Epic landscapes deserve an equally epic way to travel. We’re diving into the romance and reality of rail: why trains make holidays start at the platform, how sleepers turn miles into memories, and which routes around the world are worth planning your next adventure around.

We start with five reasons trains win: lower emissions and real sustainability gains, genuine comfort with room to move, dining cars and proper beds on night services, centre-to-centre arrivals that beat transfers, and the human connection that long-haul flights often erase. From there, we share our top 10 rides: Norway’s Flåm Railway twisting from fjord to mountain, Scotland’s Highlander leg of the Caledonian Sleeper, the Night Riviera to Penzance with a seaside breakfast, Vietnam’s Reunification Express and its restful private berths, and Japan’s immaculate Shinkansen that makes precision feel effortless. Add New Zealand’s TranzAlpine across the Southern Alps, Switzerland’s UNESCO Bernina route, Sri Lanka’s lush Ella to Kandy journey with open windows and waves, India’s Nilgiri Mountain Railway “toy train,” and Amtrak’s unhurried yet soulful Coast Starlight.

We also open our notebook of dreams. The Ghan across Australia’s red centre calls with big skies and outback tones. Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer tempts us with glass-domed cars through the Rockies. And South Africa’s Rovos Rail pairs classic carriages with sweeping views to Cape Town and beyond. Along the way we share booking tips, comfort hacks, and how to swap premium expresses for local trains without losing the scenery. If you’re craving slow travel, rail itineraries, sleeper train advice, or scenic routes that deliver real immersion, this conversation is your map.

Got a favourite rail journey we missed? Tell us on Speakpipe and help shape a future episode.

📝 Show Notes - Episode 85

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode 141 – Caledonian Sleeper Update [+ Route Choices and Travel Tips]
• Episode 171 – Guide to the Night Riviera Sleeper Train (London to Penzance)
• Episode 54 - Top 10 Tips for UK and Europe Train Travel in 2025 and Beyond

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Work With Us - Contact tracy@globaltravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

This week, the mic is flipped. Tracy invites her friend and fellow podcaster Amanda Kendle (The Thoughtful Travel Podcast) to quiz her about the moments that shaped a lifetime of travel. From a grandmother’s pack of postcards that sparked obsession to the Gerald Durrell books that made strangers feel familiar, and a teenage long haul to London that dissolved fear at the airport gate.

What unfolds is an honest map of how curiosity becomes confidence, and why the best lessons hide in everyday routines.

Tracy gets personal and practical: her most vivid early memory isn’t a landmark, but a gîte in rural France, scooters with local kids and river swims that turned language doubt into determination. That thread leads to a year in the French Alps, fluent French, markets by Lake Geneva, and home cooking that treats a meal like a celebration.

They explore the difference between postcard cities and lived-in places. Paris doesn’t top her list, while Malta keeps calling back with blue coves, local buses, and child-friendly evenings on the promenade. And then there is Northumberland, with castles, Lindisfarne’s shifting tides, Hadrian’s Wall, and Barter Books, an overlooked stretch that trades queues for calm.

There is a wow moment too: a self-confessed non-hiker finding awe and peace on New Zealand’s Hooker Valley Track, with swing bridges, winter light, and a glacier-fed lake at the end of a boardwalk. Iceland still tempts, though cost and crowds keep it on the wish list.

And because great travel often depends on the smallest details, Tracy shares one unglamorous but essential tip: wear comfortable shoes you have already broken in. Simple, sensible, and the difference between wonder and blisters.

If you enjoy thoughtful travel stories, candid destination advice, and reflections that make your next trip smoother and richer, hit follow, share this episode, and leave a quick review on your favourite app. Your support helps more curious travellers find the show.

Guest host - Amanda Kendle (The Thoughtful Travel Podcast)

Show notes - Episode 84

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #63 Stamped: Amanda Kendle - How Thoughtful Travel Shapes a Life of Meaningful

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Work With Us - Contact tracy@globaltravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

This week host Tracy Collins is joined by Queensland expert Melissa, who shares her insider knowledge of where and when to experience Australia’s most iconic wildlife.

Together they uncover the magic of seeing animals in their natural habitats - from kangaroos hopping along the beach at Cape Hillsborough to whales breaching off Hervey Bay, turtles nesting on the Great Barrier Reef islands, and cassowaries striding through the Daintree.

