GoNOMAD Travel Podcast

Show Notes Show notes EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode, Max heads to the medieval hilltop town of Alquézar , in Northern Spain’s Sierra de Guara region, for an unforgettable canyoning adventure with Sally Adventures . Joined by a group of five travelers all over sixty, Max recounts the exhilaration of scrambling down limestone walls, sliding through narrow water channels, and leaping into cold moun...

GONOMAD TRAVEL PODCAST — SHOW NOTES Exploring the Quirky Hammond Castle of Gloucester, Massachusetts On this episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, contributor Susmita Sengupta takes us to the rugged, wave‑carved coastline of Cape Ann, Massachusetts — home to one of New England’s most eccentric landmarks: Hammond Castle . Built between 1926 and 1929 by inventor John Hays Hammond Jr. , the castle r...

How an Irish‑Born Grandparent Could Change Your Life On this episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, we explore a story that begins with a simple family rumor — the kind told at holiday tables and half‑remembered over generations. What if that old tale about your Irish grandmother isn’t just nostalgia, but a key that could change where you’re allowed to live, work, and travel for the rest of your l...

SHOW NOTES Baguio: An American Hill Station in the Philippine Highlands Today on the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, Senior Writer Chin Liang takes us up into the cool, mist‑wrapped mountains of northern Luzon to explore Baguio (BAG‑ee‑oh), the Philippines’ original highland escape. While most of the country swelters in tropical heat, Baguio sits comfortably below 70°F year‑round — a climate that first dr...

Show Notes: In this episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, Max shares his lifelong affection for ferries — the working boats that move commuters, islanders, day‑trippers, and football fans with the same steady indifference. Ferries don’t pamper or preen, but they offer something better: a front‑row seat to the water and the most democratic view in travel. Whether you drive a G‑wagon or a beat‑up V...

Host: Max Hartshorne, Editor of GoNOMAD Travel Episode: KÖKAR Island, Åland Archipelago, Finland Guest Insight: Natalie Björk of Brudhäll Hotel Episode Summary In this episode, Max travels to Kökar , a tiny island in Finland’s autonomous Åland archipelago, where silence feels alive, and the Nordic light seems to glow from within. With only about 225 residents, Kökar is a place shaped by the sea, a...

Dharavi in Mumbai, India, is one of the most misunderstood places on Earth. For decades, the world has labeled it a slum , a word that flattens a million lives into a stereotype. But today on the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, Senior Writer Chin Liang takes us deep inside this remarkable Mumbai neighborhood with the help of two longtime residents and guides: Mohammad Sadique of Inside Mumbai Tours and Kr...

What All Those Numbers on Your Boarding Pass Really Mean In this episode, we break down the mysterious codes, letters, and numbers printed on every airline boarding pass. Inspired by a deep dive in Condé Nast Traveler , we look at what each part of your pass actually tells the airline about you, your ticket, and your trip. What we cover in this episode • Your six‑digit PNR code The all‑caps alphan...

Meandering in Málaga, Spain In this episode, we explore Málaga , a warm, walkable, art‑filled city on Spain’s Costa del Sol. GoNOMAD contributor Debbie Garrick shares her March adventure, a trip built on wandering without an agenda. What we cover in this episode • Arriving in Málaga A friendly taxi driver, avocado farm stories, and the first glimpse of a city far more elegant than its Costa del So...

In this episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, Senior Writer Chin Liang takes us deep into the heart of Transylvania , a region forever linked to gothic legends, dark forests, and of course… vampires. But as Chin quickly shows us, the real Transylvania—and the real Brașov—is far more fascinating than any fictional horror story. We begin with the scenic train ride from Bucharest, winding through th...

In this episode, we head to Lower Manhattan to explore the layers of history hidden beneath the skyscrapers of Wall Street. Longtime GoNOMAD contributor Susmita Sengupta , a New Yorker with a sharp eye for the city’s past, takes us on a walking journey through the Financial District — revealing the colonial streets, early American landmarks, and sacred spaces that shaped the beginnings of the Unit...

In this episode, host Max Hartshorne takes listeners deep into Komodo National Park , exploring what it actually feels like to move through one of the world’s wildest island chains. This isn’t the postcard version—this is the lived version. Drawing from on‑the‑ground insight in the uploaded script — “You start to realize Komodo National Park isn’t really a checklist kind of place. It’s something y...

MOSTAR, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA — A RESILIENT CITY OF HISTORY, DIVING FEATS & ADVENTURE In this episode, we travel to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina — a city where beauty, bravery, and centuries of history meet on the stones of one of the world’s most iconic bridges. Host Max Hartshorne takes listeners to the edge of the 79‑foot Stari Most , where divers have leapt into the emerald Neretva Rive...

