The Realistic Backpackers

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This week is all about backpacking The Philippines. Seeing as Shireen can’t stop going back, it’s quite surprising that this episode is only happening now! Discussing favourite destinations, where to go when you're there, especially on your first trip, including Palawan and Cebu, As well as all of your travel tips and tricks. Of course Shiree...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This week is all about backpacking Europe. Shireen is still in the Philippines, surfing everyday and surviving off coffee. Abi’s been sick for a week but as usual, powering through as only she knows how. Abi’s been travelling Europe for the last year or so while she’s been based back in the UK, and with European summer about to kick off, what bet...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This week is all about working online and building a Digital Nomad lifestyle.  Abi is currently in the process of re-building her Social Media Management business after quitting her job last year, and Shireen has been working online for 3 years. Sharing tips and tricks, and well as mindset shifts and building a community while being a nomad.  If...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This week is all about backpacking Sri Lanka, where we both just visited in November, giving you all our tips and tricks on visiting.  Chatting locations: Negombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Hiriketiya, Weligama As well as favourite experiences: THE train, Dembulla caves, cooking class, surfing, and climbing Adam’s Peak. *the second cooking class...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  We know it’s been a MINUTE since we’ve recorded, and there has been a lot of life going on in that time.  This is a big catch up episode, covering everything from travelling Sri Lanka together, Abi visiting Finland and Estonia, Shireen’s back in the Philippines (of course), and Shireen takes time to discuss what’s going on in Iran.  Thank you so...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This week the girls are doing a Q&A episode, answering all your questions about travelling, DIVING, working online and chaotic backpacking stories. But before they get into that, there’s some HUGE NEWS!! So make sure you’re listening to this because everything is about to change. This is the last episode of this season, thank you to everyone...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This week the girls are welcoming one of their travel pals, Rob to the podcast. They met in March 2024 in a hostel in Belize, and since then, Rob has backpacked Latin America for 18 months. Talking about the highs and lows of that trip, solo travel, Rob's goal to visit every country in the world, ethically, and where’s next. This chat was so...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This week the girls are revisiting one of their favourite regions: Central America While they did a full breakdown in season 1 (definitely check that out if they haven’t, this is a some extra info and chatting about some changes in the region  Talking backpacking routes, activities, and general backpacking tripsIf you’re heading to Central Americ...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This week the girls are chatting to Steve and Jack from Nomads No Worries.  The guys are digital nomads, with a different travel style. Opting to stay in places for at least a month at a time. Learning about the differences with this, as well as the pros and cons. In true Realistic Backpacker’s style, this ep goes all over the place, covering tra...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This week the girls are discussing their favourite topic of conversation: South East Asia.  While they did a full breakdown in season 1 (definitely check that out if you haven’t already), this is a revision with some extra information and changes they’ve learned since they recorded the first time. Talking backpacking routes, activities, and gener...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  It’s that time of year, Shireen’s birthday is coming up which only means one thing: time to question all life choices, complain about society's standards and talk about why they want to be single forever.  Weirdly this year, it’s Abi that seems to be having the crisis more than Shireen, but either way, there’s lots to chat about. From not wan...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This is an extremely special episode as this week you have a solo host. Abi is interviewing Shireen and her cousin Arash about all things Iran.  Arash was born and raised in Iran’s capital, Tehran, and between the two of them, they get really honest about what growing up and being in Iran is really like.  This conversation really covers everythin...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  It’s been a minute since the girls recorded an episode, so they’re catching up on life, seeing each other after 7 months and living a weekend in Munich as ‘real backpackers’. Which is exactly what this week’s episode is all about. The girl have been talking to other travelers, guests and between each other, on what backpacking really is, and who...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This week the girls are joined by Jordynn from @wheretonexttt_ They catch up about full time travel, taking the risk and going all in with content creation and a spontaneous European trip. As well as how Jordynn went from travelling as a couple to solo travelling just a few weeks into her South East Asia trip. Everything she’s learned about solo...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This week the girls are chatting solo travel, making friends and craving community while travelling. The girls tell the story of how they met, why they travel so well together, and how travel friendships are really like any others.  Shireen really used this as a little therapy session, as she’s currently craving community after 3 years on the roa...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This week the girls are are joined by Ben and Tyler from The Infrequent Flyers This was a conversation that just felt like mates catching up, and it really went in all directions. They chatted all about spending money on your honeymoon rather than the wedding, and the incredible honeymoon Ben and Ty went on. As well as scuba diving (obviously), t...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This week the girls are chatting all about the music festival in Dartmouth and Shireen’s found her ‘new favourite travel activity’ (how many times have we heard that?) The topic of the week is Digital Nomad life vs working in a 9-5. The girls have now done both, and they’re discussing the positives and negatives of both, including freedom vs stab...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This week the girls are chatting to their latest guest: Chloe Lawford The girls first found Chloe’s TikTok when researching travelling to Jordan, and have been following her ever since.  They’re discussing UGC, how Chloe uses it to fund travelling and how to get into it.  Travelling as a LGBTQ+ couple and how Chloe and her girlfriend have navigat...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  This week the girls are chatting all about Abi’s trip to Bulgaria, and Shireen has landed in the Philippines. The topic of the week is prepping for your first backpacking trip, and the girls are covering everything from what backpack to bring, visas, vaccinations, sim cards and everything in between. If there’s anything that you want help figurin...

Welcome back to season 3 of the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  It’s been a crazy few months since the end of season 2 (is anyone surprised?) The girls are catching up on what’s been happening. It’s the first time they’ve properly sat down to talk too. Abi was in Paris and spent time with her school group for the first time since covid! She then headed to Iceland and has been enjoying being at hom...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  It’s the final episode of season 2!! Abi is starting to get itchy feet, and Shireen is so excited for her upcoming trip to India and Iran.  This week, the girls are answering all your questions.  They’re talking about everything from their arguments, travel safety and where they’re most looking forward to travelling in 2025.  It’s been such an in...

This week the girls are chatting to Paige who’s currently living in Bali and running her group trip business, Becoming Solo. Discussing all about how Paige started travelling and why she’s such an advocate for people going solo travelling.  There’s nobody better to discuss group trips with, and Paige gives a real insight into her business, why she designed it as she has, and all the work that goes...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  The girls are really leaning into what’s on their doorstep this week, with Abi heading up to the peak district and Shireen hiking her local area.  This week, the girls are chatting all about backpacking Guatemala, a country they fell in love with while exploring it. Discussing their favourite spots and activities, and all about the history of the...

This week the girls are chatting to Marissa, while she’s on a work exchange in a surf town in Sri Lanka. Kicking it off by talking all about Marissa started travelling in the first place.  Marissa is a huge advocate for doing work exchanges while travelling, specifically through Worldpackers, and is the perfect person to discuss them with. Covering everything from how to find the best ones, things...

Welcome back to the Realistic Backpackers podcast!  Abi has just been to Luxemburg for the weekend, and is catching us up on how it was, what she did and where she stayed. Definitely somewhere to consider for a short weekend break!  This week, the girls are chatting all about backpacking New Zealand, one of their favourite countries (even if they say that about everywhere).  Abi travelled New Zeal...