• Why you must visit San Antonio Texas during Fiesta Festival for parades, culture and food
    Jun 22 2026
    Planning a trip to San Antonio, Texas? Find out why you must visit during the multi-day Fiesta San Antonio festival, which fills the city with a kaleidoscope of colour, parades and live music. Dating back to 1891, this 'party with a purpose' features over 100 events, ranging from vibrant river and street parades with decorated floats to buzzing neighbourhood block parties, drawing millions of visitors while raising funds for local nonprofits. In this immersive, on-location episode, we'll dive into what makes Fiesta San Antonio so special by speaking with the locals who organise and love these events. We'll be on the ground exploring signature, big-ticket events during Fiesta, including NIOSA, a cultural block party, the Battle of Flowers Parade - the founding event of Fiesta and the second-largest daytime parade in the US and the King William Fair, a family-friendly street festival. We'll also learn more about how San Antonio hosts a vibrant year-round calendar of cultural, culinary, and music festivals that highlight the city's rich Tex-Mex heritage. Top annual celebrations range from massive city-wide parties to more intimate cultural gatherings that you should plan your visit around. Along the way, we'll be meeting with plenty of locals who live and breathe San Antonio as they tell you the story of one of the USA's fastest-growing cities and why you need to add it to your travel bucket list now. Huge thanks to Visit San Antonio and TTM World for supporting and collaborating with the Travel Goals Podcast.

    Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter.

    If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and find new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast.

    Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook.

    Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd.

    Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast.

    Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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    44 mins
  • Welcome to San Antonio: Teaser trailer for our upcoming travel guide series
    Jun 4 2026
    Planning a trip to San Antonio, Texas? We have you covered with our upcoming series of immersive San Antonio travel guides, all recorded on location. In this teaser trailer, we'll give you a sneak peek at our upcoming episodes, all about San Antonio, USA. Founded in 1718, San Antonio is famous for its rich heritage, historic Alamo, and the iconic 15-mile Riverwalk, packed with historic sites. San Antonio blends Spanish, German, and American roots with a distinctive cowboy-meets-culture energy. Foodies can also revel in its rise from Spanish outpost and frontier town to a UNESCO city of gastronomy famed for its dining, but whether you're exploring the city by plate or on the buzzing streets, one thing is apparent. What makes it special is the blend of cultures you'll find here. Over the next few episodes of Travel Goals, we'll be discovering arts and cultures, learning about the Missions, including the famed Alamo, experiencing Fiesta, a multi-day festival that fills the city with a kaleidoscope of colour, parades, and live music, and attending our first rodeo. Listen as we traverse the Riverwalk, the gold standard of waterside struts, where you can escape the urban buzz beneath a shaded canopy of 400-year-old cypress trees. Hungry? We'll dive into San Antonio's food scene and see why this gastro city isn't defined solely by Tex-Mex and chilli. Along the way, we'll be meeting with plenty of locals who live and breathe San Antonio as they tell you the story of one of the USA's fastest-growing cities and why you need to add it to your travel bucket list now. Huge thanks to Visit San Antonio and TTM World for supporting and collaborating with the Travel Goals Podcast. **************

    Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter.

    If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and find new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast.

    Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook.

    Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd.

    Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast.

    Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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    6 mins
  • Naples city break guide: What to see, eat and do and why now is the time to go
    Apr 26 2026

    Planning a Naples city break? We've got you covered. The birthplace of pizza and the largest city in southern Italy, Naples is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating places in Europe.

    The historical centre of Naples is the largest in Europe and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

    It's packed full of ancient churches and staggeringly large catacombs, and Pompeii is just a short drive away.

    Along with its history and arts scene, Naples is known for its food culture, including wood-fired, doughy pizza, Ragù Napoletano, and affordable street food.

    Join presenter Portia Jones and producer Luke Jones as we share the best things to do in Naples, from a street-food tour and a sunset spritz to opulent palaces, museums, and churches filled with treasures.

    You'll also hear about Mercure's Discover Local program, including their 50th Birthday Bucket List Edition, spotlighting 50 incredible food and drink experiences designed to help you feel like a local.

    From riverside punts to historic quadrangles and winding streets, Oxford is a city to wander, taste, and explore.

    Join us for an immersive guide to the best sights, eats, and experiences in this unforgettable city.

    Huge thanks to Mercure Hotels for supporting this episode of Travel Goals. Visit https://mercure.accor.com/ and start planning your next trip.

    Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter.

    If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and find new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast.

    Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook.

    Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd.

    Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast.

    Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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    34 mins
  • Oxford city break guide: What to see, eat and do and why now is the time to go
    Feb 12 2026

    Planning an Oxford city break? We've got you covered. A powerhouse of learning for 800 years, Oxford is home to Britain's oldest university, leafy botanical gardens, and historic pubs full of character. On this fun, on-location episode, we explain why now is the ideal time to explore Oxford and stay at Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House Hotel, a stylish four-star hotel set in the picturesque village of Iffley.

    With three acres of private gardens, chic rooms, and excellent dining, it's the perfect base for discovering both the city and its surroundings, including the Chilterns, the Cotswolds, and Blenheim Palace.

    Join presenter Portia Jones and producer Luke Jones as we share the best things to do in Oxford, from Harry Potter filming locations and quirky boutiques to markets, independent cafes, bars, and restaurants.

    You'll also hear about Mercure's Discover Local program, including their 50th Birthday Bucket List Edition, spotlighting 50 incredible food and drink experiences designed to help you feel like a local.

    From riverside punts to historic quadrangles and winding streets, Oxford is a city to wander, taste, and explore.

    Join us for an immersive guide to the best sights, eats, and experiences in this unforgettable city.

