From paddling a canoe down some of the most beautiful stretches of water in the USA, to road tripping beside the largest freshwater lake in the country, the midwestern US state of Minnesota is a land of epic landscapes and unique experiences.

In today’s episode we’re taking a road trip from the culturally rich Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, to the North Shore of Lake Superior, the paddling paradise of Boundary Waters and houseboat heaven in Voyageurs National Park.

Minnesota may not have an ocean in sight, but this “Land of 10,000 Lakes” (or 11,842 to be exact) has no end of outdoor adventures to enjoy.

Highlights include:

• Exploring the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul, including a visit to Paisley Park, former Minneapolis local Prince’s extravagant mansion.

• Watching the Northern Lights from the edge of Boundary Waters and the Milky Way from the North Shore of Lake Superior.

• Visiting Split Rock Lighthouse, one of the most photographed and visited spots in the state, with a drama-filled history and breathtaking views.

• Finding out what it’s like to meet a wolf, a bear, and a moose in the wild – and survive to tell the tale!

• Paddling some of the best canoe routes in the US through one of its most unspoiled wilderness parks.

• Taking a houseboat out into Voyageurs National Park, for the ultimate Minnesotan water-glamping experience.

Joining host Aaron Millar are:

Hayes Scriven, the site manager at Split Rock Lighthouse

Lacey Squire, the manager at Boundary Waters Connect in Ely, and host of the What’s Up Ely podcast

And Minneapolis local Jennifer Schak from Explore Minnesota

FIND OUT MORE

Plan your road trip around Minnesota at ExploreMinnesota.com

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Take the road less travelled with us and subscribe to the show so you never miss an adventure!

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member-only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Lyn Hughes and Laura Field introduce the show. Aaron Millar is the host and producer; audio editing and sound design by Charles Tyrie.

When people think of New York, they often just think of New York City. But escape the hustle and bustle of the city and you will find mountains, waterfalls, wineries and more than a thousand islands to explore.

In today’s episode, we’re going beyond the famous icons of the city and taking you into the heart of New York State.

Highlights include:

• Discovering the 6 million acre Adirondack Park, which is larger than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier and Grand Canyon National Parks combined!

• Finding out why Thomas Jefferson described Lake George as: “without comparison, the most beautiful water I ever saw.”

• Exploring the Thousand Island Seaway region where we’ll stay in a castle, camp on the St Lawrence River and cruise hundreds of miles of pristine coastline.

• Taking a bike ride along the historic 480km Erie Canalway Trail, and discovering the best towns to stay in along the way.

• Having a giggle at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, a one-of-a-kind museum devoted to the art of making people laugh.

• Finding out about the 1,200km Empire State Trail, one of the best long-distance bike rides in the country.

Joining host Aaron Millar are:

Corey Fram, Director of Tourism for the 1000 Islands International Tourism Council visit1000islands.com

Lukas Berbert a bike-touring expert based in Central New York gothambiketours.com

Gary Hahn the Chief Marketing Officer for the National Comedy Center comedycenter.org

FIND OUT MORE

Plan your road trip around New York State at iloveny.com

WANDERLUST: OFF THE PAGE

Take the road less travelled with us and subscribe to the show so you never miss an adventure!

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member-only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Lyn Hughes and Laura Field introduce the show. Aaron Millar is the host and producer; audio editing and sound design by Charles Tyrie.

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway is more than just a scenic ride. It’s a journey back in time. Founded in 1880, this mountain railroad was first set up to ferry workers from the wild west town of Durango to the mines of the San Juan Mountains, and has been in continuous operation since then.

In today’s episode, travel writer James Ruddy is going to take us on a journey, riding the steam locomotive from the old mining town of Silverton, 914 metres back down to the high desert plains of the Four Corners region.

Following the course of the Animas River, the tracks wind through thick pine forests, teetering on the edge of razor-thin cliffs beneath towering 4,267-metre peaks. Widely recognised as one of the most scenic train rides in America, and powered entirely by steam, its story mirrors the story of the West, and for those who want to catch a glimpse of what life was like back then there are few pieces of living history more authentic than this.

Afterwards, Jeff Johnson, the General Manager of the railroad, will fill us in on its history, and the local secrets of what to do in the town of Durango at the end of the line. We’ll even grab a bite in the Diamond Belle Saloon where you can eat next to a 100-year-old bullet hole in the bar.

But that’s not all, round the corner from Durango is one of America’s most fascinating national parks: Mesa Verde. Home of the ancestral pueblo people between 600 and 1300 CE, we’ll visit the spectacular cliff dwellings where they lived in villages hewn from the rock face.

All aboard for a journey back in time on the most beautiful train ride in America.

FIND OUT MORE

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: DurangoTrain.com

Visit Durango: Durango.org

BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE TODAY

Ready to experience the heart of the American West? Start planning your journey by booking a ride on the iconic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Visit durangotrain.com to secure your seat on this historic train and create memories that will last a lifetime.

