Best Armchair Tour Podcasts (2025)

1
Life Lessons from Nature, Best Travel Lists, Happiness Hacks, a CTA on Dual Citizenship, + More 24:49

16h ago24:49

24:49

I’m bringing you a roundup of the most popular and community-loved highlights from the Zero To Travel newsletter this month, offering practical travel tips, lifestyle insights, and some good old-fashioned wanderlust inspiration. You’ll hear science-backed strategies for boosting happiness, why now might be the time to take action on a second passpo…

1
Climate Changemakers: Three women on their fight against climate change 47:03

4d ago47:03

47:03

According to the latest European State of the Climate Report, 2024 was the hottest year on record for Europe and the fourth warmest year ever recorded in Ireland. As part of the global fight against climate change, Ireland has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 — but are we really on track to meet that goal? In today’s ep…

1
Top 11 Ways To Rock Your Music Festival Experience with Jason and Kelly Law 1:02:53

4d ago1:02:53

1:02:53

Have you traveled just to go to a music festival? What one realization can lead to a life of travel? Jason Law and his wife Kelly are the duo behind Festy GoNuts and GoNuts Marketing, the ultimate resource for enhancing your music festival experience. They’ve been to countless festivals, created a tight-knit community of festival lovers, and know e…

1
A 2,190+ Mile Mother-Son Adventure: Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail after a Decade of Nomadic Family Travel with Jessica and Largo Sueiro 1:17:47

6d ago1:17:47

1:17:47

What is it like to hike over 2,000 miles on the Appalachian Trail… with your teenage kid? Jessica and Largo are part of the adventurous WorldTowning family, who’ve been living a full-time travel lifestyle for over a decade. From sailing across the Atlantic to road-tripping Europe in an RV, they’ve redefined “home” and “school” many times over. Jess…

1
Amanda Knox: My Search for Meaning 1:20:33

11d ago1:20:33

1:20:33

Seven years after Amanda Knox was definitively acquitted of the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher, she flew to Italy to meet the man who had led the prosecution’s case against her, Giuliano Mignini. The now 37-year-old mother of two wanted to ask her former prosecutor why he had identified her as the chief suspect, pursued a murder conviction against…

1
Immersion Travel: Becoming a Porter in Nepal with Nate Menninger 1:26:34

11d ago1:26:34

1:26:34

Nate Menninger has chased experiences around the world, from running with the bulls in Spain to diving the Blue Hole in Belize. Most recently, he became one of the first foreigners to work as a Himalayan porter in Nepal, an experience he documented in his first-ever film, The Porter. In this episode, Nate shares the wild story of becoming a porter …

1
Myanmar’s Secret Railways: Uncovering Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Oppression with Clare Hammond 1:26:46

13d ago1:26:46

1:26:46

What hidden stories lie beneath the surface of the places you travel? Clare Hammond is an award-winning investigative journalist currently working with Global Witness to expose the issues relating to natural resources, conflict, and corruption. In 2016 while working in Myanmar, she discovered an obscure map showing a web of railways that weren’t sh…

1
DISCOVER: River Drifting, Reef Diving & Rainforest Wandering in Tropical North Queensland 43:21

14d ago43:21

43:21

In this episode, we’re heading deep into the wilds of Tropical North Queensland, Australia—where the oldest rainforest in the world meets the greatest reef on the planet. We’ll be connecting with an Aboriginal guide to learn indigenous perspectives on the land; doing something called ‘River Drifting’ through the ancient forests of Daintree; seeing …

1
🎧 PATHWAYS: Rainforest Drifts, Kangaroo Islands & Denali’s Frozen Edge 28:30

18d ago28:30

28:30

This is your monthly guide to the world’s wildest travel stories – one adventure at a time. Every month on Pathways, host Aaron Millar and producer Jason Paton crack open a few stories, play their favorite clips, and take you on a whirlwind preview of what’s coming up on Armchair Explorer. It’s part travel hangout, part behind-the-scenes, part “wai…

1
Victim blaming on the rise / How to be a good grandmother 1:00:41

18d ago1:00:41

1:00:41

Bookshops and libraries are bursting with books on parenting and what to expect when you’re expecting, but there aren't nearly as many guidebooks out there on how to be a good grandparent. That’s why family psychologist Terri Apter has written her latest book all about the topic. Grandparenting: On Love and Relationships Across Generations offers r…

