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Year’s end is the perfect time to chase moments that help us fall in love with travel. We stitch together a lively route from New York's Erie Canal’s quiet power to Namibia’s Etosha, where elephants, zebra, and predators converge around water in an arid dreamscape.

Along the way, we meet a winemaker who steers us into Spain's Alicante desert for a paella cooked over grapevines—one fire, one broth, no second chances—and learn why constraint can turn a meal into a memory that lasts.

Our path bends to Sorrento, a flat and beautiful Italian base that opens to Capri, Ischia, and the Amalfi Coast. We talk walkable alleys, lemon groves that become limoncello, and sunset cocktails on cliffside terraces. We ride rails through Canada at sunrise and across Switzerland where a simple coffee sparks a love story.

In Mexico City, lucha libre proves that travel joy can be loud, communal, and gloriously acrobatic, while Barcelona Spain lifts the spirit with castellers human towers, Sant Jordi’s books and roses, and music festivals that sweep from legends to up-and-comers.

We step into sacred time in Assisi in Italy's Umbrian region, to see Giotto’s frescoes and St. Francis’s world, then cross to India's Agra Fort where Shah Jahan arranged his bed and even a small mirror to keep the Taj Mahal always in view.

Add a few delightful detours—a red-clay miniature golf course in Normandy, train-station romance in Belgium, a harmonica gifted to a child in a Ugandan forest (and a musical moment)!

If these stories spark your curiosity, hit follow, and share with a friend who needs new trip ideas, Then dig into our archive of over 120 episodes to plan where your next unforgettable moment will begin.

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Our guests this past year are a mix of travel pros and travel enthusiasts -- and all of them have insightful tips and stories to tell.

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Podcast host Lea Lane has traveled to over 100 countries, and has written nine books, including the award-winning Places I Remember (Kirkus Reviews star rating, and 'one of the top 100 Indie books of the year'). She has contributed to dozens of guidebooks and has written thousands of travel articles. Contact her at placesirememberlealane.com
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Our award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane, has produced over 120 travel episodes! New episodes drop on the first Tuesday of the month, on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Travel vlogs of featured podcasts-- with video and graphics -- now also drop on YouTube. Please subscribe, like, and comment.

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We visit Delhi, Agra, and Mumbai with linguist and educator Dr. Jilani Warsi.

Old Delhi draws us into the Red Fort’s vast red sandstone walls, the bustle of Jama Masjid, and the color and flavors of Chandni Chowk where chai, sweets, and silks leave their mark.

We balance that with New Delhi’s calm and the Lotus Temple’s open welcome to all faiths, then look upward at Qutub Minar’s 12th-century tower, a vertical timeline of early rule and artistry.

Along the way, we share on-the-ground advice: why to skip driving yourself, how to group sites to save time, and where an evening light-and-sound show still brings the past to life.

Agra reframes the journey around love and power. The Taj Mahal becomes more than a postcard as dawn light turns marble rosy and the close-in inlay work reveals delicate stone flowers.

Across the Yamuna River, Agra Fort holds Shah Jahan’s final vantage point, a story you can feel when a small mirror catches the mausoleum’s glow. A short hop leads to Fatehpur Sikri, where Hindu and Islamic design blend into one living compound, proof that style can be a bridge across belief.

Mumbai changes the tempo again: Marine Drive’s night shimmer, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link stretching like a lit ribbon, and the gravitational pull of Bollywood’s studios and theaters. We leave the skyline by boat for Elephanta Island, where ancient cave temples to Shiva offer a cool breath and timeless stonework.

Between stops, we chase flavor—kebabs, biryani, and samosas, and share simple ways to eat well and safely where the locals line up.

Whether you’re planning your first India itinerary, refining a return, or just enjoying armchair travel, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so others can find it too.

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Dr. Jilani Warsi, born a two-hour drive from Mahabodhi Temple in Gaya where Buddha reached Nirvana, grew up in a multilingual environment and teaches at Queensborough Community College in New York. He curates English language lessons for native and non-native speakers under the moniker of DrEnglish, on YouTube, @DrAmericanEnglish. He is also a shutterbug and a student of life.

