Welcome to Wanderlust: Off the page, a podcast designed to help you discover the most fulfilling travel experiences on the planet! From culture and history to nature and wildlife, we're going to be taking you behind the scenes of the magazine to go deeper into our favorite destinations and meet the travel writers, experts, and personalities who will bring our stories to life.

Hosted by founding editor Lyn Hughes and special features editor Rosie Fitzgerald, our debut episode explores Wanderlust editors' top travel destinations in 2022. 

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Learn more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travelers for just £35 a year. This will get you 6 beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member-only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, plus heaps of other benefits.

This series is brought to you by Battleface travel insurance. Protect your trip at battleface.com/wanderlust

This episode chronicles the adventures of Isabella Bird, the remarkable 19th century British explorer who famously ascended Longs Peak, Colorado, in 1873 with her guide and companion Jim Nugent. 

The story of Bird and Jim illuminates the early history and character of Estes Park, as her writings helped establish the town as a tourist destination, and parallels with the broader historic myth of the frontier and the American west.

Bird remains an inspiration to the locals of Estes Park, including restaurateur Melissa Strong. We visit her new restaurant Bird & Jim to hear of her near-death experience and learn how Isabella’s determination to break the conventions of the time was an inspiration for Melissa’s subsequent recovery.

Hosted by Wanderlust founding editor Lyn Hughes and special features editor Rosie Fitzgerald, this episode was produced in partnership with Estes Park, Colorado,

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Learn more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travelers for just £35 a year. This will get you 6 beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, plus heaps of other benefits.

Learn more about Estes Park at www.visitestespark.com/
and search for "Exploring Estes Park" on your podcatcher to hear more

This series is brought to you by Battleface travel insurance. Protect your trip at battleface.com/wanderlust

Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, is one of the most remote and mysterious places on earth. Award winning travel writer Shafik Meghji discusses with Aaron Millar the flourishing indigenous culture, the story of how the island was settled, and the experience of exploring such a remote place. 

The episode is hosted by Wanderlust's founding editor Lyn Hughes and special features editor Rosie Fitzgerald. Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Learn more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travelers for just £35 a year. This will get you 6 beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, plus heaps of other benefits.

This series is brought to you by Battleface travel insurance. Protect your trip at battleface.com/wanderlust

The most fulfilling travel experiences on the planet

The most intrepid destinations in the world

We’re going to take you inside the magazine to meet the writers, experts and explorers who bring our stories to life

Don’t just read about the adventure

Be there

This is the Wanderlust magazine podcast

This is Wanderlust: Off the Page

Come with us on the road less travelled

Wanderlust: Off the Page is the podcast from the UK’s top independent travel magazine and website, taking the road less travelled since 1993

Find out more: www.wanderlust.co.uk, @wanderlustmag

Series 1 is presented by Battleface: Travel insurance built for explorers just like you, www.battleface.com 

We follow explorer Alice Morrison on a world-first 2,800-mile trek across the entire length of Morocco. Starting in the city of Ouarzazate, at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, we will walk with her from the lush valleys of the Draa River across the barren windswept dunes of the Western Sahara to the tallest peaks of the High Atlas Mountains. We will discover lost cities, tombs of giants, singing sands and dinosaur footprints. We will learn about the lives of the nomadic Sahrawis, the people of the desert, and the Amazigh, the original inhabitants of Morocco. This is more than a long walk, this is a journey through the culture and history of one of the most fascinating and beautiful countries on Earth.

But Alice didn’t do it just any old way. Mirroring journeys taken by traders and nomads across Morocco for centuries, she decided to travel in a traditional caravan of six camels, led by her two Amazigh companions and camelteers Brahim and Addi. And despite not being very keen on the animals to start with, she ended up falling head-over-heels for them – particularly a very naughty one called Hamish. Yes, that’s right – somewhere in Morocco right now, there is a camel called Hamish.

This is a story about history and archeology, it’s a story about endurance and moments of sublime beauty. But mostly it’s a story about a deep exploration of a place and its people. Alice relied on the kindness and hospitality of local communities throughout and because she speaks fluent Arabic she was able to get an intimate insight into their lives that most outsiders would never see.

It’s also one hell of an adventure. Alice is known as ‘Indiana Jones for Girls’. This is a story that even Indy himself would have been proud of.


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Hosted by founding editor Lyn Hughes and special features editor Rosie Fitzgerald, this  episode was produced by the award-winning podcast Armchair Explorer and presented by our very own podcast interviewer Aaron Millar.


To listen to more episodes of Armchair Explorer click here or go to www.armchair-explorer.com

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Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Learn more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travelers for just £35 a year. This will get you 6 beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, plus heaps of other benefits.

This series is brought to you by Battleface travel insurance. Protect your trip at battleface.com/wanderlust

Wanderlust: Off the Page is produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry 

Following a line 1,700km long and connecting north with south, Vietnam's Reunification Express is perhaps the best way to visit the country's UNESCO sites.  Award winning travel writer Alex Robinson discusses the highlights and surprises of taking this epic journey with Aaron Millar. 

This episode is hosted by Wanderlust's founding editor Lyn Hughes and special features editor Rosie Fitzgerald. Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Learn more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year. This will get you 6 beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, plus heaps of other benefits.

This series is brought to you by Battleface travel insurance. Protect your trip at battleface.com/wanderlust

Follow travel writer Lynn Houghton on a canoe journey along the Mississippi River, followed by a classic American road trip on the historic Natchez Trace Parkway.

"Sleep came easily after a day of paddling on the Mississippi River. Already smitten by its wild beauty and vast reach, I sensed the special energy that came from being on swirling water among eddies, backwaters and bayous, the breeze ruffling my hair"
- Lynn Houghton

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Learn more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, plus heaps of other benefits.

This series of Wanderlust: Off the Page is brought to you by Cewe, Europe's largest photo company with over 50 years of experience in Photo Services and online printing. Find out more at https://www.cewe.co.uk 

Travel writer and Swiss resident Caroline Bishop takes us on a tour of two of Switzerland's most beautiful regions: Valais and the Bernese Oberland.

VALAIS
With more than 40 mountain peaks over 4,000m, the largest glacier in the Alps and wonderful wildlife, the Valais region is an adventure lover's paradise. We take a trip to the edge of the Aletsch Glacier, eat fondue in Zermatt,  and pin down the best hikes in the region's nearly 5,000-miles of hiking trails.

