XX, Will Travel: A Podcast for Independent Women Travelers

Change is afoot for the ladies of XX, Will Travel, dear listeners! Tune in to find out more!

Back in 2014, career expert and content strategist Julie Hocheiser Ilkovich packed her bags and moved to Belize for 6 weeks with her husband. How ddid she do it? We ask her about her decision to become a digital nomad, how she prepared for the trip, and what she learned about the Central American country of Belize and herself during her stay. Julie and Ines--fresh from her trip to San Ignacio and Cay Caulker--also share their best Belize travel tips including must-see excursions and ruins in the Cayo District, the surprising cosmopolitan food scene in tiny Cay Caulker, all the not-to-be-missed water sports and tours, and more!  Love XX, Will Travel? Don't miss an episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and and join our online women's travel community.  Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook,  Twitter, and Instagram.

Arts educator and storyteller Eileen Tull recently returned from her first trip to Europe, which was also her first trip abroad as a sober traveler. Eileen traveled solo through Paris, a unique situation given France's deep-rooted wine culture. She not only shares the story of her unpexpectedly extended journey (thanks, airlines!), but also reveals her strategies for traveling as a person in recovery. We also discuss ways to support and be an ally to travel partners who are in recovery and the importance of setting boundaries. And we can't forget Eileen's adventures on French Tinder (oh la la!) and how Harrison Ford is quite possibly the best coping mechanism for the travel weary.  Love XX, Will Travel? Don't miss an episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and and join our online women's travel community.  Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook,  Twitter, and Instagram.

Kathy and Ines discuss Kathy's most recent trip, which included an extended stay in the tiny but mighty country of Belgium. Kathy tells us why she was charmed by Ghent's quaintness, why Bruges is the "look at me!" middle child, and why Brussels is so underrated. She also names some of her favorite sites in all three cities, including churches, plazas, churches, museums, churches, swans, churches, and also some more churches. Find out how Maximilian of Austria's hatred of Bruges shaped the city, what Ghent does to welcome new babies, and why Brussel's Museum of Musical Instrument should be on every traveler's list. Plus, tips on Belgium beer, waffles, and frites!  PS: JOIN OUR ONLINE TRAVEL COMMUNITY!!! (Pretty please???)  Love XX, Will Travel? Don't miss an episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel    

Chicago-based comedian Mona Aburmishan has lived and toured all over the world. Mona tells us about how she came to travel the globe as a comic and how she uses comedy as an instrument for unity and peace. Mona's Palestinian-American background and her work in international development give her observational humor a global spin that is often missing from mainstream comedy. Her fresh and unique voice definitely makes her someone to watch. Mona was the first Arab and Muslim woman to perform stand up comedy in the most prestigious institutions in the United States. She was featured at Carnegie Hall in New York City as well as the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Similarly, Mona was featured in the first ever US Consulate-sponsored Comedy Festival in the West Bank. In addition to these performances, Mona recently returned from Dubai where she headlined Comedy Central Presents for Comedy Central Arabia.   Love XX, Will Travel? Don't miss an episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and and join our online women's travel community.  Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook,  Twitter, and Instagram.    

We're finally taking on Ines's home country--Peru! We're here to answer all your pressing questions abou the land of the Incas from both a local and a tourist perspective. Find out how to get to Machu Picchu either via trekking or the "lazy way", discover what other sights and ruins there are to see in Cuzco, get recommendations on some of our favorite eats, and learn the different ways that the altitude can effect you and what to do about it. Then we take on Peru's capital city, Lima, which happens to be Ines's hometown. We discuss how Lima went from "la horrible" to booming, wax poetic on its world-renowned food scene, talk about the many things to see and do, and guide you the best neighborhoods for accomodations. Plus, Ines tells you why you should never take a cab off the street, discusses little known facts on Peruvian history, and shares how the city has changed in recent years. Want more Peru? Kathy also tells us about her side trip to Puno and Ines lists all the other places that are worth visiting but don't get nearly as much attentions as they should.  PS: JOIN OUR ONLINE TRAVEL COMMUNITY!!! (Pretty please???)  Love XX, Will Travel? Don't miss an episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel

Just in time for the Oscars, it's our episode on travel and film! We asked for your favorite movies that were either travel-themed or inspired you to take a trip and you answered with more than 200 movies and TV shows. We count down your top 10, discuss our faves and give our takes on the most wanderlust-worthy Academy Award nominees, past and present. Kathy also recounts her 2016 trip to Los Angeles, California for Oscar weekend. (For the full story, check out our episode on LA.)  And we can't forget our special guests! The Cutaways are a dynamic duo of lady podcasters/filmmakers from LA. They watch one rom-com a week in chronological order and then break it down on their podcast. Co-host Justine Gendron joins us to share her top three travel-themed rom-coms.  We also welcome travel journalist and set-jetting expert Gretchen Kelly of Extreme Luxury Getaways. Gretchen has written extensively on the phenomenon of set-jetting, or visiting locations where movies and TV shows are filmed, for Forbes.com, the New York Post, Frommers.com, and more. She also gives suggestions on where to go to see the real-life settings of your favorite films and shows.  PS: JOIN OUR ONLINE TRAVEL COMMUNITY!!! (Pretty please???)    Love XX, Will Travel? Don't miss an episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

Long seen as a troubled nation, Haiti isn't usually on many people's list of travel destinations. But after 45's very unsavory comments about the country came to light, we wanted to know: What is Haiti actually like? We sat down with journalist Rosalind Cummings-Yeates, who recently visited Haiti for Port-Au-Prince's International Jazz Festival and considered the trip one of the highlights of her life. Rosalind shares all there is to love about Haiti: from its beautiful mountain landscape, to the stunning architecture of the Citadelle, the rich history found in the National Museum of Haiti, to the delights of Haitain cuisine and the warmth of its people. Find out how you can visit the island and, more importantly, why you should fall head-over-heels for it.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

A lot has changed about the New York Times list of 52 Place to Go in 2018 but one thing remains the same: our love/hate relationship with it. Listen as we go on our third annual rant about where we've been, where we'd like to go and how (or how not) to use the list to plan your next travel destination. We also discuss the selection of Jada Yuan, who beat out 13,000 other applicants to become the first 52 Places correspondent.  Check out our other episodes for more in-depth details on places covered in the list:  Cambodia Costa Rica Baja Mexico Iceland Disney New Zealand   Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

Chicago writer Gina Frangello, the author of Every Kind of Wanting and A Life in Men (one of our personal faves!), sets her novels in locations around the world, and the theme of travel as self-exploration runs deep. We talk to Gina about how travel affects her as a writer and as a woman, as well as some of techniques she uses to incorporate it into her writing. We also discuss how Gina came from a family who never traveled to someone who explores the markets of Nairobi with her daughters in tow. PS: Have you heard of Bombay Beach, California? Gina talks about her recent trip to the post-apocalyptic beach town with its own dead sea.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

It's back! Our annual episode on 2018 travel goals and resolutions is here. Listeners sent us what they wanted to accomplish, travel-wise, in the coming year and we have tips on how to help them achieve it. We cover (more) budget issues, tell you our favorite savings apps, cheap ways to save on accommodation like housesitting, pet sitting and couch surfing, give you info on workaway options, suggest some road trips routes,  share our secrets for maximizing your vacation days, and tackle destinations like Amsterdam, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, river boat cruises on the Mississippi, New Zealand, Guadalupe, Argentina, Alaska, the Finger Lakes Region, Turkey, Montreal and much more! Plus, we share our own travel plans for the year ahead. 

Land of Enchantment or Land of Entrapment? New Mexico is one of the most beautiful states in the country and its capital, Santa Fe, is buzzing with one of the nation's largest art scene, breathtaking scenery and rich history. We discuss everything there is to love about Santa Fe including hard-to-describe Meow Wolf, the monastic experience of Ojo Caliente spa, the Native American resistance in Taos Pueblo, the non-existent nightlife, and more!  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

Wendy McClure has visited nearly every Laura Ingalls Wilder-related site in the US as part of her research for her book, The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie. From Pepin, Wisconsin (the Big Woods) to Walnut Grove (the setting of the Little House TV series) to Burr Oak, Iowa (a lost chapter in Ingalls family history), Wendy has seen it all. She's visited dugouts and lean-tos and even Almanzo Wilder's boyhood home in upstate New York. Kathy also discusses her recent literary tourism pilgrimage to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum in Mansfield, Missouri, the home of Laura, Almanzo and Rose and the place where the books were written. Kathy and Ines were thrilled to expound upon their love of the Little House books with a kindred spirit. They also discuss their love for the Little House on the Prairie TV show, including the more over-the-top episodes (anyone else remember the mime rapist?). Listen as Wendy busts some myths and shares some laughs and helps you decide once and for all: are you an Almanzonian or a non-Almanzonian?  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

Sometimes the worst part of planning a trip happens after the trip. Coming back to reality can be tough, but we have a few good ways to cope. In our final installment of our How to Plan a Trip from Scratch series, we sit down with mindfulness expert Kristen Brendel of Per la Vita Wellness. We discuss what we can do before a trip to make our return easier, how to relax in a new setting, what to do if we fear flying, how to deal with a stressful travel partner, and more.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

Jennifer Kramer is one of the founders of Baja Test Kitchen, as well the author of the Moon Baja Travel Guide. In this episode, Jen shares her favorite spots to eat, drink and soak up the Mexican culture, with a special emphasis on Valle de Guadalupe. Over the last several years, Valle de Guadalupe has exploded in terms of amazing wines and creative culinary offerings. Jen also gives us the scoop on the women winemakers who are taking Valle de Guadalupe by storm. Also discussed: how to pick the food and wine tour that's right for you, winetasting etiquette 101, and the truth about all those state department issued travel warnings for Mexico. Mexico's Baja California region is an easy day trip from San Diego, but you'll definitely need more than one day to eat and drink your way through all the deliciousness. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

Just in time for Halloween, we have spooky travel stories from our listeners! The tales of terror include haunted business trips in New Orleans and Puerto Rico (sooooo many haunted business trips), a creeped out camper, animal spirit guides in the Himalayas, mind readers in Quito, ghostly hotels in Illinois, a Cambodian island of doom, and more!  Thanks to all those who submitted and were willing to share their tales of horror with our listeners! Interested in learning more about the Howard House Hotel? Read the story here. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel

Oneika Raymond has traveled to 100+ countries and has documented everything along the way on her wildly successful blog, Oneika the Traveller. In this episode, Oneika shares the details of her journey as a blogger as well as what’s next, including her new Travel Channel Show, Big City, Little Budget. We examine social media’s increasing role in the blogosphere, our feelings on why Instagram might not be so insta-great (do we really need more pics of boho girls in floppy hats looking out over exotic locales?), and why maybe it’s better just not to care. As strong advocates of travel for everyone, we also discuss the significance of travel for women and people of color and why it’s so important. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel

We're back! Big time! Our first guest of the season, Gabi Logan, has what some would consider a dream job. As a travel journalist and coach at Dream of Travel Writing, Gabi has been able to explore her favorite travel regions, become location independent and fulfill her vision of encouraging others to fall in love with the world and who they are able to be in it.  We talk how she got her foot in the door (or in this case, the page), what outlets are friendlier than others, her favorite advice for aspiring travel writers, and why the life of a travel journalist is a lot less glamorous than we expect. Plus, we have a brand new segment called Top 3 Tips that will give you quick and dirty hacks for all your travel needs.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel

Check out where we've been traveling this summer and what's ahead in Season 3. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel

XX, Will Travel is currently on a hiatus until the fall. In the meantime, we're sharing some of our favorite episodes. Enjoy! It's a flashback to our first guest, writer and archivist Anita Mechler! Anita recounts her harrowing experience during the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of 2011 in Tokyo, Japan. Anita talks about the kindness and take-charge attitudes of her Japanese hosts, her post-traumatic stress, and the new life path she discovered as a result of this experience.   Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel

XX, Will Travel is currently on a hiatus until the fall. In the meantime, we're sharing some of our favorite episodes. Enjoy! We sit down with guest Jessica Kent to talk about travel epiphanies. Why does travel help us see life so clearly? What have we learned about ourselves through travel? About others? The world? We tackle these questions and discuss other deep issues including trips that inspired us to relocate, the uncanny way travel puts relationships in a new light, the self-awareness that stems from a solo journey, and the struggle between Vacation You and Daily Life You. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel

We close out our second season by discussing the place where we begin and end our travel journeys: home. Home means different things to different people. And as more people find themselves living as digital nomads, expats, and immigrants, the meaning becomes even more complex. What makes a place a home and what can you do to make it feel more like one? How does the concept of home influence the way you travel? With help from our listeners, we discuss what makes a place home and whether, like soulmates, it's possible to have more than one.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel

We discuss the ideal timeline for planning a trip: what to do 3 months out, 1 month out, 1 week out, the day before and day of. We also discuss the realities of sticking to that timeline and the challenges that may pop up, ranging from visa issues to coordinating competing schedules to an acute case of procrastination. Learn what is best for the budgest-conscious traveler, when to make hotel/excursion/restaurant reservations, why you may want to hold off on leaving a clean home and other mishaps we've been through (so you don't have to).  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

Ann Becker has been leading experiential group trips to Costa Rica for 11 years where she takes travelers off the beaten path and into the heart of the Central American nation. Ann discusses her journey to becoming a Costa Rica expert after unexpectedly “being bitten” by Costa Rica on a family vacation in 2005 and her recent experiences leading tours Nicaraugua and Panama. Ann also talks to Ines about why she should give Costa Rica another shot, despite her "everything that can go wrong did go wrong" vacation to Costa Rica during Tropical Storm Otto. We also touch upon about how traveling doesn't stop after 30 (even though social media makes it look otherwise) and the importance of traveling where your heart leads you no matter what age you are.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

Formed by composers Talía Vega and Ana Cabrera and music producer Orieta Chrem, Menores has been taking the local Peruvian music scene by storm and has extended their fan base to all corners of Latin America. We talk to Talía and Orieta about what it's really like to be touring musicians in an industry that's still pretty male-dominated. Find out more about Peru's burgeoning DIY music scene, what it's like to shoot a music video in the middle of the desert, what they pack before they go on tour (less bathing suits and more crazy makeup), and their experience playing at Festival Yavería in Bogota, Colombia. Don't worry, we also asked the one burning question about the rock n' roll lifestyle: groupies.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel  

Nash Vegas. Music City. The Minneapolis of the South?* That's right - we're talking Nashville, Tennessee. Inspired by Ines's recent impromptu road trip and Kathy's many visits, we talk about what's good in Tennessee's capital city. From music to bars to BBQ, we cover it all. We also delve into the bonds that form between roadtripping friends, bar fights we've been in (What? I know!) and how you, too, can pass yourself off as a music producer to sneak into Jack White parties.  Special thanks to friend of the podcast (and Kathy!)/Nashville local Shannon Noble for all her recommendations.  * At one time, Nashville's claim to fame was that it rivaled Minneapolis in flour production. Who knew? At least it's not the Underwear Capital of the World - that's Knoxville, TN, a title which is also disputed by Minneapolis. What's up with these cities?  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

There's no way around it: travel documents are tedious, annoying and a bureaucratic pain...but we are determined to make them sexy! After all, you can't get anywhere without them. As part of our "How to Plan a Trip from Scratch" series, we break down the necessary paperwork for trips. We'll give you tips on getting a passport, explain the differences between being a tourist, a resident, and a citizen, offer our sketchiest stories with immigration officials and consulates, and give you some insight into how the wonderful world of legal statuses affects your ability to travel.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

Writer Jennifer Poe, author of Hola, Morocha!, arrived in Buenos Aires armed with contact info for the only stylist in a 50-mile radius who could do black hair and a sense of adventure. Shortly after, she encountered a word she hadn't heard before: morocha. According to Poe, “I thought people were calling me a roach—granted, some exotic breed of roach that only skittered through luxury—but a roach! When I found out they were basically saying, ‘Hey, black girl, hey!’ I took it as a term of endearment.” This was one of many things Jennifer would learn while living as a black woman in Argentina, where only 0.4 percent of its 41 million inhabitants identified as Afro-Argentine in 2010, the first time in its history that the census counted race. We also dispel some common Argentine stereotypes (Sexy, steak-eating cowboys dancing the tango in front of technicolor buildings? Think again.), discuss why BA rivals Paris as one of the best cities for artists, and talk about the eternal battle of "vacation self" vs. "real-life self." Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel  

Packing may sound simple but can prove challenging to even the most seasoned travelers. As part of our series "How to Plan a Trip from Scratch", we share our favorite packing trips and strategies for any kind of trip. We discuss the essentials we keep in our carry on, mistakes that have kept us from being our best packing selves, moments of triumph in the world of luggage, and the emotional issues that come up when opening or closing that suitcase.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

