This week Tracy is joined by Japan travel specialist Helen Foster to share expert advice on visiting Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.

If you are planning your first Japan trip and considering adding a theme park, this episode covers what you really need to know before you go.

Helen draws on nine trips to Japan to explain how each park differs, how ticketing systems work, what catches first-time visitors out, and whether Japan’s theme parks are worth it if you are not a huge “theme park person”.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The differences between Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, and Universal Studios Japan
• How far in advance you need to book tickets and hotels
• How Disney Premier Access and Universal Express Pass work
• Common planning mistakes to avoid
• Whether you need a full day for a theme park
• What to expect during busy seasons like Golden Week
• Cultural differences inside Japanese theme parks

If you want to avoid long queues, understand the booking systems, and plan a stress-free visit, this episode will help you do exactly that.

⭐️ Guest - Helen Foster (Japlanease)
📝 Show Notes - Episode 91

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #38 – Top Tips and Insights for First-Time Travellers to Tokyo Japan
• Episode #13 – Discovering Japan: A 21 Day Itinerary
• Episode #14 – Visiting Japan: Top Tips for First-Time Travellers

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Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

What makes Switzerland one of the most breathtaking countries in the world to explore by train?

This week Tracy is joined by Switzerland travel expert Carolyn, founder of Holidays to Switzerland, to talk about the scenic rail journeys and mountain excursions that draw visitors back again and again.

From iconic panoramic trains like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express to shorter but equally spectacular routes such as the Lucerne–Interlaken Express, this episode dives into how Switzerland’s rail network turns travel days into unforgettable experiences. Carolyn shares her favourite train journeys, tips for planning around start and end points, and why flexibility is key when dealing with Alpine weather.

They also discuss common mistakes travellers make, including overpacking and forgetting to book seat reservations on panoramic trains, plus practical advice on using the Swiss Travel Pass and regional rail passes to help manage costs in one of Europe’s most expensive destinations.

You’ll also hear how to choose the right mountain excursions, whether you prefer cogwheel railways, funiculars or cable cars, and why allowing time in each base makes all the difference to your experience.

If Switzerland is on your list, this episode will help you plan smarter, travel lighter, and be prepared to be amazed at every turn.

Guest - Carolyn of Holidays to Switzerland
Show notes - Episode 90

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #6 - An introduction to Switzerland
• Episode #61 - Lucerne Deep Dive
• Episode #85 – Top 10 Most Incredible Train Journeys Around the World

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Website - LondonTravelPlanning.com

Work With Us - Contact tracy@globaltravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

This week Tracy is joined by seasoned travel podcaster and traveller Chris Christensen, host of the Amateur Traveler podcast, to share his recent experience travelling through the Peruvian Amazon.

Together, they explore why this vast and remote region is far more accessible than many travellers expect. Drawing on Chris’s small-group river expedition, the conversation offers a clear-eyed look at what it’s really like to travel the Amazon, from river life and wildlife encounters to village visits and the realities of logistics, comfort, and daily routines.

Chris explains how the Peruvian Amazon differs from the coastal and Andean parts of Peru many travellers are familiar with, what surprised him most about the trip, and why the experience felt adventurous without being as difficult or intimidating as expected.

• Why much of Peru lies in the Amazon basin
• How to reach the Peruvian Amazon via Lima, Iquitos, and the river port
• What it’s like spending a week on a small Amazon river boat
• How seasonal water levels shape routes, fishing, and daily life
• Blackwater lakes, piranha fishing, and safe swimming
• Wildlife encounters including birds, sloths, monkeys, and pink dolphins
• What village visits and local life along the river are really like
• Food on board and sharing a traditional village meal
• Mobility needs, skiffs, stairs, and uneven terrain
• What to pack for heat, insects, and wildlife viewing
• Why the Amazon is more accessible than many travellers expect

You’ll find links to Chris’s detailed article about the Peruvian Amazon and his Amateur Traveler podcast in the show notes globaltravelplanning.com/episode-89

⭐️ Guest - Chris Christensen from Amateur Traveler

Support the show

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

🗺 Global Travel Planning
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🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
Website - UKTravelPlanning.com
Instagram - UK Travel Planning
YouTube - UK Travel Planning

📍London Travel Planning
Website - LondonTravelPlanning.com

Work With Us - Contact tracy@globaltravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!