How to travel to challenging countries and hard to reach places
Release Date: 03/01/2023
Porto city break guide: What to see, eat and do and why now is the time to go
Travel Goals Podcast
Planning a Porto city break? Explore a riverside city of cobbled streets, iconic bridges and colourful azulejo tiles and find out why Porto is the perfect weekend break. Here, the Douro River carves through the centre and in the medieval Ribeira (riverside) district, narrow cobbled streets wind past merchants’ houses and charming cafes, and there is so much to explore. On this on-location episode, we explain why now is the ideal time to visit Porto and stay at Mercure Porto Centro Aliados, a four-star hotel right in the heart of the city. Its central location puts you within easy walking...
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Why now is the best time to visit Jordan and how a small group tour makes it easier
Travel Goals Podcast
Dreaming of visiting Jordan to see archaeological wonders like Petra and the jaw-dropping landscapes of the vast Wadi Rum Desert? On this episode, we'll be discussing why now is the perfect time to visit Jordan before the crowds return, and why you should experience this welcoming country with a G Adventures small-group tour. Join presenter Portia Jones and Producer Luke Jones on this special on-location episode to find out how fallibg visitor numbers to sites like Petra and Wadi Rum due to current misconceptions about the safety of Jordan, mean you can take advantage of fewer crowds and...
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How to travel with just hand luggage and chose the right bag to avoid airline fees
Travel Goals Podcast
Do you want to travel with just hand luggage this year and beat airline fees? Then this is the episode for you. We’re chatting to travel pros to bring you the smartest hacks for choosing the right cabin bag and packing it properly, so you can travel light without compromising on style or dignity. No sock-stuffed bras. Don't wear all your clothes on the plane like Joey from Friends; instead, copy genuinely useful advice and hacks that work in this updated and re-released episode. On the show, Sean Gresty from Cabin Max shares exactly how to choose the right cabin bag, how to stay within...
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Happy holidays, and what's coming to Travel Goals in 2026
Travel Goals Podcast
On this very short holiday update of Travel Goals, we wanted to drop into your feed to wish you happy holidays and thank you for all the support this year. Tune in as producer Luke and I share our excitement for the upcoming season, which kicks off in January 2026, taking you on an audio journey to destinations like Naples, Porto, Jordan, and back to the US. There will also be lively discussions with travel experts on a range of topics from travelling with kids to planning a festival break. Whether you’re looking for travel inspiration, insider tips, or just a quick festive hello, this...
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Why Orlando is America's best foodie city: Insider's guide to Orlando's must-try food and drink spots
Travel Goals Podcast
Forget everything you thought you knew about Orlando’s food scene. In this deliciously packed episode, we’re diving headfirst into one of America’s most surprising culinary hotspots, Orlando. The Theme Park Capital of the World is now earning serious foodie cred, with Michelin-starred restaurants, buzzing food halls, breweries and creative eats in bougie neighbourhoods. Join hungry presenter Portia Jones and Producer Luke Jones as they eat their way through Orlando’s tastiest neighbourhoods, from hip Audubon Park to buzzy Ivanhoe Village, exploring street food stalls,...
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A grown-up’s guide to Orlando: The best theme parks, dining, wine tasting and hotels for an adult-only vacation
Travel Goals Podcast
Orlando, Florida, is the ultimate family destination, but did you know it's also an amazing adults-only vacation? Join us on an epic audio journey as we explore some of the best things to do for adults in Orlando, including top-rated dining, wine tasting, sunset kayaking, and adrenaline-pumping roller coasters. Pack your bags and join me and producer Luke as we head to the theme park capital of the world to show you why this sun-soaked city isn’t just for families; it’s also the perfect grown-up getaway if you want thrill rides paired with buzzing bars, restaurants and...
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The Lake District you didn't know existed: Discover Cumbria's art, heritage and culture
Travel Goals Podcast
Think you know the Lake District? Think again. Join us on an epic audio journey as we peel back the layers of Cumbria to reveal a side you probably never expected—one bursting with art, heritage, and culture. When most people picture the Lake District, they see shimmering lakes, rugged fells, and charming country inns. And yes, all that is spectacular—but what if we told you this region is so much more than scenic hikes and boat trips? Beyond the well-trodden trails, Cumbria has long been a magnet for creatives, from poets and painters to musicians and makers. And it’s not just about...
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Boston’s Best Water Adventures: Whale Watching, Duck Tours, Harbour Cruises and kayaking
Travel Goals Podcast
Boston is a city shaped by water. From its earliest Indigenous inhabitants, to its dramatic role in the American Revolution, the city’s history is written in its harbours, rivers, and shorelines. But Boston’s connection to the water isn’t just about the past—it’s alive and thriving today. Join host Portia Jones and producer Luke as they explore Boston’s famous harbour and its transformation from a strategic trading port to a thriving waterfront destination. Whale tails break the surface in the waters of Stellwagen Bank, an ocean sanctuary teeming with marine life. Kayaks glide past...
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Inside the Dramatic Heart of Wales: Discover Haunting History, Magical Landscapes and Spooky Legends
Travel Goals Podcast
Ready to uncover one of Wales' best-kept secrets? We’re heading to the myth-filled, magical landscapes of Neath Port Talbot – the dramatic heart of Wales. In this underrated region, local legends and ghostly tales are as abundant as the picturesque valleys and cascading waterfalls. This episode is your backstage pass to the heart of Welsh myth and magic, from haunted castles and historic abbeys to Welsh folklore. Join us as we wander through Margam Castle, a Tudor Gothic Mansion rumoured to be one of the UK’s most haunted spots. Feel the chill of ghostly encounters and hear the eerie...
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Ireland: The Home of Halloween - Discover Ancient Fires, Folklore and Spooky Stories
Travel Goals Podcast
Did you know that Halloween’s true origins are rooted in the ancient Celtic traditions of Ireland? This isn’t just any Halloween story—this is a spooky audio journey into the heart of the Emerald Isle, where the festival we now know as Halloween began over 2,000 years ago. Join us for an immersive, spine-tingling adventure through Ireland’s mystical myths, haunting folklore, and fascinating Samhain traditions. In this special episode, we take you to County Meath, home to the Púca Festival, where history, fire, and feasting combine with the strange and mischievous...
info_outlineAny 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!
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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!