Wanderlust: Off the Page

Colombia is home to nearly 10% of the world’s biodiversity, and in today’s episode we’ll be exploring it from the Amazon to the Andes. In the company of three expert guests, our journey will take us deep into each of Colombia’s five distinct regions, revealing the unique ecosystems, rare wildlife, and cultural connections to nature that define them. From birdwatching in cloud forests and listening to humpback whales sing to meeting indigenous communities and searching for giant snakes, this is Colombia: Biodiversity Beyond Borders.

Featured Guests & Highlights:

Chris Bell
Wildlife guide, birding expert and Bogotá local Chris Bell discusses why Colombia is a dream destination for bird lovers.

• Over 1,900 bird species—more than any other country
• Spotting endemic species in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Andean cloud forests
• Birdwatching in the Amazon Basin and along the Pacific coast

Shafik Meghji
Author and travel writer Shafik Meghji explores Colombia’s biodiversity through the lens of culture, history, and nature.

• Los Llanos: vast savannahs teeming with capybaras, caimans, and cowboys (llaneros)
• Cartagena & Caribbean coast: where mangroves, colonial history, and vibrant culture meet
• San Andrés & Providencia: coral reefs, pirate treasure, and a unique island heritage unlike anywhere else

Angela Posada-Swafford
Science journalist Angela Posada-Swafford explains how Colombia’s climate and topography make it one of the most ecologically varied places on Earth.

• Amazon rainforest: spotting pink river dolphins and jaguars
• Pacific coast: whale migrations and remote rainforests
• Humpback songs: listen to a special 1min clip of a collaboration Angela worked on between humpback whales and a live orchestra

Listen Now and let your imagination wander from the Andes to the Amazon.

FIND OUT MORE

For more information on how to plan your trip go to procolombia.co

Chris Bell: birding-experience.com, @chrisbellbirding

Shafik Meghji: shafikmeghji.com, @shafikmeghji

Angela Posada-Swafford: angelaposadaswafford.com, @aposadaswafford

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road

less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just

£35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues,

exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online

archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and Charles Tyrie produces it. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

In this episode, we explore the transformative impact of Indigenous-led tourism in British Columbia, where every journey fosters deep connections with the land and its people. Join us as we travel from the pristine Great Bear Rainforest to the rich waters of Desolation Sound, discovering experiences that inspire and transform.

Highlights Include:

• Witnessing the Spirit Bear: Experience the magic of the Great Bear Rainforest and learn about conservation efforts that protect this rare species. Spirit Bear Lodge
• Coastal Rainforest Adventures: Join guided wildlife tours that connect you with the ecology and Indigenous stories of the coastal rainforest. Coastal Rainforest Safaris
• Marine Wildlife Encounters: Explore the waters with Sea Wolf Adventures, focusing on orca watching and cultural insights from Indigenous guides. Sea Wolf Adventures
• Cultural Heritage Tours: Engage with the Homalco First Nation through wildlife tours that highlight local culture and history. Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours
• Luxurious Wilderness Retreats: Discover Klahoose Wilderness Resort, where comfort meets authentic Indigenous experiences in stunning natural settings. Klahoose Wilderness Resort
• Unforgettable Bear Viewing: Experience the renowned Knight Inlet Lodge, known for exceptional bear viewing and insights into Indigenous conservation. Knight Inlet Lodge
• Rustic Ranch Experiences: Visit Big Bar Guest Ranch for horseback riding and cultural immersion, surrounded by picturesque landscapes. Big Bar Guest Ranch
• Mountain Serenity: Relax at Nemiah Valley Lodge, where outdoor adventures meet the rich culture of the Tsilhqot’in people. Nemiah Valley Lodge

FIND OUT MORE

For more information on planning your Indigenous tourism adventure, visit Indigenous Tourism BC and hellobc.com.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting this episode. Explore the beauty and diversity of British Columbia with the guidance of Indigenous-led experiences.

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine, dedicated to exploring the road less travelled since 1993. Discover more at wanderlustmagazine.com.

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to connect with a community of passionate travelers for just £35 a year (about $50). Enjoy six collectible issues, exclusive competitions, access to our online archive, and more.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show, with production by Charles Tyrie. Discover our other shows at armchair-productions.com.

When it comes to natural wonders Queensland, Australia has it all. From the largest reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef, to the oldest rainforest on the planet, the Daintree, this is a place to re-connect with nature, have an adventure and be inspired by the indigenous cultures that have lived here for thousands of years. 

