With more than 7,000 islands scattered across warm tropical seas, the vast archipelago of the Philippines offers extraordinary diversity for intrepid travellers: coral reefs alive with colour, jungle-clad volcanoes ripe for hiking and some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet.

This is a country that rewards curiosity — and still feels wonderfully underexplored.

In this episode of Wanderlust: Off the Page, Aaron Millar is joined by travel writer and long-time Wanderlust contributor Mark Stratton, who shares why he keeps returning to the Philippines — and why it remains one of his favourite destinations in the world.

Follow us on the road less travelled to one of Southeast Asia’s most rewarding destinations.

Highlights include:

• Discovering why the Philippines’ 7,000+ islands still feel like one of travel’s great frontiers — and how spontaneity shapes the experience.

• Exploring Luzon, from the vibrant streets of Manila to the breathtaking Banaue Rice Terraces, carved into the mountains thousands of years ago.

• Snorkelling with vast shoals of sardines, swimming alongside gentle whale sharks, and experiencing the Philippines’ world-class marine biodiversity.

• Island hopping through the Visayas, including Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, Siquijor’s quiet beaches, and Palawan’s spectacular limestone islands and hidden coves.

If you’re dreaming of turquoise seas, meaningful encounters, and the thrill of discovering somewhere that still feels open-ended, this episode might just move the Philippines to the top of your list.

FIND OUT MORE

Download the Philippines official travel app - Travel Philippines

Plan your journey to the Philippines at itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PhilippinesinUK/

Instagram @philippines_uk

Email: info@pdotlondon.co.uk

Connect with Mark Stratton on his website: MarkStrattonTravels.com

Read the accompanying article, and see the photos at wanderlustmagazine.com

• The Wanderlust Guide to the Best of the Philippines
• Island Hopping in the Philippines (Mark Stratton)

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, 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). Membership includes six collectible print issues, exclusive competitions and events, full digital archive access back to 2010, and much more.

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.

Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina severed a vital rail link along the Gulf Coast, Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service is back — reconnecting New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama for the first time in two decades. In today’s episode, Wanderlust’s North America Editor, Jacqui Agate, takes us on the inaugural journey, following the tracks deep into the culture, history and landscapes of the American South.

From New Orleans’ musical pulse and Mississippi’s small coastal towns to Mobile, Alabama — the birthplace of Mardi Gras — this is a journey filled with music, history, food and more than a little bit of Mardi Gras fun.

But it’s also a journey about renewal, and how a train line, once lost, can become a powerful symbol of connection restored.

Highlights include:

• Riding the revived Mardi Gras Amtrak service between New Orleans and Mobile, and why its return matters now.

• Tracing Mardi Gras from its origins to its modern expressions along the Gulf Coast.

• Exploring how places shaped by Hurricane Katrina continue to rebuild, remember and redefine themselves.

• Discovering Alabama through culture, history, wilderness and creativity — beyond the clichés.

• Reflecting on what slower travel reveals about place, people and connection.

FIND OUT MORE

Plan your journey to plan a sweet home from home at alabama.travel

Buy tickets for the new Mardis Gras train at amtrak.com

Connect with Jacqui Agate on Instagram @jacquiagate and jacquiagate.com

Read the accompanying article, and see the photos at wanderlustmagazine.com

• Get to the heart of the American South in Alabama

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, 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). Membership includes six collectible print issues, exclusive competitions and events, full digital archive access back to 2010, and much more.

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.

When it comes to travel, it’s often the moments that stop you in your tracks that stay with you forever. In Kruger National Park, those moments come thick and fast — from tracking wildlife on foot to watching leopards prowl from a swimming pool.

Today, we’re heading deep into one of Africa’s greatest wilderness areas to explore two very different but beautifully complementary ways to experience Kruger.

First, Jeremy Mabena, CEO of the Motsamayi Tourism Group, takes us to Kruger Shalati – The Train on the Bridge, one of the most unique places to stay anywhere in the world. Suspended above the Sabie River on a historic railway bridge, Kruger Shalati blends pioneering rail heritage with modern design, soulful luxury and a strong commitment to community empowerment.

Then, we leave the comfort of the train behind and head out on foot with Alex van der Heever, an expert tracker and director at Kruger Untamed. Alex introduces us to a wilder, more immersive safari — seasonal canvas camps, walking safaris, and learning the ancient art of tracking lions, buffalo and other wildlife through one of the most intact ecosystems on the planet.

This episode is a journey into raw wilderness, deep connection, and the people working to protect Kruger for generations to come.

