This week, the mic is flipped. Tracy invites her friend and fellow podcaster Amanda Kendle (The Thoughtful Travel Podcast) to quiz her about the moments that shaped a lifetime of travel. From a grandmother’s pack of postcards that sparked obsession to the Gerald Durrell books that made strangers feel familiar, and a teenage long haul to London that dissolved fear at the airport gate.

What unfolds is an honest map of how curiosity becomes confidence, and why the best lessons hide in everyday routines.

Tracy gets personal and practical: her most vivid early memory isn’t a landmark, but a gîte in rural France, scooters with local kids and river swims that turned language doubt into determination. That thread leads to a year in the French Alps, fluent French, markets by Lake Geneva, and home cooking that treats a meal like a celebration.

They explore the difference between postcard cities and lived-in places. Paris doesn’t top her list, while Malta keeps calling back with blue coves, local buses, and child-friendly evenings on the promenade. And then there is Northumberland, with castles, Lindisfarne’s shifting tides, Hadrian’s Wall, and Barter Books, an overlooked stretch that trades queues for calm.

There is a wow moment too: a self-confessed non-hiker finding awe and peace on New Zealand’s Hooker Valley Track, with swing bridges, winter light, and a glacier-fed lake at the end of a boardwalk. Iceland still tempts, though cost and crowds keep it on the wish list.

And because great travel often depends on the smallest details, Tracy shares one unglamorous but essential tip: wear comfortable shoes you have already broken in. Simple, sensible, and the difference between wonder and blisters.

If you enjoy thoughtful travel stories, candid destination advice, and reflections that make your next trip smoother and richer, hit follow, share this episode, and leave a quick review on your favourite app. Your support helps more curious travellers find the show.

Guest host - Amanda Kendle (The Thoughtful Travel Podcast)

Show notes - Episode 84

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #63 Stamped: Amanda Kendle - How Thoughtful Travel Shapes a Life of Meaningful Adventures
• Episode #68 Stamped: Mandy Watson – One woman, one motto, and a world of adventure
• Episode #72 Stamped: Melissa Delaware – From Australian Beginnings to Global Adventures

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🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
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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. 

This week host Tracy Collins is joined by Queensland expert Melissa, who shares her insider knowledge of where and when to experience Australia’s most iconic wildlife.

Together they uncover the magic of seeing animals in their natural habitats - from kangaroos hopping along the beach at Cape Hillsborough to whales breaching off Hervey Bay, turtles nesting on the Great Barrier Reef islands, and cassowaries striding through the Daintree.

You’ll learn:
 • How to match your Queensland itinerary with the wildlife you most want to see
 • The best seasons and times of day for spotting whales, turtles, kangaroos and more
 • Where to find koalas, cassowaries, platypuses and other rare species in the wild
 • How to plan safe and ethical wildlife experiences that support conservation
 • Tips for getting around Queensland, from self-drive routes to guided tours

Whether you’re dreaming of sunrise with kangaroos, swimming beside turtles, or catching sight of an elusive platypus, this episode is your go-to guide for planning unforgettable and responsible wildlife encounters in Queensland.

⭐️ Guest - Melissa Delaware from "The Queensland Travel Guide"
📝 Show Notes -Episode 83

🎧 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 #75 – The Ultimate Whitsundays Travel Guide: Best Islands, Whitehaven Beach + Insider Tips

Plan your next trip step by step with our free Global Trip Planner - download it here.

Support the show

🗺️ Free Global Trip Planner
Planning a trip of your own? Grab our free Global Trip Planner, a five-step workbook with the checklists, timelines and itinerary templates Doug and I use for our own trips.

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☕ Enjoying the show? Support us from $3 a month and get a shoutout on air: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2252461/support

🗺 Global Travel Planning
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🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
📍London Travel Planning

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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. 

From Christmas markets and snowy city breaks to planning for icy adventures like Antarctica, this Ladies Who Travel episode is all about embracing the magic of cold-weather travel.

Join Tracy and guest co-host Melissa as they share personal stories from winter trips across Europe, the UK, and Australia, including cosy fireside escapes, a daughter’s first experience of snow, and the surprising joys of travelling when the crowds have gone.

You’ll learn how to pack and layer for cold destinations, why mindset matters when temperatures drop, and how to plan realistic itineraries when daylight hours are short. The hosts also reveal their favourite winter getaways and bucket-list dreams, from New York at Christmas to Lapland’s snowy wonderland.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to travel in winter or are preparing for your own frosty adventure, this episode will inspire you to see the beauty in the chill, make the most of seasonal experiences, and enjoy the comfort and connection that only cold-weather travel can bring.

