When you think of traveling through Southeast Asia, do you imagine hopping on a quick flight between islands? In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken sits down with Eva Werners from Eva & The Planet to talk about the real side of slow and sustainable travel in Thailand and Laos.

Eva shares her stories from night buses, VIP buses, overnight trains, and the legendary two-day slow boat along the Mekong River. Together we dive into what it means to travel like a local and why the bus so often beats the train.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

• Buses vs. trains in Thailand & Laos: which one truly works better
• Difference between the VIP bus,
• The reality of the famous two-day slow boat on the Mekong River
• Why locals often choose buses over trains
• The ups & downs of night buses and night trains
• Lessons learned from long, unpredictable journeys
• VIP Night Bus (Bangkok–Chiang Mai) vs the Standard Night Bus (Bangkok–Chiang Mai)
• Day Buses vs Minibuses (Chiang Mai–Pai)
• Long-Distance Buses vs the new train in Laos

Whether you’re planning a trip to Thailand or Laos, or just curious about slow, conscious travel, this episode will inspire you to rethink how you move across borders.

More from Eva:
Website: evaandtheplanet.com
Instagram: @evaandtheplanet

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From documenting the world’s largest sailing ship, the Royal Clipper, to walking on mega cruise liners with thousands of passengers, Joe Sills has seen both sides of the ocean travel spectrum.

In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken sits down with Joe Sills, journalist and photographer, to dig into one of travel’s most controversial industries: cruises. Together, they explore the environmental cost of cruising, the rise of greenwashing in tourism, and whether sailing ships and boutique cruises could offer a better way forward.

What we cover in this episode:

• The difference between mega cruise ships and sailing vessels
• What responsible travel means in 2025
• How small-scale cruises support local economies (and why mega ships can overwhelm them)
• CO₂ emissions of cruise ships vs airplanes and trains
• Why Antarctica should be a no-go for mass cruises
• Greenwashing in the cruise industry and how to spot red flags
• Alternatives: local sailing yachts, small river cruises, boutique ships
• Joe’s Arctic expedition experience, and how climate change cut it short
• Practical tips on how to pick a more sustainable cruise

If you’ve ever wondered “are cruises worse than flying?”, or if sailing ships could really be a sustainable option compared to regular cruises, this episode gives you a deep dive into the truth.

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How do you survive as a vegetarian traveler in a world where menus are often heavy on meat? And what’s the real story behind eco-tourism and “green” hotels?

In this episode of Travel Devil, I sit down with Caroline from VeggieWayFarer, a sustainable travel blogger who has been exploring the world as a vegetarian for years. She shares her best hacks for finding veggie-friendly food on the road, why eco-hotels are more than just a buzzword, and how conscious choices can transform the way we travel.

We talk about:

• Best and worse countries for being vegetarian abroad
• How one becomes vegetarian, and how to stay one
• Eco-hotels and whether they really live up to the promise
• What eco-tourism actually means (beyond marketing)
• The link between sustainability and authentic travel experiences
• Why small choices (like what we eat & where we stay) matter for the planet
• Tips for making travel conscious but still fun and spontaneous

We cover everything from food tips to choosing accommodations that actually respect the planet. Whether you’re a seasoned vegetarian, a curious flexitarian, or simply interested in more sustainable ways to explore the world, this episode is packed with insights you can use on your next trip.

Connect with the Caroline, the girl behind VeggieWayFarer:

• VeggieWayFarer Instagram
• VeggieWayFarer Blog

vegetarian travel tips · vegetarian food abroad · eco-tourism explained · sustainable travel podcast · eco-hotels · veggie travel hacks · plant-based travel · sustainable tourism trends · conscious travel choices · Travel Devil podcast

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Want more?

• Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevilpod
• Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken
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