Global Travel Planning

After more than 20 years and close to 50 countries together, Doug and I share the actual routine we follow before every international trip. Not a generic list, just the 10 things that keep us organised, connected and confident. Booking your airport transfer in advance eSIMs and VPNs, sorted before you leave home The apps we download before we fly Travel insurance and why it matters more than you t...

AI can generate an itinerary in seconds. What it cannot do is sit with your story, hear what a place means to you, or notice the detail that changes everything. That is what this conversation is about. Tracy and Cate from My Germany Vacation explore why the most unforgettable trips are built on personal meaning, not perfect lists, covering: Cate's 2019 Germany road trip with Aaron and why sha...

£25 for a 14-hour sleeper train with beds, a sink, and power points. £6.50 for a seven-hour scenic ride across central Türkiye. If you've ever assumed Türkiye is a fly-and-spend destination, this episode is here to change that picture entirely. Tracy is joined by Sinead, a York-based travel blogger and passionate train traveller, to walk through her family's 12-day loop: Istanbul, down t...

Scotland's Outer Hebrides don't forgive poor planning. Ferries sell out, accommodation is limited, and the roads demand your full attention. But get it right and you're rewarded with some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. In this episode Tracy has just returned from Lewis, Harris, and Skye and is sharing exactly how she put the trip together so you can do the same. W...

Travel has shaped everything about who I am, and I wanted to get personal and answer the questions you’ve been sending in: why I travel so much, how it all began, what destinations I love most, and how I actually plan a trip without turning it into a stressful project. If you enjoy honest stories and practical travel planning, this solo chat is for you. I talk through the places that keep calling...

Narelle Mather joins Tracy to share how she planned and took a three-and-a-half-week multi-country train trip through Europe with her husband, sister, and a close friend.  Starting in London and finishing in Warsaw, the group travelled through France, Switzerland, Austria, and Poland using a first-class Eurail pass bought at a discount more than a year in advance.  Narelle covers everything from c...

How to Plan an Independent Trip to China: Trains, Apps, Payments & Real Tips When you think of China, you probably think of Beijing, Shanghai, or the Great Wall. But planning an independent trip across such a vast and culturally different country can feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Global Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy Collins is joined by traveller Lucy, who shares insights from her...

In this episode of the Global Travel Planning Podcast, host Tracy Collins and co-host Doug Collins swap roles with special guest interviewer Amanda Kendle as they share their firsthand trip report from the Philippines. The conversation centres on their ten-night stay at Moalboal Eco Lodge , located a few hours southwest of Cebu. Tracy and Doug share what it was like staying in an eco-conscious acc...

This week Tracy is joined by Japan travel specialist Helen Foster to share expert advice on visiting Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. If you are planning your first Japan trip and considering adding a theme park, this episode covers what you really need to know before you go. Helen draws on nine trips to Japan to explain how each park differs, how ticketing...

What makes Switzerland one of the most breathtaking countries in the world to explore by train? This week Tracy is joined by Switzerland travel expert Carolyn, founder of Holidays to Switzerland, to talk about the scenic rail journeys and mountain excursions that draw visitors back again and again. From iconic panoramic trains like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express to shorter but equally spe...

This week Tracy is joined by seasoned travel podcaster and traveller Chris Christensen, host of the Amateur Traveler podcast , to share his recent experience travelling through the Peruvian Amazon. Together, they explore why this vast and remote region is far more accessible than many travellers expect. Drawing on Chris’s small-group river expedition, the conversation offers a clear-eyed look at w...

Ever wondered what it actually takes to reach Antarctica and what it feels like when your boots hit the ice? We open up the journey, from long-haul hops to Ushuaia and life aboard a small HX Expeditions hybrid ship to the reality of the Drake Passage, then unpack how strict biosecurity and expert-led briefings make this fragile place accessible without losing what makes it special. From the first...

Planning a great trip in 2026 shouldn’t feel like a second job. We’re kicking off the year with a clear roadmap for slower, more intentional travel—fewer destinations, deeper experiences, and practical steps that make every day on the road feel easier and more rewarding. Tracy shares what’s ahead on Podcast, from Antarctica reflections and the Peruvian Amazon to Morocco, the Philippines, and a dee...

This week Tracy and Doug reflect on a year filled with global adventures, practical travel advice, and behind-the-scenes stories from life on the road and behind the microphone. From Tracy reaching her seventh continent to shared reflections on travelling at pace, they look back on some of their favourite destinations of 2025, including Sri Lanka, Spain, Malaysia, Morocco, and more , along with st...

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, dinin...

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 unfold...

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 ca...

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 joy...

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...

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 memori...

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 th...

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...

What do decades of adventure, jumping off moving trains in rural Australia, and raising children adopted from Russia have in common? They are all part of Laura Dilts’s remarkable travel journey, which she shares in this captivating episode of Stamped: Global Travel Stories. Laura’s travel adventures began with family road trips exploring America’s national parks while her nuclear physicist father...

The enchanting atmosphere of European Christmas markets, overnight ferry adventures, and unique cultural experiences make winter travel across the continent a magical experience. We share practical insights from our three-week December journey through Berlin, Stockholm, Helsinki, Krakow, and Budapest to help you plan a smoother winter adventure. • Berlin's Christmas markets offer an authentic...

The Whitsundays are a tropical paradise of 74 islands set in the heart of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. With crystal-clear turquoise waters, pristine white beaches, and world-class sailing, the region is one of Australia’s most iconic holiday destinations. This week, Melissa joins Tracy to share everything you need to know to plan your dream Whitsundays getaway. From the famous Whitehaven Beach...