All the S**t I've Learned Abroad

It's time to dive into the world of artificial intelligence, also known as AI! While still in its infancy, is becoming more popular for travellers looking to simplify their travel planning. From finding hidden gems to crafting personalised itineraries, we test out different AI prompts to help us plan for our next upcoming trips. Does it live up to the hype? Tune in to find out! 00:00:00 - Introduction to AI in Travel 00:00:40 - Andrea's Upcoming Trip to Cyprus 00:01:58 - Steph's Canceled Iran Trip 00:04:36 - Personal Connections and Travel Opportunities 00:07:48 - AI as a Travel Planning Tool 00:08:14 - ChatGPT for Creative Writing and Work 00:09:35 - First Experiences with ChatGPT 00:10:32 - Using AI for Road Trip Planning 00:11:58 - Refining AI Prompts for Better Results 00:13:39 - AI for Finding Dining Options 00:15:06 - Discovering Hidden Gems with AI 00:16:09 - AI for Solo Travelers 00:17:27 - Testing AI for Solo Dining Recommendations 00:18:55 - AI vs. Traditional Search and Blogs 00:20:09 - AI for Finding Remote Work-Friendly Cafes 00:21:16 - The Literal Nature of AI Prompts 00:22:16 - Exploring AI Travel Apps 00:23:23 - AI for Trip Budgeting 00:24:06 - AI for Destination Inspiration 00:25:30 - ChatGPT's Advantages and Limitations 00:26:03 - Crafting a Custom Trip with AI 00:27:16 - Finding a Beach Vacation in Europe 00:28:39 - Planning a Luxurious Trip to Cyprus 00:31:02 - Budget Breakdown for Cyprus Trip 00:32:37 - Refining AI Prompts for Non-Drivers 00:33:07 - Personalising Road Trip Itineraries Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2024 solo travel is becoming more popular than ever, but it can still be very daunting for those who have yet to take their first solo trip. So we give you our hot tips on great things you can do while solo traveling and while your might be alone, you'll never feel lonely! 00:02:01 - Booking Flights and Work Trips 00:02:21 - Airbnb Hosting Experiences 00:12:30 - Benefits of Walking Tours 00:15:20 - Food Tours and Meeting People 00:17:42 - Dining Alone and Alternatives 00:20:11 - Market Days and Eating Out 00:22:04 - Attending Local Performances 00:23:18 - Cooking Classes for Solo Travelers 00:24:50 - Using Dating Apps While Traveling 00:28:44 - Bringing a Kindle or Book 00:29:37 - Bookstore Browsing and Cafe Hopping 00:38:19 - Final Thoughts on Solo Travel Activities Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a spicy one! Steph and Andrea get into a very intense debate... to recline or not to recline your airplane seat?! When we're flying, while we do have the option to push our seats back, is it always acceptable to do so? How long does a flight need to be before it's acceptable to recline your seat? And is it even your problem if the person behind you is too tall? Ultimately we need to ask the airlines who owns those two inches of space between the two seats? So buckle in and get ready for a heated episode! 00:00:00 - Debate on Airplane Seat Reclining 00:04:32 - The Middle Seat Dilemma 00:05:05 - To Recline or Not: The Great Debate 00:07:02 - Personal Reclining Etiquette 00:08:20 - Meal Service and Reclining Seats 00:09:00 - Considering Tall Passengers 00:10:01 - Reclining on Short Flights After Long Hauls 00:11:29 - The Domino Effect of Reclining 00:12:08 - Buying Seats with Extra Legroom 00:13:28 - Children Reclining Seats 00:14:16 - Courtesy of Asking Before Reclining 00:15:51 - Who Owns the Two Inches of Space? 00:18:28 - Dealing with Aggressive Passengers 00:19:19 - Judging the Situation Before Reclining 00:20:32 - Crossing Legs and Reclining Seats 00:21:39 - Airline's Responsibility for Seat Space 00:23:30 - Passive-Aggressive Responses to Reclining 00:24:14 - Ownership of Space and Airline Policies 00:27:15 - Dealing with Unusual Situations on Planes 00:28:45 - The Debate Continues: Courtesy vs. Rights 00:30:38 - Lack of Courtesy in Post-COVID Travel 00:31:13 - Conclusion and Opinions on Reclining Seats Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does social media impact your travel experiences? Is social media ruining travel experiences or making them better? Are we too obsessed with getting the right content instead of taking in the experience? Are we focusing too much on FOMO and what we see online? And are we traveling to some of these places we see online for the right reasons? Let's dive in! 00:00:00 - Social Media's Impact on Travel 00:05:42 - Discovering Local Spots via Social Media 00:07:47 - The Pros of Sharing Travel on Social Media 00:09:03 - Reflecting on Posting Travel Content in Real Time 00:11:47 - The Influence of Social Media on Travel Destinations 00:13:14 - Expectation vs. Reality