Fresh from InteleTravel's European conference in Krakow, No Tourists Allowed hosts Mike Putman and James Ferrara report on Poland, India, Miami and the perks reshaping premium air travel.

Mike Putman and James Ferrara bring a combined 71 years of executive experience in travel and technology. After… Fresh from InteleTravel's European conference in Krakow, No Tourists Allowed hosts Mike Putman and James Ferrara report on Poland, India, Miami and the perks reshaping premium air travel.

Mike Putman and James Ferrara bring a combined 71 years of executive experience in travel and technology. After Krakow, Mike flew on points to India, then Jordan, Rome and Florence; James visited Auschwitz and Birkenau, flew home in Lufthansa's new first-class cabin, and went on to Miami.

They cover why Krakow has become a crowded European city break, and why a quick tuk-tuk tour should be followed by a walk, with VoiceMap's self-guided GPS tours as their pick. Mike explains how Seats.aero found him a business-class seat on a transformed Air India and a 42,000-point flight from Amman to Rome on Royal Jordanian. And the hosts weigh whether free Starlink Wi-Fi on United and American could cost Delta business travelers, as lounge networks expand to fight overcrowding.

Resources:
- VoiceMap self-guided audio walking tours: https://voicemap.me
- Seats.aero award flight search: https://seats.aero
- Visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum: https://www.auschwitz.org/en/visiting/

Connect with us:
- Website: https://notouristsallowed.com/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNpxeFa-TrEKgSnt1Fl1AnR0E2ao99lWi
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-tourists-allowed-an-insiders-guide-to-travel/id1616076081
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Tpo6b35qFeR3lk0c3X6ya
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Why have more people been to outer space than to every country in the world?

Ric Gazarian grew up in Boston and spent years in financial services before a 2008 layoff sent him on a year-long trip and into a remote real estate business that has funded his travels ever since. He has now visited aroun… Why have more people been to outer space than to every country in the world?

Ric Gazarian grew up in Boston and spent years in financial services before a 2008 layoff sent him on a year-long trip and into a remote real estate business that has funded his travels ever since. He has now visited around 190 countries on his quest to reach all 193 UN member states. Ric hosts the Counting Countries podcast, organizes the Extraordinary Travel Festival, and has turned his tuk-tuk and rickshaw road trips through Cambodia and India into films.

In this conversation, Ric and I talk about what traveling to every country in the world really involves, less crowded destinations worth visiting, unorthodox road trips by tuk-tuk and rickshaw, and how to get comfortable traveling to less visited places.

Only around 500 people have ever been to every country on Earth, and Ric spends a lot of his time with them. That gives him a rare view of where the world's most traveled people actually go, and which places deserve far more visitors than they get. It's also a reminder that the best travel stories rarely come from the smoothest trips. If you've been craving something a little less mainstream for your next adventure, Ric makes a strong case for stepping a bit further outside your comfort zone.

If you built a road trip around something you've never tried before, what would it be? I'd love to hear your ideas, and I hope you'll share by sending me an audio message.

Tune In To Learn

What keeps Ric going on his quest to visit all 193 UN countries, and why some people give up along the way

How the most traveled people in the world debate what actually counts as a visit

How one book about a priest in the slums of Bangkok changed the course of Ric's life

What Thailand's visa crackdown means for digital nomads and long-term visitors

Where to find a Thai island with no 7-Eleven and barely a working ATM

Why Ric calls Uzbekistan his favorite country in Central Asia, and the Tajikistan road trip he ranks as the best of his life

How a $1,000 tuk-tuk that keeps breaking down can beat a luxury road trip

Advice for getting comfortable with less visited countries, plus the safety systems Ric relies on

Advice for leaving a career behind to take a year-long trip

Which country surprised Ric most after he expected the worst

Resources

Sign up for our FREE newsletter

GlobalGaz

Counting Countries Podcast

Extraordinary Travel Festival (code ZERO for $100 off!)

