Winging It Travel Podcast

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast French Polynesia - Moorea, The Ultimate 3-Day Travel Guide: White Sandy Beaches, Epic Happy Hour Sunset Views and The Best Local Coffee Ever dreamed of trading the hustle of Tahiti for powder-white sands, turquoise lagoons, and the slowest, most magical pace of island life? In this episode of The Winging It Travel Podcast , I take you along on my unforgettable three-day,three-night escape to Moorea, French Polynesia—just a breezy 30-minute ferry ride across the channel from Tahiti. If you are planning your own South Pacific getaway, this episode is your ultimate, no-nonsense travel guide. I’m breaking down everything you need to know about navigating the local ferry crossing, why booking your rental car with Auto Rent Moorea ahead of time is an absolute must, and how to avoid getting stranded in high season! From sipping the best local coffee French Polynesian coffee at Le Ma'a Dan's Le Bocal and tracking down cheap roadside local eats to chasing epic sunset happy hours at Le Cook's Restaurant and the iconic Hilton Moorea overwater bungalows (complete with nighttime shark sightings!), I leave no stone unturned. Plus, I share my honest take on where to stay, the best public beaches like Plage de Tiahura and Plage de Ta'aheamanu for drone flying and snorkeling, and why the people of Moorea make it one of the most welcoming islands on earth. Pack your bags, grab a cold drink, and let's go wing it in Moorea! Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: Car Rental: Book with Adrien at Auto Rent Moorea (book months in advance for vehicles in the high season!) Ferry Booking: Aremiti Ferry Coffee Spots: Le Ma'a Dan's Le Bocal & Api Coffee Where We Ate & Drank: Le Cook's Bar and Restaurant, Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, Roulette Teavaro and Champion Supermarket Beaches - Plage de Tiahura & Plage de Ta'aheamanu Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Moorea 3-day itinerary 02:04 Booking the ferry, getting a coffee in Tahiti, and the crossing to Moorea 06:21 Picking up the rental car with Adrien at Auto Rent Moorea and checking into our Airbnb 09:20 Dinner, happy hour, and sunset views at Le Cook's Bar and Restaurant 11:51 Exploring the quiet southern road and relaxing at Plage de Tiahura 13:42 Discovering the best coffee in French Polynesia at Le Ma'a Dan's Le Bocal 14:52 Grabbing lunch, visiting Plage de Ta'aheamanu, and a rainy afternoon check-in 17:31 Day three: Morning views, Toatea Lookout, and drone flights at the beach 20:47 Sunset drinks, shark sightings, and dinner at the Hilton Moorea 23:19 Final morning coffee at Api Coffee, dropping off the car, and final thoughts on Moorea -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast French Polynesia - Tahiti, The Ultimate 3-Day Travel Guide: Essential Stops, Black Sand Beaches & Driving Around The Island Welcome to the ultimate first-time travel guide to Tahiti , the dramatic heart, political hub, and main international gateway of French Polynesia! Visiting this island has been ten years in the making for me and Emma, ever since we first met and dreamed of making the journey to the South Pacific. Finally, this year, we made it! In this episode, I’m kicking off our three-part island trilogy—covering Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora—with a comprehensive, ground-level travel guide to Tahiti's rugged landscapes, black sand beaches, and vibrant local culture. Whether you're planning a bucket-list multi-island itinerary or looking for practical tips on how to navigate local car rentals, currency exchange, and island logistics, this episode has you covered. Tune in as I share my authentic experiences, unexpected travel challenges, and everything you need to know before touching down in paradise. In this episode, I cover: Tahiti Travel Planning & Logistics: How to get around, car rental advice for high season, local currency tips (getting XPF local money from airport ATMs), and using the Tāpe'a Taxi app. Top Sightseeing Highlights & Itinerary Stops: Strolling through the bustling Papeete Market and relaxing by the oceanfront breeze at Les Jardins de Pa'ofa'i Discovering the historic black sand coastlines, lighthouse, and Captain Cook landing site at Point Venus . Checking out a local black sand beach called Plage de Haapoponi a Tiarei Walking through dense tropical jungle to the stunning, easily accessible Cascades de Faramai interior waterfalls. Watching local surfers and bodyboarders tackle massive, epic waves at Taharuu Beach . Exploring the crystal-clear, water-filled limestone caverns at Grottes de Mara'a . Sunset views at Mahana Park and Parc Vaipoopoo Diving into local history, marine wildlife, and Polynesian traditions at the Museum of Tahiti and the Islands . Where to Eat & Drink: Finding incredible French-inspired specialty coffee at spots like Kofi and Kon Tiki Café , budget-friendly supermarket lunch hacks like massive tuna baguettes at Carrefour , and navigating celiac-friendly gluten-free dining. Accommodation: We stayed at Tamanu Lodge which is a super awesome local guesthouse in the Punaʻauia area which is known as the 'Gold Coast' known for its sunset views and views of Moorea in the distance. Flight Delay Realities & Backup Plans: How I handled a canceled United Airlines flight, what to expect when stranded in Tahiti, and a review of the Tahiti Lagoon Resort . Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the French Polynesia Trilogy: Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora 02:15 Tahiti Background: Geography, History, and Planning Your Itinerary 04:30 Arrival, Airport Tips, and Checking into Tamanu Lodge 07:00 Day 2: Exploring Papeete Market, the Waterfront, and Local Cafes 09:30 Point Venus: History, Black Sand, and Exploring the Coast 11:20 Cascades de Faramai: Visiting Tahiti's Epic Interior Waterfalls 13:40 Lunch at Tahiti Pearl Beach Resort & Sunset at Mahana Park 17:00 Podcast Support & Break 17:53 Day 3: Coastal Road Trips, Grottes de Maraa, and Big Surf at Taharuu Beach 21:30 Belvedere de Taraveo Viewpoint & Lunch by the Waves 24:30 Heading to the Ferry Port & Café Culture in Papeete 26:00 Flight Cancellation Drama: Dealing with United Airlines and Staying at Tahiti Lagoon Resort 29:30 Final Day Extra: Exploring the Museum of Tahiti and the Islands 31:45 Tahiti Summary & Travel Guide Verdict -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast Ep 194 Part 2 - The Ultimate Kenya Safari Guide: Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, Tracking Lions & Super Tusker Elephants Get ready for the ultimate masterclass in African adventure travel. In this packed installment of the Winging It Travel Podcast , I catch up with author, filmmaker, and the Mad Traveler himself, Dave Seminara, for Part 2 of our in-depth exploration of East Africa. Moving past the urban rhythms of Nairobi and the coastal history of Lamu we covered last week, this episode plunges listeners straight into the dust, drama, and breathtaking beauty of a bucket-list Kenyan safari. If you have ever wondered what it actually takes to plan, book, and execute a high-end trip to the cradle of wildlife, we lay out the exact blueprint. Dave walks me through a transparent, 14-night luxury family itinerary spanning three world-renowned ecosystems: the wildlife-dense Masai Mara, the elephant-rich Amboseli National Park, and the rugged, legendary terrain of Tsavo. We break down the vital logistics of Kenyan travel, comparing the seamless convenience of private bush charter airlines like Safari Link against the bureaucratic headaches of booking tickets through state-run operations like Kenya Railways. Along the way, the conversation delivers incredible wildlife storytelling—from tracking active lion prides on foot in private conservancies and witnessing intense predator interactions, to coming face-to-face with "TJ," the world's largest living super-tusker elephant in the Kimana Conservancy. We also tackle the realities of luxury travel head-on, revealing the grand total price tag for a multi-family ultra-luxury safari, exploring the critical importance of local anti-poaching security forces, and even sharing a hilarious travel hack story about how a cross-country courier service in Kenya managed to safely return a pair of lost $500 prescription sunglasses across the country for just $4.50. Whether you are actively saving up for your own dream trip or feeding a severe case of wanderlust from home, this is an essential listen for every traveller. Everything we have discussed on this episode and the previous episode is available to watch on Dave's YouTube channel so be sure to click below, subscribe and watch Dave's journey in Kenya, it is an awesome series! Dave Seminara Website - https://daveseminara.com MadTraveler YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@MadTraveler Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Tracking lions in the Lumo Conservancy 03:01 – Episode Intro & Setting Up the Ultimate Kenyan Safari Itinerary 04:20 – Safari Dream Itinerary: Masai Mara, Amboseli, and Tsavo 06:02 – Logistics 101: Booking Bush Planes vs. Kenya Railways 06:54 – Stop #1: Mara Bushtops in the Masai Mara (Luxury Tents & Gourmet Dining) 13:39 – Morning Game Drives, Hyenas at Night, and Lion Pride Dynamics 17:43 – Bush Breakfasts & Kenya Wildlife Service Walking Safaris 19:16 – Understanding Safari Costs, Conservancy Fees, and Park Permits 21:00 – Stop #2: Angama Amboseli & Scenic Air Safaris 25:37 – Tracking "TJ," the World's Largest Super-Tusker Elephant 31:12 – Pro-Tip: How to Watch African Wildlife Live via Webcams (Africams) 33:19 – Stop #3: Lions Bluff in Tsavo / Lumo Conservancy (Train Travel & Treehouse Lodges) 36:32 – Seasonality: Pros and Cons of Visiting Before the Great Migration 42:25 – Anti-Poaching Success Stories and Strict Conservation Laws in Kenya 45:07 – The Reveal: The Grand Total Cost of a 14-Night Luxury Family Safari 50:02 – The Kenya Coast, Tolo the Guide, and the $4.50 Sunglasses Miracle 53:42 – Where to Find Dave Seminara (Mad Traveler) -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast Ep 194 Part 1 - Unlocking Kenya: Unfiltered Nairobi, Exploring Kibera and the Magic of Lamu's Car-Free Coast Join me, James Hammond, on the Winging It Travel Podcast as I welcome back my returning guest, Dave Seminara, the creator of the Mad Traveler YouTube channel, for part one of our epic Kenyan adventure. Moving far beyond the standard tourist tracks, we dive deep into the heart, culture, and coastal paradises of Kenya, covering the bustling streets of Nairobi, a raw and eye-opening look inside Africa's largest slum, and a breathtaking, James Bond-style speedboat arrival at a luxury island retreat. The conversation begins around as I introduce Dave and set the stage for our two-part series on Kenya, before exploring why he chose Kenya as his next major African destination at, drawing on stories from a twenty-year friendship with a native Kenyan. At, we discuss the stressful booking process, breaking down flight costs from the US, Middle East transits through Doha, and navigating travel insurance and local health headlines. By, Dave shares his surprising layover experience in Doha, highlighting the ghost-town Souk Waqif, outdoor street air conditioning, and his favorite airport transit. We land in Nairobi at 3 AM around, where a friendly Kenyan soldier provides a seamless welcome into the bustling capital. At, we settle into the posh suburb of Karen at the lush House of Wayne and explore the Karen Blixen Museum using cheap, English-speaking Ubers. Shifting gears at, Dave explains why he prefers to end his luxury trips with raw, earthy cultural explorations, leading right into our deep dive at into Kibera, Africa's largest informal settlement, where a tour with Kevin’s Kibera Slum Tour shatters Western stereotypes and reveals unexpected optimism among locals. At, Dave shares a fascinating revelation on how local currency transfers and Bitcoin are helping everyday Kenyans save on transaction fees, followed at by a heartwarming visit to an orphanage school where we observe how the children's immediate world frames their perspective of the globe. At, we debate the ethics of slum tours, debunking Lonely Planet warnings and explaining how responsible tourism directly funds local education and NGO charities. Things get wonderfully chaotic at when Dave attempts to buy breakfast for a couple of kids at Muthurwa Market and ends up feeding twenty people alongside local vendor Joanne. We transition to the Kenyan coast at, heading to Manda Island and Lamu, an 800-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Swahili trading port completely free of cars. At, Dave recounts the ultimate James Bond arrival involving luggage on a wheelbarrow and speeding through mangrove channels on a high-speed boat to Manda Bay. By, we soak in the beachfront paradise of five-star luxury thatched-room cottages, fresh seafood, and a hilarious guided walk through the conservative, donkey-powered alleys of Lamu. We wrap up the episode at by reflecting on the genuine warmth, friendliness, and welcoming spirit of the Kenyan people before diving into next week's safari episode. Dave Seminara Website - https://daveseminara.com MadTraveler YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@MadTraveler Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction & Overview 02:30 – Why Kenya?: Dave explains why he chose Kenya as his next major African destination after South Africa 04:30 – The Stress of Booking 08:50 – Layover in Doha 10:35 – Landing in Nairobi at 3 AM 11:35 – The Posh Suburb of Karen 14:30 – Finishing the Trip on the Nitty-Gritty 15:45 – Inside Kibera Slum 19:50 – Bitcoin in the Slums 21:40 – Orphanage School Visit 23:15 – The Ethics of Slum Tours 25:20 – Feeding 20 Kids at a Market "Hotel" 29:33 – Heading to the Kenyan Coast 31:15 – The Ultimate James Bond Arrival 33:30 – Beachfront Paradise & Ancient Alleys 36:35 – Final Thoughts: Reflecting on the genuine warmth, friendliness, and welcoming spirit of the Kenyan people -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads . Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at <a...

