Truly Expat Travel

Truly Expat Travel Podcast brings you the world's best travel destinations through conversations with expats who've made foreign countries their home. Discover hidden gems, local insider tips, and authentic travel experiences you won't find in guidebooks. Each episode features expats sharing their favourite destinations, secret spots, cultural insights, and practical travel advice from cities and countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. From weekend getaways to bucket list adventures, food scenes to cultural experiences, our guests reveal what makes their adopted homes special. Perfect for travellers seeking authentic local perspectives, digital nomads planning their next move, or anyone dreaming of exploring the world beyond tourist traps. Get real recommendations from people who live the expat lifestyle every day. What you'll discover: • Hidden travel gems recommended by local expats • Insider tips for popular and off-the-beaten-path d

Truly Expat Travel is a society podcast hosted by Paula Barnes, with 54 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Paula Barnes hosts Truly Expat Travel, a society show with 54 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #27

  Thinking of Visiting Dublin? A Local Tells You Everything the Guidebooks Miss

  Aug 18, 202635 minS2

  If you think Ireland is just about rain and Guinness, this episode will change your mind. Paula sits down with Dani — a Dublin local and founder of Nomadeire— for an insider's guide to one of Europe's most underrated holiday destinations. From wild coastal hikes to cozy pub sessions with live music, Dani shares all the things only locals know that make Dublin and Ireland so special. In this episode: Why Dublin punches above its weight as a European capital — English-speaking, startup-friendly, and just a two-hour flight from most of Europe The best coastal escapes within 30 minutes of the city, including Howth's cliff walk, Malahide beach, and the Bray-to-Greystones coastal path Getting around without a car — what's easy on public transport and when you'll need to rent one (think Donegal and the Wild Atlantic Way) The real Guinness debate: where locals actually drink it, what a drop of blackcurrant does to it, and why it tastes different outside Ireland Hidden gems including Johnny Fox's pub in Wicklow, the Gravediggers pub, Cornucopia for vegetarian food, and the seafood chowder you'll still be thinking about Why summer and September are surprisingly brilliant times to visit — sea swimming, saunas by the ocean, and the Wim Hof experience you didn't sign up for Danny's dream three-day Dublin itinerary: coastal hiking + fish and chips, city centre history and free museums, and a night of live Irish music and dancing Nomad Era's annual festival in Naas, County Kildare (1–3 September), where digital nomads pitch to investors, learn AI, go horse riding, and finish the evening in a local pub Links mentioned: NomadEire: nomadeire.com — Ireland's digital nomad community and annual conference Read more on Truly Expat Travel: 15 Best Things to Do in Dublin Where to Stay in Dublin, Ireland Beyond Dublin: Hidden Irish Gems You'll Fall in Love With Must read tips before hiring a car in Ireland Your Ultimate Guide to Donegal: Ireland's Most Spectacular Hidden County Find Dani on: Instagram - Nomadeire Send us Fan Mail Ready to explore Taiwan with a small group of adventurous women over 50? I'm leading a 10-day Taiwan group trip in 2026 — temples, mountain scenery, stunning coastline, and so much more — and I have just 2 spots remaining. Deposit deadline is end of July. Full Itinerary here - Taiwan Itinerary Help Truly Expat Travel by leaving a review or making a donation Here is the link - https://buymeacoffee.com/trulyexpat Skip the Taxi Queue.Book Before You Land Skip the taxi stress. Pre-book your transfer in 120+ countries. Book here → Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Find me on: Website: T ruly Expat Travel Facebook: Truly Expat Instagram: Truly Expat Travel TikTok: Truly Expat Travel Running this podcast takes a lot of coffee (and countless hours exploring every destination!). If you found this helpful and want to support more honest, detailed travel guides and itineraries, you can buy me a coffee . No pressure though – I'm just happy you're here and hope you have an incredible adventure!

