Zero To Travel Podcast

Join Tim Leffel, an award-winning travel writer and author, as he uncovers the top budget-friendly destinations for 2025. Discover why Egypt is a hot pick and learn about the best South American countries for travelers on a budget. Tim shares insights on affordable living in central Mexico and highlights unique experiences in Guatemala. He provides handy tips for maximizing travel without overspending, from free attractions to smart ATM use. Perfect for aspiring adventurers wanting to explore without breaking the bank!

What would exploring a new city without relying on technology be like?Lisa Abend is a journalist who regularly contributes to AFAR, the New York Times travel section, and National Geographic Traveler, among others. In response to the collapse of many traditional media outlets for narrative travel writing and how social media has sucked the serendipity and sense of discovery out of travel, she launched a Substack called The Unplugged Traveler. For the newsletter, she travels to a new European city every month without using the internet—that means no Google research, no online reservations, no GPS maps, no AirBnB or Uber, and no mindless scrolling while in a cafe or on a train.Lisa shares her unique travel philosophy, giving a fresh perspective on what it means to travel authentically. Her stories and strategies challenge the "must-see" checklist mentality, encouraging us to embrace serendipity and let go of travel FOMO. You’ll learn how going offline can deepen your connection to people, places, and unexpected moments to create a more immersive travel experience.What’s one place you’d like to explore without relying on your phone or social media? I'd love to hear where you’d go, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.Premium Passport:Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: The unusual way Lisa went from academic to a journalist in Spain  Her experience living as an outsider in Spain and Denmark (and what makes the Danes so happy) Lisa’s philosophy behind "unplugged" travel and letting go of the pressure to see everything How to use curiosity and spontaneity to guide your travels Practical advice on finding accommodations and local recommendations offline How she navigates destinations without a GPS or Uber Lisa’s favorite memories of authentic encounters and unexpected discoveries How small inconveniences can lead to richer, more memorable travel stories Why it’s important to consider what you really want out of your travel experience How the experiment has changed her relationship with technology and choosing destinations And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Subscribe to the Unplugged Traveler Substack Follow Lisa on Instagram Want More? Is Technology Ruining Your Travel Experience? With Seth Kugel Unplugged America Top 7 Grand European Journeys With Lucas Peters Thanks To Our Sponsors Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com Airalo - Get $3 off your first eSIM with the promo code ‘ZTT.’

Tim Marting, co-founder of Citizen Remote, shares his extensive experience with digital nomad visas and relocating abroad. He discusses the benefits and requirements of various visas, including exciting upcoming options in South Africa and Thailand. Tim offers mindset advice on choosing the right destination, tips for settling in, and insights into navigating complex visa applications. Personal anecdotes from his travels, like living in Iceland, provide inspiration for listeners looking to embrace a global lifestyle.

Listen in to find out what new and epic conversations you can expect to hear on Zero To Travel this month! What topics and themes do you want to learn more about on the podcast? I'd love to get your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.Premium Passport:Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Thanks To Our Sponsors Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com Airalo - Get $3 off your first eSIM with the promo code ‘ZTT.’ Moon Travel Guides - Grab your copy of Baseball Road Trips