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Podcast host Lea Lane has traveled to over 100 countries, and has written nine books, including the award-winning Places I Remember (Kirkus Reviews star rating, and 'one of the top 100 Indie books of the year'). She has contributed to dozens of guidebooks and has written thousands of travel articles. Contact her at placesirememberlealane.com
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Our award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane, has produced over 120 travel episodes! New episodes drop on the first Tuesday of the month, on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
_____
Travel vlogs of featured podcasts-- with video and graphics -- now also drop on YouTube. Please subscribe, like, and comment.

Send us a text

Margie Goldsmith, author of Becoming a Badass: From Fearful to Fierce, suggests "do one thing every day that scares you" – a mantra that transformed her into the adventure-seeking "badass" she is today. She shares captivating stories from her journeys across more than 100 countries, revealing how memorable travel experiences often arise from unexpected human connections.

We start in the remote mountain paths of Bhutan, where Margie found herself teaching American camp songs to fascinated schoolchildren. In Morocco, what began as local women laughing at her marathon training outfit evolved into a joyous mountain-top celebration.

Her tales take us to Mongolia, where an 85-year-old toothless horseman (the country's fastest racehorse rider) led her across vast plains, and to Easter Island, where she recounts the dangerous traditional Birdman competition where participants risk their lives.

Whether she's distributing harmonicas to children in developing nations, playing blues with an Acadian women's drum corps in Canada, or exchanging personal items with a mountain guide in Argentina despite having no common language, her tales ring with authenticity, and resonate decades later.

From following a Finnish reindeer herder through Lapland's snowy forests to navigating past aggressive elephant seals in Antarctica, Margie demonstrates how facing fears leads to extraordinary experiences and personal growth.

This engaging conversation, including many of Lea's travel tales as well, will inspire you to seek authentic connections in your travels – and challenge yourself, as Margie does. As she proves through her harmonica performance ending the episode, it's never too late to develop new passions and continue growing through travel and creative expression.

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Margie Goldsmith is an award-winning writer, musician, and author of Becoming a Badass: From Fearful to Fierce, available in print, Kindle and audiobook, with Margie narrating (including some of her music!). Contact her at margiegoldsmith.com

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Podcast host Lea Lane has traveled to over 100 countries, and has written nine books, including the award-winning Places I Remember (Kirkus Reviews star rating, and 'one of the top 100 Indie books of the year'). She has contributed to many guidebooks and has written thousands of travel articles. Contact her at placesirememberlealane.com
_____
Our award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane, has dropped over 120 travel episodes! New episodes drop on the first Tuesday of the month, on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
_____
Travel vlogs of featured podcasts-- with video and graphics -- now drop on YouTube.Please subscribe, like, and comment.

Send us a text

Bob Eckstein, the brilliant, funny award-winning illustrator and New Yorker cartoonist, shares how his career evolved from writing to cartooning and his passion for uncovering extraordinary stories in ordinary subjects throughout the world.

His latest book, "Footnotes from the Most Fascinating Museums," showcases North America's most captivating museums and the transformative experiences they offer visitors of all interests. The interview focuses on how he:
• Spent seven years traveling globally to solve the mystery of who made the first snowman
• Became a cartoonist accidentally while researching his first book on snowmen history, and wrote a book about bookstores around the world.

• Transitioned from museum-hater as a child to passionate advocate after visiting Natural History Museum
• Selected museums for his book based on beauty, compelling stories, and community impact
• Created museum categories for everyone, including those who think they hate museums
• Aims to create books appealing to men, who he believes aren't reading enough
• Highlights unique museums like the Mob Museum, the Spam Museum, and the Museum of Jurassic Technology
• Spent a week sketching on the oldest working ship in the world, later recreating its captain's quarters in his home
• Has exciting upcoming projects including museum postcards, a book about writers and their cats, and a movie
• Recommends visiting Bruges early morning or late evening to experience its true beauty

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Guest Bob Eckstein is an award-winning illustrator and New Yorker cartoonist. Check out his website! Also, see his books and new sets of gorgeous postcards here.