Taking us there are travel writer Karen Edwards, who’ll be recounting tales from her latest trip, and Queensland local Sarah Thomson, who’ll be giving us the insider secrets on the places she loves the most (there are a lot of them!).

These are the colours of Queensland: Ocean blue, forest green and outback red. 

Highlights include:

• Peering under the waves into the technicolour world of the Great Barrier Reef

• Going on an aboriginal led walking tour through the more than 180-million year old Daintree Rainforest

• Exploring the food, stars and legendary local characters of the outback 

• Getting the lowdown on three ‘dream sleeps’ - bucket list places to stay for each colour, including a hotel under the waves.

• Finding out what our expert’s ultimate Queensland itinerary is - two perfect weeks in one of the most diverse destinations on the planet.

FIND OUT MORE

For more information on how to plan your trip go to queensland.com 

Thanks also to Qatar Airways for supporting this episode. They were voted the world’s best airline 2024 by Skytrax, for the 8th time, and are the most comfortable way to get to Queensland. Find out more and book your tickets at qatarairways.com

Instagram: @karennedwaards_writer

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and Charles Tyrie produces it. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

There are few places in the world that pack in more ancient wonders than Türkiye. From Ephesus, one of the most magnificent cities of the Roman Empire, to Göbeklitepe, the world’s earliest known human-made structure, Türkiye offers a rare insight into early civilisations.

In this comprehensive episode we will be exploring Türkiye’s ancient wonders in the company of the woman who literally wrote the book on it. Pat Yale has lived in Türkiye for over 30-years, visited all 81 provinces and penned numerous guidebooks about her adopted home in that time. From the ancient city of Troy  to the ruins of Aphrodisias this is a journey through time into the heart of one of the most fascinating countries on Earth. 

But that’s not all. As a local resident, Pat is also going to reveal her inside tips on how to see Istanbul like a local.  From which Bosphorus cruise to take and how to tackle the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) to where to get the best coffee and the tastiest meal in town, this is your guide to Istanbul’s path less travelled.

Highlights include:

• Visit the architectural marvel of Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), the Ottoman-era Topkapi Palace, and Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar.

• Getting local tips on the best of Istanbul’s food scene including Istiklal Avenue and Neviz Sokak where you can sample meze and sip on raki, Türkiye’s national spirit. 

• Taking a journey through time to explore Türkiye’s ancient cities of Ephesus, Troy, Aphrodisia and more.

• Exploring Cappadocia, famous for its moon-like landscapes, underground cities and spectacular rock-carved churches. 

• Discovering our expert guests’ ultimate 2-week ‘Journey Through Time’ itinerary exploring the ancient wonders, and UNESCO heritage sites of Türkiye.

FIND OUT MORE

For more information and to start planning your own trip visit: https://goturkiye.com/  

 Connect with Pat Yale on X @patyale

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and produces it; Charles Tyrie does the audio editing and sound design. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

Tokyo is a city where you can go back to the future, where the ancient and the futuristic are seamlessly entwined.

You might visit a shiny new shopping centre to pick up traditional snacks and souvenirs. Or perhaps you’ll stroll along streets where centuries-old temples rub shoulders with neon-drenched skyscrapers. Or of course, you could explore a cutting-edge contemporary art gallery then grab dinner at a restaurant founded generations ago.

You’ll find this intoxicating blend of old and new everywhere in the city, but perhaps it’s most evident in its architecture and green spaces.

Taking us to explore them today is travel writer Rebecca Hallett. A regular contributor to Wanderlust, Rebecca specializes in Japan, and Tokyo is a place she has visited many times and knows incredibly well.

There are probably only a handful of truly great cities in the world, the cities that are on everyone’s bucket list: Paris, London, New York … but perhaps the most unique of all is Tokyo. 

The capital of Japan is a roller coaster for the senses, and a place every traveller who loves culture, good food and a taste of the unknown should visit once in their lives. And today, we’re going to give you a a little teaser of what you might expect

Highlights include:

Exploring Sumida, a neighbourhood with a very shitamachi feel which is also home to the spectacular Skytree.

Walking through the Waseda/Sekiguchi areas, by the Kanda River, a unique combination of modern architectural design, such as the incredible concrete St Mary's Cathedral, but also the Ana Hachiman-gu (shrine) and Toyama Park.