1
Sicily Uncovered: Street Food, Wine Regions, and the Art of Slowing Down 1:04:27

18d ago1:04:27

1:04:27

What is it about Sicily that makes travelers fall in love (and some never leave)? Linda Sarris is a Sicilian travel expert, private chef, and the author of three Moon Travel Guides covering Sicily and Southern Italy. After building her career as a private chef in New York City, she followed her passion for food and culture to Palermo, Italy, where …

1
The Hidden Gems of Andalusia: Discover the Spain Most Travelers Miss with Lucas Peters 1:11:31

20d ago1:11:31

1:11:31

What makes Andalusia one of the best hidden gems in all of Spain? Lucas Peters is a tour operator and award-winning travel writer. His latest book with Moon Travel Guides explores the magic of southern Spain, sharing the must-see highlights, unique experiences, and the best local flavors of Seville, Granada, and Andalusia. In this episode, Lucas un…

1
Wedding fatigue / What teens really think of Adolescence 1:06:02

24d ago1:06:02

1:06:02

When Adolescense arrived on Netflix last month, it was streamed nearly 25 million times in just four days and sparked a global conversation on the dark side of social media and the lives of teenage boys. But what is it really like to be a teenage boy in 2025? How much attention do they really pay to masculinity influencers? What kind of pressures d…

1
BUCKET LIST: Eye-to-Eye with Giants: Whale Watching in Victoria, B.C. 14:39

25d ago14:39

14:39

"I've been guiding or working around whales now for almost over just about over a decade, and I still am in awe at all of the experiences that we have. It's just a wonder of a magnitude that people don't really get to experience anywhere else in urban life" – Nik Coutinho, Prince of Whales In this Bucket List episode, produced in our immersive docu…

1
10 Key Principles That Built a $40M Business While Traveling with Dan Demsky 1:33:24

25d ago1:33:24

1:33:24

What if you could build a business that funds your dream lifestyle without sacrificing travel and freedom? Dan Demsky is the co-founder and CEO of Unbound Merino, a premium Merino wool clothing brand that has redefined minimalist, high-performance fashion. Dan has built Unbound Merino into an eight-figure global business while working fully remotel…

1
Strategies for Living an Unconventional Life with Ingrid Alm 1:10:16

27d ago1:10:16

1:10:16

Is it time to rethink the “rules of life?” What if you could redefine success, family, and adventure on your own terms? Ingrid Alm is an adventurer, writer, and mom who has made it her mission to challenge the conventional rules of life. Ingrid has walked, paddled, and biked thousands of miles with her family in tow, proving that parenthood doesn’t…

1
Alexandre Dumas hosts a party 11:05

29d ago11:05

11:05

For the mad month of March, this episode focuses on a party hosted by writer Alexandre Dumas in 1833. Wine bottles by the hundreds, wall decor by Delacroix... it was a 9th arrondissement costume ball crammed into a small apartment, and it's well worth a walk-by nearly 200 years after the fabulous event. For photos, please check out my website. Than…

1
The Book Club: Confessions by Catherine Airey 32:36

29d ago32:36

32:36

This month on The Women’s Podcast Book Club, Bernice Harrison, Niamh Towey, Róisín Ingle, and Ann Ingle discuss Confessions, the debut novel from Catherine Airey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
ADVENTURE: Becoming Forrest Gump: The Man Who Ran Across America Five Times (IRL) 37:48

30d ago37:48

37:48

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Rob Pope, the first person in the world to complete the legendary run made famous by one of Hollywood’s most beloved characters – Forrest Gump. Yes, you heard that right. Rob took on the challenge of following Forrest’s route mile by mile, crossing the country not once, but FIVE times. That’s like running from th…

1
Meghan & Gwyneth / The real cost of cancer 1:01:38

1M ago1:01:38

1:01:38

On Friday March 28th, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) will celebrate Daffodil Day. It’s the charity’s biggest fundraising event and aims to raise millions of euros to support cancer patients and progress cancer research. In this episode, Kathy Sheridan is joined by Daffodil Day Ambassador Tara Doonan, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 at …

1
Listener Questions: Reverse Engineering a Move Abroad, How to Choose a Location-Independent Business, and Smart Ways to Travel a Continent 28:24

