The Voyage Report

Mark Matthews is a professional mountain biker and media athlete. He travels the globe to compete and to shoot amazing images while conquering the toughest trails and courses. He chats with Mark about his favorite places in the world to mountain bike, his recent discovery in Turkey, and if he's ever scared as he's hurtling through the air.

We go on the road to Romania and Transylvania, home of the real Dracula. In the first Voyage Report podcast recorded in the field, Mark chats with Wise Transylvania tour guide Adrian Ungureanu about his homeland, why more Americans are visiting Romania, and his most popular tour—"Dracula's castle."

The Great American Total Solar Eclipse is less than two months away. It's a rare phenomenon that will cross the United States from coast to coast. NASA scientists recently held a briefing for reporters and the public about what to expect, how to watch the celestial event safely, and what researchers hope to learn. Listen to part of that briefing, as well as a Minnesota couple who has been traveling the globe to chase eclipses for more than 35 years.

It's time to ask the captain! Mark interviews commercial airline pilot Charlie Schaffer and asks all the questions you want answered. Charlie dispels some aviation myths, talks about his top tips for passengers and what they should not do on an airplane, how aviation has changed in the decades he's been flying, what he thinks about the U.S. government's electronics ban, and his favorite places to fly.

Come explore caves with us! We descend into these underground cathedrals with the National Speleological Society. Incoming president Geary Schindel shares with Mark his love of caving, the best caves in the United States and around the world, and how to get into caving for free in your local community.

The Frugal Traveler columnist for The New York Times, Lucas Peterson, dishes on his favorite destinations, deals, and dinner. Lucas chats with Mark about how he finds his savvy travel bargains; how he plans his trips and writes them for savvy readers; and his passion as a foodie, which he shares with viewers as the host of 'Dining on a Dime' on Eater. And he reveals his top tips for travelers.

Simply Smart Travel is a website run by Dr. Jeff Orenstein, the former publisher and founder of Living on the Suncoast Magazine. Jeff chats with Mark about his favorite destinations; his top tips for travelers, including those over 50 years old; and his number one rule for a successful trip.

The U.S. State Department is preparing for an unprecedented surge in passport applications this year, as many passports are due to expire. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Passport Services, Brenda Sprague, talks with Mark from Washington, D.C., about doubling the number of passport adjudicators, increasing passport offices, and the step-by-step instructions for any listener who needs to apply for or renew a passport—including some little-known rules that may save you from ruining your dream vacation.

The Vittoria Energy Expedition is a global journey onboard an entirely renewable energy-powered sailing ship. Mark chats with Nathan Sermonis, one of the co-creators of the project. Nathan tells us about the non-profit's mission and travel, how his team built a green sailing ship with solar panels from scratch, and the expedition's next destination: Cuba.

Celinne Da Costa quit her New York City advertising job and put her belongings in storage to set off on an unusual journey of exploration. She decided to couchsurf her way around the globe, only staying with people she met via social media. She's now writing a book about the journey that took her to 17 countries and the homes of 70 strangers. Mark chats with Celinne about the life-altering moment that made her leave her job, what she discovered on the road, and her practical tips for frequent and infrequent travelers.