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In this episode, Tyla takes you on a fascinating journey through Europe's five tiny but mighty microstates. These countries are so small you could walk across then in a single day or drive through them in less than an hour, yet despite all the odds they've somehow managed to maintain their independence while empires have risen and collapsed around them. 

Most travellers focus on Europe's major cities and well-known countries, overlooking these five sovereign nations and this is a BIG mistake as they all offer something entirely different. Imagine miniature worlds with their own currencies, governments, passports, and even football teams. Some exist because powerful neighbors couldn't agree on who owned them, others because they were too small or too useful to conquer, and one was founded by a stonemason fleeing a case of mistaken identity.

So it's time to grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and prepare to escape to Europe's tiny but mighty microstates!

In this episode, you'll learn…

• How Andorra has been jointly ruled by both Spain and France since 1278 
• Why Monaco's ruling Grimaldi family traces its lineage back to a nobleman dressed in disguise in 1297
• The incredible story of how Liechtenstein's army went to war with 80 soldiers and returned with 81
• How San Marino was founded by a Croatian stonemason and became the world's oldest surviving republic
• Why Vatican City is the only country to exist inside a European city 
• Strategic tips for visiting each microstate in one day
• Which microstates require rental cars versus easy public transport access 
• How to plan a three-week itinerary visiting all five microstates from Rome to Barcelona
• Where to collect unique passport stamps and souvenirs 

Links & Places Mentioned

• Custom Trip Planning Services
• Andorra la Vella (capital of Andorra)
• Casa de la Vall (Andorra's former parliament)
• Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley (UNESCO World Heritage Site in Andorra)
• Grandvalira (ski area in Andorra)
• Monte Carlo Casino (Monaco)
• Prince's Palace (Monaco)
• Oceanographic Museum (Monaco)
• Vaduz Castle (Liechtenstein)
• Monte Titano (San Marino)
• Palazzo Pubblico (San Marino)
• Vatican Museums (Vatican City)
• Sistine Chapel (Vatican City)
• St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican City)

What's next?

✨ Book a Trip Consultation - let's start planning your dream trip to Europe! 

✨ Browse and download our collection of itineraries at travelwithtyla.com

✨ Follow on Instagram @travelwith.tyla for more Europe travel inspiration

✨ Email [email protected] with any questions, trip reports, or feedback

✨ Subscribe so you never miss a future episode!

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In this episode, Tyla takes you through five unforgettable days in Kraków - Poland's former royal capital and one of Europe's most architecturally extraordinary cities. 

Listen along to this thoughtfully crafted itinerary that balances the city's joyful side of pretty squares, colourful buildings, and hearty Polish cuisine, with its more somber recent history, including the nearby Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. 

So grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and prepare to escape to the haunting history and spellbinding squares of Kraków!

In this episode, you'll learn…

• Why Kraków is one of the few major Central European cities to maintain it's original historic centre
• How to experience Rynek Główny (Europe's largest medieval square) without the crowds!
• Strategic planning tips for visiting Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral
• How to choose a reputable small-group tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau 
• Why the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz is worth visiting both during the day and at night
• How to visit the underground wonder of Wieliczka Salt Mine
• Essential Polish foods to try including pierogi, borscht soup, zapiekanka street food, and pączki
• Why a vodka tasting is a quintessential Kraków experience

Places & Links Mentioned

• Rynek Główny (Main Square)
• St. Mary's Basilica (Main Church)
• Cloth Hall (Renaissance Arcade)
• Wawel Royal Castle & Cathedral
• Jagiellonian University
• Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter) 
• Stara Synagoga (Old Synagogue)
• Remuh Synagogue & Cemetery
• Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
• Wieliczka Salt Mine 
• Czartoryski Museum (Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine)
• Stary Kleparz Market
• Custom Trip Planning Services

What's next?

✨ Book a Trip Consultation - let's start planning your dream trip to Europe! 

✨ Browse and download our collection of itineraries at travelwithtyla.com

✨ Follow on Instagram @travelwith.tyla for more Europe travel inspiration

✨ Email [email protected] with any questions, trip reports, or feedback

✨ Subscribe so you never miss a future episode!

Support the show

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In this episode, Tyla is joined by special guest Meri Wynn from Family Tripping - a family travel YouTube channel that shares practical tips and honest insights on making European family travel accessible, affordable, and truly memorable.

While package holidays are the default for many families, Meri shares her top tips for DIY trip planning and how it can save you thousands while also creating richer and more authentic travel experiences. From choosing the right accommodation to avoiding family travel fails, this conversation covers real strategies that make family travel in Europe not just possible, but genuinely enjoyable for parents and children alike.

So grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and prepare to escape to Europe's top family-friendly destinations!

