What do decades of adventure, jumping off moving trains in rural Australia, and raising children adopted from Russia have in common? They are all part of Laura Dilts’s remarkable travel journey, which she shares in this captivating episode of Stamped: Global Travel Stories.

Laura’s travel adventures began with family road trips exploring America’s national parks while her nuclear physicist father conducted research at Los Alamos. Her childhood home regularly welcomed international visitors through her mother’s cultural organisation, creating a foundation of global curiosity that would shape her entire life. By sixteen, Laura had negotiated with her parents to visit Greece independently, working to fund half the trip herself, the first of many solo adventures that would take her across continents.

Perhaps most fascinating is Laura’s nine-month Australian exchange programme, where she lived with 36 different host families across rural South Australia and Queensland. She shares hilarious stories of working on farms, encountering wildlife, and even having to jump from a moving train that “only slowed down like an escalator” at her rural stop. Her descriptions of Kangaroo Island and watching hundreds of penguins return to shore at dusk reveal hidden gems most travellers never experience.

As Laura’s life evolved, so did her travel experiences, from exchange programmes to adoption journeys in Moscow, where she discovered cold so intense that sunny days were worse than cloudy ones. Now entering a new chapter as an empty-nester, Laura approaches travel with a refreshing philosophy: “Life’s too short to wait.” 

After losing a friend unexpectedly at 56, she is embracing solo adventures while prioritising connections with friends worldwide, proving that at any age, the world remains full of possibilities for those willing to explore it.

⭐️ Guest - Laura Dilts
📝  Show Notes - Episode 77

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode 72 Stamped: Melissa Delaware – From Australian Beginnings to Global Adventures
• Episode 68 Stamped: Mandy Watson – One woman, one motto, and a world of adventure
• Episode 63 - A

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Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

The enchanting atmosphere of European Christmas markets, overnight ferry adventures, and unique cultural experiences make winter travel across the continent a magical experience. We share practical insights from our three-week December journey through Berlin, Stockholm, Helsinki, Krakow, and Budapest to help you plan a smoother winter adventure.

• Berlin's Christmas markets offer an authentic German festive atmosphere with delicious food and handcrafted goods
• Food tours provide valuable historical context and local tips while introducing you to regional cuisine
• Stockholm's Skansen open-air museum offers a glimpse into traditional Swedish life with special Christmas activities
• The overnight ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki provides a surprisingly luxurious and festive travel experience
• Helsinki's snowy streets create the quintessential winter wonderland atmosphere
• Zakopane makes an excellent day trip from Krakow with mountain scenery and thermal baths
• Budapest's ruin bars, particularly Szimpla Kert, offer unique nightlife experiences in abandoned buildings
• Pack thermal layers, hand warmers, boots with thick soles and good grip for icy conditions
• Plan accommodation near public transport and research holiday closures if travelling during Christmas
• Pre-book holiday meals well in advance, as restaurants have limited availability during festive periods

Show notes - Episode 76

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #45 – Germany Travel Guide: Expert Tips for first-time visitors
• Episode #54 Top 10 Tips for UK and Europe Train Travel in 2025 and Beyond
• Episode #57 – 15 Essential Europe Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

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Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

The Whitsundays are a tropical paradise of 74 islands set in the heart of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. With crystal-clear turquoise waters, pristine white beaches, and world-class sailing, the region is one of Australia’s most iconic holiday destinations.

This week, Melissa joins Tracy to share everything you need to know to plan your dream Whitsundays getaway. From the famous Whitehaven Beach with its squeaky-soft silica sand, to unforgettable sailing adventures and insider tips, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Where the Whitsundays are located and how to get there (Hamilton Island or Proserpine/Airlie Beach gateways)
• Why Whitehaven Beach is a must-see and how to plan your visit
• The best times of year to travel — from whale watching in winter to stinger season considerations in summer
• Accommodation choices include luxury island resorts, Airlie Beach stays, and unique experiences like ReefSleep
• Top activities such as snorkelling, jet ski tours, Hill Inlet lookout, and sunset cruises
• Hidden gems beyond the main tourist trail, including Cape Gloucester, Dingo Beach, and Hideaway Bay
• Insider planning tips, like booking Whitehaven trips early in your stay, in case of weather disruptions

For photos and highlights from Tracy and Melissa’s visits, head to the shownotes linked below!

⭐️ Guest - Melissa Delaware from "The Queensland Travel Guide"
📝 Show Notes -Episode 75

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #18 - Queensland Travel Tips: Beaches, Outback Adventures, and Hidden Gems
• Episode #32 – Brisbane Day Trips: Islands, Wildlife, and Hidden Gems
• Episode #46– Discovering Western Australia: Essential Insights and Travel Tips with Tess Moone

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Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

In this episode of the Global Travel Planning Podcast, host Tracy Collins is joined by her husband and regular co-host Doug Collins to share the story of their epic 10-day coast-to-coast road trip across Australia, from Brisbane to Perth. Together they talk through the logistics, highlights, surprises and practicalities of covering 4,500 kilometres (2,800 miles) through outback towns, iconic routes such as the Nullarbor, and three very different states.

