Women Who Travel | Condé Nast Traveler

This week, we're having all of the awkward conversations that come with budgeting for travel. How do you even start saving for your next trip? What do you do when you can't afford a group trip? What do you prioritize spending money on when you vacation? What do you do when you don't qualify for a travel-friendly credit card and can't cash in points and miles? We've tapped the experts—Samantha Barry, Glamour's editor-in-chief and host of the She Makes Money Moves podcast, and Travel Channel's Oneika Raymond—to answer these and more.Find links to items mentioned and read a full transcription here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/an-honest-conversation-about-saving-and-budgeting-for-travel Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This episode originally aired in February 2019.We didn't always feel so gung-ho about traveling the world with a group of strangers or about giving up control over the itinerary on a group trip. In fact, just like with almost everything in travel, it was the mental hurdle—the thought that we might not like group trips—that kept us from doing it. But, we all got over it. (Strip naked in front of a group of gals at a Japanese onsen and you'll get over those reservations really fast.) To commiserate and compare stories, we brought community editor and trip lead Megan Spurrell and El Camino founder Katalina Mayorga on to talk about the pros, cons, and what it took to change our minds.Join Women Who Travel on a trip to Colombia in September or November. Learn more here: https://www.elcamino.travel/women-who-travel Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This week, as we kick off February, we're chatting about a major reason why *Traveler* editors have zipped back and forth across the globe: long-distance relationships. Joined by community editor Megan Spurrell and journalist Sarah Walton, we're diving into the ins and outs of making a cross-continent, let alone transnational, relationship work—all backed by some 10-plus years of first person, long-distance relationship experiences between us. Some key takeaways? Always have a plan for when you're going to see each other next. Don't worry too much if your friends and family don't understand. And since you're traveling already, planning a trip to a new destination may be better than visiting each other at home. Read a full transcription of the episode here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-to-balance-traveling-for-a-long-distance-relationship-women-who-travel-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

If you've been following Women Who Travel over the past two years, chances are you're familiar with Jessica Nabongo. The founder of boutique travel company Jet Black, Nabongo became the first black woman to visit every country in the world in 2019, and throughout her two-and-a-half year journey she's stopped by the studio (and called in from some very inconvenient time zones) to update us on her travels—the good, the challenging, and the downright exhausting.But one thing we haven't been able to chat in-depth with her on is what it takes to become a country counter in the first place. In the second installment of our How I Became series, we sit down with Nabongo to find out what motivated her to take on the odyssey in the first place, how she navigated borders while grappling with issues like passport privilege and carbon emissions, and what she's learned from taking more flights in two years than most people take in a lifetime.Thanks to Jessica for joining us this week. And thanks as always to Brett Fuchs for engineering and mixing. To keep up with our podcast each week, subscribe to Women Who Travel on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And, if you have a minute to spare, leave a review. We’d love to hear from you. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter to keep up to date with our live episodes, meetups, and trips, too. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

"Plus-size fill-in-the-blank, but especially travel, is often not seen in a glamorous way," says Women Who Travel columnist Laura Delarato on this week's podcast episode. "It's often not seen at all." But thanks to communities and social media accounts that celebrate women's bodies of all shapes and sizes taking on the world, like Fat Girls Traveling, launched by our other guest this week, Annette Richmond, that's changing.Find a full transcription and more here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-travel-taught-me-to-love-my-body-women-who-travel-podcast__________Follow Meredith: @ohheytheremereFollow Lale: @lalehannahFollow Annette: @fromannettewithlove & @fatgirlstravelingFollow Laura: @heylauraheyyy Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Being on vacation and flying to get to vacation—whether you're going to laze on the beach for days or zip around Southeast Asia on the back of a moped—are some of the only long, interrupted times we have these days to read. So, as you prep for your OOO for 2020, we tapped Jynne Dilling Martin, Riverhead Books' associate publisher, and Lisa Lucas, executive director of the National Book Foundation, to give you a rundown of the best books they read in 2019 for a little literary packing list info.Find a full transcript of the episode and links to all of the books we mentioned here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-best-books-we-read-last-year-women-who-travel-podcastWhile many other books were discussed, here are the 11 favorites we suggested in this episode: Vernon Subutex 1 by Virginie Despentes The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom Severance by Ling Ma The Library Book by Susan Orlean Normal People by Sally Rooney Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

