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Truly Expat Travel

Truly Expat Travel

Written by: Paula Barnes
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Truly Expat Travel Podcast brings you the world's best travel destinations through conversations with expats who've made foreign countries their home. Discover hidden gems, local insider tips, and authentic travel experiences you won't find in guidebooks.

Each episode features expats sharing their favourite destinations, secret spots, cultural insights, and practical travel advice from cities and countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. From weekend getaways to bucket list adventures, food scenes to cultural experiences, our guests reveal what makes their adopted homes special.

Perfect for travellers seeking authentic local perspectives, digital nomads planning their next move, or anyone dreaming of exploring the world beyond tourist traps. Get real recommendations from people who live the expat lifestyle every day.

What you'll discover:
• Hidden travel gems recommended by local expats
• Insider tips for popular and off-the-beaten-path destinations
• Cultural insights and authentic local experiences
• Practical advice for international travel and living abroad
• Real stories from expats around the world

🌍 New episodes weekly
✈️ Subscribe for authentic travel inspiration
📧 Collaborations: info@trulyexpat.com


© 2026 Truly Expat Travel Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Is the European Summer RUINING Your Holiday? Heat, Crowds & Better Alternatives

    Is the European Summer RUINING Your Holiday? Heat, Crowds & Better Alternatives
    Jul 14 2026

    Paula is joined by Camille and Rosalie (friends from way back in Sydney) to talk real talk: 40-degree days in Puglia that wrecked a meticulously planned itinerary, buildings across Europe that simply aren't built for heat, the post-COVID over-tourism explosion, and why they're all rethinking when and where they travel.

    IN THIS EPISODE

    • Is Europe genuinely too hot to sightsee in June and July?
    • Why Rosalie felt ripped off in Puglia despite months of planning
    • The air conditioning problem in old European buildings
    • Over-tourism reality: Mykonos, Dubrovnik, Rome and the queue situation
    • Should travellers rethink WHERE they go, not just when?
    • Alternatives: Scandinavia, Scotland, Ireland, Asia — or just off-season Europe
    • Favourite destinations: Sardinia, Malta, Albania (bucket list!), Calabria
    • Why May and September might be the smarter European travel windows
    • Winter travel in Europe — surprisingly good (Poland in the snow!)

    READ MORE ON THE BLOG

    KRAKOW:

    • 10 Things to Do in Krakow
    • The Best Food to Try in Krakow
    • The Best Areas to Stay in Krakow

    MALTA:

    • The Perfect Itinerary
    • 10 of Malta's Hidden Treasures for First Time Visitors

    SICILY

    • Sicily Road Trip: The Ultimate 19-Day Adventure
    • Discovering Noto: Sicily's Baroque Jewel
    • Palermo: The Insider's Guide
    • 10 Essential Things to Know About Taormina
    • Driving in Sicily: A Tourist's Guide

    If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review — it helps more travellers find the show. Thank you for listening

    Send us Fan Mail

    Ready to explore Taiwan with a small group of adventurous women over 50? I'm leading a 10-day Taiwan group trip in 2026 — temples, mountain scenery, stunning coastline, and so much more — and I have just 2 spots remaining.

    Deposit deadline is end of July.


    Full Itinerary here - Taiwan Itinerary

    Help Truly Expat Travel by leaving a review or making a donation

    Here is the link - https://buymeacoffee.com/trulyexpat

    Skip the Taxi Queue.Book Before You Land
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    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Find me on:

    Website: Truly Expat Travel

    Facebook: Truly Expat

    Instagram: Truly Expat Travel

    TikTok: Truly Expat Travel


    Running this podcast takes a lot of coffee (and countless hours exploring every destination!). If you found this helpful and want to support more honest, detailed travel guides and itineraries, you can buy me a coffee. No pressure though – I'm just happy you're here and hope you have an incredible adventure! 🙂
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Honky-Tonks, Hot Chicken & Whiskey: My Whirlwind Nashville Trip