BERN
Whether you want to paraglide, hike, bike, climb, or simply cruise on a glacier-fed lake, Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland, south of thecountry’s capital, Bern, is a natural outdoor playground. We take the Jungfraujoch mountain train to 11,500 feet above sea level, peer at the mighty north face of the Eiger and discover why this region was the inspiration for J.R.R Tolkien's Middle Earth.

This episode is packed full of all the information and inspiration you need to start planning your next Swiss adventure ... and, believe us, you are going to want to go!

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Learn more at www.wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, plus heaps of other benefits.

This series of Wanderlust: Off the Page is brought to you by Cewe, Europe's largest photo company with over 50 years of experience in Photo Services and online printing. Find out more at https://www.cewe.co.uk 

Find out more about our guests, including her two Swiss-set novels, at https://www.carolinebishop.co.uk

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry www.armchair-productions.com 

Travel writer and global citizen Katja Gaskell explores the layered history, culture and beauty of Northern France's timeless coastline.  

SAINT-SULIAC

Join us as we sail through the clear blue waters near Saint-Suliac in Brittany, in the company of a duo of goémoniers, or seaweed harvesters. This regional tradition dates back to the 17th century and results in delicious dishes that we sample at the harvester's farm, Rance Estuary.

THE HINTERLAND

Katja guides us through mystical wetlands on a traditional flat-bottomed boat, where we encounter migratory birds and a unique natural phenomenon known as The White Marshes. This is one of the most important and protected nature reserves in all of Europe and a UNESCO-listed biosphere. And it’s virtually unknown outside the region.

SANT-VALERY-SUR-SOMME
If there’s one place that will make you fall in love with France’s northern coast it’s Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. Characterized by a natural beauty that has attracted endless artists and authors, it's also home to a compelling history that includes Joan of Arc and William the Conqueror. 

This episode is packed full of all the information and inspiration you need to start planning your next trip to France ... and, believe us, you are going to want to go!

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Learn more at www.wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, plus heaps of other benefits.

This series of Wanderlust: Off the Page is brought to you by Cewe, Europe's largest photo company with over 50 years of experience in Photo Services and online printing. Find out more at https://www.cewe.co.uk 

Follow our guest @KatjaGaskell

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry www.armchair-productions.com 

Join award-winning travel writer and broadcaster Mark Stratton on a journey that combines a mind-blowing Antarctic expedition with a bit of citizen science.

"As a bristling polar wind shrieks off the bay...I experience an overpowering aura emanating from a headstone, hewn from Edinburg granite, in Grytviken cemetery. Watched by a doe eyed baby fur seal scratching against a tombstone. I feel a synthesis of everything I love about traveling: remoteness, so utterly different to normal life, the power of a journey to transform your senses, and exhortation of achieving a lifelong dream. In my reverie, I fumble inside my jacket pocket and pull out a silver hip flask of whiskey. And as custom dictates, raise a toast under South Georgia's leaden skies. 'To the boss', I mouthed. 'To Sir Ernest Shackleton.'"

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Learn more at www.wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, plus heaps of other benefits.

This series of Wanderlust: Off the Page is brought to you by Cewe, Europe's largest photo company with over 50 years of experience in Photo Services and online printing. Find out more at https://www.cewe.co.uk 

Follow our guest @MarkofDartmoor

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry www.armchair-productions.com 

This is a story about eco-tourism and indigenous culture in two of Australia's most spectacular spots: Tanja Lagoon Camp on the Sapphire Coast, and Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours, in Gumbaynggirr Country, near Coffs Harbour. Combine them into a coastal road trip and you may just have the perfect Aussie adventure ...

"Everywhere we look, in our country here, in Gumbaynggirr Country, we have story, to every landscape, to every mountain, to every river, to everything that we see. To every island, there is knowledge about every place. And it's something that I feel really passionate about because I feel so connected to it through those 60,000 years of history. And I feel very privileged to be a member of our community, and a descendant of all of that knowledge and all of the history. And it's something that I feel really proud about, and I'd like to share that pride."
- Clark Webb, Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours

"The local beach, Middle Beach, is a very wild and beautiful piece of coastline, and we went there to watch the moon rise because there's a spot where we can potentially see the sunset and moonrise and it was a full moon we knew we were in for a treat. So we've gone out to the end of the beach and sat on the rocks. And I just remember seeing the moon rising up over the horizon. Just blissing out on, oh yeah, this is what it should be for kids growing up, really feeding on those beautiful places and beautiful moments in nature."
- Loz Hunt, Tanja Lagoon Camp

Inspired by these adventures? Trailfinders is the No.1 Tour Operator to Australia, so head over to trailfinders.com or call 020 7368 1200 and their expert consultants can plan your perfect holiday to New South Wales.

• https://www.trailfinders.com 

Find out more about our guests

• https://wajaanayaam.com.au
• https://tanjalagooncamp.com.au

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Learn more at www.wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, plus heaps of other benefits.

This series of Wanderlust: Off the Page is brought to you by Cewe, Europe's largest photo company with over 50 years of experience in Photo Services and online printing. Find out more at https://www.cewe.co.uk 

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry www.armchair-productions.com 

Follow travel writer Jacqui Agate on a literary themed road trip across the Deep South USA. This part of the world has inspired some of the great American writers, from Faulkner and Harper Lee to Tennessee Williams and more. Seeing it through their eyes offers a new perspective, and a new way to explore, one of the most fascinating parts of America. Travel with us from Alabama to New Orleans - this is the USA, the write way

"The sunlight dripped over the house like golden paint over an art jar.’" F Scott Fitzgerald wrote these honeyed words in 1920 – they open The Ice Palace, a tale of a restless Southern belle who strikes north with her new love. As I drove the curved path to the Fitzgerald Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, I thought of these words as I rounded the bend. Evening light had coloured everything in pastels. The cedar-shingled house, where F Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald lived for a stint in the early 1930s, was washed with peach sunshine. Out front, a tree stood slick with wisteria and the road glowed amber."
- Jacqui Agate, Wanderlust travel writer

• https://www.trailfinders.com 

Find out more about our guest

• https://jacquiagate.com
• @jacquiagate

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Learn more at www.wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, plus heaps of other benefits.

This series of Wanderlust: Off the Page is brought to you by Cewe, Europe's largest photo company with over 50 years of experience in Photo Services and online printing. Find out more at https://www.cewe.co.uk 

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry www.armchair-productions.com 

This podcast won Podcast of the Year in the Latin America Travel Association Media Awards 2023!

