Travel Devil – Guilt-free Sustainable Travel for Adventure Seekers

From documenting the world’s largest sailing ship, the Royal Clipper, to walking on mega cruise liners with thousands of passengers, Joe Sills has seen both sides of the ocean travel spectrum. 

In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken sits down with Joe Sills, journalist and photographer, to dig into one of travel’s most controversial industries: cruises. Together, they explore the environmental cost of cruising, the rise of greenwashing in tourism, and whether sailing ships and boutique cruises could offer a better way forward.

What we cover in this episode:

• The difference between mega cruise ships and sailing vessels
• What responsible travel means in 2025
• How small-scale cruises support local economies (and why mega ships can overwhelm them)
• CO₂ emissions of cruise ships vs airplanes and trains
• Why Antarctica should be a no-go for mass cruises
• Greenwashing in the cruise industry and how to spot red flags
• Alternatives: local sailing yachts, small river cruises, boutique ships
• Joe’s Arctic expedition experience, and how climate change cut it short
• Practical tips on how to pick a more sustainable cruise

If you’ve ever wondered “are cruises worse than flying?”, or if sailing ships could really be a sustainable option compared to regular cruises, this episode gives you a deep dive into the truth.

More about Joe 👇

• Follow the Joe on Instagram: @joesills

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How do you survive as a vegetarian traveler in a world where menus are often heavy on meat? And what’s the real story behind eco-tourism and “green” hotels? 

In this episode of Travel Devil, I sit down with Caroline from Veggie Wayfarer, a sustainable travel blogger who has been exploring the world as a vegetarian for years. She shares her best hacks for finding veggie-friendly food on the road, why eco-hotels are more than just a buzzword, and how conscious choices can transform the way we travel.

We talk about:

• Best and worse countries for being vegetarian abroad
• How one becomes vegetarian, and how to stay one
• Eco-hotels and whether they really live up to the promise
• What eco-tourism actually means (beyond marketing)
• The link between sustainability and authentic travel experiences
• Why small choices (like what we eat & where we stay) matter for the planet
• Tips for making travel conscious but still fun and spontaneous

We cover everything from food tips to choosing accommodations that actually respect the planet. Whether you’re a seasoned vegetarian, a curious flexitarian, or simply interested in more sustainable ways to explore the world, this episode is packed with insights you can use on your next trip.

Connect with the Caroline Muller, the girl behind Veggie Wayfarer:

• @veggiewayfarer Instagram
• Veggie WayFarer Blog

vegetarian travel tips · vegetarian food abroad · eco-tourism explained · sustainable travel podcast · eco-hotels · veggie travel hacks · plant-based travel · sustainable tourism trends · conscious travel choices · Travel Devil podcast

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In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken talks to Julia Weigert from Soulwisdom about her transformative journey through life, travel, and spirituality. Julia shares how her own challenges led her to create Soulwisdom, a platform helping people reconnect with themselves and find deeper meaning in their lives.

We dive into her experiences living abroad, how travel shaped her spiritual path, and the lessons she’s learned about trusting intuition, slowing down, and embracing the unknown. Julia also gives insights into creating more soul-aligned travel experiences and how connecting with different cultures can inspire inner growth.

Whether you’re curious about self-discovery, spirituality, or mindful travel, this conversation will leave you inspired to follow your inner compass.

Connect with Julia: @soul_wisdom_by_julia

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Ever dreamed of cycling across Finland? In this episode of Travel Devil, Clara Francken chats with Henna Palosaari from Bikeland about one of Europe’s most stunning long-distance cycling routes — the EuroVelo 10, also known as the Baltic Sea Cycle Route.

We cover everything from riding along Finland’s beautiful coastlines to exploring Lapland’s wild nature by bike. Henna shares tips on how to plan your trip, the best seasons to ride, how the EuroVelo 10 connects to Finland’s wider Bikeland network, and what makes Finland a unique cycling destination.

