Winging It Travel Podcast

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

I'm heading back to one of my absolute favourite places in Canada for an updated 2026 travel guide to Hornby Island. Often dubbed the "Hawaii of the North," this gorgeous Gulf Island features world-class white sand beaches, dramatic sandstone cliffs, and a uniquely laid-back artisan culture. Whether you're returning for another summer or planning your first trip, I break down the exact, up-to-date 2026 costs, how to navigate the complex double-ferry route from the BC mainland, and share a wild, unexpected traffic drama story you won't want to miss!

In this episode, I cover:

• The Route & Costs: Navigating the Horseshoe Bay ferry, the double-ferry shuffle via Denman Island, and updated 2026 pricing for cars and passengers.
• Where to Stay: An honest look at the newly redesigned, BC Parks-operated campground at Tribune Bay, plus alternative camping options like Bradsdadsland.
• Top Beaches: Unwinding at the squeaky white sands of Tribune Bay and exploring the rugged, crowd-free tide pools of Whaling Bay.
• Must-Do Activities: Enjoying local craft ciders, legendary potato salad, and live music at Fossil Beach Farm, browsing the vibrant Saturday Farmers Market, and hiking Mount Geoffrey.

If you enjoyed this episode:

• ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app
• ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit
• 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com
• ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com
• 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: Welcome to the Updated 2026 Hornby Island Travel Guide

02:37 – Location & Geography: Why Hornby is Called the "Hawaii of the North"

03:22 – Getting There Part 1: The Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo Ferry Route & Costs

05:16 – Getting There Part 2: The Double-Ferry Shuffle, Denman Island, and a Close Call Road Drama

08:14 – Where to Stay: The New BC Parks Campground at Tribune Bay & 2026 Booking Tips

10:14 – Alternative Accommodation: Brad's Dad's Land Campground Rates & Amenities

12:52 – Best Beaches: Tribune Bay (Little Hawaii) vs. The Rugged Local Favorite Whaling Bay

14:52 – Top Activities: Fossil Beach Farm's Famous Burgers, Cider, and Live Music

17:15 – Local Culture: The Hornby Island Saturday Farmers Market & The Hub

18:25 – Outdoor Adventures: Hiking Mount Geoffrey and Exploring Ford's Cove & Helliwell Provincial Park

20:29 – Practical Tips: Packing for the Sun, Ferry Timing, and Heading Home

23:14 – Final Thoughts & Outro

--------------------------------------------------------------

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/

Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

--------------------------------------------------------------

Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - [email protected] or [email protected]

Social Media - follow me on:

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

--------------------------------------------------------------

Affiliate Links

If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.

Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here

Use Revolut Travel Card - Here

Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here

Booking.com - Here

Book Experiences With Viator - Here

Discovery Car Hire - Here

Book Buses With Busbud - Here

Book Trains With Trainline - Here

Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here

Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here

--------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!

Cheers James.

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

Back in 2014, I was working my way through the Caribbean as a solo traveller and my last stop was Puerto Rico. It was an interesting time to say the least!

In this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I'm taking you back to an unexpected four-day trip I took to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Moving away from a standard travel guide, I'm sharing a raw, storytelling experience as I can't remember anything else from this trip bar the stories, ha!

Tune in as I recount comforting a fellow traveler after a shocking hostel heartbreak over the best Oreo cheesecake I’ve ever had in Starbucks, bar-hopping through local residents' makeshift rum-houses, dodging torrential downpours during the rainy season, and sharing a dorm with an Irish solicitor who was drunkenly managing his criminal clients over the phone.

A weird and wonderful experience in Puerto Rico and I wouldn't have it any other way!

If you enjoyed this episode:

• ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app
• ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit
• 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com
• ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com
• 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast

Timestamps

00:00 — Introduction: Recalling My Strange, Unscripted 2014 Trip to Puerto Rico

00:40 — Welcome to Winging It with James Hammond

02:17 — Why Puerto Rico? Navigating Complex Territories and Finding Cheap Flights

05:05 — Hostel Drama: Helping a Crying Traveler & Finding Legendary Starbucks Oreo Cheesecake

09:40 — Local Rum Bars: Drinking in Residents' Living Rooms in San Juan

11:15 — Sunday Morning Rain: Running Through Town to Track Down a Football Match

12:20 — Exploring Culture: Visiting Castillo San Felipe del Morro & Walking Old San Juan

13:50 — Enter the Irish Solicitor: Relentless Jokes and Taking Phone Calls from Criminal Clients

15:40 — Live Salsa Bands, Trip Highlights, and Heading Off to Toronto

17:05 — Next Week's Teaser: Heading to St. Kitts and Nevis

17:47 — Outro & Where to Find More Content at WingingItTravelPodcast.com

--------------------------------------------------------------

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/

Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

--------------------------------------------------------------

Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - [email protected] or [email protected]

Social Media - follow me on:

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

--------------------------------------------------------------

Affiliate Links

If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.

Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here

Use Revolut Travel Card - Here

Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here

Booking.com - Here

Book Experiences With Viator - Here

Discovery Car Hire - Here

Book Buses With Busbud - Here

Book Trains With Trainline - Here

Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here

Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here

--------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!

Cheers James.

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

The Post-Trip Hangover, Notriphobia, and Chasing Your Travel Self

Ever find yourself late at night, staring at a video timeline or scrolling through old photos from a past adventure, hit with a strange, hollow ache? In this solo episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I dive deep into the psychological weight of returning home from the road.

Tune in as I explore if we aren't actually homesick for a physical location, but are instead mourning our untethered "vacation self" or could it be both? Plus, I tackle notriphobia—the low-grade panic of looking at an empty calendar with no next adventure booked—and share practical ways to bridge the gap between routine daily life and your next big getaway.

I for sure suffer from a trip which could either be a long weekend or six months, going back home is a constant struggle for me and I cannot see that changing in the near future. So I thought I would lay out my ramblings in this episode to see if other travellers feel the same thing. Let me know your thoughts on it too.

• The Post-Trip Hangover: I break down the dopamine crash, the physiological shift of "travel fitness," and the shocking transition back to mundane domestic life.
• Mourning Your Vacation Self: Why we feel lighter and more alive on the road, and the fallacy of trying to recreate past memories or return to the exact same spots.
• Notriphobia & The Blank Calendar: I define the anxiety of having zero upcoming trips, and look at why re-watching old clips can sometimes feel like self-torture or living backward.
• Breaking the Loop: How I close the chapter on past travels, smuggle micro-curiosities into my everyday routine, and cure notriphobia without breaking the bank.

If you enjoyed this episode:

• ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app
• ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit
• 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com
• ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com
• 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: Editing drone footage from Finland and the strange, hollow ache of wanting to go back.

01:24 – Podcast Intro: Welcome to the Winging It Travel podcast, part of the Voyescape Network.

03:03 – The Post-Trip Hangover & Dopamine Crash: Shifting from high-stimulus travel fitness to the shock of the mundane.

05:43 – The Archive Trap: Why editing old footage from Finland, Bhutan, or New Zealand brings back an intense desire to return.

07:49 – Mourning Your Travel Self: Shedding your routine identity and realizing you miss the person you were on the road.

09:31 – The Fallacy of Return: Why going back to the exact same place rarely matches your memories.

11:08 – Mid-Roll / Support the Show: How you can support the podcast through reviews, YouTube subscriptions, and Buy Me a Coffee.

11:52 – Notriphobia & The Blank Calendar Panic: The anxious feeling of having zero upcoming trips and using past clips as a digital security blanket.

15:08 – Closing the Chapter: How to finish your travel projects, sign off on past trips, and move forward.

16:47 – Smuggling Travel into Daily Life: Micro-curiosities at home, reading travel books, and planning future adventures to cure notriphobia.

18:50 – Wrap-Up & Next Episodes: A look ahead to my upcoming stories covering Puerto Rico and Hornby Island.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/

Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

--------------------------------------------------------------

Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - [email protected] or [email protected]

Social Media - follow me on:

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

--------------------------------------------------------------

Affiliate Links

If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.

Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here

Use Revolut Travel Card - Here

Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here

Booking.com - Here

Book Experiences With Viator - Here

Discovery Car Hire - Here

Book Buses With Busbud - Here

Book Trains With Trainline - Here

Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here

Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here

--------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!

Cheers James.

