Tokyo is a city where you can go back to the future, where the ancient and the futuristic are seamlessly entwined. You might visit a shiny new shopping centre to pick up traditional snacks and souvenirs. Or perhaps you’ll stroll along streets where centuries-old temples rub shoulders with neon-drenched skyscrapers. Or of course, you could explore a cutting-edge contemporary art gallery then grab dinner at a restaurant founded generations ago. You’ll find this intoxicating blend...

When you hear the name Qatar, you might think about the 2022 World Cup, or picture a business hub, or even have some trepidation about visiting. This episode is here to blow away those pre-conceptions and reveal the real Qatar; and, spoiler alert, it’s way better than you might think. Taking us there are photographer Will Gray, who at the time of recording had just come back from an assignment in Qatar for Wanderlust; Hazel Plush, a regular Wanderlust contributor and Middle Eastern trave...

The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest on Earth, encompassing more than 2 million square miles and seven South American countries. Brazil is home to the largest swathe with roughly 60% of the total area, and is arguably the most accessible too, with some of the best and most varied adventure opportunities on offer.Seeing the Amazon with your own eyes is rightly on the bucket list of many travellers. But with so much to see, it’s hard to know where to start.In today’s episode...

“The Florida Keys are a real mixture of the Caribbean and of the United States…actually, I’m doing them a disservice saying that. The Keys definitely have their own distinct personality.”In today’s episode we’re heading down to the Florida Keys, the southernmost destination in the US. This charming archipelago of islands, sprawling from the southern tip of Florida’s peninsula, are home to a vibrant array of wildlife and abundant natural attractions, from pristine coral reefs to luscious mangr...

From rainforests to high peaks, crashing surf to the greatest wildlife show on Earth,when you travel to Ecuador you get four worlds in one.In today’s episode, we’re going to be exploring the natural beauty, culture, and food of this varied South American country through the lens of its four distinct eco-systems: The Andes, The Amazon, The Pacific Coast, and The Galapagos.Named after the equator it straddles, Ecuador may not be on your bucket list yet, but after listening to this episode we gu...

In the hit UK TV show Race Across the World, teams of two people compete against each other to cover vast distances of the planet using any means other than air travel. The catch is, they’re not allowed mobile phones, or credit cards, and the only money they’re can carry is what the cost of a flight would have been. In order to win, they have to beg, blag and charm their way instead. It turns out, series 3 champions Tricia Sail and Cathie Rowe are very good at all three.In this episode of Wan...

If you're not yet familiar with Saskatchewan, Canada's province known as 'The Land of Living Skies,' prepare for a journey off the beaten track...and into the wilderness. Saskatchewan is renowned for its variety of landscapes, from the prairie grasslands of the south to the mist-shrouded boreal forests of the north. And as a place where people have lived and thrived for millennia, the indigenous perspective continues to shape Saskatchewan's culture. So today, we're looking to dig into the...

On Scotland's longest continuous coastal path, you'll find 117 miles of cobalt seas and verdant hills. You'll see dolphins leaping from the waves and gannets diving from the skies. You'll sample freshly grown fruits from over 500 farms and delight in rich ice creams in charming small towns. You'll kneel by tidal pools teeming with life and wander through ancient castles soaked in history. The Fife Coastal Path is full of delights for all ages and tastes -- for however many hours or days you...

Are you looking to plan an unforgettable trip in 2024? Whether you're looking for suggestions on specific destinations, or you're simply eager for some general travel inspiration, this episode is for you. Join Wanderlust's travel experts for handpicked favorites around the world. From walking safaris in India to the white-sand beaches of New Caledonia, from sizzling Korean barbecue to food festivals in Quebec, the 2024 Hot List is full of destinations for every interest.  Join Wanderlust's...

You might not know much about Azerbaijan - but after today's episode, you'll be booking your flights for this small yet incredibly culturally rich country. Azerbaijan contains a wealth of history, culture, and geography, boasting  cities old and new as well as soaring mountain ranges, brightly colored lakes, and mossy forests. From doing a homestay with a family in a Silk Road village to taking horses out across the Caucasus Mountains, there's so much to do in this gem of the Caspian Sea. ...

Germany is a combination of uber cool and timeless tradition, with stunning landscapes and buzzing metropolises. Tourists flock to the Bavarian Alps, the Black Forest, the Rhine castles and the happening cities of Berlin and Munich, but this diverse country has so much more to see.  So in today's episode, follow along on our journey through Germany's unique heritage sites. Host Aaron Millar will interview travel writer Andrew Eames, who will guide us through Northern Germany from the Baltic...

"Why would anyone buy a travel magazine? They can get a free brochure from a holiday company."  Wanderlust founding editor Lyn Hughes recalls this reaction from a magazine retailer when she pitched her idea in 1993. But she and her partner, Paul Morrison, decided to forge ahead anyways with their idea for a down-to-earth, exploration-focused travel magazine - and they never looked back.  Over the past 30 years, Wanderlust has become the most trusted name in travel when it comes to...

