In this Part 2 conversation, I’m back with Aaron Millar, award-winning travel writer and host of The Armchair Explorerpodcast. If you haven’t heard Part 1 yet — jump back and catch up — because in this episode, we go deeper into the world of adventure travel, travel writing, storytelling, and podcasting with purpose.

Aaron shares epic stories from his adventures — from descending into a volcano in Iceland to trekking with Shugendo monks in Japan, meditating beneath icy waterfalls and reflecting on the power of discomfort and growth. But this isn’t just about the adventure — it’s about how to tell the story in a way that moves people.

We dive into:

• How to create powerful podcast intros that hook your audience in seconds
• Why the first 30–45 seconds of a podcast episode are make or break
• The difference between travel writing vs. holiday blogging
• What makes a story repeatable and relevant for editors and listeners alike
• Tips for immersive storytelling using ambient sound, music, and editing
• Why planning your story arc before the trip can make or break the final product
• How to deal with disappointing travel experiences and still create magic

Whether you're a travel writer, podcaster, or someone with a passion for storytelling, Aaron's insights into narrative structure, authenticity, and the ethics of travel content will inspire you to level up your craft — and maybe even go book that bucket list adventure.

🎧 About The Armchair Explorer Podcast

The Armchair Explorer is an award-winning travel podcast that brings the world’s most inspiring adventures to life through immersive storytelling, cinematic music, and real traveler voices. Hosted by travel writer Aaron Millar, each episode is crafted like a documentary — designed to transport you to wild, remote, and fascinating corners of the planet, all from the comfort of your headphones.

Named one of The Guardian's best travel podcasts, The Armchair Explorer isn't just about places — it’s about the emotions, transformations, and deeper connections travel can inspire. Whether it’s horseback riding from Canada to Brazil, cage diving with great white sharks, or stargazing in the highlands of Tenerife, each episode takes you on a journey you’ll never forget.

Armchair Explorer

Website

Instagram

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

A final thanks to Aaron for coming on the show; there are a lot of crucial nuggets in there for anyone looking to be a travel writer, podcaster, or to seek out their next adventure. I am sure there are many more subjects to explore in the future with Aaron, but for now, dive in and enjoy our conversations!

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro to Part 2 and recap of Part 1

01:05 – The legend of the Shugendo monks and their mythical powers

03:20 – What it means to tell a compelling story in travel writing

05:45 – Why a great...

Part 1 - Flesh-Eating Crabs, Legendary Pub Crawls & Immersive Travel Storytelling w/ Aaron Millar (The Armchair Explorer Podcast)

In this wildly entertaining and deeply insightful episode, James sits down with Aaron Millar, award-winning travel writer and host of The Armchair Explorer Podcast — once named the best travel podcast by The Guardian. From epic pub crawls across England to one of his podcast guests surviving a flesh-eating crab attack in South Africa, Aaron shares his most unbelievable stories, creative processes, and philosophy behind storytelling that feels like travel.

We dive into:

• Aaron’s early adventures hiking the Swiss Alps as a teen
• His unconventional journey from the music industry to travel journalism
• The 100-mile South Downs pub crawl that kickstarted his writing career
• How blagging a “galactic safari” in Tenerife got him published in The Sunday Times
• The gruesome true story of one of his podcast guests getting eaten alive (partially) by crabs
• Why immersive audio is the future of travel storytelling
• Tips for aspiring podcasters and travel writers
• How storytelling can challenge life norms and inspire change
• A philosophical look at why travel changes people

Aaron’s professional writing has appeared in major publications such as The Times, The Guardian, National Geographic Traveller, and Conde Nast Traveller. He's been a regular columnist and feature writer covering adventure, sustainability, and culture, and has also authored several travel books. Aaron brings a rare blend of narrative skill and on-the-ground experience that makes his work both entertaining and deeply human.

🎧 About The Armchair Explorer Podcast

The Armchair Explorer is an award-winning travel podcast that brings the world’s most inspiring adventures to life through immersive storytelling, cinematic music, and real traveler voices. Hosted by travel writer Aaron Millar, each episode is crafted like a documentary — designed to transport you to wild, remote, and fascinating corners of the planet, all from the comfort of your headphones.

Named one of The Guardian's best travel podcasts, The Armchair Explorer isn't just about places — it’s about the emotions, transformations, and deeper connections travel can inspire. Whether it’s horseback riding from Canada to Brazil, cage diving with great white sharks, or stargazing in the highlands of Tenerife, each episode takes you on a journey you’ll never forget.