Tracy and Doug reflect on the planning that went into the trip, the memorable stops they made along the way, and their favourite places to stay. They also offer honest thoughts on what they might do differently next time. Expect stories of wildlife sightings, the reality of budgeting for fuel and accommodation, preparing the car for such a journey, and a few mishaps on the road (including the drama of a locked-in car key rescue).

The episode wraps up with the total cost of the trip, along with practical tips to help you plan your own bucket-list Australian drive and make it as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

Show notes - Episode 74

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #46 – Discovering Western Australia: Essential Insights and Travel Tips with Tess Moone
• Episode #32 – Brisbane Day Trips: Islands, Wildlife, and Hidden Gems
• Episode #7 – UK to Australia: Making the move with guest Karen Bleakley

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Website - LondonTravelPlanning.com

Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

“The perfect trip rarely exists.” No matter how carefully you plan, travel throws curveballs. In this candid chat, the Ladies Who Travel unpack what happens when plans fall apart: a protest that blocks all roads, weather-cancelling bucket list moments, and train strikes that derail rail itineraries. 

You will hear different coping styles in action - Shelly’s calm in a crisis, Melissa’s quick “meltdown then regroup,” and Tracy’s pragmatic pivots. We also share practical tactics: build flexibility into your plan, book priority experiences early, research potential disruptions, and keep backups ready (including Shelly’s smart two-phone system for solo travellers). 

We also discuss openly the emotions behind cancelled plans and how to move on quickly. As Melissa says, “It’s okay to have your five-minute meltdown, express your disappointment, and then ask: now what am I going to do?” Because so often the best stories start with, “Well, this wasn’t what we planned…”

⭐️ Guests - Melissa (QueenslandTravelGuide.com.au) and Shelly Marie (SoloHerWay.com)
📝  Show Notes - Episode 73 

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #56 – Essential Tips for Surviving Long Haul Flights [Ladies Who Travel]
• Episode #52 – Travel Safe Travel Smart: Real Tips for Every Type of Traveller
• Episode #65 - Navigating Food Abroad: Tips, Mishaps & Healthy Hacks with the Ladies Who Travel

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Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

What sparks a lifelong love of travel? For some, it starts in childhood. For Melissa, co-host of Ladies Who Travel, it was different. She did not travel overseas until she was an adult, and her journey from novice to explorer shows how travel can shape a life. 

In this month’s Stamped episode, Melissa shares the moments that defined her: wandering Sydney at 19 with a paper map, the pull of “The Beach,” and a three-month solo round-the-world trip at 26. That journey transformed her confidence. “There’s something about travelling alone that makes me feel on top of the world.”

She brings to life magical moments, such as watching her daughter experience snow for the first time in Prague, and explains why Thailand keeps calling her back. 

Perhaps most revealing is her observation about landmark attractions: after visiting the Taj Mahal with a group, not a single person named it their highlight. Instead, everyone cherished human connections. Whether you are a seasoned traveller or just beginning, this conversation offers insight into creating meaningful travel experiences. 

Listen now, then join our "Ladies Who Travel" Facebook group or explore our tours specifically designed for women over 50.

⭐️ Guest - Melissa Delaware from "The Queensland Travel Guide"
📝 Show Notes -Episode  72

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #18 – Queensland Travel Tips: Beaches, Outback Adventures, and Hidden Gems
• Episode #32 – Brisbane Day Trips: Islands, Wildlife, and Hidden Gems
• Episode #47 – Pack Like a Pro: Essential Tips, Tricks + Travel Hack

Support the show

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Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

Tanya returns to share part two of her incredible African adventure, taking us through Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe with thrilling stories of desert landscapes, wildlife encounters, and natural wonders.

• Flying from Cape Town to Walvis Bay to begin the Namibian adventure
• Exploring German-influenced Swakopmund and taking a Sandwich Harbour tour where sand dunes meet the ocean
• Joining an overland safari with Nomad Africa through Namibia's stunning landscapes
• Encountering traditional Herero women and Himba people while travelling through northern Namibia
• Witnessing extraordinary wildlife at Etosha National Park's waterholes, including midnight elephant and rhino sightings
• Taking a scenic flight over Botswana's Okavango Delta before camping in the wilderness
• Experiencing the thrill and vulnerability of mokoro (dugout canoe) rides with hippos and buffalo nearby
• Finally spotting the elusive leopard during the last safari in Chobe National Park
• Viewing the magnificent Victoria Falls from both Zimbabwe and Zambia sides
• Taking a helicopter flight over Victoria Falls for a breathtaking aerial perspective
• Sampling local cuisine, including the adventurous mopane worm