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast Hornby Island Travel Guide 2026: Costs, Top Activities, Best Beaches + Journey Information I'm heading back to one of my absolute favourite places in Canada for an updated 2026 travel guide to Hornby Island. Often dubbed the "Hawaii of the North," this gorgeous Gulf Island features world-class white sand beaches, dramatic sandstone cliffs, and a uniquely laid-back artisan culture. Whether you're returning for another summer or planning your first trip, I break down the exact, up-to-date 2026 costs, how to navigate the complex double-ferry route from the BC mainland, and share a wild, unexpected traffic drama story you won't want to miss! In this episode, I cover: The Route & Costs: Navigating the Horseshoe Bay ferry, the double-ferry shuffle via Denman Island, and updated 2026 pricing for cars and passengers. Where to Stay: An honest look at the newly redesigned, BC Parks-operated campground at Tribune Bay, plus alternative camping options like Bradsdadsland. Top Beaches: Unwinding at the squeaky white sands of Tribune Bay and exploring the rugged, crowd-free tide pools of Whaling Bay. Must-Do Activities: Enjoying local craft ciders, legendary potato salad, and live music at Fossil Beach Farm, browsing the vibrant Saturday Farmers Market, and hiking Mount Geoffrey. Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Welcome to the Updated 2026 Hornby Island Travel Guide 02:37 – Location & Geography: Why Hornby is Called the "Hawaii of the North" 03:22 – Getting There Part 1: The Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo Ferry Route & Costs 05:16 – Getting There Part 2: The Double-Ferry Shuffle, Denman Island, and a Close Call Road Drama 08:14 – Where to Stay: The New BC Parks Campground at Tribune Bay & 2026 Booking Tips 10:14 – Alternative Accommodation: Brad's Dad's Land Campground Rates & Amenities 12:52 – Best Beaches: Tribune Bay (Little Hawaii) vs. The Rugged Local Favorite Whaling Bay 14:52 – Top Activities: Fossil Beach Farm's Famous Burgers, Cider, and Live Music 17:15 – Local Culture: The Hornby Island Saturday Farmers Market & The Hub 18:25 – Outdoor Adventures: Hiking Mount Geoffrey and Exploring Ford's Cove & Helliwell Provincial Park 20:29 – Practical Tips: Packing for the Sun, Ferry Timing, and Heading Home 23:14 – Final Thoughts & Outro -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast Back in 2014, I was working my way through the Caribbean as a solo traveller and my last stop was Puerto Rico. It was an interesting time to say the least! In this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast , I'm taking you back to an unexpected four-day trip I took to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Moving away from a standard travel guide, I'm sharing a raw, storytelling experience as I can't remember anything else from this trip bar the stories, ha! Tune in as I recount comforting a fellow traveler after a shocking hostel heartbreak over the best Oreo cheesecake I’ve ever had in Starbucks, bar-hopping through local residents' makeshift rum-houses, dodging torrential downpours during the rainy season, and sharing a dorm with an Irish solicitor who was drunkenly managing his criminal clients over the phone. A weird and wonderful experience in Puerto Rico and I wouldn't have it any other way! Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction: Recalling My Strange, Unscripted 2014 Trip to Puerto Rico 00:40 — Welcome to Winging It with James Hammond 02:17 — Why Puerto Rico? Navigating Complex Territories and Finding Cheap Flights 05:05 — Hostel Drama: Helping a Crying Traveler & Finding Legendary Starbucks Oreo Cheesecake 09:40 — Local Rum Bars: Drinking in Residents' Living Rooms in San Juan 11:15 — Sunday Morning Rain: Running Through Town to Track Down a Football Match 12:20 — Exploring Culture: Visiting Castillo San Felipe del Morro & Walking Old San Juan 13:50 — Enter the Irish Solicitor: Relentless Jokes and Taking Phone Calls from Criminal Clients 15:40 — Live Salsa Bands, Trip Highlights, and Heading Off to Toronto 17:05 — Next Week's Teaser: Heading to St. Kitts and Nevis 17:47 — Outro & Where to Find More Content at WingingItTravelPodcast.com -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast The Post-Trip Hangover, Notriphobia, and Chasing Your Travel Self Ever find yourself late at night, staring at a video timeline or scrolling through old photos from a past adventure, hit with a strange, hollow ache? In this solo episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast , I dive deep into the psychological weight of returning home from the road. Tune in as I explore if we aren't actually homesick for a physical location, but are instead mourning our untethered "vacation self" or could it be both? Plus, I tackle notriphobia —the low-grade panic of looking at an empty calendar with no next adventure booked—and share practical ways to bridge the gap between routine daily life and your next big getaway. I for sure suffer from a trip which could either be a long weekend or six months, going back home is a constant struggle for me and I cannot see that changing in the near future. So I thought I would lay out my ramblings in this episode to see if other travellers feel the same thing. Let me know your thoughts on it too. Key Topics Covered: The Post-Trip Hangover: I break down the dopamine crash, the physiological shift of "travel fitness," and the shocking transition back to mundane domestic life. Mourning Your Vacation Self: Why we feel lighter and more alive on the road, and the fallacy of trying to recreate past memories or return to the exact same spots. Notriphobia & The Blank Calendar: I define the anxiety of having zero upcoming trips, and look at why re-watching old clips can sometimes feel like self-torture or living backward. Breaking the Loop: How I close the chapter on past travels, smuggle micro-curiosities into my everyday routine, and cure notriphobia without breaking the bank. Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Editing drone footage from Finland and the strange, hollow ache of wanting to go back. 01:24 – Podcast Intro: Welcome to the Winging It Travel podcast, part of the Voyescape Network. 