Paula Barnes lived in Seoul 15 years ago — and honestly? It was hard. The language barrier was real, the taxis were brutal, and getting around without Korean felt nearly impossible. So when she went back, she wasn't expecting to fall in love with it. She did. In this episode, Paula goes solo to unpack everything that's changed, everything that's stayed beautifully the same, and every reason why Seoul should be at the top of your travel list. From the DMZ to Dongdaemun, Korean BBQ to Olive Young skincare halls, cherry blossom season to single-digit winter temps — this one covers it all. Whether you're planning your first trip or your fifth, this episode is your honest, no-fluff guide to Seoul.

• DMZ tour (respectful, highly recommended)
• Nanta Show — no Korean needed, funny and unmissable
• Myeongdong — street food, Olive Young skincare, boutique shopping
• Namdaemun Market — oldest market in Seoul, try the Hotteok!
• Bukchon Hanok Village — go early morning for sunrise
• Gangnam — upscale shopping mall, the iconic Gangnam statue
• Itaewon — boutique bars, restaurants & Vatos (Korean-Mexican fusion)
• Courtyard Marriott Namdaemun — central location, robot room service
• Gimpo Premium Factory Outlet — near the airport, worth the detour
• Bibimbap cooking class
• Traditional Korean feast restaurant in Myeongdong
• Temple stay information centre — free activities, monk conversations
• Olive Young — Korea's answer to Sephora, massive flagship in Myeongdong
• Best seasons to visit: cherry blossom (spring) and autumn
• Paula's full Seoul guides on her website: 5-day itinerary, where to stay,

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Running this podcast takes a lot of coffee (and countless hours exploring every destination!). If you found this helpful and want to support more honest, detailed travel guides and itineraries, you can buy me a coffee. No pressure though – I'm just happy you're here and hope you have an incredible adventure! 🙂

MADRID UNCOVERED: Insider Tips, Hidden Gems & La Movida – Life in Spain's Capital

Join Paula as she chats with Kristin Montgomery, an international teacher who has lived and worked across Switzerland, Singapore, Colombia, Germany and beyond – and is now back in Madrid completing a master's degree in Spanish. Kristin first fell in love with the city as a young graduate on an English assistantship program nearly 20 years ago, and she's back to tell us exactly why Madrid keeps pulling people in.

Whether you're planning a first visit or adding it to your bucket list, this episode is packed with everything you need to know. And if you're on a Spain tour, make sure you also check out our episodes on Season 1 Granada (Episode 21) and Tenerife (Episode 20) – Spain really does keep delivering!

Key Topics

• What Madrid is really famous for (hint: it's all about the vibe)
• Where to stay, when to visit, and how to get around
• The best food and drinks to try – including what the locals actually order
• A 3-day itinerary that goes beyond the tourist trail
• Day trips to Segovia and Toledo
• The souvenir worth spending proper money on
• Why you should choose a hotel over Airbnb right now
• Kristin's hidden gem neighbourhood the guidebooks overlook

Helpful Links

• Growing Global Citizens – Kristin's website
• Travel with peace of mind: Airalo Esim
• Madrid Guided Tour of the Palace
• Welcome to Madrid Walking tour

Chapters

00:00 Introduction & Kristin's Global Journey 02:00 Do You Need to Speak Spanish? 04:00 Getting Around Madrid – Car vs. Public Transport 05:00 What Is Madrid Really Famous For? 07:00 Where to Stay in the City 08:00 Best Time to Visit (and Why Christmas is Special) 09:20 Festivals & National Day 10:40 What to Eat – Madrid's Love of Ham 12:00 What to Drink – Vermouth & Tinto de Verano 13:10 The Souvenir Worth Buying (Skip the Magnets!) 15:00 Day 1 Itinerary – Prado, Retiro & a Food Tour 17:30 Day 2 Itinerary – Las Ventas, Puerta del Sol & Flamenco 22:00 Day 3 – Day Trip to Segovia or Toledo 24:30 Sunset at the Temple of Debod 27:00 Madrid in Winter – Is It Worth It? 28:00 Kristin's Heart Moment – La Movida 30:30 Travel Tips & The Airbnb Warning 33:00 Hidden Gem – The Letras Neighbourhood

If you want to know more about Kristin and her work

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If you'd like to support the podcast, just click the link in the show notes and any contribution you can make helps me keep creating episodes for you.

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Join Paula as she chats with Jen and Brett from Expatsi about their expat journey from Birmingham, Alabama, to Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. Discover practical tips for moving abroad, exploring local culture and cuisine, uncovering hidden gems, and how community support made their transition inspiring. Want more Mexico content, then you should listen to episode 16, where I chat with Carm about her experience in Mexico.

Key Topics

• Expat journey from US to Mexico
• Choosing Merida as a destination
• Exploring local culture and cuisine in Yucatan
• Hidden gems and community support in Mexico

Helpful Links

• Episode 16 - Mexico
• Move abroad Con
• 5 Essential things you should know when renewing your vows in Cancun
• Things to do in Cancun

If you want to know more about Jen and Brett, check out Expatsi here.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Background

00:50
The Journey to Merida, Mexico

02:07
Choosing Mexico: The Decision Process

04:24
Experiencing the Climate and Culture

05:40
Culinary Delights of Yucatan

10:08
Creating an Itinerary for Visitors

17:44
Heartfelt Moments in Merida

23:04
Hidden Gems and Local Recommendations

26:02
Final Tips for Future Expats

29:31
OUTRO Paula-2.mp4

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If you'd like to support the podcast, just click the link in the show notes and any contribution you can make helps me keep creating episodes for you.

Find me on:

Website: Truly Expat Travel

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