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

Winging It for 7 Months in Melbourne: From $0 to $14K in Savings, South Melbourne Living & Grim Infections

In this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I break down my seven-month stint living and working in Melbourne, Australia during my working holiday visa. Arriving on the East Coast with virtually no money left after months of backpacking, I took a leap of faith on a job tip from Magnetic Island, called a payphone from Noosa, and flew straight down to Victoria to rebuild my travel funds. From securing a $30/hour temp job to recovering my bank account from zero up to $14,000 AUD, I share an honest, detailed look at the financial realities of working abroad.

Beyond the workplace, I dive deep into what day-to-day life looked like base-camped in South Melbourne. I walk through spending three months living in Urban Central Hostel, navigating long-term hostel culture, playing Monday night poker, and eventually moving out to an apartment in Kensington. Along the way, I reflect on a major digital turning point in my travels—buying my first smartphone, an iPhone 5C, which completely transformed how I navigated cities, stayed connected, and documented my journey on the road.

I've also packed this episode with vibrant local stories and real traveler mishaps. I share memories of getting into Australian Rules Football (AFL) at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), picking the Richmond Tigers as my team, and playing acoustic guitar for my boss's secret garden wedding in Daylesford. I also get candid about the darker sides of long-term budget travel, including a nightmare medical battle with severe ear and tooth infections that led to a late-night trip to A&E.

To wrap up, I give a full local guide to South Melbourne, highlighting why it remains one of my absolute favorite areas to live in Victoria. I break down the best neighborhood spots, from the historic South Melbourne Market and Agathé Pâtisserie to St Ali Coffee and 5k runs around Albert Park Lake. Whether you're planning your own Australian working holiday, looking for budget travel tips, or just love raw, authentic storytelling, tune in to hear what it was really like making a home on the other side of the world.

Key Highlights

• Australia Working Holiday Visa: Practical insight on landing temporary work, pay rates, and saving money in Australia.
• South Melbourne Living: Neighborhood highlights, including the South Melbourne Market, Clarendon Street, and St Ali Coffee.
• Budget Travel & Hostels: What it’s actually like spending three months long-term at Urban Central Hostel.
• Melbourne Culture & Sports: Experiencing AFL games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the Crown Casino precinct.

If you enjoyed this episode:

• ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app
• ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit
• 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com
• ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com
• 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: The 7-Month Melbourne Stint & Landing a Job via Payphone

00:53 – Welcome to the Winging It Travel Podcast

02:32 – Arriving Broke: Rebuilding a Travel Budget from $0 to $14,000

04:10 – Living at Urban Central Hostel in South Melbourne

06:05 – Moving to Kensington & Commuting into the City

06:50 – Buying an iPhone 5C: How Smart Technology Changed Travel

08:10 – Working in Australia: $30/Hour Temp Jobs & Visa Rules

09:00 – Discovering AFL at the MCG & Supporting Richmond

11:54 – Mid-Episode Break & Supporting the Show

12:38 – Playing Guitar at a Boss's Wedding in Daylesford

13:40 – A Night in A&E: Dealing with Ear & Gum Infections on the Road

15:00 – Exploring South Melbourne: South Melbourne Market, Albert Park & St Ali Coffee

19:00 – The Missing $10,000 Bonus & Ending the Job

20:00 – Full Circle Moment: The Ashes at the MCG & Planning South America

22:00 – Road Trip Prep: Great Ocean Road to Adelaide & Final Melbourne Wrap-Up

--------------------------------------------------------------

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/

Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

--------------------------------------------------------------

Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - [email protected] or [email protected]

Social Media - follow me on:

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

--------------------------------------------------------------

Affiliate Links

If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.

Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here

Use Revolut Travel Card - Here

Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here

Booking.com - Here

Book Experiences With Viator - Here

Discovery Car Hire - Here

Book Buses With Busbud - Here

Book Trains With Trainline - Here

Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here

Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here

--------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!

Cheers James.

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

Grab a pair of headphones, find a quiet space, and step onto a wooden jetty in the heart of Finland.

In this special soundscape episode, we’re slowing things down completely. Taken from a continuous recording on the shores of Lake Maunolanselkä, this episode captures the pure, uninterrupted ambient sounds of Finnish nature—gentle water movement, birds, and the deep stillness of the summer mökki (cabin) life.

After a brief reflection on what it takes to make your dream trip happen, the commentary steps away to let the environment take over for the remainder of the episode.