in Travel Posts 00:15:46 - The Phenomenon of Over-Tourism 00:17:03 - Personal Reflections on Social Media Use While Traveling 00:19:03 - The Benefits of Social Media for Travelers 00:21:17 - Concluding Thoughts on Social Media and Travel Responsibility Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Valentine's Day may have passed but it did get us thinking about love languages! Love languages are all about how you give and receive love, for and from others. But how do these relate into your travel style? Quality time, acts of service, words of affirmation, gift giving and physical touch. We chat through these five love languages and how you can integrate these into travel to get the most out of your trip, whether with a partner, friends or even traveling solo. 00:00:00 - Love Languages and Travel 00:02:47 - Unplanned Big Trips and Booking Beliefs 00:03:20 - The Quest for a Wellness Retreat 00:05:13 - Spa Getaways vs. Genuine Retreats 00:06:32 - Valentine's Day and Galentine's Celebrations 00:07:06 - Love Languages and Their Travel Connection 00:08:07 - Defining and Understanding Love Languages 00:09:17 - Quality Time: Travel Edition 00:10:55 - Acts of Service on the Road 00:11:45 - Gift Giving While Traveling 00:12:37 - Physical Touch and Travel Intimacy 00:13:51 - Words of Affirmation for the Solo Traveler Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time to talk Dubai! Steph recently dipped her toes into Middle Eastern culture by visiting Dubai and the Middle East for the first time. As Andrea has been a few times, we talk through out own experiences, what talk about what we loved about to Dubai, what we didn't love and ultimately... would we move there? 00:00:00 - Introduction to Dubai Experiences 00:00:59 - Content Creation Retreat in Byron Bay 00:02:40 - Wedding Plans in Bucharest and Castle Tours 00:05:31 - Upcoming Trip to Athens 00:06:30 - Discussing Dubai's Attractions and Lifestyle 00:08:05 - Emirates Flight Experience 00:10:14 - Tips for Using Taxis in Dubai 00:11:06 - Exploring Dubai with a Local 00:12:06 - Saving Money on Activities in Dubai 00:13:10 - Utilising Apps for Deals in Dubai 00:14:05 - Dining at the Burj Khalifa 00:15:08 - Day Passes for Hotel Pools in Dubai 00:16:01 - The Cost of Living and Saving Money in Dubai 00:17:27 - Cultural Expectations and Dress Code in Dubai 00:18:08 - Finding Deals for Desert Adventures 00:19:24 - Dining at Salt Bae's Restaurant 00:20:45 - The Luxury Experience in Dubai 00:21:20 - Visiting Nusret and the Golden Menu 00:22:54 - The Practicality of Traditional Middle Eastern Dress 00:23:48 - The Diversity of Dubai's Population 00:25:18 - The Business Hub of Dubai 00:26:46 - Comparing Dubai to Other Middle Eastern Cultures 00:28:07 - The Reality of Dubai's Opulence 00:30:55 - The Appeal of Dubai for Short Visits 00:31:42 - The Man-Made Nature of Dubai 00:32:23 - The Fountain Show at the Burj Khalifa 00:33:05 - Considering Moving to Dubai 00:34:17 - The Need for Nature and Outdoor Activities 00:35:09 - The Fake Aspect of Dubai 00:36:41 - The Burj Khalifa and Dubai's Skyline 00:38:29 - Reflecting on the First Visit to the Middle East 00:39:47 - Planning Future Trips to the Middle East 00:41:26 - The Desire for a Private Jet 00:42:09 - The Burj Khalifa's Impressive Height 00:43:09 - The Dubai Fountain Show's Frequency 00:45:18 - Exploring More of the Middle East 00:46:12 - The Contrast Between Dubai and Nearby Countries Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's not about the destination, it's all about the journey! Join us as we discuss travel journeys and how our travel styles have evolved during them. Everyone is starting their own travel journey at different times in their lives and in different travel styles. How we can be supportive as a travel community for everyone along their journey, wherever they may be on that path? 00:05:45 Everyone's unique travel journey 00:10:10 Judgment in travel destinations 00:13:10 Making recommendations and judgment 00:18:46 The roadmap of travel journeys 00:23:37 Travel journey in 20 years 00:26:11 Gen Z creating amazing content. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Am I the A**hole? Steph and Andrea dig into Reddit's AITA forum to find the best travel related AITA scenarios to debate. Tying in hostel etiquette, traveling with significant others, friends and family as also airplane entitlement - A**hole, or not? Tune in now and make sure you let us know if you agree with our verdicts! 