Beyond Barcelona: Discovering Lleida's Wild Beauty & Deep Heritage

Red Brick Dreams

In this episode of the Low Season Traveller Insider Guides, Ged Brown sits down with Tomasz Koralewski, CEO of the Lodz Tourism Organisation, for a fascinating conversation about one of Europe's most intriguing and undiscovered cities. Recorded over a traditional Polish lunch in the heart of Lodz, this episode offers a deep dive into the city's unique history, its remarkable transformation, and its vision for a more sustainable and authentic tourism future. Key Topics & Discussion Points: The Manchester of Poland: Discover why Lodz earned this nickname and how its industrial past has shaped its present-day identity. Learn about the city's 19th-century boom, the rise and fall of its textile industry, and the incredible regeneration of its 400+ factories into vibrant cultural and commercial spaces. A City of Contrasts: Tomasz shares his passion for Lodz's captivating contrasts – from the grandeur of industrialist palaces to the poignant history of the Jewish ghetto. Explore the city's eclectic architecture, its peaceful green spaces, and the powerful stories that lie within its walls. Authentic Local Experiences: Hear why Lodz is a city for travellers who want to connect with local life. Tomasz explains how the city has avoided the pitfalls of over-tourism and why you're more likely to rub shoulders with locals than other tourists. Discover the best places to experience the real Lodz, from the bustling Piotrkowska Street to the tranquil Jewish Cemetery. Sustainable & Regenerative Tourism: Learn about Lodz's commitment to sustainable tourism and how it's creating a tourism model that benefits both visitors and residents. Tomasz discusses the importance of attracting conscious travellers who want to immerse themselves in the local culture and contribute to the city's ongoing regeneration. Creative Capital: Find out why Lodz is a haven for creative souls. From its world-renowned film school to its vibrant street art scene, the city is buzzing with creative energy. Tomasz shares his insights into what makes Lodz such an inspiring place for artists, designers, and filmmakers. Insider Recommendations: Get the inside scoop on the best things to see, do, and eat in Lodz. Tomasz reveals his personal favourite spots in the city, including a remarkable immersive experience that allows you to step into the world of the visually impaired. Read Related Article Here [https://lowseasontraveller.com/the-last-european-undiscovered-city/] Tune in to the full episode to discover why Lodz should be at the top of your travel list and why it's a city that will stay with you long after you leave.

Beyond Barcelona: Discovering Lleida's Wild Beauty & Deep Heritage

In this episode of Low Season Traveller Insider Guides, Ged heads to a lesser-known gem of Northern Spain: Lleida, Catalonia’s beautiful and diverse region that's still flying under the radar. Joining Ged is Silvia Vidal, a local expert from Outdoor Adventour, who shares her deep love and knowledge of Lleida—from the snow-capped Pyrenees to the fruit-laden plains, ancient Romanesque churches, and Michelin-starred cuisine. Discover why spring and autumn offer the most rewarding and authentic experiences in this region, with tips on: * Gastronomic highlights: mountain beef, olive oil, artisanal nougat, and world-class wine * Sustainable outdoor adventures: Nordic skiing, hiking, e-biking, paragliding, and stargazing in certified dark sky parks * Cultural treasures: UNESCO churches in Vall de Boí, medieval castles, and the striking Seu Vella Cathedral * Why low season travel benefits local communities—and makes your trip even more special 👉 Plan your own tailored adventure with Silvia at: www.outdooradventour.com [https://www.outdooradventour.com/] 🌍 Discover more low season stories at lowseasontraveller.com/magazine

Why We Travel - with Sahara Rose De Vore

Hi everyone, Ged here, and I’m thrilled to bring you this week’s episode of Low Season Traveller Insider Guides featuring Sahara Rose De Vore. Sahara’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary: from growing up in a non-travelling family to solo travelling across 84 countries and ultimately founding the Travel Coach Network - the world’s first ICF-accredited certification program for travel coaches. In this episode, we dive deep into the emotional power of travel, the importance of understanding our "why," and how Sahara is transforming the travel industry from the inside out. We talk about how travel can support healing, personal development, and purpose, especially when it’s designed with intention. If you’ve ever felt like travel changed your life - or could - then this is a conversation you’ll want to hear. Sahara’s insights are powerful, practical, and deeply inspiring. Enjoy the episode! 00:00 – Intro & Guest Introduction * Meet Sahara Rose De Vore: solo traveler turned founder of the Travel Coach Network * 84 countries and a mission to transform travel 03:00 – Discovering the Love of Travel * Childhood memories, first solo trips, and the backpacking catalyst * Why seeing the world mattered more than a paycheck 07:00 – Lessons from the Rails * The Poland train incident and learning through discomfort * How mistakes shape resilience 10:00 – Toughest Travel Experience: India * Navigating anxiety in Mumbai * How sensory overload led to spiritual growth 15:00 – Why We Forget the Hard Parts * Selective memory and the addictive nature of meaningful travel * Reflections on vulnerability and strength 20:00 – What Is a Travel Coach? * The difference between travel agents and travel coaches * The emotional and transformational role of travel coaching 25:00 – Niches & Why They Matter * How travel coaches serve through purpose (grief, burnout, aging, personal growth) * Redefining "niche" as emotional needs, not demographics 32:00 – Industry Response & The Future * Resistance from traditional travel sectors * Growing interest from agents, wellness leaders, and retreat creators 36:00 – Final Thoughts * Sahara’s advice: keep asking “Why do I really want to travel?” * Using travel as a toolkit for life Connect with Sahara: Website: https://thetravelcoachnetwork.com/ [https://thetravelcoachnetwork.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sahararosethetravelcoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/sahararosethetravelcoach/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetravelcoachnetwork/ [https://www.instagram.com/thetravelcoachnetwork/] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahara-rose-de-vore-4b8bb394/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahara-rose-de-vore-4b8bb394/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaharaRoseTheTravelCoach/ [https://www.facebook.com/SaharaRoseTheTravelCoach/] Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/theTravelCoachNetwork/ [https://www.facebook.com/theTravelCoachNetwork/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetravelcoachnetwork [https://www.youtube.com/@thetravelcoachnetwork] The Travel Coach Certification Program:  https://thetravelcoachnetwork.mykajabi.com/the-travel-coach-program [https://thetravelcoachnetwork.mykajabi.com/the-travel-coach-program]

