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Finding Beauty In The Ordinary. A Different Side Of Poland With Ben Aitken

In this wide-ranging interview with Ben Aitken, we talk about challenging cultural stereotypes, identifying as the ‘Other,’ and how to find beauty in the ordinary, as well as thoughts on where to visit and what to eat and drink when visiting Poland.

Ben Aitken is a freelance writer, playwright, and the author of three travel books. Today, we’re talking about his book, A Chip Shop in Poznan: My Unlikely Year in Poland.

Show notes

The relationship between the UK and Poland and how that changed while Ben lived there during the referendum
How travel can change attitudes
Finding beauty in the ordinary
Recommendations for food, drink, and places to consider visiting in Poland
The joy of travel without planning
The possibility of a return to more local travel in the wake of the pandemic
Why Ben chooses unusual trips like taking coach tours with the elderly as he writes about in his latest book, The Gran Tour
Recommended books about Poland

You can find Ben Aitken at BenAitken.com

Travels In Blood And Honey. Kosovo With Elizabeth Gowing

Places

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The word Kosovo brings to mind images of the Balkan War — a place of blood — but Elizabeth Gowing talks about it as a place of sweetness, a place of honey with wonderful food, welcoming people and a complex patchwork of religion that manages to get along together in a tiny country. She also explains how her unexpected move to Kosovo led to her love of beekeeping and a new direction helping local communities.

Elizabeth Gowing is the author of five books, including Travels in Blood and Honey: Becoming a Beekeeper in Kosovo. She’s also a professional speaker and co-founder of The Ideas Partnership, a charity that empowers and supports people in need in Kosovo.

Show notes

An unexpected transfer to Kosovo
Exploring Kosovo and the hospitality of the people
The dying art of silver filigree
The religious buildings and their significance
Is it safe to travel to Kosovo?
The symbolism of the traditional Kosovo foods
Working with the Roma and Ashkali communities to educate children
Tips for sustainable tourism in Kosovo

You can find Elizabeth Gowing at ElizabethGowing.com

Elizabeth’s headshot photo credit: Jonada Jashari

A Pocket Of Wilderness: Adventure Travel With Anna McNuff

Unusual Places

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Adventure is a mindset. You can find it in a pocket of wilderness in your local area just by doing something different and seeking out the unusual — or you can find it by running Great Britain barefoot, cycling the Andes, and running the length of New Zealand!

In this interview, adventurer Anna McNuff talks about the definition of adventure, finding the element of the unknown, encouraging young people to explore, and the acceptance that change is the only constant.

Anna McNuff is a British adventurer, professional speaker, and author named by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the 50 most influential travelers of our time. And by The Guardian as one of the top modern female adventurers.

Show notes

What is ‘adventure’?
The changing motivations for adventure travel
Cultivating a voice that supports adventure
Stepping into the unknown
Running from Scotland to London barefoot
Change is a constant
What travel might look like in the future
How adventure travel is actually about storytelling
How moments from our young lives shape us

You can find Anna McNuff at AnnaMcNuff.com and on Instagram @annamcnuff

Photos used with permission from Anna McNuff.

Full Moon Over Noah’s Ark. Ararat With Rick Antonson

Unusual Places

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The word Ararat brings to mind an adventure into myth and history and in this episode, I talk to Rick Antonson about his journey to the fabled resting place of Noah’s Ark, as well as some of the research into Biblical history and ancient myths of the flood.

My ARKANE thrillers center around Biblical archaeology, history, and myth, so this was a particularly exciting interview for me!

Rick Antonson is an author, professional speaker, and world traveler. Today, we’re talking about his book, Full Moon Over Noah’s Ark: An Odyssey to Mount Ararat and Beyond.

Show notes

The history, mystery, and myth surrounding Ararat and Noah’s Ark
Versions of the flood story
The complications of climbing Mt. Ararat
The lure of (slightly) dangerous travel
What travel might look like in the future
Recommended books

You can find Rick Antonson at RickAntonson.com.

Pilgrimage. The Architecture Of Faith With Derry Brabbs

Unusual Places

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Great cathedrals are places of awe and wonder, no matter your religious belief.

Whenever I visit a new place, I always go to the cathedral or church, or place of worship in the area. There is always something new and interesting to be found and you can get a particular sense of a region that way. I also love to take photos of religious architecture and sculpture, much of it crafted by devotion over many generations.

In this interview, I talk to Derry Brabbs about places of pilgrimage across Europe and why they attract so many, even those with no particular religious faith.

Derry Brabbs is one of the UK’s finest public photographers with over 30 illustrated books to his credit. He’s also an author and speaker, and today we’re talking about his book, Pilgrimage: Great Pilgrim Routes of Britain and Europe.

Show notes

The popularity of pilgrimage in our secular times
The lesser-known routes of the Camino
The resurrection of stonemasonry to repair historic cathedrals
Highlights of beautiful churches and cathedrals
The joys of the unexpected on a pilgrimage
Seeing the world through a camera lens and learning to be in the right place at the right time to catch the light
Recommended books

You can find Derry at DerryBrabbs.com.

A Time Of Birds: Cycling Across Europe To Istanbul With Helen Moat

Unusual Places

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Would you cycle across Europe on a ‘sit up and beg’ bike with little experience and no map reading skills? Helen Moat talks about how her adventure unfolded in an inspiring interview that will have you reaching for the guide books and considering where you could travel next.

Helen Moat is an author and freelance travel writer for Wanderlust and BBC Countryfile, originally from Northern Ireland. Today we’re talking about her latest book, A Time of Birds: Reflections on Cycling Across Europe.

Show notes

Making the decision to plan a cycling trip without much experience
Taking time to enjoy the journey
Starting off on the flats near the Danube and the Rhine
Restoring one’s faith in humanity by staying with strangers while couch surfing
Facing fears about the journey
Choosing the wrong bike for the ride
Slow travel and seeing the world from the seat of a bicycle
Travel as a time of healing

You can find Helen Moat at her website here and her books on Amazon.

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