Women Who Travel | Condé Nast Traveler

Women Who Travel | Condé Nast Traveler

By Condé Nast Traveler

Though travel and adventure have historically been publicly claimed by men, women have always been part of those narratives, too. Each week, host and Condé Nast Traveler editor Lale Arikoglu shines a light on some of those stories, interviewing female-identifying guests about their most unique travel tales—from going off-grid in the Danish wilderness to country-hopping solo—sharing her own experiences traveling around the globe, and tapping listeners to contribute their own memorable stories. Th

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Episodes

27:59

Tracee Ellis Ross Loves Seeing the World Solo

Repeat: Tracee Ellis Ross’ earliest memories involved traveling the world with her mother, Diana Ross, but it was at the age of 22 that she discovered what solo travel could give her. This episode, Lale sits down with Tracee  to discuss how solo trav

26:54

Wild Swimming, Remote Cornwall, and Puffin Encounters

Author and wild swimmer Freya Bromley returns to tell Lale why the restorative power of nature still holds true for her, the joy and community she has found at a women’s swimming retreat in Cornwall, and her favorite—and little known—island for escap

30:53

Blair Braverman on the Pleasures and Perils of the Wilderness

Earlier this year, Lale reported a feature for Condé Nast Traveler on the Iditarod, the annual sled dog race that crosses 1,000 miles of Alaskan wilderness. She catches up with podcast regular, writer, and adventurer Blair Braverman to swap stories o

27:58

In Search of Cats of the World

Rebroadcast:There are few places in the world where you won't encounter a cat. So a few years ago, Hannah Shaw, who has dedicated much of her life and work to caring for them, set out tomeet and document has many as she could across the globe—spotlig

34:54

The Best Places to Travel This Summer and Beyond

Lale sits down in the studio with Condè Nast Traveler editors (and regular WWT guests) Megan Spurrell and Arati Menon to find out their top destinations for the summer, as well as where they have bookmarked for the rest of the year—from Peru to Newfo

44:08

From Critics at Large: The Splendor of Nature, Now Streaming

In 1954, a young David Attenborough made his début as the star of a new nature show called “Zoo Quest.” The docuseries, which ran for nearly a decade on the BBC, was a sensation that set Attenborough down the path of his life’s work: exposing viewers

26:02

La Dolce Vita

What is it like growing up in one of the most storied and iconic hotels in Italy? Ask Valentina de Santis, who was raised in the kitchens and ballrooms of Lake Como's Grand Hotel Tremezzo and now runs the charismatic Passalacqua along with her parent

21:13

How to See Singapore Solo

Born and raised in Singapore, Jemimah Wei uses her hometown as the backdrop to her new novel, The Original Daughter—a story of sisterhood and family drama set in the turn of the millennium. But as well as it being a great source of inspiration for th

29:18

Planning a National Parks Trip? Here's What to Know

There are over 60 national parks in the United States—and they're never more popular than at the peak of summer. This year, however, might look a little bit different as a result of sweeping budget cuts that impact everything from how the trails are

25:44

Eva Longoria on Eating Her Way Around Spain

In 2023, Eva Longoria headed to Mexico with CNN in search of a deeper understanding of the country’s rich culinary heritage and her own family history. Last month, she returned to our screens with a brand new season, Searching for Spain, which takes

25:32

Hawa Hassan's Recipes from Somalia, Egypt, Lebanon, and More

In Hawa Hassan's second cookbook, the chef and author explores the recipes and stories born out of displacement, and the sense of community and resilience that can be found through food. Lale chats with her about the travels and research behind the b

41:14

Introducing “Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant”

Today, we are sharing an episode of Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, the chart-topping and Webby Award-winning podcast from our friends at Nature on PBS. Back for a brand new season, Going Wild features some of the coolest champions of nature – li

23:42

The English Countryside Is a Hiker's Paradise

Our guest this week is British journalist Emma Lunn, an avid hiker who has hit the trails all over the world. But a particularly memorable solo walk for her was closer to home—across the English countryside, and filled with dramatic moors and grand c

28:45

A Search for the World's Most Quiet Places

Is there anywhere left in the world that is truly quiet? This episode, we seek to find out, with Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler’s Global Digital Director, and writer Yulia Denisyuk joining Lale in the studio to talk about their favorite quiet place

31:07

Diving For Shipwrecks

National Geographic Explorer Tara Roberts joined the group Diving With a Purpose to explore slave shipwrecks and found unexpected connections with her own ancestors.

