Travel Goals Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Think you know Boston? Think again. In this immersive episode, we're taking you beyond the Freedom Trail and deep into Boston's most captivating neighbourhoods, where history meets modernity and local culture thrives in unexpected places. Forget the usual tourist spots—this is the Boston you’ve been missing.

Host Portia Jones and producer Luke take you on an unforgettable journey through Boston’s lesser-known spots and local favourites. You’ll also hear from passionate locals who share insider tips and reveal the stories that make these neighbourhoods truly unique.

We'll take you to sophisticated Back Bay as we traverse a historic avenue lined with Victorian brownstones, swish cafes and high-end boutiques.  

Sip cocktails in a hidden speakeasy at a luxurious hotel and dive deep into the stories that have shaped this iconic neighbourhood.

We'll also venture into Roxbury, the vibrant epicentre of Boston’s Black culture. Here, you’ll explore the powerful connections between the neighbourhood’s storied past and its dynamic present. 

Walk alongside local guides who reveal the layers of history embedded in the murals, street art, and community projects that define Roxbury today. From soulful eateries to historic landmarks, Roxbury is a testament to Boston’s rich cultural diversity.

Lose yourself in the buzzing energy of Chinatown, navigate local markets, savour authentic Asian cuisine, and discover the hidden gardens that offer a peaceful retreat amid the city. 

Guided by a charismatic local, you’ll uncover the stories behind every dish and every mural, making this a cultural experience you won't forget. 

Whether you’re a seasoned Bostonian or a first-time visitor, this episode will make you see Boston in a whole new light. From secret speakeasies to vibrant street art, this is the Boston you don’t want to miss. Tune in now and start your journey beyond the Freedom Trail. 

You can also listen to our upcoming Boston episodes on Travel Goals and on the Boston Found Podcast, a podcast hosted by Meet Boston CEO Martha Sheridan. 

Huge thanks to Meet Boston and TTM World for supporting and collaborating with the Travel Goals Podcast.

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Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nicknamed Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and Lonely Planet author. 

If you love to travel, check out my travel website and subscribe to my travel newsletter to get travel guides and new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast delivered straight to your inbox.

Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook 

Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd. 

Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast. 

Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Are you ready to follow in the footsteps of rebels and explore Boston's 250-year-old revolutionary history? Known for its tea-dumping defiance that helped ignite the American Revolutionary War, Boston still has the fierce spirit of a revolutionary city, a place of ideas, creation and determination. 
 
In this on-location episode, we'll follow the Freedom Trail with a local guide, board a Tea Party Ship and speak with Bostonians about the evolution of New England's historical and cultural capital. 

Join producer Luke and me as we discover tea parties, poets, and trails on an epic guide around Boston. In this immersive episode, you'll learn about the incredible historical sites you can visit to learn more about Boston's fascinating 250-year-old revolutionary history. 

You can listen to our upcoming Boston episodes on Travel Goals and on the Boston Found Podcast, a podcast hosted by Meet Boston CEO Martha Sheridan. 

Huge thanks to Meet Boston and TTM World for supporting and collaborating with the Travel Goals Podcast.

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Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nicknamed Pip Jones], a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and Lonely Planet guidebook author. 

If you love to travel, check out my travel website and subscribe to my travel newsletter to get travel guides and new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast delivered straight to your inbox.

Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook 

Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd. Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast. 

Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Are you dreaming of an epic road trip in Iceland? Join us on an immersive audio journey through the land of fire and ice and get inspired for your next adventure. Recorded on location in South Iceland, we visit thundering waterfalls, black sand beaches and glacial lagoons by electric car. We also talk to knowledgable locals about why you should road trip along Iceland's scenic south coast.

Iceland, the land of fire and ice, is a dream road trip destination with its well-maintained roads, excellent infrastructure and ethereal landscapes. 

Located in frigid waters of the North Atlantic, this Nordic outpost is where jagged glaciers collide with volcanic fury and the dancing aurora Borealis. In this adventure-packed episode, we will delve into the heart of this otherworldly destination with captivating soundscapes and travel tips.

Some of our epic road trip stops in this episode include:

Vík í Mýrdal seaside village
Black Sand Beach Reynisfjara
Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss Waterfalls
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Fjorudordid restaurant
Hotel Ranga
The Blue Lagoon

Let our episode sponsor, Discover the World, help you plan your trip to Iceland and have a holiday that exceeds your expectations.

Discover the World is one of the UK’s leading independent specialist travel companies. They can arrange holidays that are personalised with suggested itineraries that delve into the magic of a destination.

Book with them now!