Experiencing the Shibuya Scramble Crossing under the light of multi-story video billboards - one of the city’s iconic images. But this hyper-modern district has been a popular entertainment area for a long time, and you can still find retro corners to explore even now.

Taking a day trip to Mt Takao’s mountain hiking trails, temples and shrines.

FIND OUT MORE
For more information and to start planning your own trip exploring Tokyo's ancient and modern sides, head to the official tourist board website. tokyotokyo.jp

Rebecca Hallett's website is https://rebeccahallett.com/, her instagram is @becca.hallett https://www.instagram.com/becca.hallett/

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and produces it; Charles Tyrie does the audio editing and sound design. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

When you hear the name Qatar, you might think about the 2022 World Cup, or picture a business hub, or even have some trepidation about visiting. This episode is here to blow away those pre-conceptions and reveal the real Qatar; and, spoiler alert, it’s way better than you might think. 

Taking us there are photographer Will Gray, who at the time of recording had just come back from an assignment in Qatar for Wanderlust; Hazel Plush, a regular Wanderlust contributor and Middle Eastern travel expert; and Siham Haleem, a local freelance guide who has been showing off Qatar to travellers for more than 13 years.

Highlights include:

• Getting the low-down on the ultimate itinerary for experiencing capital cuty Doha’s rich cultural offerings.

• Visiting Souk Waqif to sample local delicacies, and learn the “delicate dance of the haggle”.

• Exploring Qatar’s UNESCO World Heritage site, Khor al Adaid, the Inland Sea, one of the most beautiful and unique eco-systems in the world.

• Going to the Shahaniya Racecourse where thoroughbred camels are ridden by robots, not humans.

• Discovering the art installations, historic sites, and unbounded beauty of the desert.

• Connecting with the people of Qatar, described by our guests as one of the most hospitable and welcoming in the region.

FIND OUT MORE

Check out VisitQatar.com more information

Check out more of Will Gray’s photography on Instagram @willgrayphotography, and his website william-gray.co.uk

Connect with writer Hazel Plush on Instagram @hazel.plush, and her website hazelplush.co.uk

You can book Siham Haleem as your Qatar guide. He recommends searching ‘Siham Haleem Qatar Guide’ on Google to connect directly. His Instagram is @siham_qatarguide

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and produces it.  Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest on Earth, encompassing more than 2 million square miles and seven South American countries. Brazil is home to the largest swathe with roughly 60% of the total area, and is arguably the most accessible too, with some of the best and most varied adventure opportunities on offer.

Seeing the Amazon with your own eyes is rightly on the bucket list of many travellers. But with so much to see, it’s hard to know where to start.
In today’s episode, Wanderlust contributor Alex Robinson, who has been to and written about the Brazilian Amazon numerous times, shares his top tips for where to go, what to see and how to get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
If you’re curious about one of the great wonders of the natural world, or dreaming of where to go next, this is your ultimate guide to the Brazilian Amazon.

Highlights include:

- Discovering the city of Manaus, your gateway to Amazon adventures.

- Exploring the state of Amazonas, Brazil’s largest state and almost entirely
covered in lush green tropical forest.

- Finding out the most authentic and sustainable ways to connect with indigenous
communities, including the best eco-lodges and river tours.

- Learning about the food and culture of the historic city of Belém, in Pará.

- Partying at the Boi Bumba festival in Parintins - the carnival of the Amazon, as
exuberant and colourful as Rio carnival.

- Taking the road less travelled to lesser-known places including the white sand
beaches of Alto do Chao, and Ilha do Marajo - a Denmark sized island where the
police ride buffalo.

FIND OUT MORE

You can find out more about everything mentioned in this episode at visitbrasil.com

Connect with Alex Robinson on Instagram @alexrobinsonphotography

Alex’s top tips:

- Manaus hotel - Casa do Bispo
- Indigenous led Amazon cruises -The Earth Trip
- Alter Do Chao treehouse hotel - Casa do Arvore
- Belém Hotel – Grand Mercure

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and produces it; Charles Tyrie does the audio editing and sound design. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

“The Florida Keys are a real mixture of the Caribbean and of the United States…actually, I’m doing them a disservice saying that. The Keys definitely have their own distinct personality.”

In today’s episode we’re heading down to the Florida Keys, the southernmost destination in the US. This charming archipelago of islands, sprawling from the southern tip of Florida’s peninsula, are home to a vibrant array of wildlife and abundant natural attractions, from pristine coral reefs to luscious mangrove forests. They’re also chock full of rich cultural history, artistic heritage, and culinary traditions…be on the lookout for one of the most unique uses of a Key Lime imaginable.