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Hit the Road Films

Mercy Centre

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Every Passport Stamp Facebook Group

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Visiting Every Country in the World…TWICE! With Gunnar Garfors

Finding a Quest That Can Change Your Life: An Interview With Chris Guillebeau

Independent Travel Gold With Graham Hughes

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Jay Moore has been to 166 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jay Moore. Jay was early to a lifestyle as a digital nomads in the aughts and leveraged the Couchsurfing community to build lifetime friendships. But, he only connected wit… Jay Moore has been to 166 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jay Moore. Jay was early to a lifestyle as a digital nomads in the aughts and leveraged the Couchsurfing community to build lifetime friendships. But, he only connected with the extreme travel community in the last couple of years. And Jay will also be joining over 225 people at the Extraordinary Travel Festival.. 🙏 Thank You To My Patrons I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patreon. You know them, you love them! Bisa "fully nomadic" Myles, Ted Nims, Adam "one-away" Hickman, Steph "Phuket" Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Philippe "BC" Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Sam Williams, Scott Day, Peter Fenger, Mihai Dascalu, Ryan Knott, Zipping Around The World Podcast, Shawn McDonough, McCade Siegal, Avi Ivan, and Stefan Krasowski for supporting this podcast. You can support this podcast by going to Patreon.com/CountingCountries. My patrons will hear the entire conversation with Jay. 🌍 Extraordinary Travel Festival 2026 Tik tok. Time is winding down. Please remember the next Extraordinary Travel Festival will be on October 22-25 in 2026. I would like to share with you that Andrew Banfield will be speaking another quest, not counting countries, but searching for yetis in Nepal, Bhutan, and India. Andrew is a top rated BBC podcaster and author. You can join the event and use the code BANGKOK. Consider joining our Instagram and Facebook groups and signing up for the ETF newsletter. Any questions, please let me know. 🎙️ Listen In I was in Bangkok while Jay was also in South Africa for this recording. Please listen in and enjoy. Thank you to my Patrons - you rock!! And you can join them on Patreon. Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Adam Hickman, Steph Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Philippe Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Sam Williams, Scott Day, Peter Fenger, Mihai Dascalu, Ryan Knott, Zipping Around The World Podcast, Shawn McDonough, McCade Siegal, Avi Ivan, and Stefan Krasowski. 👕 Counting Countries Apparel Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel! Genki I mentioned Genki during my conversation with Jay. Genki is the official health partner of the Extraordinary Travel Festival. Genki is the perfect health solution for extreme travelers as it covers you in all 193 countries. Take a minute and get a free quote, click here. (affiliate) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 🎧 Where To Listen And now you can listen to Counting Countries on Spotify! And Alexa! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today! And write a review! ✈️ More About Jay Moore Counting Countries Instagram 📚 Books And check out Thor Pedersen: The Impossible Journey (Amazon US Kindle (affiliate)): https://amzn.to/46pRuDi Other book options: Thor Pedersen | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree And Barry Hoffner: Belonging To The World (affiliate) 🎙️ About Counting Countries Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who've spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to every country in the world. Less people have traveled to every country in the world than have been to outer space. Theme music for this podcast is Demeter's Dance, written, performed, and provided by Mundi. 🧭 About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia. Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com 🗺️ How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask! The United Nations states that there are 193 member states. The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories. The Traveler's Century Club states that there are 330 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands. The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1381 regions. The Most Traveled Person states that there are 1500 unique parts of the world. SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world. And the video that explains it all! Me? My goal is the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, but I am sure I will visit some other places along the way. An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori. Disclaimer: There are affiliates in this post. Jay Moore Counting Countries Check out the last ETF episode. more

Today I’m joined by travel writer, author and photographer, Luke Abrahams. Luke is one of the UK's most prolific travel journalists, having been to 30 countries this year alone, and he's about to release a new book, The Luxury Travel Book: 25 personal experiences that make you rethink the world and … Today I’m joined by travel writer, author and photographer, Luke Abrahams. Luke is one of the UK's most prolific travel journalists, having been to 30 countries this year alone, and he's about to release a new book, The Luxury Travel Book: 25 personal experiences that make you rethink the world and your place in it. These are stories that make you rethink the beauty of life and the mastery of human creativity, and it is packed full of his beautiful photography too.

We'll be unpacking Ruthie Rogers' bucket list destination, Kyoto; reflecting on my Hotel of the Week, Casa Angelina; chatting about Luke's recent trip to Ladakh in Northern India, and answering your listener question.

Destination Recap

• The Shinmonzen, Kyoto, Japan
• Park Hyatt Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
• Sowaka, Kyoto, Japan
• Tokyo, Japan
• Okinawa, Japan
• Osaka, Japan
• Hotel Lo Scoglio, Nerano, Italy
• The Amalfi Coast, Italy
• Ravello, Italy
• Casa Angelina, Praiano, Italy
• Positano, Italy
• Capri, Italy
• Le Sirenuse, Positano, Italy
• The Path of the Gods, Amalfi Coast, Italy
• Scala, Italy
• Ladakh, India
• Shakti Ladakh, Ladakh, India
• Kargil, India
• The Imperial New Delhi, New Delhi, India
• Leh, India
• Paro, Bhutan
• Genghis Khan Retreat, Orkhon Valley, Mongolia
• Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
• Kazakhstan
• Tajikistan

Luke's new book, The Luxury Travel Book: Extraordinary experiences money can't buy is available for pre-order here.