We had such a good time recording this episode that we came back a few days later to complete Part 2, which will be out next on Winging It. We will delve further into Aaron's podcast, exploring the importance of immersive storytelling, the differences between work and leisure travel as a travel professional, the emotive truth rather than visual spectacles, and more about Aaron's travels.

Whether you're into epic travel mishaps, audio storytelling tips, or just want to hear a grown man outwit a swarm of crabs, this episode has something for you.

Armchair Explorer

Website

Instagram

A Weekend Camping Getaway to Hicks Lake, British Columbia – Nature Therapy, Campfires & Lake Views

Step into the wild with this immersive audio experience as I take you camping to Hicks Lake in beautiful British Columbia. This is my first camping trip of 2025, and it's everything you'd want from a weekend escape: crackling campfires, misty morning lake views, soulful walks through the forest, and moments of deep peace by the water.

Recorded on location, this episode puts you right in the heart of the action, from the soft rustle of trees to the warmth of a fireside cup of tea. I sleep in a cosy minicamper van, cook simple meals outdoors, and share reflections on the healing power of nature. You'll hear it all as it happens: the soothing sound of coffee brewing at sunrise, the crunch of gravel underfoot during lake hikes, and the laughter around the fire.

Whether you're dreaming about your next BC camping trip, need a mental escape, or love nature's soundtrack, this episode is your ticket to Hicks Lake.

In this episode, you’ll experience:

• A cinematic journey through the forests and shores of Hicks Lake
• What it’s like sleeping in a converted camper van in chilly spring temps
• Fireside chats, marshmallow debates, and cosy food rituals
• The peaceful rhythm of a day outdoors — unplugged and tech-free
• A local tip to end your weekend at Cypress Mountain with epic Vancouver views

Perfect for listeners who love:

• Camping in Canada
• Solo or couple vanlife adventures
• British Columbia nature travel
• ASMR-style immersive travel podcasts
• Slow travel and mental reset inspiration

🎧 Press play and let Hicks Lake take you away.

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Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

Please leave a review and rating wherever you get your podcasts!

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Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com

Social Media - follow me on:

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

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Support My Podcast - Memberships

Patreon - Here

Buy Me A Coffee - Here

Affiliate Links

If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.

Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here

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🎙️ Exploring Train Journeys & Forgotten British Histories with Shafik Meghji 🚂 | Winging It Travel Podcast

In this week's episode, I'm joined for a hat-trick appearance by award-winning travel writer, journalist, and broadcaster Shafik Meghji, as we dive deep into the romance of train travel, chance encounters on the road, and his brand new book Small Earthquakes: A Journey Through Lost British History in South America (out July 24, 2025).

We start with a ride on the Tren del Fin del Mundo, the world’s southernmost railway near Ushuaia, Argentina — a former prison line turned into a stunning tourist route through Tierra del Fuego National Park. We chat train adventures across the globe, from the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada to India’s rail journeys, the Trans-Siberian, Vietnam’s Reunification Express, and future plans for travel by rail through Europe, Japan, and Australia.

But that’s not all — we explore unexpected British footprints across South America, from Welsh-speaking communities in Patagonia to Victorian architecture in Montevideo, British-built railways in Argentina, and even the story behind the iconic Fray Bentos pies in Uruguay.

Whether you’re into epic train journeys, unusual travel histories, or looking for South America travel inspiration, this episode will ignite your wanderlust.

🌍 Topics Covered:

• Shafik’s top global train journeys & bucket list routes
• Life and landscapes aboard the Tren del Fin del Mundo
• A deep dive into Uruguay’s underrated capital, Montevideo
• The incredible stories behind his new book Small Earthquakes
• British history in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile & beyond
• Serendipitous travel encounters and the magic of slow travel
• Central America travel tips – including El Salvador, Panama & Belize
• The polar bears (and beluga whales!) of Churchill, Manitoba via train
• Street tango, carne asado, and the culture of the River Plate

📚 Pre-order Small Earthquakes – A powerful and fascinating narrative connecting British history to forgotten corners of Latin America. Out July 24, 2025 - order here!

Shafik Meghji

Website

Instagram

💬 Have you taken a memorable train journey? Visited South America recently? Drop a comment and share your stories – we’d love to hear them!

📺 New episodes every Monday on YouTube & all major podcast platforms. Hit subscribe and never miss an episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast.

Timestamps

00:00 Exploring 'Small Earthquakes' and British History in South America

02:47 Travel Plans and Adventures for 2025

06:02 The Allure of Central America and El Salvador

09:12 Chance Encounters and Connections While Traveling

12:05 The Impact of Travel on Personal Growth

15:01 The Hidden Gems of Uruguay and Montevideo

18:00 Tango, Carnival, and Cultural Experiences in Montevideo

21:04 Traveling to Uruguay: Tips and Recommendations

24:01 Exploring the Unique...