"I will show you my Amazon - the Amazon that visitors never get to see."

When Alex Robinson heard those words, he knew he was in for the adventure of a lifetime. His guide, Saru Mundurucu, had recently founded his own adventure and travel company, Aracá Expeditions. As the first and only Amazon adventure company owned and operated by an indigenous Amazonian, Saru promised Alex an experience unlike any other - and he delivered.

Immerse yourself in rich, abundant landscapes as Alex he recounts his eye-opening voyage down the Rio Negro. You'll float along, sipping caipirinhas on the deck of Saru's boat; you'll paddle through the flooded forest in Jaú National Park; you'll come face to face with some of the Amazon's most elusive wildlife, from giant otters to river dolphins. The trip culminates with a hike up the remote Serra Do Aracá  - a mountain which Saru describes as a place "like the world before humans walked the earth." From gorgeous descriptions to surprising and touching anecdotes, this is a story you won't want to miss.

ABOUT ALEX
Read Alex's article, "The Promise of the Amazon," in this month's issue of Wanderlust, and connect with him on Instagram @alexrobinsonphotography.

ABOUT ARACÁ EXPEDITIONS
Want to book this journey for yourself? Learn more and connect with Saru at aracaexpeditions.com.

ABOUT WANDERLUST
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This series of Wanderlust: Off the Page is brought to you by CEWE, Europe's largest photo company with over 50 years of experience in Photo Services and online printing. Find out more at https://www.cewe.co.uk .

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

"I was instantly curious...what was a king doing in the mountains behaving like that?"

Discover a story that's almost too fanciful to be real with the true tale of Bavaria's most eccentric monarch, King Ludwig II. When writer Andrew Eames first stepped inside King Ludwig's mountain home in southern Germany, he was blown away by what he saw. There, standing in the most unexpected royal hall he'd ever seen, he decided to visit each of King Ludwig's iconic residences to learn more about the life and legacy of this odd ruler - and each home was more curious than the last.

In the episode, Andrew will drop us into the unexpected, dazzling interior of a mountainside mansion; walk us through the manmade caves and whimsical secret passageways of Linderhof Castle; and share the story of a king whose life was both delightful and tragic.

ABOUT ANDREW
Read Andrew's article, "In the Footsteps of the Fairytale King," in this month's issue of Wanderlust, and find his website at andreweames.com. You can also find his website all about German travel destinations at germanyiswunderbar.com.

ABOUT WANDERLUST
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This series of Wanderlust: Off the Page is brought to you by CEWE, Europe's largest photo company with over 50 years of experience in Photo Services and online printing. Find out more at https://www.cewe.co.uk .

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

"It's a living archeological site...it's like bringing up buried treasure."

The ancient mud-brick city of Diriyah rises majestically out of Saudi Arabia's desert, beckoning visitors to explore a city rich with history and abundant with life. As the original home of Saudi Arabia's royal family, this is a place that has shaped its country's history and culture for hundreds of years. And now, it's being injected with new life as part of the Kingdom's 2030 Vision to make Diriyah the largest cultural and heritage site in the world.

In the episode, join writer Juliet Rix and Wanderlust's Founding Editor Lyn Hughes as they discover Diriyah. From admiring gleaming-coated Arabian horses to sipping fragrantly spiced coffee, chatting with local residents, and even hand-crafting their own mud bricks, there's plenty to do for the curious traveler.


RESOURCES
Find Juliet and Lyn's article, "Heart of a Nation," in the December 2022 issue of Wanderlust or online. You can read more of Juliet's articles at her website, julietrix.com .

Plan your Saudi Arabia visit and learn more about Diriyah's continued development at diriyah.sa .

ABOUT WANDERLUST
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

"Yes, Christmas Island does exist! And no, Santa doesn't live there...but red crabs do."

When writer Martin Symington first learned about a place called Christmas Island, he knew he had to see it for himself - and what he found had nothing to do with snow or reindeer. Instead, this beautiful island in the Indian Ocean is a tropical haven of white-sand beaches, lush jungles, brightly colored birds, and, most bizarrely of all, an incredible number of crabs.

In this episode, join Martin as he recounts his escapades to some of the most remote corners of this island, from visiting a remote cove where Dutch sailors were shipwrecked for a year to encountering the monstrous - yet friendly - robber crabs that are up to a meter in length. With humor, awe, and curiosity, Martin pulls back the curtain on one of the lesser-known wonders of the southern hemisphere.

ABOUT MARTIN
Read Martin's article, "Yes, Christmas Island Does Exist!" and find his other articles on his Contributor Page on Wanderlust's website.

ABOUT WANDERLUST
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This series of Wanderlust: Off the Page is brought to you by CEWE, Europe's largest photo company with over 50 years of experience in Photo Services and online printing. Find out more at https://www.cewe.co.uk .

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

A crocodile silently drifting through purple lotus-dotted waters. Bells tolling from brightly painted cupolas in a cobblestone plaza. Mist rising off the thunderous column of the world's largest waterfall.

The planet is teeming with incredible moments. And while travel has never been more popular, it also presents globe-trotters with a challenge - how are you supposed to choose where to go?

The travel experts at Wanderlust are here to help! Whether you're looking for suggestions on specific destinations, or you're simply eager for some general travel inspiration, this episode is for you.

Join Wanderlust's Editor in Chief George Kipouros, Founding Editor Lyn Hughes, and Commercial Editor Rosie Fitzgerald as they highlight some of their favorite travel destinations and experiences on Wanderlust's annual Hot List for 2023. You'll hear them discuss everything from indigenous stargazing in Australia to maritime museums in Sweden. And if you haven't caught the travel bug already...you certainly will by the end of the episode!


ABOUT WANDERLUST
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

"When you arrive in Louisiana...expect the unexpected."

There's no place quite like Louisiana. In this rich land of mossy bayous and brightly-painted porches, music intermingles with the cries of wildlife and the flow of the river. It's a place teeming with history and curiosity, colorful art, soulful food, and a joyous spirit. And to experience all of it - because in Louisiana, more is more - we're taking a roadtrip throughout the southern heart of the state!

Beginning in New Orleans, we'll duck into lively jazz halls, wander the colorful streets of the French Quarter, and enjoy heaps of beignets - and mimosas - at the best brunch spot in town. Continuing west, we'll explore Lafayette, which sits at the heart of Cajun Country and boasts some of the state's freshest seafood and the catchiest type of music you've likely never heard of before. Finally, we'll end our trip in Lake Charles, where beaches, boat rides, spearfishing, shrimping, and birdwatching fill each day and exuberant music, nightlife, and casinos roar to life at night.

