Needing some self-isolation escapism? Here’s our pick of the top 2020 travel Podcasts for the ultimate sofa road trip
Find out what the travel PR team at Authentic are listening to this month…
The Travel Diaries
Soothing and transportive. Travel journalist Holly Rubenstein chats to a special guest each week about their adventures around the world, and the travel experiences and destinations that have shaped their lives. Be transported to exotic and far flung places as Holly and her diverse range of famous guests, take you on a journey through the eight key chapters of their life’s travel diaries, from their earliest childhood travel memory and the first place they fell in love with; to their all time favourite destination, their hidden gem recommendation and find out what’s number one on their bucket list. It’s wanderlust, guaranteed and a calming listen. Insightful interviews with Melinda Stevens Editor in Chief of Conde Nast Traveller, Jo Malone, Tom Kerridge, Simon Calder and Poppy Delevingne.
Listen here https://rss.acast.com/thetraveldiaries
Wander Woman
We love the name of this one! Starring all-round adventurer, extreme sleeper and Wanderlust editor and travel writer Phoebe Smith, the episodes mix up field recordings of her round-the-world adventurers with interviews with conservation and travel celebrities. This is more than a podcast, this is a bucket list audio-magazine. Check out the “Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk” episode for a good idea of what this is all about: hiking with an indigenous tribe in the outback of Australia, chatting travel with Catatonia frontwoman Cerys Matthews, conservation issues of the Great Barrier Reef, and what you need to know when buying a waterproof jacket – all in one show.
Listen here: wanderwoman.buzzsprout.com
Inappropriate Traveler
Hosted by Spud Hilton, the former travel editor at the San Francisco Chronicle, it is all about the irreverent, messy and downright cheeky side of travel, from hangovers and hook-ups to hellish flights. Most podcasts in this field take travel pretty seriously. This one does not, which is exactly what makes it so great. funny, often rude, and usually recorded after a few drinks have gone down the hatch, this podcast inspires people to embrace the wild, weird and unexpected pitfalls of the road. After all, that’s where the best stories come from. Episode nine, featuring a drag queen flight attendant for a major airline, is worth a listen.
Listen here: inappropriatetraveler.com
The Carry On
Created in our home town Brighton, this podcast is all about the banter. Three travel professional best pals from Brighton, writers Tracey Davies and Rose Dykins, along with travel PR Michelle McCarthy, get together once a week to have a laugh, and chat about where they’ve been and generally offer light-hearted tips and tales to inspire your next big trip. It’s noisy and fun like listening in on a girl’s night out after they’ve just got back from a big holiday. In their words ‘what we’re currently lacking in sound quality, we more than make up for in sheer enthusiasm and we’re improving as we go’. We love it and they tell it like it is.
Listen here: carryonpodcast.com
Roads and Kingdoms
Originally created by Anthony Bourdain, and now hosted by his business partner, Nathan Thornburgh, this podcast takes you drinking with exceptional people around the world. Each episode cracks open a bottle somewhere new, whether that’s moonshine in Appalachia or shochu in a Japanese Love Hotel. The production quality is premium, the interviews fantastic and woven beyond the booze are deeper stories about culture, food, politics and life on planet Earth. Start right at the beginning, episode one, with Nathan talking about drinking ayahuasca in the Amazon.
Listen here: roadsandkingdoms.com
The Pikes Podcast
The rock ’n ‘ roll one. If you’re missing Ibiza and would like to dip your toes in some Balearic magic sofa-side then give this one a listen. Created by the legendary hotel Pikes Ibiza (where George Michael filmed Club Tropicana, and Freddie Mercury had his 41st birthday bash). Now in it’s third series and hosted by Creative Director Dawn Hindle, this podcast series hosts conversations with residents, special guest DJs, authors, photographers and key figures from Ibiza- discussing their record collections, pivotal tracks and standout stories. Previous interviews have included author and screenwriter Irvine Welsh, Hawksmoor founder and restaurateur Richard Turner, TV presenter Laura Whitmore, DJ Harvey, Libertines Carl Barât, Losardo from Ronnie Scott’s Soho, as well as fashion stylist Gemma Shepherd.
Listen here: https://pikesibiza.com/podcast/
Zero To Travel
For those with an insatiable wanderlust, but facing some major social-distancing right now, this long-standing and popular show will help you think about the future and work out a way to escape the rat race and hit the road once this is all over. Geared towards long-term escapes and life-changing trips, host Jason Moore is full of useful tips, from hacks for cheaper flights to how to build a life as a modern digital nomad. Check out the “Transition to Travel: Before and After” episode for a deep dive into what it takes to plan a year-long round-the-world trip and how it changed one couple’s life forever.
Listen here: zerototravel.com
Wild Ideas Worth Living
Adventure journalist and travel journalist Shelby Stanger’s show is all about how to manifest your dreams and incorporate your wildest ideas into your life. The line-up is superb, from Wild author Cheryl Strayed’s story of hiking the Pacific free climber Alex Honnold talking about soloing El Capitan to Coast Trail. Some of the most popular episodes are about deeper subjects: mindfulness, facing your fears and learning to go off grid and retreat. One of our favourites is the episode with Hawaiian waterman Brian Keaulana about connecting with the ocean.
Listen here: rei.com
Vacation Mavens
Vacation Mavens, hosted by two popular family travel mum bloggers Kimberly Tate of Stuffed Suitcase and Tamara Gruber of We3Travel, is the Go-To podcast for family travel. Featuring interviews with experts and real-life families, kid-specific destination guides and practical tips for making the best of your next big family holiday. This family travel podcast is all about broadening your horizons, exploring the world and making memories that last a lifetime. A true family affair.
Listen here: vacationmavens.com