A Long Weekend in Kelowna, British Columbia - Kelowna to Osoyoos: Wine Country, Lakeside Strolls & the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre

This week on the Winging It Travel Podcast, I’m sharing a relaxing but adventure-packed Easter weekend getaway in Kelowna and Osoyoos, located in the heart of British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley. If you’re dreaming about a scenic road trip filled with vineyard views, coffee shop gems, and meaningful cultural experiences, this episode is for you.

We based ourselves in downtown Kelowna, staying at the centrally located Royal Anne Hotel, and explored everything from lakeside trails to vibrant cafes and local eateries. Then we hit the road to visit Vernon, the desert-like town of Osoyoos, and the powerful and educational Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, where I share my honest reflections about Canada’s colonial history and the importance of Indigenous learning spaces.

From sipping wine at Frind Winery next to the beach, to an epic brunch at Eatology, to sipping third-wave espresso at Slow Side Coffee, this weekend was the perfect mix of downtime and discovery. I also dive into travel costs, local transport tips, and why Kelowna might just be your next affordable getaway from Vancouver.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

• 🧳 How to spend 4 days in Kelowna without breaking the bank
• ☕ Where to find the best coffee in Kelowna
• 🍷 A must-visit beachfront winery in West Kelowna
• 🍽️ My top food spots: from Vietnamese banh mi to fine Indian cuisine
• 🏞️ The Okanagan Region is one of Canada’s sunniest destinations
• 🎓 An honest take on the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre and its powerful Indigenous education
• 🚗 How to plan a mini road trip through the Okanagan with a cheap rental car
• 🌅 Scenic walking routes along Okanagan Lake and Tugboat Beach
• 💡 Tips for booking travel during holidays like Easter

If you’re considering a short break within BC, this episode shows why Kelowna and Osoyoos offer the perfect mix of relaxation, culture, and natural beauty. I’ll also touch on how this trip made me reconsider future moves—Kelowna might just be a contender!

Here is my episode on our time in Penticton and Nelson when on our road trip in 2023 - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000622426622

https://open.spotify.com/episode/25S9EOPiUSljD2KJuYMbvs?si=KuXDBWWBTp-fdDnprr7Ldw

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to the Winging It Travel Podcast

00:30 Exploring Kelowna: A Weekend Getaway

01:55 Adventures in Kelowna: Food and Coffee Stops

05:44 Day Trips: Vernon and Asoyus Highlights

09:33 Cultural Insights: Inka Meep Desert Cultural Center

10:58 Reflections on Kelowna and Future Travels

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Winging It Travel Podcast -

In this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I share my real-time experience during a 4-hour layover in Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). From navigating quick immigration to sampling authentic local food, I break down how to make the most of a short stopover in one of Asia’s busiest transit hubs.

You’ll hear tips on how to leave the airport, our experience of finding local street food, great viewpoints around Central Station and ideas on how much things cost. I also dive into a few other fantastic cities around the world for layovers, including:

✈️ Singapore Changi Airport – Nature, food, and luxury in one

✈️ Kuala Lumpur – Affordable and easy to get around

✈️ Amsterdam Schiphol Airport – Europe’s layover gem

✈️ London Heathrow – Historic sites just a train ride away

✈️ Reykjavik – Utilise Icelandic Air's free layover service with your airfare

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or planning your first big trip, these layover travel hacks will help you turn airport downtime into a mini-adventure.

🔗 Connect & Subscribe:

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your travel-loving friends.

Follow the journey on Instagram and YouTube at Roaming with Hammo.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to Winging It Travel Podcast

00:30 Layover Adventures in Hong Kong

06:07 Exploring Other Layover Cities

10:21 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

--------------------------------------------------------------

Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/

Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

Please leave a review and rating wherever you get your podcasts!

--------------------------------------------------------------

Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com

Social Media - follow me on:

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

--------------------------------------------------------------

Support My Podcast - Memberships

Patreon - Here

Buy Me A Coffee - Here

Affiliate Links

If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.

Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here

Use Revolut...

Ep 179 w/ Mark Wolters - Honest Travel Tips from Wolters World: 1M+ YouTube Followers + The Power of Being Real

In this week’s episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I sit down with Mark Wolters, the face behind the hugely popular Wolters World YouTube channel — with over 1 million subscribers tuning in for his brutally honest, no-fluff travel tips.

Mark has built a reputation on keeping it real — no sugarcoating, no sponsored fluff, and zero tolerance for BS. Whether you're a first-time backpacker, a digital nomad, or a seasoned globetrotter, you're going to love this chat.