In this episode, you'll learn…

• Why Europe works so well for families with young children
• How staying in apartments instead of hotels can save you money and reduce mealtime stress 
• The power of asking AI to find discount codes for expensive attractions and tours
• Why Eastern Europe offers exceptional value for family holidays
• Budget-saving tips, including flying budget airlines without paying for seat selection (kids under 12 sit with parents automatically)
• Essential packing items for family travel
• How to pace your days differently as children grow from toddlers to confident explorers
• Why involving kids in trip planning makes them more engaged and the experience more enjoyable for everyone
• How the life skills children develop through travel go beyond what they learn in the classroom
• Mistake to avoid when travelling as a family in Europe
• Meri's Top 3 family-friendly destinations in Europe! 

Links & Places Mentioned

• Family Tripping - YouTube, Instagram and Website
• Lapland, Finland
• Iceland - Blue Lagoon, lava shows & volcanoes
• Poland for skiing - Białka Tatrzańska recommended over Zakopane
• Billund, Denmark - The home of Lego!
• Barcelona, Spain
• Lake District and York, Northern England
• Slovenia (upcoming family trip!)

What's next?

✨ Book a Trip Consultation - let's start planning your dream trip to Europe! 

✨ Browse and download our collection of itineraries at travelwithtyla.com

✨ Follow on Instagram @travelwith.tyla for more Europe travel inspiration

✨ Email [email protected] with any questions, trip reports, or feedback

✨ Subscribe so you never miss a future episode!

Support the show

Send Tyla a message

In this episode, Tyla guides you through seven glorious days along the Italian Riviera, exploring the stunning Ligurian coast from Genoa to the Cinque Terre. Together, you'll dive into a complete day-by-day itinerary, designed to balance iconic bucket-list with hidden gems that most tourists simply miss.

While everyone talks about the Amalfi Coast and the French Riviera, Liguria remains one of Europe's best-kept coastal secrets. This narrow crescent of coastline squeezed between the Alps and the sea offers brightly colored fishing villages, world-class pesto, crystal-clear turquoise water, and dramatic cliff-side hikes, all wonderfully accessible by train.

So grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and prepare to escape to the stunning Italian Riviera!

In this episode, you'll learn…

• Why Liguria deserves to be at the top of your Europe travel list! 
• The ideal months to plan your visit and when to avoid 
• How to navigate the entire region car-free using Italy's scenic coastal train network and seasonal ferries
• The best neighborhoods to explore and foods to try in Genoa
• Why Camogli offers a more authentic fishing village experience than nearby Santa Margherita and Rapallo
• Strategic tips for visiting Portofino and how to discover the secluded cove of San Fruttuoso
• Why Sestri Levante might just be the perfect Italian beach town
• How to plan a day trip to the Cinque Terre and avoid the overwhelming crowds
• Day trip options into Liguria's wine country for tastings 

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Custom Trip Planning Services
• Cinque Terre Trekking Card Plus
• Omio and Trainline (third-party train booking sites)
• Traghettiportofino.it and Golfoparadiso.it (ferry schedules)

What's next?

✨ Book a Trip Consultation - let's start planning your dream trip to Europe! 

✨ Browse and download our collection of FREE itineraries at travelwithtyla.com

✨ Follow on Instagram @travelwith.tyla for more Europe travel inspiration

✨ Email [email protected] with any questions, trip reports, or feedback

✨ Subscribe so you never miss a future episode!

Support the show

Send Tyla a message

In this episode, Tyla is joined by special guest Kiara Conaghan - an Australian writer and digital nomad, who two years ago traded sunshine and beaches for the mystical forests and charming countryside villages of England, Scotland, and Wales. 

While most visitors to the UK tend to stick to the well-worn tourist trail, Kiara shares a more hidden side to the country. From prehistoric stone circles larger than Stonehenge to medieval villages where the Brontë sisters wrote their novels, our conversation uncovers the UK's lesser-known treasures and magical places that await curious travellers.

So grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and prepare to escape to the hidden gems of England, Scotland, and Wales!

In this episode, you'll learn…

• Why Kiara chose to travel nomadically throughout the UK instead of settling in London like most Australians
• How to use house sitting to discover authentic local communities and hidden villages tourists never find
• Why Avebury is more magical than Stonehenge and allows you to walk right up to 5,000-year-old stones
• Hidden English gems - including Wells, Winchester, and York - that offer authentic medieval charm without the tourist crowds
• What makes the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales a landscape steeped in Druid history and Celtic folklore
• Why Conwy Castle and Betws-y-Coed in Snowdonia should be on every traveller's Wales itinerary
• How Scottish folklore and history create a genuinely haunted, eerie atmosphere throughout the Highlands
• Why the Orkney Isles offer some of the most incredible prehistoric sites in the world
• The best ways to get around the UK using trains, coaches, and local buses when you don't have a car
• Why October is the perfect month to visit for autumn colours, fewer crowds, and ideal weather
• A two-week suggested itinerary hitting Bath, Avebury, Conwy, York, and Edinburgh with day trips to the Yorkshire Dales, Highlands, and Isle of Skye
• Why staying in YHA hostels helps you find off-the-beaten-path locations in countryside settings