⭐️ Guest - Tanya Munro
📝  Show Notes - Episode 71

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #70 - Epic Africa Adventure Part 1 - South Africa
• Episode #52 – Travel Safe Travel Smart: Real Tips for Every Type of Traveller
• UKTP Episode #82 – Trip Report with Tanya Munro [Insider Tips, Memorable Moments, and Unexpected Discoveries]

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Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

Tanya Munro shares her incredible multi-country African adventure, focusing on South Africa in this first episode of a two-part series. After 35 years on her bucket list, she finally travelled through Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Cape Town and the Garden Route, experiencing wildlife encounters, cultural discoveries and stunning landscapes.

• Best time to visit South Africa for wildlife viewing is during the dry season (June-July)
• Starting in Johannesburg provided important historical context through a Soweto township tour
• Thornhill Safari Lodge near Kruger offered incredible wildlife viewing including lions, cheetahs and elephants
• Cape Town surprised with its beauty, perfect weather and Table Mountain backdrop
• V&A Waterfront area provided safe, convenient accommodation with good security
• Garden Route tour covered 1,200km of diverse landscapes from mountains to coastline
• Blyde River Canyon (third largest canyon in world) was an unexpected highlight
• Game meats like kudu, springbok and ostrich were culinary standouts
• Cape Malay cooking class in Bo-Kaap offered cultural immersion through food
• Learning about South Africa's history early in the trip provides essential context

Join us next week as we continue Tanya's journey through Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

⭐️ Guest - Tanya Munro
📝  Show Notes - Episode 70

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #48– Moroccan Adventure: Highlights, Culture, and Travel Tips from Our Intrepid Trip
• Episode #52 – Travel Safe Travel Smart: Real Tips for Every Type of Traveller
• UKTP Episode #82 – Trip Report with Tanya Munro [Insider Tips, Memorable Moments, and Unexpected Discoveries]

Support the show

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🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
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📍London Travel Planning
Website - LondonTravelPlanning.com

Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

In episode 69 of the Global Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy is joined by Shelly and Melissa for a Ladies Who Travel episode all about staying healthy on the road.

Together, they dive into the realities of travel wellness, sharing practical tips, personal stories, and lessons learned from decades of global adventures. From long-haul flights and disrupted routines to managing mental health and bouncing back from injuries, this honest chat covers it all.

Melissa opens up about navigating mental health and healing after injury, Shelly shares how daily habits and supplements help her stay grounded, and Tracy reflects on the importance of slowing down and listening to your body.

Whether you are a frequent flyer or planning your first big trip, this episode offers real-world advice to help you feel your best while exploring the world.

⭐️ Guests - Melissa (QueenslandTravelGuide.com.au) and Shelly Marie (SoloHerWay.com)
📝  Show Notes - Episode 69

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #56 – Essential Tips for Surviving Long Haul Flights [Ladies Who Travel]
• Episode #43 – Finding Your Ideal Accommodation: Tips, Tricks, and Travel Tales
• Episode #52 – Travel Safe Travel Smart: Real Tips for Every Type of Traveller

Support the show

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🗺 Global Travel Planning
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Instagram - UK Travel Planning
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📍London Travel Planning
Website - LondonTravelPlanning.com

Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

What do you get when you mix an empty nest, unstoppable curiosity, and a cheeky life motto to “spend the kids’ inheritance”? In this episode of Stamped, Mandy Watson joins Tracy to share the bold, breathtaking, and often hilarious stories behind her lifelong love of travel.

From being stranded in Hawaii with just $1 at 18, to summiting Kilimanjaro at 40, trekking the Inca Trail at 50, and planning Everest Base Camp at 60, Mandy proves that travel is not something you grow out of. It is something you grow into.

She recounts a heart-racing “Attenborough moment” in the Maasai Mara, reflects on places she is glad she has seen but does not need to return to, shares her dream of finally spotting the Northern Lights, and offers up a simple travel tip you will actually want to use.

With nearly 70 countries already ticked off and 26 more on the horizon, Mandy’s story will inspire you to revisit your own bucket list and maybe even expand it.

Guest - Mandy Watson from SpendingKidsInheritance
Show notes - Episode 68

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #19 – Explore the World with Mandy: Travel Tales and Adventures from Across the Globe
• Episode #63 - Stamped: Amanda Kendle – How Thoughtful Travel Shapes a Life of Meaningful Adventures
• Episode #60 - Lost in Translation: Hilarious English Mix-Ups on Your Adventures Abroad

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Website - LondonTravelPlanning.com

Work With Us - Contact [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!