Zero To Travel Podcast

It's time to grab your pen and paper and start planning your adventure to Europe!Europe travel planner Lynne Nieman joins me to discuss the current state of European travel and how to plan the perfect trip in 2025—whether it's your first visit or your 50th.Lynne Nieman is the founder of Wander Your Way and a professional travel planner with over a decade of experience organizing independent and small-group trips throughout Europe. As a semi-nomadic traveler, Lynne combines her passion for off-the-beaten-path exploration with her expertise in creating personalized travel experiences.Lynne shares her take on upcoming travel trends, explains how to balance spontaneity and planning, and offers her favorite lesser-known destinations to avoid the crowds. You'll gain insight into crafting an itinerary tailored to your interests, navigating Europe's evolving transportation options, and embracing a more meaningful travel style.What destinations are you adding to your Europe itinerary? I'd love to hear what your Europe travel plans are, 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! Tune In To Learn: Why Lynne decided that having a base was important for her travel lifestyle How she approaches planning the "perfect" travel itinerary How European travel is evolving in a post-Covid world, including new trends for 2025 (cool-cations?!) Why spontaneous travel may be more difficult and why the shoulder season may no longer mean smaller crowds  Alternative destinations for busy hotspots in places like Scotland, Spain, and Croatia What to consider when planning transportation around Europe Advice for walking trails like the Camino de Santiago and West Highland Way Tips for navigating Schengen rules and upcoming visa changes Her favorite spots for working remotely And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Check out Wander Your Way Join a Europe group tour Listen to Lynne's podcast Follow Lynn on Instagram Europe visa information Macs Adventure Walkers Ways Darksky.org Schengen calculator Want More? World's Cheapest Destinations + Traveling Europe on a Budget (2025) with Tim Leffel Top 8 Food Hacks in Europe: How to Find Authentic Culinary Experiences on the Old Continent with Kenny Dunn 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. Airalo - Get $3 off your first eSIM with the promo code 'ZTT.' Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lyn Hughes, the founding editor of Wanderlust Magazine and a renowned travel expert, shares her insights on the top travel trends for 2025. She discusses the rise of immersive travel experiences and the shift towards meaningful local interactions, dubbing 2025 the 'Year of the Locals.' Lyn also highlights the growing popularity of solo travel, especially among women, and the resurgence of expedition cruising. Plus, she offers tips for planning spontaneous road trips, ensuring travelers are ready for their next adventure!

Pat Sperry, a well-being coach and founder of Flourish, shares his journey from athlete and musician to a leader in personal growth. He discusses the 'Five Pillars of Well-being' and how transformative travel experiences can lead to fulfillment. Pat reveals the lessons from his travels in Thailand and China, emphasizing mindfulness and the importance of vulnerability in personal growth. His insights on using travel for deeper connection and meaning provide actionable steps for listeners looking to enhance their well-being.

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.’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices