The Top Things I Have Learnt On My Travels From The Last 15 Years...So Far

After 15 years on the road and over 75 countries explored, I’ve had my fair share of missed buses, border mishaps, budget wins, breathtaking hikes, and unforgettable friendships. In this solo episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I share the top 10 lessons I’ve learned from traveling the world — insights that can help you make your adventures smoother, deeper, and more meaningful.

From the importance of packing light and learning a few phrases in the local language, to why slow travel beats rushing through bucket lists, I dive into the hard-earned lessons that only come from years of backpacking, volunteering, and chasing stories across the globe. You’ll also hear why free walking tours are a goldmine for cultural connections, why the off-season is the best time to travel, and how nature is the real luxury we often overlook.

🌍 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to expect the unexpected and adapt when things go wrong.
• Why travel friendships are so unique and unforgettable.
• The resilience and creativity that budget travel teaches.
• How choosing off-season travel benefits both you and the locals.
• Why the world is a much kinder place than the media often shows.

Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker, a gap-year adventurer, or planning your very first trip, these lessons will inspire you to travel with more confidence, awareness, and curiosity.

🎧 Tune in now to hear the raw, real, and reflective side of travel — because these aren’t just stories, they’re tools to help you travel smarter, deeper, and more authentically.

💬 What about you?

I’d love to hear the biggest lessons you have learned on your travels. Share your thoughts with me on Instagram @wingingitravelpodcast or drop me a DM — I might even read out your stories on a future episode!

⭐ Support the Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the Winging It Travel Podcast on your favourite podcast app. Every 5-star review helps more travellers like you discover the show. Even better, tell your friends to check out the many different types of episodes, such as this raw solo episode, my immersive cinematic experience episodes from my travels, or the incredible guests I have had on the podcast to date.

🔗 Connect & Explore More

• 🌍 Website: Winging It Travel Podcast
• 🎥 YouTube: Roaming with Hammo — behind-the-scenes vlogs & travel guides
• ☕ Support the show: Buy Me a Coffee
• 📸 Instagram: @wingingitravelpodcast

🚀 New episodes drop every Monday — so subscribe and join me on this journey of real, raw, and inspiring travel stories from around the globe.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Travel Lessons

02:14 Expect the Unexpected

05:26 Connecting with Local Culture

06:53 The Benefits of Light Packing

07:52 Learning Local Languages

10:20 Travelling Off-Season

12:38 The Luxury of Nature

13:34 The Uniqueness of Travel Friendships

16:31 Resilience Through Budget Travel

18:23 The Value of Slow Travel

20:16 The Kindness of the World

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Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - [email protected] 

Social Media - follow me on:

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Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!

Cheers, James.

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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