Links & Places Mentioned

• Custom Trip Planning Services
• Avebury (Wiltshire)
• Wells (Somerset)
• Glastonbury (Somerset)
• Winchester (Hampshire)
• York (Yorkshire)
• Howarth (Yorkshire - Brontë sisters village)
• Isle of Anglesey (North Wales)
• Conwy Castle (North Wales)
• Betws-y-Coed (Snowdonia, Wales)
• Orkney Isles (Scotland)
• YHA Hostels (UK accommodation)
• National Express (UK coach service)

What's next?

✨ Book a Trip Consultation - let's start planning your dream trip to Europe! 

✨ Browse and download our collection of FREE itineraries at travelwithtyla.com

✨ Follow on Instagram @travelwith.tyla for more Europe travel inspiration

✨ Email [email protected] with any questions, trip reports, or feedback

✨ Subscribe so you never miss a future episode!

Support the show

Send Tyla a message

In this episode, Tyla takes you on a journey through beautiful Barcelona, covering three full days in the city plus five incredible day trips you can easily use to extend your visit. She shares honest insights about where tourists go versus where locals go, setting realistic trip budgets, getting around efficiently, and all those little details that social media tends to gloss over.

Barcelona is a fiercely independent Catalan city that rewards thoughtful travellers who show up with genuine curiosity and embrace the slower pace of life, where sunset vermouth sessions and eleven o'clock dinners are just the norm.

So grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and let's escape to the buzzing streets of Barcelona!

In this episode, you'll learn…

• Why Barcelona is Catalan, not Spanish!
• How to be a thoughtful visitor in light of overtourism concerns and support local businesses
• The best neighbourhoods to stay in Barcelona
• Hidden gems in the Gothic Quarter that most tourists walk right past
• Why you should skip La Boqueria market and head to Mercat de Santa Caterina instead
• Strategic booking tips for the Sagrada Família 
• How to choose between Casa Batlló and Casa Milà if you can only visit one Gaudí masterpiece
• The cultural institution of vermouth hour and where to experience it like a local 
• Why Spanish nightlife doesn't start until after midnight 
• Day trip details for Montserrat, Sitges, Tarragona, Penedès, and Girona

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Custom Trip Planning Services
• Sagrada Família
• Casa Batlló
• Casa Milà 
• Parc Güell

What's next?

✨ Book a Trip Consultation - let's start planning your dream trip to Europe! 

✨ Browse and download our collection of FREE itineraries at travelwithtyla.com

✨ Follow on Instagram @travelwith.tyla for more Europe travel inspiration

✨ Email [email protected] with any questions, trip reports, or feedback

✨ Subscribe so you never miss a future episode!

Support the show

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In this episode, Tyla is joined by special guest Jim Barton - a fellow digital nomad, avid traveller, and experienced pilgrim. Together they dive deeper into one of the world's most iconic long-distance walks, the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. 

From navigating the rugged Pyrenees on day one to pincho-hopping through the wine-soaked streets of Logroño, this episode is packed with honest, first-hand insights to help you decide whether to walk your very own Camino.

So grab a coffee, get comfy, and let's escape to the scenic mountainous trails of northern Spain!

In this episode, you'll learn…

• What the Camino de Santiago actually is and why over 450,000 people hike it every year!
• The key differences between the most popular routes, including the Camino Francés, the Portuguese Way, the Norte, and more
• Why October can be magical for a quieter Camino and why you should think twice about hiking in July or August
• The truth about training for the Camino and tips to help you prepare
• What a typical day on the Camino really looks like, from the 8 a.m. albergue kick-out to that first café con leche of the morning
• The essential packing list and the items you can definitely leave at home
• How the Camino's famous social magic works - from finding your Camino family to the beautiful unwritten rules of walking your own pace
• The biggest surprises Jim encountered on the trail and the number one piece of advice he'd give to anyone thinking about doing it!

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Official Website for the Camino de Santiago 
• Custom Trip Planning Services
• Growth Podcasting – Jim's podcast production business, born out of his Camino experience

What's next?

✨ Book a Trip Consultation - let's start planning your dream trip to Europe! 

✨ Browse and download our collection of FREE itineraries at travelwithtyla.com

✨ Follow on Instagram @travelwith.tyla for more Europe travel inspiration

✨ Email [email protected] with any questions, trip reports, or feedback

✨ Subscribe so you never miss a future episode!

Support the show

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In this episode, Tyla walks you through the ultimate classic Italian adventure, covering seven glorious days through Rome, Florence, and Venice. Listen along to a complete day-by-day itinerary that balances must-see sights with hidden gems.