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Hi, I'm your podcast host Portia Jones, [nickname Pip Jones] and I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster and newsletter writer. I've travelled extensively around the world, and I'm available for hire for travel journalism and podcasting. You can see my online travel journalism portfolio here. 

Are you a destination or travel brand that wants to sponsor the Travel Goals Podcast? Email me to discuss sponsorship and advertising opportunities on Travel Goals. 

Make sure to connect with me online as well. I'm @travelgoalspod and @pip_says on Twitter and @pipsays and @travelgoalspodcast on Instagram.

Enjoy the podcast!

Do you want to pack smarter and save money on cabin bag charges with airlines? In this episode, we discuss how to pack smarter – featuring top travel packing hacks and tips from travel bag experts. Find out to choose your ideal cabin bag, how to beat airline bag charges and get expert packing hacks and tips, so you can travel lighter and still look stylish.

You can also get 15% off a new cabin bag, from our show sponsors Cabin Max, when you use the exclusive discount code travelgoals at cabinmax.com

On the show, we have Sean Gresty from Cabin Max giving top tips on how to pick your perfect cabin bag and beat airline charges. We also have travel blogger Monica Stott giving her top packing hacks so you can travel light and still maximise your bag allowance. 

Well also discuss how to keep track of cabin bag size changes, whether you should use packing cubes or not and how to plan a capsul wardrobe for your travels. 

Let's get your packing smarter! 

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Hi, I'm your podcast host Portia Jones, [nickname Pip Jones], I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster and newsletter writer. I've travelled extensively around the world, and I'm available for hire for travel journalism and podcasting. You can see my online travel journalism portfolio here. 

Are you a destination or travel brand that wants to sponsor the Travel Goals Podcast? Email me to discuss sponsorship and advertising opportunities on Travel Goals. 

Make sure to connect with me online as well, I'm @travelgoalspod and @pip_says on Twitter and @pipsays and @travelgoalspodcast on Instagram.

Enjoy the podcast! 

Are you dreaming of adventure and connecting with the great outdoors? Sounds like you need a trip to one of the many incredible national parks in the USA. In this episode, we learn how to plan the perfect USA National Parks trip with Gary Arndt. Gary is the host of the Everything Everywhere Daily Podcast, and he is also an award-winning blogger and national park pro.

As part of a personal challenge, Gary has visited most of the national parks in the USA and has a wealth of information and top tips to share with you. We talk more about the national parks in the US and how each park has its own unique landscapes, trails, activities and accommodation options and how you can plan a day trip or an overnight visit. 

With over 60 parks to choose from, planning a national park trip can feel a tad overwhelming, especially if you’re visiting from outside the US. We discuss planning top tips and get into why you should consider what region you want to visit, how long to stay in the parks, and if your top priority is hiking, wildlife spotting or going off-grid. What your budget is and how you’ll get to the park. Luckily, Gary has covered everything you need to know to have a dream trip to a national park in the USA. 

Gary isn't just a national parks expert! Before launching the Everything Everywhere Daily Podcast in July 2020, he spent the previous 13 years travelling around the world. His travels have taken him to over 200 countries, territories, and all 50 US states….twice!

 His blog Everything Everywhere was named one of the Top 25 Blogs in the world by Time Magazine. He has also appeared in USA Today, the New York Times, the BBC, and National Geographic.

 He is also one of the world’s most accomplished travel photographers. He was named Travel Photographer of the Year in 2014 by the Society of American Travel Writers and in 2013 & 2015 by the North American Travel Journalists Association.

Gary currently hosts and produces the Everything Everywhere Daily podcast. It features stories of people, places, and things covering various topics, including history, science, and geography. Make sure to subscribe and download Gary's podcast today 

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Hi, I'm your podcast host Portia Jones, [nickname Pip Jones], I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster and newsletter writer. I've travelled extensively around the world, and I'm available for hire for travel journalism and podcasting. You can see my online travel journalism portfolio here. 

Are you a destination or travel brand that wants to sponsor the Travel Goals Podcast? Email me to discuss sponsorship and advertising opportunities on Travel Goals. 

Make sure to connect with me online as well, I'm @travelgoalspod and @pip_says on Twitter and @pipsays and @travelgoalspodcast on Instagram.

Enjoy the podcast! 

Conquer towering peaks and rugged trails in The High Atlas Mountains with Morocco's first female mountain guide – Hafida Hdoubane. We take a deep dive into hiking trails, female mountain guiding and community tourism with Intrepid Travel – a group adventure travel company and the world’s largest travel B Corporation. Recorded on location, join us on an immersive audio adventure as we hike through the High Atlas mountain routes, meet Amazigh villagers and guides and learn more about how Hafida first became a mountain guide.

