How do you experience the Louvre Museum in a way that actually feels enjoyable, not stressful? And what makes this museum so much more than the Mona Lisa? 

Elaine Sciolino is a veteran journalist and author, former Paris bureau chief for The New York Times, and the writer of several books about France, including The Seine, The Only Street in Paris, and Adventures in the Louvre. She has lived in Paris for over two decades and brings history, culture, and personal insight into every story. 

Elaine joins co-host Paige McClanahan to explore Adventures in the Louvre: How to Fall in Love with the World’s Greatest Museum, diving into the history, hidden artworks, and practical strategies for making the most of your visit. 

You’ll hear why the Louvre is more than just a building with the Mona Lisa and how its role in French history makes it extraordinary. Elaine demystifies visiting the museum, from understanding crowds and lines to discovering lesser-known works like Titian’s Man With a Glove and what she calls the “undiscovered Mona Lisa.” She shares crowd-beating strategies, best days and times to visit, and surprising places within and around the Louvre where peace and beauty await. You’ll get insider stories on heists, hidden collections, and how even children can be captivated by Egyptology and Islamic art sections that most tourists miss out on. 

When you visit a major museum like the Louvre, do you tend to focus on the most famous works, or do you prefer to explore what’s less obvious? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

Co-host Paige McClanahan is a writer, editor, and former journalist based in Paris, France. As the author of “The New Tourist: Waking up to the Power and Perils of Travel”, Paige is passionate about making sure our travels have a positive impact on the world. Learn more about her work here. 

Tune In To Learn: 

• How the Mona Lisa came to dominate the Louvre’s identity, and why that fame is both a blessing and a burden 

• How the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa helped turn her into a worldwide obsession 

• The surprising historical roots of the Louvre as a royal palace and revolutionary museum 

• Lesser-known treasures, “undiscovered” masterpieces, and quieter sections of the Louvre worth seeking out 

• The unexpected history of France’s crown jewels, including how many were sold off and ended up in the United States 

• The story behind the recent crown jewels heist and what it reveals about museum security 

• How the right membership, 1:1 consultation rooms, and alternative museums can transform your experience of Parisian culture 

• Future plans for the Louvre’s expansion and what that could mean 

• And so much more 

Resources: 

• Sign up for our FREE newsletter 

• Elaine’s website and books 

• Louvre Museum 

Want More? 

• 5 Unexpected Things to Do in Paris and 3 Hidden Gems in France with Paige McClanahan 

• How To Explore Paris Like a Local, Working on Hospital Ships, and Becoming an Expat on a Mystery Visa With Jay Swanson 

• 9 Best United States Museums and Advice for Fostering Your Creativity with Bob Eckstein 

Thanks To Our Sponsors 

• Listen to the Planet Visionaries podcast on Apple and Spotify 

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What are the best hidden gems and local experiences in Ljubljana, Slovenia, that some travelers completely miss? 

Sharon Kaufman is a licensed local guide in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and founder of MyLjubljanaTour.com. Originally from Israel, she moved to Slovenia with her family on what was meant to be a one-week vacation and ended up building a new life there. Today, she leads free and paid tours focused on helping travelers experience Ljubljana through local stories, food, and everyday culture. 

In this episode, Sharon shares about her spontaneous family move to Ljubljana, how she built a life and business there, and her top hidden gems and local tips for experiencing the city like a resident, not a tourist. 

If you’re planning a trip to Slovenia or curious about what makes Ljubljana special, this episode is packed with practical recommendations. Sharon walks us through lesser-known places to explore, affordable ways to get around, unique food experiences, art districts, scenic viewpoints, and easy nature escapes right from the city. You’ll also hear how her perspective as a local guide shapes the way she helps travelers connect more deeply with the city. 

Which of these Ljubljana, Slovenia, experiences would you want to explore first? I'd love to hear what they are, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. 

Tune In To Learn: 

• How a one-week family vacation unexpectedly turned into a move to Slovenia 

• What Sharon quickly learned about daily life, culture, and work-life balance in Ljubljana 

• How intuition and local conversations shaped her decision to stay 

• How she transitioned from online coaching to becoming a licensed local guide 

• One of the most affordable and fun ways to explore the city 

• Where to get sweeping views of Ljubljana without crowds or ticket lines 

• A hidden market area with local food and unique vending machines that most visitors walk right past 

• A hidden alley filled with public art, symbolism, and a secret pub 

• An alternative art district shaped by activism, creativity, and nightlife 

• A cafe locals love for great coffee, healthy food, and a relaxed vibe 

• An easy forest hike just minutes from the city center, plus what to eat at the top 

• The best times of year to visit Ljubljana and where to go beyond the city 

• And so much more 

Resources: 

• Sign up for our FREE newsletter 

• MyLjubljanaTour.com 

Want More? 

