Have Pod, Will Travel - Travel Podcasts
November 23rd, 2006 by 
adminYou’ve heard about the Jules Verne classic, around the world in 80 days… well what about in 8 minutes?
Travel podcasts make that possible. For busy executives who don’t have time to take a weekend vacation, or adventure seekers whose budgets may force them to postpone a trip to the Mediterranean, travel podcasts are a great way of living vicariously. These entertaining and informative segments describe a country, its culture and its history—giving listeners a sense of what it would be like to be there. Play them during your coffee break and escape to another world, without the hassle of booking a flight or getting over jet lag.
Travel podcasts also help people plan their vacations. Many people are just too busy in the weeks before the trip to really read up on the area they plan to go to. It’s a pity, because being informed about a country or place is crucial to getting the most out of your stay. You’ll know what sites to go to, what restaurants you should try, or even things like the climate and whether or not you should pack an extra jacket. Many travelers will also benefit from learning a few key phrases in the country’s language, especially if it’s a place where English is not widely spoken.
Travel podcasts summarize all that information, so you can be prepared (and psyched!) for your trip. All it takes is a few minutes each day, which you can “steal” while you’re navigating traffic or waiting for your turn at the doctor’s office. (You did know you needed vaccines to go that country, right? No? Well, you would’ve found out if you had downloaded the podcast on health precautions and medical requirements. See what we mean?)
The advantage of these podcasts is that they don’t take up luggage space, either. Who wants to drag several thick travel guides across the continent? Download and store travel podcasts into an iPod and listen to them during your plane, or even during your actual tour. This is especially helpful if you plan to take a driving tour, and won’t have a guide to point out key landmarks or give you a description of the area. Wouldn’t it be fun to be navigating the roads of Ireland, while listening to a podcast about the ancient battles that took place on those very fields?
Podcasts can also help tourists discover little-known facts about the area, such as the favorite restaurants frequented by locals, or the markets and bazaars that won’t charge you the ridiculously high tourist rates.
Podcasts can also help you become familiar with customs and etiquette so you don’t go around offending the locals and behaving like the stereotypical boorish tourist. You’ll find out, for example, that in some parts of Asia, it’s not proper to make eye contact with women. Or that the worst crime you can commit in a street market is to bargain for an item and then not buy it once they agree to your price.
These podcasts are a treasure trove of information, and an easy way to “travel” around the world.
Related categories in our Podcast Directory: Travel : Places & Travel