Hafida is a trailblazer in the trekking community and became one of the first certified female mountain guides in 1994. She now leads trekking tours throughout the country, including Intrepid’s Women’s Expeditions.  

At the time, most of the guides working in the Atlas Mountains were European and male, so Hafida’s entry into the hiking world was met with surprise and in some cases scepticism as Moroccan women were expected to stay at home and focus on raising a family. But Hafida decided to tread a different path and defy expectations. 

From the wild Atlas mountains to Marrakech's historic medina, we meet the women who are shaking up Morocco's tourism industry and working hard to get more women into mountain and city guiding. 

Thanks to Intrepid Travel for supporting this episode of the Travel Goals Podcast. Intrepid is a world leader in sustainable experience-rich travel, taking travellers to discover the world's most amazing places for more than 30 years. 

The company’s mission is to create positive change through the joy of travel and they offer more than 980 trips on every continent. Visit intrepidtravel.com to find out more and to book your next adventure. 

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Hi, I'm your podcast host Portia Jones, [nickname Pip Jones] and I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster and newsletter writer. I've travelled extensively around the world and I'm available for hire for travel journalism and podcasting. You can see my online travel journalism portfolio here. 

Are you a destination or travel brand that wants to sponsor the Travel Goals Podcast? Email me to discuss sponsorship and advertising opportunities on Travel Goals. 

Make sure to connect with me online as well, I'm @travelgoalspod and @pip_says on Twitter and @pipsays and @travelgoalspodcast on Instagram.

Enjoy the podcast! 

Can travelling to Morocco be purpose-driven, conscientious, and responsible? We take a deep dive into this incredible destination with Intrepid Travel – a group adventure travel company and the world’s largest travel B Corporation. Recorded on location, join us on an audio adventure through the spice-filled souks and lively squares of Marrakech – and the surrounding areas, as we meet with local communities to discover how travel can be a force for good in Morocco. 

With distinctive cultural heritage, historic medinas, towering mountains and sweeping deserts, Morocco is one of the go-to destinations for curious travellers. 

This North African country is packed with nature, art, markets, museums and foodie finds and lively cities. It can be explored solo, with loved ones or as part of a group tour. Whatever your travel style, Morocco is a feast for the senses and the soul.

It’s become an increasingly popular destination over the years and according to the World Tourism Organisation, Tourism now roughly represents 7 per cent of Morocco's GDP and has directly created over 500,000 jobs. 

But how does tourism impact Morocco? Take an immersive journey with us as we sip tea and chat with local female guides, witness community tourism in action and meet the women who are shaking up the travel industry. 

Thanks to Intrepid Travel for supporting this episode of the Travel Goals Podcast. Intrepid is a world leader in sustainable experience-rich travel, taking travellers to discover the world's most amazing places for more than 30 years. 

The company’s mission is to create positive change through the joy of travel and they offer more than 980 trips on every continent. Visit intrepidtravel.com to find out more and to book your next adventure. 

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Hi, I'm your podcast host Portia Jones, [nickname Pip Jones] and I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster and newsletter writer. I've travelled extensively around the world and I'm available for hire for travel journalism and podcasting. You can see my online travel journalism portfolio here. 

Are you a destination or travel brand that wants to sponsor the Travel Goals Podcast? Email me to discuss sponsorship and advertising opportunities on Travel Goals. 

Make sure to connect with me online as well, I'm @travelgoalspod and @pip_says on Twitter and @pipsays and @travelgoalspodcast on Instagram.

Enjoy the podcast! 

Do you want to have more adventures but don't know where to begin, travel expert, author and YouTuber Lisa Niver is here to help! In this episode, Lisa discusses how you can make your travel dreams come true and have adventures through the ages, no matter your age or travel experience.

Adventure travel has long been advertised with pictures of bright-eyed and wrinkle-free young travellers sporting heaving backpacks and tie-dye trousers, staying in $3-a-night hostels.

 But that’s not the full picture, plenty of people travel throughout the decades and while their travel style might change, their love of the road never falters. Whether you’re fresh out of university, a nine to fiver, or about to enter retirement, adventure should be for everyone.

If you’re considering broadening your travel horizons, setting out on your first travel trip, or wondering how to make friends on the road, then Lisa has some great advice for you. 

Lisa is an award-winning travel expert who has explored 102 countries and six continents. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she worked on cruise ships for seven years and backpacked for three years in Asia.

She has a huge YouTube and TikTok following and is the founder of the website WeSaidGoTravel which is read in 235 countries and was named #3 on Rise Global’s top 1,000 Travel Blogs. 