In this episode:

• A short, reflective intro on slowing down and making travel happen.
• Authentic, unedited ambient audio recorded live at Lake Maunolanselkä, Finland.
• High-quality ASMR nature sounds designed for relaxation, focus, meditation, or sleep.

Best experienced with headphones.

If you enjoyed this episode:

• ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app
• ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit
• 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com
• ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com
• 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast

--------------------------------------------------------------

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/

Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

--------------------------------------------------------------

Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - [email protected] or [email protected]

Social Media - follow me on:

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

--------------------------------------------------------------

Affiliate Links

If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.

Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here

Use Revolut Travel Card - Here

Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here

Booking.com - Here

Book Experiences With Viator - Here

Discovery Car Hire - Here

Book Buses With Busbud - Here

Book Trains With Trainline - Here

Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here

Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here

--------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!

Cheers James.

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

In this episode, I wrap up my latest trip with Days 12–17 taking me from the UK to Paris before finally heading back home to Vancouver.

I spend some time back in Norwich catching up with friends and family, but being back in the city where I grew up also gets me thinking about what “home” actually means to me these days. After living in Vancouver for almost a decade, could I see myself moving back to Norwich one day?

There’s also a chaotic train journey to London, a long-overdue catch-up with an old travelling friend, a visit to Wokingham and, somehow (quite easily to be fair), four English breakfasts in four days!

Then I head to Paris for a couple of days, partly because it was actually cheaper to fly home from Paris than London. After surviving some airport chaos, I settle into the 10th arrondissement and set out to explore one of my favourite cities in the world.

I run along Canal Saint-Martin, hunt down some great coffee and croissants, wander through the streets of Paris, visit the Palais Garnier and Place de la Madeleine, walk along the Seine and finally meet fellow travel creator and former Winging It guest Jay Swanson for coffee.

I then spend hours walking across Paris towards Jardin du Luxembourg before getting absolutely soaked in a huge downpour. By the end of the day, I've clocked up 30,000 steps — including my morning run — and I'm completely exhausted.

Finally, I look back on the whole trip: almost three weeks, six countries, countless cities, coffees and plenty of adventures. I also talk about why I enjoy podcasting on the road and what's coming next, including my upcoming trip to French Polynesia.

It’s the end of another Winging It On Location series — thanks for coming along for the ride!

Jay's episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000633040744

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gdjWp82iVfGD3jRFnEpiX?si=6lkGVVmbRdKesbDePj2Gaw

If you enjoyed this episode:

• ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app
• ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit
• 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com
• ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com
• 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast

00:00 Welcome to the final days of the trip

01:38 Back in Norwich and thinking about home

03:20 Could Norwich become home again?

04:50 The chaotic journey from Norwich to London

06:20 Catching up with old travelling friends

07:40 Heading to Paris

08:30 Four English breakfasts in four days

09:00 Paris airport chaos

10:30 Arriving in the 10th arrondissement

11:20 Running along Canal Saint-Martin

12:20 Coffee, croissants and exploring Paris

14:00 Palais Garnier and Place de la Madeleine

15:00 Meeting Jay Swanson

16:15 Walking through Paris to Jardin du Luxembourg

17:30 Notre-Dame and torrential rain

18:30 The 30,000-step day

19:30 Final morning in Paris

20:15 Three weeks, six countries and the end of the trip

22:00 Podcasting on the road and what's next

23:00 Listener review and final thoughts

--------------------------------------------------------------

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/

Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

--------------------------------------------------------------

Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - [email protected] or [email protected]

Social Media - follow me on:

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

--------------------------------------------------------------

Affiliate Links

If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.

Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here

Use Revolut Travel Card - Here

Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here

Booking.com - Here

Book Experiences With Viator - Here

Discovery Car Hire - Here

Book Buses With Busbud - Here

Book Trains With Trainline - Here

Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here

Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here

--------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!

Cheers James.

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

In Days 9–11 of the Finland road trip, we continue north along Route 62 through the Finnish Lakelands, leaving our remote lakeside cabin behind and heading towards Puumala, where we cross the spectacular Puumalansalmi Bridge.

From there, the road trip continues through some of the most beautiful scenery of the journey, with endless lakes, islands and bridges before arriving at Lietvesi and eventually Anttola. We then swap our rustic cabin for a lakeside resort, complete with swimming pool, saunas, paddleboards, canoes and plenty of opportunities to embrace Finnish mökki life.