If you’d like to find out who’s joining me next Tuesday, come and follow me on Instagram and TikTok, I’m @hollyrubenstein and I’d love to hear from you.

With thanks to...

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Creative travel is changing how people experience the world. Geetika Agrawal, founder of Vacation With An Artist (VAWA), has built a global network that lets travelers spend several days learning directly from master artists in their studios. The idea began with Geetika’s own travels, from spending … Creative travel is changing how people experience the world. Geetika Agrawal, founder of Vacation With An Artist (VAWA), has built a global network that lets travelers spend several days learning directly from master artists in their studios. The idea began with Geetika’s own travels, from spending summers learning traditional crafts in India to taking a year-long journey across 12 countries while turning VAWA from an idea into a business. Today, VAWA works with more than 215 artists across 43 countries. We get into the challenges of building a new kind of travel company from scratch, the travelers who have surprised her most, and why sometimes the best reason to travel is to come home seeing yourself differently.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support. more

India is an endlessly fascinating and delicious country. In this episode we explore the unique food system of Mumbai that originated a century before UberEats. Plus, a place that serves 30,000 meals a day for free (!), the signature dish of Kolkata, and, of course, Indian sweets. [Ep 401].

Show Not… India is an endlessly fascinating and delicious country. In this episode we explore the unique food system of Mumbai that originated a century before UberEats. Plus, a place that serves 30,000 meals a day for free (!), the signature dish of Kolkata, and, of course, Indian sweets. [Ep 401].

Show Notes:

Support Destination Eat Drink

Nice, France Food & Travel Guide

Destination Eat Drink on YouTube

Nazare Food Crawl video

Mumbai Food Tour

Delhi Food Tour

Kolkata Food Tour

Wendy Werneth The Nomadic Vegan more

This week on Drop A Pin we are talking to Lasse Lund, the viral Norwegian Indian living in the slums. We got ahold of Lasse to hear his story of being a Norwegian STUCKED IN INDIA.

Timestamps:
(00:00:00) - Show Start
(00:00:34) - Weekly Top 10
(00:04:49) - Pre Boarding/Mexico Recap
(00:32:27) - A W… This week on Drop A Pin we are talking to Lasse Lund, the viral Norwegian Indian living in the slums. We got ahold of Lasse to hear his story of being a Norwegian STUCKED IN INDIA.

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(00:00:34) - Weekly Top 10
(00:04:49) - Pre Boarding/Mexico Recap
(00:32:27) - A Word From Our Sponsors
(00:37:18) - Interview With Lasse Lund

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Today we're headed to Kerala, a state on India's southwestern coast where ancient backwaters meet misty mountain tea gardens, sacred temples, and spice-scented markets that have drawn travelers from across the world for thousands of years.

Joining me today are Anil Pathak, our partner in the region… Today we're headed to Kerala, a state on India's southwestern coast where ancient backwaters meet misty mountain tea gardens, sacred temples, and spice-scented markets that have drawn travelers from across the world for thousands of years.

Joining me today are Anil Pathak, our partner in the region, and Manoj Vasudevan, an award-winning guide and photographer who has led everyone from Anthony Bourdain to National Geographic journalists through this remarkable region.

We talk about everything from how the spice trade shaped Kerala's identity, to experiencing the backwaters without the crowds, to what this place reveals about humanity when you really take the time to look closely.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy this colorful episode of Luxury Travel Insider.

 

Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels

If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/

 

Learn more at www.luxtravelinsider.com

 

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This week on Drop A Pin we are joined by our good friend Giulio Gallerotti to catch up with him on his most recent adventures to India and the the newest country, South Sudan.

Follow Giulio on IG @notjulio
Check out illuminateglobal.net

Timestamps:
(00:00:00) - Show Start
(00:00:40) - Giulio Inter… This week on Drop A Pin we are joined by our good friend Giulio Gallerotti to catch up with him on his most recent adventures to India and the the newest country, South Sudan.