We talked about…

• What makes Finland a dream cycling destination
• The EuroVelo 10 / Baltic Sea Cycle Route across Finland 
• Cycling in Lapland vs the southern coastline 
• How to plan your own bike trip in Finland 
• The best seasons for cycling here
• Go-to resource for routes & tips
• Taking the ferry by bicycle
• Taking the train by bicycle
• Sustainable travel & supporting local communities

Whether you’re an experienced bikepacker or just dreaming about your first cycling holiday, you’ll get practical insights, inspiring stories, and reasons why Finland should be your next adventure.

More about today's episode:

• EuroVelo 10 route
• Bikeland website
• @hennapalosaari on Instagram

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• Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken
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In this solo episode of Travel Devil, your host Clara Francken takes you on a journey through memory lane. All the way from hometown Ghent to the seaside, to Christmas markets in Germany. Clara reflects on why she loves train travel, how it shaped her growing up, and shares a few of her favorite (and funniest) moments on the rails, including a sweet story told directly by her grandma.

This episode is about the beauty of slow travel, the joy of strangers, and why we shouldn’t let angry internet comments take away the magic of meaningful moments.

What to Expect in This Episode:

• A personal reflection on growing up with trains in Belgium
• Why Belgian train systems feel so unique (and easy!)
• A heartwarming train story told by my grandmother
• A conductor with an incense cone in a "Räucherhäuschen"
• Christmas cheer in the Erzgebirgsbahn to Annaberg-Buchholz, Germany
• Going viral online and how it (almost) ruined a magical moment
• Why train travel is about more than just getting from A to B
• A reminder to share your own positive travel stories

Please rate the show wherever you listen to your podcast! 🙏

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In this episode, we’re diving into the world of dolphins, whales, and what it really means to observe marine life responsibly. Guest Joana Castro is marine biologist and founder of AIMM – Marine Environment Research Association. She has spent over two decades researching cetaceans (whales and dolphins) along the coast of Portugal and beyond.

We often think of dolphin and whale watching as harmless, even educational, but Joana reveals why that’s not always the case. From noise pollution to chemical contamination, and from plastic to tourism overload, this conversation sheds light on how human presence, even well-meaning tourists, can deeply affect marine mammals.

She also shares the inspiring story of how seeing dolphins as a child shaped her career, what AIMM is doing to bridge research and conservation, and how tourists like you can spot red flags and make better choices.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Why whale and dolphin watching isn’t always ethical
• The science behind dolphin and whale sensitivity to noise
• Different types of pollution (noise, chemical, plastic) and their impact
• Red flags to watch for when booking wildlife tours
• How AIMM collects data, and why it matters for conservation
• The complex role of marine parks: harm, hope, and potential
• How to identify a responsible tour operator as a traveler
• What keeps Joana motivated after 20+ years in the field

Whether you're passionate about marine life or simply planning a trip involving the ocean, this episode offers real insight, clear solutions, and powerful motivation.

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms
🔗 More about AIMM: https://www.aimmportugal.org

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What if your teaching degree included crossing continents in a DIY travel bus? In this episode, your host Clara Francken chats with Raquel Dinis, who shares her experience with DNS Teacher Training College. She talks about where the classroom is the world and Guinea-Bissau was the final stop.

We dive into how a group of student-teachers from Denmark rebuilt a bus and hit the road to West Africa, learning from communities, each other, and the world outside a textbook. Raquel tells us what it's really like to live and study on the move, how it shaped her worldview, and what challenges (and joy!) come with living in a bus with your classmates.

We talked about

• converting a bus and driving it from Denmark to Guinea-Bissau
• what DNS Teacher Training College is and how it redefines education
• learning through travel and what it’s like to study on the road
• group dynamics, emotional growth, and living with classmates
• cultural exchange and building connections in West Africa
• rebuilding an old school bus as part of the educational process
• rethinking what it means to “train” as a teacher
• and more...

