Kated Travel Podcast

Amsterdam can be delectable and enchanting, as narrow canals and cobblestone streets weave through a remarkable city. Yet Amsterdam can also be overcrowded, very expensive and not that different to other big European cities. Host Stephen Bailey spent 12 months living in the Netherlands and he reveals how to get off the tourist trail and discover a more authentic side to Amsterdam. Explore neighbourhoods, attractions and experiences in today's episode!

Voluntourism has a bad reputation. But surely there can be some good in the intention to volunteer abroad? Today's guest is Susan Gisbon, author of the excellent book How To Be An Amazing Volunteer Overseas: Rules of the Road, Stories from the Field. In this episode she talks about an important paradigm shift and discusses the idea of cultural learning with host Stephen Bailey. When we travel we learn and for Susan, that needs to be the starting point for volunteers. Susan is an advocate for better voluntourism and also has some great resources on her website Amazing Volunteer. If you're not thinking about volunteering abroad then still take a listen, because this is a huge industry that can bring good.

The world's most colourful countries, places of contrast, joy, vibrancy and feel good factor. Countries where you don't need a photo filter. Your host Stephen Bailey explores six of the world's most colourful countries. Are they on your bucketlist? Have you travelled to any or all of them? What are your most colourful countries? Travel the world in today's episode and see if you agree with Stephen's selections.

Imagine travelling the world as part of your college or university program? Your host Stephen Bailey is wishing he was 20 years younger as he talks to Scott Marshall, director of Semester at Sea, a multi-country study abroad program. In this episode we discuss the benefits and challenges of studying abroad, student experiences in different countries, and what we can all learn when we travel and broaden our horizons.

Travel to West Africa and an insight into the home of Vodun (Voodoo) culture. Join your host Stephen Bailey on a fascinating journey incorporating three very different Vodun experiences. There's a local market, a ceremony to provide protection for a dying friend, and then a spirit returns after seven years in the wilderness to meet his fellow spirits. Stephen recalls a trip to this welcoming nation and his own impressions of Vodun.

World schooling? Your host Stephen Bailey is very curious, as he looks ahead at how you can keep travelling the world with children. Today's special guest is Bevin Clare, the world schooling expert from Ready To Roam Courses. She talks us through the benefits of teaching your children from different countries and the challenges they need to overcome. There's also practical information about getting started and some myth busting. Fascinating for everybody who loves to travel and has children.

Turkmenistan, an unusual country in Central Asia, dominated by two despot dictators. It's one of the craziest and strangest countries to ever visit. Your host Stephen Bailey recalls a trip to Turkmenistan, visiting the marble city of Ashgabat and a marble Olympic Stadium that's never been used. Stephen meets Turkmen people when staying in a homestay and contrasts local life and the bizarre capital Ashgabat.

Tanzania will take you on a journey. Tanzania isn't just a destination. After all, safari is a local Swahili word meaning journey. This country is home to so many African icons: Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Zanzibar. And there is more. Your host Stephen Bailey lived in Tanzania and he guides you through the country and its evocative highlights, from the Northern Safari Circuit to Pemba island.

While Angkor Wat is the famous world wonder, it is just one of the temples and palaces in the jungle near Siem Reap, Cambodia. Angkor Thom was the greatest Khmer capital of all, constructed during the 12th century by the great King Jayavarman VII. Now lying in an evocative state of ruin, it’s a vast city of sculptural decorations and mazy rooms, visited on today's episode of the Kated Travel Podcast. Let's go on a 3-day journey through Angkor, in just 10 minutes with your host Stephen Bailey.

Join your host Stephen Bailey on a journey of discovery through the old medina of Marrakech. Embrace the sounds and smells of this mystical place Stephen travelled to Marrakech and was fascinated by a particular style of Berber storytelling, told on the city's main square and popular throughout Berber populations. In this episode he attempts to replicate this rhythmic style to share his own recollections of the city.

