astridtravel

Don’t let unmet expectations steal your travel joy! If you have ever felt disappointment about a destination or a travel sight, this is the Solo Travel Talk podcast episode for you! If you find yourself saying, “That wasn’t worth it” Astrid Clements, your solo travel advisor, has some tips and coaching for you can have a positive travel mindset and manage your expectations no matter what your travel experience. Astrid has a lot of experience turning so-so experiences into winning trips. Get past over-hyped sights and supposed “must-dos” that don’t deliver and get into serendipity, openness, and hassle-free happy expectations.

Mentioned on the show:

- The AstridTravel Club: a place for those who want to experience affordable luxury travel or want to go solo that’s not totally solo. The AstridTravel Club is the sponsor of the Hassle-Free Travel Series.

- Astrid recommends Atlas Obscura for wonderful “small gem” or off the beaten path travel experiences.

- Wikitravel has lots of travel info that is not overly common or run of the mill.

Some of the questions answered on this episode…

• What to do if I am not enjoying my trip?
• Are most famous travel destinations over-hyped?
• How can I find lesser-known travel destinations?
• How can I have more serendipity in my travel?
• What is overtourism?
• What is The AstridTravel Club and how do I join?

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has a whole section of resources for solo travelers on her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

Oh, sweet irony—you leave your home to see new things only to be greeted by crowds, lines, more crowds, and people wherever you go! Over tourism, popular sights, lines, uncomfortable crowding—all of these factors can make it seem like it’s not worth it to go anywhere. Your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements doesn’t like crowds either and has some tips for managing crowds, lines, and overstuffed destinations. Listen to this episode of Solo Travel Talk, the Hassle-Free Travel Series if you want some tips about managing the hassle of crowds on your trips.

Mentioned on the show:

- The AstridTravel Club: a place for those who want to experience affordable luxury travel or want to go solo that’s not totally solo. The AstridTravel Club is the sponsor of the Hassle-Free Travel Series.

- Astrid enjoyed the Responsible Travel website: tips and insights about the impact our adventures can have (and how to manage it)

Some of the questions answered on this episode…

• When should I plan my trip to avoid crowds?
• What is the shoulder season?
• Are skip the line options worth it?
• Are popular travel destinations more crowded or is that only a perception?
• What is overtourism?
• What is The AstridTravel Club and how do I join?

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has a whole section of resources for solo travelers on her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

No fooling around: we’re diving into the dark heart of travel hassle in this episode of Solo Travel Talk. When people gripe about travel hassle, are they really just saying flying is a hassle? Flying is a hassle. We used to get dressed up to fly, but these days the flying game is all about managing the misery. Your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements has filled this episode with tips for preparing for and managing the flight portion of your travels. This episode is part of Astrid’s series on Hassle-Free Travel.

Mentioned on the show:

- The AstridTravel Club: a place for those who want to experience affordable luxury travel or want to go solo that’s not totally solo. The AstridTravel Club is the sponsor of the Hassle-Free Travel Series.

- From the archive, here’s an episode on 10 tips for when to book your flight: Episode 093 When to Book Your Flight – 10 Tips.

Some of the questions answered on this episode…

• Why is flying a hassle?
• Should I get TSA PreCheck?
• What should I bring on my flight to be comfortable?
• How early should I get to the airport?
• When should I buy airline tickets?
• What is dwell time?
• What is The AstridTravel Club and how do I join?

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has a whole section of resources for solo travelers on her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

Is hassle blocking you from pursuing the travel you want to experience? Do you get filled with a mild (to severe) sense of dread when thinking about hitting the road? Astrid Clements, founder of Astrid Solo Travel Advisor and The AstridTravel Club, brings you the new Solo Travel Talk podcast series—The Hassle-Free Travel Series. On this inaugural episode of the series, Astrid shares the key elements of making travel hassle-free plus introduces what’s coming up in the series.

Mentioned on the show:

- Astrid’s Marketplace (where you can find packing cubes, universal adapters, luggage scales, and more.)

- The AstridTravel Club: a place for those who want to experience affordable luxury travel or want to go solo that’s not totally solo. The AstridTravel Club is the sponsor of the Hassle-Free Travel Series.

Some of the questions answered on this episode…

• Is travel really more hassle-filled these days, or is that just a perception?
• What apps can help my travel be easier?
• How can I plan my trip to be hassle-free?
• How can I get a hassle-free travel mindset?
• What is The AstridTravel Club and how do I join?

