Palau is one of those destinations that doesn’t just live up to the hype... it rewrites what you thought tropical travel could be. Remote, raw, and wildly beautiful, it’s a place where emerald islands rise out of electric-blue water, WWII history sits alongside ancient culture, and nature is protected.

Palau is a small island nation in Micronesia that consistently ranks as one of the world’s top destinations for nature, diving, and conservation-led travel... yet it still flies under the radar for many travellers.

When I first started planning Palau, I realised very quickly that this wasn’t a “turn up and wing it” kind of destination. It rewards curiosity, preparation, and travellers who want more than just pretty beaches.

In this episode, I’m sharing 23 unmissable things to see and do in Palau, based on first-hand experience... from kayaking through hidden lagoons and swimming with sharks, to ancient stone monoliths, waterfalls, cultural sites, and moments that genuinely stopped me in my tracks.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why Palau feels so different to other tropical destinations
• The absolute must-see experiences (and what you can skip)
• How to explore the Rock Islands by boat, kayak, and even from the air
• Where Palau’s WWII history comes to life
• What surprised me most about travelling around Palau
• Practical tips for tours, permits, transport, and planning
• Who Palau is best suited for — and who it might not be right for

Destinations & Experiences Covered in This Episode

• Rock Islands
• Badrulchau Stone Monoliths
• Airai Bai
• Scenic Flight Over Palau
• Overnight Kayaking with Paddling Palau
• Peleliu Island
• Natural Arch
• Ngardmau Waterfall
• Palau National Capitol
• Kuabes Park
• Japanese WWII Lighthouse
• Belau National Museum
• Palau International Coral Reef Center
• Milky Way Lagoon
• Mesekelat Waterfall
• Shark City
• Clam City
• Jellyfish Lake
• Blue Corner
• German Channel
• Carp Island
• Etpison Museum
• Traditional Sailing Tour

Helpful Resources & Links

• Free Resource: Palau Destination Guide, a practical planning guide with packing lists, activities, tours, accommodation, logistics tips, and adventure ideas beyond diving... perfect if Palau’s on your bucket list.
• Podcast Episode: Kayaking the Rock Islands of Palau

If Palau is on your radar, grab my free Palau Destination Guide... it’ll help you plan smarter, pack better, and feel confident booking experiences like these.

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

Travelling the world with a chronic illness isn’t something you often see talked about online, especially when the illness doesn’t “look” obvious. From the outside, my travels might seem carefree and high-energy, but behind every trip is careful planning, flexibility, and a deep understanding of my body.

In this episode, I’m sharing something I don’t often talk about publicly: my experience living with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), often referred to as mould illness, and how it impacts the way I travel.

This is a deeply personal conversation about invisible illness, flare-ups on the road, missed moments, and why I continue to travel anyway... just differently. If you’ve ever wondered whether travel is still possible with a chronic illness, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What it’s really like travelling with an invisible chronic illness
• How CIRS affects my energy, cognition, digestion, and resilience
• Why I plan trips months in advance (and how I do it gently)
• How I use Google Maps, social media, and AI to reduce planning overwhelm
• My non-negotiables when choosing accommodation
• What travelling during a flare-up actually looks like
• What I pack in my chronic illness travel kit

Helpful Resources & Links

Related blog post: How I Travel with a Chronic Illness: My CIRS Travel Story

Related blog post: The Future of Travel AI is Here: How AI is Revolutionising The Way We Plan, Book & Experience the World

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

Long-haul flights are a fact of life when you’re a frequent flyer. They’re the gateway to bucket-list adventures… but they can also be uncomfortable, exhausting, and wildly unpredictable.

On a recent trip from Australia to the USA, a “quick” stopover in Dallas turned into a 24-hour airport survival situation when a once-in-a-century snowstorm hit Texas. Flights were cancelled, hotels were full, Ubers shut down, terminals were freezing... and when I finally reached my destination, my checked luggage didn’t.

That experience reinforced something I’ve believed for years: what you pack in your carry-on can make or break your journey. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what I pack in my carry-on for long-haul flights... not for perfection, but for comfort, preparedness, and peace of mind when travel doesn’t go to plan.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why your carry-on matters more than your checked luggage
• How to pack for delays, cancellations, and lost bags
• My go-to carry-on bag setup for long-haul travel
• What always stays with me (and what I intentionally leave out)
• Comfort essentials that make long flights more bearable
• The underrated items that have saved my trips more than once

This episode breaks down my real-world carry-on packing strategy for long-haul flights... especially when travelling from Australia, where multi-leg journeys and long stopovers are unavoidable.

You’ll hear why I always travel with a hard-shell suitcase plus a carry-on backpack, and why I swear by my Tildy Carryall Camera Backpack from taz + tez... a bag that works as my flight carry-on, day pack, hiking bag, and road-trip backpack.

Helpful Resources & Links

• Related blog post: What I Pack in My Carry-On for Long-Haul Flights

Disclosure: This podcast includes affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use these links to make a purchase.

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

Before I even landed in Spain, the Caminito del Rey was already locked into my bucket list. I’d seen the photos... narrow walkways hugging towering cliffs, the river below, and views that felt almost unreal.

What I didn’t realise at the time was how misunderstood this hike actually is. Despite its dramatic reputation (and its past as one of the world’s most dangerous walks), the Caminito del Rey today is surprisingly accessible, and absolutely unforgettable if you know how to do it right.

