In this episode, host Tracy Collins is joined by lifelong traveller Sinead, who shares how a childhood love of caravan holidays and the travel stories of Michael Palin sparked a passion that led her to visit more than 80 countries.

Despite not driving, fearing flying, and getting seasick, Sinead found her freedom through train travel and a deep curiosity about the world. She talks about her early adventures in Ireland and Mallorca, her first big leap travelling through India, and what it was like to take a two-and-a-half-year global trip in the 1990s with only guidebooks and a backpack.

Sinead also reveals how she, her husband and their three children spent a year travelling around the world by train, including memorable journeys such as the Trans-Siberian Railway and a route from Hong Kong to the UK. Along the way, she shares pinch-yourself moments like the roar of Iguazu Falls, stargazing in Mongolia, and connecting with welcoming communities in Samoa.

You’ll learn:
 • Practical tips for family rail travel and backpacking with kids
• How to pack light and stay flexible on the road
• Why destinations like North Macedonia and Mongolia deserve a spot on your list
• The mindset that turns challenges into adventures

Full of warmth, honesty, and inspiring stories, this episode celebrates curiosity, connection, and the idea that it is never too late to explore.

Guest - Sinead Camplin from Map Made Memories and York Travel Expert
Show notes - Episode 81

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #3 - Visiting York, England
• Episode #17 - Best day trips from York
• Episode #54 - Top 10 Tips for UK and Europe Train Travel in 2025 and Beyond

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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!

Tracy is joined in this week's episode by travel expert Cate from My Germany Vacation to dive into the magical world of German Christmas markets. From iconic cities like Berlin, Cologne, and Munich to charming small-town markets in Rothenburg, Regensburg, and Esslingen, Cate shares her decades of experience to help you plan a festive getaway filled with culture, food, and unforgettable memories.

Discover how to choose between Germany’s countless markets, the best times to visit, and what to pack for cold winter evenings. Learn which foods and drinks you simply must try - like Glühwein, Lebkuchen, and roasted almonds - plus tips for avoiding “food fatigue” when market-hopping. Cate also explains why smaller, local markets often outshine the big-name ones, and how to balance busy itineraries with slowing down to savour the holiday spirit.

Packed with personal stories, hidden gem recommendations, and practical advice, this episode will inspire and prepare you to make the most of Germany’s yuletide traditions.

⭐️ Guest - Cate Brubaker from My Germany Vacation
📝  Show Notes - Episode 80

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #45 – Germany Travel Guide: Expert Tips for first-time visitors
• Episode #37 - Tips for first-time visitors to France
• Episode #6: Discovering Switzerland with Swiss travel expert Carolyn Schönafinger

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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!

Portugal captivates visitors with its dramatic coastlines, colourful cities, and relaxed pace of life that creates an immediate sense of welcome. We explore this diverse country with Julie Fox, a British writer who has lived in central Portugal since 2007 and helps travellers discover authentic experiences beyond the typical tourist trail.

• Portugal offers remarkable geographical diversity, from the green, tradition-rich north to the sun-drenched Alentejo and the dramatic coastlines of the Algarve
• While no longer a “cheap” destination, Portugal continues to offer excellent value, especially for food and wine
• First-time visitors should resist trying to cover too much ground – 7 to 10 days split between Lisbon and Porto provides a perfect introduction
• Lesser-known alternatives often provide better experiences than overcrowded “must-see” attractions such as Pena Palace
• Portugal’s culinary highlights include pastéis de nata, Serra da Estrela cheese, octopus dishes, and unique liqueurs such as ginjinha and Licor Beirão
• Bring comfortable, non-slip shoes, as Portuguese cobblestones are notoriously slippery even in dry weather
• The best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons (March–April, October–November) when crowds are smaller and temperatures more comfortable

For more Portugal travel tips and itinerary ideas, visit Julie’s website at JulieDawnFox.com

Guest - Julie Dawn Fox from JulieDawnFox.com
Show notes - Episode 79

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode 42– Discover Italy: Essential tips for first-time visitors 
• Episode 45 – Germany Travel Guide: Expert Tips for first-time visitors
• Episode 57 – 15 Essential Europe Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

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🇬🇧UK 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!

Every traveller carries a mental list of places they long to see, from childhood dreams to newly discovered wonders. These bucket lists reveal our deepest fascinations and evolve as our relationship with travel changes.

Tracy and new permanent co-host Melissa share their own wishes, from African safaris to singing along while landing in Anchorage, Alaska. They reflect on how priorities shift over time. Many start with iconic sights, then find deeper joy in slower, more immersive trips to less visited places. As Melissa says of a month in India, “What surprised me wasn’t the destinations or attractions, but the interactions we had with people.”

Our rapidly growing Ladies Who Travel community (5,000+ members in six weeks) echoes this shift. Members are organising meet-ups across continents and joining group trips to Morocco, helping each other realise dreams like the Northern Lights, European Christmas markets, or long-awaited Greece.

Whether you keep a written list or a mental one, this episode celebrates destinations that call to you. As Tracy says of finally seeing the Golden Gate Bridge after nearly forty years, “Sometimes you don’t get to them straight away. But eventually you can, and that dream never went away.”

Ready to turn your travel dreams into reality? Join our vibrant community of women travellers and discover how shared wanderlust creates lifelong friendships and unforgettable adventures.

⭐️ Co-host - Melissa (QueenslandTravelGuide.com.au)
📝  Show Notes - Episode 78

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #39 - Planning Your Dream Trip in 2025: Expert Tips and Strategies
• Episode #56 – Essential Tips for Surviving Long Haul Flights 
• Episode #47– Pack Like a Pro: Essential Tips, Tricks + Travel Hacks

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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!

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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📍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!

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

Support the show

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🇬🇧UK 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!

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

Support the show

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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 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

Support the show

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🗺 Global Travel Planning
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🇬🇧UK 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!

“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

Support the show

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🗺 Global Travel Planning
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🇬🇧UK 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 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

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

🗺 Global Travel Planning
Website - globaltravelplanning.com
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YouTube - Global Travel Planning

🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
Website - UKTravelPlanning.com
Instagram - UK Travel Planning
YouTube - UK Travel Planning

📍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!