1M ago28:24

28:24

How can moving abroad help solve a specific life challenge? How do you choose the right location-independent business to start? What's the best way to navigate traveling across longer distances? In this episode, I answer listener questions to help you take a more intentional approach to designing your travels and location-independent lifestyle. You…

1
Nomadic Matt on “How to Travel the World on $75 a Day,” Budget Travel, and Finding Your Balance While Traveling 57:50

1M ago57:50

57:50

What if you could travel the world without breaking the bank? What does it mean to be a traveler after nearly two decades on the road? Travel-blogging legend and best-selling author Matt Kepnes has been traveling the world on a near-continual basis since 2006. In 2008, he launched his site NomadicMatt.com to catalog his travel experiences and share…

1
Conor McGregor at the White House / Sarah Corbett Lynch 1:10:10

1M ago1:10:10

1:10:10

Sarah Corbett Lynch was just eight-years-old when her father Jason was killed at their home in North Carolina by her stepmother Molly Martens and her father Tom Martens in 2015. Over the next decade, the Martens, who claimed self defence, were put on trial for murder, had their convictions quashed and later took a plea bargain for voluntary manslau…

1
How to Go to College for Free with Jenn Viemont 1:01:04

1M ago1:01:04

1:01:04

Is studying abroad in Europe the ultimate travel hack? How can you get your entire college degree abroad for a fraction of the cost of U.S. tuition? Through her website, Beyond The States, Jen Viemont helps students and lifelong learners navigate the world of European university programs. In this episode, Jen explains how to study in Europe for fre…

1
BEST OF EXPLORER: Where’s Wallis? No Guidebook, No Google, No Clue with Best-selling Travel Author Brian Thacker 38:57

1M ago38:57

38:57

Follow best-selling travel author Brian Thacker on a unique, mad-cap adventure to three of the remotest countries on Earth. Inspired by the intrepid spirit of explorers of old, Brian decided to tear up the guidebook, switch off the phone and turn up to a country knowing absolutely nothing about it in advance. He picked three countries at random: th…

1
Solo Traveling Europe and “The Stans” in a Campervan with Maria Glaser 1:11:18

1M ago1:11:18

1:11:18

How do you build the confidence to take off on a long-term solo vanlife journey, especially through lesser-traveled regions? Maria Glaser has been traveling solo in her self-converted van across 16 countries, from Germany to Mongolia. What started as a pandemic project turned into an epic adventure spanning thousands of miles, unexpected challenges…

1
Rosie O’Donnell's move to Ireland / The importance of foster care 1:08:58

2M ago1:08:58

1:08:58

In Ireland, more than 5,500 children are currently in foster care. This could be because of illness in the child’s family, the death of a parent, neglect, abuse or violence in the home, or simply because the parent or family is not coping. Whatever the reason, foster carers are there to take care of children who cannot live with their own family, e…

1
Exploring Tibet with Robert Kelly 1:01:02

2M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

What does it really take to visit Tibet, and how can you have an authentic experience while you're there? My guest today is Robert Kelly, a seasoned travel writer who has co-authored multiple editions of Lonely Planet’s Tibet guidebook. With years of firsthand experience in Tibet and its surrounding regions, Robert shares his insights on what makes…

1
PATHWAYS: Flight of the Nez Perce, the Prince of Whales and Run Forrest Run 31:01

2M ago31:01

31:01

At the start of every month, host Aaron Millar and producer Jason Paton preview what’s coming up on Armchair Explorer, play their favorite clips, and reveal the stories they’re most excited to share. A cross between a highlight reel, an interview, and two people telling travel tales down the pub, our Pathways episodes are your guide to choosing you…

1
How to Win at Travel with “The Points Guy” Brian Kelly 1:25:24

2M ago1:25:24

1:25:24

Are you leaving free travel on the table? Brian Kelly, aka The Points Guy, is one of the world’s leading experts on travel and loyalty programs. What started as a blog in 2010 has become a massive platform helping millions of travelers maximize rewards and travel smarter. In his new book How to Win at Travel, Brian shares everything he’s learned ab…

1
The Book Club Live: Books by women that challenged & changed us 1:03:02

2M ago1:03:02

1:03:02

To celebrate International Women’s Day, the book club gathered with a handful of podcast listeners for a live event at Kildare Village on Saturday morning. Niamh Towey, Ann Ingle, Bernice Harrison, and Roisin Ingle, explored the books by women that have challenged and changed them and that they think every woman should read. Book Club Choices: Ann …