19:17

A Life-Changing Move To Italy

Ever fantasized about giving up the grind and starting a new life in Italy? This week, we hear from a listener who did just that, swapping her life in San Francisco for the rolling hills of Piedmont, where she renovated a 300-year-old farmhouse’ and

26:22

Natasha Rothwell on Living in Thailand for 'White Lotus'

Right before filming the latest season of White Lotus, Natasha Rothwell booked herself a silent Buddhist retreat—a move she says reflects her deep spiritual roots. In this week’s episode, Lale chats with the actor and longtime traveler about returnin

19:28

Singer Naïka Explains Life As a Third Culture Kid

 

With French-Haitian roots, and multiple cities she can call home, Naïka is a self-proclaimed Third Culture Kid—an identity that she explores regularly through her music. Lale speaks with the singer-songwriter, who at the time is wrapping up her da

27:59

Tracee Ellis Ross Loves Seeing the World Solo

Tracee Ellis Ross’ earliest memories involved traveling the world with her mother, Diana Ross, but it was at the age of 22 that she discovered what solo travel could give her. This episode, Lale sits down with Tracee, who on March 8 will be honored o

27:07

Polycurious? How to Travel Openly

Polycurious? Or perhaps you’re simply curious to know more about the word polyamory? We’ve got you covered with a special Valentine’s Day episode dedicated to everything from traveling polycules and triads to advice on how to open up your relationshi

23:11

Designer Lisa Folawiyo's Playful Odes to Nigerian Fashion

Born and raised in Lagos, Lisa Folawiyo has spent her career celebrating the craftsmanship of her Nigerian heritage by combining sharp, contemporary tailoring with traditional West African prints and textiles, and bringing the fashion of her hometown

27:58

In Search of the Cats of the World

There are few places in the world where you won't encounter a cat. So a few years ago, Hannah Shaw, who has dedicated much of her life and work to caring for them, set out tomeet and document has many as she could across the globe—spotlighting the ex

29:52

Brooke Shields on Gaining Agency and Power Through Travel

Brooke Shields has spent most of her life traveling the world for work—but until recently, she’d never traveled solo. In this week’s episode, the actor chats with Lale about a recent trip to Florence that changed all that, her most memorable movie lo

31:15

The Best Places to Go in 2025—Alaska, India, and More

 

It’s a few weeks into the year and, already, we’re planning everywhere we want to go next. Lale chats with her well-traveled colleagues Megan Spurrell and Arati Menon about the best places to go in 2025—everywhere from Greenland and Alaska to Indi

27:22

Harper Steele on Navigating America in 'Will & Harper'

Since the documentary ‘Will & Harper’ first hit our screens in 2024, it’s received accolades for its poignant depiction of friendship and the ways we seek to understand each other’s lived experiences. In this week’s episode, Lale sits down with Harpe

14:46

The Hidden World of Scents

One of our favorite episodes from Atlas Obscura. Producer Alexa Lim visits a collection of natural aromas in Berkeley, California. She gets a whiff of some of the world’s lesser known smells, and stumbles down the rabbit hole of the hidden world of s

33:04

A Vogue Editors Guide to Packing: Chloe Malle

Should I check my luggage or carry-on? Fold or roll? Bring one pair of shoes or...seven? Packing for a trip, when done well, can feel like an art form—yet one that few of us seem to have figured out. This week, Chloe Malle, Editor of Vogue.com and th