03:03 – The Post-Trip Hangover & Dopamine Crash: Shifting from high-stimulus travel fitness to the shock of the mundane. 05:43 – The Archive Trap: Why editing old footage from Finland, Bhutan, or New Zealand brings back an intense desire to return. 07:49 – Mourning Your Travel Self: Shedding your routine identity and realizing you miss the person you were on the road. 09:31 – The Fallacy of Return: Why going back to the exact same place rarely matches your memories. 11:08 – Mid-Roll / Support the Show: How you can support the podcast through reviews, YouTube subscriptions, and Buy Me a Coffee. 11:52 – Notriphobia & The Blank Calendar Panic: The anxious feeling of having zero upcoming trips and using past clips as a digital security blanket. 15:08 – Closing the Chapter: How to finish your travel projects, sign off on past trips, and move forward. 16:47 – Smuggling Travel into Daily Life: Micro-curiosities at home, reading travel books, and planning future adventures to cure notriphobia. 18:50 – Wrap-Up & Next Episodes: A look ahead to my upcoming stories covering Puerto Rico and Hornby Island. -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast Winging It for 7 Months in Melbourne: From $0 to $14K in Savings, South Melbourne Living & Grim Infections In this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast , I break down my seven-month stint living and working in Melbourne, Australia during my working holiday visa. Arriving on the East Coast with virtually no money left after months of backpacking, I took a leap of faith on a job tip from Magnetic Island, called a payphone from Noosa, and flew straight down to Victoria to rebuild my travel funds. From securing a $30/hour temp job to recovering my bank account from zero up to $14,000 AUD, I share an honest, detailed look at the financial realities of working abroad. Beyond the workplace, I dive deep into what day-to-day life looked like base-camped in South Melbourne. I walk through spending three months living in Urban Central Hostel, navigating long-term hostel culture, playing Monday night poker, and eventually moving out to an apartment in Kensington. Along the way, I reflect on a major digital turning point in my travels—buying my first smartphone, an iPhone 5C, which completely transformed how I navigated cities, stayed connected, and documented my journey on the road. I've also packed this episode with vibrant local stories and real traveler mishaps. I share memories of getting into Australian Rules Football (AFL) at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), picking the Richmond Tigers as my team, and playing acoustic guitar for my boss's secret garden wedding in Daylesford. I also get candid about the darker sides of long-term budget travel, including a nightmare medical battle with severe ear and tooth infections that led to a late-night trip to A&E. To wrap up, I give a full local guide to South Melbourne, highlighting why it remains one of my absolute favorite areas to live in Victoria. I break down the best neighborhood spots, from the historic South Melbourne Market and Agathé Pâtisserie to St Ali Coffee and 5k runs around Albert Park Lake. Whether you're planning your own Australian working holiday, looking for budget travel tips, or just love raw, authentic storytelling, tune in to hear what it was really like making a home on the other side of the world. Key Highlights Australia Working Holiday Visa: Practical insight on landing temporary work, pay rates, and saving money in Australia. South Melbourne Living: Neighborhood highlights, including the South Melbourne Market, Clarendon Street, and St Ali Coffee. Budget Travel & Hostels: What it’s actually like spending three months long-term at Urban Central Hostel. Melbourne Culture & Sports: Experiencing AFL games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the Crown Casino precinct. Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: The 7-Month Melbourne Stint & Landing a Job via Payphone 00:53 – Welcome to the Winging It Travel Podcast 02:32 – Arriving Broke: Rebuilding a Travel Budget from $0 to $14,000 04:10 – Living at Urban Central Hostel in South Melbourne 06:05 – Moving to Kensington & Commuting into the City 06:50 – Buying an iPhone 5C: How Smart Technology Changed Travel 08:10 – Working in Australia: $30/Hour Temp Jobs & Visa Rules 09:00 – Discovering AFL at the MCG & Supporting Richmond 11:54 – Mid-Episode Break & Supporting the Show 12:38 – Playing Guitar at a Boss's Wedding in Daylesford 13:40 – A Night in A&E: Dealing with Ear & Gum Infections on the Road 15:00 – Exploring South Melbourne: South Melbourne Market, Albert Park & St Ali Coffee 19:00 – The Missing $10,000 Bonus & Ending the Job 20:00 – Full Circle Moment: The Ashes at the MCG & Planning South America 22:00 – Road Trip Prep: Great Ocean Road to Adelaide & Final Melbourne Wrap-Up -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast IMMERSIVE - 20 Minutes at the Finnish Lakelands: Unwind at Lake Maunolanselkä (ASMR style) Grab a pair of headphones, find a quiet space, and step onto a wooden jetty in the heart of Finland. In this special soundscape episode, we’re slowing things down completely. Taken from a continuous recording on the shores of Lake Maunolanselkä, this episode captures the pure, uninterrupted ambient sounds of Finnish nature—gentle water movement, birds, and the deep stillness of the summer mökki (cabin) life. After a brief reflection on what it takes to make your dream trip happen, the commentary steps away to let the environment take over for the remainder of the episode. In this episode: A short, reflective intro on slowing down and making travel happen. Authentic, unedited ambient audio recorded live at Lake Maunolanselkä, Finland. High-quality ASMR nature sounds designed for relaxation, focus, meditation, or sleep. Best experienced with headphones. Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast Winging It On Location – Days 12-17 - UK + Paris: A 30k Step Day In Paris, 4 English Breakfasts in 4 Days + Thoughts on Home In this episode, I wrap up my latest trip with Days 12–17 taking me from the UK to Paris before finally heading back home to Vancouver. I spend some time back in Norwich catching up with friends and family, but being back in the city where I grew up also gets me thinking about what “home” actually means to me these days. After living in Vancouver for almost a decade, could I see myself moving back to Norwich one day? There’s also a chaotic train journey to London, a long-overdue catch-up with an old travelling friend, a visit to Wokingham and, somehow (quite easily to be fair), four English breakfasts in four days ! Then I head to Paris for a couple of days, partly because it was actually cheaper to fly home from Paris than London. After surviving some airport chaos, I settle into the 10th arrondissement and set out to explore one of my favourite cities in the world. I run along Canal Saint-Martin, hunt down some great coffee and croissants, wander through the streets of Paris, visit the Palais Garnier and Place de la Madeleine, walk along the Seine and finally meet fellow travel creator and former Winging It guest Jay Swanson for coffee. I then spend hours walking across Paris towards Jardin du Luxembourg before getting absolutely soaked in a huge downpour. By the end of the day, I've clocked up 30,000 steps — including my morning run — and I'm completely exhausted. Finally, I look back on the whole trip: almost three weeks, six countries, countless cities, coffees and plenty of adventures. I also talk about why I enjoy podcasting on the road and what's coming next, including my upcoming trip to French Polynesia. It’s the end of another Winging It On Location series — thanks for coming along for the ride! Jay's episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000633040744 https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gdjWp82iVfGD3jRFnEpiX?si=6lkGVVmbRdKesbDePj2Gaw Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to the final days of the trip 01:38 Back in Norwich and thinking about home 03:20 Could Norwich become home again? 04:50 The chaotic journey from Norwich to London 06:20 Catching up with old travelling friends 07:40 Heading to Paris 08:30 Four English breakfasts in four days 09:00 Paris airport chaos 10:30 Arriving in the 10th arrondissement 11:20 Running along Canal Saint-Martin 12:20 Coffee, croissants and exploring Paris 14:00 Palais Garnier and Place de la Madeleine 15:00 Meeting Jay Swanson 16:15 Walking through Paris to Jardin du Luxembourg 17:30 Notre-Dame and torrential rain 18:30 The 30,000-step day 19:30 Final morning in Paris 20:15 Three weeks, six countries and the end of the trip 22:00 Podcasting on the road and what's next 23:00 Listener review and final thoughts -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast Winging It On Location – Days 9-11 - Finnish Lakelands: A Deserted Resort By The Lake, Epic Morning Drone Views + Helsinki Airport Chaos In Days 9–11 of the Finland road trip, we continue north along Route 62 through the Finnish Lakelands , leaving our remote lakeside cabin behind and heading towards Puumala, where we cross the spectacular Puumalansalmi Bridge. From there, the road trip continues through some of the most beautiful scenery of the journey, with endless lakes, islands and bridges before arriving at Lietvesi and eventually Anttola. We then swap our rustic cabin for a lakeside resort, complete with swimming pool, saunas, paddleboards, canoes and plenty of opportunities to embrace Finnish mökki life . Day 10 is all about slowing down: breakfast, paddleboarding, drone flying, swimming, reading, a run through the local trails and, naturally, plenty of sauna time. We also sample some Finnish pastries and enjoy an excellent final dinner at the resort. Finally, we head to Mikkeli before returning the hire car and taking the train to Helsinki Airport. Along the way, I reflect on the entire Finland trip, including Helsinki, Route 62, the Finnish Lakelands, cabin stays, driving in Finland, costs, and why Finland might just be one of the easiest countries in the world to travel around. And, of course, there's a final introduction to the Finnish way of life: mökki life, saunas, nature, no internet and simply switching off. Finnish Lakelands Accommodation Kuvalusdream Chalet - https://www.booking.com/hotel/fi/kuvalusdream.en-gb.html?label=affnetcj-11916287_pub-5108952_site-101051909_pname-Go+Travel+Un+Limited_clkid-3495d2d3e2334d21a223e3101-370217_cjevent-5b07c05f9dc911f1823700330a82b838&utm_source=affnetcj&utm_medium=bannerindex&utm_term=index-11916287&utm_campaign=xx&aid=818288&ucfs=1&arphpl=1&checkin=2026-08-22&checkout=2026-08-23&adplat=www-homescreen-recently_viewed_carousel-stays-n_a-n_a Saimaanranta Resort by Anttolanhovi - https://www.booking.com/hotel/fi/lake-saimaa-resort-mikkeli.en-gb.html?label=affnetcj-11916287_pub-5108952_site-101051909_pname-Go+Travel+Un+Limited_clkid-3495d2d3e2334d21a223e3101-370217_cjevent-5b07c05f9dc911f1823700330a82b838&utm_source=affnetcj&utm_medium=bannerindex&utm_term=index-11916287&utm_campaign=xx&aid=818288&ucfs=1&arphpl=1&checkin=2026-08-22&checkout=2026-08-23&adplat=www-homescreen-recently_viewed_carousel-stays-n_a-n_a Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to Winging It 01:38 Day 9 – Back on Route 62 02:30 Puumala & the Puumalansalmi Bridge 03:30 The bridge, the wind & the ice-free waterway 04:20 Coffee & Finnish snacks in Puumala 05:00 The Lietvesi Scenic Spot 06:00 More Lakeland scenery & arriving in Anttola 06:45 Checking into the lakeside resort 07:30 Finnish pastries & exploring the resort 08:45 Dinner, mushroom soup & Monopoly Deal 09:40 Day 10 – Breakfast & a day on the lake 10:40 Paddleboards, drones & Finnish mökki life 11:45 Swimming, reading & soaking up the Lakelands 12:30 A 5K run, getting lost & sauna time 13:30 Final morning & thoughts on the resort 14:30 Mikkeli & the final coffee stop 15:10 Returning the car & train to Helsinki Airport 16:00 The chaotic end to the trip 16:30 Final thoughts on Helsinki & Route 62 17:15 Why the Finnish Lakelands are worth visiting 17:45 Mökki life, saunas & switching off 18:20 Final thoughts & next time on Winging It -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at <a...