• Top 10 Iceland Hidden Gems (Highlands, Hot Springs, and Hidden Canyons) + Building a New Life Abroad with Jewells Chambers from All Things Iceland 

• 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Abroad (Or Traveling Long-Term) with Chrishan Wright 

• Top 10 Reasons to Love Living Abroad with Botik Quest 

Thanks To Our Sponsors 

• Listen to the Planet Visionaries podcast on Apple and Spotify 

• Experience an audio guide to the world's strange, incredible, and wondrous places on the Atlas Obscura Podcast 

• Go to https://surfshark.com/zerototravel or use code ZEROTOTRAVEL at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! 

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Kim Frank is an award‑winning writer, multimedia storyteller, and explorer whose work has appeared in The Explorers Journal, Sidetracked, and Earth Island Journal. She is a Fellow of The Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical Society. Kim’s latest book, Elephants in the Hourglass: A Journey of Reckoning and Hope Along the Himalaya, reflects her deep engagement with the human elephant conflict in northeastern India.  

In this episode, Kim joins me to talk about her personal and professional evolution from mom and fiction writer to author and storyteller, tackling one of the world’s lesser‑known environmental crises: the human‑elephant conflict. 

This conversation moves beyond travel storytelling to explore deep themes of identity, fear, and the bravery required to act. Kim shares how she navigated self‑doubt, embraced vulnerability, and found strength through community. Listeners will gain insight into the realities of conservation work, especially the nuanced human‑elephant relationship in the Eastern Himalaya. You’ll also learn how storytelling and openness can bridge cultural gaps and inspire action for coexistence. Specific personal stories, like balancing motherhood with fieldwork, and philosophical reflections on the space between are woven throughout. 

What’s one fear you’re holding that might be the gateway to your next big chapter, and how might acknowledging two truths about it help you move forward? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

Tune In To Learn: 

• How Kim’s childhood and family travels shaped her perspective on exploration and meaning 

• Why Elephants in the Hourglass became both a conservation story and personal memoir 

• What Kim learned about fear, confidence, and taking action in big life transitions 

• The role of mentorship and community in pursuing meaningful work 

• How cultural assumptions about motherhood impacted Kim’s work and identity 

• What the space between means and why it matters in our relationship to nature 

• The complexity of human‑elephant conflict and why simple narratives fall short 

• How language and framing influence conservation and public perception 

• Why holding opposing truths is essential to peaceful coexistence 

• Practical takeaways on curiosity, empathy, and openness in travel and life 

• And so much more 

Resources: 

• Sign up for our FREE newsletter 

• Kim’s website 

• Instagram 

• Elephants in the Hourglass 

• Wildlife Trust of India 

Want More? 

• Living in Ecuador, Indigenous Communities, Rainforest Conservation, and Cultural Experiences With Photographer Mark Fox 

• 100 Documentaries Project: Traveling the Globe to Find Extraordinary Humans + Changing the World One Story at a Time with Robin Danehav 

• Myanmar’s Secret Railways: Uncovering Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Oppression with Clare Hammond 

Thanks To Our Sponsors 

• Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify 

• Atlas Obscura Podcast - Experience an audio guide to the world's strange, incredible, and wondrous places. 

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What happens when you let curiosity guide your travel experiences? 

John McKenzie is a long-time traveler and curious explorer who shares stories and insights from off-the-beaten-track destinations around the world. Through his content and curated CuriosiTrips, he aims to expand others’ sense of what’s possible by encouraging a more curious, open approach to travel. He’s also a new contributor to National Geographic, writing the sections on Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia for The Traveler’s Atlas of the World. 

In this episode, John and I sit down in person to explore the concept of curiosity as a travel compass, why some destinations gain reputations that don’t match reality, and how community and mindset shape meaningful journeys. 

