Why We Travel Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of the Why We Travel podcast, Claus Lauter chats with Doni Belau about small group adventures for women.

Created my Doni Belau Girls’ Guide to the World offers unique, small group adventures that foster authentic connections between women and cultures.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Why small group adventures offer a safe entry point for solo female travelers
• How cultural immersion and personal growth are integrated into Girls Guide to the World tours
• What makes a 6-10 person group size ideal for bonding and individual connections
• Why having a private room is essential for women's group travel experiences
• How Girls Guide to the World ensures trip participants are a good fit for group dynamics
• Why flexibility and a positive attitude are crucial for enjoying travel experiences
• What unique frameworks are used to create themed trips like art-focused tours in European cities
• How meeting local women and supporting their initiatives adds depth to travel experiences
• Why early booking is recommended for popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast and Paris
• What role the Girls Guide Traveling Sisterhood Facebook group plays in empowering female travelers

Doni Belau is the founder of Girls' Guide to the World, a women-only tour company offering 60 tours across 40 countries. With over 15 years in the travel industry and having visited more than 80 countries, Doni crafts diverse, transformative journeys that blend cultural immersion, adventure, and personal growth. Her background in TV production and humanitarian work informs her approach to creating meaningful travel experiences for women of all ages.

You can learn more about Doni Belau at https://www.girlsguidetotheworld.com/

Visit our website at https://whywetravel.net/

In this episode of the Why We Travel podcast, Claus Lauter chats with A.B about mindful travel beyond mere exploration and why she promotes immersive exploration and support for local businesses.  

Topics discussed in this episode: 

• How AB's grandmother inspired her passion for travel 
• How AB started her travel journey after finishing high school 
• What challenges AB faced as a digital nomad and small business owner 
• How the pandemic impacted AB's remote working lifestyle 
• Strategies AB used to settle in and get up and running in a new place 
• Why AB believes immersive travel is different from being a visitor 
• How AB integrates into local communities and support local businesses while traveling 
• What AB's perspective is on balancing luxury and budget travel experiences 
• Advice AB offers to those wanting to start a balanced travel lifestyle

About our guest: A.B. is a well-seasoned hospitality professional with 20+ years of luxury travel and hospitality experience. She has an extensive background in large-scale event production, strategic partnerships, the culinary arts, luxury travel clubs, and lifestyle social clubs. She has worked across the U.S. and Southeast Asia, building upon her knowledge of hospitality and culinary.  She started traveling at age 7 and has been going ever since! 

You can learn more about A.B. at https://www.balancedtravel.com/ 

Visit our website at https://whywetravel.net/

In this episode, we talk with Desirée Williams, a solo traveler, about the sunny Porto, Portugal.

On the Show Today You’ll Learn:

• What are the top things that travelers notice or experience when they first visit Portugal?
• What do Portugal and the city of Gaia have to offer?
• What makes the Famous Harry Potter Bookstore in Portugal so special?
• How do the people of Portugal treat you as a foreigner?
• What kind of budget you should keep in mind when you go to Portugal?
• What Cuisines you should try, when being in Portugal?

Links & Resources

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desire_2_travel79/ 

Visit our website at https://whywetravel.net/

In this episode, we talk with Heather Markel, a best-selling author and a TEDx speaker, about her life as a full-time traveler.

On the Show Today You’ll Learn:

• Is travelling more expensive than not travelling, or the other way around?
• How much money is needed to travel full-time?
• What are the biggest expenses of full time travel?
• Hacks that will save you a lot of money.
• How to deal with loneliness while travelling alone?
• What are the pros and cons of travelling full-time?

Links & Resources

Website: https://FullTimeTravelCoach.com

Visit our website at https://whywetravel.net/

In this episode, we talk with Brittnay Sharman about house sitting.

On the Show Today You’ll Learn:

• What are the benefits of house sitting, and how can it be used to earn money?
• Why are people searching for a house sitter?
• Other than caring for the pets, what other duties are assigned as a house sitter?
• How do you settle in in someone else's house?
• Are there countries where house sitting is more prevalent than others?

Links & Resources

Website: https://www.thetravellinghousesitters.com/

Visit our website at https://whywetravel.net/

In this episode, we talk with Justin Walter, a regular travel expert for KTLA, the #1 news program in Los Angeles, about a little paradise called Marquesas Islands.

On the Show Today You’ll Learn:

• Where are Marquesas islands?
• How to get there? What’s the local language?
• How the South Pacific Islands are in reality?
• Why should you stay at a local AirBnb over a hotel?

Links & Resources

Website: http://aroundtheworldwithjustin.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/atwjustin
Facebook: http://facebook.com/atwjustin
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/atwjustin
Twitter: http://twitter.com/atwjustin

Visit our website at https://whywetravel.net/

In this episode, we talk with Dale Majors, an adventurer and entrepreneur, about travelling on bike with kids.

On the Show Today You’ll Learn:

• Thoughts before starting your tour on a bicycle.
• How is it possible to go on 2-3 months tours and vacations
• The process of all the preparations for a bike tour with kids
• Should you rent out/buy bikes from the place you are visiting or take them along from home?
• How to manage children’s schooling with this lifestyle?

Links & Resources

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VentureAnyway
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalemajors/
Website: https://www.ventureanyway.com/

Visit our website at https://whywetravel.net/

In this episode, we talk with Guillaume Lesage, a slow travel passionate and hitch-hiking enthusiast.

On the Show Today You’ll Learn:

• An insight into hitch-hiking
• Countries with easy/hard hitch-hiking routes
• What sorts of luggage you need to carry for hitch-hiking
• Reasons why should you go for hitch hiking.

Links & Resources

Visit our website at https://whywetravel.net/

In this episode, we talk with Sofia Kalimeridou, a content creator who has travelled more than 50 countries, about travelling with kids.

On the Show Today You’ll Learn:

• Can you travel while you are pregnant?
• How to prepare your day being a parent while traveling?
• Things you need to take with you as a mother when traveling.
• Treatment you get from locals when you are travelling with kids.
• The experience & exposure that the kid is getting.
• The most common question that parents are asked while traveling
• Recommendations for parents who would travel with their kid for the first time

Links & Resources

Website: https://www.sophiefamilytravel.com/

Visit our website at https://whywetravel.net/

In this episode, we talk with Megan Gieske, a US American traveling writer, photographer, and content creator on a one-way ticket around the world, about Cape Town.

On the Show Today You’ll Learn:

• First impression of Cape Town
• An insight into the people and culture of Cape Town
• Is crime really that high in Cape Town’s townships?
• What's the best way to get around in the city?
• Uber hacks for Cape Town

Links & Resources

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganthetravelingwriter/

Website: meganthetravelingwriter.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/megangieske

Visit our website at https://whywetravel.net/