Day 10 is all about slowing down: breakfast, paddleboarding, drone flying, swimming, reading, a run through the local trails and, naturally, plenty of sauna time. We also sample some Finnish pastries and enjoy an excellent final dinner at the resort.

Finally, we head to Mikkeli before returning the hire car and taking the train to Helsinki Airport. Along the way, I reflect on the entire Finland trip, including Helsinki, Route 62, the Finnish Lakelands, cabin stays, driving in Finland, costs, and why Finland might just be one of the easiest countries in the world to travel around.

And, of course, there's a final introduction to the Finnish way of life: mökki life, saunas, nature, no internet and simply switching off.

Finnish Lakelands Accommodation

Kuvalusdream Chalet - https://www.booking.com/hotel/fi/kuvalusdream.en-gb.html?label=affnetcj-11916287_pub-5108952_site-101051909_pname-Go+Travel+Un+Limited_clkid-3495d2d3e2334d21a223e3101-370217_cjevent-5b07c05f9dc911f1823700330a82b838&utm_source=affnetcj&utm_medium=bannerindex&utm_term=index-11916287&utm_campaign=xx&aid=818288&ucfs=1&arphpl=1&checkin=2026-08-22&checkout=2026-08-23&adplat=www-homescreen-recently_viewed_carousel-stays-n_a-n_a

Saimaanranta Resort by Anttolanhovi - https://www.booking.com/hotel/fi/lake-saimaa-resort-mikkeli.en-gb.html?label=affnetcj-11916287_pub-5108952_site-101051909_pname-Go+Travel+Un+Limited_clkid-3495d2d3e2334d21a223e3101-370217_cjevent-5b07c05f9dc911f1823700330a82b838&utm_source=affnetcj&utm_medium=bannerindex&utm_term=index-11916287&utm_campaign=xx&aid=818288&ucfs=1&arphpl=1&checkin=2026-08-22&checkout=2026-08-23&adplat=www-homescreen-recently_viewed_carousel-stays-n_a-n_a

If you enjoyed this episode:

• ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app
• ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit
• 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com
• ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com
• 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast

00:00 Welcome to Winging It

01:38 Day 9 – Back on Route 62

02:30 Puumala & the Puumalansalmi Bridge

03:30 The bridge, the wind & the ice-free waterway

04:20 Coffee & Finnish snacks in Puumala

05:00 The Lietvesi Scenic Spot

06:00 More Lakeland scenery & arriving in Anttola

06:45 Checking into the lakeside resort

07:30 Finnish pastries & exploring the resort

08:45 Dinner, mushroom soup & Monopoly Deal

09:40 Day 10 – Breakfast & a day on the lake

10:40 Paddleboards, drones & Finnish mökki life

11:45 Swimming, reading & soaking up the Lakelands

12:30 A 5K run, getting lost & sauna time

13:30 Final morning & thoughts on the resort

14:30 Mikkeli & the final coffee stop

15:10 Returning the car & train to Helsinki Airport

16:00 The chaotic end to the trip

16:30 Final thoughts on Helsinki & Route 62

17:15 Why the Finnish Lakelands are worth visiting

17:45 Mökki life, saunas & switching off

18:20 Final thoughts & next time on Winging It

--------------------------------------------------------------

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/

Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

--------------------------------------------------------------

Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - [email protected] or [email protected]

Social Media - follow me on:

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

--------------------------------------------------------------

Affiliate Links

If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.

Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here

Use Revolut Travel Card - Here

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Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!

Cheers James.

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

Days 7 and 8 take us properly into the Finnish Lakelands as we leave Helsinki behind and hit the road along Route 62.

After an early train from Helsinki to Lappeenranta, we pick up our hire car, stock up on food and begin our four-night road trip through some of Finland's most idyllic lake country. The aim of this part of the trip is simple: get away from the cities, slow down and experience a traditional Finnish summer.

The first two nights are spent in a tiny cabin in the woods at Kouvalas Dream Chalet, right beside a lake and complete with its own jetty, boat and, most importantly, a huge wood-fired sauna.

Getting there is part of the adventure, including a short journey on a free motor launch after the paved road eventually comes to an end!

Once we're settled in, it's time to embrace mökki life: cooking dinner, sitting beside the lake, rowing the boat, swimming, reading, flying the drone and spending plenty of time in the sauna. It's about as far removed from Helsinki city life as you can get.

