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Explorations All Over

Explorations All Over

By: Russ
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About this listen

Welcome to Explorations All Over, a travel podcast full of stories, surprises, and a whole lot of heart.

Since I was 13—aboard the QE2, no less—I’ve been hooked on exploring the world. Over the last 30+ years, my husband Duncan and I have traveled by cruise ship, camel, overnight ferry, and everything in between.

Each episode shares entertaining, honest stories from our journeys across the globe—like:

  • The best meal on safari (served in the middle of nowhere)
  • How we ended up on the slow boat to Sweden
  • Finding the perfect cabin on a cruise—and the ones to avoid
  • Our first big adventure as a couple: Greece, ouzo, and near mutiny

You’ll hear travel tips, unexpected lessons, and a few laughs—always with a down-to-earth perspective. If you’ve been bitten by the travel bug (or think you might be), you’re in the right place.

🎧 Subscribe and join me for a new adventure every episode.

© 2025 Explorations All Over
Episodes
  • Into the Land of the Midnight Sun: Finding Wonder - and a Few Surprises - at the Top of the World
    Oct 13 2025

    What do you do when the sun refuses to set?

    Join Russ as he sails north — way north — past the Arctic Circle into the Land of the Midnight Sun. From Bergen to the North Cape, this voyage along Norway’s rugged coast promised postcard-perfect scenery, endless daylight, and a little too much similarity onboard.

    In this episode, Russ and Duncan discover:

    • The surreal reality of sunlight at 2:00 a.m. — and what it does to your sense of time.
    • How a cruise line known for elegance turned out to be a little too uniform.
    • Why a king crab feast in a smoky tepee became the culinary highlight of the trip.
    • The serene beauty of Norway’s fjords — and the jarring contrast of modern Tromsø.
    • What happens when your luggage goes missing in Oslo (and the saleslady loses her commission).
    • The one moment that made it all worthwhile: standing on deck at the top of the world as the sun refused to set.

    This journey had it all: beauty, absurdity, laughter, and a few lessons about what really matters when you travel.

    ☀️ Listen for: the sound of the Arctic wind, the ring of distant cowbells, and the quiet awe of a world that never goes dark.

    ✈️ Next Up

    In the next episode, Russ sits down with his friend and travel advisor Dee to talk about how to pick the right cruise line, why not all voyages are created equal, and how to make sure your next trip feels as good as it looks on paper.

    🎧 Listen now on:
    Spotify
    | Apple Podcasts
    | Amazon Music
    | ExplorationsAllOver.com

    📸 Follow the journey:
    Instagram & Facebook → @ExplorationsAllOver

    Share your thoughts on this episode.

    Support the show

    Thanks for listening. Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode. Don't forget to subscribe and make sure to "like" the Explorations All Over" Facebook page, too!

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    34 mins
  • Riding the Rails: The Romance (and Reality) of Train Travel
    Sep 12 2025

    Trains. Most people think of them as part of the daily grind — commuting, delays, and crowded cars. But rail travel can also be magical, maddening, and unforgettable.

    In this episode of Explorations All Over, Russ takes you along on four very different train journeys:

    🚆 VIA Rail “Yellow and Blue” (Canada) – A cross-country ride through the Rockies and across endless prairies.
    🚆 Paris to Barcelona Overnight (Spain) – A smoky, surly, less-than-romantic night on rails.
    🚆 Hiram Bingham (Peru) – A splurge from Machu Picchu to Cusco that promised elegance but delivered a mariachi-fueled conga line.
    🚆 The Ghan (Australia) – A luxury run from Darwin to Adelaide with Outback stops, champagne sunsets, and even a cattle-truck mishap.

    From cramped cabins to unexpected entertainment, from outstanding meals to meh service, this episode is all about the romance — and the reality — of train travel. Russ also shares tips and tricks for booking, what to expect onboard, and why “going with the flow” is the best mindset to have when riding the rails.

    Highlights:

    • The highs and lows of service and food on long-distance trains
    • Off-train adventures in the Australian Outback
    • Unexpected mishaps (including a near trip-ending collision)
    • Practical tips for planning your own rail journey

    🎧 Whether you’re dreaming of crossing Canada, exploring Peru, or gliding through the Australian Outback, this episode will help you decide if train travel deserves a spot on your bucket list.

    👉 Don’t miss the next Far Flung Adventures subscriber episode — we pick up in Africa, leaving Sanctuary Swala for the Ngorongoro Crater and on to the Serengeti. Subscribe today so you don’t miss a moment!

    🔗 Stay Connected

    Follow along on Facebook & Instagram: @ExplorationsAllOver
    Join the conversation, see behind-the-scenes photos, and never miss an update.

    Share your thoughts on this episode.

    Support the show

    Thanks for listening. Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode. Don't forget to subscribe and make sure to "like" the Explorations All Over" Facebook page, too!

    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Ryokans, Rickshaws and a Journey Through Timeless Japan
    Aug 25 2025

    Japan is a country where the past isn’t left behind—it walks alongside you. In this first part of my Far Flung Adventure, join me as I uncover the timeless beauty of Kyoto and the vibrant contrasts of Tokyo.

    We’ll slip off our shoes at a centuries-old ryokan in Gion, savor a kaiseki dinner that’s as much art as cuisine, and wander through vermilion gates that seem to climb into the clouds. You’ll hear about the rituals, the surprises, and the quiet moments that made this trip unforgettable.

    And just when you’ve fallen under Japan’s spell, I’ll leave you at the water’s edge—gazing up at the most luxurious ship I’ve ever boarded, ready to carry us even deeper into this land of tradition and transformation.

    What you’ll hear in this episode:

    • The magic of Kyoto’s historic Gion district and our unforgettable stay at a traditional ryokan
    • Dining on a kaiseki feast—why it’s more than just dinner
    • Exploring Tokyo’s neon energy and serene temples in equal measure
    • The moment we first laid eyes on the Silver Muse, setting the stage for Part 2

    Subscribe to hear Part 2:
    Part 2 of this journey—our voyage aboard the Silver Muse, through Kanazawa’s samurai heritage, Hiroshima’s moving memorials, and culinary adventures along Japan’s coast—is exclusively available to Far Flung Adventures subscribers. Subscribe right from your podcast app to join us.

    Share your thoughts on this episode.

    Support the show

    Thanks for listening. Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode. Don't forget to subscribe and make sure to "like" the Explorations All Over" Facebook page, too!

    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
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