Travel is often framed around checklists and highlights, but John reframes it as a curiosity‑driven practice that enriches both travel and everyday life. You’ll hear how to exercise your curiosity muscle, embrace spontaneity, and responsibly explore destinations often overlooked or misunderstood. From challenging trips like Somalia, Ethiopia, and Syria to cultural discoveries and approachable recommendations like Malawi and Cuba, this conversation offers both a practical perspective and philosophical encouragement for travelers of all experience levels. 

What is one place you’ve always been curious about but haven’t yet visited, and what’s holding you back? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

Tune In To Learn: 

• How boredom and routine kick-started John’s curiosity and exploration 

• What approaching travel with openness rather than rigidity can uncover 

• Why connecting with others who’ve done what you want to do helps normalize the goal 

• How travel to “dangerous” or misunderstood places can be both safe and rewarding 

• The mindset shift from chasing destinations to pursuing meaningful experiences 

• How John defines “meaningful” in his own travel, and why that matters more than ticking boxes 

• Examples of destinations that surprised him and recommendations for your own curious travels 

• And so much more 

Resources: 

• Sign up for our FREE newsletter 

• John’s website 

• Instagram 

• National Geographic Traveler’s Atlas of the World 

• Extraordinary Travel Festival 

Want More? 

• 7 Pro Tips For Traveling In Dangerous Countries w/ Bjorn Palsson 

• Independent Travel as a Female in Afghanistan, Hitchhiking Iraq, and Ex-Pat Life in Sudan with Jacquelyn Kunz 

• The World’s Most Traveled Person on the Ethics of Gamifying Travel, Best Regions in the World, and Why To Keep Traveling With Harry Mitsidis of NomadMania 

Thanks To Our Sponsors 

• Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify 

• Atlas Obscura Podcast - Experience an audio guide to the world's strange, incredible, and wondrous places 

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What does queer travel in the US look like beyond the big cities? And what can all travelers learn from the LGBTQ+ travel experience? 

Chase Vondran is a full-time travel creator and writer based in Chicago who helps transgender and gender-diverse travelers explore safely while advocating for greater inclusion in the travel industry. After an eight-year nomadic journey spanning 20+ countries, they now focus their work on queer travel, small queer towns, and inclusive travel guides. 

In this episode, co-host Dianni Hall sits down with Chase to talk about queer travel in the U.S., exploring small queer towns and gayberhoods, and understanding the realities and joys of traveling as a trans person. 

This episode offers a rare glimpse into queer communities thriving outside of major cities and highlights unexpected destinations where queer people not only exist but also flourish. Chase shares personal stories from their travels as a trans person, the differences in how the world treats them before and after transition, and what travelers should consider when seeking inclusive spaces. You’ll discover resources, tips for finding queer communities, and the emotional power of feeling seen. Whether you’re a queer traveler, an ally, or curious about inclusive travel, this conversation expands how we think about travel, identity, and belonging. 

How has travel helped you better understand experiences different from your own? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

Zero To Travel co-host Dianni Hall is a queer, second-generation Latina, solo budget backpacker, and host of the While She’s Away podcast. Learn more about her work here. 

Tune In To Learn: 

• How travel gave Chase space to explore queerness and identity away from home 

• What it feels like to find queer community for the first time while traveling 

• Why places like Puerto Vallarta have become historic hubs for queer travelers 

• How the absence of visible queer community can change a travel experience 

• How queer history, artist communities, and other factors have helped shape small inclusive towns across the U.S. 

• Why destinations like Saugatuck, Michigan and Eureka Springs, Arkansas defy expectations 

• How Chase’s travel experiences shifted after coming out as trans and  

• What safety, visibility, and respect look like when traveling as a trans person and how it differs from traveling as a woman 

• Why small, community-driven queer spaces matter just as much as big cities 

• How to find queer community anywhere using apps, events, and local businesses 

• And so much more 

Resources: 

• Sign up for our FREE newsletter 

• Dianni on Instagram 

• Chase on Instagram 

• Everywhere Is Queer 

• Quouch 

Want More? 

• Choosing a One-Way Ticket Over a Master’s Degree + Lessons From 6 Years of Evolving Travel with Dianni Hall 

• Top 7 Cities for LGBTQ+ Travelers and Finding Your People Around the World with LGBTQ+ Travel Expert Alicia Valenski 

• LGBTQ+ Travel and Making A Difference with Ravi Roth 

Thanks To Our Sponsors 

• Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify 

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What does it look like when travel becomes more than just a trip, but a lifelong evolution of identity, choices, and community?