Traveling with parents may be scary, but we're here to help! Kathy recently returned from a successful trip to Iceland and England with her parents in tow, while parental travel has always been a part of life for Ines. Together we give tips and and insights for a successful trip with the people who love you the most (or at least they did before the trip). In addition to offering overall survival strategies, we talk about the importance of picking a place (and a pace) that you can all enjoy, ways to include your folks in the trip planning process and how your parents will surprise you in the most unlikely ways. We also share listener stories and advice for surviving and thriving when traveling with your elders. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

Beth Santos is the founder and CEO of Wanderful, a global membership community of over 15,000 independent, adventurous women travelers. She is also the creator of the Women in Travel Summit, an annual summit for female travel influencers and industry members. Beth joins us to discuss how she became a travel entrepreneur, why she created a women-centered network of travelers, and offers tips on making your own travel-centric business come true. Find out how Wanderful can help you in your own travel journey and discover exciting details on this year's Women in Travel Summit in Milwaukee taking place on April 21-23.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

Char Stoever is an LGBT diversity trainer and Peace Corps alum assigned to Nicaragua who coined the term "vulnerable traveler." She joins us to talk about how to view vulnerability as a learning tool and relationship builder instead of as a weakness. Opening up is never easy and does require care, particularly for members of marginalized groups. But, as Char discusses, the rewards often outweigh the risks and can lead to a more authentic travel experience. We also touch on self care while traveling and avoiding the "1000 Things to See Before You Die" trap.    Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

Creator of the Brown Girls web series Samantha Bailey joins us to talk about her experience shooting her short film, Raina's Not Here, in Ghana. We discuss the logistics of making a movie in a foreign country, why Accra should be on your bucket list, the economic barriers of traveling and the personal freedom she found in the African continent, among other fascinating topics. We left the interview wanting to be Samantha Bailey when we grew up and we're sure you will too.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWilltravel  

Certified nurse midwife and Chicago NOW board member Christina Tanner joins us to talk women's health while traveling. We cover menstruation options for long-term travel, yeast infections, UTIs, birth control and reproductive health around the world, traveling while pregnant, scary bathrooms and squat toilets, managing meds and so much more! So join us for a special V-day celebration (where V stands for vagina) by learning more about your lady bits and all the responsibilities that go with taking care of them, especially while traveling. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWilltravel

We take on the New York Times List once again. We discuss where we've been, where we'd like to go and where people should go. We also talk about the list's missteps, overlooked destinations, and whether this edition has a sneaky political agenda.  Check out our episodes that cover destinations mentioned on the list: S2E2: Detroit S1E26: Australia and New Zealand with Rachel Grandi S1E6: Oh, Canada: A Tribute to Our Neighbor to the North And of course, last year's review: S1E16: NY Times List of 52 Places to Go in 2016 If you love us, please leave us a review on iTunes!  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook. Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter. Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram.

From a bachelorette party full of judgy alpacas to a friends' weekend of post-election healing, girls' getaways take many shapes and forms. We expose the good, the bad and the ugly about girls' trips, along with a little help from their listeners. Need help planning your next girls' vacation? We have tips for that, too! If you like the show, leave us a review on iTunes!   Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel

We invited listeners to submit their 2017 travel goals, along with questions on how to achieve them, and they delivered! From space travel to visiting Cuba, dealing with language barriers to logistics of around-the-world trips, we dispense advice gleaned from our years of travel experience, as well as copious research. We also share our own travel plans for the year ahead. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel      

Writer, podcaster and road trip expert Meryl Williams has crossed the USA by car three times! This intrepid traveler shares her tips for how to make the most of your time on the road. After all, it's about the journey, not the destination, right? For more Meryl, visit her @merylwilliams, and subscribe to her podcast and newsletter, both called The Sleeper Hit. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel  

Flyover country? More like extended layover country! At least that's what we argue on this week's episode about some of the Midwest's greatest hits. We share our love and travel tips for Milwaukee, St. Louis, Springfield and quaint lake towns, wax poetic over the region's geographic beauty and cultural diversity, and discuss why it's misunderstood. Now, more than ever, it is time to rediscover the secrets and treasures of this underrated travel destination. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel  