This episode is all about purpose-driven travel, education without borders, and saying yes to uncomfortable, unforgettable learning.

Listen now on your favorite platform

🔗 More about DNS: dns-tvind.dk

🔗 Raquel's blog: raqueljadee.medium.com

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Ever wonder what slow travel really looks like when you’re trying to avoid planes? In this solo episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken gets personal about the highs and lows of her sustainable travel choices.

From the Eurostar train to Paris to smelly Flixbus rides across Europe, Clara shares the truth behind trying to lower her carbon footprint.

This week’s chat isn’t about perfect eco-friendly travel, it’s about real, sometimes messy choices:

• The truth of still taking the plane sometimes
• How taking the train beats flying, even when it’s longer
• A hilariously awful Flixbus ride featuring broken toilets and mafia job offers
• The real reason bus travel can be cheaper, but not always easier
• Why trains like Ouigo and Eurostar between France and Belgium are worth knowing

Clara also reflects on how her travel habits have changed over the years, from automatically booking cheap flights to prioritizing trains and buses, even if it means more adventure (and chaos) along the way.

Stories:

• Flixbus from Germany to Slovenia (Munich to Ljubljana)
• Flixbus from Germany to Croatia (Munich to Zadar via Zagreb)
• Ouigo from Belgium to France (Brussels to Paris)

If you’re curious about sustainable travel, slow mobility, or just want an honest look behind the scenes of a travel podcast, this episode is for you.

sustainable travel • slow travel • train vs plane • bus travel Europe • Flixbus stories • eco-friendly travel • travel diary podcast • Travel Devil podcast • Clara Francken • low carbon travel • cheap European trains • travel podcast • overland travel • ethical travel choices • travel sustainability

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Have you ever dreamed of working in marine conservation or diving with manta rays? But you don't have a science degree? In this episode, your host Clara Francken speaks with Maddie Howarth, a passionate scuba diver, content creator, and ocean advocate, who proves you don’t need a marine biology degree to make waves for the planet.

From a high school dream to filming dolphin research and marine wild life in Greece to diving Australia’s Great Barrier Reef - Maddie shares her journey of combining creativity and conservation. We talk about finding ethical conservation programs, what greenwashing looks like, how social media can support ocean activism, and what to do when you're seasick but still obsessed with the sea.

This episode is a beautiful mix of inspiring stories, practical advice, and honest conversations about purpose, privilege, and protecting what we love.

If you're curious about ocean work and need tips on how to get into volunteering and conservation opportunities, this episode is for you!

Connect with Maddie Howarth

• Watch her videos on YouTube
• Connect on Instagram

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Thibault Constant, the creator behind the YouTube channel Simply Railway, talks about the reality of traveling by train across the U.S. In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken sits down with Thibault to talk about Amtrak, the national railway company in the United States.

Thibault has crisscrossed North America by rail, documenting night trains, scenic sleepers, and cross-country chaos. Together, we explore how Amtrak compares to European rail systems, what it’s like to sleep in a coach seat for two nights straight, and why the slow train might just be the most soul-nourishing form of travel out there.

In this episode:

• The surprising comfort of Amtrak long-distance trains
• Learn about the history of the American train system
• Who are the Amtrak passengers
• Most scenic train routes in the U.S.
• Which night trains to try in The States
• Tips for booking your first Amtrak trip and avoiding the pitfalls

If you're curious about sustainable travel in North America, the future of slow mobility, or just want to hear train stories from a true rail enthusiast, this episode is for you.

Connect with the man behind Simply Railway:

• Watch his videos on YouTube
• Connect on Instagram

american train travel • amtrak experience • simply railway • train podcast • train travel usa • sustainable travel podcast • slow travel america • train travel stories • amtrak sleeper car • cross country train usa • travel devil podcast • clara francken podcast • thibault constant interview • us rail travel • amtrak vs europe • train enthusiast podcast • eco travel usa • night trains america • travel by train in the us • train travel tips usa • long distance trains usa

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