Day eight is particularly special. With clear skies, calm water and barely another person around, we get out onto the lake and experience exactly the kind of Finnish summer we'd imagined before the trip. There's even time to finally get the drone into the air after owning it for two years — resulting in some spectacular footage of the cabin and lake.

We also get into what mökki actually means and why these small countryside cabins are such an important part of Finnish summer culture. After two nights, it feels like we've experienced our own little slice of that lifestyle.

It's peaceful, it's remote, it's rustic — and it's exactly what this part of the Finland trip was supposed to be.

• 🚆 Getting around Finland: Taking the train from Helsinki to Lappeenranta and using the VR app to book tickets
• ☕ Helsinki breakfast: St George's Cafe and Bakery for coffee and croissants
• 🚗 Route 62: A road trip through Finland's Lakelands, with lakes, forests and tiny villages
• 🇫🇮 Lappeenranta: The starting point for the road trip and a good place to stock up on supplies
• 🇷🇺 Near the Russian border: Imatra is only around 10–15km from the Russian border
• ⛴️ A free motor launch: Crossing the river with the car as the road suddenly ends
• 🏡 Kouvalas Dream Chalet: A tiny cabin in the woods with its own lake access and jetty
• 🔥 The Finnish sauna experience: A traditional wood-fired sauna reaching around 60–70°C
• 🚿 Bucket showers: No conventional shower — hot and cold water are mixed manually for a very rustic experience
• 🚽 The pit toilet: Another reminder that this really is a cabin in the middle of nature!
• 🚣 Rowing on the lake: Exploring the lake using the cabin's own boat
• 🚁 The drone finally flies: After owning the mini drone for two years, James finally gets it into the air
• 🛶 Lake life: Swimming, reading, relaxing on the jetty and enjoying the complete lack of people
• 🧖 Sauna → lake → sauna: The recurring routine that becomes the theme of the stay
• 🇫🇮 Mökki life: The Finnish tradition of escaping to a small countryside cabin or summer house during the summer

If you enjoyed this episode:

• ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app
• ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit
• 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com
• ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com
• 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast

00:00 Welcome to the Finnish Lakelands

01:40 From Helsinki to Lappeenranta and onto Route 62

04:20 The road trip begins through Finland's Lakelands

07:00 A motor launch, an unpaved road and our cabin in the woods

09:00 Inside our rustic Finnish cabin and its sauna

11:30 Settling into Mökki life

13:30 Waking up beside the lake

15:00 Rowing, swimming and the perfect Finnish summer

17:30 Finally flying the drone over the lake

19:30 What is Mökki life?

21:00 Leaving the cabin and continuing along Route 62

--------------------------------------------------------------

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/

Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

--------------------------------------------------------------

Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - [email protected] or [email protected]

Social Media - follow me on:

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

--------------------------------------------------------------

Affiliate Links

If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.

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Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here

Booking.com - Here

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Discovery Car Hire - Here

Book Buses With Busbud - Here

Book Trains With Trainline - Here

Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here

Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here

--------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!

Cheers James.

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

In this on-location episode of Winging It, I continue the Estonia-to-Finland road trip and spend three packed days exploring Helsinki — a city that quickly became one of my favourite capital cities in Europe.

From the ferry across the Gulf of Finland to trendy speciality coffee shops, a free walking tour, and our first proper Finnish sauna experience, this episode captures the atmosphere of Helsinki in real time. I share practical travel tips, food recommendations, transport advice, and the honest reactions that make these live-location episodes feel like you’re travelling alongside us.

We start with the Viking Line ferry from Tallinn, settle into central Helsinki, and dive straight into the city’s café culture. After a crash course in Finnish history on a free walking tour, the trip becomes increasingly local: a Saturday morning ParkRun, doing laundry in a quirky neighbourhood café, and then the highlight of the weekend — a two-hour waterfront sauna session at Löyly.

The evening turns into an unexpected night out filled with live music, dancing in a closed-off bar street, and one very unusual encounter involving a stranger with a glass of wine.

On the final day, we slow things down with outstanding coffee and brunch before taking the ferry to Suomenlinna, Helsinki’s UNESCO-listed sea fortress, for coastal views, cannons, history, and gelato by the water.