What does hell on earth look like? Science writer and explorer Erika Engelhaupt takes us on a unique journey to “awesomely awful” destinations to explore the history, culture, and science behind seven of the most otherworldly locations around the world.Erika Engelhaupt is a science journalist and expert on all things macabre. Her work in National Geographic, Scientific American, and elsewhere has revealed the spooky science behind many taboo topics, including rotting corpses, bodily fluids, and other things that make her popular at dinner parties. She is the author of Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science and her newest book, Go to Hell: A Traveler’s Guide to Earth’s Most Otherworldly Destinations.Erika shares insights into how cultures worldwide have visualized the afterlife, explores the natural phenomena behind these lesser-known “hellscapes,” and discusses her own experiences visiting places that challenge and redefine our sense of wonder.What’s the eeriest or most otherworldly place you’ve visited? I'd love to hear about your experience, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.Premium Passport:Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: A city filled with death, a centuries-old “skull cult,” and the inspiration behind Dante’s Inferno  A small cave in Ireland linked to ancient folklore and the origins of Halloween The fiery pit that’s been burning for decades and the surprising theory behind it (plus, you can camp here!) Where you can witness surreal blue flames rolling down a deadly sulfuric volcano  An island with some of the most gorgeous yet hellscape-y features, geothermal pools, and more The most electric place on earth and the fascinating science behind it Where to find razor-sharp “stone forests” and navigate the devil’s obstacle course Which charming but hellish US town you can be mayor for the day Will our pets eat us if we die? The five-second rule (fact or fiction?) And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Visit Erika’s website Grab Erika’s book, Go to Hell Would your dog eat you if you died? Want More? What Happens When You Die? (Part One): A Journey to the Other Side with Peter Panagore Top 10 World’s Weirdest Restaurants With La Carmina Dark Tourism and the Complexities of Dark Destinations with Professor James Treadwell Thanks To Our Sponsors Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com Airalo - Get $3 off your first eSIM with the promo code ‘ZTT.’ Moon Travel Guides - Grab your copy of Baseball Road Trips

Hear about travel to Normandy, France, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kat Butler from World Wide Honeymoon and France Voyager about this historic and wonderful part of France.Why should you go to Normandy?Kay says, “Normandy, I think, just offers so much. My road trip, that I did last year, was literally to prove that there was so much more to Normandy than the D-Day beaches. You’ve got Mont Saint Michel, the cider route. You’ve got the countryside. I think that Normandy makes some of the best cheese. You have The beaches. You also have places like. Giverny. You’ve got Etretat, which has the beautiful cliffs. It’s well worth a visit.”Kat recommends a seven-day itinerary for Normandy, France, that offers a rich mix of history, culture, nature, and gastronomy. You can find that in the full show notes here.Did this episode make you want to start planning your trip to Normandy? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.This episode is a feed drop from the Amateur Traveler podcast.Premium Passport:Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Want More? Destination Bonanza w/ Chris Christensen How To Explore Paris Like a Local, Working on Hospital Ships, and Becoming an Expat on a Mystery Visa With Jay Swanson Top 8 Food Hacks in Europe: How to Find Authentic Culinary Experiences on the Old Continent with Kenny Dunn Thanks To Our Sponsors Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com Airalo - Get $3 off your first eSIM with the promo code ‘ZTT.’ Moon Travel Guides - Grab your copy of Baseball Road Trips

Would you take a road trip with strangers—across continents—in a $100 car or a converted school bus? How can ridiculous travel change your life for the better?Joel is one of the founders of Global Convoy, a travel movement built on trust, optimism, and a willingness to figure things out along the way. What started as a spontaneous idea to drive around the world in a beat-up car became a series of epic journeys involving strangers and a DIY spirit.Joel shares incredible stories of unpredictable roadblocks and unforgettable connections while navigating the Pan-American Highway in a converted school bus. He explains how Global Convoy grew into an inclusive community for travelers seeking to escape their comfort zones and embrace the “mayhem.” He gives a fresh perspective to exploring the world on a budget, showing how to make incredible journeys possible without deep pockets or a perfect plan. You’ll learn practical tips to DIY your own adventure, insights on sustainable travel, leveraging community and collaboration for cost-effective adventures, and cultivating a mindset of adaptability and trust while on the road.What’s your wildest travel dream, and who would you invite to join you on the journey? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.Premium Passport:Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: How his around-the-world journey in a $100 car with strangers evolved into a global travel movement What it really means to DIY an adventure and travel on nothing but optimism What it was like to pick up hitchhikers and invite strangers from the internet to join their convoy  How Joel manages the reality and expectations of this kind of trip and how he vets participants Tips on managing conflict, group dynamics, and building trust on the road Insights into the overlanding community, his most memorable encounters, and favorite locations The unusual way they choose their route on the Pan-American Highway (a fun way for you to plan your next trip!) Perspectives on balancing spontaneity with preparation in global travel Why being open is the best way to make travel sustainable and insights on creating your own unique lifestyle Why you should consider Bansko, Bulgaria as your base And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Visit the Global Convoy website Global Convoy on YouTube Follow on Instagram, TikTok Joel’s favorite stop in Caral, Peru Workaway Nomad Cruise Eight Boots Abroad Want More? Overland Travel 101, the Pros and Cons of Full-Time Travel, and Favorite Hidden Gem Destinations (After 10 Years as a Nomad) With Eric Highland Tales From A Converted School Bus: Working Full Time & Traveling With An Adventure Dog New Zealand: Top 10 Hidden Gems, Campervan Lifestyle (Tips and Tricks), and Doing Life Differently With Lisa Jansen Thanks To Our Sponsors Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com Airalo - Get $3 off your first eSIM with the promo code ‘ZTT.’ Moon Travel Guides - Grab your copy of Baseball Road Trips