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Podcast host Lea Lane has traveled to over 100 countries, and has written nine books, including the award-winning Places I Remember (Kirkus Reviews star rating, and 'one of the top 100 Indie books of the year'). She has contributed to many guidebooks and has written thousands of travel articles.
_____
Our award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane, has dropped over 120 travel episodes! New episodes drop on the first Tuesday of the month, on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen.
_____
Travel vlogs of our featured podcasts-- with video and graphics -- now drop on YouTube.Please subscribe, like, and comment.

Send us a text

Tano and Nicole, the founders behind Bono Events International, share secrets about Tuscany and Umbria, neighboring regions in the heart of Italy. We start with Tuscany's iconic rolling vineyards, coastal fishing villages, great cities including Florence and Siena, and magnificent art scene and traditions.

Then we focus on Umbria's rich religious heritage in Assisi, forested landscape, hilltop towns including Perugia, and captivating festivals.

You'll find ruins dating from Roman Times, and even unexpected waterfalls. From the picturesque coasts of Forte dei Marmi to the the walls of Lucca to the flowers of Spello; from the great cathedral in Orvieto to the leaning tower in Pisa, this episode is both informative and enchanting -- with lots of surprises.

Guests Tano and Nicole, the founders behind Bono Events International, live in Italy.

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Podcast host Lea Lane has traveled to over 100 countries, and has written nine books, including the award-winning Places I Remember (Kirkus Reviews star rating, and 'one of the top 100 Indie books of the year'). She has contributed to many guidebooks and has written thousands of travel articles.
_____
Our award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane, has dropped over 120 travel episodes! New episodes drop on the first Tuesday of the month, on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen.
_____
Travel vlogs of our featured podcasts-- with video and graphics -- now drop on YouTube . Please subscribe, like, and comment.
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Substack: Lane Changes
Website: https://placesirememberlealane.com
Travel Blog: forbes.com
BlueSky: lealane.bsky.social
X (Twitter):@lealane
Instagram: PlacesIRemember

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Barcelona, where Roman foundations meet Gaudí's fantastical creations, has captivated travelers for generations—becoming the ninth most visited city worldwide.

Antoni Gaudí's Sagrada Familia Basilica, has been under construction for over a century. At Park Güell, Gaudí's connection with nature manifests in colorful mosaics and whimsical structures. The Casa Batlló, with its dragon-spine rooftop and ocean-inspired interiors, offers an immersive experience through cutting-edge digital tours.

Barcelona also reveals architectural treasures like Luis Domènech i Montaner's Palau de la Música Catalana—a concert hall of unparalleled beauty—and the Hospital de Sant Pau, designed with the concept that beautiful surroundings promote healing. The Gothic Quarter's labyrinthine streets lead to hidden courtyards and medieval squares, while nearby Las Ramblas pulses with the energy of street performers and market vendors.

Barcelona offers tapas culture at its finest. From simple pan con tomate to elaborate seafood paellas, the city's gastronomic scene bridges traditional and innovative cooking. La Boqueria market is a must.

September's La Mercè features the spectacular human towers called castellers, while April's St. Jordi's Day transforms Barcelona into a celebration of literature and romance through the exchange of books and roses.

Whether exploring expansive Collserola Park, taking day trips to Montserrat's jagged mountain monastery, or simply soaking in Mediterranean coastal vibes, Barcelona leaves visitors "spiritually, mentally, and physically fulfilled." Join us to discover why this Catalan capital continues to enchant travelers from around the world.

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Guest Angelo Carotenuto is founder of LivTours designing small group tours throughout Europe, exploring and preserving local cultures while engaging in sustainable tourism. One of his very favorite destinations is Barcelona.

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Podcast host Lea Lane has traveled to over 100 countries, and has written nine books, including the award-winning Places I Remember (Kirkus Reviews star rating, and 'one of the top 100 Indie books of the year'). She has contributed to many guidebooks and has written thousands of travel articles.
_____
Our award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane, has dropped over 115 travel episodes! New episodes drop on the first Tuesday of the month, on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen.
_____
Travel vlogs of our featured podcasts-- with video and graphics -- now drop on YouTube . Please subscribe, like, and comment.
****************************************
Website: https://placesirememberlealane.com
Travel Blog: forbes.com
BlueSky: lealane.bsky.social
X (Twitter):@lealane
Instagram: PlacesIRemember

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Mexico City pulses with energy that spans nearly seven centuries, from its 1325 Aztec founding to its contemporary status as a sophisticated global metropolis. The sprawling capital reveals itself as a layered cultural treasure through the expert insights of Arturo Sanchez, Head Concierge at Andaz Mexico City Condesa Hotel, who shares his perspective on this magnificent city.