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has a whole section of resources for solo travelers on her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

We love food tours, yes we do… and your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements had a fabulous foodie time on her trip to Japan. Of course, food and culture walk hand in hand—Japan is no different. Astrid’s take was that Japan is a serious about their food as the French (the apex of food appreciation in Astrid’s opinion.) There is philosophy behind Japanese eating as well: traditionally taking an item from the land; one from the sea. (Sushi fits perfectly into this model!) Astrid shares what she learned dining in Japan, plus gets specific about some recommended food tours and restaurants. Our food episode warning is in place for this edition of our solo travel podcast: do not listen hungry!

Some of the questions answered on this episode…

• Is there a food tour scene in Japan?
• What is the best way to pick a food tour?
• Why is Japanese food so beautiful?
• What restaurant should I visit in Japan?
• What is the best thing to eat in Japan?

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. The AstridTravel Club is now open! Click through to see if the Club is right for you. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

We interrupt this Solo Travel Talk Japan Series to bring you some exciting news: your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements has launched The AstridTravel Club. On this episode of Solo Travel Talk, Astrid will share the inspiration for the club, what the club offers, and how to know if membership is right for you.  The AstridTravel Club brings together several elements that Solo Travel Talk listeners will appreciate. Affordable luxury, mindful travel, reconnecting, cultural appreciation, arts, gardens, time for reflection—all of these qualities come together in the AstridTravel Club, with the Astrid Clements flair (of course.)

Some of the questions answered on this episode…

• Where did the idea for the AstridTravel Club come from?
• How is this solo travel if it’s a tour?
• Who is the AstridTravel Club right for?
• What is involved in the Cub?
• How do I join the AstridTravel Club?

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has a whole section of resources for solo travelers on her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

If you heard our first show in the Solo Travel Talk Japan Series, you know that your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements had a long visit with a thorough itinerary. Japan offers so much culture, natural beauty, amazing cuisine, architecture, and much more. Astrid visited major metropolitan areas, some more traditional cities, and made sure to include Hiroshima as a destination. Since this was such a fabulous trip, Astrid had a tough time narrowing things down to a Top 10, but she did! And for our listeners who love how-to’s, we have a tip in the middle of the show about itinerary building for solo travelers.

Some of the questions answered on this episode…

- Where should I stay in Tokyo?

- Does Japan have good food tours?

- Should I visit Hiroshima?

- What are the gardens like in Japan?

- Is it worth visiting Mount Fuji?

- How can I make a solo travel itinerary?

- What is the AstridTravel Club? 

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has a whole section of resources for solo travelers on her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

Solo Travel Talk returns!! (With a twist….) Your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements spent several weeks in Japan and came back with a passion to persuade everyone to put Japan on their MUST visit list! Perhaps you haven’t considered Japan as a destination—too expensive, too hard, too far—whatever your reasons, Astrid is here to explain how Japan is more accessible than ever.  This trip had quite an impact on Astrid, and she’s here to share all her insights and new affection for the Land of the Rising Sun.

Some of the questions answered on this episode…

• Why is Japan more accessible now?
• Is Japan solo travel friendly?
• Is Japan an expensive place to visit?
• Is Japan an easy place to visit?

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has a whole section of resources for solo travelers on her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

Savvy solo travelers are all about maximizing their experiences, and knowing how to use stopovers can be a seriously powerful tool at your disposal. Who better than your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements to explain it all! What a stopover is, how to use it, who offers them—all that and more on this episode of Solo Travel Talk.

Some of the questions answered on this show include:
- What is the difference between a layover and a stopover?
- What are the limitations of a stopover?
- Which airlines offer stopovers?
- Are stopovers free?
- Can you do a stopover in Portugal?
- Do any airlines offer bonuses with their stopovers?
- Which airline has the best stopover program?

Mentioned on the show: Airwander.com

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has an amazing packing list available for download. Get it at her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

Solo travel has been evolving quickly in the last few years, even though your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements has been going solo for some time now! As more and more people are becoming aware of all the possibilities that await the solo traveler, some of that attention can make it appear that solo travel is merely “having a moment,” making it a fad instead of a true shift in how we experience the world. On this 100th episode of Solo Travel Talk, Astrid is going to show how solo travel is where it’s at, coming into its own.

Some of the questions answered on the episode:

• Why go solo?
• What is the biggest influence on solo travel growing as a trend?
• How do women solo travelers influence the travel industry?
• How has social media influenced solo travel?
• Is solo travel really growing or is it just a perception?
• How is the travel industry responding to solo travelers?
• Is part of the growth of solo travel a fad?

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has an amazing packing list available for download. Get it at her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

Zoom in on a map of Paris and you will notice a spiral configuration of lines dividing up the city. The Arrondissement system of neighborhoods is one of the defining elements of the character of Paris. Your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements spent time in the 16th Arrondissement and has some advice, some stories, some recommendations… the full Astrid report.

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has an amazing packing list available for download. Get it at her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app.

Astrid has some amazing resources for solo travelers. Check out her RESOURCES page on her website here:

https://www.astridtravel.com/resources

Just go solo!

For many of us, getting a stash of small bills is part of the pre-trip planning routine since we will be tipping all the various helpers that we encounter on our travels. However, tipping is NOT universal. Your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements has some tips and advice on how to handle gratuity with grace no matter where your solo travels may take you. How much? To whom? Where?? When to say “keep the change” and more on this episode of Solo Travel Talk.

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has an amazing packing list available for download. Get it at her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

The whole point of traveling somewhere is to do activities that are fun or interesting or enriching or otherwise give you the experience of your destination when you get there. The queen of pre-trip planning (who also just so happens to be your solo travel advisor) Astrid Clements has some thoughts and recommendations about setting an itinerary. This episode has a lot of focus on timing, such as when to start planning; how to organize your travel time effectively, including what to plan when. Solo travel procrastinators, don't worry: Astrid has some suggestions for you, too. This episode also marks the launch of Astrid's Resource page on her website! Find the resource page here: https://www.astridtravel.com/resources/

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has an amazing packing list available for download. Get it at her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

We like debunking preconceived ideas about solo travel here on Solo Travel Talk, and your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements is just the person to do it. Are there cities that are truly better for solo travel than others? Is solo travel better if you are a certain age? Everyone should try solo travel? These are common ideas that surround discussions of solo travel, and Astrid has a take on all these ideas (and more!) True? False? Somewhere in the middle? Let’s find out from Astrid as we play a game we’re calling True False Solo Travel.

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has an amazing packing list available for download. Get it at her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

Your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements is a big proponent of familiarizing yourself with a culture before you visit a destination. How does this advice come into play for one of her very favorite places, Paris? For years, visitors to France seemingly have endless tales about so-called rudeness or other cultural faux pas. Astrid has some thoughts on this trope: first off, attitudes are a-changing plus, with a few helpful do’s/don’ts you can easily have a tres bien solo Paris adventure.

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has an amazing packing list available for download. Get it at her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

Paris! If you’ve listened to Solo Travel Talk before, then you know your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements loves Paris. In fact, Astrid is right on the cusp of returning to the City of Lights. On this solo travel podcast episode, Astrid not only covers Paris and some significant features, but you'll also hear themes about mood, revisiting a city (over experiencing somewhere new), and (of course) many insights about solo trip planning.

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has an amazing packing list available for download. Get it at her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

Your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements knows what makes a city “solo friendly.” If you want some inspiration for your solo adventure, and want some suggestions of some cities to contemplate—listen on. Astrid has 20 cities she considers solo friendly for your consideration.  Be sure to stay tuned to the end when Astrid discusses a couple of major cities that folks might assume are solo friendly that don’t quite get Astrid’s recommendation and why.

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has an amazing packing list available for download. Get it at her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

Astrid is thinking about 2019 and on this episode of Solo Travel Talk, we get to hear about where she is dreaming of visiting next year. If you need some travel inspiration, if you want to think about ultimate solo travel trips, this episode is for you. Your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements is going to profile four trips—trips she actually plans on taking: assessing why they have made the cut, what Astrid is looking forward to, and even the “solo factor.”

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has an amazing packing list available for download. Get it at her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

When you start dreaming of upcoming travel, Astrid often suggests assessing your mood or thinking about what you want to "accomplish" with your trip. On the new episode of her solo travel podcast, Solo Travel Talk, Astrid takes us live into her own planning. Get real-world considerations, suggestions, and inspiration. This is part one; next week in part two, Astrid will profile exactly where she is going to go in 2019, and why.

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has an amazing packing list available for download. Get it at her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!

Your solo travel advisor Astrid Clements loves sharing top solo destinations. Cartagena, Colombia leaped into the Top Ten for Astrid of places to visit for solo travelers, and this is the podcast episode to find out why. On this solo travel podcast, Astrid gives all the highlights of Cartagena, sharing all her recommendations along the way. Hotels, shopping, eating—all the MUSTS of the city are detailed in this episode. We close with a (harrowing!) LOWlight of the trip, a cautionary tale for any Cartagena traveler.

We love sharing the most innovative and informative content to get you out there solo. Astrid, your expert Solo Travel Advisor-- has an amazing packing list available for download. Get it at her website, AstridTravel.com. Follow Astrid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcast app. Just go solo!