We explore the ideas of mindful tourism, sustainable travel practices and what it means to truly be present while exploring a new place.

One moment that stayed with me is when Salma said, “It's fun to go to places that don't exist anywhere other than the new place you're in,” but the entire conversation is insightful, thoughtful and full of inspiration.

By pure coincidence, we found ourselves on the same departure flight , and we've decided to record an episode of experiencing the city in completely different ways.

Charlie’s trip was shaped by friends, gym, some quirky bars and exploring Stockholm’s more youthful, social side. Mine leaned towards slower days, family time, and, unsurprisingly, a few museums along the way.

Together, we reflect on how the same city can offer entirely different experiences depending on where you are in life and personal needs, rather than being mainly guided by a list of must-do activities.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I’m sharing one of the most heartwarming episodes we’ve ever recorded. For the first time, I interviewed a newlywed couple, an adventurous duo from the U.S., who are traveling the world together and spending a few months in Edinburgh.

From meeting in New York, to discovering Scotland (Robert Burns, haggis, whiskey, and the Borders!), and exploring Europe from Italy to Georgia, their stories are full of curiosity, joy, and the magic of connecting with people and places.

This episode is a little gift for anyone who loves travel, love stories, or just celebrating human connection.

We take a look at Eastern Europe through his eyes, including his reflections on Georgia and other destinations often seen as grey or uniform. Jon has a real fondness for public architecture : bus stations, communal spaces, metro, those overlooked structures which he feels embody the spirit, playfulness, and creativity of local communities.

Beyond the travel destinations, we also discuss how we travel: whether alone or with others, fast or slow, and what changes when we take the time to really see what’s already around us. It’s a warm, down-to-earth episode about curiosity, awareness, and the quiet joy of exploring with an open heart.

In this episode of In Conversation with Tourists, I sit down with Téa, a thoughtful traveler and researcher whose journeys have taken her through the Himalayas, Peru and many other places — and closer to home, Scotland.

Téa doesn’t travel to collect destinations. She travels to meet places. Through breath, body awareness, nutrition and a deep sense of presence, she explores how landscapes can be felt, not just visited. We talk about moving through powerful places gently, listening to your body on the road, and how travel can become a way of reconnecting — with yourself as much as with the world around you.

It’s grounding conversation, perfect for this reflective time of year.

Enjoy it!

Their conversation ranges from Edinburgh’s close to American city grids, pausing where prayer calls mingle with military drills to prove a place can hold seeming opposites without losing its charm. 

Expect insights on forging your own destinations, finding the lesson you need in the moment you need it, and discovering how urban spaces—old or new—offer fresh perspectives when you approach them with open eyes. If you’re ready to trade “seen it, snapped it” for genuine human connection, press play and follow Jack’s lead down the side street.

This dynamic travel duo discuss about warm welcomes and the surprise of a 10 p.m. alcohol curfew and nightlife that slips away at midnight like Cinderella’s coach. They laugh about the eternal debate over what (if anything) lurks beneath a kilt and the local habit of sunbathing in beachwear the moment clouds part above the Meadows. One guest even arrived with an empty suitcase of flavours, determined to discover her new favourite foods on Scottish soil. With engaging stories about culture, Scottish weather, and breathtaking scenery, their journey underscores the power of friendship and discovery. Each learns valuable lessons about moving at one’s pace and the importance of companionship during travels.

If you’re curious how newcomers decode culture—and how a short break can reshape a student’s sense of home—press play.

In this episode, Jo - now 66- opens up about the transformative power of travel. We talk about her experiences in India - learning from artisans, observing the rhythm of daily life and building warm and lasting connections with locals.

Whether you've been around the world or are still dreaming of your first trip, Jo's story is a beautiful reminder that travel is not always about the destination... it's about who you become along the way if you give yourself time and space to reflect and embrace different perspectives.