In this episode, I’m sharing what it’s really like to hike the Caminito del Rey, what surprised me most, and the practical tips I wish I’d known before stepping onto that cliffside path.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What the Caminito del Rey actually is (and what it isn’t)
• Where it’s located and how to visit it as a day trip
• How long the hike really takes and how challenging it feels
• What to expect on the trail, from safety briefings to no-stop zones
• The pros and cons of guided tours vs doing it yourself
• Practical tips to enjoy the views properly

Helpful Resources & Links

• I’ve written a full South of Spain travel guide that shows how to fit the Caminito del Rey into a bigger itinerary.
• Dive deeper with my blog post Hiking the Camonito del Rey - Spain's Most Epic Cliffside Walk

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

There’s a moment that happens every time I arrive at an off-grid tiny house. My phone loses signal, the noise drops away, and finally I feel like I can breathe again.

Over the years, my yearly off-grid tiny house stay has become a ritual... not just a getaway, but a full reset. It’s the kind of travel experience that doesn’t just give you memories, but actually changes how you feel when you come home.

In this episode of Tourist to Traveller, I’m sharing why I believe everyone should experience an off-grid tiny house stay at least once a year, and exactly how to plan one so it feels restorative, not intimidating.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why off-grid stays offer a deeper reset than traditional holidays
• What a tiny house stay actually includes (and what it doesn’t)
• How unplugging impacts your nervous system and creativity
• What to pack, and what to leave behind
• Easy, comforting food ideas for tiny house living
• Where to find great off-grid tiny house stays in Australia and beyond

Helpful Resources & Links

• Related Blog Post: Why Everyone Should Do a Yearly Off-Grid Tiny House Stay (And How to Plan Yours)
• Discount Code: Tiny Away - Australia, NZ, Europe, Malaysia, Taiwan (get 10% off with discount code TOURISTTOTRAVELLER10)

Disclosure: This episode includes an affiliate code. I will be paid a commission if you use this code to make a purchase.

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

Marrakech is one of those cities that pulls you in fast... the colour, sound, movement, magic. It’s exciting, intoxicating… and for many travellers, completely overwhelming.

The truth is, you can’t truly “do” Marrakech in a day. But if 24 hours is all you’ve got, you can experience something real... the rhythm of the medina, the calm behind carved wooden doors, and the quiet moments that live between the chaos.

In this episode, I’m sharing a relaxed, experience-first guide to spending one magical day in Marrakech. It’s designed for time-poor travellers who want depth over checklists... without feeling rushed, stressed, or like they’ve missed the point of the Red City.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How to experience Marrakech in one day without burning out
• Why starting early (and slow) changes everything in the medina
• The best way to balance iconic sights with quiet, grounding moments
• How riads, rooftops, and hammams shape a more meaningful experience
• Where to pause, reset, and soak up the soul of the city

Helpful Resources & Links

• Blog: How to Spend 24 Magical Hours in Marrakech - dive deeper into the itinerary covered during this episode
• Blog: Morocco Destination Guides - my full series of blogs on visiting Morocco
• Destination Guide: The Ultimate Morocco Travel Guide - everything in one place for planning a smooth, meaningful trip

Locations Mentioned In This Episode

• Koutoubia Mosque
• Ben Youssef Madrasa
• Accommodation: Riad Dar Rayane, Palais Sebban, Riad Eloise
• Le Jardin Secret
• Lunch spots: Nomad, Atay Cafe, Cabana Food & Cocktails
• El Badi Palace
• Hammams: Les Bains Du Lotus, Heritage Spa, Mythic Oriental Spa
• Rooftop bars: El Fenn, Kabana Marrakech
• Dinner spots: Le Jardin, Dar Moha, Puls61
• Bahia Palace
• Saadian Tombs
• Marrakech Museum
• Batcha Coffee

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

Have you ever caught yourself dreaming about taking a solo trip… only to immediately talk yourself out of it? Worries about safety, loneliness, or simply not knowing where to start can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already juggling work, life, and limited time off.

I remember boarding the plane for my very first solo trip, heart racing, wondering if I’d made a huge mistake. But by the end of that journey, I came home with something I hadn’t expected at all... confidence, clarity, and a deep trust in myself.

In this episode of Tourist to Traveller, I’m sharing everything I wish I’d known before taking that first leap. If solo travel has been quietly calling you, this episode is designed to help you feel prepared, supported, and genuinely excited to start planning.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How to choose the right solo travel style for your personality and confidence level
• Beginner-friendly destinations that make first-time solo travel easier
• Practical flight and accommodation tips to reduce stress
• How to make friends while travelling alone
• Solo travel safety tips that build confidence, not fear
• Why solo travel is one of the most empowering things you can do for yourself

Helpful Resources & Links

• Related blog post: The Ultimate Guide to Taking Your First Solo Trip

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

Efate Island was my first introduction to Vanuatu, and I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect it to leave such an impression. I thought it would be a stop centred around Port Vila, before moving on to other islands. What I found instead surprised me.

Once you step beyond Port Vila, Efate opens up into freshwater swimming holes, quiet beaches, island day trips and cultural experiences.

In this episode, I’m sharing the best things to do on Efate Island, especially if it’s your first time visiting Vanuatu, and you want experiences that actually feel meaningful.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why Efate Island is more than just Port Vila
• The best swimming spots, beaches and waterfalls on Efate
• Which island day trips are truly worth your time
• Cultural experiences that add depth to your visit
• Where to find Efate’s best sunsets, bars and local nightlife
• How to get around the island
• When to visit Efate Island for the best balance of weather and crowds

Helpful Resources & Links

• I’ve written a full blog guide to The Best Things to Do on Efate Island
• If you’re continuing your Vanuatu journey, don’t miss my related episode and guide on Tanna Island and Mount Yasur

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.