w It's a new year, which means more episodes of Women Who Travel are coming your way. In 2020, we're kicking things off with a new monthly series called "HoI Became...," where we'll sit down with master travelers who spend most of their lives on the road doing things those of us at our desks on a daily basis never thought possible. First up? Women Who Travel advisory board member, award-winning photojournalist, and author Lynsey Addario. We chat with her about picking up her first camera, taking less than stellar shots on her tour of South America in her early twenties, and spending her decades-long career photographing women. Delving deeper, we talk about how travel can heal the trauma of photographing war, death, and more—and how it takes years to learn to say "no" to risk. Find a full transcript, show notes, and links here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-i-became-a-photojournalist-lynsey-addario-on-life-on-the-road Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

It's time to have your credit card and calendar at the ready: the peak time for flight deals is here. With Travel Deal Tuesday—when airlines and hotels drop fares some 40 percent for late 2019 and early 2020 travel—approaching on December 3 and the end of the year (i.e. time to use up your last vacation days) coming in hot, there’s never been a better time to escape on a dime. But the last-minute panic and adrenaline rush of pouncing on a $300 round-trip deal to Tokyo can paralyzing. Who will go with you? How fast do you have to book? Is this even a good deal? We're here to help ease your flight deal anxiety, demystify what makes a good deal, and teach you where to find them.________We're going on a break! Expect new episodes to hit in January. Make sure you subscribe wherever you listen to this podcast so you know when we return with some fantastic episodes next year. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We say it a lot over here at Traveler: Americans are really bad at taking vacation. So much so that in 2017, we left 705 million vacation days on the table, the U.S. Travel Association reported. Think of all the walking tours, island naps, and life-changing meals that were missed! And while we always urge you to take all of your days—be they five or 25—we don't always practice what we preach, either. Thankfully, we've since learned the error of our ways—but we could all use the reminder that we're actually devaluing our salary by leaving those days behind. We tapped the keeper of our vacation days, Traveler's director of editorial operations Paulie Dibner, and contributor Cassie Shortsleeve to chat about vacation guilt, how to ask for time off, what to do when you have unlimited vacation, and what to actually do when you get it. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