To explore the islands, host Aaron Millar interviews Wanderlust’s own founding editor Lyn Hughes about her recent visit there. The episode also features clips from the new podcast, The Florida Keys Traveler, which was recorded on location and which immerses listeners in the sounds and voices of the Keys.

Read Lyn’s full article about her time in the Keys at https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/florida-keys-of-my-imagination/.

Find more of Wanderlust and subscribe at wanderlustmagazine.com. 

Wanderlust: Off the Page is produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Find more at armchair-productions.com. You can also find the full series, The Florida Keys Traveler, anywhere you find podcasts.

From rainforests to high peaks, crashing surf to the greatest wildlife show on Earth,
when you travel to Ecuador you get four worlds in one.

In today’s episode, we’re going to be exploring the natural beauty, culture, and food of this varied South American country through the lens of its four distinct eco-systems: The Andes, The Amazon, The Pacific Coast, and The Galapagos.

Named after the equator it straddles, Ecuador may not be on your bucket list yet, but after listening to this episode we guarantee you’ll want to bump it up the list.

Joining us today are three local experts: Ecuador tourism expert and representative of Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism, Santiago Granda; Rebecca Braak, the founder of Rebecca Adventure Travel, a B Corp-certified tour operator based in Ecuador; and award-winning Ecuadorian chef, Alejandra Espinoza, founder and head chef at Somos restaurant in Quito.

Highlights include:

 - Discovering Quito, one of South America’s most beautiful cities: what to see,
where to eat and how to have the perfect start to your trip.
 - Finding out about the best sustainable tourism initiatives in the Andes, and how
you can connect authentically with local communities.
 - Hearing why the little visited Pacific Coast of Ecuador makes the perfect beach,
surf and foodie break.
 - Learning about indigenous culture in the Amazon rainforest, and how you can
experience it in the most sustainable and authentic way possible.
 - Finding out how to make the most of your Galapagos trip, and what makes this
tiny archipelago one of the most unique travel experiences on the planet.
 - Getting the expert low-down on the ultimate 2–3-week Ecuador itinerary.

FIND OUT MORE

You can find out more about everything mentioned in this episode at Ecuador.travel

Discover authentic B Corp certified Ecuadorian adventures at
rebeccaadventuretravel.com

Alejandra Espinoza restaurant is Somos, in Quito. somos.rest

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking theroad less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and produces it, along with Jenny Allison, and Charles Tyrie does the audio editing and sound design. 

Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

In the hit UK TV show Race Across the World, teams of two people compete against each other to cover vast distances of the planet using any means other than air travel. The catch is, they’re not allowed mobile phones, or credit cards, and the only money they’re can carry is what the cost of a flight would have been. In order to win, they have to beg, blag and charm their way instead.

It turns out, series 3 champions Tricia Sail and Cathie Rowe are very good at all three.

In this episode of Wanderlust: Off the Page we follow the pair on a more than 16,000km journey across Canada, getting a unique behind-the-scenes insight into the highs, lows and hilarities of life on the road with next to no money and even less of a clue.

From Vancouver, we’ll race north to the islands of Haida Gwaii, the wild frontiers of the Yukon and the frozen arctic of Churchill. We’ll visit the Rocky Mountain towns of Jasper and Banff, discover the vast prairies of Saskatchewan, the European flair of Quebec and much more.

Canada is one of the largest and most varied countries in the world, and this is,
perhaps, the ultimate journey across it all. But it’s also a story about throwing away the guidebook, turning off the mobile phone and embracing the surprises, and mishaps, of true adventure travel.

“If we didn't have to ask for lifts,” Cathie says. “Or work because we didn't have enough money, we wouldn't have met the people that we met along the way who just blew our minds with their generosity, and their willingness to help.”

Get ready to Race Across the World …

“I've come to the theory if you're going to regret anything, regret something you've done, rather than something that you haven't done. Because you don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. Get that bucket list, put it in front of you and just do it.” – Trisha Sail

DISCOVER CANADA
You can find more about every place discussed in this episode at destinationcanada.com

CONNECT WITH TRICIA AND CATHIE
Instagram: @triciaandcathie

TRUE TRAVELLER
This series is brought to you by True Traveller insurance. Protect your trip at truetraveller.com

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE
Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com 

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and produces it, along with Jenny Allison, and Charles Tyrie does the audio editing and sound design. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com