Truly Expat Travel

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...

Episode 23:  Christmas in Tokyo: Blaise & Tanisha Share Why they love Japan This Week's Chat This week, I'm chatting with Blaise Barnes and Tanisha Hall about experiencing Christmas in Tokyo! We dive into what makes Tokyo shopping so special during the holidays, the best seasonal foods you absolutely need to try, and why their Disney experience didn't quite live up to expectatio...

Episode 22:  My New York Christmas: Lights, Magic, and Holiday Cheer This Week's Chat This week kicks off our Christmas Special! It's just me, and I'm taking you along on my unforgettable trip to New York City during the holidays. From the iconic Rockefeller Center tree to Madison Square Garden entertainment, discover why New York at Christmas is pure magic..." What I Discuss W...

Episode 21: Falling for Granada with Cassie Beardsly Join me as I chat with Cassie Beardsly about her beloved Granada, and discover why this stunning Spanish city has captured her heart with its rich history, vibrant culture, and unforgettable charm. In this episode, we chat about: - Must-see sights and hidden gems in Granada - Local flavours and where to find authentic Andalusian cuisine  - The b...

Episode 20: Tenerife Through Alexandra's Eyes: Join me as I chat with Alexandra Paucescu about her favourite holiday destination, Tenerife, and discover what keeps drawing her back to this captivating Canary Island year after year. In this episode, we chat about: 🍷 What to eat and drink in Tenerife 🗺️ The perfect 2-day itinerary for first-time visitors ☀️ Why the shoulder season is the best...

Episode 19 – Wandering Through Quebec City: A Solo Traveller’s Perspective Description: This week, it’s just me—and I’m taking you along on my recent solo trip to Quebec City . From chocolate-dipped everything at Chocolats Favoris to sipping Coureur des Bois (Canadian maple cream whisky) I’m spilling all the details from one of the most charming destinations I’ve visited this year. In this episode...

Episode 18: Tim Leffel- Peru This Week's Chat Join me as I sit down with Tim Leffel, an American expat living in Mexico who shares his absolute favourite holiday destination: Peru. We dive deep into what makes this place so special and why it's become his go-to escape. What We Discuss Tim's Expat Journey : Tim is an award-winning travel writer, Tim is author of The World’s Cheapest...

  Episode 17- Discovering Maria's birth place Zakynthos This Week's Chat Join me as I sit down with Maria an expat living in Singapore, who shares her absolute favourite holiday destination: Zakynthos. We dive deep into what makes this place so special and why it's become their go-to escape. What We Discuss Maria's Expat Journey : How she became an expat Discovering Zakynthos:...

Episode 16: Carm Gleeson - Mexico This Week's Chat Join me as I sit down with Carm Gleeson, an Aussie expat living in Singapore, who shares her absolute favourite holiday destination: Mexico. We dive deep into what makes this place so special and why it's become her go-to escape. What We Discuss Why Mexico is her favourite destination : How she ended up on the food tour Discovering Mexic...

Episode 15: Julie Talbot -A Modern Journey Along the Ancient Silk Road This Week's Chat Join me as I sit down with Julie Talbot, a British expat travelling the world, who shares her incredible journey along the legendary Silk Road. We dive deep into what makes this historic route so captivating and why it's become one of her most transformative travel experiences. About Julie: is an ex-e...

Episode 14: Paula's Solo Adventure - Nîmes Join me as I share my recent solo travel experience to Nîmes, the stunning Roman city in southern France. I'll take you through my latest trip to this incredible destination and explain why this ancient city has captured my heart. Episode Overview In this episode, I share my personal travel experience exploring Nîmes, from the spectacular Roman...

Episode 13: Amanda Dunbar on the Enchanting Town of Salemi This Week's Chat Join me as I sit down with Amanda Dunbar, an American expat living in Sicily, who shares their absolute favourite holiday destination: Salemi. We dive deep into what makes this place so special and why it's become their go-to escape. What We Discuss Amanda's Expat Journey : How she ended up in Salemi and her...

Episode 12: Gerrit Van den Berg - Amsterdam & The Netherlands This Week's Chat Join me as I sit down with Gerrit van den Berg, a Dutch local and founder of Hidden Holland, who shares his passion for showing travellers the authentic Netherlands beyond the tourist traps. We dive deep into what makes Amsterdam and the wider Netherlands so special and why authentic local experiences trump typ...