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast Winging It On Location – Days 7-8 - Finnish Lakelands - Mökki Life, More Saunas and Our Own Little Cabin Along Route 62 Days 7 and 8 take us properly into the Finnish Lakelands as we leave Helsinki behind and hit the road along Route 62. After an early train from Helsinki to Lappeenranta, we pick up our hire car, stock up on food and begin our four-night road trip through some of Finland's most idyllic lake country. The aim of this part of the trip is simple: get away from the cities, slow down and experience a traditional Finnish summer. The first two nights are spent in a tiny cabin in the woods at Kouvalas Dream Chalet , right beside a lake and complete with its own jetty, boat and, most importantly, a huge wood-fired sauna. Getting there is part of the adventure, including a short journey on a free motor launch after the paved road eventually comes to an end! Once we're settled in, it's time to embrace mökki life: cooking dinner, sitting beside the lake, rowing the boat, swimming, reading, flying the drone and spending plenty of time in the sauna. It's about as far removed from Helsinki city life as you can get. Day eight is particularly special. With clear skies, calm water and barely another person around, we get out onto the lake and experience exactly the kind of Finnish summer we'd imagined before the trip. There's even time to finally get the drone into the air after owning it for two years — resulting in some spectacular footage of the cabin and lake. We also get into what mökki actually means and why these small countryside cabins are such an important part of Finnish summer culture. After two nights, it feels like we've experienced our own little slice of that lifestyle. It's peaceful, it's remote, it's rustic — and it's exactly what this part of the Finland trip was supposed to be. Things of Interest 🚆 Getting around Finland: Taking the train from Helsinki to Lappeenranta and using the VR app to book tickets ☕ Helsinki breakfast: St George's Cafe and Bakery for coffee and croissants 🚗 Route 62: A road trip through Finland's Lakelands, with lakes, forests and tiny villages 🇫🇮 Lappeenranta: The starting point for the road trip and a good place to stock up on supplies 🇷🇺 Near the Russian border: Imatra is only around 10–15km from the Russian border ⛴️ A free motor launch: Crossing the river with the car as the road suddenly ends 🏡 Kouvalas Dream Chalet: A tiny cabin in the woods with its own lake access and jetty 🔥 The Finnish sauna experience: A traditional wood-fired sauna reaching around 60–70°C 🚿 Bucket showers: No conventional shower — hot and cold water are mixed manually for a very rustic experience 🚽 The pit toilet: Another reminder that this really is a cabin in the middle of nature! 🚣 Rowing on the lake: Exploring the lake using the cabin's own boat 🚁 The drone finally flies: After owning the mini drone for two years, James finally gets it into the air 🛶 Lake life: Swimming, reading, relaxing on the jetty and enjoying the complete lack of people 🧖 Sauna → lake → sauna: The recurring routine that becomes the theme of the stay 🇫🇮 Mökki life: The Finnish tradition of escaping to a small countryside cabin or summer house during the summer Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to the Finnish Lakelands 01:40 From Helsinki to Lappeenranta and onto Route 62 04:20 The road trip begins through Finland's Lakelands 07:00 A motor launch, an unpaved road and our cabin in the woods 09:00 Inside our rustic Finnish cabin and its sauna 11:30 Settling into Mökki life 13:30 Waking up beside the lake 15:00 Rowing, swimming and the perfect Finnish summer 17:30 Finally flying the drone over the lake 19:30 What is Mökki life? 21:00 Leaving the cabin and continuing along Route 62 -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Winging It On Location – Days 4-6 - Helsinki: Our First Sauna, Trendy Coffees and Dancing On The Street In this on-location episode of Winging It, I continue the Estonia-to-Finland road trip and spend three packed days exploring Helsinki — a city that quickly became one of my favourite capital cities in Europe. From the ferry across the Gulf of Finland to trendy speciality coffee shops, a free walking tour, and our first proper Finnish sauna experience, this episode captures the atmosphere of Helsinki in real time. I share practical travel tips, food recommendations, transport advice, and the honest reactions that make these live-location episodes feel like you’re travelling alongside us. We start with the Viking Line ferry from Tallinn, settle into central Helsinki, and dive straight into the city’s café culture. After a crash course in Finnish history on a free walking tour, the trip becomes increasingly local: a Saturday morning ParkRun, doing laundry in a quirky neighbourhood café, and then the highlight of the weekend — a two-hour waterfront sauna session at Löyly. The evening turns into an unexpected night out filled with live music, dancing in a closed-off bar street, and one very unusual encounter involving a stranger with a glass of wine. On the final day, we slow things down with outstanding coffee and brunch before taking the ferry to Suomenlinna, Helsinki’s UNESCO-listed sea fortress, for coastal views, cannons, history, and gelato by the water. If you’re planning a Helsinki weekend trip, looking for sauna recommendations, or want a mix of food, coffee, nightlife, and history, this episode is packed with ideas and real-world travel insights. Places & Activities Mentioned Viking Line ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki Hotel Finn (central Helsinki) La Torrefazione specialty coffee café Green Cap Tours free walking tour Helsinki Central Library Oodi Restaurant Khao Tip (Thai food) Tokoinranta ParkRun Café Tin Tin Tango (laundry + café stop) Löyly waterfront sauna Putte’s Bar & Pizza Mummotunneli nightlife area St George’s Café Lazy Fox brunch Ferry to Suomenlinna Esplanadi Park Helsinki Cathedral Senate Square Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Intro and Tallinn toilet update 01:38 Ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki 02:35 Hotel Finn and arrival in the city 03:10 First Helsinki coffee stop: La Torrefazione 04:05 Free walking tour and Finnish history 04:40 Oodi Library and evening Thai food 05:45 Saturday morning ParkRun in Helsinki 06:35 Coffee, croissants, and ParkRun refuel 07:15 Laundry stop at Café Tin Tin Tango 08:05 First Finnish sauna experience at Löyly 09:25 Pizza, reindeer toppings, and tiramisu 09:50 Night out at Mummotunneli 11:15 Sunday coffee at St George’s Café 11:45 Brunch at Lazy Fox 12:20 Ferry to Suomenlinna 13:05 Exploring the fortress and island views 13:50 Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral 14:10 Why Helsinki became one of my favourite European capitals -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast Winging It On Location – Days 2-3-Tallinn: A Trendy Old Town, Estonian History and Monopoly Deal In this second instalment of my Winging It On Location series from the Baltics, I spend two full days exploring Estonia’s capital beyond the first evening impressions. From avocado toast in one of Tallinn’s trendiest cafés to a deep dive into the country’s Soviet history, this episode blends food, culture, history and the small moments that make a trip memorable. I wander through the cobbled streets of the Old Town in the sunshine, join a free walking tour to learn about Estonia’s path to independence, and take in panoramic views across the city. The next day I head out to the seaside district of Pirita, visit the Soviet memorials and cemetery, and reflect on how Estonia preserves difficult parts of its past. There’s also excellent coffee, cardamom buns, goulash in a bread bowl, jazz at Philly Joe’s, and the beginning of a travel obsession that may last the rest of the trip: Monopoly Deal. If you’re considering a