Highlights include:

• Waking up on a century-old railway bridge that once carried some of the earliest visitors into Kruger National Park, and has now been reimagined as one of Africa’s most unique safari lodges

• Learning what it’s like to track lions on foot, and why tracking is one of humanity’s oldest sciences.

• Understanding how walking safaris change the way we see wildlife and ourselves, shifting the focus from sightings to connection and awareness.

• Exploring how both lodges support local communities through training, employment and conservation.

• Finding out one of the best Kruger National Park itineraries that blends authentic luxury with immersive adventure, and finding the inspiration for your next big trip.

FIND OUT MORE

Kruger Shalati – The Train on the Bridge
krugershalati.com
Instagram: @krugershalati

Kruger Untamed
krugeruntamed.com

Instagram: @krugeruntamed

Read the accompanying article, and see the photos at wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/chasing-sunrises-making-memories-what-to-expect-from-a-luxury-stay-at-kruger-national-park/

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, 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). Membership includes six collectible print issues, exclusive competitions and events, full digital archive access back to 2010, and much more.

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.

The 2026 Good To Go List represents the most exciting moments of what travel can offer for the curious, intrepid and responsible traveller.

From milestone anniversaries to groundbreaking cultural events, this list reminds us that travel keeps us connected to the world and to each other. It’s about engaging with places in a way that celebrates heritage, supports communities and brings stories to life.

When we visit destinations thoughtfully, we not only experience their beauty and culture but also contribute to their growth and resilience. And when you visit, you have the unique chance to be part of something meaningful too.

In today’s episode, the Wanderlust editorial team share the 26 countries, cities and regions that represent the best in the year’s travel.

George Kipouris, Editor-in-Chief

Lyn Hughes, Founding Editor

Laura Field, Regional Editor

Gareth Clark, Associate Editor

Jacqui Agate, North American Editor

Highlights include:

• Finding out why Angola is the hottest new up-and-coming country in Africa.

• Discovering this year is better than ever to visit Guyana’s world wonder Kaiteur Falls, the most powerful single-drop waterfall in the world.

• Hearing about Japan’s wild side, and why you have to travel beyond the more popular urban centres to really appreciate all that it has to offer.

• Discovering Gaudi’s surreal architecture in the year his legendary Sagrada Familia will finally be completed after more than 100-years in the works.

• Exploring the history, myths and legends of the stunning Peloponnese region of Greece, soon to be featured in the blockbuster film The Odyssey out this summer.

• Finding out about the USA’s blockbuster year, which will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding, and the 100th anniversary of its most iconic road, Route 66.

Read about all 26 destinations and start planning your dream trips at wanderlustmagazine.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 interviewer and script editor. Audio production by Charles Tyrie.

When it comes to travel, it’s always the people you meet that make the trip. That is especially true in the American South, where the locals are renowned as some of the friendliest and most genuine people in the country.

Today, we’re going to meet four locals keeping the heritage of the South alive.

• Key Fletcher is going to take us to Little Rock, Arkansas to discover the black heritage of the state and beyond.

• Jeremy Morris, is going to invite us into his home, and Route 66 attraction, Red Oak 2 in Missouri, to find out about America’s ‘Mother Road’.

• Lola Campbell, a 6th generation Gullah native from Hilton Head South Carolina, is going to share stories of her ancestry and living culture today.

• Edna Nicole, a blues singer from Mississippi, is going to talk to us about the history of the Blues and where to discover America’s original music today.

From the Gullah culture of South Carolina to the Blues of Mississippi, this episode is a journey into the heart of the American South and what makes it such a unique and powerful place to visit.

Highlights include:

• Discovering the story of the Gullah Geechee people, one of the best preserved West African cultures in America.

• Exploring the museums, attractions and juke joints that tell the story of the Delta Blues in Mississippi.

• Hearing the story of Red Oak 2, one of Route 66’s most unique roadside attractions, and why it embodies the spirit of America’s most famous road.

• Enjoying a live performance of Edna Nicole’s latest single Delta Dirt.

• Finding out about the little-known history of the Mosaic Templars and how they helped to define black culture in the South.

FIND OUT MORE

Jeremy Morris: redoakiimissouri.com

Key Fletcher: arkansasheritage.com/mosaic-templars-cultural-center

Lola Campbell: binyahhi.com

Edna Nicole: Instagram @ednanicole_music

Discover the American South at https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/discover-the-american-south/

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.

When it comes to travel, it’s always the people you meet that make the trip. That is especially true in the American South, where the locals are renowned as some of the friendliest and most genuine people in the country.

Today, we’re going to meet three of them who are preserving and conserving the flavours and natural beauty of the South.

• Chef Trevor Stockton is going to take us to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee for a feast of his favourite dishes.