Follow Giulio on IG @notjulio
Check out illuminateglobal.net

Timestamps:
(00:00:00) - Show Start
(00:00:40) - Giulio Interview
(00:01:31) - India
(00:18:20) - South Sudan
(00:37:45) - A Word From Our Sponsor
(00:41:25) - Soccer
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A tour guide from Orvieto explains why his Umbrian hill-town home is well worth a stop on your Italy itinerary. Then a rail enthusiast looks at train travel in Europe and beyond and considers how — and why — the US set off upon a different track. And a British journalist takes us along as she rides … A tour guide from Orvieto explains why his Umbrian hill-town home is well worth a stop on your Italy itinerary. Then a rail enthusiast looks at train travel in Europe and beyond and considers how — and why — the US set off upon a different track. And a British journalist takes us along as she rides the rails on a lively journey across India. more

What if we stopped saving our dream journey for “one day” and booked it now? Wander Woman Phoebe Smith hits pause on the grind and takes a micro‑retirement across North India by rail—soaking in Kolkata’s dawn ferry music, the riot of colour at the flower market, and the earthy taste of chai, before … What if we stopped saving our dream journey for “one day” and booked it now? Wander Woman Phoebe Smith hits pause on the grind and takes a micro‑retirement across North India by rail—soaking in Kolkata’s dawn ferry music, the riot of colour at the flower market, and the earthy taste of chai, before tracing slower paths to Bodh Gaya, Varanasi and Agra. The result is an immersion into India that her late mother always wanted but whose death age 50 meant she never got to experience. Also... more

Kim Frank is an award‑winning writer, multimedia storyteller, and explorer whose work has appeared in The Explorers Journal, Sidetracked, and Earth Island Journal. She is a Fellow of The Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical Society. Kim’s latest book, Elephants in the Hourglass: A Journey of Re… Kim Frank is an award‑winning writer, multimedia storyteller, and explorer whose work has appeared in The Explorers Journal, Sidetracked, and Earth Island Journal. She is a Fellow of The Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical Society. Kim’s latest book, Elephants in the Hourglass: A Journey of Reckoning and Hope Along the Himalaya, reflects her deep engagement with the human elephant conflict in northeastern India.  

In this episode, Kim joins me to talk about her personal and professional evolution from mom and fiction writer to author and storyteller, tackling one of the world’s lesser‑known environmental crises: the human‑elephant conflict. 

This conversation moves beyond travel storytelling to explore deep themes of identity, fear, and the bravery required to act. Kim shares how she navigated self‑doubt, embraced vulnerability, and found strength through community. Listeners will gain insight into the realities of conservation work, especially the nuanced human‑elephant relationship in the Eastern Himalaya. You’ll also learn how storytelling and openness can bridge cultural gaps and inspire action for coexistence. Specific personal stories, like balancing motherhood with fieldwork, and philosophical reflections on the space between are woven throughout. 

What’s one fear you’re holding that might be the gateway to your next big chapter, and how might acknowledging two truths about it help you move forward? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

Tune In To Learn: 


How Kim’s childhood and family travels shaped her perspective on exploration and meaning 


Why Elephants in the Hourglass became both a conservation story and personal memoir 


What Kim learned about fear, confidence, and taking action in big life transitions 


The role of mentorship and community in pursuing meaningful work 


How cultural assumptions about motherhood impacted Kim’s work and identity 


What the space between means and why it matters in our relationship to nature 


The complexity of human‑elephant conflict and why simple narratives fall short 


How language and framing influence conservation and public perception 


Why holding opposing truths is essential to peaceful coexistence 


Practical takeaways on curiosity, empathy, and openness in travel and life 


And so much more 

Resources: 


Sign up for our FREE newsletter 


Kim’s website 


Instagram 


Elephants in the Hourglass 


Wildlife Trust of India 

Want More? 


Living in Ecuador, Indigenous Communities, Rainforest Conservation, and Cultural Experiences With Photographer Mark Fox 


100 Documentaries Project: Traveling the Globe to Find Extraordinary Humans + Changing the World One Story at a Time with Robin Danehav 


Myanmar’s Secret Railways: Uncovering Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Oppression with Clare Hammond 

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Global Editorial Director of Condé Nast Traveller Divia Thani joins Tanya Rose to share her travel secrets this week.

In this episode, Divia unpacks why India is both an amazing and challenging place to visit, why she loves visiting Saudi Arabia and recalls her profoundly transformative experience … Global Editorial Director of Condé Nast Traveller Divia Thani joins Tanya Rose to share her travel secrets this week.

In this episode, Divia unpacks why India is both an amazing and challenging place to visit, why she loves visiting Saudi Arabia and recalls her profoundly transformative experience attending the Kumbh Mela religious festival… 

Plus, Divia discusses how she ended up going to university in rural Pennsylvania and shares her top tips for perfectly packing your suitcase every time.