When we caught up with Dina Nayeri over the phone last week, she was, quite aptly, rushing through the streets of Paris. If she had her way, the writer and author would probably never stop moving, she tells us, thanks to a constant itch for travel that has taken her all over the world. But that urgency to cross borders is deeply rooted in her personal history as a refugee: At the age of eight, she fled Iran with her mother and brother to Dubai, and then on to a refugee camp in Italy, before eventually settling in the U.S. "My formative years were about getting out of a place, and so the feeling of being stuck to a land, to a country, is one of my most deeply instilled fears," she says. "I have a French passport and an American one, and I carry them everywhere I go." We chat to Dina about how she chronicled her refugee journey in her most recent book, Ungrateful Refugee: What Immigrants Never Tell You. Plus, we learn about the present-day refugees she met while researching it, the travels that have shifted her perspective, and how she stays connected to Iranian culture decades after leaving her home. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In the fourth installment of our FAQ series, we're joined by Traveler's community editor (and WWT advice columnist) Megan Spurrell and special projects director Lauren DeCarlo to answer some of your most burning travel questions, including how to figure the right time to start traveling with your kids (spoiler alert: it's different for everybody), the right way to adjust to post-travel blues, and where to go in Mexico over Dia de los Muertos. Plus, Meredith gives her two cents on why you should use every single one of your vacation days—and how to negotiate with your boss for more time off when you need it.Want to submit a question to the advice column or for a future episode? Drop it into the Women Who Travel Facebook group or email [email protected]. Not only could you hear from Traveler editors themselves, but you'll have more than 140,000 women come to your aid, too. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A few weeks ago, Jessica Nabongo became the first black woman to visit every country in the world when she stepped foot in the Seychelles. We’ve been following her journey for years and to celebrate her enormous accomplishment, we’re throwing it back to when we spoke with her in January when she was in Malawi, country 151 of 195. You can read all about the end of Jessica's journey and what she’s learned here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/jessica-nabongo-on-what-visiting-195-countries-has-taught-her Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Do you ever feel so much pressure to eat, see, and do everything on a trip that you end up feeling utterly overwhelmed and exhausted before you've even touched the ground? Same here. In fact, sometimes it feels like we get so distracted by everything we're supposed to experience that we often end up missing out on the best thing about travel: actually getting to know a place. For this week’s episode we’re joined by Erika Owen, author of 'The Art of Flaneuring: How to Wander with Intention and Discover a Better Life, and sex and wellness writer—and Women Who Travel contributor—Laura Delarato to talk about how we all need to just slow down a bit when we’re traveling. The key takeaways? It's fine to give yourself permission to do less, Iceland is a flaneur's dream destination, and travel should be an opportunity to remove the noise in your life, not add to it. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Family travel comes in all shapes and sizes these days: Women Who Travel contributor Priya Krishna takes an annual trip with 20 of her extended family members; editor Megan Spurrell travels each July 4 with her sisters and mom; and editor Corina Quinn heads south, to coastal South Carolina, where her slew of nieces and nephews will be endlessly entertained. Truly experts when it comes to making everyone happy on long stretches of close family time, we asked these three how they survive—and even thrive—on their annual multi-gen trips. The key takeaways? Everyone needs alone time. Finding one spot to post up for the week or so you're spending together is much less stressful than moving between hotels. And trip planning is always easiest when there are fewer cooks in the kitchen (it's also a good time to hire a private chef). Listen in to this week's episode for more of their tricks. Find a full transcription of the episode and more here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-we-learned-to-love-traveling-with-our-families-women-who-travel-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Full warning: a train comes barreling through the live recording of our podcast at the Feast Portland food festival earlier this month. But it hardly stopped us from chatting with Megan Sanchez, chef and co-owner of Güero, and Nong Poonsukwattana, owner and chef at Nong's Khao Man Gai—two of our favorite women in food right now. The two chefs, who both started with food carts next to each other in Portland, each bring their very different life experiences to the table. Megan's parents' Mexican and Egyptian heritage plays a major role in her menu (nothing brings mezze to mind like a slew of salsa pots, right?). And Nong, who moved to the U.S. in the early 2000s from Bangkok, specializes in the Thai dish she wishes she could have eaten growing up in Thailand: khao man gai, poached chicken served in its broth. Listen in as we talk about what authenticity really means, where they find inspiration in travel, and about women supporting women. (And just ignored aforementioned the train.)Read a full transcription of the episode and more here: Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

There are plenty of ways to see the world: through its food, through nature, or even just by slipping on a pair of sneakers and taking a walk. But for Mickela Mallozzi, a professional dancer and host of the award-winning PBS travel show Bare Feet With Mickela Mallozzi, there is no better way to connect with a new place—and its people—than by dancing, whether it be with the Gnawa tribe in Morocco or the Georgian National Ballet. This episode, we sit down with Mickela to find out how she got the idea for her show in the first place, where it's taken her since, and what to expect from her upcoming season, which sees her tracing her DNA across the globe.ICYMI: Women Who Travel's 2020 trip lineup is here! We're still headed to Colombia and Mexico, but are also introducing Cuba as a brand new destination. Interested? You can find all the information you need at elcamino.travel/women-who-travel.Find more info and a full transcription of the episode here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/i-traveled-around-the-world-because-of-a-dna-test Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Ever wonder what it would be like to just travel around the country and eat for a living? If so, you'll want to buddy up to this week's guest, Julia Kramer, Bon Appétit's deputy editor and lead for the magazine's Best New Restaurants in America list. Each spring, she travels to more than 200 restaurants, booking double dinners, brunches, lunches, and more to find the best of the best and chisel it all down into one definitive lineup: the Hot 10. A few months ago (when the list was still very much top secret) we sat down with Julia before she headed out on maternity leave to find out just what it takes to do her job—and, of course, where we should be traveling to eat. The result is an episode that has us ready to book flights to Dallas, Detroit, and more for some Malaysian nasi lemak, Laotian noodles, rhubarb danishes, and charcuterie boards. Needless to say, you'll be hungry by the time it's over.Reminder: If you’re in New York City and you want to taste some of the amazing dishes from the Hot 10 restaurants for yourself, Women Who Travel listeners can get 10 percent off tickets to Bon Appétit’s Hot Ten party on October 19 at BAhot10.com with code WWTHOT10.Find a full transcription of the episode and more show notes here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/what-its-like-eating-at-americas-best-new-restaurants-for-a-living-women-who-travel-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