00:04:22 - Airport Lounge Access and Etiquette 00:09:14 - Discussing Seat Selection and Airline Status 00:10:55 - Family Seating Dilemmas on Flights 00:14:54 - Hostel Nighttime Etiquette 00:19:11 - Hostel Room Sharing and Noise Consideration 00:21:08 - Airline Policies on Family Seating 00:26:45 - Hostel Etiquette and Late Night Returns 00:29:29 - More on Hostel Room Etiquette 00:32:39 - Arriving Excessively Early at the Airport Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy 2024 - It's time for our annual new years travel resolutions episode! As always, we revisit last years resolutions to see if and what we actually achieved and then discuss our travel goals and resolutions for the upcoming year as well - and we've got some big ons that we hope will inspire you as well! 00:00:00 - New Year's Travel Resolutions 00:05:34 - The Power of Writing Down Goals 00:06:18 - Revisiting Last Year's Travel Resolutions 00:09:10 - Sailing in the Whitsundays and Travel Goals 00:10:20 - Exploring Queensland and Van Life 00:11:10 - Budgeting for Travel and Setting Financial Goals 00:13:11 - Optimising Weekend Travel in Europe 00:14:04 - Budgeting for Travel and Tracking Expenses 00:16:43 - Planning for Wellness Retreats 00:18:38 - Sky Barrel Accommodation Goal 00:19:05 - Desire to Visit Singapore 00:20:20 - Upcoming Trip to Dubai 00:22:43 - Planning Business and Leisure Trips - "Bleisure" 00:27:52 - The Idea of Tough Love Retreats 00:30:20 - Van Life in New Zealand as a Travel Goal 00:31:28 - Documenting Trips and Creating Photo Books 00:32:43 - Planning for South America and the Seven Wonders Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time to talk about van life in Outback Queensland! What’s the best way to plan your route through the Outback and does it feel safe if you do it as a solo traveller? What is a pig race and why is Steph using her ability to starfish as a system of measurement? And most importantly, what’s the biggest travel hack we’ve learned on how you can live the van life for next to no cost. Resources: clicking hereInstagramFacebookherehere 00:00:00 Van life adventures. 00:06:12 A massive camper van bed. 00:08:47 Parking challenges in the Outback. 00:13:52 Pig races and ethical encounters. 00:16:24 Feeling safe while traveling. 00:19:06 Self-defense and safety measures. 00:25:26 Qantas Light Show. 00:27:03 New wildlife and bird watching. 00:30:27 Dreaming big in life. 00:36:23 Traveling as you age. 00:37:33 Van life and comfort levels. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flight upgrades... are they worth it or a total waste of money? When flying, what is the best way to get a cheap upgrade, whether using cash or points, and when is it actually just not worth it at all? We also delve into hotel and rental card upgrades and the surprisingly easy method to get them for free. 00:00:00 Upgrades can be worth it. 00:09:40 Communication is key in hosting. 00:14:06 Airbnb hosting can be challenging. 00:15:12 Airbnb drama and Philly adventures. 00:23:21 Consider upgrading for long-haul flights. 00:25:22 Upgrade to higher class flights. 00:30:29 Consider cost and comfort for upgrades. 00:37:52 Lounge access can save money. 00:40:52 Always check for flight upgrades. 00:46:03 Use points for upgrades and ask for hotel upgrades. 00:51:00 Upgrade requests can lead to better accommodations. 00:56:20 Hotels in New York are expensive. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As you age, do you become more or less insecure while traveling? When it comes to age, body image hangups and physical capabilities we discuss why you shouldn't let your insecurities get in the way of experiencing new things while you're traveling. [00:02:01] Becoming less insecure with age. [00:04:08] Insecurities while traveling. [00:11:30] Women and self-image in photos. [00:16:09] Living in the moment. [00:19:42] Staying young in hostels. [00:22:34] Skiing and snowboarding injuries. [00:26:02] Trying water obstacle courses. [00:29:02] Overcoming fear of trying new things. [00:33:22] Body insecurities and empowerment. [00:36:27] Body insecurities on the beach. [00:41:31] Club experience in Miami. [00:43:05] Insecurities and trying new things. [00:47:51] Weighing for safety and fun. [00:49:39] Insecurities about solo travel. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So often in life we romanticise things in our head when in reality, it rarely lives up to expectations, and the same goes for travel destinations. In this episode we discuss some of the destinations we have over-hyped in our own heads. Equally, we explore some of the places we didn't expect much of that ended up blowing us away. We hope that this episode lives up to the hype and that you won't be disappointed! 