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #26

  Medellin Colombia: Safer Than You've Been Told

  Aug 11, 202634 minS2

  Paula is joined by Neil H Solomon — entrepreneur, author, and nomad — who gave up everything in the US in 2018 to travel the world. Now based in Mexico City, his other great love is Medellin, Colombia. In this episode, he breaks down the myths, shares the real numbers on safety, and makes a compelling case for why Medellin belongs on your bucket list. About Neil Neil walked away from a corporate career at 35, built a business from scratch, scaled it 12x to 300 employees, then engineered himself out of the day-to-day so he could travel. In 2018, he became a full nomad, visiting around 70 countries. He now splits his time between Mexico City and Medellín. Connect with Neil: the1percentdoor.com Is Colombia Safe? Neil's answer: yes — with the same common sense you'd use anywhere. The stat that stops most people: Medellin has the same murder rate as Denver, Colorado. Most crime is opportunistic, so don't flash expensive jewellery or gadgets and you'll largely be fine. What Makes Medellin Special Medellin sits in a natural bowl surrounded by mountains, with over a million trees planted in the last decade. The locals call it the City of Eternal Spring — perfect weather year-round, cool and crisp higher up the mountain, warmer in the valley. And somehow, impossibly, no mosquitoes. Where to Stay Stay in Poblado — that's where expats, digital nomads and international visitors base themselves. Warmer in the valley, cooler with better views higher up the mountain. Things to Do Botero Museum — dedicated to Medellín's most famous son, Fernando Botero. Essential. Comuna 13 — once the most dangerous neighbourhood in the city, now transformed into an open-air attraction with outdoor escalators, murals, food and music. Sunday Ciclovía — streets close to cars and fill with walkers, runners and cyclists. Shopping — almost everything is made locally in Colombia; the malls are vast and full of things you won't find anywhere else. Day trips — coffee plantations and mountains within a couple of hours. Food & Cost Neil's top food pick: chicharrón (deep-fried pork belly — Colombia does it best). The international food scene is strong. In Bogota, don't miss Leo — chef Leonor Espinosa's seven-course tasting menu, around $100 USD. Tipping is 0 or 10% — restaurants will ask. Credit cards work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for beauty services. Getting there: Uber or taxi from the airport, around $30–40 USD. Arrive at night if you can — coming out of the tunnel into a bowl full of lights is unforgettable. The Beauty Scene Manicures, massages, hair treatments — all delivered to your door for around $30–40 USD total. Neil gets his nails done on his balcony. Dental and cosmetic work is also world-class at a fraction of what you'd pay elsewhere. Neil's Book The 1% Door — about entrepreneurship, freedom, and building a life that doesn't require you to show up every day. the1percentdoor.com Send us Fan Mail Ready to explore Taiwan with a small group of adventurous women over 50? I'm leading a 10-day Taiwan group trip in 2026 — temples, mountain scenery, stunning coastline, and so much more — and I have just 2 spots remaining. Deposit deadline is end of July. Full Itinerary here - Taiwan Itinerary Help Truly Expat Travel by leaving a review or making a donation Here is the link - https://buymeacoffee.com/trulyexpat Skip the Taxi Queue.Book Before You Land Skip the taxi stress. Pre-book your transfer in 120+ countries. Book here → Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Find me on: Website: T ruly Expat Travel Facebook: Truly Expat Instagram: Truly Expat Travel TikTok: Truly Expat Travel Running this podcast takes a lot of coffee (and countless hours exploring every destination!). If you found this helpful and want to support more honest, detailed travel guides and itineraries, you can buy me a coffee . No pressure though – I'm just happy you're here and hope you have an incredible adventure!