You’ll learn:
• How to match your Queensland itinerary with the wildlife you most want to see
• The best seasons and times of day for spotting whales, turtles, kangaroos and more
• Where to find koalas, cassowaries, platypuses and other rare species in the wild
• How to plan safe and ethical wildlife experiences that support conservation
• Tips for getting around Queensland, from self-drive routes to guided tours

Whether you’re dreaming of sunrise with kangaroos, swimming beside turtles, or catching sight of an elusive platypus, this episode is your go-to guide for planning unforgettable and responsible wildlife encounters in Queensland.

⭐️ Guest - Melissa Delaware from "The Queensland Travel Guide"
📝 Show Notes -Episode 83

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #18: Queensland Travel Tips: Beaches, Outback Adventures, and Hidden Gems
• Episode #32: Brisbane Day Trips: Islands, Wildlife, and Hidden Gems
• Episode #75 – The Ultimate Whitsundays Travel Guide: Best Islands, Whitehaven Beach + Insider Tips

Support the show

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🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
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📍London Travel Planning
Website - LondonTravelPlanning.com

Work With Us - Contact tracy@globaltravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

From Christmas markets and snowy city breaks to planning for icy adventures like Antarctica, this Ladies Who Travel episode is all about embracing the magic of cold-weather travel.

Join Tracy and guest co-host Melissa as they share personal stories from winter trips across Europe, the UK, and Australia, including cosy fireside escapes, a daughter’s first experience of snow, and the surprising joys of travelling when the crowds have gone.

You’ll learn how to pack and layer for cold destinations, why mindset matters when temperatures drop, and how to plan realistic itineraries when daylight hours are short. The hosts also reveal their favourite winter getaways and bucket-list dreams, from New York at Christmas to Lapland’s snowy wonderland.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to travel in winter or are preparing for your own frosty adventure, this episode will inspire you to see the beauty in the chill, make the most of seasonal experiences, and enjoy the comfort and connection that only cold-weather travel can bring.

⭐️ Guest Co-host - Melissa (QueenslandTravelGuide.com.au)
📝 Show Notes - Episode 82

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #76 – Europe in December: Route, Highlights and Winter Travel Tips
• Episode #57 – 15 Essential Europe Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
• Episode #61 – Discover Lucerne, Switzerland: Top Five Things to Do [+ Hidden Gems and Insider Tips]

Support the show

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🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
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📍London Travel Planning
Website - LondonTravelPlanning.com

Work With Us - Contact tracy@globaltravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

In this episode, host Tracy Collins is joined by lifelong traveller Sinead, who shares how a childhood love of caravan holidays and the travel stories of Michael Palin sparked a passion that led her to visit more than 80 countries.

Despite not driving, fearing flying, and getting seasick, Sinead found her freedom through train travel and a deep curiosity about the world. She talks about her early adventures in Ireland and Mallorca, her first big leap travelling through India, and what it was like to take a two-and-a-half-year global trip in the 1990s with only guidebooks and a backpack.

Sinead also reveals how she, her husband and their three children spent a year travelling around the world by train, including memorable journeys such as the Trans-Siberian Railway and a route from Hong Kong to the UK. Along the way, she shares pinch-yourself moments like the roar of Iguazu Falls, stargazing in Mongolia, and connecting with welcoming communities in Samoa.

You’ll learn:
• Practical tips for family rail travel and backpacking with kids
• How to pack light and stay flexible on the road
• Why destinations like North Macedonia and Mongolia deserve a spot on your list
• The mindset that turns challenges into adventures

Full of warmth, honesty, and inspiring stories, this episode celebrates curiosity, connection, and the idea that it is never too late to explore.

Guest - Sinead Camplin from Map Made Memories and York Travel Expert
Show notes - Episode 81

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #3 - Visiting York, England
• Episode #17 - Best day trips from York
• Episode #54 - Top 10 Tips for UK and Europe Train Travel in 2025 and Beyond

Support the show

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

🗺 Global Travel Planning
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🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
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📍London Travel Planning
Website - LondonTravelPlanning.com

Work With Us - Contact tracy@globaltravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

Tracy is joined in this week's episode by travel expert Cate from My Germany Vacation to dive into the magical world of German Christmas markets. From iconic cities like Berlin, Cologne, and Munich to charming small-town markets in Rothenburg, Regensburg, and Esslingen, Cate shares her decades of experience to help you plan a festive getaway filled with culture, food, and unforgettable memories.