38:21

Our Favorite Travel Stories From This Year

To wrap up 2024, executive producer Stephanie Kariuki joins Lale in the studio to look back at some of their favorite episodes over the past twelve months—from actor Emma Roberts on her love of train travel and Normal Gossip’s Kelsey McKinney on the

29:42

Raving in Ukraine

We’re diving into something we’re all doing a lot of around the holiday season: partying. In Ukraine, where our two guests are based, rave culture has become a necessary vehicle for letting off steam, distraction, and finding joy. Lale talks to Kyiv-

25:19

Accra, Ghana: Living, Cooking and Making Chocolate.

Selassie Atadika is a chef, food innovator, and the founder of Midunu, a nomadic private dining experience based out of Accra, Ghana. She’s also happened to have visited 40 African countries. Lale chats with Atadika about the rich bounty of diverse c

28:12

Gabrielle Union My Journey to Fifty

We revisit our conversation with Gabrielle Union about her BET docuseries, in which she celebrates her 50th birthday on a trip across Africa with her husband, Dwyane Wade, their children, and friends.

28:56

Ashley C. Ford explores America's landmarks

This episode, we join Ashley C. Ford, a writer, educator, and host of the podcast Monumental, and move around the country to find out more about statues, monuments, memorials, and landmarks. Who gets to choose to put them up? And how are our ideas ab

26:06

Cat Cohen Sees the World By Its Comedy Stages

Comedian Cat Cohen returns to the podcast with stories of the Edinburgh Festival, a long-awaited trip to Australia after a challenging year, and nights spent on the world’s various comedy stages. Plus, she teases her first album, and looks back on he

46:34

India with Condé Nast Traveler's Divia Thani

In this episode of Travel That Matters, Bruce speaks with Divia, the Global Editorial Director of Condé Nast Traveler, about her home country of India, inclusive of the bustling scene in Goa, the best time of year to visit, where to find the best jew

18:13

A Trucker on Seeing the US By Road

Women make up just 7% of truckers in the United States—a number that shows no sign of increasing, even while the industry suffers from a huge shortage of workers. We hear from trucker Desiree Wood, whose job has taken her to 48 states, about the free

27:50

Normal Gossip’s Kelsey McKinney on the Chaos of a Group Trip

Kelsey McKinney has received more than her fair share of salacious tips during her tenure as the host of Normal Gossip. One theme that crops up time and time again? Group travel. This week, Lale chats with the podcaster and author of the upcoming boo

22:40

Emma Roberts on New Orleans and Her Vintage Books Obsession

Emma Roberts has acted in TV thrillers like American Horror Story and Scream Queens, as well as movies including We Are the Millers, Valentines Day, and Hotel for Dogs. She also happens to be both an avid traveler and the founder of online reading co

19:25

Traveling the Country to Mobilize Young Voters

With the US election looming, this week’s episode is a dispatch from Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez, who is in the midst of touring 114 college campuses and hosting  parties to mobilize newly eligible voters. She shares stories from the road, what she’s h

30:19

A Palestinian American Chef on Creating Community Through Food

Food has the power to forge connections, and for Palestinian American chef Reem Assil that means using the flavors, aromas, and hospitality of Arab cooking to strengthen and grow her community in Oakland. Reem chats with Lale about her visionary bake

27:50

How To Museum with The New Yorker's Rebecca Mead

Earlier this year, New Yorker writer Rebecca Mead reported on the scandals taking place within the British Museum—and its own history of cultural theft that continues to define how we approach it as a museum today. Lale joins Rebecca on the ground in

20:36

A Life Changing Move to Rural Thailand

Ever contemplated studying abroad? Charissa Enget needed to find an engineering course she could afford and eventually found one in rural Thailand—drawn in by a scholarship and low living costs. In a listener dispatch, Charissa shares how she learned

