Turn Your iPod into a Travel Guide: 20 Travel Podcasts

Over the past year, we’ve seen a steady supply of new travel podcasts coming online. Some are produced by the publishers of major travel guides; others by passionate individual travelers. Many are in video, some even in HD. These podcasts will generally help you travel much more knowledgeably. And, in most cases, they’ll say something about a travel destination that a traditional guide never could. This collection will grow over time. You can find it housed permanently in our Podcast Library located on the top right of each page. (There you can also find our collection of Free Language Lessons, which will be handy, too, for your travels.)

• A Year in Europe iTunes Feed Web Site
  • A well reviewed podcast. “Scott and Sheryl quit their jobs and sold their home. Now they’re on a year-long excursion through Europe where they’re exploring the places they’ve read about and dreamed of visiting. Follow them on their journey as they experience the cultures, art and history they find fascinating.”

• Amateur Travel Podcast – Video iTunes Feed Web Site
  • Focuses on travel stories with a dash of travel news, travel tips and travel resources. And, yes, as the title suggests, it’s in video.

• Anthony Bourdain – No Reservations iTunes Web Site
  • Produced by the Travel Channel, this video podcast combines travel with the love of food.

• Beautiful Places (iPod/iTunes) iTunes Download Web Site
  • This video podcast focuses on the great outdoors. Destinations explored here include Big Sur, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain National Park, etc. You can find an HD version of the podcast here.

• Big in Taiwan HD iTunes Feed Web Site
  • These videos highlight the people, culture, sights & sounds of Taiwan.

• Copenhagen Podwalks iTunes Web Site
  • Podcasts that will get you around Denmark’s capital.
• Discover France with Sebastien iTunes Feed Web Site
  • Gives you a good look at French towns. In video.

• Finding America iTunes Feed Web Site
  • See the real America in video. Travel every major road in the USA and see the country from something other than a glossy, manufactured perspective.

• Frommer’s Podcast iTunes Feed Web Site
  • Travel info from Kelly Regan, editorial director of Frommer’s Travel Guides, and David Lytle, editorial director of Frommers.com. So far audio only. (It’s curious that the big publishers are producing less dynamic podcasts than the small guys are.)

• Inside Grand Canyon iTunes Feed Web Site
  • Learn about Grand Canyon National Park with a park ranger as your guide. This is a video podcast.

• iPod Traveler iTunes Feed Web Site
  • Two Londoners give you their personal look at Europe. This audio podcast was discontinued in 2007, but the extensive archive remains.

• Italy From the Inside iTunes Web Site
  • A native Italian tells first-time travelers how to make the most of Italy. Some in audio; some in video.

• Italy Travel Guide: Rome, Venice & Florence iTunes Feed Web Site (Also HD movies here)
  • A close look at Italy’s great cities.

• Let’s Travel Radio iTunes Feed Web Site
  • An internet travel radio show that takes you to the four corners of the world. Features talks with globetrotters, artists, chefs and musicians.

• Lonely Planet Travelcasts iTunes Feed Web Site
  • Produced by one of the leading travel guide publishers, these podcasts are very international in scope. Audio only.

• London Landscape TV HD iTunes Feed Web Site
  • A visual HD guide to the great city of London.

• Samantha Brown: Passport to Latin America iTunes Web Site
  • Produced by the Travel Channel, this well-reviewed video podcast often focuses on Central and South America, which is something that’s hard to find …. at least so far.

• Travel in 10 iTunes Feed Web Site
  • A 10 minute travel podcast that takes listeners to destinations around the globe to present soundscapes and audiotours from hip hotels, great restaurants, concerts, festivals and events.
• Travel with Rick Steves iTunes Feed Web Site
  • Produced by one of the bigger names in the travel industry, these audio podcasts give you good global coverage. I should mention that Steves has some other focused podcasts including: Rick Steves’ Europe in Video; Rick Steves’ Italy Audio Tours; and Rick Steves’ France Audio Tours.

• The Travel Destination Podcast: Tips for Travelers iTunes Feed Web Site

• Unabellavista: How to Tour Italy iTunes Feed Web Site
  • Learn about Italy’s art, history, architecture, food, and language. In audio.

• Walks of a Lifetime iTunes Feed Web Site
  • Produced by National Geographic Traveler. “Stroll across the world, from crowded city centers to rustic country routes, with travel expert Rudy Maxa in National Geographic Traveler magazine’s selection of the world’s greatest walking tours.” In audio.

• Video Travel Guides from Italy iTunes Web Site

• Washington Travelcast iTunes Feed Web Site
  • A weekly walking tour of the US capitol.

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