⭐️ Guest Co-host - Melissa (QueenslandTravelGuide.com.au)
📝  Show Notes - Episode 82

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #76 – Europe in December: Route, Highlights and Winter Travel Tips
• Episode #57 – 15 Essential Europe Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
• Episode #61 – Discover Lucerne, Switzerland: Top Five Things to Do [+ Hidden Gems and Insider Tips]

Plan your next trip step by step with our free Global Trip Planner - download it here.

Support the show

🗺️ Free Global Trip Planner
Planning a trip of your own? Grab our free Global Trip Planner, a five-step workbook with the checklists, timelines and itinerary templates Doug and I use for our own trips.

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

☕ Enjoying the show? Support us from $3 a month and get a shoutout on air: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2252461/support

🗺 Global Travel Planning
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🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
📍London Travel Planning

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

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. 

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

Plan your next trip step by step with our free Global Trip Planner - download it here.

Support the show

🗺️ Free Global Trip Planner
Planning a trip of your own? Grab our free Global Trip Planner, a five-step workbook with the checklists, timelines and itinerary templates Doug and I use for our own trips.

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

☕ Enjoying the show? Support us from $3 a month and get a shoutout on air: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2252461/support

🗺 Global Travel Planning
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🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
📍London Travel Planning

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

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. 

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

Plan your next trip step by step with our free Global Trip Planner - download it here.

Support the show

🗺️ Free Global Trip Planner
Planning a trip of your own? Grab our free Global Trip Planner, a five-step workbook with the checklists, timelines and itinerary templates Doug and I use for our own trips.

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

☕ Enjoying the show? Support us from $3 a month and get a shoutout on air: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2252461/support

🗺 Global Travel Planning
Website | Instagram | YouTube

🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
📍London Travel Planning

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

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. 

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

Plan your next trip step by step with our free Global Trip Planner - download it here.

Support the show

🗺️ Free Global Trip Planner
Planning a trip of your own? Grab our free Global Trip Planner, a five-step workbook with the checklists, timelines and itinerary templates Doug and I use for our own trips.

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

☕ Enjoying the show? Support us from $3 a month and get a shoutout on air: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2252461/support

🗺 Global Travel Planning
Website | Instagram | YouTube

🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
📍London Travel Planning

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

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. 

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

Plan your next trip step by step with our free Global Trip Planner - download it here.

Support the show

🗺️ Free Global Trip Planner
Planning a trip of your own? Grab our free Global Trip Planner, a five-step workbook with the checklists, timelines and itinerary templates Doug and I use for our own trips.

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

☕ Enjoying the show? Support us from $3 a month and get a shoutout on air: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2252461/support

🗺 Global Travel Planning
Website | Instagram | YouTube

🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
📍London Travel Planning

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

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. 

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 - Amanda Kendle – How Thoughtful Travel Shapes a Life of Meaningful Adventures

Plan your next trip step by step with our free Global Trip Planner - download it here.

Support the show

🗺️ Free Global Trip Planner
Planning a trip of your own? Grab our free Global Trip Planner, a five-step workbook with the checklists, timelines and itinerary templates Doug and I use for our own trips.

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

☕ Enjoying the show? Support us from $3 a month and get a shoutout on air: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2252461/support

🗺 Global Travel Planning
Website | Instagram | YouTube

🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
📍London Travel Planning

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

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. 

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

Plan your next trip step by step with our free Global Trip Planner - download it here.

Support the show

🗺️ Free Global Trip Planner
Planning a trip of your own? Grab our free Global Trip Planner, a five-step workbook with the checklists, timelines and itinerary templates Doug and I use for our own trips.

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

☕ Enjoying the show? Support us from $3 a month and get a shoutout on air: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2252461/support

🗺 Global Travel Planning
Website | Instagram | YouTube

🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
📍London Travel Planning

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

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. 

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

Plan your next trip step by step with our free Global Trip Planner - download it here.

Support the show

🗺️ Free Global Trip Planner
Planning a trip of your own? Grab our free Global Trip Planner, a five-step workbook with the checklists, timelines and itinerary templates Doug and I use for our own trips.

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

☕ Enjoying the show? Support us from $3 a month and get a shoutout on air: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2252461/support

🗺 Global Travel Planning
Website | Instagram | YouTube

🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
📍London Travel Planning

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

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.