01:07:08

From Zero to Travel: Seizing Your Opportunity to Travel Solo

If a new opportunity comes your way, are you ready to take it? When professional photographer Leslie McKellar was forced to move out of her apartment in 2020 because of toxic mold, she took it as an opportunity to reevaluate her trajectory. After rea

26:48

A Solo Skiing Expedition Across Antarctica

Our solo travel mini series has followed guests on a work trip to Cannes and a six-month backpacking odyssey across South America. But in this third and final installment, we speak to a guest who pushed themselves even further—to Antarctica. Lale cha

24:56

A Solo Backpacking Trip Across South America

In the second installment of our solo travel series, we hear from Christie Bowers, who spent six months backpacking across South America, stopping everywhere from the Amazon to Argentina. She shares how she planned the trip, budgeted for it, and navi

24:39

A Solo Work Trip to Cannes, France

In the first installment of our three-part solo travel series, Zakiya Gibbons, host of dating podcast Hang Up, recounts a pretty glamorous work trip to Cannes—and shares how she navigated moments of loneliness, figured out ways to prioritize downtime

25:10

Reggae Singer Lila Iké on Staying True to Her Jamaican Roots

As part of Condé Nast Traveler’s music and travel coverage this month, Lale sits down with reggae singer Lila Iké to find out about life in Kingston, the old school influences that still shape her music now, and what it was like performing live on st

26:14

I Went to Barcelona to Freeze My Eggs

Freezing your eggs can be logistically challenging—and costly—here in the US, which is why some women are turning their sights overseas. Lale chats with Los Angeles-based Esther Yu McElroy about her own fertility journey, one that took her all the wa

21:57

Riding Waves With Olympic Surfers in Tahiti

The Paris Olympics are in full swing, but far away from the main stadium, the world’s greatest surfers are taking on Tahiti’s biggest wave as part of the competition. Lale catches up with Condé Nast Traveler’s Megan Spurrell, who flew out to the Fren

23:06

How to Get Out Into the Wilderness This Summer

Last time Lale chatted with outdoors expert and Condé Nast Traveler contributor Emily Pennington she was fresh off her book tour for Feral, a memoir chronicling her mission to visit every national park in the US. This week, Emily rejoins us in the st

16:09

Listeners on the Magic and Mishaps of Traveling With Kids

Traveling with kids can be all manner of things—educational yet exhausting, transformative yet taxing, magical yet maddening. In this week’s episode, three listeners share dispatches about the joys and challenges of seeing the world alongside childre

27:08

Solo Travel, According to Rachel Cargle (Rerun)

We travel for all sorts of reasons: self-discovery, something new, a chance to break out of our routines. But how often is it truly restorative? In a rerun of an episode from last year, Lale talks to activist, educator, entrepreneur, and ardent solo

26:13

Moving to Paris for a Life in Food

Ever dreamed of swapping your current life for a brand new one in Paris? That’s what Jane Bertch did, who chronicles her own journey, and the French cooking school she subsequently opened, in her new memoir The French Ingredient. Lale chats with Jane

25:34

The Long Legacy of African American Expats

In her book Beyond the Shores: A History of African Americans Abroad, Dr. Tamara J. Walker recounts stories of 20th-century African-Americans who chose to build their lives outside of the United States—everywhere from Paris to Nairobi. Lale chats wit

26:23

Two Best Friends Eat Their Way Round the World

Mumtaz Mustafa and Laura Klynstra are best friends who love to cook—and host—together. Lale chats with them about how their respective childhoods in Pakistan and Michigan helped shape their passion for food, travels in Guatemala, and memories of Kara

24:46

The Magic of Island Life in Scandanavia

There’s nothing quite like the magic of a Scandinavian summer, where daylight is near endless and hundreds of islands come to life for locals to explore and retreat to. Author Dorthe Nors—and repeat guest on this show—joins us to share stories of lif

37:08

Dinner SOS: I Need an All-American Menu

Gabe and her husband have befriended an American couple in Treviso, Italy, where they all live. In order to give them a taste of home, Gabe would love to cook her new friends an American meal. But what typifies American food? And how can she source t