European city break that feels safer, quieter and less crowded than many of the continent’s major capitals, Tallinn might be the perfect choice. In this episode: Exploring Tallinn’s Old Town, cafés and bakeries Learning about Estonia’s history on a free walking tour Visiting Soviet memorials and Pirita Beach Jazz, wine and final thoughts on Tallinn as a city break Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Back in Tallinn and exploring the Old Town in daylight 02:30 Cafés, bakeries and the free walking tour 05:00 Evening food stops and first impressions of Tallinn 06:30 Morning coffee crawl and hidden gems around Rotermann 08:00 Pirita Beach, Soviet memorials and Estonia’s history 10:30 Monopoly Deal, seaside lunch and a slower afternoon 11:45 Jazz, wine and a trendy final night in Tallinn 12:30 Final thoughts: is Tallinn one of Europe’s best city breaks? -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast Winging It On Location – Day 1: 5-Hour Layover in Amsterdam & Arriving in Tallinn The European tour is officially underway. In this first on-the-road episode, I take you through my journey from Toronto to Tallinn via Amsterdam, including what you can realistically do with a 5-hour layover at Schiphol Airport. I share the exact train route into the city, why I chose the Jordaan district, and the coffee stop that made the short visit worthwhile. After a quick wander through Amsterdam’s canals, bridges, and tree-lined streets, I head back to the airport for my flight to Estonia. Once in Tallinn, I give my first impressions of the city, explain the easiest tram connection from the airport, and meet up with friends for dinner in the heart of the Estonian capital. If you’re planning an Amsterdam layover, a Tallinn city break, or simply enjoy hearing authentic travel stories from the road, this episode is for you. In this episode: How to do Amsterdam on a short layover Using contactless payment on Dutch trains The best area to wander for 2–3 hours in Amsterdam Coffee recommendation in the Jordaan district Arriving in Tallinn and getting into the city for €2 Hotel information Dinner, drinks, and the start of the Baltic adventure Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Intro & recording live from Tallinn 01:38 Toronto to Amsterdam: the journey begins 02:20 Getting through Schiphol and heading into the city 03:15 The fastest train from Amsterdam Airport to Central Station 04:05 Why I chose the Jordaan district for a short layover 05:30 Canals, bridges, sunshine, and wandering without a plan 06:40 Coffee stop recommendation: KOF Café 07:30 The unexpected challenge of finding a public toilet 08:10 Where to see the famous houses sitting on the water 09:05 Is a 5-hour Amsterdam layover actually worth it? 09:45 Flying to Tallinn and first impressions of Estonia 10:20 Tallinn hotel, tram tips, and city-centre arrival 10:55 Dinner with friends and Estonian food prices 11:10 What’s coming up next on the Baltic tour -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast A year ago, my partner Emma was diagnosed with celiac disease, completely changing the way we think about travel. In this special episode, I'm sharing my conversation with Leigh Francis from The Gluten Free Advocate Podcast about what it's really like adapting to gluten-free travel while still chasing adventure. We discuss the emotional side of a diagnosis, how our travel style has evolved from spontaneous backpacking to careful planning, and why destinations like Victoria, BC and parts of Europe have given us confidence that incredible travel is still possible. We also dive into my recent adventures through El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Bhutan, my future plans for French Polynesia, Central Asia and Africa, and how this experience is changing the content I create on both the Winging It Travel Podcast and YouTube. Whether you have celiac disease yourself, travel with someone who does, or simply love hearing honest travel conversations, this episode offers practical advice, encouragement and plenty of wanderlust. In this episode you'll hear: Emma's unexpected celiac diagnosis and how it changed our lives Why travelling with celiac disease requires a completely different mindset The challenges of avoiding cross-contamination while travelling The best gluten-free destinations we've experienced so far Planning our upcoming trip to French Polynesia How this journey is changing my podcast and YouTube content Bucket list destinations still waiting to be explored Why travel is still absolutely worth it—even with dietary restrictions If you want to be able to listen to our conversation from Season 1 - check out this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynv84AuSkek If you have any questions or fun stories to share, feel free to reach out at ⁠⁠hieatexplorelove@gmail.com⁠⁠. Substack: https://substack.com/@theglutenfreeadvocate Tik Tok: @theglutenfreeadvocate Facebook:⁠ The Gluten Free Advocate Instagram: @theglutenfreeadvocate This episode is produced by Leigh Francis Productions. Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and why I'm sharing this interview 05:45 Catching up since our last conversation 07:45 Emma's celiac diagnosis and what happened 10:45 Life changes after going gluten-free 13:10 Supporting someone with celiac disease 15:45 How travel planning has completely changed 18:40 Future destinations and travelling with confidence 21:40 How celiac disease is changing my travel content 25:30 Podcast updates, YouTube and future plans 27:45 Bucket list destinations around the world 33:40 Rapid-fire travel questions 42:20 Final thoughts and where to find my work -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast Some travel memories fade over time, but others stay with you forever. In this solo episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I'm sharing ten very specific travel moments from the past 15 years that instantly take me back whenever I think about them. These aren't just favourite countries or famous landmarks—they're the unexpected moments of peace, achievement, freedom and awe that remind me exactly why I love travelling. From watching the sunrise over the Himalayas after hiking to Poon Hill in Nepal, to discovering paradise in the Cook Islands, exploring Thailand and Myanmar by scooter, reflecting after completing the Inca Trail, standing alone at Petra before the crowds arrived, watching hot air balloons drift over Cappadocia, experiencing the Canadian Rockies at sunrise, and witnessing Volcán Fuego erupt in Guatemala, these are the memories that continue to inspire me to keep exploring. I'd love to hear your own unforgettable travel memories after listening to this episode. In this episode you'll hear: Why a tiny tea house in Nepal became one of my favourite travel memories The beach that still defines paradise for me How riding scooters changed the way I travel Why finishing challenging hikes creates unforgettable moments My favourite sunrise experiences around the world The travel experiences that put me into a true "flow state" Why it's often the small moments—not the famous attractions—that stay with us longest Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:38 Nepal – Poon Hill, hidden tea house and falling in love with the Himalayas 05:20 Cook Islands – Paradise found on Rarotonga and Aitutaki 07:25 Koh Lanta, Thailand – The freedom of exploring by scooter 09:45 Bagan, Myanmar – Temples, sunsets and unforgettable landscapes 11:40 Peru – Reflecting after completing the Inca Trail 14:15 Petra, Jordan – Experiencing the Treasury before the crowds 16:00 Margaret River, Australia – Seasonal work, friendships and beach days 17:45 Cappadocia, Türkiye – Sunrise hot air balloon adventure 19:15 Lake Louise & Moraine Lake – Canada's most breathtaking scenery 20:55 Acatenango & Volcán Fuego – Watching an active volcano erupt in Guatemala 22:05 Final reflections and listener