Looking for some unusual attractions in Lisbon, Portugal? Look no further.In this episode, we talk to local expert Ann Abel, senior writer at Forbes Travel.Ann Abel is an American travel writer who’s now called Lisbon home for nearly seven years. She’s travelled to more than one hundred countries and written for publications including Forbes, Robb Report, Departures, Condé Nast and Afar.In this episode you’ll find out…How sardines and barnacles are at the heart of local festivitiesWhich iconic part of the Lisbon landscape is completely fakeWhy ordering a ‘large beer’ is the ultimate tourist giveaway…and so much more.You’ll find all Ann’s picks on the podcast website: www.strangeoldworld.com(LINKS DON'T WORK ON YOUR PODCAST PLATFORM? THEY'RE ALL AT WWW.STRANGEOLDWORLD.COM TOO)Follow Ann on instagram.com/abeltotravel or visit her website: ann-abel.comHere are the two Forbes articles we mentioned on the pod:This Wildly Creative Chef Is Putting New Zealand On The Culinary MapBerlin's Creative Dining Scene Is Still Going StrongFollow Joe on X or Instagram or get in touch at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking for some unusual attractions in Ljubljana, Slovenia? Look no further.In this episode, we talk to local expert Mark Baker, writer for Lonely Planet.Mark Baker is a travel writer, blogger and author with a penchant for offbeat stories and forgotten places. Originally from the United States, he now calls Prague home. In addition to writing Lonely Planet Slovenia, he’s also the author of Lonely Planet Prague & Czechia. Follow his work at markbakerprague.comIn this episode you’ll find out…How Jason (of ‘and the Argonauts’ fame) founded Ljubljana… maybeWhy ‘hot horse’ is a more literal description than ‘hot dog’Where you can cycle and kayak through miles of underground mines…and so much more.You’ll find all Mark’s picks on the podcast website: www.strangeoldworld.com(LINKS DON'T WORK ON YOUR PODCAST PLATFORM? THEY'RE ALL AT WWW.STRANGEOLDWORLD.COM TOO)Follow Mark on X and Insta and check out his blog: markbakerprague.comMark’s latest Lonely Planet Slovenia guidebook is out in spring. Pre-order nowBetter yet, if you read Czech, buy his book! It’s Čas proměn (Time of Changes)Want to know more about Mark’s espionage entanglement? Follow these links:Part 1: Introducing 'Inter' — the start of a five-part blog seriesTrue Spies podcast: Operation InterFollow Joe on X or Instagram or get in touch at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking for some unusual attractions in Tokyo, Japan? Look no further.In this episode, we talk to local expert and freelance writer David McElhinney.David is a Northern Irish journalist and editor based in Tokyo and Belfast. Since first moving to Japan in 2018, he’s written travel articles — as well as pieces on Japanese art, culture and current affairs — for the likes of Lonely Planet, Tokyo Weekender and CNN Travel. He’s currently working on a guidebook to Japan.In this episode you’ll find out…Where to witness the genitalia-celebrating Festival of the Steel PhallusWhy curry bread and pit-viper liqueur beat salted squid gutsHow rockabilly and jazz music have found a loving home in Tokyo…and so much more.You’ll find all David’s picks on the podcast website: www.strangeoldworld.com(LINKS DON'T WORK ON YOUR PODCAST PLATFORM? THEY'RE ALL AT WWW.STRANGEOLDWORLD.COM TOO)Read his articles for Tokyo Weekender and check out his freelance websiteHere are a couple of the Japan-focused articles we mentioned on the pod:Spirituality Without Religion on the Kumano KodoIn Praise of Silence: Japan’s Ancient Relationship to the Absence of NoiseJazz Kissa: A Musical Culture Unique to JapanFollow Joe on X or Instagram or get in touch at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking for some unusual attractions in Tbilisi, Georgia? Look no further.In this episode, we talk to local expert Emily Lush, blogger at Wander-Lush.Emily Lush is an Australian writer and photographer who has lived in Georgia since 2020. Her travel blog, Wander-Lush, is the internet's most comprehensive resource for travelling in Georgia and the South Caucasus. Her work has also appeared in publications like CNN, National Geographic, and Condé Nast.In this episode you’ll find out…When it pays to walk into random people’s apartment buildingsHow Tbilisi paid a high price for failing to restore a Shah’s testiclesWhy you should never eat your dumplings with a knife and fork…and so much more.You’ll find all Emily’s picks on the podcast website: www.strangeoldworld.com(LINKS DON'T WORK ON YOUR PODCAST PLATFORM? THEY'RE ALL AT STRANGEOLDWORLD.COM TOO)Follow Emily on X and Instagram or follow her Wander-Lush blog on FacebookHere are the three Tbilisi travel guides we mentioned on the podcast:52 Unique Things to Do in Tbilisi: The Ultimate GuideBuy the Digital Nomad Guide to Tbilisi on GumroadThe Tbilisi City Guide — coming soon on Wander-LushFollow Joe on X or Instagram or get in touch at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking for some unusual attractions in Prague, Czech Republic? Look no further.In this episode, we talk to local expert and freelance journalist Mark Pickering.Mark moved to Prague 14 years ago to teach English and eat his body weight in fried