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #25

  The Inland Melbourne to Sydney Road Trip Nobody Takes

  Aug 4, 202619 minS1

  Most people who drive between Melbourne and Sydney take the coastal route — and yes, it's beautiful. But in this episode, Paula reveals the road trip that most Australians have never done: the inland heritage route, through tiny historic towns that most tourists completely overlook. Paula did this solo over seven days, and she'll tell you straight up — seven days wasn't enough. In This Episode Paula takes you through her 7-day solo drive from Melbourne to Sydney via the inland route, covering Bendigo, Glenrowan, Albury-Wodonga, Corowa, and Rutherglen. She talks through what she did, what she missed, what surprised her, and why she thinks every Australian should do this trip at least once. Stops on the Route ️ The Full Itinerary Get the complete 8-day heritage road trip itinerary with all the details: 8-Day Heritage Road Trip from Melbourne to Sydney (Inland Route) Stop 1: Bendigo, VIC Did you know Bendigo is one of only around 50 UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy in the world — and one of just two in Australia (the other being Launceston)? Paula spent the night glamping at a winery, woke up to kangaroos in the mist, visited a converted church restaurant (that's basically a speakeasy), rode the famous Talking Tram, toured the Central Deborah Gold Mine underground, and visited the very first Myer store ever opened in Australia. Read more: Exploring Bendigo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide A Perfect 3-Day/2-Night Getaway in Bendigo Stop 2: Glenrowan, VIC A quick but fascinating lunch stop at the town forever linked to Ned Kelly — Australia's most infamous bushranger, captured right here. The whole town tells his story. Read more: Best Things to Do in Glenrowan Stop 3: Albury, NSW Paula stayed at a stunning converted bank hotel (Circle Hotels) and found far more to do than she expected. She walked along the Murray River, explored the Indijmarr Sculpture Walk, visited the Botanical Gardens, paid her respects at Monument Hill, and ducked into the library museum full of Australian history and sports heritage. She was gutted to miss two things she's going back for: the Bonegilla Migrant Experience and the art gallery. Read more: Albury Travel Guide 5 Days Exploring Albury NSW Itinerary Stop 4: Rutherglen, VIC A short detour into one of Victoria's great wine regions, with a morning visit to All Saints Estate — a beautiful historic winery where Paula met the staff and one of the owners. She recommends staying for lunch if you can (she couldn't — and she's still thinking about it). Read more: Discovering Rutherglen: A Hidden Gem in Victoria Stop 5: Corowa, NSW Corowa is known as the Birthplace of Federation — this is where Australia's states and territories were decided. Paula stayed at another Circle Hotels property (also a former bank, also gorgeous), did the Shearers Trail across five stops, and explored the Corowa Federation Museum, the Tom Roberts connection to "Shearing the Rams," the historic saleyards, and Gallery 294. Read more: Best Things To Do In Corowa Discover Corowa: A 5-Day Guide Coming Up: Gundagai, NSW Paula's next stop after Corowa — watch for the full episode and article covering this classic Australian country town. Read more: Best Things To Do In Gundagai Send us Fan Mail Ready to explore Taiwan with a small group of adventurous women over 50? I'm leading a 10-day Taiwan group trip in 2026 — temples, mountain scenery, stunning coastline, and so much more — and I have just 2 spots remaining. Deposit deadline is end of July. Full Itinerary here - Taiwan Itinerary Help Truly Expat Travel by leaving a review or making a donation Here is the link - https://buymeacoffee.com/trulyexpat Your Data Needs a Passport Too Public WiFi is a hacker's playground. I use NordVPN to stay safe wherever I travel. Fast, simple, Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Find me on: Website: T ruly Expat Travel Facebook: Truly Expat Instagram: Truly Expat Travel TikTok: Truly Expat Travel Running this podcast takes a lot of coffee (and countless hours exploring every destination!). If you found this helpful and want to support more honest, detailed travel guides and itineraries, you can buy me a coffee . No pressure though – I'm just happy you're here and hope you have an incredible adventure!