There are plenty of perks that come with frequent business travel. For one, you can rack up a ton of points and mile just by doing your job. Plus, you get to check out new cities, get to know locals, and explore—even if it's simply during a morning run or coffee break—somewhere new. But traveling for work can also take its toll, squashing your attempts at a routine and leaving you stuck in hotel rooms when you'd rather be in your own bed. To find the ideal balance, we asked two road warriors—Instagram's Kristie Dash and Gimlet Media's Christine Amorose Merrill—to talk through their strategies for fitting in a solo meal and making the most of their limited free time. Find the full show notes and a transcription of the episode here: Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This week's episode is a repeat from March 2019. Food has never been more tethered to travel. Instagram, Anthony Bourdain, and others have made the two things bound to each other. And so, we pulled in two of our favorite foodies—*Bon Appétit*'s food director Carla Music (of "Back to Back Chef" YouTube fame) and contributor Priya Krishna—to chat about why food always tastes better on vacation, what it takes to recreate our favorite dishes, and cover the trips that introduced us to new foods, from something as simple as fresh pita and hummus in Egypt to pillowy idlis in India. Find more information about Carla and Priya's new books in the episode's show notes, here:https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-travels-that-inspire-our-cooking-women-who-travel-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Maria Sharapova loves Italy. She just got back from vacation in Italy. If you ask her where she wants to go on vacation next, it's Italy. (Ischia, Venice, Tuscany, and Sicily to be slightly more precise.) For the Olympic medalist and five time Grand Slam winner who travels more than 25 weeks out of the year, finding a place where you can just turn off is key—and quick three-day city breaks to Rome and Positano in between tournaments and training have done just that. This week, she's far from the Mediterranean, competing against Serena Williams in the first round of the U.S. Open in New York City—but before the Russian player hit the court, we sat down to chat about her love for the boot-shaped country, her favorite solo trips, and how she's made a home for herself in the U.S.Read the show notes and a full transcription of the episode here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/maria-sharapova-women-who-travel-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

For Jada Yuan, it was the job opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to visit 52 places in 52 weeks as The New York Times's 52 Places traveler. For Renee Hahnel, known on Instagram as Renee Roaming, full-time travel was a photography gig that meant piling into a tiny 15-by-six-foot van and photographing 59 national parks over nearly seven months. The two travelers did what we'd all love to do: pack up and just go, traveling without stopping for months on end. This week, the two—Renee just back from another photography trip to Kenya and Jada on vacation in the French Riviera—called in to share how they got started traveling full time, what it was really like, and how they're settling back into "normal" life. Read the show notes and a full transcription of the episode here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/what-i-learned-from-full-time-traveland-why-i-stopped-women-who-travel-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

