Travelogue

Back in January, we set ourselves up for what quickly proved to be an impossible task: Give a 45-minute run-through of all things Asia over the course of a single episode of our podcast, Travelogue. We knew it as we were wrapping up, but with some extra motivation from one communicative Twitter user (we really do love hearing from you), it became clear that a "part two" was desperately needed. So, on this episode of Travelogue, we cover some of the ground we didn't get to last time, and came to realize, inevitably, that we could talk about this massively expansive and beautifully diverse continent for hours—if not days.

Does travel net out to mostly good effects on our minds and bodies? Or can we get a stronger brain by just exploring our own cities? This week, we dive deep into the science of travel and social interaction to see if we can live longer and be smarter just by hopping on a flight.

If you listened to Travelogue a few weeks ago, we gave you all the intel on how to get airline miles and now, we've got a crash course in how to spend them. Sure, credit card companies often promote redeeming for cash as the simplest way to turn your spending into free money, but you can do more—a lot more. Trading in those points for an amazing trip requires only a little knowledge and flexibility. You've just got to know when and where to look. Looking for more info? Listen up.

Pop quiz: What do the Great Barrier Reef, the Alps, Venice, and Napa Valley have in common? They're all buckling under a force that is threatening their very existence—climate change. In light of the news that the U.S. government has decided to pull out of the Paris Agreement, the one global accord aiming to stem greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change, we at Condé Nast Traveler felt it appropriate to tackle one question head-on: What is our duty, as travelers, to make sure that our islands, snow-capped mountains, and glaciers stick around long enough for our grandchildren—or even our children—to enjoy them?

We share our own harrowing tales of health emergencies on the road—and what we learned from them. There are stories of organ-destroying parasites, plane rides in which we spent more time in the lavatory than in our seats, and references to at least two different words that end with "rhea". It gets graphic, it gets funny, it gets scary. Brace yourselves.

If you've made it this far, you know something about frequent flier miles—or at least that you don't know much. Tales of road warriors whizzing about the skies, sipping free champagne, and enjoying automatic upgrades are enough to make you want to get into the game. Where to start can feel daunting—but it doesn't have to be.

Group travel. Once upon a time, that simple phrase sent shivers down these Traveler editors’ spines. But this week, we decided to put our heads together and explore how to have an enjoyable group trip (from bachelorette and bachelor parties to college reunions) and make it home on speaking terms. We weighed up what ingredients make for a top-notch group travel destination when there's five, six or even ten of you to please (turns out, Nashville is pretty much perfect) and discuss the tips and life lessons we've picked up along the way.

A man dragged off an overbooked United flight, a woman accidentally sent to San Francisco instead of Paris, and an all-out brawl at Fort Lauderdale airport due to a string of cancellations: It's been a rough couple of months for air travel. And here's the thing—even we, well-versed in travel hacks, sometimes reach wits' end in the emotional maelstrom that is air travel. On this week's episode of Travelogue, the podcast of Condé Nast Traveler, we tell those stories; grapple with the new, troubling normal of airport stress; and share what we've learned along the way. Believe it or not, sometimes even the worst situations can be avoided—or, at least, mitigated—with a little savvy and kindness.

Planning summer travel is exciting—but it can also be daunting. Do you stay domestic or opt for an adventure further afield? Bite the bullet and book a two week beach holiday or savor those limited vacation days and venture out on a series of weekend getaways? And how, when destinations in the Northern Hemisphere have hit peak tourist season, do you manage to find the best deals? On this week's episode of Travelogue, we answer those questions and break down the best places to go this summer.

With an overload of information flooding our social media feeds, we return to an old standard—the guidebook—to see how it's faring in the 21st century. This week, we chatted (and argued a little) with Andy Steves, son of famed guidebook writer Rick Steves and a millennial travel guide writer in his own right; and contributor Mark Ellwood, who got his start writing a guidebook for New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and upstate New York. Now it's your turn to answer our question: do you even use a guidebook anymore?

How do you plan a trip to a country where the rules keep changing? And once you're in Cuba, can you use U.S. credit cards? Is there actually Wi-Fi? Do you need to speak Spanish? Are the hotels any good, or should you Airbnb? How do you fly there? These are typical travel questions, but this isn't your typical holiday, so it's best to be as well prepared as possible before you go. It's a challenge—but that's where we come in.

At what point can a destination be deemed "emerging"? After all, a place that one intrepid traveler has been visiting for years might seem like the equivalent of Timbuktu to someone else. And how exactly does that transformation into the next hotspot (see: Berlin, Iceland) actually happen? These are just a few of the questions we’ve been asking as we determine where our most adventurous friends are going now—and what we’re missing out on.

Should you honeymoon right after the wedding, or wait? Stay close to home, or head somewhere far-flung? Traveler editors debate. Along the way, we touch on the benefits of time apart during a honeymoon, why it pays to look at the exchange rate, things married members of team Traveler wish they had known before planning their own honeymoons, and ways to save money on planning yours. The rest? Well, you'll just have to listen.

Last year, we chatted with Traveler editors about how and why you should be planning a trip to Africa. But even since then, there's been new airport and hotel openings, making country-hopping essential (and easy). And this isn't just a safari-fest. You can go to Dakar to surf. Or Addis Ababa for a historical pilgrimage and Italian coffee shops frozen in time. You may have to work a little harder for moments of travel joy, but when you find them they're something altogether authentic.

Ah, spring. The mere word stirs lusts of all kinds in our winter-shriveled hearts — including wanderlust. Time to break out of our frostbound caves and explore! Refresh! Renew! Or at least baste ourselves poolside in vitamin D. For some of us, it's an occasion to get the ya-yas out. For others — particularly parents — it's time to turn the lemons of obligatory school vacation into the lemonade of a family getaway. Either way, where to go? At Traveler, we're partial to lesser-trod paths this time of year. It's our chance to take risks on parts unknown, especially if they're far from the crowds — and more especially still if they offer relative value. This week, we'll give you suggestions for every type of trip, from urban to beach to late-season skiing and more. Listen on!