27:12

Why Water Makes Us Happy

It’s summer, which means we're grabbing every chance there is to hit the beach or dive into a hotel swimming pool. But some travelers are a little more intrepid, plunging into wild, frigid waters for all manner of reasons. To find out why, Lale chats

26:02

An Italian Hotelier Living La Dolce Vita on Lake Como

What is it like growing up in one of the most storied and iconic hotels in Italy? Ask Valentina de Santis, who was raised in the kitchens and ballrooms of Lake Como's Grand Hotel Tremezzo and now runs the charismatic Passalacqua along with her parent

27:51

A Restaurant-Critic-Turned-Cookbook Author Slows Down in Menorca

What does it take to eat well—and simply? To find out, Lale chats with Yasmin Fahr, author of the new book Cook Simply Live Fully (and former undercover restaurant critic), for advice on shopping at local markets, how to make use of an Airbnb kitchen

28:38

Three Photojournalists on Revealing the Human Side of Conflict

This week, Lale speaks with women who risk their lives to document conflict and catastrophe around the world—and who are all recipients of a Courage in Photojournalism Award from the International Women's Media Foundation. Listen to hear Cairo-based

27:30

Criss Crossing America to Visit Every Baseball Stadium

Tiffany Mathias, a self-confessed baseball stadium chaser (and, incidentally, Lale’s sister-in-law), recounts her quest to visit every ballpark in the US, touring the stadiums, chatting to ushers and fans, and sampling the often eccentric local conce

27:49

How Plants Help Us Understand Our Heritage

Life begins again in spring, and as the air (and your nostrils) fill with pollen it might be a good time to learn something new about the plants with which we share the earth. To do so, Lale talks to nature writer Jessica J. Lee about how, as she's l

26:10

An Astrologer Guides Our Travel Plans

With summer travels on the horizon, Lale taps professional astrologer—and Women Who Travel columnist—Steph Koyfman to read her chart and guide her through the season and the rest of the year. Plus, we hear from three listeners who are thinking about

31:45

Bear Encounters in Nevada and Chasing Poachers on the Masai Mara

Traveling everywhere from the savannahs of Tanzania to the mountains of Montana, Dr. Rae Wynn Grant is on a mission to save the world’s most endangered species. Lale chats with the wildlife ecologist, podcaster, author and co-host of Mutual of Omaha’

26:30

Love, Loss, and Noodles in Cambodia

This week Lale chats with author Chantha Nguon—along with her daughter Clara and co-author Kim Green—about her new memoir Slow Noodles: A Cambodian Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Recipes. Listen to hear the trio share stories of their travels acros

26:46

Celebrating the Most Powerful Women in Travel

Following the release of Condé Nast Traveler's annual Women Who Travel Power List, spotlighting 15 leaders like activist Quannah ChasingHorse, TV host Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and content creator Charlotte Simpson, Lale and fellow editor Megan Spurrell ge

26:18

Director Lulu Wang Isn't Compromising

In honor of International Women's Day, Lale chats with award-winning director Lulu Wang, who is featured on Condé Nast Traveler's 2024 Women Who Travel Power List, about creating the worlds of Expats and The Farewell, the importance of using filmmaki

31:05

On the Road for the US Election

It's an election year, and already journalists are traveling all over the country to tell voters the most important stories from the trail. But what is it like to cover the US presidential race as a foreign reporter? Lale chats with three corresponde

27:53

Island Hopping in Spain, Italy, and Croatia

In her upcoming book Enchanted Islands: Travels Through Myth and Magic, Love & Loss, author Laura Coffey charts a real-life journey she took inspired by one of the most epic travel stories ever told: The Odyssey. Lale catches up with Coffey to find o

23:50

More Solo Travel With Jessica Nabongo

In 2019, friend of the podcast Jessica Nabongo became the first Black woman to visit every country in the world—and document it all along the way. We check back in with her to find out how and where she’s traveling in 2024, and revisit a conversation

