Travel Goals Podcast

Ghost hunters, gather round! Did you know San Antonio, Texas, is considered one of the most haunted cities in the USA and frequently appears on lists of America's most paranormally charged places? Its chilling reputation is woven into more than 300 years of dramatic history, from bloody Spanish colonial clashes and the legendary 1836 Battle of the Alamo to devastating epidemics and wild frontier violence. With so many original 18th- and 19th-century limestone buildings still standing, locals say that San Antonio was built atop many layers of history and forgotten souls. In this on-location audio adventure, presenter Portia Jones and producer Luke Jones join the Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours to explore San Antonio's most notorious haunted sites, including the Menger Hotel, Texas's most haunted hotel, uncover chilling urban legends, and unravel the eerie tale of the Three Emmas. Along the way, we meet local experts, unearth the secrets behind San Antonio's most beloved haunted locations, and discover why this Texas city belongs on every adventurous traveller's must-visit list. If San Antonio is on your travel radar and you crave an audio guide to the Alamo City, tune in for insider tips and spine-tingling experiences to add to your San Antonio Halloween bucket list. Huge thanks to Visit San Antonio and TTM World for supporting and collaborating with the Travel Goals Podcast. ******** Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter. Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook. South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd. produces and owns Travel Goals. Email us to discuss working together or to ask questions about the podcast. Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

San Antonio, Texas, is full of history and culture. It features one of the country's most important historic corridors, centred around the state's first and only UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is known for its 18th-century Spanish colonial buildings and the rich stories that shaped the American Southwest, the frontier, and the Texas Revolution. San Antonio's culture blends Texan and Mexican traditions, which is why it's often called the "Tejano heart of Texas." With over 300 years of influence from Spanish, Mexican, Indigenous, and German communities, the city feels more like its own unique region than a typical American city. In this on-location episode, presenter Portia Jones and producer Luke Jones visit famous places like the Alamo, Texas's most popular historic site. They step back in time at Missions National Historical Park, get a behind-the-scenes look at the Witte Museum, and enjoy a sunset cocktail at a historic spot with great views of the city. Along the way, we meet local experts, learn the stories behind San Antonio's favourite historic sites, and find out why this Texas city should be on every curious traveller's list. If you're planning a trip to San Antonio and want an audio travel guide to Alamo City, tune in for what to do, where to go and the experiences worth adding to your San Antonio bucket list. Huge thanks to Visit San Antonio and TTM World for supporting and collaborating with the Travel Goals Podcast. ******** Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter. If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and find new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast. Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook. Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd. Email us to discuss working together or to ask questions about the podcast. Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

What happens when you let fate decide where you're going on holiday? We test the viral Wowcher £99 mystery holiday to see if it's worth it and what you need to know. On this fun episode, Producer Luke has been persuaded by his cavalier wife and Travel Goals presenter Portia to take a gamble on a £99 Wowcher Mystery Holiday, a popular holiday deal where you pay a fixed price for a package that includes flights and accommodation, but you don't get to choose the destination. The budget deal instead offers return flights and two nights in a hotel abroad at a low price. It could be Dubai, New York, the Maldives, Las Vegas, or Mexico, or European destinations such as Paris, Monaco, Sicily, and Lake Como; you won't know until you pay for the deal and let the travel gods decide. Your destination is allocated via a randomised draw and is subject to availability, so you're effectively gambling your annual leave on the chance of a long-haul trip, or a super-budget stay somewhere in Europe. In this episode, recorded on location and in the studio, we cover exactly how the deal works, how you find out the mystery destination, the flights, the accommodation, the unexpected costs, and what it is like trying to enjoy a budget holiday when so much of the trip has already been decided for you. If you have ever looked at a Wowcher Mystery Holiday, a £99 mystery holiday or one of the many cheap holiday deals promising a surprise destination, this is what happened when we decided to find out whether the gamble was actually worth taking. Get your Wowcher Mystery holiday here and let us know if it was worth it! *********** Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter. If you love to travel, check out my travel website for travel guides and new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast. Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook. Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd. Email us to discuss working together or to ask questions about the podcast. Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Can San Antonio, Texas, really be one of the USA's most underrated adventure and attraction destinations? In this immersive, on-location episode, presenter Portia Jones and Producer Luke Jones explore the outdoor adventures, attractions, and wildlife areas that make San Antonio more than the home of the Alamo and Tex-Mex eats. From the city's famous River Walk to Texas-style safaris, underground caverns, cowboy rodeos and heart-pounding rollercoasters, San Antonio has plenty to keep adventurous travellers busy. We'll wander and boat along the River Walk, spotting wildlife and discovering the surprising natural side of this urban waterway, before heading out of the city to meet giraffes at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch and venture underground into the spectacular Natural Bridge Caverns. Then it's time to embrace our inner cowboys at Tejas Rodeo, where we'll watch bull riding, barrel racing, roping and the wonderfully chaotic Mutton Bustin', before turning up the adrenaline at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Built into a former limestone quarry, the theme park is home to huge coasters, gravity-defying rides and some very questionable decisions on our part. Along the way, we'll meet local experts, uncover the stories behind some of San Antonio's best-loved attractions and discover why this Texas city deserves to be on the radar of anyone looking for adventure, wildlife, outdoor experiences and things to do beyond the usual tourist trail. If you're planning a trip to San Antonio and want to see a different side of the Alamo City, tune in for what to do, where to go and the experiences worth adding to your San Antonio bucket list. Huge thanks to Visit San Antonio and TTM World for their support and collaboration with the Travel Goals Podcast. ******** Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter. If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and find new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast. Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook. Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd. Email us to discuss working together or to ask questions about the podcast. Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

