland, to talk about the scenic rail journeys and mountain excursions that draw visitors back again and again. From iconic panoramic trains like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express to shorter but equally spectacular routes such as the Lucerne–Interlaken Express, this episode dives into how Switzerland’s...
• 
  Exploring the Peruvian Amazon: Wildlife, Culture and Adventure 11.02.2026 47λ

  This week Tracy is joined by seasoned travel podcaster and traveller Chris Christensen, host of the Amateur Traveler podcast, to share his recent experience travelling through the Peruvian Amazon. Together, they explore why this vast and remote region is far more accessible than many travellers expect. Drawing on Chris’s small-group river expedition, the conversation offers a clear-eyed look at what it’s really like to travel the Amazon, from river life and wildlife encounters to village visi...
• 
  Exploring Antarctica: What It’s Really Like on an HX Expeditions Cruise 28.01.2026 51λ

  Ever wondered what it actually takes to reach Antarctica and what it feels like when your boots hit the ice? We open up the journey, from long-haul hops to Ushuaia and life aboard a small HX Expeditions hybrid ship to the reality of the Drake Passage, then unpack how strict biosecurity and expert-led briefings make this fragile place accessible without losing what makes it special. From the first glide through the Lemaire Channel to five unforgettable landings, we share practical detail on zo...
• 
  Travel Planning in 2026: Trends, Inspiration, and Travel Plans 14.01.2026 29λ

  Planning a great trip in 2026 shouldn’t feel like a second job. We’re kicking off the year with a clear roadmap for slower, more intentional travel—fewer destinations, deeper experiences, and practical steps that make every day on the road feel easier and more rewarding. Tracy shares what’s ahead on Podcast, from Antarctica reflections and the Peruvian Amazon to Morocco, the Philippines, and a deep dive into Switzerland’s most scenic train routes. We talk about shifting from country‑counting...
• 
  Around the World in 2025: Global Travel Planning’s Year in Review 31.12.2025 32λ

  This week Tracy and Doug reflect on a year filled with global adventures, practical travel advice, and behind-the-scenes stories from life on the road and behind the microphone. From Tracy reaching her seventh continent to shared reflections on travelling at pace, they look back on some of their favourite destinations of 2025, including Sri Lanka, Spain, Malaysia, Morocco, and more, along with standout podcast episodes and memorable moments from the year. Listeners will enjoy a candid convers...
• 
  Top 10 Most Incredible Train Journeys Around the World for Travel Lovers 17.12.2025 34λ

  Epic landscapes deserve an equally epic way to travel. We’re diving into the romance and reality of rail: why trains make holidays start at the platform, how sleepers turn miles into memories, and which routes around the world are worth planning your next adventure around. We start with five reasons trains win: lower emissions and real sustainability gains, genuine comfort with room to move, dining cars and proper beds on night services, centre-to-centre arrivals that beat transfers, and the...