Travel For Curious Minds - The Travel Podcast from Jules Verne Stories Insight and Adventure

Algeria isn't on most people's travel list. That's exactly what makes it worth talking about. Jules Verne’s own Lauren Valentine joins host Abbey to share what it’s really like to visit one of the world’s least-visited countries - and why she came back wondering why more people aren’t going. Lauren started travelling at 18, solo, with no real plan - and spent the best part of four years moving thr...

As with the full episode, we are revisiting the quickfire round with Eleanor Mills this week. Eleanor is in the Travel for Curious Minds' hot seat, answering host Abbey Cousins’ quickfire questions on all things travel and adventure. And for more information for your curious mind, have a look at these: YouTube - Travel for Curious Minds   Website - Travel for Curious Minds Podcast   Instagram - Tr...

There’s a slight change for this week’s episode. With female solo travel such a hot topic right now, we thought it was the perfect time to revisit one of our earlier conversations that truly captures the spirit of adventure and independence. In one of our very first episodes, we sat down with Eleanor Mills to explore how women are redefining travel on their own terms – embracing freedom, confidenc...

This week, Gareth is in the Travel for Curious Minds' hot seat, answering host Abbey Cousins’ quickfire questions on all things South Africa This is a video podcast also, and you can watch the video on the link here:   YouTube - Travel for Curious Minds And for more information for your curious mind, have a look at these:   Website - Travel for Curious Minds Podcast   Instagram - Travel for Curiou...

Step aboard your very own luxurious train with Gareth Van Wyk from Rovos Rail, as he reveals why this legendary journey through Africa is about far more than getting from A to B. Africa is one of the world's great adventure destinations - but how do you experience it slowly, authentically, and without the noise of modern life? In this episode of Travel for Curious Minds, Gareth shares what makes R...

This week, Eleni is in the Travel for Curious Minds' hot seat, answering host Abbey Cousins’ quickfire questions on all things Greece. This is a video podcast also, and you can watch the video on the link here:   YouTube - Travel for Curious Minds And for more information for your curious mind, have a look at these:   Website - Travel for Curious Minds Podcast   Instagram - Travel for Curious Mind...

Unlock the secrets to a more meaningful Mediterranean escape with Eleni Skarveli, Director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation, as she reveals a fresh, sustainable vision for exploring Greece in 2026. Greece is one of the most loved destinations in the world, but how do you experience it without the crowds, the rush, or the sense of déjà vu? In this episode of Travel for Curious Minds, Elen...

This week, Ben is in the Travel for Curious Minds' hot seat, answering host Abbey Cousins’ quickfire questions on all things India This is a video podcast also, and you can watch the video on the link here:   YouTube - Travel for Curious Minds And for more information for your curious mind, have a look at these:   Website - Travel for Curious Minds Podcast   Instagram - Travel for Curious Minds Po...

Ben Boesch – Travel + Surprise = Adventure Unlock the secrets to meaningful travel with Ben Boesch, joint CEO of Dertour UK, as he reveals the adventurous spirit behind exploring India, Morocco, and beyond. Ever wondered how a seemingly simple trip can turn into a lifelong memory? Ben shares insider stories of unpredictable adventures - including how a motorcycle breakdown in Morocco sparked unfor...

This week, Mahal is in the Travel for Curious Minds' hot seat, answering host Abbey Cousins’ quickfire questions on all things Egypt. This is a video podcast also, and you can watch the video on the link here:   YouTube - Travel for Curious Minds And for more information for your curious mind, have a look at these:   Website - Travel for Curious Minds Podcast   Instagram - Travel for Curious Minds...

Here is the third in our trilogy of episodes about Egypt. This time, we meet Mahal. As one of Jules Verne’s most experienced and trusted guides in Egypt, Mahal has a wealth of knowledge and stories to share.   We learn about growing up in Egypt, and why becoming a guide isn’t always the easy option. Why Mahal loves sharing Egypt with people. The wonders of the amazing Grand Egyptian Museum. And ho...

As promised on our last episode, here is a wonderful conversation with Debbie O'Neill, Managing Director at Jules Verne. Recently back from her 12th visit to Egypt, Debbie brings us up to date with this beautiful country, its people, and now, finally open, what to expect from the Grand Egyptian Museum. For more information about travel for your curious mind:   Website - Travel for Curious Minds Po...

This week on Travel for Curious Minds, we’re dipping into the archives with an episode from April 2022—originally recorded for our sister podcast. Abbey came live from World Travel Market, joined by our Egypt partners Tarek and Rania. They talked Nile cruises—both the classic routes and the little-known stretches of the river—and shared early insights on the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Rania had...

This week, journalist duo Deborah Stone and Nick Dalton are in the Travel for Curious Minds hot seat, answering host Abbey Cousins’ quickfire questions on all things travel.   To find out more about Nick and Deborah, head over to:   Nick Dalton – Instagram   Deborah Stone - Instagram     For more information about travel for your curious mind:   Website - Travel for Curious Minds Podcast   Instagr...

On this week’s episode of Travel for Curious Minds, renowned travel journalists Deborah Stone and Nick Dalton join host Abbey Cousins to discuss how they started out wanting to “save the world” through journalism, working on national news desks, then becoming digital nomads in the 90s, travelling around the world working for various national and international publications.   From debunking misunde...

Today, we have Director of Sustainability for DERTOUR UK, Claire Ross, in the Travel for Curious Minds hotseat, revealing top travel tips and destinations in a round of quickfire questions.   To find out more about Claire, and DERTOUR's approach to sustainability, head over to:   LinkedIn - Claire Ross   DERTOUR - Sustainability       For more information about travel for your curious mind:   Webs...

This week, Travel for Curious Minds’ host Abbey Cousins chats to Claire Ross, Director of Sustainability for one of the leading tourism groups in Europe, DERTOUR UK. Hear about everything from the small changes we can all make when travelling to ease our environmental impact to why Claire will never write off a destination based on its reputation again – and why you shouldn’t either!   To find out...

Today, we have author, podcast host, and mid-life mentor Rachel Lankester in the Travel for Curious Minds hot seat, revealing top travel tips and destinations through a round of quickfire questions.   To find out more about Rachel, head over to:   Instagram |  Instagram (@rachel_lankester) Facebook |  Magnificent Midlife Linkedin |  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachellankester/ YouTube |  Magnifice...

This week, Travel for Curious Minds host Abbey Cousins chats with Rachel Lankester, a New York Times recommended author, podcast host, and mid-life mentor, about why mid-life should be celebrated! As an advocate for embracing all that life has to offer, Rachel shares her perspective-shifting experience of early menopause along with stories from her many travel adventures, ranging from trekking thr...

In today’s episode of quickfire questions, David O’Neill MBE reveals his top travel tips and details of his next adventure for the listeners of the Travel For Curious Minds podcast.   To find out more about David, you can head over to:   David O'Neill - LinkedIn   InSTR - LinkedIn   Fire Aid - Facebook       For more information about travel for your curious mind:   Website - Travel for Curious Mi...

After retiring from his position as Assistant Commissioner in the London Fire Brigade following over three decades of service, David O’Neill MBE joins host Abbey Cousins in this week’s episode of Travel For Curious Minds. David and Abbey chat about his incredible career so far and the life-changing adventures that have shaped it.   With moving tales from the frontlines of international rescue effo...

“All of the fabulous things in life are on the other side of our comfort zones” – Listen to today’s episode of Travel for Curious Minds as host of the ‘Thrive Solo’ podcast (formerly ‘Spinsterhood Reimagined’), Lucy Meggeson talks all things travel in a round of quickfire questions – including why people thinking about their first solo adventure should make the leap.   To find out more about Lucy,...

In this episode, Abbey is joined by Lucy Meggeson, the host of the ‘Thrive Solo’ podcast (formerly ‘Spinsterhood Reimagined’). Lucy is on a journey to change the narrative around what it means to be single and child-free.   With adventures shaped by her love of music, road trips, photography, maps and nature, hear how incredible travel experiences can happen because you are travelling solo – not i...

This week, Pat Riddell, Editor of National Geographic Traveller UK, is in the Travel for Curious Minds hot seat, answering host Abbey Cousins’ quickfire questions on all things travel.   To find out more about Pat, you can head over to:   X   Instagram   LinkedIn   For more information on National Geographic Traveller:   Instagram   Facebook   LinkedIn       For more information about travel for y...

On this week’s Episode of Travel for Curious Minds, Pat Riddell, Editor of National Geographic Traveller UK, joins host Abbey Cousins, taking listeners on a fascinating adventure around the world with the tales of his extensive travels.   From discussing what first gave him a taste for the world of travel, reflecting on his incredible experiences in destinations such as Jordan, Peru and Thailand,...