WANDERLUST: OFF THE PAGE

Take the road less travelled with us and subscribe to the show so you never miss an adventure!

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member-only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Lyn Hughes and Laura Field introduce the show. Aaron Millar is the host and producer; audio editing and sound design by Charles Tyrie.

With its leafy parks, cobbled streets and a packed calendar of events, Boston is a city that can be explored year round. From autumn colours and ice-skating in winter to spring hikes and summer beaches, this episode will whisk you away to one of North America’s most vibrant cities to discover Boston through the seasons.

But we’ll also explore its past, present and future. Boston’s role in the American Revolution is well known, and with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026, it’s the perfect time to explore one of the USA’s most historic cities.

But it’s not stuck in the past. Boasting 23 individual neighborhoods, each with its own unique identity, we’ll discover the stories, food, and communities that help to define this culturally rich and diverse city, from the best place to shuck oysters to the art and festivals that make its ‘Emerald Necklace’ of green spaces come alive.

Highlights include:

• Joining a local guide to walk the Freedom Trail, Boston’s iconic 2.5-mile red brick path that weaves between its most historic sights.

• Exploring the ‘Emerald Necklace’ of parks and outdoor spaces that offer everything from ice-skating in winter to outdoor art in spring.

• Finding out about the outdoor art exhibitions and year-long festivals and events at the Rose Kennedy Greenway, one of Boston’s most iconic city parks.

• Discovering Boston’s best beaches, and how to combine sand and city into the perfect summer break.

• Getting the lowdown on the perfect autumn day trip: autumn colours, picking your own apples and swimming in Thoreau’s Walden Pond – all less than an hour from downtown!

• Hearing about travel writer Portia Jones’ latest trip from whale watching and lobster roll addictions to cheering on the Bruins, Boston’s ice hockey team.

• Walking the Innovation Trail and hearing about Boston’s four centuries of world-changing ideas and scientific breakthroughs.

FIND OUT MORE

Daniel Berger Jones from Cambridge Historical Tours - BosHis.org

Chris Cook Executive Director of the Rose Kennedy Greenway - RoseKennedyGreenway.org

Portia Jones, Journalist and Host of the Travel Goals Podcast PipAndTheCity.com

Discover Boston through all seasons at meetboston.com

WANDERLUST: OFF THE PAGE

Take the road less travelled with us and subscribe to the show so you never miss an adventure!

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member-only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Lyn Hughes and Laura Field introduce the show. Aaron Millar is the host and producer; audio editing and sound design by Charles Tyrie.

In this episode, we’re going to explore a different side to California. We all know the glittering beaches and iconic coastal cities of the Golden State, but today we’re going to let you in on a little secret called Fresno County.

Located in California’s Central Valley, Fresno County is the base camp for three of America’s most beautiful national parks.

Just over an hour away are Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park, home to some of the largest trees on Earth. And in just 90 minutes, you’ll be driving into Yosemite Valley and the view that one of America’s most celebrated photographers Ansel Adams called “a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space.”

Plus, with its unique Mediterranean climate, Fresno is one of the top foodie destinations in the country with a bounty of year-round, fresh farm-to-table food. Not to mention one of the most unique attractions on the planet, the Forestiere Underground Gardens.

Easily accessible from most US airport hubs, if you’re planning a multi-state visit, or a long weekend stop-off on your California road trip, we think Fresno County should be on your list.

Our guests today are:

Shera Franzman, Executive Director of Forestiere Underground Gardens underroundgardens.com

Ryan Jacobsen, CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau fcfb.org

Vikkie Calderon, from Yosemite Fresno International Airport flyfresno.com

Highlights include:

• Walking in the Land of Giants at Sequoia National Park, home to some of the largest trees on Earth
• Exploring the little-known King’s Canyon National Park, home to an 8,200ft deep gorge, roughly 2,000ft deeper than the Grand Canyon
• Getting seriously hungry listening to the bounty of fresh, farm-to-table food available in Fresno County
• Discovering the fascinating history behind the one-of-a-kind Forestiere Underground Gardens
• Driving into Yosemite Valley, one of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet

FIND OUT MORE

Experience an authentic side to California in Fresno County. To plan your journey head to VisitFresnoCounty.org

WANDERLUST: OFF THE PAGE

Take the road less travelled with us and subscribe to the show so you never miss an adventure!

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member-only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Lyn Hughes and Laura Field introduce the show. Aaron Millar is the host and producer; audio editing and sound design by Charles Tyrie.

Sitting on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, the Ecuadorian capital of Quito is renowned for being a melting pot of Indigenous and European culture. Step beyond the northwest city limits, however, and it is draped in natural beauty and brimming with wildlife, much of which can be seen here, and nowhere else on Earth.

From hummingbirds to condors, the cock-of-the-rock to the spectacled bear, today we’re travelling to the Andean Chocó, to explore the cloud forests on Quito’s doorstep.