00:00:00 Expectations vs. reality in travel 00:05:26 Be the change you want 00:11:09 Romanticizing places can lead to disappointment 00:16:34 Underwhelming experiences in travel 00:22:14 Underwhelming experiences at famous museums 00:27:32 Underwhelming Little Mermaid statue 00:32:37 Expectations can shape our experiences 00:41:15 Don't trust Instagram for travel 00:45:51 Expectations vs reality in travel Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From booking hotels to flights to rental cars, to lost luggage and lost keys, listen to some of the tips and tricks we've compiled from our own lessons learned on our travels that will hopefully help you make the most of your own travels in the next year. So grab a notepad and a pen and get ready to take some notes! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a real shit episode. Literally. We're talking about something every traveler experiences at some point, but are too embarrassed to talk about. Traveler's diarrhoea, Bali belly, Delhi belly, whatever you want to call it, it's really shitty when it happens. But how can you prevent this dreaded occurrence on your travels and when should you actually seek help from a medical professional when you've got it? Get ready for a real shit storm of an episode! [00:00:11] Traveler's' diarrhoea and prevention. [00:04:39] Feeling old at Glastonbury. [00:09:34] Surviving traveler's' diarrhoea. [00:11:11] Traveler's diarrhoea and its definitions. [00:15:09] Investigating traveler's' diarrhoea. [00:17:59] Traveling with Imodium. [00:21:19] Traveler's diarrhoea prevention methods. [00:26:00] Food safety and meat freshness. [00:29:02] Street food safety. [00:32:05] Traveler's diarrhoea remedies. [00:35:30] Fluids for hydration. [00:40:36] Constipation on vacation. [00:43:08] Enema and pharmacist confusion. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having embarked on two very different adventures throughout India with different styles, Steph and Andrea discuss their contrasting experiences while traversing the bustling streets of Delhi, wandering through ancient temples, tiger spotting in Rajasthan, their Bollywood experiences and so much more. Whether you're a seasoned traveler, an armchair explorer, or someone seeking inspiration for your next journey, in "Travels Through India" we hope to inspire you to add India to your list. So buckle up, tune in, and let the magic of India unfold. Learn more about some of the specific tours mentioned at: Tiger Safari IndiaG Adventures - Golden Triangle tourThe Yoga InstituteMystical Mumbai (Bollywood Tour)Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most annoying things that can happen during your travels are delays, diversions and cancellations. It will most likely happen to you at some point, so it's time to break down the reasons this can happen so that in the moment, you can decide if it's worth the energy getting worked up about! Want to help our podcast grow? Subscribe, leave a 5-star review and follow us on social media! - Instagram: www.instagram.com/shitabroadpod - Facebook: www.facebook.com/shitivelearnedabroadpod - Twitter: www.twitter.com/shitabroadpod Theme music by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To gift or not to gift, that is the question. How often do you buy travel souvenirs for family, friends or yourself? What makes a good travel souvenir and what makes a crap one? Let's dive in and discuss! Want to help our podcast grow? Subscribe, leave a 5-star review and follow us on social media! - Instagram: www.instagram.com/shitabroadpod - Facebook: www.facebook.com/shitivelearnedabroadpod - Twitter: www.twitter.com/shitabroadpod Theme music by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we get older, we often lose a bit of our spontaneity so how can we hold onto this feeling while still traveling responsibly without being impulsive? Some studies even suggest that spontaneous travel makes us happier - but is this actually true? Want to help our podcast grow? Subscribe, leave a 5-star review and follow us on social media! - Instagram: www.instagram.com/shitabroadpod - Facebook: www.facebook.com/shitivelearnedabroadpod - Twitter: www.twitter.com/shitabroadpod Theme music by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's that time of year! Time for the 2023 New Years Travel Resolution episode, where we dive into our 2023 resolutions as well as look back on our 2022 resolutions to see what we ticked out! Spoiler - it wasn't that much! Want to help our podcast grow? Subscribe, leave a 5-star review and follow us on social media! - Instagram: www.instagram.com/shitabroadpod - Facebook: www.facebook.com/shitivelearnedabroadpod - Twitter: www.twitter.com/shitabroadpod Theme music by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.