Winter visitors to Chicago will not be disappointed. Your favorite Chicago locals, Ines and Kathy, discuss their tips and tricks for making the most of the Windy (Snowy) City. We're not going to lie - they're mostly eating ramen and drinking, but also include our faves in comedy, theatre, and sports. Want more local recs for Chicago? Check out the past, more summery episode that inspired this one, Insider's Guide to Chicago, at https://xxwilltravel.com/2015/06/25/episode-3-the-insiders-guide-to-chicago/ Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @XXWillTravel    

Resort, hotels, boutique hotels, hostels, AirBnbs, couchsurfing...with so many options, how do you choose the perfect accommodation for your trip? On our latest installment of our "How to Plan a Trip from Scratch" series, we talk where to stay, when to stay and how to book it. Kathy and Ines discuss their preferred accommodations, give you tips on how to find the best one, describe the perfect host or guest, and also share their favorite hotels around the world and the nightmarish ones they've encountered.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel    

We recreate our first ever live recording of our episode "Out of Place". Listen from Kathy, Ines, and friends of the podcast stand-up comedian Sameena Mustafa (co-host and producer of Simmer Brown) and Danette Chavez (Assistant Editor at The A.V. Club). Stories include feminist awakenings during a Spring Break trip, being a "pocha" on a road trip to Mexico, a short-lived love affair with surfing in Brazil and finding oneself and perhaps love in India and Paris. Thanks to Volumes Bookcafe for hosting us and to Wanderful for making our event one of their official meet-ups. This episode featured music by Jahzzar, used under the Creative Common License.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel  

Detroit. Motown. The Motor City. Whatever you call it, it's not your typical vacation destination. Ines discusses her recent trip where she biked through empty streets, mingled with locals and got lost in Detroit's fascinating and tumultuous history.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel  

We're back! And ready to spill the beans on their hiatus. While Kathy had a summer full of road trips, weekends away and national parks, Ines made every rookie mistake in the book and was stuck in Chicago. They discuss new travel tips learned, challenges they faced, and what kind of traveler they've become. Also: big announcements on live events and more!  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel    

Have you missed us? Cause we missed you! Take a listen at what awaits on our second season.    Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel  

We share experiences, tips and recommendations for Los Angeles, California. Topics include getting around without a car (it can be done!), accommodation options, best eats (hello, taco trucks!), and the hits and misses of the sprawling city. Kathy also shows how to do L.A. during the crazed frenzy of Oscar weekend. Love it or hate it or feel conflicted about it, the ladies have lots of opinions about the Left Coast.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel    

Is our cynicism any match for the Magic Kingdom? Former Disney employee and native Floridian Erika Toy thinks not! Erika pleads the case that Disney resorts can be an amazing adventure for the independent woman traveler. Listen as she gives us the lowdown on her time as an employee at Walt Disney World, as well as some history, trivia, and tips for making the most of your time at the theme parks. We also delve into Disney's dark side, including the reason that no one ever dies at Disney. So join us and let us know your vote: is Disney a relaxing getaway or a Mickey Mouse trap? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel  

Beth Winer, traveling music fan and lovable Phish head, gives her best tips for surviving music festival season. Highlights include dressing comfortably for a daylong concert, what and what not to eat, planning out who to see in a jam-packed lineup, and the ease with which you can build a music tribe of your own. Oh, and if you happen to lose your boyfriend in a crowd for 15 hours, Beth also has fantastic advice on what to do.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel  

Rachel Grandi shares her adventures in Australia and New Zealand. In addition to animals both adorable and edible (Koalas are cute. Lamb is tasty.), Rachel discusses the logistics of planning long-haul, multi-country travel (Spreadsheets and snacks are key!), as well as the pros and cons of traveling with your partner. Come along with us to Sydney, Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and more!  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel  

Travel with kids is never easy, so we brought in wisecracking traveler and mom Elizabeth Gomez. Elizabeth joins us to tackle the terrifying endeavour that is traveling with children, along with survival strategies for the airport, tips on helping them enjoy a new place and why it's important to instill a love of travel from a young age.    Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel  

Initially drawn to Jordan by the city of Petra, Kathy fell hard for this Middle Eastern nation, despite her initial anxiety of traveling to the region alone as a woman. Listen as she describes her experiences of being a solo woman traveler in the Middle East, from the red sands of Wadi Rum to the salt-crusted coast of the Dead Sea.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Like XX, Will Travel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/xxwilltravel/ Follow XX, Will Travel on Twitter: @XXWillTravel Follow XX, Will Travel on Instagram: @xxwilltravel