Showing titles in Travel Writing & Commentary

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. ...

On today’s Poco A Poco episode, join us as we explore some of Barcelona’s best museums—from medieval shipyards and surrealist daydreams to Roman ruins hidden right beneath your feet. We wander through the Picasso Museum, the iconic MNAC, the seafaring Maritime Museum, the ever-energetic FC Barcelona Museum, and a few unexpected gems along the way. Expect art, history, a touch of humor, and a sprinkle of Catalan pride as we uncover the stories behind the city’s most visited collections. It’s the perfect episode for anyone planning a Barcelona trip and looking to make the most of their...

Valencia is full of surprises, and we’re uncovering ten of its most unforgettable unique hidden gems. From hunting down the legendary Holy Grail to tackling towers with heart-pumping climbs, this city keeps you on your toes. We visit secret gardens straight out of a fairytale, a thrift store that’s saving the planet one Lladro statue at a time, and the quirkiest cat house you’ll ever see. Then there’s cafes, where the bocadillos are longer than your forearm and the ingredients are not for the faint of heart. Join us as we eat, climb, and explore our way through Valencia’s weird, ...

Join the lads for an appropriately chaos-filled final episode of The Jungle. Recorded live with a wonderful audience at Tiki-A-Go-Go.

SummaryIn this episode of All Things Retreat, Holly Porter interviews Shani, a luxury space healer who specializes in transforming environments for conscious entrepreneurs and retreat leaders. Shani shares her journey into space healing, emphasizing the importance of energetic clearing and creating sacred spaces for retreats. The conversation explores practical tips for elevating the energy of spaces, including the significance of the front door and the need to connect with the spirits of the land. Listeners are encouraged to consider the energetic environment of their spaces to enhance the ...

Fallas is the biggest celebration here in Valencia that lasts almost 3 weeks, but in reality the entire year is spent preparing for this festival. We share our experiences and knowledge (if you can call it that!) of how this festival works, and what makes it fun! Follow us on: ahspain.com https://www.youtube.com/@AhSpainPodcast https://www.instagram.com/ahspainpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/ahspainpodcast/ Loving our show as much as we do? You can help us create more content like this by supporting us on Ko-fi at https://ko-fi.com/ahspainpodcast

There are places inside Hot Springs Village that simply stop you in your tracks. Lake Lago Lookout is one of them. Perched high above the water, this scenic overlook delivers a sweeping view that captures what makes Hot Springs Village so special—rolling hills, dense forest, and the quiet beauty of the Ouachita Mountains stretching into the distance. In this episode, I take you to one of the Village’s “must see” spots… not just for the view, but for what it represents. Because this isn’t just about a pretty place. It’s about what your everyday life could feel like here. ...

Megan Evans is one of the four leaders of Girlguiding in Petersfield and they are looking for new members of all ages. They meet weekly - one group meets on a Friday and one on a Wednesday; they have a hall on Borough Road. Megan tells Mike Waddington about how the organisation helps girls 'find themselves' as well as enjoy the full range of activities they offer - most recently something on Social Media Influencing. They have modernised and believe there is a role for female-only organisations today. Join - or volunteer - on the Girls Guides website site Finding your nearest unit | ...

What happens when “someday” turns into now?In this episode, we sit down with Rich and Steph from Sailing Pinnacle, a family who left behind the expected path to sail the world with their two young children.They’ve crossed both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, surfed remote waves, learned to free dive, and built a life most people only talk about. But behind the dream lies a different reality.They open up about:Questioning everything just hours after departureRaising kids in a small space, far from helpThe pressure of sharing a “dream life” onlineAnd why this life is far harder than it...

Looking for the ultimate Spanish day trip that’s less than an hour from Madrid? In this episode of Ah Spain! Poco A Poco, we’re heading to the cobblestone streets of Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage gem that feels like stepping onto a movie set—and for good reason! We explore the massive Roman Aqueduct that stands perfectly balanced without a drop of mortar, and visit the Alcázar, the ship-shaped fortress that famously inspired Walt Disney’s Snow White castle. Between the "Lady of Cathedrals" and the hidden viewpoints of the Pradera de San Marcos, we’ll help you navigate the city’...

So, you've just arrived in Spain—welcome! Now comes the big question: where do you actually get the stuff you need to live? In this episode, we’re talking beds, coffee makers, towels, and all the random things you suddenly realize you don’t have. We’ll guide you through the typical options for setting up your life here, from department stores to big box retailers. Need tools or home improvement supplies? We'll talk about Spain’s version of Home Depot. Also what is the local equivalent to Walmart? And of course, we can't leave out the neighborhood Chinese shops and local ...