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #24

  Samoa: The South Pacific Island You've Been Sleeping On

  Jul 28, 202631 minS2

  Samoa doesn't usually make the bucket list — but maybe it should. Linda King from The Smart Travelista has visited almost every South Pacific island and says Samoa genuinely surprised her. We get into where to go, what it costs, and what to pack (mosquito repellent — trust us on this one). WHAT WE COVER - Why Samoa is worth your attention — untouched, warm, incredibly welcoming, and not overrun with tourists - How to get there: fly via Fiji with Fijian Airlines, about two hours from there - Top things to do: Lolo Manor Beach, Tusoa Ocean Trench (a cave swimming hole like a warm bath), Papapapaitai Falls, Togitogiga Waterfalls, Pula Cave Pool, and the Robert Louis Stevenson House - Accommodation for every budget — from $73 AUD a night at the budget end, beach fales for $100–150, up to $390 for luxury. (Yes, overwater bungalows for a fraction of Bora Bora prices.) - Five days is the sweet spot — enough to see everything without rushing - Best time to visit and what the weather is actually like - Is it a good solo female destination? - The one thing Linda wishes she'd known before she went - How to use points to fly there and why you should wait to exchange currency until you arrive FIND LINDA KING Website: www.thesmarttravelista.com Latest book: Antics from Abroad: Hot Mess Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRV1YT5F Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0GRV1YT5F Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GRV1YT5F Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0GRV1YT5F Free guide: Sign up to Linda's weekly newsletter at thesmarttravelista.com Instagram: thesmartravelista Facebook: Thesmartravelista YouTube: @thesmartravelista Pinterest: thesmartravelista DISCLOSURE This episode contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Send us Fan Mail Ready to explore Taiwan with a small group of adventurous women over 50? I'm leading a 10-day Taiwan group trip in 2026 — temples, mountain scenery, stunning coastline, and so much more — and I have just 2 spots remaining. Deposit deadline is end of July. Full Itinerary here - Taiwan Itinerary Help Truly Expat Travel by leaving a review or making a donation Here is the link - https://buymeacoffee.com/trulyexpat Find me on: Website: T ruly Expat Travel Facebook: Truly Expat Instagram: Truly Expat Travel TikTok: Truly Expat Travel Running this podcast takes a lot of coffee (and countless hours exploring every destination!). If you found this helpful and want to support more honest, detailed travel guides and itineraries, you can buy me a coffee . No pressure though – I'm just happy you're here and hope you have an incredible adventure!

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #23

  How to Earn Airline Status (And Why It Changes Everything)

  Jul 21, 202654 minS2

  Airline Status: Lounges, Upgrades & Points Strategy with Tim Lewis Most frequent travellers are so focused on collecting points that they completely overlook airline status — the thing that actually gets you into the lounge, moves you to the front of the boarding queue, and protects you from being bumped or downgraded. This week I'm joined by Tim Lewis, who has spent years mastering the art of earning and keeping airline status. We get into the difference between status points and frequent flyer points, how to pick the right loyalty program for your travel patterns, and some shortcuts most people have never heard of. In This Episode Why status points and frequent flyer points are completely different — and why that matters What status actually gets you: priority boarding, lounge access, luggage allowance, seat perks, upgrade vouchers and more How airline alliances (One World, Star Alliance, Sky Team) work and how to choose the right one Status matching — how to transfer existing status to a new airline, sometimes for as little as €35 How hotel loyalty programs can unlock airline status How to stop your points from expiring Where to start if you're completely new to all of this Related Reading Is It Worth Flying Singapore Airlines Business Class? — I talk about the KrisFlyer program and how Singapore Airlines status works for partners Korean Air's New Incheon Lounges: What Travellers Actually Need to Know — Korean Air is one of the airlines Tim mentions for earning status quickly Would You Fly Scoot Business Class? — Paula mentions being able to use her Singapore Airlines status even when flying Scoot Find Tim Lewis Substack : timlewistcf.substack.com YouTube: @timlewistcf Instagram: stonehampress Tim is working on a guide to the Malaysia Airlines Enrich scheme — one of the few programs that rewards economy flyers generously. Worth following to catch it when it goes live. This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Send us Fan Mail Ready to explore Taiwan with a small group of adventurous women over 50? I'm leading a 10-day Taiwan group trip in 2026 — temples, mountain scenery, stunning coastline, and so much more — and I have just 2 spots remaining. Deposit deadline is end of July. Full Itinerary here - Taiwan Itinerary Help Truly Expat Travel by leaving a review or making a donation Here is the link - https://buymeacoffee.com/trulyexpat Skip the Taxi Queue.Book Before You Land Skip the taxi stress. Pre-book your transfer in 120+ countries. Book here → Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Find me on: Website: T ruly Expat Travel Facebook: Truly Expat Instagram: Truly Expat Travel TikTok: Truly Expat Travel Running this podcast takes a lot of coffee (and countless hours exploring every destination!). If you found this helpful and want to support more honest, detailed travel guides and itineraries, you can buy me a coffee . No pressure though – I'm just happy you're here and hope you have an incredible adventure!

  ListenShow Notes

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