Historic, cultured, and delicious. Wetlands, bayous and the glittering Gulf coast. Today we’re going to Mobile, Alabama, otherwise known as the ‘Paris of the South’.

This pioneering port city has a deep cultural history, a buzzing food scene and the oldest Mardi Gras in the States – that’s right, Mobile’s Carnival pre-dates New Orleans’.

But, it’s still largely unknown to visitors outside of the States. If you haven’t thought about Mobile as a travel destination before, then good! Introducing you to new places that we love, and think you will too, is what this show is all about. And today we have three expert guests – all Mobile locals – to show us around.

Ester de Aguiar: Executive Director of the Mobile International Festival

Cart Blackwell: Historian and curator for the Mobile Carnival Museum

Chris Andrews: Founder of Bienville Bites, Mobile’s tastiest food tour company

Highlights include:

• Learning the history of the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the country – 300 years and counting!

• Heading out on a food tour to try local delicacies such as Gulf Coast oysters, West Indies salad, King Cake and more.

• Discovering the Clotilda heritage in Africatown, and the story of the last transatlantic slave ship.

We think Mobile, Alabama should be on the itinerary of every Deep South road trip. Listen in to hear why and get inspired for your next USA adventure.

For more inspiration, go to: mobile.org

WANDERLUST: OFF THE PAGE

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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.

In this episode, we’ve teamed up with the experts at Audley Travel and award-winning Singapore Airlines to bring you all the inspiration and information you need to start planning a romantic road trip around the state of Victoria in Australia.

We will be journeying through Victoria, from the Great Ocean Road to the Grampians, taking in the central areas around Victoria’s coastal capital of Melbourne as well as Wilsons Promontory National Park. With everything from wonderful wildlife and relaxing wineries to exciting cultural experiences, we explore the best places to pit stop along the way.

Featured guests and highlights:

Justin Meneguzzi

Award-winning journalist, author and photographer Justin is from Australia and is a real local expert. During this episode, Justin talks to us about why he thinks Melbourne is such an exciting city, reminisces about his memories of the Great Ocean Road, and shares highlights of other incredible road trips around the state.

Charlotte Cooper

Charlotte certainly knows a thing or two about Victoria! As a Senior Australia County Specialist for Audley Travel, Charlotte has real, on-the-ground experience in Victoria and a real passion for Australia and its incredible highlights. In this episode, we ask Charlotte for her advice, travel tips, and practicalities to make your dream visit to Victoria a reality.

Singapore Airlines

With multiple daily connections from London Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester to Singapore, and five daily non-stop services from there to Melbourne on Singapore Airlines’ ultra-modern fleet, getting to Victoria has never been easier or more enjoyable. Named the World’s Best Airline Cabin Staff by Skytrax 2024, Singapore Airlines’ in-flight service is next level and the comfort a cut above thanks to wider seats with more legroom in Economy Class and a huge choice of in-flight entertainment, plus unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi.

The food is another big reason to fly with Singapore Airlines. Thanks to the partnership with Monica Galetti, Business Class and Suites/First Class passengers flying from the UK can enjoy her curated, seasonal menus. Those flying in premium cabins can pre-order gourmet meals using the Book the Cook offering. And, if you’re looking to explore more of Oz, Singapore Airlines’ partnership with Virgin Australia means you can seamlessly connect to airports all around the country, fly into one gateway and out of another.

Find out more

Enjoy the ultimate freedom of an immersive road trip in Victoria with Audley and Singapore Airlines.

Learn more

Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

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