Discover how to choose between Germany’s countless markets, the best times to visit, and what to pack for cold winter evenings. Learn which foods and drinks you simply must try - like Glühwein, Lebkuchen, and roasted almonds - plus tips for avoiding “food fatigue” when market-hopping. Cate also explains why smaller, local markets often outshine the big-name ones, and how to balance busy itineraries with slowing down to savour the holiday spirit.

Packed with personal stories, hidden gem recommendations, and practical advice, this episode will inspire and prepare you to make the most of Germany’s yuletide traditions.

⭐️ Guest - Cate Brubaker from My Germany Vacation
📝 Show Notes - Episode 80

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #45 – Germany Travel Guide: Expert Tips for first-time visitors
• Episode #37 - Tips for first-time visitors to France
• Episode #6: Discovering Switzerland with Swiss travel expert Carolyn Schönafinger

Support the show

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📍London Travel Planning
Website - LondonTravelPlanning.com

Work With Us - Contact tracy@globaltravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

Portugal captivates visitors with its dramatic coastlines, colourful cities, and relaxed pace of life that creates an immediate sense of welcome. We explore this diverse country with Julie Fox, a British writer who has lived in central Portugal since 2007 and helps travellers discover authentic experiences beyond the typical tourist trail.

• Portugal offers remarkable geographical diversity, from the green, tradition-rich north to the sun-drenched Alentejo and the dramatic coastlines of the Algarve
• While no longer a “cheap” destination, Portugal continues to offer excellent value, especially for food and wine
• First-time visitors should resist trying to cover too much ground – 7 to 10 days split between Lisbon and Porto provides a perfect introduction
• Lesser-known alternatives often provide better experiences than overcrowded “must-see” attractions such as Pena Palace
• Portugal’s culinary highlights include pastéis de nata, Serra da Estrela cheese, octopus dishes, and unique liqueurs such as ginjinha and Licor Beirão
• Bring comfortable, non-slip shoes, as Portuguese cobblestones are notoriously slippery even in dry weather
• The best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons (March–April, October–November) when crowds are smaller and temperatures more comfortable

For more Portugal travel tips and itinerary ideas, visit Julie’s website at JulieDawnFox.com

Guest - Julie Dawn Fox from JulieDawnFox.com
Show notes - Episode 79

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode 42– Discover Italy: Essential tips for first-time visitors
• Episode 45 – Germany Travel Guide: Expert Tips for first-time visitors
• Episode 57 – 15 Essential Europe Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Support the show

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

🗺 Global Travel Planning
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🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
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Instagram - UK Travel Planning
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📍London Travel Planning
Website - LondonTravelPlanning.com

Work With Us - Contact tracy@globaltravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

Every traveller carries a mental list of places they long to see, from childhood dreams to newly discovered wonders. These bucket lists reveal our deepest fascinations and evolve as our relationship with travel changes.

Tracy and new permanent co-host Melissa share their own wishes, from African safaris to singing along while landing in Anchorage, Alaska. They reflect on how priorities shift over time. Many start with iconic sights, then find deeper joy in slower, more immersive trips to less visited places. As Melissa says of a month in India, “What surprised me wasn’t the destinations or attractions, but the interactions we had with people.”

Our rapidly growing Ladies Who Travel community (5,000+ members in six weeks) echoes this shift. Members are organising meet-ups across continents and joining group trips to Morocco, helping each other realise dreams like the Northern Lights, European Christmas markets, or long-awaited Greece.

Whether you keep a written list or a mental one, this episode celebrates destinations that call to you. As Tracy says of finally seeing the Golden Gate Bridge after nearly forty years, “Sometimes you don’t get to them straight away. But eventually you can, and that dream never went away.”

Ready to turn your travel dreams into reality? Join our vibrant community of women travellers and discover how shared wanderlust creates lifelong friendships and unforgettable adventures.

⭐️ Co-host - Melissa (QueenslandTravelGuide.com.au)
📝 Show Notes - Episode 78

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #39 - Planning Your Dream Trip in 2025: Expert Tips and Strategies
• Episode #56 – Essential Tips for Surviving Long Haul Flights
• Episode #47– Pack Like a Pro: Essential Tips, Tricks + Travel Hacks

Support the show

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

🗺 Global Travel Planning
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🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
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Instagram - UK Travel Planning
YouTube - UK Travel Planning

📍London Travel Planning
Website - LondonTravelPlanning.com

Work With Us - Contact tracy@globaltravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!