Joining host Aaron Millar are:

Karen Edwards, a regular Wanderlust contributor, and sustainability consultant, who just returned from an assignment there. Instagram: @karennedwards_writer

Klaus Fielsch, a Quito local and product manager at Metropolitan Touring, Ecuador’s destination experts. www.metropolitantouring.com

Highlights include:

• Exploring the wildlife-rich cloud forests of the Mashpi Reserve, Bellavista, Santa Lucia and more

• Watching the dancing cock-of-the-rock displays, one of the most unusual birding experiences on the planet

• Discovering the ‘culuncos’ of Yunguilla: the ancient trekking paths of the Yumbo people

You’ve probably heard about Quito’s history and culture before, but not many people know about the natural beauty that surrounds the city on all sides. We think the Andean Chocó is one of the most special regions in the country, and should be on the list of any Ecuadorian adventure. Listen to hear why!

For more inspiration, go to: www.visitquito.ec

WANDERLUST: OFF THE PAGE

Take the road less travelled with us and subscribe to the show so you never miss an adventure!

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Lyn Hughes and Laura Field introduce the show. Aaron Millar is the interviewer and script editor. Audio production by Charles Tyrie.

Historic, cultured, and delicious. Wetlands, bayous and the glittering Gulf coast. Today we’re going to Mobile, Alabama, otherwise known as the ‘Paris of the South’.

This pioneering port city has a deep cultural history, a buzzing food scene and the oldest Mardi Gras in the States – that’s right, Mobile’s Carnival pre-dates New Orleans’.

But, it’s still largely unknown to visitors outside of the States. If you haven’t thought about Mobile as a travel destination before, then good! Introducing you to new places that we love, and think you will too, is what this show is all about. And today we have three expert guests – all Mobile locals – to show us around.

Ester de Aguiar: Executive Director of the Mobile International Festival

Cart Blackwell: Historian and curator for the Mobile Carnival Museum

Chris Andrews: Founder of Bienville Bites, Mobile’s tastiest food tour company

Highlights include:

• Learning the history of the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the country – 300 years and counting!

• Heading out on a food tour to try local delicacies such as Gulf Coast oysters, West Indies salad, King Cake and more.

• Discovering the Clotilda heritage in Africatown, and the story of the last transatlantic slave ship.

We think Mobile, Alabama should be on the itinerary of every Deep South road trip. Listen in to hear why and get inspired for your next USA adventure.

For more inspiration, go to: mobile.org

WANDERLUST: OFF THE PAGE

Take the road less travelled with us and subscribe to the show so you never miss an adventure!

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Lyn Hughes and Laura Field introduce the show. Aaron Millar is the interviewer and script editor. Audio production by Charles Tyrie.

In this episode, we’ve teamed up with the experts at Audley Travel and award-winning Singapore Airlines to bring you all the inspiration and information you need to start planning a romantic road trip around the state of Victoria in Australia.

We will be journeying through Victoria, from the Great Ocean Road to the Grampians, taking in the central areas around Victoria’s coastal capital of Melbourne as well as Wilsons Promontory National Park. With everything from wonderful wildlife and relaxing wineries to exciting cultural experiences, we explore the best places to pit stop along the way.

Featured guests and highlights:

Justin Meneguzzi

Award-winning journalist, author and photographer Justin is from Australia and is a real local expert. During this episode, Justin talks to us about why he thinks Melbourne is such an exciting city, reminisces about his memories of the Great Ocean Road, and shares highlights of other incredible road trips around the state.

Charlotte Cooper

Charlotte certainly knows a thing or two about Victoria! As a Senior Australia County Specialist for Audley Travel, Charlotte has real, on-the-ground experience in Victoria and a real passion for Australia and its incredible highlights. In this episode, we ask Charlotte for her advice, travel tips, and practicalities to make your dream visit to Victoria a reality.

Singapore Airlines

With multiple daily connections from London Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester to Singapore, and five daily non-stop services from there to Melbourne on Singapore Airlines’ ultra-modern fleet, getting to Victoria has never been easier or more enjoyable. Named the World’s Best Airline Cabin Staff by Skytrax 2024, Singapore Airlines’ in-flight service is next level and the comfort a cut above thanks to wider seats with more legroom in Economy Class and a huge choice of in-flight entertainment, plus unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi.

The food is another big reason to fly with Singapore Airlines. Thanks to the partnership with Monica Galetti, Business Class and Suites/First Class passengers flying from the UK can enjoy her curated, seasonal menus. Those flying in premium cabins can pre-order gourmet meals using the Book the Cook offering. And, if you’re looking to explore more of Oz, Singapore Airlines’ partnership with Virgin Australia means you can seamlessly connect to airports all around the country, fly into one gateway and out of another.

Find out more

Enjoy the ultimate freedom of an immersive road trip in Victoria with Audley and Singapore Airlines.

Learn more

Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts