With its leafy parks, cobbled streets and a packed calendar of events, Boston is a city that can be explored year round. From autumn colours and ice-skating in winter to spring hikes and summer beaches, this episode will whisk you away to one of North America’s most vibrant cities to discover Boston through the seasons.

But we’ll also explore its past, present and future. Boston’s role in the American Revolution is well known, and with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026, it’s the perfect time to explore one of the USA’s most historic cities.

But it’s not stuck in the past. Boasting 23 individual neighborhoods, each with its own unique identity, we’ll discover the stories, food, and communities that help to define this culturally rich and diverse city, from the best place to shuck oysters to the art and festivals that make its ‘Emerald Necklace’ of green spaces come alive.

Highlights include:

• Joining a local guide to walk the Freedom Trail, Boston’s iconic 2.5-mile red brick path that weaves between its most historic sights.

• Exploring the ‘Emerald Necklace’ of parks and outdoor spaces that offer everything from ice-skating in winter to outdoor art in spring.

• Finding out about the outdoor art exhibitions and year-long festivals and events at the Rose Kennedy Greenway, one of Boston’s most iconic city parks.

• Discovering Boston’s best beaches, and how to combine sand and city into the perfect summer break.

• Getting the lowdown on the perfect autumn day trip: autumn colours, picking your own apples and swimming in Thoreau’s Walden Pond – all less than an hour from downtown!

• Hearing about travel writer Portia Jones’ latest trip from whale watching and lobster roll addictions to cheering on the Bruins, Boston’s ice hockey team.

• Walking the Innovation Trail and hearing about Boston’s four centuries of world-changing ideas and scientific breakthroughs.

FIND OUT MORE

Daniel Berger Jones from Cambridge Historical Tours - BosHis.org

Chris Cook Executive Director of the Rose Kennedy Greenway - RoseKennedyGreenway.org

Portia Jones, Journalist and Host of the Travel Goals Podcast PipAndTheCity.com

Discover Boston through all seasons at meetboston.com

WANDERLUST: OFF THE PAGE

Take the road less travelled with us and subscribe to the show so you never miss an adventure!

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.

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Lyn Hughes and Laura Field introduce the show. Aaron Millar is the host and producer; audio editing and sound design by Charles Tyrie.

In this episode, we’re going to explore a different side to California. We all know the glittering beaches and iconic coastal cities of the Golden State, but today we’re going to let you in on a little secret called Fresno County.

Located in California’s Central Valley, Fresno County is the base camp for three of America’s most beautiful national parks.

Just over an hour away are Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park, home to some of the largest trees on Earth. And in just 90 minutes, you’ll be driving into Yosemite Valley and the view that one of America’s most celebrated photographers Ansel Adams called “a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space.”

Plus, with its unique Mediterranean climate, Fresno is one of the top foodie destinations in the country with a bounty of year-round, fresh farm-to-table food. Not to mention one of the most unique attractions on the planet, the Forestiere Underground Gardens.

Easily accessible from most US airport hubs, if you’re planning a multi-state visit, or a long weekend stop-off on your California road trip, we think Fresno County should be on your list.

Our guests today are:

Shera Franzman, Executive Director of Forestiere Underground Gardens underroundgardens.com

Ryan Jacobsen, CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau fcfb.org

Vikkie Calderon, from Yosemite Fresno International Airport flyfresno.com

Highlights include:

• Walking in the Land of Giants at Sequoia National Park, home to some of the largest trees on Earth
• Exploring the little-known King’s Canyon National Park, home to an 8,200ft deep gorge, roughly 2,000ft deeper than the Grand Canyon
• Getting seriously hungry listening to the bounty of fresh, farm-to-table food available in Fresno County
• Discovering the fascinating history behind the one-of-a-kind Forestiere Underground Gardens
• Driving into Yosemite Valley, one of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet

FIND OUT MORE

Experience an authentic side to California in Fresno County. To plan your journey head to VisitFresnoCounty.org

WANDERLUST: OFF THE PAGE

Take the road less travelled with us and subscribe to the show so you never miss an adventure!

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.

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Lyn Hughes and Laura Field introduce the show. Aaron Millar is the host and producer; audio editing and sound design by Charles Tyrie.

Sitting on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, the Ecuadorian capital of Quito is renowned for being a melting pot of Indigenous and European culture. Step beyond the northwest city limits, however, and it is draped in natural beauty and brimming with wildlife, much of which can be seen here, and nowhere else on Earth.

From hummingbirds to condors, the cock-of-the-rock to the spectacled bear, today we’re travelling to the Andean Chocó, to explore the cloud forests on Quito’s doorstep.

Joining host Aaron Millar are:

Karen Edwards, a regular Wanderlust contributor, and sustainability consultant, who just returned from an assignment there. Instagram: @karennedwards_writer

Klaus Fielsch, a Quito local and product manager at Metropolitan Touring, Ecuador’s destination experts. www.metropolitantouring.com

Highlights include:

• Exploring the wildlife-rich cloud forests of the Mashpi Reserve, Bellavista, Santa Lucia and more

• Watching the dancing cock-of-the-rock displays, one of the most unusual birding experiences on the planet

• Discovering the ‘culuncos’ of Yunguilla: the ancient trekking paths of the Yumbo people

You’ve probably heard about Quito’s history and culture before, but not many people know about the natural beauty that surrounds the city on all sides. We think the Andean Chocó is one of the most special regions in the country, and should be on the list of any Ecuadorian adventure. Listen to hear why!

For more inspiration, go to: www.visitquito.ec

WANDERLUST: OFF THE PAGE

Take the road less travelled with us and subscribe to the show so you never miss an adventure!

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.

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Lyn Hughes and Laura Field introduce the show. Aaron Millar is the interviewer and script editor. Audio production by Charles Tyrie.