This episode is a wild ride around the world with one of the travel industry's most respected and well-travelled voices. Glenn Johnston has lived across continents, shaped how people explore the world and collected a lifetime of extraordinary travel experiences along the way.  

Episode Highlights & Destination Gems:

1. Australia's Northern Territory - A Journey Back in Time

Most people think of Australia and picture its cities. Glen takes us somewhere far more profound.

• Home to the world's longest continuing culture, stretching back 40,000 years

• Ancient rock art sitting open in nature, unchanged and accessible to anyone willing to make the journey

• Landscapes that look exactly as they would have millennia ago, with no manmade developments as far as the eye can see

• Katherine Gorge, Kakadu National Park and extraordinary wildlife including saltwater crocodiles in their natural habitat

2. California - The One Destination Everyone Must Visit

Glen's pick for the single place every traveller must experience at least once in their lifetime.

• Something for every kind of traveller, whether you seek luxury, adventure, food or nature

• San Francisco's culinary scene and the extraordinary experience of riding through the city in a driverless car

• Napa Valley for world class wineries and Michelin starred dining

• The iconic Pacific Coast Highway drive from Half Moon Bay down through Monterey, Big Sur and Santa Barbara

• Post Ranch Inn at Big Sur for breathtaking ocean views and a stay you will never forget - https://www.instagram.com/postranchinn/

• Newport Beach and Montecito for relaxed luxury  

3. AlUla, Saudi Arabia - Where History Lives and Breathes

• Breathtaking rock formations surrounding a lush oasis of date farms and greenery

• Hegra, one of the most remarkable ancient sites in the world

• A destination that is new and exciting even for many Saudis themselves

• Accessible directly from Dubai and outstanding value, particularly during Ramadan and the summer months

4. The Faroe Islands - Where the World Feels Untouched

Glen's personal bucket list destination and perhaps the most surprising gem of the entire episode.

• Located between Scotland and Iceland, accessible via Copenhagen

• Landscapes and nature that are genuinely out of this world

• The most charming and characterful townships you will ever encounter

• Weather that changes in moments, adding to the raw and dramatic atmosphere

• Restaurant Raest, a wonderful culinary surprise in the heart of the tiny capital - https://www.instagram.com/raestrestaurant/

• A place that offers something rare in today's connected world, true isolation and the chance to be completely present

5. Malta - The Destination That Can Surprise You

• A place layered with history

• Maltese language rooted in Arabic

• Centuries of influence from the Arabs, the French, the British and the Knights of Malta all layered one on top of the other

• History built on layer upon layer that makes every corner of Malta feel significant

6. Trnava Region, Slovakia - Europe's Best Kept Wellness Secret

Glen's most transformational wellness experience and a destination almost no one is talking about.

• A town with roots going back to Roman times, drawn there by its natural healing waters

• Piešťany, a small town within the region entirely dedicated to wellness

• Natural mud treatments with a remarkable purification process that takes months and returns the mud to the river when its work is done

• Outstanding value and a genuinely immersive wellness experience that goes far beyond a spa day

7. Kyrgyzstan - Nomadic, Raw and Completely Unforgettable

One of the most underrated destinations on earth and one that can be surprising at every turn.

• Soviet mosaics and brutalist architecture in the capital Bishkek for architecture lovers

• A culinary scene that exceeded all expectations

• Staying in a yurt in the mountains during summer with no electricity, no running water and no distractions

• Horse and jeep trails through landscapes that have never seen a single manmade structure

• A way of travelling that is inherently sustainable and deeply connected to the natural world

8. Japan - The Number One Foodie Destination in the World

• Tokyo has more Michelin starred restaurants than any other city on earth

• Japanese cuisine goes far beyond sushi and sashimi and rewards every curious eater

• Exceptional value right now thanks to the yen and decades of stagflation keeping prices low

• The Izu Peninsula seafood shacks south of Tokyo where you can taste fresh shellfish cooked over open fires for free

• Quality that holds whether you are in a Michelin starred restaurant or a tiny ramen shop at a train station

9. Slovenia - Hidden Gem

A small country with an enormous amount to offer and one that not nearly enough people have discovered.

10. Bhutan – Bucket List  

Connect with Glen Johnston:

https://www.instagram.com/glennjohnston88/

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Until next time…safe travels and keep adventuring.

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