30:15

Your Love and Travel Stories: Breakups, Hookups, and More

Love doesn’t sleep just because you’re traveling. This episode, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re dedicating an episode to our listeners’ stories, from tales of a windswept singles resort, to a fling in a Toronto hotel, to a surprising encounter in

30:55

Mapping the World's Oceans

This week, we chat with journalist Laura Trethewey, author of The Deepest Map: The High-Stakes Race to Chart the World's Oceans, about traveling to the deepest parts of the ocean, sailing on research boats across some of the most remote and roughest

29:14

Home Cooking in Latin America

Twenty one countries make up Latin America—and within those countries lies myriad food cultures, recipes, and histories. This week, Lale chats with guest Sandra A. Gutierrez about her latest cookbook Latinísimo: Home Recipes from the Twenty-One Count

29:49

Walking Across Morocco

Slow travel is a buzzy term these days, but what does it actually mean? Over the coming months, we'll explore what it takes to travel slowly and more intentionally, starting with this week's episode: A conversation with travel writer and adventurer A

29:08

Here's Where to Travel In 2024

It's a new year, which means it's time to stop daydreaming and start planning your travels for the next 12 months. Can't decide where to visit? Start listening to find out the best places to go in 2024—from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Accra, Ghana—accord

44:05

From Critics at Large: Britney Spears Tells Her Horror Story

In a special episode from The New Yorker's Critics At Large, the celebrity memoir has long been a place for public figures to set the record straight on the story of their lives. By any measure, Britney Spears’s life, as detailed in her new book, “Th

30:09

Raving in Ukraine

For our last episode of the year, we’re diving into something we’re all doing a lot of around the holiday season: partying. And in Ukraine, where our two guests are based, rave culture has become a necessary vehicle for letting off steam, distraction

28:15

What Is Passport Privilege?

We dive into the thorny issue of passport privilege thanks to this week’s guest, Shahnaz Habib, author of the new book Airplane Mode: An Irreverent History of Travel. Why do some travelers gain more visa-free access than others? Who determines how a

25:08

The Global Power of Eyeliner

Is there a more universally used beauty product than eyeliner? Not according to author Zahra Hankir, who chats with Lale about her new book Eyeliner: A Cultural History, which looks at the meaning and symbolism of kohl around the world, from Kyoto to

22:42

Braving the Grand Canyon’s Rapids

In 1938 two women botanists broke with convention and set off on an expedition trip along the Colorado River that would see them risk their lives over rapids in the name of research. Two years ago, science journalist Melissa Sevigny retraced their ad

26:01

Hong Kong’s Untold Stories

Lale chats with journalist and author Louisa Lim about her recent book, Indelible City, which dives deep into the untold stories of Hong Kong, both past and present, through a cast of calligraphers, street artists, and more, while also reflecting on

32:58

A Vogue Editor’s Packing Secrets

Should I check my luggage or carry-on? Fold or roll? Bring one pair of shoes or...seven? Packing for a trip, when done well, can feel like an art form—yet one that few of us seem to have figured out. This week, Chloe Malle, the new Editor of Vogue.co

26:38

Susan Orlean’s Extraordinary Travels

Whether its embedding herself with orchid hunters in Florida or chasing surfers in Maui, Susan Orlean is never afraid to throw herself into the story. A longtime writer for the New Yorker, and author of beloved titles like Saturday Night, The Library

27:31

A Witch Expert on Salem

Salem, Massachusetts has long lived in our public consciousness as both the site of the infamous witch trials of 1692 and 1693 and as a Halloween tourist destination depicted in myriad pieces of literature, pop culture, and art. But what is it actual

29:59

Life on a Windswept Scottish Island

When Tamsin Calidas left London to live on a croft in the Scottish Hebrides, she was idealistic and totally ignorant about farming. Years later and after facing and overcoming significant struggles, she feels in harmony with nature, wildlife, and the

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