In each destination, host Aaron Millar will speak with a different local who shares the best insider tips and advice on where to go, when to visit, and what to expect...aside from the unexpected, of course.
 

FIND OUR GUESTS

Find David Mora of New Orleans on Twitter @davidmora and on Instagram @davidNOLA, and find his photography on Facebook @davidnolaphoto.

Find Gerald Gruenig of Lafayette on Instagram and Twitter @geraldgruenig.

Find John O'Donnell of Lake Charles on Instagram and support his disaster relief and resilience work with the Saint Bernard Project (@sbpusa on Instagram) at SBPUSA.org.

ABOUT WANDERLUST
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

"I had come to the Pacific Northwest to explore a region where wilderness creaks at the city gates," writes Gareth Clark. "And I didn't have to look hard to find examples."

From labyrinthine tunnels beneath Seattle to rolling, mineral-striped hills in Oregon, the USA's Pacific Northwest is a region that never fails to surprise - and delight. Follow along as Gareth recounts his memorable moments from a trip through Washington and Oregon last fall.

Along the way, he explores Seattle by land, sea, and air; tiptoes over moss and mushrooms in the snow-dusted Olympic National Forest; crawls deep into the belly of ancient lava tubes; and keeps it weird - in a good way - in one of the country's quirkiest cities, confirming the Pacific Northwest's reputation as a region overflowing with wonder, wildness, and weirdness.
 

ABOUT GARETH
Read Gareth's article,  "The Pacific Northwest in Living Colour," in March's edition of the magazine, and find his other articles on his contributor page on Wanderlust's website.

ABOUT WANDERLUST
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

"Visitors to Algeria will discover a majestic cultural mosaic...a country finding its own voice."

When writer Mark Stratton decided to visit Algeria, he was unsure what to expect. Africa's largest country is anything but homogenous; from weathered Roman ruins to gleaming Ottoman mosques, wind-whipped sand dunes and vibrant oasis gardens, every corner boasts a blend of history and culture that is entirely unique.

Follow Mark as he recounts his travels, winding from the breezy Mediterranean streets of Algiers through the scorching dunes of the Sahara Desert. From sampling sweet dates to marveling at ancient mosaics, he paints a picture of contemporary Algeria, a place that refuses to be defined by anything - or anyone - but itself.
 

ABOUT MARK
Read Mark's article,  "Empires of the Dunes," in April's edition of the magazine, and find his other works on his website, MarkStrattonTravels.com.

ABOUT WANDERLUST
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

"Begin your day with a sunrise on a mountaintop...and end it with your feet in the sea and a glass of wine in your hand."

Croatia, the jewel of the upper Adriatic, is a painter's palette of a country - a colorful land imbued with a heritage as vibrant as its nature. Here, olive groves and vineyards perch atop seaside cliffs; ancient cities with red tiled roofs glint in the Mediterranean sun; and folk dancers swing in  circle dances over sheep-dotted pastures.

In Croatia there is truly something for everyone, from the cafe-lined terraced streets of Zagreb to the white sand beaches of its many islands. And to explore this dynamic country, host Aaron Millar is speaking with several different travel writers and longtime Croatia residents.

Listen as Mary Novakovich shares her insider's perspective on the best places for an authentic meal or an impromptu concert; Jane Foster gives tailored recommendations on the most delicious Croatian wines - and the best island getaways with which to pair them; and finally, Rudolf Abraham reveals the best ways to get off the beaten track and explore the untouched corners of Croatia's nature, from forested hikes to abundant waterfalls.

FIND OUR GUESTS

Find Mary Novakovich's writing on her website, marynovakovich.contently.com, or follow her on Instagram @marynovakovich.

Find Jane Foster's writing on her website, jane-foster.com.

Find Rudolf Abraham's writing and photography on his website, rudolfabraham.co.uk.

ABOUT WANDERLUST
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

"Travel makes humans proud to be human. It connects us to this beautiful planet."

Since its founding, Wanderlust has proudly advocated for travel that is purposeful, thoughtful, and sustainable. And as more and more travelers have grown conscious of their environmental impact, the desire to connect with sustainable destinations has grown exponentially.
 
From tour operators with zero carbon footprint to indigenous-run hotels that boost their local economies, the Travel Green List is teeming with destinations, tour operators, lodgings, transportation options, and more that will empower you to be the most informed and sustainable traveler possible.

Join Wanderlust's Editor in Chief George Kipouros and Sustainability Editor Karen Edwards as they highlight some of their favorite travel destinations and experiences on Wanderlust's first ever annual Travel Green List for 2023. You'll hear them discuss everything from home stays in Bhutan to luxury tent camping in Australia, eco lodges in Uganda, and more!

The full Green List features dozens of entries across every continent, so be sure to read the entire article in the April/May issue of Wanderlust.

ABOUT WANDERLUST
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

"When you get off the plane in Tobago, you just breathe differently....you truly relax."

Tobago, a small jewel-bright island in the Caribbean, is a paradise seemingly untouched by time. Here, birds chirp in lush rainforests, warm seas whisper over white sands, and music echoes from every town and village. And to explore the abundant offerings of this small yet lively place, host Aaron Millar is speaking with several different Tobago natives and residents.

You'll hear from Alicia Edwards and John Arnold about Tobago's many cultural festivals and unique events, including the longstanding traditions of goat and crab racing, Ole Time Wedding reenactments, a tradition called Sunday School that has nothing to do with church, and many more. Then, you'll follow lifelong birder Zolani Frank through the vivid rainforests, across hidden beaches, and under rushing waterfalls as he gives his best tips for enjoying all that nature offers in Tobago.

So pour a beverage and put your feet up, because this episode is going to whisk you away to a state of pure relaxation and bliss.


FIND OUR GUESTS

Support Alicia Edwards and the work of the Tobago Tourism Agency at VisitTobago.gov.tt, where you can learn more about all the ways to experience Tobago.

Support John Arnold's work with the Tobago Festivals Commission at TobagoFestivalsCommission.com and see their upcoming calendar of events!

Find Zolani Frank's nature and birding tours with his company, Zee Birding Tours and Nature Hikes, on Facebook at ZeeBirding or book through a local Tobagonian provider.


