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Global Travel Planning

Global Travel Planning
Author: Tracy Collins
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© 2025 Global Travel Planning
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Embark on a journey with us around the world.
The global travel planning podcast is filled with travel inspiration, itinerary ideas, real life adventures, practical tips and insights to fuel your wanderlust and help you make your travel dreams a reality.
74 Episodes
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“The perfect trip rarely exists.” No matter how carefully you plan, travel throws curveballs. In this candid chat, the Ladies Who Travel unpack what happens when plans fall apart: a protest that blocks all roads, weather-cancelling bucket list moments, and train strikes that derail rail itineraries. You will hear different coping styles in action - Shelly’s calm in a crisis, Melissa’s quick “meltdown then regroup,” and Tracy’s pragmatic pivots. We also share practical tactics: build fle...
What sparks a lifelong love of travel? For some, it starts in childhood. For Melissa, co-host of Ladies Who Travel, it was different. She did not travel overseas until she was an adult, and her journey from novice to explorer shows how travel can shape a life. In this month’s Stamped episode, Melissa shares the moments that defined her: wandering Sydney at 19 with a paper map, the pull of “The Beach,” and a three-month solo round-the-world trip at 26. That journey transformed her confid...
Tanya returns to share part two of her incredible African adventure, taking us through Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe with thrilling stories of desert landscapes, wildlife encounters, and natural wonders. • Flying from Cape Town to Walvis Bay to begin the Namibian adventure • Exploring German-influenced Swakopmund and taking a Sandwich Harbour tour where sand dunes meet the ocean • Joining an overland safari with Nomad Africa through Namibia's stunning landscapes • Encountering traditional ...
Tanya Munro shares her incredible multi-country African adventure, focusing on South Africa in this first episode of a two-part series. After 35 years on her bucket list, she finally travelled through Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Cape Town and the Garden Route, experiencing wildlife encounters, cultural discoveries and stunning landscapes. • Best time to visit South Africa for wildlife viewing is during the dry season (June-July) • Starting in Johannesburg provided important historica...
In episode 69 of the Global Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy is joined by Shelly and Melissa for a Ladies Who Travel episode all about staying healthy on the road. Together, they dive into the realities of travel wellness, sharing practical tips, personal stories, and lessons learned from decades of global adventures. From long-haul flights and disrupted routines to managing mental health and bouncing back from injuries, this honest chat covers it all. Melissa opens up about navigating mental h...
What do you get when you mix an empty nest, unstoppable curiosity, and a cheeky life motto to “spend the kids’ inheritance”? In this episode of Stamped, Mandy Watson joins Tracy to share the bold, breathtaking, and often hilarious stories behind her lifelong love of travel. From being stranded in Hawaii with just $1 at 18, to summiting Kilimanjaro at 40, trekking the Inca Trail at 50, and planning Everest Base Camp at 60, Mandy proves that travel is not something you grow out of. It is someth...
We take you on a journey through our 13-day adventure in Malaysia, exploring Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Ipoh by train, ferry and grab taxis while sharing our experiences, favourite foods, and practical tips. • Flying business class on Malaysian Airways and enjoying their famous satay chicken skewers • Staying at the Crowne Plaza in Kuala Lumpur, perfectly positioned five minutes from the Petronas Towers • Taking the first-class train to Penang with access to the Ruby Lounge and meal service • ...
Hawaii expert Marcie Cheung shares essential insights for planning your first trip to the islands, from choosing which island to visit to navigating transportation and experiencing authentic local culture. We unpack common misconceptions about Hawaii's geography, budget considerations, and practical tips for making the most of your Hawaiian vacation. • Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island are the four main Hawaiian islands tourists visit • Hawaii is expensive year-round – budget early for ac...
The Ladies Who Travel dish on food adventures around the globe, sharing their triumphs, disasters and discoveries while exploring how we eat abroad. • Food tours offer cultural context, local knowledge and social connections for solo travellers • Different dietary approaches require varying levels of preparation when travelling overseas • Cultural misunderstandings can lead to surprising meals, like vegetarians being served chicken • Exotic food experiences from jellyfish salad to fresh snak...
