We're taking you inside the Arasan Spa & Bathhouse in Almaty, Kazakhstan, for one of the most interesting spa experiences we've ever had! We break down the Russian banya, Finnish sauna, steam rooms, and pools, how to navigate a communal (and nude!) bathhouse, and our nearly 2-hour spa package with a…We're taking you inside the Arasan Spa & Bathhouse in Almaty, Kazakhstan, for one of the most interesting spa experiences we've ever had! We break down the Russian banya, Finnish sauna, steam rooms, and pools, how to navigate a communal (and nude!) bathhouse, and our nearly 2-hour spa package with a body scrub, seaweed wrap, and a massage from a Kazakh lady who does not hold back.
Highlights of this episode:
• What the Arasan Bathhouse is
• Tips: finding the right entrance, how pricing works, and what to bring
• Bathhouse etiquette (yes, it's nude)
• Finnish sauna vs. Russian banya vs. steam room
• The venik ritual
• The swimming pools (bring a swim cap)
• Eastern/Turkish hammam
• Spa services: massages, peels, wraps & packages
• Our "Tales of Maghreb" package: body peel, seaweed wrap & massage
Hotels in Almaty we recommend:
• Rahat Palace - where we stayed; big atrium, pool, hot tub, sauna & steam room
• The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty - home of the Sky Lounge, Vista, and Le Petit Chef
• InterContinental Almaty by IHG
• Holiday Inn Almaty
Stay connected with an e-SIM from Airalo and check out our Kazakhstan Viator Experiences for all activities we recommend and even some we wanted to do but couldn't get to.
Find a great flight deal with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.
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Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront
Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.
Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!more
We're taking you along for one of our favorite experiences in Almaty, Kazakhstan — a personalized color analysis at YESCOLOR. We break down what a color analysis actually is, how Korean and Chinese color-typing goes beyond the classic four seasons, and why we paid $80 for the same 90-minute session …We're taking you along for one of our favorite experiences in Almaty, Kazakhstan — a personalized color analysis at YESCOLOR. We break down what a color analysis actually is, how Korean and Chinese color-typing goes beyond the classic four seasons, and why we paid $80 for the same 90-minute session that costs $300–$500 in the U.S. This is the first episode in our new beauty tourism series!
What you’ll hear in this episode:
• What beauty tourism is and why it's growing
• What a professional color analysis is (and how draping works)
• The four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter
• Korean & Chinese color-analysis methods vs. the Western seasonal system
• Booking YESCOLOR in Almaty over WhatsApp
• What the 90-minute session includes
• Our results: Cool Summer & True Winter
• Beyond color: contrast, Kibbe body types, silhouettes, fabrics, necklines, jewelry, makeup, nails & hair
• Cost: $80 in Almaty vs. $300–$500 in the U.S.
Hotels in Almaty we recommend:
• Rahat Palace - where we stayed
• The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty
• InterContinental Almaty by IHG
• Holiday Inn Almaty
Check out our Kazakhstan Viator Experiences for all activities we recommend and even some we wanted to do but couldn't get to.
Find a great flight deal with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.
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Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront
Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.
Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!more
We're taking you to Almaty, Kazakhstan, where we attended the TBEX travel creators conference and explored the city and the Tian Shan mountains around it! We share some of the best highlights of Almaty, Kok Tobe, the Green Bazaar, Ayusai waterfall hike and Alma-Arasan hot springs, Shymbulak and the …We're taking you to Almaty, Kazakhstan, where we attended the TBEX travel creators conference and explored the city and the Tian Shan mountains around it! We share some of the best highlights of Almaty, Kok Tobe, the Green Bazaar, Ayusai waterfall hike and Alma-Arasan hot springs, Shymbulak and the best Kazakh food - including horse meat! - we ate along the way.
Highlights of this Almaty episode:
• How to get to Almaty
• Where to stay in Almaty
• Where and what to eat in Kazakstan
• Sky Lounge & Vista at the Ritz-Carlton
• Kok Tobe: bob carts, Ferris wheel & eagle photoshoot
• Rakhat chocolate store
• Green Bazaar
• Panfilov Park & Zenkov (Ascension) Cathedral
• Arbat Street
• Le Petit Chef dinner experience
• Ayusai (Bear Valley) waterfall hike
• Alma-Arasan Gorge & Hot Springs
• TBEX conference & opening night party
• Color analysis
• Arasan Spa experience
• Arba Wine tasting
• Shymbulak gondolas to Talgar Pass
Hotels in Almaty we recommend:
• Rahat Palace - where we stayed; big atrium, pool, hot tub, sauna & steam room
• The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty - home of the Sky Lounge, Vista, and Le Petit Chef
• InterContinental Almaty by IHG
• Holiday Inn Almaty
Stay connected with an e-SIM from Gigsky or Airalo.