    Honky-Tonks, Hot Chicken & Whiskey: My Whirlwind Nashville Trip
    Jul 7 2026
    Paula shares an honest, first-hand Nashville travel guide from her solo 3-day trip — Broadway honky-tonks, the Johnny Cash Museum, a Jack Daniel's Distillery tour, must-try food, and the mistakes she wishes she'd avoided.This episode contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTSGetting Around & Where to StayWhy Paula chose downtown near Broadway over the outskirts, how easy (and pricey) Ubers were, and why walkability made all the difference as a solo traveler with no car.Book the Moxy Nashville Downtown (where Paula stayed): Top Things to Do in Nashville- Exploring the honky-tonks and live music scene on Broadway- The Johnny Cash Museum — a personal favourite- Touring the Ryman Auditorium (the historic "old Opry")- A hop-on-hop-off bus tour past recording studios where Elvis and Taylor Swift got their start- A full-day trip to the Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg, TN — tastings, engraving, and the only Jack Daniel's distillery in the worldBest Food & DrinkFrom Hattie's Hot Chicken to Southern biscuits and gravy, Paula breaks down what's worth the wait — and what wasn't. (sorry five daughters bakery)Nashville Shopping GuideWhere to get a custom-shaped cowboy hat in Midtown, and where to find buy-one-get-one boot deals along Broadway.Mistakes to Avoid- Book Grand Ole Opry tickets early (closed Sundays and Mondays)- Get to the Blue Bird Cafe early — the line moves fast- Check the concert calendar before you go- Tipping in the US: how much, and when it's optionalIs Nashville Good for Solo Travel?Paula gets honest about what it's really like exploring Nashville alone — why she felt safe, why the city leans more toward group travel, and what she'd do differently next time.Want to know more? Check out these guides on my website: 1 Jack Daniel's Distillery2 Best Things to do in Nashville3 Where to stay in NashvilleEnjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the Truly Expat Travel Podcast for more honest, first-hand travel guides, and leave a review to help other travelers find the show.Send us Fan MailReady to explore Taiwan with a small group of adventurous women over 50? I'm leading a 10-day Taiwan group trip in 2026 — temples, mountain scenery, stunning coastline, and so much more — and I have just 2 spots remaining. Deposit deadline is end of July. Full Itinerary here - Taiwan Itinerary Help Truly Expat Travel by leaving a review or making a donation Here is the link - https://buymeacoffee.com/trulyexpatFind me on:Website: Truly Expat Travel Facebook: Truly ExpatInstagram: Truly Expat Travel TikTok: Truly Expat Travel Running this podcast takes a lot of coffee (and countless hours exploring every destination!). If you found this helpful and want to support more honest, detailed travel guides and itineraries, you can buy me a coffee. No pressure though – I'm just happy you're here and hope you have an incredible adventure! 🙂
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
  • Belize: The Caribbean Paradise You Haven't Visited Yet (But Absolutely Should)

    Belize: The Caribbean Paradise You Haven't Visited Yet (But Absolutely Should)
    Jul 1 2026

    Belize has the second-largest barrier reef on the planet, Mayan caves you can swim inside, jaguars in protected jungle, and one of the most surprisingly multicultural societies on earth — and most travellers have never even considered it. This week, Simo D, a Canadian expat who moved his young family to the Placencia Peninsula in 2022, gives us his unfiltered insider guide to visiting Belize.

    In This Episode

    • Why Belize is still one of the most underrated travel destinations in the Western Hemisphere
    • The best time to visit (and what to avoid)
    • Must-do experiences: the Blue Hole, ATM Cave, island day trips & the stunning Hummingbird Highway
    • A 3-day itinerary from someone who actually lives there
    • The one Belizean dish you absolutely have to try (fry jack — trust us)
    • Hidden gems: a secret sunset spot only accessible by boat & a Taiwanese dumpling restaurant in the capital
    • Tipping, getting around, wildlife, and what nobody tells you about the climate


    ✈️ Before You Go...

    - Need a SIM card for Belize? Skip the roaming charges — grab an eSIM before you fly and stay connected from the moment you land. We use and recommend Airalo.

    - Looking for accommodation in Placencia? Find the best places to stay on the peninsula — from boutique guesthouses to beachfront resorts — right here.


    Connect with Simo D

    • 🌍 Expat life: Unfiltered Abroad
    • 🗺️ AI-powered relocation tool: MoveSmart.World
    • 🤖 AI news: Top AI News
    • 🧠 AI tools: BottBott GenAI | Bot Bot Substack
    • 💼 LinkedIn

    🎧 Subscribe & listen: podcast.trulyexpattravel.com

    Send us Fan Mail

    Ready to explore Taiwan with a small group of adventurous women over 50? I'm leading a 10-day Taiwan group trip in 2026 — temples, mountain scenery, stunning coastline, and so much more — and I have just 2 spots remaining.

    Deposit deadline is end of July.


    Full Itinerary here - Taiwan Itinerary

    Help Truly Expat Travel by leaving a review or making a donation

    Here is the link - https://buymeacoffee.com/trulyexpat

    Visas Made Simple
    Skip the embassy lines. iVisa handles it all online—fast, easy, and stress-free.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Find me on:

    Website: Truly Expat Travel

    Facebook: Truly Expat

    Instagram: Truly Expat Travel

    TikTok: Truly Expat Travel


    Running this podcast takes a lot of coffee (and countless hours exploring every destination!). If you found this helpful and want to support more honest, detailed travel guides and itineraries, you can buy me a coffee. No pressure though – I'm just happy you're here and hope you have an incredible adventure! 🙂
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
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