At the ancient heart of Mexico City, the Zócalo plaza anchors the historic center where visitors can explore the 13th-century Templo Mayor ruins alongside colonial masterpieces like the Metropolitan Cathedral. Diego Rivera's stunning murals depicting Mexican history adorn the National Palace walls, while nearby, the Palacio de Bellas Artes dazzles with its Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture, housing a Tiffany glass curtain. A few blocks away, hidden murals in the Public Education Secretary buildings showcase Mexico's muralist tradition.

Beyond downtown, the cobbled streets of Coyoacán neighborhood transport visitors to another era, where Frida Kahlo's iconic Blue House museum captivates with intimate glimpses into the artist's life. The National Museum of Anthropology stands as an essential starting point for understanding Mexico's complex history through its comprehensive collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts displayed in a stunning modern building.

The city's vibrant festival calendar reaches its colorful peak during Day of the Dead celebrations (November 1-2), when locals honor deceased loved ones through offerings, marigolds, and communal gatherings. Mexico City's world-class culinary scene ranges from street tacos to Michelin-starred restaurants, while nearby excursions offer archaeological wonders like the Teotihuacan pyramids where sunrise hot air balloon rides create unforgettable experiences.

Mexican wrestling (Lucha Libre) is an acrobatic theatrical performance where audiences choose sides in a communal celebration. As Arturo shares from personal experience, these authentic cultural moments create meaningful connections, revealing why Mexico City remains one of the world's most captivating destinations.

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Arturo Sanchez lives in Mexico City and is head concierge at Andaz Mexico City Condesa Hotel there.

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Podcast host Lea Lane has traveled to over 100 countries, and has written nine books, including the award-winning Places I Remember (Kirkus Reviews star rating, and 'one of the top 100 Indie books of the year'). She has contributed to many guidebooks and has written thousands of travel articles.
_____
Our award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane, has dropped over 115 travel episodes! New episodes drop on the first Tuesday of the month, on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen.
_____
Travel vlogs of our featured podcasts-- with video and graphics -- now drop on YouTube . Please subscribe, like, and comment.
****************************************
Website: https://placesirememberlealane.com
Travel Blog: forbes.com
BlueSky: lealane.bsky.social
X (Twitter):@lealane
Instagram: PlacesIRemembe

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Train travel enchants with its unique blend of scenery, experience, and connection, as illustrated by Railbookers’ offerings around the world. Frank Marini and Gareth Jones explore top train journeys, eco-friendly travel, and essential tips for maximizing rail adventures.
• Train travel combines both scenic beauty and cultural richness
• Railbookers offers tailored vacations for diverse budgets and preferences
• Popular routes include scenic trains in Switzerland and easy connections in Ireland
• Trains are a sustainable choice for modern travelers seeking greener options
• Key tips include early booking, proper planning, and enjoying the journey
• Highlights a 59-day extraordinary global train trip with luxury experiences and exclusives.

Frank Marini and Gareth Jones are executives at Railbookers.

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Podcast host Lea Lane has traveled to over 100 countries, and has written nine books, including the award-winning Places I Remember (Kirkus Reviews star rating, and 'one of the top 100 Indie books of the year'). She has contributed to many guidebooks and has written thousands of travel articles.
_____
Our award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane, has dropped over 115 travel episodes! New episodes drop on the first Tuesday of the month, on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen.
_____
Travel vlogs of our featured podcasts-- with video and graphics -- now drop on YouTube . Please subscribe, like, and comment.
****************************************
Website: https://placesirememberlealane.com
Travel Blog: forbes.com
BlueSky: lealane.bsky.social
X (Twitter):@lealane
Instagram: PlacesIRememberLeaLane
Facebook: Places I Remember with Lea Lane
YouTube Channel: Places I Remember: Travel Talk with Lea Lane