If you’re planning a Helsinki weekend trip, looking for sauna recommendations, or want a mix of food, coffee, nightlife, and history, this episode is packed with ideas and real-world travel insights.

• Viking Line ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki
• Hotel Finn (central Helsinki)
• La Torrefazione specialty coffee café
• Green Cap Tours free walking tour
• Helsinki Central Library Oodi
• Restaurant Khao Tip (Thai food)
• Tokoinranta ParkRun
• Café Tin Tin Tango (laundry + café stop)
• Löyly waterfront sauna
• Putte’s Bar & Pizza
• Mummotunneli nightlife area
• St George’s Café
• Lazy Fox brunch
• Ferry to Suomenlinna
• Esplanadi Park
• Helsinki Cathedral
• Senate Square

If you enjoyed this episode:

• ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app
• ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit
• 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com
• ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com
• 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast

00:00 Intro and Tallinn toilet update

01:38 Ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki

02:35 Hotel Finn and arrival in the city

03:10 First Helsinki coffee stop: La Torrefazione

04:05 Free walking tour and Finnish history

04:40 Oodi Library and evening Thai food

05:45 Saturday morning ParkRun in Helsinki

06:35 Coffee, croissants, and ParkRun refuel

07:15 Laundry stop at Café Tin Tin Tango

08:05 First Finnish sauna experience at Löyly

09:25 Pizza, reindeer toppings, and tiramisu

09:50 Night out at Mummotunneli

11:15 Sunday coffee at St George’s Café

11:45 Brunch at Lazy Fox

12:20 Ferry to Suomenlinna

13:05 Exploring the fortress and island views

13:50 Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral

14:10 Why Helsinki became one of my favourite European capitals

--------------------------------------------------------------

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/

Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

--------------------------------------------------------------

Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - [email protected] or [email protected]

Social Media - follow me on:

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

--------------------------------------------------------------

Affiliate Links

If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.

Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here

Use Revolut Travel Card - Here

Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here

Booking.com - Here

Book Experiences With Viator - Here

Discovery Car Hire - Here

Book Buses With Busbud - Here

Book Trains With Trainline - Here

Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here

Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here

--------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!

Cheers James.

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast

In this second instalment of my Winging It On Location series from the Baltics, I spend two full days exploring Estonia’s capital beyond the first evening impressions. From avocado toast in one of Tallinn’s trendiest cafés to a deep dive into the country’s Soviet history, this episode blends food, culture, history and the small moments that make a trip memorable.

I wander through the cobbled streets of the Old Town in the sunshine, join a free walking tour to learn about Estonia’s path to independence, and take in panoramic views across the city. The next day I head out to the seaside district of Pirita, visit the Soviet memorials and cemetery, and reflect on how Estonia preserves difficult parts of its past.

There’s also excellent coffee, cardamom buns, goulash in a bread bowl, jazz at Philly Joe’s, and the beginning of a travel obsession that may last the rest of the trip: Monopoly Deal.

If you’re considering a European city break that feels safer, quieter and less crowded than many of the continent’s major capitals, Tallinn might be the perfect choice.

• Exploring Tallinn’s Old Town, cafés and bakeries
• Learning about Estonia’s history on a free walking tour
• Visiting Soviet memorials and Pirita Beach
• Jazz, wine and final thoughts on Tallinn as a city break

If you enjoyed this episode:

• ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app
• ☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit
• 🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com
• ✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com
• 📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast

00:00 Back in Tallinn and exploring the Old Town in daylight

02:30 Cafés, bakeries and the free walking tour

05:00 Evening food stops and first impressions of Tallinn

06:30 Morning coffee crawl and hidden gems around Rotermann

08:00 Pirita Beach, Soviet memorials and Estonia’s history

10:30 Monopoly Deal, seaside lunch and a slower afternoon

11:45 Jazz, wine and a trendy final night in Tallinn

12:30 Final thoughts: is Tallinn one of Europe’s best city breaks?

--------------------------------------------------------------

Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/

Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

--------------------------------------------------------------

Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - [email protected] or [email protected]

Social Media - follow me on:

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

--------------------------------------------------------------

Affiliate Links

If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.

Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here

Use Revolut Travel Card - Here

Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here

Booking.com - Here

Book Experiences With Viator - Here

Discovery Car Hire - Here

Book Buses With Busbud - Here

Book Trains With Trainline - Here

Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here

Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here

--------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!

Cheers James.

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.