On today’s episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, we’re unpacking a safety warning you’ve heard on every flight but may not have taken seriously: don’t reach for your phone if it slips between the airplane seats — call a flight attendant instead. It sounds like a small thing, but as we explore in this episode, it’s a rule written in fire. Literally. This story comes from reporting in Afar Magazine...

We explore this vibrant region, known for its stunning landscapes, mountains, local vineyards, and a plethora of agri-tourism opportunities. Our journey takes us through charming towns like Dunham, Bromont, and Frelighsburg, where we stay at the welcoming Gite La Maison Bleu and dine at Espace Old Mill, enjoying meals crafted from locally sourced ingredients. This episode includes many photos and...

This week, host Max Hartshorne takes you inside one of Europe’s most intense and iconic travel experiences: the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. With insight from Pamplona resident Losu Values, we explore what it really takes to watch the event—not just survive it—and how first-time visitors can actually understand what they’re seeing. Most travelers arrive with a cinematic image in mind:...

SHOW NOTES — GoNOMAD Travel Podcast PENANG, MALAYSIA's Miao Hui New Years In this episode, we travel to the vibrant island of Penang, Malaysia , where Lunar New Year isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a living, breathing celebration that spills into the streets of George Town. Senior Writer Chin Liang Teh takes us home to his island to experience Miao Hui , a community‑driven festival that pre...

SHOW NOTES — SKIING IN JASNÁ, SLOVAKIA Episode Title: Skiing in Jasná: A Winter Adventure in Slovakia’s Low Tatras Host: Max Hartshorne, GoNOMAD Travel Podcast In this episode, Max takes listeners along on a winter journey through Slovakia , a country full of surprises — from affordable skiing and cozy chalets to wooden UNESCO churches and medieval castle ruins. Traveling with a small group of nin...

Show Notes: Ho Chi Minh City — Then and Now In this episode, Senior Writer Chin Teh Liang takes us to Ho Chi Minh City , Vietnam’s largest and fastest-changing metropolis. Once known as Saigon , the city still carries the echoes of its wartime past and its elegant French colonial heritage—yet today it’s a booming, modern powerhouse with a skyline that surprises first‑time visitors. What We Cover i...

GoNOMAD Travel Podcast: Humboldt County, California Episode Title: Humboldt County: Redwoods, Oysters, and Coastal Charm Host: Max Hartshorne, based on a story by Jerry Olivas. drolivas@hotmail.com Episode Summary: In this episode, Max takes us to the far northern reaches of California to explore Humboldt County—a region defined by towering redwoods, rugged coastline, and laid-back towns like Eure...

Show Notes: Skiing Mt. Bachelor & Exploring Bend, Oregon In this episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, Max heads to Central Oregon to explore one of the most surprising ski destinations in the United States: Mt. Bachelor. This massive, 9,065‑foot volcanic peak offers something rare in North America — true 360‑degree skiing from the summit. With more than 4,300 acres of terrain and plans for e...

The New Year celebration in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is a rich tapestry of sights, sounds, and traditions that provides a unique experience for all who partake. The city is alive with energy as it transforms into a vibrant hub for festivities. January 1 is not just a day but the beginning of a week-long holiday where locals and visitors alike engage in a variety of celebratory activities. The streets...

📝 Episode Summary: In this episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, Max takes us deep into Brazil’s interior for a road trip to Chapada dos Veadeiros — a wild, luminous UNESCO wonderland of waterfalls, quartz-rich plateaus, and golden savanna skies. From the bureaucratic grid of Brasília to the rolling cerrado, this is Brazil at its most primal and beautiful. We explore the three key bases — Alto P...

NUQUÍ: COLOMBIA’S WILD PACIFIC COAST, THEN AND NOW EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode, we journey to Nuquí , one of the most remote and biodiverse corners of Colombia’s Pacific coast. It’s a place where the rainforest crashes into the ocean , where there are no roads , and where life moves to the rhythm of tides, rain, and community. Our host revisits a 2008 expedition to the region—complete with a d...

Episode Title: Bishkek: The Green City Under Tian Shan Episode Summary: In this episode of GoNOMAD Travel Podcast , senior writer Chin Liang teams up with Talgat from Datka Travel to uncover the overlooked charms of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. While most travelers rush to the countryside for horse riding and yurt stays, Bishkek rewards those who linger with leafy boulevards, Soviet‑era arc...