This week on Wander Every Day, I’m joined by my cousin-in-law Francesca, to review her action-packed and unforgettable trip through Tanzania and Zanzibar — a journey that had everything: wildlife, wonder, and a few unexpected bumps (literally).

She takes us along on her 6-day Serengeti safari, where she:
🦓 Witnessed the legendary wildebeest river crossing
🚙 Survived a couple of safari vehicle breakdowns
🎈 Soared over the plains on a sunrise hot air balloon ride
🦁 Explored the incredible Ngorongoro Crater — home to some of Africa’s densest wildlife

Then it was off to Zanzibar for some well-earned rest and exploration:
🌴 Beachfront chill time in Kendwa
🌶️ A deep dive into culture on a Stone Town spice tour

Oh, and did they see a kill on safari? You'll have to listen to find out 👀

Whether you’re dreaming of a Big Five safari, craving clear turquoise waters, or just curious what it’s like when your safari truck breaks down in lion territory — this one’s got stories.

🎧 Hit play and let’s wander.

00:00 Introduction to Tanzania and Zanzibar

3:07 Even Experienced Travellers Make Mistakes - the Soon-to-Expire Passport Story

9:24 African Safari Planning: When To Go, the Great Migration + Preparatory Info

15:20 Francesca’s Trip to Tanzania + Zanzibar: Ethiopian Airlines, How to Choose A Safari Tour + Cost Expectations

26:58 Serengeti Safari Day 1: Truck Breakdown Part I, Seronera + Overview of the Camps

35:55 Serengeti Safari Day 2: Truck Breakdown Part II + Safari Meals

41:52 Serengeti Safari Day 3: Hot Air Balloon, Up Close Lions + Flash Flooding Dangerous River Crossing

52:09 Serengeti Safari Day 4: Wildebeest Crossing + Elephants

55:05 Serengeti Safari Day 5: The Kill!? + Pamoja African Lodge

1:01:36 Serengeti Safari Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater + How Many Gazelle are There?!?

1:04:55 Zanzibar: Arusha Airport, Italian Invasion in Kendwa + Stonetown

1:14:54 Respecting Culture, Diving + Canadians Owning the Zanzaibarian Resort

1:22:52 Rapid Fire Round

1:24:57 Listener Questions: Other Safari Locations in Africa, Bathrooms?, and the Beaches in Zanzibar

This week on Wander Every Day, I’m joined by my wonderful friend Maddie, who’s no stranger to Japan — she’s traveled there three times, spent over six weeks exploring the country, and just so happens to be married to someone who grew up there.

In this episode, Maddie takes us along on her most recent trip:

✨ Visiting her husband’s hometown of Misaki in Chiba
🌸 Exploring Nikko and sipping morning coffee by the river
🎤 Singing karaoke and missing the last train in Tokyo
🦌 Traveling solo to Nara with a peaceful day trip to Minoo waterfall
🚄 Experiencing her first bullet train ride
🍱 And of course — the food: tonkatsu, konbini snacks, and all-you-can-drink beer

She also reflects on highlights from previous visits to Kyoto, Okinawa, and Hakone, sharing tips, funny stories, and favourite off-the-beaten-path moments.

If Japan is on your list — or you just love hearing honest, thoughtful travel stories — this episode is packed with inspiration, laughs, and seriously great recs.

🎧 Press play and let’s wander.

00:00 Overview of Travel to Japan

4:00 Japan Working Holiday Visa

8:11 Overview of Maddie: Previous Trips to Japan, Solo Travel + Budget Style and Planning Approach

18:51 Chiba: Authentic Japan, Socializing Customs + Surfing

22:50: Nikko: Dewy Mountain Vibes, Hostel Coffee by the River + See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

30:32 Tokyo: Overview of Tokyo Regions, Tonkatsu/Ramen + Missing the Last Train

38:27: Nara: Aggressive(ish) Deer, Japanese Customs + the Shinkansen

48:48 Osaka, Kyoto + Tokyo: General Overview of the Golden Route

54:46 Okinawa: Beaches, Mazemen + Zamami Island

57:17 Hakone: Onsens, Mount Fuji + Japanese Food Talk

1:03:55 Final Review of Japanese Activities and Reflection on Trip

1:06:42 This or That: Japan Edition

1:07:52 Listener Questions: Luggage Forwarding, Where to Revisit in Japan + Is Cherry Blossom Season Worth It?

This week, I’m joined by my brilliant friend and 3-time Jeopardy! champion Diandra, who took on 6 countries in 10 days on a whirlwind Contiki tour through Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, and Italy — all during the cozy (and sometimes chilly!) Christmas Market months of November and December.

From making pierogies in Warsaw to ice skating outside in Budapest, visiting Auschwitz, sailing through Venice on a gondola, and even exploring Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg, Diandra shares the highs, the heart, and the unexpected magic of fast-paced group travel.

We talk about:

• How to make the most of a tightly packed itinerary
• Contiki tips for all travelers
• Balancing heavy historical moments with lighthearted memories
• What she’d do differently — and what she’d do again in a heartbeat

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing a lot in not a lot of time, this one’s for you.

🎧 Hit play — and let’s wander.

Timestamp:

00:00 Varadero, Cuba: The Not-As-Planned Group Trip with Diandra in 2017

5:40 Overview of Contiki

13:28 Warsaw: Meeting the Contiki Tour, Palace of Culture and Science + Blueberry Pierogis?

15:15: Krakow: Hourly Trumpets, Pazcki + Somber Reflection at Auschwitz

21:50 Overview of Ibis Hotels

24:17 Banská Bystrica: A Little Taste of Slovakia

26:08 Budapest: Goulash, Ice Skating + Danube River Cruise

31:37 Salzberg: Mozart, Mulled Wine + Ribs and Schnapps

36:47 Ljubljana: Picturesque Lake Bled, Traditional Slovenian Dancing + Canadian Karaoke

39:32 Venice and Rome Recap: Wine and Cicchetti Tours, Gondola Rides + Rome Tourist Highlights

43:36 Contiki Reflections

47:47 This or That: Eastern Europe + Italia Edition

48:25 Listener Questions

48:58 Closing Recommendations and Thoughts