In this episode, we’re diving into the world of dolphins, whales, and what it really means to observe marine life responsibly. Guest Joana Castro is marine biologist and founder of AIMM – Marine Environment Research Association. She has spent over two decades researching cetaceans (whales and dolphins) along the coast of Portugal and beyond.

We often think of dolphin and whale watching as harmless, even educational, but Joana reveals why that’s not always the case. From noise pollution to chemical contamination, and from plastic to tourism overload, this conversation sheds light on how human presence, even well-meaning tourists, can deeply affect marine mammals.

She also shares the inspiring story of how seeing dolphins as a child shaped her career, what AIMM is doing to bridge research and conservation, and how tourists like you can spot red flags and make better choices.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Why whale and dolphin watching isn’t always ethical
• The science behind dolphin and whale sensitivity to noise
• Different types of pollution (noise, chemical, plastic) and their impact
• Red flags to watch for when booking wildlife tours
• How AIMM collects data, and why it matters for conservation
• The complex role of marine parks: harm, hope, and potential
• How to identify a responsible tour operator as a traveler
• What keeps Joana motivated after 20+ years in the field

Whether you're passionate about marine life or simply planning a trip involving the ocean, this episode offers real insight, clear solutions, and powerful motivation.

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms
🔗 More about AIMM: https://www.aimmportugal.org

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What if your teaching degree included crossing continents in a DIY travel bus? In this episode, your host Clara Francken chats with Raquel Dinis, who shares her experience with DNS Teacher Training College. She talks about where the classroom is the world and Guinea-Bissau was the final stop.

We dive into how a group of student-teachers from Denmark rebuilt a bus and hit the road to West Africa, learning from communities, each other, and the world outside a textbook. Raquel tells us what it's really like to live and study on the move, how it shaped her worldview, and what challenges (and joy!) come with living in a bus with your classmates.

We talked about

• converting a bus and driving it from Denmark to Guinea-Bissau
• what DNS Teacher Training College is and how it redefines education
• learning through travel and what it’s like to study on the road
• group dynamics, emotional growth, and living with classmates
• cultural exchange and building connections in West Africa
• rebuilding an old school bus as part of the educational process
• rethinking what it means to “train” as a teacher
• and more...

This episode is all about purpose-driven travel, education without borders, and saying yes to uncomfortable, unforgettable learning.

Listen now on your favorite platform

🔗 More about DNS: https://www.dns-tvind.dk

🔗 Raquel's blog: https://raqueljadee.medium.com/living-in-bus-driving-through-europe-1ad8cc9a30a7

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Ever wonder what slow travel really looks like when you’re trying to avoid planes? In this solo episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken gets personal about the highs and lows of her sustainable travel choices.

From the Eurostar train to Paris to smelly Flixbus rides across Europe, Clara shares the truth behind trying to lower her carbon footprint.

This week’s chat isn’t about perfect eco-friendly travel, it’s about real, sometimes messy choices:

• The truth of still taking the plane sometimes
• How taking the train beats flying, even when it’s longer
• A hilariously awful Flixbus ride featuring broken toilets and mafia job offers
• The real reason bus travel can be cheaper, but not always easier
• Why trains like Ouigo and Eurostar between France and Belgium are worth knowing

Clara also reflects on how her travel habits have changed over the years, from automatically booking cheap flights to prioritizing trains and buses, even if it means more adventure (and chaos) along the way.

Stories:

• Flixbus from Germany to Slovenia (Munich to Ljubljana)
• Flixbus from Germany to Croatia (Munich to Zadar via Zagreb)
• Ouigo from Belgium to France (Brussels to Paris)

If you’re curious about sustainable travel, slow mobility, or just want an honest look behind the scenes of a travel podcast, this episode is for you.

sustainable travel • slow travel • train vs plane • bus travel Europe • Flixbus stories • eco-friendly travel • travel diary podcast • Travel Devil podcast • Clara Francken • low carbon travel • cheap European trains • travel podcast • overland travel • ethical travel choices • travel sustainability

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Want more?

• Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevilpod
• Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken
• Watch more on my YouTube channel