From navigating Italy's high-speed train network to discovering quiet canals in Venice where you might be the only tourist in sight, this episode is packed with helpful tips and inspiration to help guide your Italy trip planning. 

So grab a coffee, get comfy, and let's escape to dreamy Italy!

In this episode, you'll learn…

• How to navigate Italy's high-speed train network and save $$$ by booking tickets weeks in advance
• The best neighbourhoods to stay in each city for authentic experiences 
• Why visiting the Colosseum in the late afternoon creates a more magical experience
• Hidden Roman gems like the Protestant Cemetery, Testaccio Market, and cycling the ancient Appian Way
• How to tackle Florence's world-class art museums without overwhelming museum fatigue
• The secret to finding authentic Italian restaurants and avoiding expensive tourist traps 
• The five biggest mistakes first-time Italy travellers make
• Best times to visit and why you should avoid July and August in Italian cities!

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Custom Trip Planning Services
• Omio and Trainline (third-party train booking sites)

What's next?

✨ Book a Trip Consultation - let's start planning your dream trip to Europe! 

✨ Browse and download our collection of FREE itineraries at travelwithtyla.com

✨ Follow on Instagram @travelwith.tyla for more Europe travel inspiration

✨ Email [email protected] with any questions, trip reports, or feedback

✨ Subscribe so you never miss a future episode!

Support the show

Send Tyla a message

In this episode, Tyla shares her top five European cities that truly shine in the winter, each offering a unique blend of experiences, from maritime history and Gothic romance to thermal baths and medieval charm. She also outlines detailed 3-day mini-itineraries for each destination to help you plan the perfect winter city escape.

While most travellers save their European city breaks for spring or summer, winter offers something entirely different and magical. Imagine smaller crowds, lower prices, and snow falling. 

So grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and let's explore Europe's most beautiful cities in the winter!

In this episode, you'll learn…

• Why winter is actually the best time to visit European cities
• How to create the perfect itinerary for experiencing Hamburg's maritime culture and world-class museums
• Essential experiences in Stockholm from Gamla Stan's medieval streets to traditional Swedish fika
• What makes Zurich worth visiting despite the high prices
• Why Budapest might be THE best winter city in Europe with its legendary thermal baths
• How to experience Edinburgh's Gothic romance, whisky culture, and dramatic volcanic landscapes
• Money-saving tips and budget estimates for each destination (ranging from €80-250 per person per day)
• Practical advice on weather, transport, and what to pack for winter city exploring

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Custom Trip Planning Services
• Miniatur Wunderland (Hamburg)
• Elbphilharmonie (Hamburg)
• Vasa Museum (Stockholm)
• ABBA Museum (Stockholm)
• Gellért Thermal Bath (Budapest - currently closed for renovations until 2028)
• Széchenyi Thermal Bath (Budapest)
• Edinburgh Castle

What's next?

✨ Book a Trip Consultation - let's start planning your dream trip to Europe! 

✨ Browse and download our collection of FREE itineraries at travelwithtyla.com

✨ Follow on Instagram @travelwith.tyla for more Europe travel inspiration

✨ Email [email protected] with any questions, trip reports, or feedback

✨ Subscribe so you never miss a future episode!

Support the show

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In this episode, Tyla breaks down everything you need to know about planning an unforgettable European ski trip - from choosing the perfect time to go and selecting your ideal resort, to understanding lift passes, equipment rentals, and mountain safety.

She also reveals her top five European ski resorts that represent the absolute best this continent has to offer, each with its own unique character and appeal. Plus, with the 2026 Winter Olympics kicking off in Italy's stunning ski resorts, there's never been a better time to plan your own alpine adventure. 

So grab a hot chocolate, get cozy, and let's escape to the snow-topped mountains and ski resorts of Europe!

In this episode, you'll learn…

• How to choose the best time for your European ski trip based on budget and snow conditions
• Essential factors for selecting the right ski destination across France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and beyond
• How to match resort types and terrain to your ability level (from beginner to expert)
• Smart strategies for getting to and around European ski resorts
• Accommodation options ranging from budget-friendly to luxury
• Money-saving tips for lift passes and ski equipment rentals
• What to pack for a European ski trip, including gear essentials and clothing layers
• Tyla's personal top 5 European ski resorts with detailed insights on what makes each one special

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Custom Trip Planning Services
• 2026 Milan/Cortina Winter Olympics

What's next?

✨ Book a Trip Consultation - let's start planning your dream trip to Europe! 

✨ Browse and download our collection of FREE itineraries at travelwithtyla.com

✨ Follow on Instagram @travelwith.tyla for more Europe travel inspiration

✨ Email [email protected] with any questions, trip reports, or feedback

✨ Subscribe so you never miss a future episode!

Support the show