Andrew McCarthy, star of such iconic films as Pretty in Pink and Less Than Zero, is also an accomplished travel writer. His latest book “Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America” tells of a roadtrip from New York to California during which McCarthy visited old friends and dropped in on both quirky backwaters and places of historic importance. Along the way, he learns from the men he meets on the road what friendship means and why it’s a crucial element in a well rounded life. Pauline Frommer discusses the book and journey with McCarthy in today’s podcast.

Mentioned in this podcast:

• White Sands National Park
• Point Pleasant, West Virginia
• Wink, Texas
• Clarksdale, Mississippi
• Oxford, Mississippi
• The Blues
• Roy Orbison
• Elvis Presley
• Emmett Till
• Don George
• Book Passage
• Abraham Lincoln
• Oakland, California
• Friendship
• Alzheimers
• Heart Disease

Mentioned in this episode:

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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:

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This podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com.

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The Dude Rancher’s Association is turning 100 years old in 2026. We talked with Bryce Albright, the Executive Director of that organization about how this vacation activity started, the wide variety of ranch vacations that are available today, safety standards, costs, and unusual places to try dude ranching.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Montana
• Wyoming
• Arizona
• California
• New Mexico
• Oregon
• Texas
• Washington State
• Dude Ranching
• Trail Rides
• Horsemanship
• Klondike Ranch
• Absaroka Ranch
• Grand Tetons
• Travel
• Family Travel

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com.

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The latest season of Lucky Chow with Danielle Chang is now available on PBS, and it concentrates on the boom in Asian cuisine, and Asian-influenced restaurants, in some of Europe’s most food-obsessed cities. Pauline Frommer talked with host Danielle Chang about how definitions of authenticity are shifting when it comes to food, how the colonial histories of both France and the United Kingdom have shaped their contemporary food cultures, and why Swedish farmers are now growing a variety of new crops.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Stockholm
• Paris
• London
• Berlin
• Celtuce
• Farm-to-table cuisine
• Chinese Food
• Vietnamese Food
• Sushi
• Food as Art
• Travel
• Foodie Travel

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com.

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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

Danielle Gelfand wrote about the how to’s of taking your dog or cat on the road for the New York Times. She shared some tips with host Pauline Frommer.

#Travel #PetTravel #PetVacations #WeLoveDogs #WeLoveCats

Mentioned in this episode:

• Microchips for pets
• Dr. Michael Q. Bailey
• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Rover.com
• Arizona
• Nevada
• Car Trips
• Pet Proofing Hotel Rooms
• Pet Friendly Hotels
• Mystic, Connecticut
• Stonington, Connecticut
• United States Department of Agriculture
• Wag.com
• Pet Sitters International

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com.

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Ronan O’Connell discussed the history, legends, and innovations behind some of the world’s most heavily visited sights. O’Connell is the author of the new book “Hidden in Plain Sight: The Untold Mysteries, Myths, and Marvels of the World’s Most Popular Landmarks”.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Istanbul
• Hagia Sofia
• Singapore
• Gardens by the Bay
• Suptertrees
• Cloud Forests
• Flower Dome
• Dubai
• Burj Kalifa
• Mashrabiya
• Paris
• Mata Hari
• Eiffel Tower

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com.

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In the second part of this interview with Beatrix Stewart-Frommer, host Pauline Frommer’s peripatetic daughter, they discussed the highlights of South Africa and Namibia, plus safety issues, food, and whether or not a group tour is necessary for these destinations.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Namibia
• Windhoek
• Sossusvlei
• Etosha National Park
• Swakopmund
• Cape Town
• Cedarburg
• Soweto
• Foxcroft Restaurant
• The Garden Route
• Johannesburg
• G Adventures
• South Africa

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com.

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• Accra
• The Cape Coast
• Elmina Castle
• Kakum National Park
• Tsenku Waterfall
• Beach clubs

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Elaine Glusac, the Frugal Travelers columnist for the New York Times, came on to discuss wellness vacations that won’t break the bank. These include robotic massages, public bathhouses, forest bathing, affordable spas and more.

Places, treatments, and companies discussed in this episode included:

1. The New York Times
2. Japan
3. Scandinavia
4. Finland
5. Sweden
6. Iceland
7. Saunas
8. Forest bathing
9. Hot springs

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com.

Voyascape Podcast Network

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

Jamaica's Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett was today's guest, discussing the good news that 80% of Jamaica's tourism infrastructure is back in place, after the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. He also discussed why Jamaica's coffee is world class (and coffee plantation tours on island), the nation's cuisine and music traditions, some of the island's top attractions, and more.

Places, people, and companies mentioned in this episode

1. Jamaica
2. Negril
3. Ocho Rios
4. Treasure Island
5. Golden Eye
6. Firefly
7. Ian Fleming
8. Noel Coward
9. Bob Marley
10. Kingston
11. Montego Bay
12. Rocky Point

(Today's episode was a sponsored podcast.)

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com.

Voyascape Podcast Network

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

Jen Ruiz, author of the book "12 Trips in 12 Months: Make Your Own Solo Travel Magic" discusses how she footed the bill for her landmark year on the road, and some of the exciting adventures she had.

Places discussed in this episode:

1. Meteora, Greece
2. Aruba
3. Antelope Canyon, Arizona
4. Zion National Park, Utah
5. Toronto, Canada

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com.

Voyascape Podcast Network