Ep 188 w/ Pauline Frommer (Frommer's Travel Guides) - From $5 a Day to the Digital Age: Why Travel Still Matters

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Pauline Frommer, the editorial director and the voice behind the legendary Frommer’s Travel Guides — a brand that has shaped how millions of people explore the world. From her father Arthur Frommer’s iconic Europe on $5 a Day to her own role in redefining modern travel, Pauline shares a fascinating journey through decades of changing travel trends and timeless wisdom.

We dive into the golden age of travel, the challenges of keeping guidebooks relevant in the AI and influencer era, and why authentic, local knowledge still matters more than viral posts or paid promotions. Pauline reflects on her early travels across Europe as a child, her father’s unexpected path from law to publishing, and how the Frommer family helped democratise travel for everyone—not just the rich.

We also unpack the realities of today’s travel media landscape — from fake reviews and corporate bias to AI scraping journalism — and what this means for travellers seeking honest advice. Pauline shares her insights on sustainable travel, mid-range budgets, and why travel remains one of the best ways to understand humanity, especially in divided times.

If you’ve ever carried a guidebook in your backpack, dreamed of exploring the world more meaningfully, or wondered how travel has evolved over the last 70 years, this episode is a must-listen.

Expect heartfelt stories, insider travel tips, reflections on modern society, and the enduring reminder that the world is still worth exploring — one honest adventure at a time.

🔗 Useful Links

🎧 Listen to The Frommer’s Travel Show: https://www.frommers.com/podcast

📚 Explore Frommer’s Guidebooks: https://www.frommers.com

📸 Follow Pauline Frommer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frommers

☕ Support Winging It Travel Podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wingingit

🕒 Timestamps

00:00 – Why Pauline Frommer believes guidebooks still matter

04:00 – The Story of Arthur Frommer and Europe on $5 a Day

09:00 – Travelling through postwar Europe and lessons learned

13:00 – The power of travel to connect us beyond nationalism

15:00 – How influencers changed travel media (and not for the better)

19:00 – Why Americans don’t travel as much as they should

22:00 – What keeps Pauline passionate about exploring

30:00 – The best decades for travel and how COVID reshaped wanderlust

36:00 – Culture shock moments in China and India

37:30 – Who are Frommer’s guidebooks written for today

41:00 – How AI and algorithms are reshaping travel advice

47:00 – The truth behind energy use and AI’s environmental cost

48:00 – How podcasts keep travel storytelling real

53:00 – Pauline’s favourite destinations, cuisines, and experiences

59:00 – Why you should travel while you can

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Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - [email protected] 

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Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!

Cheers James.

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Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast