Truly Expat Travel

Paula shares an honest, first-hand Nashville travel guide from her solo 3-day trip — Broadway honky-tonks, the Johnny Cash Museum, a Jack Daniel's Distillery tour, must-try food, and the mistakes she wishes she'd avoided. This episode contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Getting Around & Where t...

Belize has the second-largest barrier reef on the planet, Mayan caves you can swim inside, jaguars in protected jungle, and one of the most surprisingly multicultural societies on earth — and most travellers have never even considered it. This week, Simo D, a Canadian expat who moved his young family to the Placencia Peninsula in 2022, gives us his unfiltered insider guide to visiting Belize. In T...

Slow travel or fast travel — which style actually fits your life right now? Paula sits down with returning guests Deborah De Reeper and Jo Hunter for an honest panel conversation about how travel changes as we get older, why the "travel while you can" message might be doing us a disservice, and where to actually go instead of the obvious hotspots. In this episode Empty nesters on travel...

Think KL is just a stopover? Think again. Paula Barnes lived in Kuala Lumpur for three years and is here to tell you why it's one of the most underrated cities in Southeast Asia — great food, incredible shopping, rich multicultural culture, and easy day trips all within reach. In This Episode Why the bus from Singapore beats flying Best areas to eat, shop and explore — Bukit Bintang, KLCC, Ba...

Have you ever dreamed of tracking mountain gorillas through a UNESCO World Heritage rainforest, tasting food wrapped in banana leaves, or watching chimpanzees leap through the treetops? In this episode, host Paula Barnes sits down with Lynett , a Uganda-based travel expert with over 10 years in the tourism industry, to uncover why Uganda — the Pearl of Africa — should be at the top of every travel...

What does it actually take to visit 50+ countries without draining your bank account? John Johnston of The Bucket List Things has been doing exactly that — chasing bucket list adventures across Africa, South America, the Baltic States, and beyond, all on a budget most people spend on a single resort vacation. In this episode, John breaks down his entire approach to affordable adventure travel: how...

In this episode of the Truly Expat Travel Podcast, Paula Barnes speaks with Canadian expat Keltie Maguire, who has been living in Munich, Germany for over eight years. Keltie shares her fascinating journey from Vancouver to Sydney and eventually settling in Munich with her husband, as well as the life-changing decisions that shaped her career, identity, and her podcast The Kids Are Childfree . We...

🎙️ Is Sydney the Most Beautiful Harbour in the World? 🇦🇺 Ultimate Sydney Travel Guide + 7-Day Itinerary In this episode, Paula shares a local’s perspective on Sydney—the city she grew up in—and breaks down exactly how to experience it like you live there, not like a tourist. If you're planning a trip to Sydney (or dreaming about one), this is your complete 5–7 day itinerary , packed with icon...

Join host Paula Barnes as she dives into innovative travel strategies that can transform your trips — from time-saving hacks to must-have apps for planning and on-the-go. In this episode, Paula chats with Michelle from Intentional Travelers about tools and tips to make your travel smoother and more intentional. Key topics: The importance of innovative travel hacks that saved time and effort Essent...

If flying feels overwhelming, exhausting, or like you're starting from scratch every single trip — this episode is for you. This week I'm joined by Phoenyx from Phoenyx Travels — a content creator and accessible travel expert who has built a reputation for honest, practical advice for disabled, chronically ill, neurodivergent and sensory-sensitive travellers. We're talking about her...

You've landed somewhere new. The bags are unpacked. And then comes the question every travelling family knows too well — so what do we actually do here? This week I'm back with Julie Talbot — British ex-expat turned global nomad — who after 12 years in the UAE took the leap into full-time family travel with her husband and children. She's worldschooling her kids, running a UK proper...

Most people planning a trip to Holland for tulip season get the timing wrong. They book Keukenhof, they show up, and they either miss the peak bloom entirely or find themselves shoulder to shoulder with thousands of other tourists wondering why it doesn't look like the photos. Sound familiar? This week I'm joined by Gerrit from Hidden Holland — a specialist in Dutch travel and someone wh...

Paula Barnes lived in Seoul 15 years ago — and honestly? It was hard. The language barrier was real, the taxis were brutal, and getting around without Korean felt nearly impossible. So when she went back, she wasn't expecting to fall in love with it. She did. In this episode, Paula goes solo to unpack everything that's changed, everything that's stayed beautifully the same, and ever...

MADRID UNCOVERED: Insider Tips, Hidden Gems & La Movida – Life in Spain's Capital Join Paula as she chats with Kristin Montgomery, an international teacher who has lived and worked across Switzerland, Singapore, Colombia, Germany and beyond – and is now back in Madrid completing a master's degree in Spanish. Kristin first fell in love with the city as a young graduate on an English a...

Join Paula as she chats with Jen and Brett from Expatsi about their expat journey from Birmingham, Alabama, to Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. Discover practical tips for moving abroad, exploring local culture and cuisine, uncovering hidden gems, and how community support made their transition inspiring. Want more Mexico content, then you should listen to episode 16 , where I chat with Carm about her exp...

In this engaging conversation, Paula Barnes interviews Stacy McCandless, an expat with extensive experience living in Vietnam. Stacy shares her journey from working at Tokyo Disney to navigating life in various Vietnamese cities, including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Nha Trang. She discusses the challenges and joys of being an expat, including the cultural differences, the vibrant food scene, and...

Join Paula Barnes as she shares her personal journey and insights about Hong Kong, covering its neighbourhoods, attractions, food, and travel tips. Perfect for travellers and expats alike. Key Topics Hong Kong neighbourhoods and their unique vibes Top attractions including: The Peak, Big Buddha, and Disneyland Local cuisine and shopping tips Seasonal travel advice and public transport options Neig...

Join Paula Barnes in conversation with Oren Chazan, co-founder of Montino, a co-living space nestled in the stunning Lago Maggiore region of Italy. Oren shares his inspiring journey from urban life to creating a thriving community for digital nomads in the foothills of the Swiss Alps. Discover why Lago Maggiore remains one of Italy's best-kept secrets compared to its famous neighbors, Lakes C...

Join Paula Barnes as she speaks with Irene Vairo, manager of the remarkable Temple Tree Resort in Langkawi, Malaysia. Irene takes us on a journey from her roots in Italy to this tropical island paradise, revealing what makes Temple Tree so special—a collection of meticulously reassembled traditional Malaysian houses that offer guests an authentic heritage experience. In this conversation, Irene un...

In this engaging conversation, Paula Barnes interviews Sophian Hoe, a Singaporean expat living in Madeira, Portugal. They discuss Sophian's journey to becoming an expat, his experiences in Madeira, and the unique aspects of the island, including its natural beauty, culinary delights, and community feel. Sophian shares insights on travel tips, the best times to visit, and recommendations for d...

In this episode, Paula Barnes shares her insights and experiences living in Singapore for nearly eight years. She emphasises the importance of viewing Singapore as a destination rather than just a stopover, highlighting its rich culture, diverse food scene, and numerous attractions. Paula provides practical tips for travellers, including the best time to visit, essential items to pack, and insider...

Expat travel podcast | Hidden gems and insider tips | Best holiday destinations from expats living abroad | Authentic local travel experiences | International lifestyle and adventure stories Truly Expat Travel brings you the world's best travel destinations through conversations with expats who've made foreign countries their home. Discover hidden gems, local insider tips, and authentic...

Episode 26: Christmas in Hakuba with Blaise and Kiara Barnes This Weeks Chat: Join me for the season finale as I chat with Blaise Barnes and Kiara Barnes, about their unforgettable Christmas holiday in Hakuba, Japan. From carving through powder snow to discovering the best après-ski spots, they share their insider tips for experiencing one of Japan's premier winter destinations. Whether you&a...

Episode 25: Unwrapping Christmas in London with Karla This Week's Chat Join me as I chat with Karla Barreca about experiencing Christmas in London, and discover why this magical city transforms into a winter wonderland during the festive season. Whether you're dreaming of a proper British Christmas or planning your festive getaway, this episode will fill you with holiday cheer and wander...

Episode 24 : A Belgian Christmas Dream: Debra's Winter Wonderland in Bruges This Week's Chat Join me as I sit down with Debra de Reeper, an Australian expat living in Singapore, who shares her absolute favourite Christmas destination: Bruges. We dive deep into what makes this enchanting Belgian city so magical during the festive season and why it's become her go-to winter escape. Wh...