When we heard that E. Jean Carroll—the same E. Jean behind *Elle*'s long-running advice column, Ask E. Jean—had recently embarked on a road trip through the midwest, only visiting towns named after women, we knew we had to give her a call. But when we heard it was all in search of an answer to the very specific question "what do we need men for?" we just couldn't wait. This episode, we talk through E. Jean's love of road trips (she once drove around the U.S. to stay at all of her exes homes for Esquire, how people responded to her question along the way, and the answers that she found. It's truly a ride. Find a full transcription of the episode, and a link to E. Jean's book, here: Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Here at the *Traveler* office, we love weddings. It's a time to see old friends, make a few new ones on the dance floor, and, if you're lucky, an excuse see a new city if only for a weekend. But with a finite number of vacation days to spend jetting to see "I dos" and do the Cha Cha Slide—and limited funds to dedicate to getting yourself there—you've got to maximize your time on the ground. So whether you can squeeze out a single dinner away from the wedding party, or extend your trip into a real vacation, we've got tips on making the most out of someone else's wedding, whether it's in Cape Town, Santa Fe, or your own backyard. Joined by Traveler's articles director Stephanie Wu and community editor Megan Spurrell, we break down the type of weddings we'd travel for, how to make the most of the few hours you have to spare, and what to give newlyweds that share your love of travel. Read a full transcription of the episode here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-to-plan-a-trip-around-someone-elses-wedding-women-who-travel-podcast________On August 13, Meredith will be hosting a panel at New York City's We Work Now with Selena Kalvaria, Away's SVP of Brand, and The Points Guy's Brian Kelly. Use the promo code CONDE to get 20 percent off tickets: https://buildingabrandaroundadventure.splashthat.com/ Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Music and travel are inextricable from each other. No matter where you go, and what you see while you're there, the sound of a place can forge an instant, lasting connection—fado in Portugal, reggaeton in Colombia, or jazz in New Orleans. So when the opportunity came along to team up with Pitchfork for a special live episode with Lisa-Kaindé Diaz and Naomi Diaz, the French-Cuban sister act behind Ibeyi, during Pitchfork Festival a few weeks ago, we couldn't have been more excited.Find a full transcription of the episode and show notes here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/ibeyi-women-who-travel_____Earlier this year, Conde Nast Traveler launched Women Who Travel group trips to Colombia, and now we're heading Mexico on a nine-day trip that stops in Mexico City and Oaxaca. If you want to join, there are just 15 spots on our September 21-29 trip—and they’re filling up fast. For information on how to book, head to cntraveler.com/wwtmexico. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We're back again—we've pulled burning questions from our Women Who Travel Facebook group (plus one incredible photo of a gnawed-on passport) and asked our editors to share their expertise. With Traveler's articles director Stephanie Wu, travel news director Erin Florio, and community editor Megan Spurrell, we shared our tips for staying warm on planes and getting photos while on solo trips. But we also hit a serious note, covering how to tackle travel and flight anxiety and how to be more environmentally conscious while on the road. If you want to submit a question for a future FAQ episode, drop it into the Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/womenwhotraveltheworld. Not only could you hear from Traveler editors themselves, but you'll have more than 130,000 women come to your aid, too._____Earlier this year, Conde Nast Traveler launched Women Who Travel group trips to Colombia, and now we're heading Mexico on a nine-day trip that stops in Mexico City and Oaxaca. If you want to join, there are just 15 spots on our September 21-29 trip—and they’re filling up fast. For information on how to book, head to cntraveler.com/wwtmexico. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this week's episode, we sit down with adventurer, dog sledder, and author Blair Braverman to learn about just what it took to complete the legendary Iditarod race—from the rigorous, year-long training program to the discipline required to cross Alaska with zero assistance. Plus, we chat about why she has chosen to be so open about her experiences as a musher through her writing and social media presence. As she tells us during the episode, she hopes her storytelling will empower more of us to find our own place within the outdoors. Find more information about the episode in the show notes here: Follow Lale at @lalehannahFollow Meredith at @ohheytheremere Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We are out traveling once again—but don’t worry we’ll be back with new episodes very, very soon. This week, in honor of the summer travel spirit, we’re throwing it back with one of our favorite episodes from last summer: our ultimate guide to road trips. Joined by Mara Balagtas and Traveler community editor Megan Spurrell, we talk about some of the best road trips we've ever taken, compare notes on some of the most memorable routes in the U.S., and dish plenty of advice on everything from car maintenance to playlist making.You can find the original show notes for this episode here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/women-who-travel-podcast-how-to-plan-the-ultimate-road-tripAnd read our complete guide to road trips here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-complete-guide-to-road-tripsThis episode originally aired in May 2018. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

As the two of us are away traveling this week, we decided to share one of our favorite episodes from last year. Joined by Huffington Post reporter Rowaida Abdelaziz and Priya Krishna, author of the fabulous cookbook Indian-ish, this episode is about celebrating all of those immigrant parents out there. With July 4 just around the corner, it felt like the perfect time to give it another listen and honor the wonderful melting pot that is the U.S.A. You can find the original show notes for this episode here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-immigrant-parents-shaped-our-travel-experiences-women-who-travel-podcastAnd read more about Priya's mother's travels here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-my-mothers-travels-shaped-my-world-viewThis episode originally aired in October 2018. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Last summer, we spent an entire episode debating what defines the perfect beach read. Our conclusion? It can be just about anything you want it to be—and it rarely deserves to be dismissed as fluff. Needless to say, we had a lot of fun swapping book recommendations, and so with a year already behind us—and with so many more books on our shelves (and Kindles)—we decided to get the gang back together and kick summer off with another books-obsessed episode.You can find a full list of all of the books mentioned here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-best-books-weve-read-so-far-this-year-women-who-travel-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Summer may have already started, but it's still not too late to plan a trip. And considering there are a few national holidays (July 4th and Labor Day among them) to plan your vacation around, there's no better time to maximize your travel plans, either. As a follow-up to last year's summer travel episode, Meredith chatted with travel news director Erin Florio and senior commerce editor Elaheh Nozari about where they're going, and where you should go, too—and held down the fort while Lale was exploring Bermuda with Women Who Travel Facebook group members. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