Check out our Kazakhstan Viator Experiences for all activities we recommend and even some we wanted to do but couldn't get to.
Find a great flight deal with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals — including business class award redemptions. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.
—---------------------------------------
Shop: Trip Itineraries & Amazon Storefront
Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.
Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!more
What if chasing happiness meant giving up everything you thought you wanted?
Will Rickard is the author of The Silk Road to Happiness, a book born from his solo journey through the “Stans" - Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Afghanistan - on a quest to explore happiness through travel, conve…What if chasing happiness meant giving up everything you thought you wanted?
Will Rickard is the author of The Silk Road to Happiness, a book born from his solo journey through the “Stans" - Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Afghanistan - on a quest to explore happiness through travel, conversations, and culture. After leaving a prestigious corporate career in Sydney, he hit reset, taking only a backpack and a big question on the road: What is happiness?
In this episode, Will and I unpack the complex relationship between travel and happiness, and what he discovered by going off-grid in some of the world’s least-visited countries.
If you’ve ever felt torn between being grateful for what you have and craving something more, this conversation might hit home. Will doesn’t offer a tidy formula for happiness, but instead, he shares five powerful themes that emerged during his journey - from purpose and minimalism to gratitude and detachment. We talk about how travel can shift your perspective, why sometimes you just have to book the flight, and how embracing discomfort can lead to deeper meaning. Plus, we explore how moving abroad redefined my own ideas about happiness.
What’s something you’ve learned about yourself while traveling that changed the way you define happiness? I'd love for you to share your thoughts by sending me an audio message.
*This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen.
Tune In To Learn:
Why Will walked away from a “dream” corporate job to explore the Silk Road
How a photo on Instagram sparked a life-changing decision
What the “anti-bucket list” is and how it might reshape your goals
Advice to anyone stuck in a career rut and wondering what’s next
Why pursuing “more” isn’t always a bad thing—and when it is
How five schools in Afghanistan changed Will’s view of purpose
Why these little-visited countries offer some of the most generous hospitality
Insights from ancient philosophy (and a scary night on the Pamir Highway)
The difference between enthusiasm and passion when it comes to career
How practicing gratitude—especially while traveling—can shift your mental state
And so much more
Resources:
Sign up for our FREE newsletter
Will's book The Silk Road To Happiness
Follow Will on Instagram, LinkedIn
Want More?
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In this episode of the Bikepack Adventures Podcast, Nathan Starzynski is back on the podcast. Nathan, who once cycled across Canada and was on the podcast in Episode 153, now shares his journey of biking across Eurasia. Over two years and a distance of 41,500 kilometers, Nathan rode from Portugal to…In this episode of the Bikepack Adventures Podcast, Nathan Starzynski is back on the podcast. Nathan, who once cycled across Canada and was on the podcast in Episode 153, now shares his journey of biking across Eurasia. Over two years and a distance of 41,500 kilometers, Nathan rode from Portugal to Japan, capturing stunning videos and recounting a variety of experiences. These include battling through sandstorms in Kazakhstan, navigating precarious tunnels in Tajikistan, and reveling in the unique cultures and landscapes of each country. Nathan discusses his strategies for managing video footage, including sending hard drives home, and the challenges of resuming a 'normal' life post-journey. He provides an insightful look into long-distance bike touring, travel logistics, cultural encounters, and the art of adventure videography.
To support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:
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Join me, Palle Bo, on an incredible journey through Central Asia as I explore the vibrant cultures and stunning landscapes of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. In this diary episode, I recount my adventures from the bustling streets of Istanbul to the ancient walls of Khiva. Discov…Join me, Palle Bo, on an incredible journey through Central Asia as I explore the vibrant cultures and stunning landscapes of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. In this diary episode, I recount my adventures from the bustling streets of Istanbul to the ancient walls of Khiva. Discover my experiences in Beirut and Syria, my eye-opening encounters, and the heartwarming connections I've made along the way. Stay tuned for an update on my upcoming travels and personal milestones, including my daughter's graduation and a much-needed eye surgery in Denmark. Don't miss out on the latest chapter of The Radio Vagabond! more