The Canadian province of Alberta is known for the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains, Banff and Lake Louise - pristine peaks, turquoise lakes and dark skies filled with unimaginable stars.  But its roots go far deeper.  Long before this land was colonized, Indigenous peoples made their homes here. And today, Alberta is home to 45 First Nations and over 85,000 Métis - a tribal group who have both Indigenous and European ancestry - all with their own unique identity, culture...

The Azores are one of the best-kept secrets of travel for nature lovers. There's a reason these 9 islands, situated in sparkling turquoise waters off the coast of Portugal, are known as  "naturally surprising." They're bursting with biodiversity, natural attractions, and rich cultural experiences. In this episode, listen as travel writer and host Aaron Millar interviews Eduardo Elias from Visit Azores. They'll discuss everything uniquely Azores, from hiking volcanic calderas to birdwatching,...

Palm trees. Pro surfers. Desert canyons. Hollywood glamour. Luscious mountains. Perhaps no place has it all quite like California does. And this episode, you'll get to know the 'Road Trip Republic' and experience some of the sights you can only find in the Golden State! Listen as Wanderlust's own Founding Editor, Lyn Hughes, interviews travel writer (and regular Off the Page host) Aaron Millar about the multiple road trips he's taken in California. Aaron shares off-the-beaten track...

"When you get off the plane in Tobago, you just breathe differently....you truly relax." Tobago, a small jewel-bright island in the Caribbean, is a paradise seemingly untouched by time. Here, birds chirp in lush rainforests, warm seas whisper over white sands, and music echoes from every town and village. And to explore the abundant offerings of this small yet lively place, host Aaron Millar is speaking with several different Tobago natives and residents. You'll hear from Alicia Edwards and...

"Begin your day with a sunrise on a mountaintop...and end it with your feet in the sea and a glass of wine in your hand." Croatia, the jewel of the upper Adriatic, is a painter's palette of a country - a colorful land imbued with a heritage as vibrant as its nature. Here, olive groves and vineyards perch atop seaside cliffs; ancient cities with red tiled roofs glint in the Mediterranean sun; and folk dancers swing in  circle dances over sheep-dotted pastures. In Croatia there is truly...

"Travel makes humans proud to be human. It connects us to this beautiful planet." Since its founding, Wanderlust has proudly advocated for travel that is purposeful, thoughtful, and sustainable. And as more and more travelers have grown conscious of their environmental impact, the desire to connect with sustainable destinations has grown exponentially.   From tour operators with zero carbon footprint to indigenous-run hotels that boost their local economies, the Travel Green List is teeming...

"Visitors to Algeria will discover a majestic cultural mosaic...a country finding its own voice." When writer Mark Stratton decided to visit Algeria, he was unsure what to expect. Africa's largest country is anything but homogenous; from weathered Roman ruins to gleaming Ottoman mosques, wind-whipped sand dunes and vibrant oasis gardens, every corner boasts a blend of history and culture that is entirely unique. Follow Mark as he recounts his travels, winding from the breezy Mediterranean...

"It's a living archeological site...it's like bringing up buried treasure." The ancient mud-brick city of Diriyah rises majestically out of Saudi Arabia's desert, beckoning visitors to explore a city rich with history and abundant with life. As the original home of Saudi Arabia's royal family, this is a place that has shaped its country's history and culture for hundreds of years. And now, it's being injected with new life as part of the Kingdom's 2030 Vision to make Diriyah the largest...

"I had come to the Pacific Northwest to explore a region where wilderness creaks at the city gates," writes Gareth Clark. "And I didn't have to look hard to find examples." From labyrinthine tunnels beneath Seattle to rolling, mineral-striped hills in Oregon, the USA's Pacific Northwest is a region that never fails to surprise - and delight. Follow along as Gareth recounts his memorable moments from a trip through Washington and Oregon last fall. Along the way, he explores Seattle by land,...

"When you arrive in Louisiana...expect the unexpected." There's no place quite like Louisiana. In this rich land of mossy bayous and brightly-painted porches, music intermingles with the cries of wildlife and the flow of the river. It's a place teeming with history and curiosity, colorful art, soulful food, and a joyous spirit. And to experience all of it - because in Louisiana, more is more - we're taking a roadtrip throughout the southern heart of the state! Beginning in New Orleans,...

A crocodile silently drifting through purple lotus-dotted waters. Bells tolling from brightly painted cupolas in a cobblestone plaza. Mist rising off the thunderous column of the world's largest waterfall. The planet is teeming with incredible moments. And while travel has never been more popular, it also presents globe-trotters with a challenge - how are you supposed to choose where to go? The travel experts at Wanderlust are here to help! Whether you're looking for suggestions on...

"Yes, Christmas Island does exist! And no, Santa doesn't live there...but red crabs do." When writer Martin Symington first learned about a place called Christmas Island, he knew he had to see it for himself - and what he found had nothing to do with snow or reindeer. Instead, this beautiful island in the Indian Ocean is a tropical haven of white-sand beaches, lush jungles, brightly colored birds, and, most bizarrely of all, an incredible number of crabs. In this episode, join Martin as he...