Dianni Hall is a queer, second-generation Latina, solo budget backpacker, podcaster, and podcast producer. She’s the host of While She’s Away, a podcast highlighting stories and advice from women travelers around the world. After choosing a one-way flight to India instead of enrolling in graduate school, Dianni spent six years traveling full-time across 30+ countries while building a freelance career and exploring what it means to find home.

In this episode, we explore how Dianni’s travel lifestyle has changed over time, from solo backpacking and volunteering abroad to building a freelance career and eventually settling into a home base in Brooklyn.

Dianni shares specific lessons from various phases of travel, including navigating her first solo trip, volunteering in an ashram, adjusting to slow travel, and balancing travel with long-term stability. She offers honest reflections on managing anxiety while traveling, the importance of community, and what it means to reimagine one's identity when traveling full-time comes to an end.

What’s one travel experience, big or small, that changed the way you see the world, and how did it shape who you are today? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn:

• How religious/spiritual curiosity shaped her decision to go to India
• What she learned from living and volunteering at an ashram
• What it felt like to “accidentally” become a full-time nomad and how teaching English in Spain opened doors to long-term travel and career growth
• Advice for navigating anxiety before and during travel, and how reframing your inner dialogue can make all the difference
• What solo travel taught her about confidence, community, and intuition
• The difference between feeling “at home” somewhere and choosing to build a life there
• Why returning to familiar places revealed a deeper need for belonging and community
• What drew her to Brooklyn, and how queer community became a central part of her rooted life
• And so much more

Resources:

• Sign up for our FREE newsletter
• While She’s Away Podcast
• Dianni on Instagram
• Bar Lunatico
• Boyfriend Co-Op

Want More?

• Solo Traveling Europe and “The Stans” in a Campervan with Maria Glaser
• Joys of Solo Travel with Manjinder Kang
• Seizing Your Opportunity to Travel, Saving Money as a Solo Traveler, Lessons from a Career Break, and How to Figure Out What You Want (In 60 Seconds) with Leslie McKellar

Thanks To Our Sponsors

• Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify

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What are the top travel destinations for 2026 that need to be on your radar?

Lyn Hughes is the founding editor of Wanderlust Magazine and a leading voice in adventure and cultural travel journalism. She’s spent decades curating destination guides, championing responsible travel, and sharing stories that inspire deeper exploration.

I catch up with Lyn to explore her curated list of the best places to travel in 2026 and why you should prioritize these destinations for the new year or near future.

Lyn shares standout destinations including remote wilderness routes, under‑the‑radar cultural hubs, and wildlife-rich regions. She shares personal stories, explains why there is urgency around some of these locations, and gives insight into how we can engage more meaningfully and responsibly when we visit. If you're thinking ahead to your next big trip, this episode offers thoughtful guidance and some surprising ideas.

Which types of destinations spark your imagination right now? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

Tune In To Learn:

• Why Wanderlust creates future‑looking destination lists and how they’re curated
• How to balance adventure, accessibility, and sustainability in trip planning
• Advice for travelers seeking lesser‑known but rewarding places
• What Lyn looks for in a truly special travel experience
• How one rugged road trip remains one of her all‑time favorites
• Why wildlife travel can reshape how we see the world
• How curated content and AI might impact your next travel search
• What role community‑based tourism is playing in new travel trends
• Personal travel picks from a legendary travel editor
• And so much more

Resources:

• Sign up for our FREE newsletter
• Wanderlust Magazine
• Wanderlust: Off the Page podcast on Apple, Spotify

Want More?

• Top 7 Travel Trends for 2025 with Lyn Hughes
• Top 10 Places We’re Dying To Visit That We’ve Never Been
• 14 Best of “The Best Places to Travel in 2025” (Jason’s Picks)

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Tune in for a quick update on what's to come on the Zero To Travel podcast in 2026! Happy New Year, my friend.

Resources:

• Sign up for our FREE newsletter

Thanks To Our Sponsors

• Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL”
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My wife, Anne-Dorthe, and I are together on the pod to share all about Christmas traditions in Norway and the United States. You'll hear what it's like to taste Julebrus for the first time, see who will win the theoretical battle between Santa Claus and Julenisse, discover the three main traditional dishes in different parts of Norway, get a special Norwegian treat from my wife, and so much more!

Can you appreciate your traditions as if you were a traveler seeing and experiencing them for the first time? Have a wonderful Holiday wherever you are, my friend!

*This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen.