«Il loro carattere generale è quello dei servi degradati. Sono rozzi, queruli, di malafede, spergiuri, calunniatori. Naturalmente sono indocili, ostinati nelle loro idee, risentiti, rissosi e vendicativi» (Giuseppe Maria Galanti)«I calabresi sono degli esseri umani come noi» (Johann Heinrich Bartels)«La parola Calabria dice alla maggioranza cose assai vaghe, paese e gente difficile» scriveva nel 1931 Corrado Alvaro e nello stesso contesto lo scrittore calabrese ricordava come una sua padrona di casa berlinese mettesse insieme, confondendole, la Calabria con le Asturie, e non ci fosse ...

Step into Valencia’s Jardins del Real (aka Viveros) and prepare to look at this peaceful park very differently. In this Ah Spain Podcast: Poco a Poco episode, we dig beneath the orange trees to uncover a forgotten royal palace, Islamic gardens, and a 600-year power center hiding in plain sight. From Moorish orchards and medieval monarchs to Napoleonic destruction and modern archaeology, this episode also explores Valencia’s tug-of-war between history and progress. Expect surprising twists and buried secrets! Follow us on: ahspain.com https://www.youtube.com/@AhSpainPodcast https://...

How much does it really cost to live in Spain? In this episode of Ah Spain!, we get into the nitty-gritty of our monthly expenses as we navigate daily life in the sun-drenched city of Valencia. We’re pulling back the curtain on our budget and walking you through exactly what it costs for two people to live here — from rent and utilities to groceries, public transport, and spontaneous café con leche breaks that turn into three-hour people-watching sessions. We break down how much you can expect to pay for housing, what is the cost of healthcare for expats, and why your electricity bill ...

Spain’s soups are more than just gazpacho. In this episode of Poco A Poco, we travel through Spain’s regions, exploring how history, climate, and humble ingredients shaped beloved dishes—from Andalusia’s chilled gazpacho and Córdoba’s creamy salmorejo to Galicia’s hearty caldo gallego, Castilla y León’s garlicky sopa castellana, and Asturias’ legendary fabada. Discover the ancient roots, cultural traditions, and flavors that make Spanish soups symbols of comfort and identity.

In this episode of Ah, Spain: Poco a Poco, we explore the deep connection between Ernest Hemingway and the country that captured his heart. From the sun-drenched streets of Pamplona to the cafes of Valencia, Hemingway immersed himself in Spanish traditions, bullfighting culture, and the rhythms of everyday life. We trace how Spain shaped his writing, from The Sun Also Rises to For Whom the Bell Tolls, and how his romantic yet unflinching gaze helped define Spain for readers around the world. Along the way, we’ll share stories, historical context, and a few surprising tidbits about the man ...

Flamenco takes center stage in today’s episode. Learn about the origins of flamenco in Andalusia, shaped by Romani, Moorish, Jewish, and Andalusian influences, and how it developed into a deeply expressive art form. A symbol of Spanish identity, flamenco is more than music—it's raw emotion, rhythm, and resistance. We unpack the history, passion, and cultural fusion behind cante (song), toque (guitar), and baile (dance), tracing flamenco’s journey from the margins to the global stage. Whether you're a lover of Spanish music, fascinated by cultural traditions, or just curious about the ...

Most tour operators know they need to stand out. Very few are willing to say something specific enough to actually do it.Yulia Denisyuk has been running trips to Jordan for a decade — longer than the industry standard, slower than most, and deliberately missing a few of the highlights that appear on every other operator's itinerary. She's also a journalist, a content creator, and someone who has watched the travel industry cheerfully market itself through some genuinely difficult years. She and Mitch don't spend much time on tactics. They spend most of this conversation on the harder ...

In this Poco A Poco episode, we’re talking about Valencia’s Turia Garden—once an unpredictable, wandering riverbed, now a lush 9-kilometer park that snakes through the heart of the city. Along the way, you’ll pass playgrounds, bike paths, shady palms, the City of Arts and Sciences, the Palau de la Música, and even a giant Gulliver you can climb on. Discover how a devastating flood led to a bold transformation, and why locals still affectionately call it “the river.” It’s a story of resilience, reinvention, and a little Valencian pride.

In Spain, grocery shopping is like visiting different friends. One chain is where you go for the best bread, another for the freshest produce, and another for that one snack you can’t find anywhere else. In this episode of Ah Spain, we unpack the charming quirks of Spanish supermarkets—from oddly specific aisle layouts to the unspoken rule that one store can never have everything. Expect tales of crossing town just for your favorite salsa, discovering random gourmet treasures, and laughing about how eggs are never where you expect them to be. Along the way, we compare notes on our most ...