For this week's episode, we sat down with the best-selling author to talk about how travel has changed for her since that infamous Eat, Pray, Love adventure, and the role it now continues to play during her grieving process after the loss of her partner, Rayya. Plus, she also explains why she chose to set her most recent book, City of Girls(out June 4), in New York City, and why she loves to break all of the travel rules—from skipping every museum to getting "a little wasted" on the plane. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

For years, we've been covering what makes the Ace brand's design so innovative and, frankly, unrepeatable (though plenty of big brands try) in its hotels. We decided to go to the source, heading to Los Angeles to chat with Kelly Sawdon, partner and chief brand officer at the Ace Hotel Group and Atelier Ace, at the Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles for our third live taping of the podcast. Thanks to Kelly for joining us, and to all of you that came to listen to us IRL. If you'd like to come to our next live episode or a Women Who Travel meetup, join our Facebook group and sign up for our newsletter to be in the know. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

When Evita Robinson chatted with Traveler contributor, Diana Hubbell, earlier this year, she made one thing clear: The travel industry needs to work a lot harder when it comes to serving travelers of color. It was that lack of inclusive representation that propelled her to start her company, Nomadness Travel Tribe in 2011, an idea she had while working as an English teacher in the suburbs of Niigata, Japan. In this week’s episode, we sit down with Robinson to find out just how she built a 22,000-member community of travelers—and expanded into group trips around the world, initiatives like the Nomadness Project, a web series co-created with Insecure’s Issa Rae, and Audacity Fest, an annual travel conference for millennials of color. For more info on Evita and Audacity Fest, head over to the show notes: Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We have a lot of arguments in the Traveler office about packing: roll vs. fold, carry-on vs. checked, hard shell vs. soft... The list goes on. This week—to add more fuel to the fire—we brought in two expert travelers on opposite ends of the spectrum to talk about their packing tips. Shiona Turini is a self-proclaimed maximalist. Her job as a stylist and costume designer working on set with the likes of Issa Rae and Lena Waithe informs her own packing style. Anna Newton, of The Anna Edit, is a complete 180 from Shiona, and is a capsule wardrobe fanatic who's made a name for herself with clothing edits that prioritize mixing and matching a limited number of basics. Her go-to packing trick? Packing just 10 items, including shoes, that can be mixed and matched into 10 outfits on vacation.Find the link to Anna's book and so much more in the show notes here: Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, we interview our own mothers, covering everything from Lale's mom's by-the-seat-of-her-pants motorcycle adventure across Europe and Asia to the time Meredith's mom moved abroad to South Africa in the 1980s. Plus, we're joined by Traveler's social media manger Jeryl Lippe, her sister (regular Traveler contibutor) Jordi Lippe-McGraw, and their mother, Suzanne, to talk about climbing Israel's Mount Masada at seven-months pregnant and why she indulged Jordi's preteen Twister fantasy of tornado chasing. In the meantime, we learn a little bit more about our moms—and realize just how much their obsessions with travel have rubbed off on us.*As we mentioned in the beginning of the episode, we're headed to Los Angeles on May 17 for another live taping—this time with Kelly Sawdon, who is responsible for masterminding that oh-so-cool Ace Hotel aesthetic we've all come to know and love. You can find more info and an RSVP link for the meetup and live podcast here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/women-who-travel-live-podcast-los-angeles-here-we-come.Visit this link for the full show notes: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/we-learned-how-to-love-travel-from-our-mothers-women-who-travel-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

For those of us who don't describe ourselves as "outdoorsy," planning an excursion out into the wilderness can seem like a daunting task. How do you find the best trails? How do you stay safe? How much gear should you buy? And, once you've figured that out, how much will it all cost? Well, we're here to tell you that it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, we've dedicated an entire episode to all the reasons why you really should (finally) embrace the outdoors this summer.This week, we're joined by Traveler photo editor Meg Reinhardt, and Abigail Wise, digital managing editor of Outside, to find out just how to plan the perfect adventure. For all of the links and parks mentioned in this episode, check out our show notes: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/why-we-should-all-be-more-adventurous-this-summer-women-who-travel-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