"Less Bad Travel" - with Travelfish Founder, Stuart McDonald

In this insightful episode of the Low Season Traveller podcast, host Ged interviews Stuart McDonald, founder of Travelfish, a comprehensive online travel resource focused on Southeast Asia. Stuart shares the evolution of Travelfish from its humble beginnings in 2004 to becoming a trusted guide for independent travelers, his journey into responsible tourism through his master's degree, and his upcoming ambitious 64-day overland journey from Bali to the UK. Guest Profile: Stuart McDonald is the founder of Travelfish, an independent online travel guide focused on Southeast Asia. With nearly three decades of experience traveling in the region since 1993, Stuart has transformed from a backpacker and guidebook writer to an advocate for "less bad travel" - his term for more sustainable and responsible tourism practices. He recently completed a Master's degree in Responsible Tourism Management at Leeds Beckett University in the UK. Notable Quotes "Travel fish is like an old school guidebook, like a Lonely Planet or Rough Guide or whatever. But only online." "The pandemic wasn't great for business. I went back to school, back to do my masters at Leeds in the UK in responsible tourism management, and that sort of turned me on to a lot more of the stuff around sustainable tourism and responsible travel." "A lot of the issues that we face today in tourism are not new... they were writing about them in the seventies in academia... This knowledge has sort of been sitting around for perhaps 50 years, half a century. And the industry side of things, they're only just sort of starting to think about maybe getting on board with some of these concepts in the last decade." This episode offers valuable insights into the evolution of sustainable tourism in Southeast Asia through the lens of Stuart McDonald's extensive experience. His journey from traditional guidebook writer to advocate for responsible tourism practices demonstrates how the industry is slowly shifting toward more sustainable models. Stuart's upcoming overland journey represents his commitment to "less bad travel" and provides a fascinating case study in making more responsible travel choices despite the inconveniences they may present. Listeners interested in sustainable tourism, Southeast Asia travel, or alternative modes of transportation will find this conversation both informative and inspiring. Resources Mentioned: Travelfish website [https://travelfish.org]: A comprehensive online travel guide for Southeast AsiaCouch Fish Newsletter [https://www.couchfish.org]: Stuart's regular updates on travel and tourism in the regionGlass [https://glass.photo]: The photo-sharing platform Stuart now uses instead of InstagramSeat61 [https://www.seat61.com]: Helpful resource for train travel planningCaravanistan [https://caravanistan.com]: Resource for travel in Central Asia Uncornered Market [https://uncorneredmarket.com]: Development work in Uzbekistan and Central Asia

Reimagining Travel - Immersive Low Season Adventures

In this episode of Low Season Traveler Insider Guides, host Ged Brown sits down with Angelo Carotenuto, the founder of LivTours. Angelo shares his unconventional journey, from a performing arts background and early days as a tour guide to establishing a boutique travel company that champions sustainable, intimate, and truly immersive experiences. Listeners will hear firsthand how small-group tours can transform the way we experience cultural heritage and local traditions, especially during the low season. Key Topics Covered: * Angelo’s Journey: * The LivTours Difference: * Sustainability and Authenticity: * Unique and Immersive Experiences: * The Emotional Connection: Memorable Moments: * Angelo’s humorous take on oversized tour groups versus the intimacy of small-group experiences. * The detailed recounting of a football match tour where guests, including a couple from Finland, experienced local passion and vibrant traditions firsthand. * Anecdotes that underline the importance of experiencing destinations in a way that allows travelers to truly “live” the local culture rather than just observe it. * For more information on LivTours and to explore their curated experiences, visit livtours.com. * Don’t forget to leave a rating and review if you enjoyed this episode, and follow Low Season Traveler Insider Guides on social media for more inspiring travel stories and tips.