cheese. When he's not babbling excitedly to students about literature, he writes travel and lifestyle articles for the likes of The Guardian and VICE, delving into the dark crevices of Czech Republic and its wonderful sub-cultures.In this episode you’ll find out…When two men urinating in public has nothing to do with a stag partyWhy ‘pickled cheese’ is a lot tastier than it soundsWhat to say (or not to say) when going to the toilet…and so much more.You’ll find all Mark’s picks on the podcast website: www.strangeoldworld.com(LINKS DON'T WORK ON YOUR PODCAST PLATFORM? THEY'RE ALL AT WWW.STRANGEOLDWORLD.COM TOO)Follow Mark on LinkedIn or discover The Little Book of Czenglish on FacebookHere are a few of Mark’s Czech travel articles we mentioned on the pod:I Went to an Illegal Pig-Killing Party — VICEA David Cerny sculpture walk in Prague — The GuardianI Went on a Tour of Prague's Drugs and Prostitution Hotspots — VICEYou can hear Joe’s ‘straight up’ Prague picks on DK’s Where to Go podcastFollow Joe on X and Instagram or get in touch at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking for some unusual attractions in Istanbul, Turkey? Look no further.In this episode, we talk to local expert Pat Yale, author of Following Miss Bell.After a career in the travel industry, Pat became a Turkey guidebook writer for Lonely Planet. She lived for almost 20 years in a cave house in Cappadocia, but now resides in Istanbul. Her new book Following Miss Bell: Travels Around Turkey in the Footsteps of Gertrude Bell was recently published by Trailblazer.In this episode you’ll find out…Which annual festival features men pretending to whip themselvesWhere to get the tastiest spit-roasted sheep intestines in the cityWhy you should think twice about blowing your nose in Istanbul…and so much more.You’ll find all Pat’s picks on the podcast website: www.strangeoldworld.com(LINKS DON'T WORK ON YOUR PODCAST PLATFORM? THEY'RE ALL AT WWW.STRANGEOLDWORLD.COM TOO)Follow Pat on x.com/patyale or check out her website: www.patyale.comYou can also buy her book, Following Miss Bell: Travels Around Turkey in the Footsteps of Gertrude Bell, on Trailblazer, Amazon or at your local bookshopFollow Joe on X or Instagram or get in touch at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking for some unusual attractions in Oslo, Norway? Look no further.In this episode, we talk to local expert Jason Moore, host of Zero to Travel.After a decade on the road as a nomad — before it was cool — US-born Jason moved to Norway and created the top-rated Zero To Travel Podcast (10 million downloads, 700+ Five Star Reviews). In it, he shares thoughtful interviews, unconventional perspectives and actionable advice to help you travel the world on your terms.In this episode you’ll find out…Which travel writing guru introduced Jason to an unusual artworkHow wrongly-prepared lutefisk (dried ‘funky’ fish) can kill peopleWhy locals don’t talk to each other on the street… but you should…and so much more.You’ll find all Jason’s picks on the podcast website: www.strangeoldworld.com(LINKS DON'T WORK ON YOUR PODCAST PLATFORM? THEY'RE ALL AT WWW.STRANGEOLDWORLD.COM TOO)Follow Jason on Instagram and check out his podcast at zerototravel.comYou can also check out his Oslo-based band Laundry House on SpotifyHere are a couple of the Zero to Travel episodes we mentioned on the pod:Travel Legend Rick StevesTop 5 Alternative European Destinations with Joe ReaneyFollow Joe on X or Instagram or get in touch at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking for some unusual attractions in London, England? Look no further.In this episode, we’re talking to local expert Will Noble, features editor for Londonist.As well as writing and editing articles for Londonist, Will has also written for the likes of CNN Travel and The Independent. He loves exploring all corners of the capital, but especially its pubs, comedy scene and his hometown of Croydon.In this episode you’ll find out…Which famous singers donated their faeces to a London museumWhy one London church is periodically crammed with clownsWhat deep-fried bull testicles and a raw-egg cocktail have in common…and so much more.You’ll find all Will’s recommendations up on our website: www.strangeoldworld.com(LINKS DON'T WORK ON YOUR PODCAST PLATFORM? THEY'RE ALL AT WWW.STRANGEOLDWORLD.COM TOO)Follow Will on x.com/willrnoble or check out his latest articles at www.londonist.comHere are the two Londonist articles we mentioned on the pod:Brewery Taprooms In London: A List Of Every Single One Of 'EmA Chance to Visit the 'Roman' Bath In Strand LaneFollow Joe on X or Instagram or get in touch at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a trailer for Strange Old World, a travel podcast that celebrates the weird and wonderful in the world’s most historic cities — from Athens to Zhengzhou.Every fortnight, a local travel expert will reveal some of the peculiar sights, offbeat activities, bizarre traditions and downright-odd delicacies that make their hometown tick.The first episode is out next Tuesday 7th November 2023 — subscribe now so you don't miss it!Find out more about the show at www.strangeoldworld.com. Or follow @StrangeOldJoe on Twitter/X and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.