1
Thriving in male dominated industries / International Women’s Day event guide 59:48

2M ago59:48

59:48

International Women’s Day is on Saturday the 8th March and there are lots of events happening all around the country to celebrate the occasion. Irish Times features writer Ella Sloane joins Róisín Ingle on the podcast today to tell us about some of them, including a free guided tour exploring how women are represented in a selection of works at the…

1
ADVENTURE: The Long Ride Home: 10,000-miles on Horseback from Canada to Brazil 43:15

2M ago43:15

43:15

“I came face to face with grizzly bears. I had to befriend drug lords. I saw two people shot dead. I witnessed a guy trying to kill his wife with five gunshots. I crossed the tallest mountains in the world. I had to swim rivers with horses. I was lost in deserts and nothing, absolutely nothing, brought me more pain and heartache and stress than man…

1
Discovering The Hidden Europe with Francis Tapon 1:31:01

2M ago1:31:01

1:31:01

Why should you explore Eastern Europe? Francis Tapon is a global nomad and author of Hike Your Own Hike and The Hidden Europe. With an inspiring travel resume, he has traveled to 125 countries, has walked across America four times, Spain twice, and Madagascar once (at the time of this recording). From 2013 to 2018, he even traveled nonstop overland…

1
Beyond the Summit: Climbing Mt. Everest, Filming at 29,000 Feet, a Cultural Journey through Nepal, and Taking Your Childhood Dreams to Heart with Alex Harz 1:44:03

2M ago1:44:03

1:44:03

What does it take to turn a childhood dream into reality, even when it seems impossible? Alex Harz is an adventurer, filmmaker, and storyteller who took his dream of climbing Mount Everest and turned it into a powerful multimedia project, The Quest: Everest. With a background in acting, business, and international travel, Alex combined his skills t…

1
Charles Baudelaire & the Club des Hashischins 18:04

2M ago18:04

18:04

In honor of the moody month of February, we visit Ile Saint-Louis, retracing Baudelaire's drug-induced dreams. Our route goes along the central main street, rue de Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile, from West to East. The first mansion on our route is the Hôtel de Lauzun - where Revolutionary "it girl" Thérésa Cabarrus Tallien lived. For photos, please check ou…

1
Andrew Tate’s new-found freedom / Rosie Schaap’s love letter to Northern Ireland 1:01:55

2M ago1:01:55

1:01:55

Born and bred in New York, the last place that Rosie Schaap thought she’d end up, was living in a rural village in Northern Ireland, miles away from the bustling city she once called home. But that’s exactly where she’s found herself. Five years ago, the writer and journalist moved from NYC to the tiny town of Glenarm in Co Antrim, in search of a n…

1
Reverse Engineering A Move Abroad, Choosing A Location-Independent Business You’ll Enjoy, How Should I Travel Around A Continent?, Slow “Armchair” Travel (March 2025 Recap) 24:24

2M ago24:24

24:24

How can moving abroad help solve a specific life challenge? How do you choose the right location-independent business to start? What’s the best way to navigate traveling across longer distances? In this episode, I answer listener questions to help you take a more intentional approach to designing your travels and location-independent lifestyle. You…

1
The JOMO Revolution, Exciting New Visa Announcement, Is This the Best Way to Determine Your Next Destination? (February 2025 Recap) 31:39

2M ago31:39

31:39

I’m bringing you some of the best insights from the past month’s newsletter—curated travel tips, trends, and ideas that deserve a deeper dive. If you’ve ever felt the sting of travel FOMO, wondered about the latest digital nomad visas, or wanted a better way to pick your next destination without overcomplicating it, this one’s for you. You’ll get m…

1
IMMERSION: Muskets, Marching and a Haunted Hospital 29:02

2M ago29:02

29:02

As soon as they walked into the barracks at Fort Sisseton, they were handed muskets - heavy Springfield 63s from the Civil war era - given a uniform and told to march. Presenter Brian Thacker and producer Jason Paton thought they were just covering the annual Sisseton historical festival, in South Dakota, as spectators. Turns out they were getting …