Don’t forget to follow @travelsecretsthepodcast and remember, you can watch all of our episodes on YouTube.

Places mentioned:

Nigeria

London, England

Dehradun, India

Mumbai, India

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Brandon, Pennsylvania, United States

AlUla, Saudi Arabia

Neom, Saudi Arabia

Ikoyi, London, England

Vietnam

The Ganges, India

Kasauli, India

Lanka, India

Chapters

00:00 Intro

10:24 Secret 1: Number 1 travel destination everybody should go to

17:29 Secret 2: Most unexpected travel experience

23:19 Secret 3: Most Over or Underrated travel experience

31:12 Secret 4: Best Food & Drink while travelling

38:15 Secret 5: Number 1 travel tip

42:53 Secret 6: Poignant memory from a trip

53:13 Secret 7: Special travel photograph

57:18 Outro more

In this episode of the Amateur Traveler, host Chris Christensen welcomes back Jonty Crane of Jonty Travels and The Tramping Life podcast to share practical advice and favorite sights from his many visits to India’s capital, Delhi.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Trave… In this episode of the Amateur Traveler, host Chris Christensen welcomes back Jonty Crane of Jonty Travels and The Tramping Life podcast to share practical advice and favorite sights from his many visits to India’s capital, Delhi.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.

Delhi is intense, historic, chaotic, and endlessly fascinating.

Jonty has visited Delhi six times over the past six years and offers a grounded perspective on how to experience the city without being overwhelmed. He recommends seeing Delhi in manageable doses, mixing headline attractions with quieter parks, tombs, and neighborhoods where daily life unfolds.

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-delhi-india/
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The brilliant British actor Alistair Petrie joins Tanya Rose to share his travel secrets this week.

In this episode, Alistair discusses his nomadic childhood travelling across the world as a military family, shares his wild story of partying in a palace in India and tells all about his fascinating … The brilliant British actor Alistair Petrie joins Tanya Rose to share his travel secrets this week.

In this episode, Alistair discusses his nomadic childhood travelling across the world as a military family, shares his wild story of partying in a palace in India and tells all about his fascinating experience swimming with dolphins in Hawaii.

Plus, Alistair shares his poignant experience visiting the Taj Mahal with his family and reveals his favourite travel destination that is so underrated, they operate by word-of-mouth advertising only…

Don’t forget to follow @travelsecretsthepodcast and remember, you can watch all of our episodes on YouTube.

Places mentioned:

Aberdeen, Scotland

Yorkshire, England

Saudi Arabia

Maidenhead, England

Nigeria

Tel Aviv, Israel

The Mercer, New York City

New Haven, Connecticut

New Delhi, India

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, India

Joan Ocean, Hawaii

Kohala, Hawaii

Montana, United States

Cognac, France

Bordeaux, France

La Tupina, Bordeaux

Hotel Post, Austria

Majorca, Spain

Ca’s Patro March, Mallorca

La Residencia, Mallorca

Little Owl, New York City

Taj Mahal, India

Sydney Opera House, Australia

Kenya

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho more

Avik Mitra from A Chef’s Tour is back on the podcast to talk about the cuisine of the Bengal region of India. Avik tells Brent about the surprising Persian origin of Biryani, samosas from Uzbekistan and momos from Nepal.

Plus, we fit in a little Eric Clapton and Beatles talk. [Ep 360]

Show Notes:
… Avik Mitra from A Chef’s Tour is back on the podcast to talk about the cuisine of the Bengal region of India. Avik tells Brent about the surprising Persian origin of Biryani, samosas from Uzbekistan and momos from Nepal.

Plus, we fit in a little Eric Clapton and Beatles talk. [Ep 360]

Show Notes:

Destination Eat Drink foodie travel guide ebooks

Destination Eat Drink videos

Avik’s Kolkata Food Tour at A Chef’s Tour

Avik talking about Kolkata on Destination Eat Drink more

Avik Mitra is a foodie tour guide from Kolkata (aka Calcutta) India. He tells Brent fascinating stories from his childhood including his favorite dish, his Grandma’s lobster shrimp curry. Avik also talks about the exotic Kolkata spice market, a deep fried sweet called Gulab jamun, and water apples. … Avik Mitra is a foodie tour guide from Kolkata (aka Calcutta) India. He tells Brent fascinating stories from his childhood including his favorite dish, his Grandma’s lobster shrimp curry. Avik also talks about the exotic Kolkata spice market, a deep fried sweet called Gulab jamun, and water apples. Plus, dodging wild tigers! [Ep 359]

Show Notes:

Destination Eat Drink foodie travel guide ebooks

Destination Eat Drink videos

Avik’s Kolkata Food Tour at A Chef’s Tour more

Olivier Award-winning actress Celia Imrie joins Tanya Rose to divulge her travel secrets this week.