    Huge thanks to Mercure Hotels for supporting this episode of Travel Goals. Visit https://mercure.accor.com/ and start planning your next trip.

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    Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter.

    If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and find new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast.

    Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook.

    Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd.

    Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast.

    Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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    51 mins
  • Porto city break guide: What to see, eat and do and why now is the time to go
    Jan 20 2026

    Planning a Porto city break? Explore a riverside city of cobbled streets, iconic bridges and colourful azulejo tiles and find out why Porto is the perfect weekend break. Here, the Douro River carves through the centre and in the medieval Ribeira (riverside) district, narrow cobbled streets wind past merchants' houses and charming cafes, and there is so much to explore.

    On this on-location episode, we explain why now is the ideal time to visit Porto and stay at Mercure Porto Centro Aliados, a four-star hotel right in the heart of the city. Its central location puts you within easy walking distance of the main sights, and we reveal a surprising feature that sets it apart from other city centre hotels.

    Join presenter Portia Jones and producer Luke Jones as we share the best things to do in Porto, including where to eat, drink and wander. You'll also hear more about Mercure's Discover Local concept, designed to help visitors feel part of the neighbourhood and experience the city beyond the usual tourist trails.

    From the river-spanning bridges to narrow streets lined with wine caves, bakeries and riverside restaurants, Porto is a city of layers. Every climb and descent uncovers new corners, views and flavours. Join us on an immersive audio guide around the city as we bring you the best things to do, see, and eat in Porto with our bumper Porto Travel Guide.

    Huge thanks to Mercure Hotels for supporting this episode of Travel Goals. Visit https://mercure.accor.com/ and start planning your next trip.

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    Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter.

    If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and find new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast.

    Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook.

    Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd.

    Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast.

    Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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    35 mins
  • Why now is the best time to visit Jordan and how a small group tour makes it easier
    Jan 14 2026

    Dreaming of visiting Jordan to see archaeological wonders like Petra and the jaw-dropping landscapes of the vast Wadi Rum Desert? On this episode, we'll be discussing why now is the perfect time to visit Jordan before the crowds return, and why you should experience this welcoming country with a G Adventures small-group tour.

    Join presenter Portia Jones and Producer Luke Jones on this special on-location episode to find out how fallibg visitor numbers to sites like Petra and Wadi Rum due to current misconceptions about the safety of Jordan, mean you can take advantage of fewer crowds and lower hotel rates to have an incredible, wallet-friendly adventure in a safe and friendly country.

    From Roman ruins and the rose-red city of Petra to the surreal Dead Sea and women-run cafes, we took a whirlwind tour of Jordan with G Adventures as part of their GX event. They run several small group tours here that vary in length, cost, and travel style. G tours are designed to help people, places, and the planet, powered by a community tourism model you'll be hearing a lot about in this episode.

    In this immersive audio journey through Jordan, we speak with tour guides, local business owners, community tourism experts and journalists to dive into what's going on in Jordan right now and why it's the best time to visit with a G Adevntures tour to see ancient sites like Petra, featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, float in the mineral rich Dead Sea, a traditional meal at a G Adventures–supported cafe, and gain insights into the Bedouin way of life in the heart of the Jordanian desert.

    Huge thanks to G Adventures for supporting this episode of Travel Goals. Visit gadventures.com and start planning your Jordan adventure now.

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    Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter.

    If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast delivered straight to your inbox.

    Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook.

    Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd.

    Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast.

    Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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    45 mins
  • How to travel with just hand luggage and chose the right bag to avoid airline fees
    Jan 8 2026

    Do you want to travel with just hand luggage this year and beat airline fees? Then this is the episode for you. We're chatting to travel pros to bring you the smartest hacks for choosing the right cabin bag and packing it properly, so you can travel light without compromising on style or dignity. No sock-stuffed bras. Don't wear all your clothes on the plane like Joey from Friends; instead, copy genuinely useful advice and hacks that work in this updated and re-released episode.

    On the show, Sean Gresty from Cabin Max shares exactly how to choose the right cabin bag, how to stay within ever-changing airline rules, and how to avoid those dreaded bag charges at the gate.

    Travel blogger Monica Stott from the Travel Hack joins us with her best packing tips, from building a capsule wardrobe to fitting everything you need into one bag without chaos.

    We also cover how to keep up with cabin bag size changes, the truth about packing cubes, how many shoes are too many, and how to pack toiletries efficiently when travelling with hand luggage only.

    If you want to travel smarter, lighter and still look like you knew what you were doing, press play. Buy your Cabin Max bag here!

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    Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter.

    If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast delivered straight to your inbox.

    Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook .

    Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd.

    Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast.

    Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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    35 mins
  • Happy holidays, and what's coming to Travel Goals in 2026
    Dec 24 2025

    On this very short holiday update of Travel Goals, we wanted to drop into your feed to wish you happy holidays and thank you for all the support this year. Tune in as producer Luke and I share our excitement for the upcoming season, which kicks off in January 2026, taking you on an audio journey to destinations like Naples, Porto, Jordan, and back to the US. There will also be lively discussions with travel experts on a range of topics from travelling with kids to planning a festival break.

    Whether you're looking for travel inspiration, insider tips, or just a quick festive hello, this episode is a warm welcome to what's coming next from your favourite travel pod. Don't forget to subscribe to Travel Goals now so you'll be the first to hear the new season.

    *****

    Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nickname Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and presenter.

    If you love to travel, check out my travel website to get travel guides and new episodes of the Travel Goals podcast delivered straight to your inbox.

    Connect with us on social media: Travel Goals on Instagram | Travel Goals on Facebook

    Travel Goals is produced and owned by South Girl Production Music and Podcasting Ltd.

    Email us to discuss working together or with any questions about the podcast.

    Enjoy the show, and don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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    2 mins