Here’s what we dig into:

🌍 Travel before the internet – What it was like exploring the world in the 90s and early 2000s

📱 YouTube honesty – Why Mark refuses to take money for travel reviews and how that keeps his content real

🧳 Backpacking in South America & study abroad insights – Why these were game-changers in Mark’s travel journey

🏕️ Budget travel vs. today's hostel prices – Has the travel industry lost the plot post-COVID?

🌍 Underrated destinations – Why Rwanda, El Salvador, and South America deserve way more love

🚫 What NOT to do when travelling – The philosophy behind his “Don’ts of Travel” series

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family travel tips – How Mark makes world travel work with kids

🛫 Overcoming fear of travel – The media vs. the reality on the ground in countries you might think are “dangerous”

🏰 Upcoming trips to Banff, Serbia, and beyond – Plus, why his dad is finally visiting a castle from a 50-year-old painting!

Whether you're here for inspiration, insight, or a bit of nostalgia, this episode is packed with wisdom from a guy who’s travelled the world, filmed it all, and still sends postcards home.

👉 Hit play and discover why 1m+ subscribers trust Mark for honest travel advice that actually helps.

🔗 Links & Resources

• Wolters World YouTube Channel
• Follow Mark on Instagram: @woltersworld
• Wolters World Website
• Find all episodes & more travel podcasts at Voyascape

📍 New episodes every Monday on Spotify, Apple, and all your favourite podcast app.

YouTube version is HERE

💬 Love the episode? Share it with a friend and tag us @wingingittravelpodcast

Timestamps

00:00 Nostalgia for 90s Travel

01:47 Introduction to Mark Walters

02:12 Mark's Early Travel Experiences

06:11 First International Trip and Its Impact

09:50 Travelling as an Adult

11:40 Backpacking in South America

13:34 Advice for Study Abroad Students

15:42 Travelling in the Digital Age

17:15 Camaraderie in Travel

20:24 Types of Travellers

22:03 Lessons Learned from Locals

24:13 Overcoming Travel Fears

25:57 Experiencing Culture Shock

27:45 Accommodation Preferences

30:11 The Changing Landscape of Hostels

31:30 The Evolution of Hostels

32:50 Travel Disappointments and Expectations

33:48 Local...

In this final episode of my month-long adventure through Central America and Mexico, I dive into the last stop of my trip — Mexico City — and share how I explored as much as possible in one of the world’s largest cities in just 36 hours. I cover everything from using the Mexico City Metro to where I stayed near the airport, the incredible Roma Norte neighbourhood, and major landmarks like El Zócalo, Palacio de Bellas Artes, and Bosque de Chapultepec.

After the travel stories, I break down my full one-month backpacking budget, revealing exactly how much I spent across El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico — including flight costs, food, accommodation, activities, transportation, and more.

Whether you're planning a backpacking trip through Central America, looking for budget travel inspiration, or curious about solo travel safety and tips, this episode packs a ton of value.

🧳 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What to see and do with just 36 hours in Mexico City
• The best neighbourhoods for backpackers in CDMX (hint: Roma Norte!)
• Tips for navigating the Mexico City Metro and using Uber
• My favourite cheap eats and local food experiences in Mexico City
• Full breakdown of my travel budget
• Average daily spending by country
• Honest reflections on travelling solo, safety, and must-see spots like Lake Atitlán, Acatenango Volcano, Antigua, Oaxaca and Tikal.

🎒 Useful Resources:

• 🌐 Winging It Travel Podcast Website
• 📺 Watch the Vlogs on Roaming with Hammo (YouTube)

🎧 Listen to Past Episodes:

• El Salvador Playlist on Spotify
• Guatemala Series
• Oaxaca Episode

🗣 Like, Review, Subscribe & Share

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate it, leave a review, and subscribe on your favourite podcast platform.

Please share it with your fellow travellers and follow me on YouTube @roamingwithhammo too!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Winging It Travel Podcast

00:30 Exploring Mexico City: Arrival and First Impressions

01:58 Navigating Mexico City: Metro and Transportation Tips

02:58 Cultural Landmarks: Plaza de la Constitución and Palacio de Bellas Artes

05:06 Discovering Roma: Trendy Neighbourhoods and Cafes

07:03 Experiencing Festivals: Angel of Independence and Local Culture

08:25 Reflections on Mexico City: A Quick Visit

09:20 Trip Summary: Insights from Central America

10:49 Budget Breakdown: Costs of the Month-Long Trip

13:07 Final Thoughts: Future Travel Plans and...