Why now is the best time to visit Jordan and how a small group tour makes it easier
Release Date: 01/14/2026
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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,...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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_outlineDreaming 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 lower hotel rates to have an incredible, wallet-friendly adventure in a safe and friendly country.
From Roman ruins and the rose-red city of Petra to the surreal Dead Sea and women-run cafes, we took a whirlwind tour of Jordan with G Adventures as part of their GX event. They run several small group tours here that vary in length, cost, and travel style. G tours are designed to help people, places, and the planet, powered by a community tourism model you’ll be hearing a lot about in this episode.
In this immersive audio journey through Jordan, we speak with tour guides, local business owners, community tourism experts and journalists to dive into what's going on in Jordan right now and why it's the best time to visit with a G Adevntures tour to see ancient sites like Petra, featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, float in the mineral rich Dead Sea, a traditional meal at a G Adventures–supported cafe, and gain insights into the Bedouin way of life in the heart of the Jordanian desert.
Huge thanks to G Adventures for supporting this episode of Travel Goals. Visit gadventures.com and start planning your Jordan adventure now.
************
Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter.
If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast delivered straight to your inbox.
Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook.
Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd.
Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast.
Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.