1
Top 5 Hotels in the World (Worth Seeking Out) + How Hotels Can Transform Your Travels with National Geographic Author Annie Fitzsimmons 1:30:28

2M ago1:30:28

1:30:28

How can your hotel or accommodations change how you experience a place? Annie Fitzsimmons is a seasoned luxury travel expert and author of the National Geographic book 100 Hotels of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Retreats. Annie has covered hotels, travel, lifestyle, restaurants, and destinations around the world for the last 20 years, working wi…

1
Red Bull: How To Be Superhuman 41:53

2M ago41:53

41:53

Abdullah Zeinab’s epic Rhino Run adventure crossing South Africa and Namibia redefines what’s possible in endurance cycling. Unsupported and unforgiving, this grueling 1,700-mile ultra-cycling race put his mental strength, grit and resilience to the ultimate test through breathtaking but brutal landscapes – where a tiny detail, like a tiny screw, m…

1
What can be done about ‘sex for rent’ ads? / New women in the Dáil 1:07:56

2M ago1:07:56

1:07:56

After lengthy government formation talks and a chaotic first week in the Dáil, the new Government is finally settling into it's first few weeks of a new term. There’s a whole host of new faces in Leinster House, including 10 new women TDs. We wanted to hear what life is like for three of those women, so we’ve invited Labour’s Marie Sherlock, Fianna…

1
Bridging the Gap: Travel Inclusion and Equity with Brandon Miller of Too Fly Foundation 1:02:59

2M ago1:02:59

1:02:59

How can access to travel transform someone's life? Brandon Miller is the co-founder and director of brand strategy for Too Fly Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide passports, travel grants, and educational experiences for students in underresourced communities. In this episode, Brandon shares how his travel experiences s…

1
9 Ways Travel Will Change You + Lessons from Cycling Africa and Visiting 95 Countries with Alex Hennock 1:35:01

2M ago1:35:01

1:35:01

What would it be like to cycle the entire length of Africa? What are the most important lessons that travel can teach us? Alex Hennock is a 28-year-old Australian who's already traveled to nearly half the countries in the world, mostly overland. At the time of this recording, Alex is on a life-changing journey, cycling the length of Africa while ra…

1
Following in the Treads of the 1897 All Black Bicycle Corp with Erick Cedeño 38:09

2M ago38:09

38:09

“Those are my heroes, those guys paved the way for me to be able to travel through this country, free, and they're almost superhuman to me.” - Erick Cedeño, Bicycle Nomad In 2013, Erick Cedeño, aka. Bicycle Nomad, came across an old photograph that changed his life. Taken in 1897, it showed 20 black soldiers riding bicycles across the American West…

1
PATHWAYS: Buffalo Soldiers, a Long Rider, and How to be a Superhuman 22:33

2M ago22:33

22:33

At the start of every month, host Aaron Millar and producer Jason Paton preview what’s coming up on Armchair Explorer, play their favorite clips, and reveal the stories they’re most excited to share. A cross between a highlight reel, an interview, and two people telling travel tales down the pub, our Pathways episodes are your guide to choosing you…

1
Working from home / Single on Valentine's Day 1:11:41

2M ago1:11:41

1:11:41

This Valentine’s Day, we’ve decided to shift the focus away from love and relationships and onto the joy and excitement of the single experience. If you’re single and sick of dating apps, Irish Times relationships columnist Roe McDermott is here with some new dating ideas, from singles running clubs to mindful dating events. Later on, Róisín Ingle …

1
Top 10 Places We’re Dying to Visit that We’ve Never Been 34:55

2M ago34:55

34:55

Join me for a coffee chat with my wife, Anne Dorthe, as we share the top 10 places we’re dying to visit. We break down our dream locations into five categories: mountains, cities, beaches, historical sites, and spiritual destinations. And since we didn’t share our lists ahead of time, we get to surprise each other along the way! We talk about the p…

1
Profiling Every UN Nation (In Alphabetical Order), Travel through Geography, Lessons from 10 Years of YouTube Success with Paul Barbato of Geography Now 1:40:48

3M ago1:40:48

1:40:48

What would it be like to travel the world alphabetically or create a YouTube channel that inspires millions? Paul Barbato is the creator of Geography Now, the first YouTube channel dedicated to covering every UN-recognized country in alphabetical order. Since its inception in 2014, the channel has featured episodes exploring each nation's geography…

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