• Peggy Noe Stevens, the world’s first master bourbon taster, is going to take us on a distillery tour through Kentucky with a stop, of course, at America’s most famous horse race.

• Meg Puckett is taking us to the Barrier Islands of North Carolina in search of one of the last remaining herds of wild horses in the States.

From the mountains to the coast, to the bottom of your glass, this is a journey into the heart of the natural beauty, local people and good ‘ol southern food that makes this region so special.

Highlights include:

• Learning how to taste bourbon like an expert, while driving the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

• Finding out what our local’s three favourite dishes are, and why one of them is served only in petrol stations.

• Discovering why the Kentucky Derby is known as “the most exciting two minutes in sport”.

• Hearing about the history of wild horses in the United States, and why seeing them should be on every wildlife lover’s bucket list.

FIND OUT MORE

Trevor Stockton: rtloge.com, @therestaurantatrtlodge on Instagram

Meg Pucket: carollawildhorses.org, @corollawildhorses on Facebook

Peggy Noe Stevens: peggynoestevens.com, @pegggynoestevens on Instagram and Facebook.

Discover the American South at https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/discover-the-american-south/

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.

Moab, Utah, is one of the best adventure towns in the United States. Located on the doorstep of two of the country’s most spectacular national parks, and surrounded by mile-upon-mile of red rock canyons ripe for exploration, Moab is an outdoor lover’s dream. But dig a little deeper and you will find a wonder of science, history and ancient cultures too.

In today’s episode we’re going to reveal a different side to Moab. From dinosaur tracks fossilised in stone to petroglyphs painted on cliff faces, Moab is like a living museum of science and natural history. And we have three local experts to show us their favourite spots.

Tara Beresh, Director of Curation and Exhibits at the Moab Museum

Blaine Reniger, Founder of History Moab and a local guide

Mary Langworthy, Outreach Specialist at Science Moab

Highlights include:

• Learning the Indigenous history of the Fremont, Puebloan and Ute people who have lived in this region for thousands of years.

• Hearing the story of Moab’s most famous gunslinger, Billy the Kid and where to find one of his old hideouts.

• Discovering the geology and ancient history of one of America’s geologic wonders.

• Getting insider tips on where to go for the best viewpoints and where to find world-class outdoor activities.

• Finding out about Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, two of America’s best, right on Moab’s doorstep.

FIND OUT MORE

Discover the real Moab! You don’t have to be an outdoor athlete or a national parks roadtripper to visit: come as you are and discover wild wonders at DiscoverMoab.com

MoabMuseum.org

HistoryMoab.org

ScienceMoab.org

Blaine Reniger Tour Guide: @grizzly_adventures

Check out five extraordinary ways to enjoy Moab’s cinematic outdoors at wanderlustmagazine.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 interviewer and script editor. Audio production by Charles Tyrie.

For a small country, Guatemala packs a big punch. With a Maya history that dates back 3,000-years, a strong Indigenous culture, and an abundance of nature experiences, we think Guatemala should be on the list of any serious traveller.

From the volcano lined Lake Atitlán, to the extensive rainforest of the Maya Biosphere Reserve and the vibrant capital, Guatemala City, in today’s episode we are taking the road less travelled into the heart of this Central American beauty.

Highlights include:

• Exploring the world wonder of Tikal and its Maya ruins, listening to Howler Monkeys from the top of 3,000-year-old temples.

• Learn why Guatemala is home to some of one of the best food scenes in Central America, from some of the finest coffee and rum in the world to Indigenous-inspired dishes served in world-class restaurants.

• Climb active volcanoes to watch rivers of lava flow beside your feet. You can even eat lava-fired pizza on the way down!

• Discover the serene beauty of Lake Atitlán, sacred to Maya people.

Joining host Aaron Millar today is former CNN reporter and TV presenter Harris Whitbeck, the current Director of INGUAT (Guatemalan Institute of Tourism).

FIND OUT MORE: visitguatemala.gt/en/

BOOK YOUR TRIP

Let Latin Routes craft your perfect Guatemalan adventure. To find out more

or book your Truly Individual holiday, visit latinroutes.co.uk/destinations/guatemala/

or call 020 8546 6222 to speak to a Latin America Travel Specialist.

RECOMMENDED ITINERARIES

Highlights of Guatemala: 8 nights from £4,399 per person, based on two people sharing (2025

departures). Includes all flights, accommodation, selected meals, guided excursions, and transfers. Fully ATOL protected.

Guatemala Explorer: 11 nights from £6,199 per person, based on two people sharing (2025

departures). Comprehensive of all flights, accommodation, select meals, guided excursions, transfers, and full ATOL protection.

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.