Chrishan Wright, creator of Blaxit Global and relocation expert, shares her wisdom on moving abroad, drawing from her experiences in Portugal. She highlights common pitfalls like underestimating living costs and navigating visa requirements. Chrishan emphasizes the emotional challenges of adjusting to new cultures and the unexpected expenses that arise. With anecdotes of language mishaps and personal growth, she encourages embracing the journey and connecting with supportive communities. Tune in for invaluable insights on making a successful transition overseas!

How can solo travel transform your life and career? What is travel influencing really like?Alyssa Ramos is one of the first solo female travel influencers. She’s the founder of My Life's A Travel Movie and has been traveling full-time as a living for over 10 years. As someone who never actually set out to become an influencer, she shares her unexpected story of building a career around full-time travel, the realities of social media influencing and travel blogging, and her experience leading tours in Antarctica.Alyssa talks about the mindset shifts that helped her push past societal expectations and how solo travel has profoundly shaped her life and choices. She reveals the truth behind the lifestyle, addresses misconceptions, and provides insight into the positives and negatives of the industry. You’ll also hear about what it’s like to travel to Antarctica and gain plenty of practical advice about the costs and logistics of planning your adventure.What’s the most transformative experience you’ve had while exploring solo? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.Premium Passport:Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: How to “get under the skin” of the places you visit The hurdles she had to overcome to become a paid full-time traveler (especially as a woman) Her pivot from Hollywood journalist to travel blogger and why she never intended to become an “influencer” Her experience with “haters” and why she struggled with putting herself out there The shady side of social media and how it’s impacted travel destinations Insights on traveling solo as a woman and three places to start your solo adventure Why she decided to freeze her eggs and how that relates to her travel lifestyle Tips and insights on planning a trip to Antarctica Alyssa’s favorite underrated destinations for being awestruck, romance, and local connections And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Visit Alyssa’s website Follow Alyssa on Instagram Join a trip to Antarctica Listen to her podcast Grab her book, Yes, I'm a Woman, and I'm Traveling Alone Want More? An Unconventional Approach to Challenges, Maximizing Travel With a Full-Time Job, Advice on Publishing, Creating Solo Travel Magic With Jen Ruiz Choosing The Travel Life w/ Rachel Hill How To Be a “New Tourist,” the Powers and Perils of Tourism, Embracing Tourist Traps, and the Impact of Travel With Paige McClanahan Thanks To Our Sponsors Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com Airalo - Get $3 off your first eSIM with the promo code ‘ZTT.’ Moon Travel Guides - Grab your copy of Baseball Road Trips

Ann Morgan, an author and literary explorer from Folkestone, UK, embarked on a transformative journey to read a book from every country in the world. She discusses how literature can reshape our perspectives and highlight cultural blind spots. Ann shares her insights on 'authentic reading,' the balance between cultural appreciation and appropriation, and tips for discovering authentic voices. The conversation reveals the profound connections that stories can create, urging listeners to engage with diverse narratives and embrace the unfamiliar in literature.