Tune in and get ready to be inspired! 

Huge thanks to our season 6 sponsors, Trip Mapper – a web and mobile app for travellers who love to design their own unforgettable travel experiences.

Remember to visit tripmapper.co/travelgoals and use the coupon code TRAVELGOALS, to get 20% off an annual Trip plus subscription and start planning your next one-of-a-kind adventure!

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Hi, I'm your podcast host Portia Jones, [nickname Pip Jones] and I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster and newsletter writer. I've travelled extensively around the world and I'm available for hire for travel journalism and podcasting. You can see my online travel journalism portfolio here. 

Are you a destination or travel brand that wants to sponsor the Travel Goals Podcast? Email me to discuss sponsorship and advertising opportunities on Travel Goals. 

Make sure to connect with me online as well, I'm @travelgoalspod and @pip_says on Twitter and @pipsays and @travelgoalspodcast on Instagram.

Enjoy the podcast! 

Any type of travel can pose a challenge, especially if you aren’t used to being on the road. From cancelled flights, lost bags, medical emergencies and closed borders, there are many ways that travel can be tough, even for the most hardened explorer. But what about travelling to extremely challenging destinations, conflict areas and closed-off countries, is this even possible? How do you even begin planning an epic adventure to hard-to-reach places? This is where travel companies like Untamed Borders can help.  

Formed in 2008 by professional fixers, supporting journalists wanting to reach often inaccessible and difficult areas, Untamed Borders specialises in travel to some of the most challenging and inaccessible countries on earth: from the Middle East to East Africa, Central Asia and the Caucasus.

In this episode, we talk to the founder of Untamed Borders, James Wilcox about how travellers can get out of their comfort zone, how you can visit hard-to-reach places and why he rejects the term extreme tourism.

For more information about Untamed Borders and the types of adventure trips they offer, head to their website – untamedborders.com 

Huge thanks to our season 6 sponsors, Trip Mapper – a web and mobile app for travellers who love to design their own unforgettable travel experiences.

Remember to visit tripmapper.co/travelgoals and use the coupon code TRAVELGOALS, to get 20% off an annual Trip plus subscription and start planning your next one-of-a-kind adventure!

***

Hi, I'm your podcast host Portia Jones, [nickname Pip Jones] and I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster and newsletter writer. I've travelled extensively around the world and I'm available for hire for travel journalism and podcasting. You can see my online travel journalism portfolio here. 

Are you a destination or travel brand that wants to sponsor the Travel Goals Podcast? Email me to discuss sponsorship and advertising opportunities on Travel Goals. 

Make sure to connect with me online as well, I'm @travelgoalspod and @pip_says on Twitter and @pipsays and @travelgoalspodcast on Instagram.

Enjoy the podcast! 

Hiking mountainous volcanic plugs, diving in colourful reefs and zipping through a dense forest canopy – Saint Lucia is more than just dreamy beaches and luxury resorts – it's a Caribbean island of adventure. Recorded on location, this immersive episode takes you on a journey through St Lucia's adventure activities, while getting unique insights from locals. 

Beautiful Saint Lucia is an Eastern Caribbean island nation that has an array of volcanic beaches, reef-diving sites, luxury resorts and humid rainforests.

Thanks to the island’s small size, you could be snorkelling marine life-rich reefs in the morning, ziplining through a lush forest canopy in the afternoon and be back at your resort in time for a sunset paddle. While there are luxurious resorts, sandy beaches and plenty of cocktail bars, there's so much more in St. Lucia to reward the adventurous.

When you visit the Helen of the West Indies, make sure to step out of our resort and out of your comfort zone.

For more information about Saint Lucia, including how you can plan your very own island adventure, head to Saint Lucia’s official tourism website – stlucia.org and get ready for the island life. 

Huge thanks to our season 6 sponsors, Trip Mapper – a web and mobile app for travellers who love to design their own unforgettable travel experiences.

Remember to visit tripmapper.co/travelgoals and use the coupon code TRAVELGOALS, to get 20% off an annual Trip plus subscription and start planning your next one-of-a-kind adventure!

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Hi, I'm your podcast host Portia Jones, [nickname Pip Jones] and I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster and newsletter writer. I've travelled extensively around the world and I'm available for hire for travel journalism and podcasting. You can see my online travel journalism portfolio here. 

Are you a destination or travel brand that wants to sponsor the Travel Goals Podcast? Email me to discuss sponsorship and advertising opportunities on Travel Goals. 

Make sure to connect with me online as well, I'm @travelgoalspod and @pip_says on Twitter and @pipsays and @travelgoalspodcast on Instagram.

Enjoy the podcast!