question -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast Five years ago, I recorded one of the earliest solo episodes of Winging It, sharing ten pieces of travel advice that I wished someone had told me before I set off exploring the world. Since then, I've visited many more countries, built a travel podcast, launched a YouTube channel, started a podcast production business and experienced everything from hiking to Tiger's Nest in Bhutan to travelling through Guatemala, Mexico and El Salvador. So I decided to revisit that episode and ask a simple question: Would I still give the same advice today? In this episode, I react to each of my original ten travel tips, discussing what's changed, what I've learned over another five years of travelling and whether my opinions still hold true. From embracing flexibility and getting outside your comfort zone to documenting your travels, packing efficiently and making the most of working holiday visas, this is an honest look at how both travel—and I—have evolved. Whether you're planning your very first backpacking trip or you've already caught the travel bug, I hope these updated reflections help you travel smarter, more confidently and make the most of every adventure. If you've got your own travel advice that you'd give to a first-time traveller, I'd love to hear it. Get in touch on social media or leave a comment on YouTube. Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 02:30 – Why I'm revisiting one of my earliest podcast episodes 03:00 – 1. Be flexible when planning 09:00 – 2. Get out of your comfort zone 15:15 – 3. Make the most of work visas 25:45 – 4. Document everything 31:40 – 5. Take your time travelling 37:45 – Support the podcast 38:30 – 6. Invest in noise-cancelling headphones 42:45 – 7. Don't rely solely on guidebooks 45:55 – 8. Be sociable and friendly 48:30 – 9. Save more money than you think you'll need 51:15 – 10. Pack efficiently 54:45 – Final reflections on five years of travel -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast Why the World Cup Proves Travel Brings People Together | My Updated 2026 Travel Plans & Recovering From Kidney Stones This week I'm sharing a more personal update as I recover from kidney stones, reflect on the incredible atmosphere surrounding the FIFA World Cup, and look ahead to an exciting second half of the year packed with travel. After a slower start to 2026, I'm finally getting ready to hit the road again with trips to Toronto, Estonia, Finland, Paris and French Polynesia. I also share how this period away from travelling has helped me rethink my content, my business and what I want the future of Winging It to look like. I also explain why I believe the World Cup is one of the greatest examples of how travel brings people together. From the incredible hospitality shown by Mexican fans to England supporters, to thousands of people from different cultures celebrating side by side, it's a reminder that travel creates understanding, respect and unforgettable memories. Finally, I open up about dealing with kidney stones over the past couple of weeks, what it's taught me about appreciating everyday life, and why I'm looking forward to getting back out into the world once I'm fully recovered. If you've been thinking about booking your next adventure, hopefully this episode gives you the inspiration to finally go for it. In this episode: • Why the World Cup is about far more than football. • The incredible hospitality between travelling fans. • My upcoming trips to Canada, Estonia, Finland, France and French Polynesia. • How I've been rethinking my travel content and podcast plans. • Recovering from kidney stones and what the experience has taught me. • A look ahead to what's coming next on Winging It Travel Podcast. Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast ⏱️ Timestamps 01:38 Why the release schedule has changed 02:30 What the World Cup teaches us about travel 05:10 England, Mexico and the power of football to unite people 07:45 Why travel creates cultural understanding 09:25 My upcoming trips: Toronto, Estonia, Finland and Paris 12:15 French Polynesia, future travel plans and new podcast ideas 13:45 Recovering from kidney stones and appreciating normal life 15:10 Podcast updates, reviews and supporting the show -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads .

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. Smart Travel Podcast This week is a little different. I went back through the Winging It archives and handpicked 15 previous guests, asking each of them the same quick-fire question: "What would you say to someone who's nervous about travelling and why they should go?" Their answers are honest, inspiring, funny and thought-provoking. Whether you're dreaming about your first solo trip, planning a career break, or simply need a reminder of why we explore, these 15 reasons might be exactly what you need. Featuring adventurers, authors, broadcasters, travel creators and industry experts, this episode is the perfect way to kick off the summer. Guests featured: • Rachel Rudwall – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000728978309 • Kate Wills – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000567094905 • Nick Cohen – https://open.spotify.com/episode/4MXukvaUPLCQywmXKjSeBD?si=QyZiKYp_Qta1R5XQeArpjQ • Matt & Nat – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000723386799 • Jonny Bealby – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000561519170 • Mark Wolters – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000709892870 • Alun from Tripology – https://voyascape.com/podcast/winging-it/episode/episode-111-travelling-with-alun-from-tripology-the-traveller-s-podcast-69f74f • Matt Dennis – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000726849183 • John Stucky – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000731536141 • Emma Thomson – https://voyascape.com/podcast/winging-it/episode/episode-56-travelling-with-emma-thomson-in-sri-lanka-pakistan-iran-zimbabwe-and-bhutan-d486c6 • Melissa Rodway – https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YupR9qd58VoDoqBRbSdOQ?si=v4GVIR2CSYu4VdMNsxDmrA • Pauline Frommer – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000733638498 • Aaron Millar – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000716235402 • Dave Seminara – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000665923550 • Matty Dyas – https://voyascape.com/podcast/winging-it/episode/episode-51-travelling-with-matty-dyas-in-haiti-spain-bangkok-slovakia-moldova-fdc080 Which answer resonated with you the most? Let me know on Instagram @wingingittravelpodcast or send an email to james@wingingitproductions.com If this episode inspires you to finally book that trip, I'd love to hear where you're heading. Support Winging It Travel Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Welcome & why I created this episode 02:30 The first reasons to travel 05:55 Stepping outside your comfort zone 09:25 Building confidence through travel 12:00 How travel changes your perspective 13:00 Life is short—book the trip 14:18 Final thoughts -------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠ Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/ Winging It Travel Podcast - Website -------------------------------------------------------------- Winging It Travel Podcast Credits Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com Social Media - follow me on: Instagram TikTok Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------- Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast. Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here Booking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - Here Discovery Car Hire - Here Book Buses With Busbud - Here Book Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for supporting me and the podcast! Cheers James. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of...