ABOUT WANDERLUST
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

Palm trees. Pro surfers. Desert canyons. Hollywood glamour. Luscious mountains. Perhaps no place has it all quite like California does. And this episode, you'll get to know the 'Road Trip Republic' and experience some of the sights you can only find in the Golden State!

Listen as Wanderlust's own Founding Editor, Lyn Hughes, interviews travel writer (and regular Off the Page host) Aaron Millar about the multiple road trips he's taken in California. Aaron shares off-the-beaten track unforgettable experiences around the state, from kayaking with dolphins off Catalina Island to stargazing in Joshua Tree.

Then, Aaron steps back into his host role to speak with Alex Kirby-Harris, USA Specialist at Audley Travel, for some practical tips on where to go, when to visit, where to stay, and more.

Ready to plan your own California road trip? Go to visitcalifornia.com for inspiration, road trip planning tips, and more. You can also connect with them on social media @visitcalifornia across all platforms.

Wanderlust: Off the Page is produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

The Azores are one of the best-kept secrets of travel for nature lovers. There's a reason these 9 islands, situated in sparkling turquoise waters off the coast of Portugal, are known as  "naturally surprising." They're bursting with biodiversity, natural attractions, and rich cultural experiences.

In this episode, listen as travel writer and host Aaron Millar interviews Eduardo Elias from Visit Azores. They'll discuss everything uniquely Azores, from hiking volcanic calderas to birdwatching, going whale-watching year-round, enjoying local farm-to-table food and volcanic wines, attending cultural festivals, and more. 

The Azores are committed to preserving their biodiversity - and using tourism as a force for good. They were the first island archipelago to be classified as a sustainable destination. They boast a Geopark, four biosphere reserves, two World Heritage Sites, and 13 RAMSAR sites - packing in plenty to see across the islands!

To learn more about all that the Azores have to offer, go to VisitAzores.com or connect with them on Instagram @VisitAzores. And book your flight to the Azores with partner British Airways for an unforgettable trip!

Wanderlust: Off the Page is produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

The Canadian province of Alberta is known for the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains, Banff and Lake Louise - pristine peaks, turquoise lakes and dark skies filled with unimaginable stars.  But its roots go far deeper. 

Long before this land was colonized, Indigenous peoples made their homes here. And today, Alberta is home to 45 First Nations and over 85,000 Métis - a tribal group who have both Indigenous and European ancestry - all with their own unique identity, culture and history.

This is their land, and you can’t really see Alberta, you can’t truly understand it, until you hear their stories, discover their traditions, and learn about this rich cultural tapestry that is embedded deep into Alberta’s wide-open prairies and towering peaks. 

Today, we’ll be taking a journey through Alberta’s Indigenous past, present and future. We’re going to go in search of the rare snow-white bison, trample through the forest on a plant medicine walk and hear about a five-day horse trek through ancient native land. 

Find today's featured guests: 

• Juanita Marois of Métis Crossing (MetisCrossing.com) 
• Brenda Holder of Mahikan Trails (Mahikan.Ca) 
• Lisa Young sharing her time with Painted Warriors (PaintedWarriors.Ca) 

To learn more about Alberta and plan your visit, go to TravelAlberta.com  or connect with them on Instagram @TravelAlberta.  

Wanderlust: Off the Page is produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

"Why would anyone buy a travel magazine? They can get a free brochure from a holiday company." 

Wanderlust founding editor Lyn Hughes recalls this reaction from a magazine retailer when she pitched her idea in 1993. But she and her partner, Paul Morrison, decided to forge ahead anyways with their idea for a down-to-earth, exploration-focused travel magazine - and they never looked back. 

Over the past 30 years, Wanderlust has become the most trusted name in travel when it comes to exploring the world in a way that is culturally conscious, hungry for adventure, and always seeking to explore the road less travelled. Wanderlust has taken its readers to the most remote edges of the planet, as well as to little-known corners tucked within some of its biggest and brightest cities. And one thing is for sure - they're just getting started. 

In today's episode, listen as both Lyn and Wanderlust's editor in chief George Kipouros share with host Aaron Millar their many stories from the magazine's founding - as well as where it's heading next. 

Find more of Wanderlust and subscribe at wanderlustmagazine.com. Wanderlust: Off the Page is produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Find more at armchair-productions.com.

Germany is a combination of uber cool and timeless tradition, with stunning landscapes and buzzing metropolises. Tourists flock to the Bavarian Alps, the Black Forest, the Rhine castles and the happening cities of Berlin and Munich, but this diverse country has so much more to see. 

So in today's episode, follow along on our journey through Germany's unique heritage sites. Host Aaron Millar will interview travel writer Andrew Eames, who will guide us through Northern Germany from the Baltic Sea on the east coast to the North Sea on the west coast.

Along the way we’ll uncover fascinating UNESCO heritage sites, quaint baroque towns, fairytale castles, recently unearthed ancient fossils, and a string of vacation islands. Yes, Germany has islands with spa resorts and perfectly placed beach towels. This will be a fantastisch journey! 


You can find more of Andrew's work on his website, andreweames.com. 

Find more of Wanderlust and subscribe at wanderlustmagazine.com. Wanderlust: Off the Page is produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Find more at armchair-productions.com.

You might not know much about Azerbaijan - but after today's episode, you'll be booking your flights for this small yet incredibly culturally rich country.

Azerbaijan contains a wealth of history, culture, and geography, boasting  cities old and new as well as soaring mountain ranges, brightly colored lakes, and mossy forests. From doing a homestay with a family in a Silk Road village to taking horses out across the Caucasus Mountains, there's so much to do in this gem of the Caspian Sea. 

And in today's episode, host Aaron Millar will interview travel writer Mark Elliott, who's been visiting and writing about Azerbaijan for over 25 years. He'll guide us from the vibrant city of Baku through the High Caucasus, through Silk Road country and into the Lesser Caucasus and the lush greenery of the south. Along the way, you'll discover everything from Turkish food in Baku to the little-known area of Nakhchivan, which you can only reach by plane. 

You can find more of Mark's work on Amazon or the Caspian Post, or look for his articles in Wanderlust. 

Find more of Wanderlust and subscribe at wanderlustmagazine.com. Wanderlust: Off the Page is produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Find more at armchair-productions.com. 

Are you looking to plan an unforgettable trip in 2024? Whether you're looking for suggestions on specific destinations, or you're simply eager for some general travel inspiration, this episode is for you. Join Wanderlust's travel experts for handpicked favorites around the world.

From walking safaris in India to the white-sand beaches of New Caledonia, from sizzling Korean barbecue to food festivals in Quebec, the 2024 Hot List is full of destinations for every interest. 

Join Wanderlust's Editor in Chief George Kipouros, Founding Editor Lyn Hughes,  Digital Editor Jess Reid, Associate Editor Gareth Clark , and Special Features Assistant Editor Laura Field as they highlight some of their favorite travel destinations and experiences on Wanderlust's annual Hot List for 2024. You'll hear them discuss everything from visiting ancient shrines in Japan to enjoying the vibrant beaches of Mexico. And if you haven't caught the travel bug already...you certainly will by the end of the episode! 

ABOUT WANDERLUST 

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. 

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits. 

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. 

On Scotland's longest continuous coastal path, you'll find 117 miles of cobalt seas and verdant hills. You'll see dolphins leaping from the waves and gannets diving from the skies. You'll sample freshly grown fruits from over 500 farms and delight in rich ice creams in charming small towns. You'll kneel by tidal pools teeming with life and wander through ancient castles soaked in history.

The Fife Coastal Path is full of delights for all ages and tastes -- for however many hours or days you want to explore. The path is divided into five primary sections, each of which boast their own regional specialties and charms.
 
And to learn more, Aaron Millar is chatting with travel writer Robin McKelvie and Sarah-Jane Latto of the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust. Both Robin and Sarah-Jane share their own favorite pockets along the path -- including the best spots for a cold plunge, a cliffside picnic, and a meditative nature stroll -- and discuss how to get the most out of any visit. 

VISIT FIFE
If you want to learn more and plan your own trip, visit WelcomeToFife.com. You'll find gems along the way such as:

• Novelli's @novellis.icecream
• Anstruther Fish Bar AnstrutherFishBar.co.uk
• The Wee Chippy:  TheWeeChippyAnstruther.co.uk
• ...and many, many, many more!

ABOUT WANDERLUST
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. 

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits. 

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

If you're not yet familiar with Saskatchewan, Canada's province known as 'The Land of Living Skies,' prepare for a journey off the beaten track...and into the wilderness.

Saskatchewan is renowned for its variety of landscapes, from the prairie grasslands of the south to the mist-shrouded boreal forests of the north. And as a place where people have lived and thrived for millennia, the indigenous perspective continues to shape Saskatchewan's culture.

So today, we're looking to dig into the heart and soul of this wild province to find out -- directly from the locals -- what makes it so special. Host Aaron Millar will be interviewing local travel writer Ashlyn George, Jodi Holliday from Tourism Saskatchewan, and acclaimed indigenous Chef Jenni Lessard from the Indigenous Culinary Alliance of Associated Nations. 


VISIT SASKATCHEWAN

If you want to learn more and plan your own trip, visit TourismSaskatchewan.com.

You can find more of Ashlyn George's work on her website at TheLostGirlsGuide.com, and you can learn more about Chef Jenni Lessard on her website at JenniLessard.com.

ABOUT WANDERLUST

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993.

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

In the hit UK TV show Race Across the World, teams of two people compete against each other to cover vast distances of the planet using any means other than air travel. The catch is, they’re not allowed mobile phones, or credit cards, and the only money they’re can carry is what the cost of a flight would have been. In order to win, they have to beg, blag and charm their way instead.

It turns out, series 3 champions Tricia Sail and Cathie Rowe are very good at all three.

In this episode of Wanderlust: Off the Page we follow the pair on a more than 16,000km journey across Canada, getting a unique behind-the-scenes insight into the highs, lows and hilarities of life on the road with next to no money and even less of a clue.

From Vancouver, we’ll race north to the islands of Haida Gwaii, the wild frontiers of the Yukon and the frozen arctic of Churchill. We’ll visit the Rocky Mountain towns of Jasper and Banff, discover the vast prairies of Saskatchewan, the European flair of Quebec and much more.

Canada is one of the largest and most varied countries in the world, and this is,
perhaps, the ultimate journey across it all. But it’s also a story about throwing away the guidebook, turning off the mobile phone and embracing the surprises, and mishaps, of true adventure travel.

“If we didn't have to ask for lifts,” Cathie says. “Or work because we didn't have enough money, we wouldn't have met the people that we met along the way who just blew our minds with their generosity, and their willingness to help.”

Get ready to Race Across the World …

“I've come to the theory if you're going to regret anything, regret something you've done, rather than something that you haven't done. Because you don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. Get that bucket list, put it in front of you and just do it.” – Trisha Sail

DISCOVER CANADA
You can find more about every place discussed in this episode at destinationcanada.com

CONNECT WITH TRICIA AND CATHIE
Instagram: @triciaandcathie

TRUE TRAVELLER
This series is brought to you by True Traveller insurance. Protect your trip at truetraveller.com

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com 

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and produces it, along with Jenny Allison, and Charles Tyrie does the audio editing and sound design. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

From rainforests to high peaks, crashing surf to the greatest wildlife show on Earth,
when you travel to Ecuador you get four worlds in one.

In today’s episode, we’re going to be exploring the natural beauty, culture, and food of this varied South American country through the lens of its four distinct eco-systems: The Andes, The Amazon, The Pacific Coast, and The Galapagos.

Named after the equator it straddles, Ecuador may not be on your bucket list yet, but after listening to this episode we guarantee you’ll want to bump it up the list.

Joining us today are three local experts: Ecuador tourism expert and representative of Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism, Santiago Granda; Rebecca Braak, the founder of Rebecca Adventure Travel, a B Corp-certified tour operator based in Ecuador; and award-winning Ecuadorian chef, Alejandra Espinoza, founder and head chef at Somos restaurant in Quito.

Highlights include:

 - Discovering Quito, one of South America’s most beautiful cities: what to see,
where to eat and how to have the perfect start to your trip.
 - Finding out about the best sustainable tourism initiatives in the Andes, and how
you can connect authentically with local communities.
 - Hearing why the little visited Pacific Coast of Ecuador makes the perfect beach,
surf and foodie break.
 - Learning about indigenous culture in the Amazon rainforest, and how you can
experience it in the most sustainable and authentic way possible.
 - Finding out how to make the most of your Galapagos trip, and what makes this
tiny archipelago one of the most unique travel experiences on the planet.
 - Getting the expert low-down on the ultimate 2–3-week Ecuador itinerary.

FIND OUT MORE

You can find out more about everything mentioned in this episode at Ecuador.travel

Discover authentic B Corp certified Ecuadorian adventures at
rebeccaadventuretravel.com

Alejandra Espinoza restaurant is Somos, in Quito. somos.rest

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking theroad less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and produces it, along with Jenny Allison, and Charles Tyrie does the audio editing and sound design. 

Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

“The Florida Keys are a real mixture of the Caribbean and of the United States…actually, I’m doing them a disservice saying that. The Keys definitely have their own distinct personality.”

In today’s episode we’re heading down to the Florida Keys, the southernmost destination in the US. This charming archipelago of islands, sprawling from the southern tip of Florida’s peninsula, are home to a vibrant array of wildlife and abundant natural attractions, from pristine coral reefs to luscious mangrove forests. They’re also chock full of rich cultural history, artistic heritage, and culinary traditions…be on the lookout for one of the most unique uses of a Key Lime imaginable.

To explore the islands, host Aaron Millar interviews Wanderlust’s own founding editor Lyn Hughes about her recent visit there. The episode also features clips from the new podcast, The Florida Keys Traveler, which was recorded on location and which immerses listeners in the sounds and voices of the Keys.

Read Lyn’s full article about her time in the Keys at https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/florida-keys-of-my-imagination/.

Find more of Wanderlust and subscribe at wanderlustmagazine.com. 

Wanderlust: Off the Page is produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Find more at armchair-productions.com. You can also find the full series, The Florida Keys Traveler, anywhere you find podcasts.

The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest on Earth, encompassing more than 2 million square miles and seven South American countries. Brazil is home to the largest swathe with roughly 60% of the total area, and is arguably the most accessible too, with some of the best and most varied adventure opportunities on offer.

Seeing the Amazon with your own eyes is rightly on the bucket list of many travellers. But with so much to see, it’s hard to know where to start.
In today’s episode, Wanderlust contributor Alex Robinson, who has been to and written about the Brazilian Amazon numerous times, shares his top tips for where to go, what to see and how to get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
If you’re curious about one of the great wonders of the natural world, or dreaming of where to go next, this is your ultimate guide to the Brazilian Amazon.

Highlights include:

- Discovering the city of Manaus, your gateway to Amazon adventures.

- Exploring the state of Amazonas, Brazil’s largest state and almost entirely
covered in lush green tropical forest.

- Finding out the most authentic and sustainable ways to connect with indigenous
communities, including the best eco-lodges and river tours.

- Learning about the food and culture of the historic city of Belém, in Pará.

- Partying at the Boi Bumba festival in Parintins - the carnival of the Amazon, as
exuberant and colourful as Rio carnival.

- Taking the road less travelled to lesser-known places including the white sand
beaches of Alto do Chao, and Ilha do Marajo - a Denmark sized island where the
police ride buffalo.

FIND OUT MORE

You can find out more about everything mentioned in this episode at visitbrasil.com

Connect with Alex Robinson on Instagram @alexrobinsonphotography

Alex’s top tips:

- Manaus hotel - Casa do Bispo
- Indigenous led Amazon cruises -The Earth Trip
- Alter Do Chao treehouse hotel - Casa do Arvore
- Belém Hotel – Grand Mercure

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and produces it; Charles Tyrie does the audio editing and sound design. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

When you hear the name Qatar, you might think about the 2022 World Cup, or picture a business hub, or even have some trepidation about visiting. This episode is here to blow away those pre-conceptions and reveal the real Qatar; and, spoiler alert, it’s way better than you might think. 

Taking us there are photographer Will Gray, who at the time of recording had just come back from an assignment in Qatar for Wanderlust; Hazel Plush, a regular Wanderlust contributor and Middle Eastern travel expert; and Siham Haleem, a local freelance guide who has been showing off Qatar to travellers for more than 13 years.

Highlights include:

• Getting the low-down on the ultimate itinerary for experiencing capital cuty Doha’s rich cultural offerings.

• Visiting Souk Waqif to sample local delicacies, and learn the “delicate dance of the haggle”.

• Exploring Qatar’s UNESCO World Heritage site, Khor al Adaid, the Inland Sea, one of the most beautiful and unique eco-systems in the world.

• Going to the Shahaniya Racecourse where thoroughbred camels are ridden by robots, not humans.

• Discovering the art installations, historic sites, and unbounded beauty of the desert.

• Connecting with the people of Qatar, described by our guests as one of the most hospitable and welcoming in the region.

FIND OUT MORE

Check out VisitQatar.com more information

Check out more of Will Gray’s photography on Instagram @willgrayphotography, and his website william-gray.co.uk

Connect with writer Hazel Plush on Instagram @hazel.plush, and her website hazelplush.co.uk

You can book Siham Haleem as your Qatar guide. He recommends searching ‘Siham Haleem Qatar Guide’ on Google to connect directly. His Instagram is @siham_qatarguide

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and produces it.  Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

Tokyo is a city where you can go back to the future, where the ancient and the futuristic are seamlessly entwined.

You might visit a shiny new shopping centre to pick up traditional snacks and souvenirs. Or perhaps you’ll stroll along streets where centuries-old temples rub shoulders with neon-drenched skyscrapers. Or of course, you could explore a cutting-edge contemporary art gallery then grab dinner at a restaurant founded generations ago.

You’ll find this intoxicating blend of old and new everywhere in the city, but perhaps it’s most evident in its architecture and green spaces.

Taking us to explore them today is travel writer Rebecca Hallett. A regular contributor to Wanderlust, Rebecca specializes in Japan, and Tokyo is a place she has visited many times and knows incredibly well.

There are probably only a handful of truly great cities in the world, the cities that are on everyone’s bucket list: Paris, London, New York … but perhaps the most unique of all is Tokyo. 

The capital of Japan is a roller coaster for the senses, and a place every traveller who loves culture, good food and a taste of the unknown should visit once in their lives. And today, we’re going to give you a a little teaser of what you might expect

Highlights include:

Exploring Sumida, a neighbourhood with a very shitamachi feel which is also home to the spectacular Skytree.

Walking through the Waseda/Sekiguchi areas, by the Kanda River, a unique combination of modern architectural design, such as the incredible concrete St Mary's Cathedral, but also the Ana Hachiman-gu (shrine) and Toyama Park.

Experiencing the Shibuya Scramble Crossing under the light of multi-story video billboards - one of the city’s iconic images. But this hyper-modern district has been a popular entertainment area for a long time, and you can still find retro corners to explore even now.

Taking a day trip to Mt Takao’s mountain hiking trails, temples and shrines.

FIND OUT MORE
For more information and to start planning your own trip exploring Tokyo's ancient and modern sides, head to the official tourist board website. tokyotokyo.jp

Rebecca Hallett's website is https://rebeccahallett.com/, her instagram is @becca.hallett https://www.instagram.com/becca.hallett/

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and produces it; Charles Tyrie does the audio editing and sound design. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

There are few places in the world that pack in more ancient wonders than Türkiye. From Ephesus, one of the most magnificent cities of the Roman Empire, to Göbeklitepe, the world’s earliest known human-made structure, Türkiye offers a rare insight into early civilisations.

In this comprehensive episode we will be exploring Türkiye’s ancient wonders in the company of the woman who literally wrote the book on it. Pat Yale has lived in Türkiye for over 30-years, visited all 81 provinces and penned numerous guidebooks about her adopted home in that time. From the ancient city of Troy  to the ruins of Aphrodisias this is a journey through time into the heart of one of the most fascinating countries on Earth. 

But that’s not all. As a local resident, Pat is also going to reveal her inside tips on how to see Istanbul like a local.  From which Bosphorus cruise to take and how to tackle the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) to where to get the best coffee and the tastiest meal in town, this is your guide to Istanbul’s path less travelled.

Highlights include:

• Visit the architectural marvel of Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), the Ottoman-era Topkapi Palace, and Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar.

• Getting local tips on the best of Istanbul’s food scene including Istiklal Avenue and Neviz Sokak where you can sample meze and sip on raki, Türkiye’s national spirit. 

• Taking a journey through time to explore Türkiye’s ancient cities of Ephesus, Troy, Aphrodisia and more.

• Exploring Cappadocia, famous for its moon-like landscapes, underground cities and spectacular rock-carved churches. 

• Discovering our expert guests’ ultimate 2-week ‘Journey Through Time’ itinerary exploring the ancient wonders, and UNESCO heritage sites of Türkiye.

FIND OUT MORE

For more information and to start planning your own trip visit: https://goturkiye.com/  

 Connect with Pat Yale on X @patyale

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and produces it; Charles Tyrie does the audio editing and sound design. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

When it comes to natural wonders Queensland, Australia has it all. From the largest reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef, to the oldest rainforest on the planet, the Daintree, this is a place to re-connect with nature, have an adventure and be inspired by the indigenous cultures that have lived here for thousands of years. 

Taking us there are travel writer Karen Edwards, who’ll be recounting tales from her latest trip, and Queensland local Sarah Thomson, who’ll be giving us the insider secrets on the places she loves the most (there are a lot of them!).

These are the colours of Queensland: Ocean blue, forest green and outback red. 

Highlights include:

• Peering under the waves into the technicolour world of the Great Barrier Reef

• Going on an aboriginal led walking tour through the more than 180-million year old Daintree Rainforest

• Exploring the food, stars and legendary local characters of the outback 

• Getting the lowdown on three ‘dream sleeps’ - bucket list places to stay for each colour, including a hotel under the waves.

• Finding out what our expert’s ultimate Queensland itinerary is - two perfect weeks in one of the most diverse destinations on the planet.

FIND OUT MORE

For more information on how to plan your trip go to queensland.com 

Thanks also to Qatar Airways for supporting this episode. They were voted the world’s best airline 2024 by Skytrax, for the 8th time, and are the most comfortable way to get to Queensland. Find out more and book your tickets at qatarairways.com

Instagram: @karennedwaards_writer

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and Charles Tyrie produces it. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

In this episode, we explore the transformative impact of Indigenous-led tourism in British Columbia, where every journey fosters deep connections with the land and its people. Join us as we travel from the pristine Great Bear Rainforest to the rich waters of Desolation Sound, discovering experiences that inspire and transform.

Highlights Include:

• Witnessing the Spirit Bear: Experience the magic of the Great Bear Rainforest and learn about conservation efforts that protect this rare species. Spirit Bear Lodge
• Coastal Rainforest Adventures: Join guided wildlife tours that connect you with the ecology and Indigenous stories of the coastal rainforest. Coastal Rainforest Safaris
• Marine Wildlife Encounters: Explore the waters with Sea Wolf Adventures, focusing on orca watching and cultural insights from Indigenous guides. Sea Wolf Adventures
• Cultural Heritage Tours: Engage with the Homalco First Nation through wildlife tours that highlight local culture and history. Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours
• Luxurious Wilderness Retreats: Discover Klahoose Wilderness Resort, where comfort meets authentic Indigenous experiences in stunning natural settings. Klahoose Wilderness Resort
• Unforgettable Bear Viewing: Experience the renowned Knight Inlet Lodge, known for exceptional bear viewing and insights into Indigenous conservation. Knight Inlet Lodge
• Rustic Ranch Experiences: Visit Big Bar Guest Ranch for horseback riding and cultural immersion, surrounded by picturesque landscapes. Big Bar Guest Ranch
• Mountain Serenity: Relax at Nemiah Valley Lodge, where outdoor adventures meet the rich culture of the Tsilhqot’in people. Nemiah Valley Lodge

FIND OUT MORE

For more information on planning your Indigenous tourism adventure, visit Indigenous Tourism BC and hellobc.com.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting this episode. Explore the beauty and diversity of British Columbia with the guidance of Indigenous-led experiences.

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine, dedicated to exploring the road less travelled since 1993. Discover more at wanderlustmagazine.com.

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to connect with a community of passionate travelers for just £35 a year (about $50). Enjoy six collectible issues, exclusive competitions, access to our online archive, and more.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show, with production by Charles Tyrie. Discover our other shows at armchair-productions.com.

For this episode of Wanderlust Off The Page podcast, we are joined by travel writers Aaron Millar and Helen Moat to talk about the power that travel and natural spaces can have on our mind and body.  

 During the episode, Aaron and Helen discuss their shared love of Austria and what they think makes the beautiful country so special. From forest bathing and cold water swimming to escaping to the mountains and getting lost in the starry night sky, our two experts arm us with heaps of ideas of how and where to relax and rejuvenate in Austria.  

 Throughout the episode, you will also have a chance to listen to Helen reading out snippets from her inspiring articles about Austria, which helps us to unpick the relationship between spending time in nature and our mental and physical health.   

 Get ready to join us on a sensory journey through the wild Austrian landscapes…