There's nothing more amazing than exploring the world through your children's eyes. David Delisle is today's special guest and he provides wonderful words of wisdom, encouraging us to be adventurous when we travel with kids. There's so much logic to David's advice as it cuts through typical fears and preconceptions, to showcase the incredible benefits travel brings to everybody in the family. David tells us how travel is also a great opportunity to teach children about managing their money, just one part of his advice in the graphic novel The Golden Quest.

In today's episode, travel author Tony Copeland-Parker shares the story of a nomadic life with his partner, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers. Running all over the world (literally), the couple have used travel to fight against disease, stimulating the memory with new places, experiences and social situations. It's a fabulous story showing another benefit of travel. Tony can be an inspiration to us all and you can learn more by reading his book Running All Over the World, which is also available as an audio book.

Vacation rentals are one of travel's fastest growing industries. Almost all of us have used one, although vacation rentals have been around for a lot longer than Airbnb. In today's episode we go behind the scenes of the vacation rental industry with Wolf Worster, Director of Partnerships at TurnoverBnB. Wolf shares his wisdom on the challenges, successes and changes that have taken place over the last +20 years. He also tells us how the vacation rental industry is likely to be in the coming years. It's great to learn about the small cogs moving this very active part of the travel industry forward.

Go walking with white rhinos in today's episode of the Kated Travel Podcast. First we walk in Zambia, close to Victoria Falls, for close-up encounters with a dozen enormous white rhinos. Then walk on the vast Namibian plains, with bushmen trackers helping lead the way towards the rhinos. It's hot, dusty and pretty scary, so buckle up for this short episode in the African bush, narrated by your host Stephen Bailey.

Sailing the Caribbean for three days would be wonderful. How about sailing the Caribbean for over three years. Today's special guest has lived on her boat with her five children for over ten years. She takes us on an inspiring journey through the islands, from Puerto Rico to Colombia and so many wonderful places in between. Tanya is the author of the award-winning book Leaving the Safe Harbour and also blogs about her experiences at TakeTwoSailing.com. If you have questions you can also connect with her directly on Facebook and Instagram.

How do you avoid the crowds on holiday? For your host Stephen Bailey there are three easy ways to do this. Travel to a less popular place, travel at a less popular time of year, and stay longer at your destination. Sounds simple right? It is and it isn't. This short episode should help you travel a little more authentically on your next trip, wherever it is in the world. Remember to rate and review if you're enjoying the show!

Travel to Australia's far north on today's episode, where you will find the Great Barrier Reef, the red Outback, tropical rainforest, waterfalls, wildlife and more. Today's special guest is Australian Asher Hooghiemstra, host of the excellent Explore Pod podcast. In this episode we talk kangaroos, helicoptering above the reef, taking a road trip and the wonderful diversity of North Queensland. You can also accompany this podcast by watching a video of Asher's road trip.

Travel to Tokyo, one of the wildest and most original cities in the world. Here you will find buzzing electronic neighbourhoods, manga cartoon porn departure stories, serene temples, fish markets and parks full of painted women. There really is a lot to discover, especially when you open small doors for a window into the city's soul. Join your host Stephen Bailey for this short journey into the Japanese capital, where everything is authentic expect the famous pedestrian crossing.

Travel to Croatia and taste your way around this country of tradition and diversity. From village experiences to vineyards and even Michelin-starred restaurants, today's special guest Neno Basic Kostadinovic guides us through a range of authentic Croatian experiences. Neno's company Taste Dalmatia creates tailored private trips for people wanting to explore and taste Croatia. Hear how tourism has developed in Croatia and the new wave of local experiences that are possible across the country.

What's the wildest thing you've ever done on your travels? For Kated Travel Podcast host Stephen Bailey it's snorkeling with humpback whales off the coast of South Africa. Getting close to such giant animals was frightening and one humpback whale showed exactly who ruled this marine environment. This is a short tale about jumping beyond your comfort zone and learning how to better respect the natural world. Remember, if you like the show hit subscribe and you won't miss an episode!