What are your Holiday traditions? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

Resources:

• Subscribe to our FREE newsletter

Thanks To Our Sponsors

• Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify

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Looking for more creative and fun ways to reflect on your year and plan for the next one?

Join Caitlin and Janessa in this year-end Remote Roundup to explore personal reflections, unexpected lessons, goal-setting alternatives, and favorite travel moments from 2025. 

Remote Roundup is a monthly series hosted by Zero To Travel’s associate producer, Caitlin Sunderland, and partnerships manager, Janessa Klatt. Explore what's new in remote work and travel, including helpful tools and resources, need‑to‑know trends, destinations, and insight into what it really means to live and work around the world.

Caitlin and Janessa talk about identity, growth, community, habits, and how their remote lives are evolving as they plan for the new year. You'll walk away with insights and practical ideas for reflecting on your own year and setting more intentional goals, whether you're traveling full-time, working remotely, or simply ready for a reset in 2026.

What’s a moment from your 2025 that made you feel most yourself? We’d love to hear about it, and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

Tune In To Learn:

• The top Zero To Travel episodes for 2025 and why they’re worth a re-listen
• 5 non-cliche reflection questions to look back on your year with more depth
• Alternative intention-setting ideas for 2026 that go beyond resolutions and “word of the year” trends
• What the “new place, new me” trap is and how it can quietly derail goals for travelers
• Fun travel superlatives from their year, from best coffee culture and unexpected destinations to top meals and views
• And much more

Resources:

• Sign up for our FREE newsletter
• Caitlin on Instagram
• Janessa on Instagram

Want More?

• 14 Best of “The Best Places to Travel in 2025” (Jason’s Picks)
• Top 10 Reasons to Love Living Abroad with Botik Quest
• The 5 Best Hacks of “All the Hacks”: Travel, Money & Life Optimization with Chris Hutchins
• How to Navigate Transitions and Design Your Life (Without the BS) with Lauren Handel Zander
• Profiling Every UN Nation (In Alphabetical Order), Travel through Geography, Lessons from 10 Years of YouTube Success with Paul Barbato of Geography Now

Thanks To Our Sponsors

• Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL”
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What happens when you step out of your life for a year to live, work, and connect in a completely different culture?

Don Jenkins is a 27-year high-school teacher from Washington state who spent a full academic year in Norway through the Fulbright Roving Scholar Program. Based in Oslo but constantly on the move, he traveled the country visiting schools and giving workshops on American history and government, reaching thousands of students along the way.

This episode explores Don’s journey as a cultural ambassador, educator, and traveler. We talk about the surprising differences between Norwegian and American school systems, how living abroad shifts your view of home, and what it takes to build connection across cultures - whether you’re in a classroom, a sauna, or a sawed-off tuk tuk.

Whether or not you’re a teacher, Don’s experience is full of lessons on curiosity, communication, and how to embrace the unfamiliar. From practical travel tips to deeper reflections on history, education, and societal values, this episode is a reminder of how much growth comes from stepping outside your bubble.

What’s one lesson you’ve picked up while traveling that changed how you see your home? I'd love to hear about your experience, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

Tune In To Learn:

• Why Don took a sabbatical to teach abroad in Norway for a year
• How his “roving teacher” job works and the logistics of living in Oslo while visiting 30+ schools
• Surprising insights about Norwegian classrooms, school culture, and community values
• How to implement cultural lessons at home, even if you’re not a teacher
• What it means to be a “mini ambassador” and have real conversations about your home country
• Budget-friendly tips for traveling in Norway, including food hacks and local apps
• The role of curiosity in building connections while traveling
• Why honest history matters, and what happens when we don’t teach the full story
• How being away from family for so long can be hard and insight on managing travel fears
• And so much more

Resources:

• Sign up for our FREE newsletter
• Don on Instagram
• American-Scandinavian Foundation
• Fulbright Roving Scholars
• Too Good To Go App

Want More?

• Cracking the Cultural Code, Ethical Travel To Indigenous Areas, & Life in Norway With Lorelou Desjardins
• Hidden Norway: 7 Off The Beaten Path Gems You’ll Love, Popular Norwegian Concepts Worth Stealing, Trekking In Bhutan, & Living At The Crossroads of Magic & Science w/ Torunn Tronsvang from Up Norway
• Walking the World: A Deeper Exploration of Culture and Community with Chris Arnade

Thanks To Our Sponsors

• Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL”
• Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify

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