Are you the type of traveler who loves to get off the beaten path? Who values experiences over things? Who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal? Then the Postcard Academy travel podcast is for you.
Each week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll get their insider travel recommendations on the best food and cultural experiences in the most interesting places around the globe. You’ll also discover travel hacks to find cheap flights and travel deals, and hear personal expat stories that offer guidance on how to live, work, volunteer, and travel abroad.
I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, an American who’s been living, working, and traveling around Europe since 2010 (and visiting long before that). Enjoy the show!
If you value year-round great weather, quality of life, and affordable healthcare, you’re in luck! Panama is a very visa-friendly country, with tons of benefits for people who move there for retirement, and great wifi and shared spaces for those still working.
Read MoreDo you make travel a financial priority? Danielle Desir, host of the Thought Card, takes this idea so seriously that she treats saving for travel like paying a bill. “So similar to your cell phone bill, your gym subscriptions, all the other things that you pay for on a monthly basis, travel is right up there with all of those things for me. It's something that has to get done, which is why I automate it.”
Read MoreThe COVID-19 coronavirus has upended most travel plans, at least in the short term. So what should you do? Phil Sylvester from World Nomads joined me on the Postcard Academy podcast to talk about how to recoup your travel costs and other travel insurance queries.
Read MoreWhen you’re traveling, do you open yourself up to new experiences, including talking to new people? Do you do the same at home, or does talking to strangers suddenly feel a little crazy? According to science, we’d be living healthier, happier lives if we maintained the sense of openness and adventure we experience while traveling to other places.
Like many expats I know, most of the travel I’ve done has been outside of my home country, the U.S. In fact, my European friends have seen more of the States than I have, and their wistful descriptions of the U.S. national parks have inspired me to plan a trip.
Danielle Jacobs-Erwin, host of the podcast Everybody’s National Parks, joined me on the Postcard Academy to discuss the history of the National Park System; what we need to do to prepare for a trip the national parks; where to stay; what to eat; and more.
Most travel stories bore people — including the storytellers themselves. Why do we struggle to convey the magic we experienced on our trip? According to Matthew Dicks, author of Storyworthy, TED speaker, and five-time Moth GrandSLAM champion, travel stories usually fail because they’re just a chronological recitation of your itinerary. Here’s the right way to tell a story.
Read MoreProfessional photographer Anna Mazurek travels the world for clients such as Travel + Leisure, Rolling Stone, and National Geographic. But don’t think they’re throwing money at her. These days, successful travel photographers earn around $30,000 a year. Despite this, Anna has figured out how to maximize this income to travel the world full time and still save for retirement. She writes about this in her new book Good With Money.
Read MoreEver dream of being a travel writer? Who hasn’t?! My guest Nardia Plumridge actually made it happen. In addition to writing for global publications, including Lonely Planet, Nardia also penned a book — Lost in Florence — that is due out this spring. On the Postcard Academy podcast, Nardia shares how she broke into the travel writing biz and offers tips on how to get your own work published.
Read MoreAs a history lover, I’ve spent my fair share of time in cities like Paris, Rome, Berlin, and London. But I’m in the phase of my life where I like visiting the not-so-popular but still incredible destinations. If you’ve ever flipped through the magazine, Eat This, Not That!, my travel recommendations for 2019 are a little like that. ‘Visit this charming village, not that over-crowded metropolis!’ Here’s the list.
Read MoreSomeday might never come, which is why this year on the Postcard Academy podcast, in addition to talking about travel and food and culture, I’ll also be interviewing lifestyle experts, authors, and others who can help us live our best lives. To start us off, I’m incredibly happy to share my conversation with Natalie Sisson, author of the bestselling book The Suitcase Entrepreneur and The Freedom Plan.
Read MoreMy friends Daniel and Alinne fell in love when Daniel, an American, lived in Brazil for work as a stunt coordinator. They knew they wanted to stay together, but the U.S. denied Alinne, who’s Brazilian, a visa. To avoid the bureaucracy that plagues multi-national relationships, they decided to travel the world together instead of sticking to one place — and this journey has continued for nearly two years. Volunteering through Workaway has financially enabled them to keep traveling as long as they have. In the latest episode of the Postcard Academy podcast, they share their story and advice on how you can travel more by working your way around the world.
Read MoreSolo travel is a transformational experience that everyone should try at least once. Why? Whether you are a single student, married mom, or happy retiree, you deserve time to yourself to do whatever you want, discover new passions, and explore the world. Here’s what you need to get over your fears and book that first solo trip for yourself.
Read MoreIn 1965, the Damron Company published the first gay travel guide for men. Today its guidebooks are more LGBT inclusive, but travel resources for lesbians are still paltry compared to what’s offered to the gay male community. Here’s your guide to planning the ultimate lesbian holiday, whether you’re coupling up or flying solo.
Read MoreFlying messes with our mind, body, and spirit in all sorts of crazy ways. And if you’re stuck in economy for hours, it can feel downright painful. Here are 11 top tips to survive long-haul flights that my friend and I came up with after our recent 25-hour journey to Bali.
Read MoreIf you’re anything like me, you enjoy wine but are fairly uneducated about it and usually forget everything you learn at wine tastings. That’s OK. With this list of the best Tuscan wines, you’ll know what to order in Italy, or at your local wine shop.
Read More“That olive oil costs how MUCH? Why would I spend $15 when I can spend $4?” You’ve likely said this to yourself at some point. So what’s the difference between expensive olive oil versus the cheap stuff? Does it really matter? Yes. Toni Mazzaglia, founder of the food tour company Taste Florence came on the Postcard Academy podcast to explain how to find the best olive oil, when you should use it, and when you definitely should not.
Read MoreItalians usually rush at breakfast, dowing espresso at the counter and eating cornetti, which “looks like a croissant but delivers disappointment...It’s like a croissant and a brioche had a bad one-night-stand.” Here’s how to make sure the pastry you buy in Italy is fresh and delicious.
Read MoreOut of Europe’s 50 countries, 28 are part of the European Union, but not all of them have signed on to the euro, the common currency. Here’s a list of the 19 countries that use the euro, and the ones that don’t.
Read MoreThe no. 1 question American listeners of the Postcard Academy travel podcast ask: How can I live abroad? If you’re not from the EU or a Commonwealth country, this can feel impossible. BUT Americans in search of a better life do have options to live abroad that don’t involve marrying a random.
Read MoreBelize Zoo (really an animal sanctuary) offers a hands-on internship program that lasts from two to four weeks. Just want to visit? The money from your ticket will go to taking care of beautiful creatures like Junior Buddy, the zoo’s 11-year-old jaguar.
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