Mariellen Ward, an award-winning Canadian travel writer and co-founder of the tour company India for Beginners, shares her transformative 20-year journey through India and how she now helps first-time visitors experience this vibrant country with confidence. • Mariellen's first six-month Indian adventure arose from an inexplicable calling while battling grief and depression • The feeling of "coming home" in Delhi sparked two decades of travel, writing, and eventually founding a custom tour c...
In this very first episode of the Stamped series on the Global Travel Planning Podcast, host Tracy Collins welcomes Amanda Kendle, creator of the Thoughtful Travel Podcast. Together, they dive into Amanda’s personal travel stories, exploring the sparks that set her on a lifelong journey of exploration, her most memorable destinations, and the transformative impact of travel. Amanda reminisces about early adventures, from a childhood road trip around Europe to epic journeys like crossing Russi...
Tracy and Doug reflect on their incredible nine-month journey across 22 countries and four continents, sharing candid insights about their favourite destinations, practical tips, and lessons learned from long-term travel. • Morocco and Sri Lanka emerged as top destinations with their rich cultures and warm hospitality • Food tours provide the perfect introduction to new destinations, offering local knowledge and culinary insights • Strategic packing with thermal layers proved essential for n...
Lucerne captivates the imagination with its perfect blend of natural splendour and medieval charm. Nestled beside the crystalline waters of Lake Lucerne and surrounded by majestic Alpine peaks, this Swiss gem offers travellers an unforgettable experience that combines outdoor adventure with rich cultural heritage. Join us as Carolyn from Holidays to Switzerland shares her passionate expertise about this enchanting destination. Having first fallen in love with Switzerland in 1988, Carolyn rev...
The Ladies Who Travel dive into hilarious and confusing ways English varies worldwide, demonstrating how even English speakers can struggle to understand each other when travelling between countries. • Words like "thongs," "chips," and "restroom" have completely different meanings in the UK, Australia, and America • Cultural communication beyond words includes queuing etiquette and personal space expectations • Google Translate is essential for navigation, ordering food, and even handling em...
In this week's episode of the Global Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy and Doug are joined by guest host Karen to share a detailed trip report from their first journey through Sri Lanka. Over the course of three weeks, they explored ancient temples, rode scenic trains through lush tea plantations, spotted wildlife on safari, and experienced the vibrant culture and cuisine of this unforgettable island nation. In this candid and practical conversation, they reflect on why Sri Lanka captured their ...
Tasmania captivates visitors with its breathtaking landscapes, fresh air, and unique charm that sets it apart from mainland Australia. Travel writer Jennifer Johnston shares her deep knowledge and passion for this island state, explaining why it should be on everyone's Australian itinerary. • Tasmania offers cooler temperatures than mainland Australia, with fresh air that feels rejuvenating • The island is compact and easy to navigate, with most destinations accessible within a few hours' dr...
Doug and Tracey share their top tips for first-time visitors to Europe, drawing from over 50 years of combined travel experience across the continent in various seasons, budgets, and travel styles. • Consider timing your visit carefully – avoid Southern Europe in July/August due to extreme heat and crowds • Choose fewer destinations and explore them more deeply, rather than rushing through multiple countries • Look into transportation options that suit your travel style – trains offer comfor...
Dreading your next long-haul flight? In this month’s “Ladies Who Travel” episode of the Global Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy is joined by Melissa and Shelly, who collectively have logged thousands of hours in the air. Listen as they share their practical tips and hard-won wisdom to help make marathon journeys not just bearable—but genuinely enjoyable! The conversation kicks off by addressing a common dilemma: Is it better to endure one ultra-long flight or break the journey into shorter segm...
In episode 55 of the Global Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy sits down with Abigail from Aotearoa Adventures and her husband Isaac, sharing an insider’s guide to Kathmandu, Nepal. Isaac, who spent his childhood in Kathmandu, joins Abigail to showcase their favourite temples, markets, festivals, and authentic experiences in Nepal’s bustling capital. Together, they recount fond personal stories, offer cultural insights, and deliver practical recommendations for both first-time and sea...
We share our top 10 tips for planning train travel in the UK and Europe in 2025, drawing on our extensive experience travelling by rail throughout these regions. • Do your homework by researching routes, operators, and realistic itineraries • Consider the time of year, mobility needs, and whether the journey itself is part of your holiday • Book tickets in advance for the best prices, weighing flexibility against savings • Evaluate whether rail passes like Eurail or BritRail make financial ...