In this episode, Celia discusses her life-changing experience filming The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in India, why she believes everyone needs to visit the Grand Canyon and opens up about why she’ll … Olivier Award-winning actress Celia Imrie joins Tanya Rose to divulge her travel secrets this week.

In this episode, Celia discusses her life-changing experience filming The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in India, why she believes everyone needs to visit the Grand Canyon and opens up about why she’ll never travel by plane again!

Plus, she recounts an eventful train journey from Bulgaria to Paris and explains why staying in an ice hotel didn’t quite live up to expectations…

Celia stars in The Thursday Murder Club, which is out now on Netflix. She is also appearing in The Celebrity Traitors - coming this October!

Don’t forget to follow @travelsecretsthepodcast and remember, you can watch all of our episodes on YouTube.

Places mentioned: 

Nice, France

Grand Canyon, USA

New York, USA

Le Chantecler, Nice

La Petite Maison, Nice

Sofia, Bulgaria

Zagreb, Croatia

Udaipur, India

Jaipur, India

Estwatini (formerly known as Swaziland)

Inverness, Scotland

Australia

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:21 Secret 1: Number 1 travel destination everybody should go to

06:55 Secret 2: Most unexpected travel experience

13:13 Secret 3: Most Over or Underrated travel experience

15:54 Secret 5: Best Food & Drink while travelling

21:17 Secret 4: Number 1 travel tip

24:51 Secret 6: Poignant memory from a trip 

32:08 Secret 7: Special travel photograph

35:43 Outro more

Author Charmaine Craig had always felt mysteriously drawn to India—pulled by childhood family legends of ancestors who arrived there centuries ago and copper plates inscribed with ancient privileges that still hang in a Kochi synagogue. But it would take a chance encounter at a dinner party—and the … Author Charmaine Craig had always felt mysteriously drawn to India—pulled by childhood family legends of ancestors who arrived there centuries ago and copper plates inscribed with ancient privileges that still hang in a Kochi synagogue. But it would take a chance encounter at a dinner party—and the power of old friendship—to finally help her explore her roots.

She set out on a pilgrimage through Kerala's ancient Jewish communities with a former college boyfriend turned U.S. Ambassador to India and a mutual friend who orchestrated their reconnection. From sacred sunrises where three seas converge to an impossible meeting with the last two Jews of Kochi, Charmaine discovers that sometimes journeys into the past have the power to change your life—especially when you have good friends by your side.

Don't miss these transformative moments

The dinner party revelation that set everything in motion

Why Charmaine's childhood bedroom featured only one map—of India

The legend of her ancestor who saved a ruler's son in 10th-century India

Traveling by presidential motorcade through Kerala's lush landscapes

The 4 AM journey through cyclonic winds to witness sunrise where three seas meet

Meeting Keith and Queenie, the reclusive last Jews of Kochi who "never see visitors"

The moment in the sacred waters that changed everything

How friendship, timing, and ancestral calling converged to open a new chapter

Resources

Learn more about Charmaine Craig at charmainecraig.com

Buy Charmaine's books: Miss Burma and My Nemesis

Read Charmaine's Spin the Globe trip to Portugal or listen to theTravel Tales episode

Read the transcript of the episode

Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠View From Afar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we spotlight the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel.

Travel Tales by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices more

Gajendra is an expert on the cuisine of Delhi, India and a foodie tour guide for A Chef’s Tour. He tells Brent about the Street of Fried Bread, a market that makes you sneeze, and American spicy versus Indian spicy. Plus, a temple that serves 30,000 free meals every single day! [Ep 346]

Show Notes:… Gajendra is an expert on the cuisine of Delhi, India and a foodie tour guide for A Chef’s Tour. He tells Brent about the Street of Fried Bread, a market that makes you sneeze, and American spicy versus Indian spicy. Plus, a temple that serves 30,000 free meals every single day! [Ep 346]

Show Notes:

Destination Eat Drink foodie travel guides at Buy Me a Coffee

A Chef’s Tour food tour with Gajendra in Delhi, India

Chandni Chowk more