What does it actually take to visit 50+ countries without draining your bank account? John Johnston of The Bucket List Things has been doing exactly that — chasing bucket list adventures across Africa, South America, the Baltic States, and beyond, all on a budget most people spend on a single resort vacation.

In this episode, John breaks down his entire approach to affordable adventure travel: how he finds jaw-dropping flight deals before anyone else, why he chooses hostels over hotels (and how to pick the right ones), and how a Morgan Freeman movie started it all.

Plus — the story of how he jumped off a sleeper bus in Brazil at 2am while his luggage kept going without him. You won't want to miss it.

In This Episode

• How a Morgan Freeman movie sparked John's passion for travel
• Planning active, adventure-focused trips across 50+ countries
• The flight deal services most travellers have never heard of (YYZ Deals & Next Departure)
• Why hostels beat hotels for budget AND social experiences
• How to choose the right hostel — ratings, reviews, and red flags
• Personal stories from Africa, Brazil, and the Baltic States
• Handling travel disasters with grace (or at least a good story)
• Upcoming trips: Newfoundland, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, and Southeast Asia
• The best apps and tools for long-haul travel: Rome2Rio, Hostelworld & more

Timestamps

• 00:00 — Welcome & introduction to John Johnston of The Bucket List Things
• 01:03 — How John's travel passion was sparked by a Morgan Freeman movie
• 02:01 — Crafting personalized bucket list adventures with a focus on activity and uniqueness
• 03:26 — Experience on a G Adventures trip through Southern Africa
• 04:33 — Solo travel vs group tours — pros and cons
• 05:25 — Discovering exotic destinations through airfare alerts like YYZ Deals and Next Departure
• 06:52 — Planning trips to the Baltic States and exploring nearby Finland
• 08:13 — Typical trip durations and balancing travel with budget
• 09:12 — Strategies for organizing multi-city travel itineraries
• 09:40 — How John attracts travel companions through social media
• 10:33 — The affordability case for hostels — and the social benefits
• 11:29 — Staying in budget-friendly hostels that rival four-star hotels
• 12:58 — Identifying and choosing social but non-party hostels
• 14:12 — Traveling with a mix of retired travelers and working professionals
• 15:08 — The quirky fun of staying in unique accommodations
• 16:07 — The Brazil sleeper bus story: luggage goes one way, John goes another
• 21:46 — Planning and research tips for the Baltic States
• 26:18 — Upcoming plans: Newfoundland, French overseas territories, Indonesia & Vietnam
• 28:55 — Comparing travel costs by region and how that shapes trip planning
• 29:57 — How John keeps travel organized with websites, apps & local insights
• 30:44 — John's online presence and social media platforms
• 31:39 — Long-haul flight tips: packing, comfort & sleep tricks
• 33:02 — Choosing the best seats & travel apps like Rome2Rio and Fairy Hopper
• 34:51 — The value of engaging with locals for hidden gems
• 35:01 — Closing thoughts and advice for independent travelers

Resources & Links

• The Bucket List Things
• YYZ Deals
• Next Departure
• Hostelworld
• Rome2Rio

Connect with John Johnston

• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Threads

About the Truly Expert Travel Podcast
Your go-to source for real travel stories, insider tips, and inspiration for your next adventure. Hosted by Paula.
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