We've got a busy season ahead on the Travel Goals Podcast, with journeys taking us from San Antonio, Texas, to Málaga, Spain, Fort Myers, Florida, and Niagara Falls, New York. Join travel journalist Portia Jones and producer Luke as we take you on immersive audio journeys to some exciting destinations. We'll bring you the stories behind each place, chat with locals, share the best things to see and do, tell you where to eat, and explain why these destinations deserve a spot on your bucket list. From the thundering falls of Niagara and the white-sand beaches of Florida to the rodeo culture of San Antonio and a Wowcher mystery holiday in Spain that takes an unexpected turn, there's plenty to look forward to over the next few months. So get ready to discover new places and explore the world with us on the Travel Goals Podcast. ****************

Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nicknamed Pip Jones], a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and Lonely Planet guidebook author.

If you love to travel, you can check out my travel website and subscribe to my travel newsletter to get travel guides and tips and new episodes of the podcast delivered straight to your inbox

Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook

Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd. Email us to discuss working together, or with any questions about the podcast.

Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Is San Antonio the best foodie city in the USA? In this immersive, on-location episode, presenter Portia Jones and Producer Luke Jones eat their way through San Antonio, Texas, exploring the restaurants, bars, food halls and local food spots that make the Alamo City one of America's most exciting culinary destinations. Named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, San Antonio is a must-visit destination for food lovers, blending Mexican, Tex-Mex, Spanish, German and Hill Country traditions with a fast-evolving modern dining scene. From authentic San Antonio tacos and Tex-Mex to BBQ, ceviche, burgers, inventive small plates and Michelin-recognised fine dining, there's far more to the city's food scene than the famous River Walk and BBQ eats. Join us as we speak with chefs, bar owners and winemakers and discover where locals really rate. We'll explore some of the best restaurants in San Antonio, sip margaritas and Texan wines, visit buzzing bars and food halls, and uncover the places you need to know about if you're planning a foodie trip to San Antonio. Tune in for what to eat, what to order and why San Antonio might just be the best food city you're not talking about yet. Along the way, we'll be meeting with plenty of locals who live and breathe San Antonio as they tell you the story of one of the USA's fastest-growing cities and why you need to add it to your travel bucket list now. Huge thanks to Visit San Antonio and TTM World for supporting and collaborating with the Travel Goals Podcast. ******** Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter. If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and find new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast. Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook. Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd. Email us to discuss working together or if you have questions about the podcast. Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Planning a trip to San Antonio, Texas? Find out why you must visit during the multi-day Fiesta San Antonio festival, which fills the city with a kaleidoscope of colour, parades and live music. Dating back to 1891, this 'party with a purpose' features over 100 events, ranging from vibrant river and street parades with decorated floats to buzzing neighbourhood block parties, drawing millions of visitors while raising funds for local nonprofits. In this immersive, on-location episode, we'll dive into what makes Fiesta San Antonio so special by speaking with the locals who organise and love these events. We'll be on the ground exploring signature, big-ticket events during Fiesta, including NIOSA, a cultural block party, the Battle of Flowers Parade - the founding event of Fiesta and the second-largest daytime parade in the US and the King William Fair, a family-friendly street festival. We'll also learn more about how San Antonio hosts a vibrant year-round calendar of cultural, culinary, and music festivals that highlight the city's rich Tex-Mex heritage. Top annual celebrations range from massive city-wide parties to more intimate cultural gatherings that you should plan your visit around. Along the way, we'll be meeting with plenty of locals who live and breathe San Antonio as they tell you the story of one of the USA's fastest-growing cities and why you need to add it to your travel bucket list now. Huge thanks to Visit San Antonio and TTM World for supporting and collaborating with the Travel Goals Podcast.

Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter.

If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and find new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast.

Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook.

Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd.

Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast.

Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Planning a trip to San Antonio, Texas? We have you covered with our upcoming series of immersive San Antonio travel guides, all recorded on location. In this teaser trailer, we'll give you a sneak peek at our upcoming episodes, all about San Antonio, USA. Founded in 1718, San Antonio is famous for its rich heritage, historic Alamo, and the iconic 15-mile Riverwalk, packed with historic sites. San Antonio blends Spanish, German, and American roots with a distinctive cowboy-meets-culture energy. Foodies can also revel in its rise from Spanish outpost and frontier town to a UNESCO city of gastronomy famed for its dining, but whether you're exploring the city by plate or on the buzzing streets, one thing is apparent. What makes it special is the blend of cultures you'll find here. Over the next few episodes of Travel Goals, we'll be discovering arts and cultures, learning about the Missions, including the famed Alamo, experiencing Fiesta, a multi-day festival that fills the city with a kaleidoscope of colour, parades, and live music, and attending our first rodeo. Listen as we traverse the Riverwalk, the gold standard of waterside struts, where you can escape the urban buzz beneath a shaded canopy of 400-year-old cypress trees. Hungry? We'll dive into San Antonio's food scene and see why this gastro city isn't defined solely by Tex-Mex and chilli. Along the way, we'll be meeting with plenty of locals who live and breathe San Antonio as they tell you the story of one of the USA's fastest-growing cities and why you need to add it to your travel bucket list now. Huge thanks to Visit San Antonio and TTM World for supporting and collaborating with the Travel Goals Podcast. **************

Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter.

If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and find new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast.

Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook.

Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd.

Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast.

Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Planning a Naples city break? We've got you covered. The birthplace of pizza and the largest city in southern Italy, Naples is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating places in Europe.

The historical centre of Naples is the largest in Europe and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

It's packed full of ancient churches and staggeringly large catacombs, and Pompeii is just a short drive away.

Along with its history and arts scene, Naples is known for its food culture, including wood-fired, doughy pizza, Ragù Napoletano, and affordable street food.

Join presenter Portia Jones and producer Luke Jones as we share the best things to do in Naples, from a street-food tour and a sunset spritz to opulent palaces, museums, and churches filled with treasures.

You'll also hear about Mercure's Discover Local program, including their 50th Birthday Bucket List Edition, spotlighting 50 incredible food and drink experiences designed to help you feel like a local.

From riverside punts to historic quadrangles and winding streets, Oxford is a city to wander, taste, and explore.

Join us for an immersive guide to the best sights, eats, and experiences in this unforgettable city.

Huge thanks to Mercure Hotels for supporting this episode of Travel Goals. Visit https://mercure.accor.com/ and start planning your next trip.

Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter.

If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and find new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast.

Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook.

Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd.

Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast.

Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Planning an Oxford city break? We've got you covered. A powerhouse of learning for 800 years, Oxford is home to Britain's oldest university, leafy botanical gardens, and historic pubs full of character. On this fun, on-location episode, we explain why now is the ideal time to explore Oxford and stay at Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House Hotel, a stylish four-star hotel set in the picturesque village of Iffley.

With three acres of private gardens, chic rooms, and excellent dining, it's the perfect base for discovering both the city and its surroundings, including the Chilterns, the Cotswolds, and Blenheim Palace.

Join presenter Portia Jones and producer Luke Jones as we share the best things to do in Oxford, from Harry Potter filming locations and quirky boutiques to markets, independent cafes, bars, and restaurants.

You'll also hear about Mercure's Discover Local program, including their 50th Birthday Bucket List Edition, spotlighting 50 incredible food and drink experiences designed to help you feel like a local.

From riverside punts to historic quadrangles and winding streets, Oxford is a city to wander, taste, and explore.

Join us for an immersive guide to the best sights, eats, and experiences in this unforgettable city.

Huge thanks to Mercure Hotels for supporting this episode of Travel Goals. Visit https://mercure.accor.com/ and start planning your next trip.

************

Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter.

If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and find new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast.

Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook.

Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd.

Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast.

Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.