If you've listened to this episode with Refinery29's Lindsey Stanberry, then you may have realized that your Women Who Travel hosts aren't great with money, miles, or points. One thing we have learned, however, is that it's never too late to hit the road of self improvement, which is why we decided assemble a crack team of experts to answer all of our questions about getting into the points game. This week, we’re joined by Sarah Silbert, senior editor for credit cards at The Points Guy; Lindsay Silberman, a New York-based travel influencer who did that thing we all wish we could do—quit her job to travel the world; and Tiffany Funk, points expert at One Mile at a Time. Want more info on the episode? Check out our show notes here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Earlier this year, we decided to dedicate an entire podcast episode to the most frequently asked questions in our Facebook group. All sorts of topics came up—from how to find cheap flights, to the best ways to travel alone, to the dilemma of traveling to countries with a poor history of women's rights—and it quickly became clear that we couldn't fit everything we wanted (or needed) to answer into a single episode. Which is why we've decided to do it all over again this week and tackle some of your more recent travel concerns to crop up in the group—and given that it's tax season, more than a few of them are money-related.For more information about this week's episode, check out the show notes here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/we-answer-even-more-of-your-travel-questions-women-who-travel-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

There’s been a lot of talk recently about the pros and cons of female solo travel after the New York Times released its “Adventurous. Alone. Attacked.” story late last month. We spoke about the side of solo travel that you don't see on Instagram in October of last year, and we wanted to resurface the episode, which covers the tough moments of exploring alone as a female traveler. Find information about our April Nashville meetup: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/women-who-travel-meetup-next-stop-nashvilleRead the New York Times's story: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/25/travel/solo-female-travel.htmlListen to Lale and Megan on WNYC: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/solo-travel/id74254710?i=1000433734070Check out the podcast's original show notes: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-not-so-glamourous-side-of-solo-travel-women-who-travel-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In February, Traveler's Cynthia Drescher wrote about how women are taking the helm in the cruise industry. We now make up between 18 to 20 percent of the industry's entire workforce, and 5 to 22 percent of cruise ship officers (for perspective, women constitute just 4 to 5 percent of the pilot industry in North America). One of those women is Kate McCue, the first American woman to captain a cruise ship. She's the current master of the Celebrity Equinox, soon-to-be master of Celebrity Edge, the cruise line’s newest (and arguably most significant) launch to date—and our Women Who Travel guest for this week.Full show notes here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

If you're hungry right now, grab a bowl of pasta and dig in before you start listening, because we talk (a lot) about pasta this week. That's because our guest is the impressive Missy Robbins, the James Beard Award-winning chef behind Lilia and Misi, two of the hottest (and toughest to get into) spots in Brooklyn—nay, in all of New York City. Yes, we spend a lot of time in the kitchen—but we head outside the restaurant world, too. The chef, who rose into the limelight in high-octane, Michelin-starred kitchens, has been public about dealing with the overwhelming stress of the restaurant industry—and the importance of vacation days (we agree!)—so we check in on how her self-care journey is going.For more information about this week's episode, head to the show notes here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/talking-success-and-self-care-with-chef-missy-robbins-women-who-travel-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Liz Lambert has lived many lives. She started out as a creative writing student, and then ended up in law school before serving in the Manhattan District Attorney's office. But she's best known for her design-forward work in the hotel industry as the founder and chief creative officer of her hotel group, Bunkhouse. We caught up with Liz for a live podcast taping in Austin to hear how she fell in love with hotels, her non-traditional path into the business, and how having a five-month-old child has changed the way she travels. Plus, we get the goss on her go-to room service order, her hatred of in-room coffee, and what's coming next for her hotel group (hello, New Orleans!).Find more information about this episode (and how you can see us live) in the show notes here: Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Last week, in honor of International Women's Day, we launched our list of the most powerful women in travel. It features an incredibly impressive line-up that covers every aspect of travel—from the boardroom to Everest, and beyond (like, you know, *space*). And while there are *so* many women making waves in the industry, whether it's championing more diverse voices, conquering male-dominated spaces, or just being at the top of their game, we whittled the pool down to 30. This week, we chatted with Traveler editors Katherine LaGrave and Megan Spurrell, who contributed to the list, to hear just why these women made the cut.For more information and the full show notes, click here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Food has never been more tethered to travel. Instagram, Anthony Bourdain, and others have made the two things bound to each other. And so, we pulled in two of our favorite foodies—*Bon Appétit*'s food director Carla Music (of "Back to Back Chef" YouTube fame) and contributor Priya Krishna—to chat about why food *always* tastes better on vacation, what it takes to recreate our favorite dishes, and cover the trips that introduced us to new foods, from something as simple as fresh pita and hummus in Egypt to pillowy idlis in India. Find more information about Carla and Priya's new books, along with details for our upcoming live podcast in Austin in the show notes here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-travels-that-inspire-our-cooking-women-who-travel-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We sat down with Jen Rubio—who co-founded Away luggage in 2015 with friend Steph Korey—to hear all about how they got their start, what it's like to see your luggage in every airport, and how the brand continues to rule at high-profile collabs, from Dwyane Wade to the Despicable Me minions. Check out the full show notes here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

When talking about solo travel, most people don't immediately think of a solo safari. But in talking to some of our coworkers about their own experiences, we wondered: Are safaris kind of the perfect trip to take alone? Consider this: Your days are scheduled out with game drives in the morning and evening, and time to relax, read, and chat with your campmates during the hottest part of the day. You're in a group, whether you're gorilla-trekking in Rwanda watching for elephants in the Serengeti, so you can choose when to be social—and when to hang out in your villa's plunge pool alone.But the trip takes a lot of planning, so we called in our team of experts, who've all taken solo safaris, including Traveler's features director Alex Postman, travel specialist and founder of Roar Africa Deborah Calmeyer, and contributor Mary Holland. Find more information about the lodges and stories mentioned here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We say it a lot over here at Traveler: Americans are really bad at taking vacation. So much so that in 2017, we left 705 million vacation days on the table, the U.S. Travel Association reported. Think of all the walking tours, island naps, and life-changing meals that were missed! And while we always urge you to take all of your days—be they five or 25—we don't always practice what we preach, either. One of us (cough, Meredith) left nearly half of her vacation days unused during her first year at Traveler, for fear of being gone from work too much.Thankfully, we've since learned the error of our ways—but we could all use the reminder that we're actually devaluing our salary by leaving those days behind. (Especially given women are already earning about 19.5 percent less than our male counterparts, according to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.) We tapped the keeper of our vacation days, Traveler's director of editorial operations Paulie Dibner, and contributor Cassie Shortsleeve to chat about vacation guilt, how to ask for time off, what to do when you have unlimited vacation, and what to actually do when you get it.Find the full show notes here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Let's get something straight, right off the bat: we're biased when it comes to organized group trips exclusively for self-identifying women. We love them so much, that as of today we have not one, not two, but ten Women Who Travel trips heading to Colombia this year, thanks to a partnership with El Camino Travel. But we didn't always feel so gung-ho about traveling the world with a group of strangers or about giving up control over the itinerary. In fact, just like with almost everything in travel, it was the mental hurdle—the thought that we might not like group trips—that kept us from doing it. But, we all got over it. (Strip naked in front of a group of gals at a Japanese onsen and you'll get over those reservations really fast.) To commiserate and compare stories, we brought community editor and trip lead Megan Spurrell and El Camino's founder Katalina Mayorga on to talk about the pros, cons, and what it took to change our minds. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Every day, women from around the world ask and answer travel questions in our Women Who Travel Facebook group—some of which come up more than others. So, in this week's episode, we brought in some of our editors to add in their voices, addressing some of the Facebook group's biggest travel concerns. You can find show notes here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/we-answer-your-frequently-asked-travel-questions-women-who-travel-podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Recorded in front of a live audience at the Eaton Hotel—in conjunction with this month’s Women Who Travel meetup—we were joined by Jamie Leeds, chef and owner of Hank’s Oyster Bar (and Pasta Bar and Cocktail Bar); Rose Previte, owner of Compass Rose and one of Bon Appetit's best new restaurants, Maydan ; and Amy Brandwein, chef and owner of Centrolina. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices