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.

************

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.

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.

************

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.

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!

************

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.

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.

Forget everything you thought you knew about Orlando's food scene. In this deliciously packed episode, we're diving headfirst into one of America's most surprising culinary hotspots, Orlando. The Theme Park Capital of the World is now earning serious foodie cred, with Michelin-starred restaurants, buzzing food halls, breweries and creative eats in bougie neighbourhoods.

Join hungry presenter Portia Jones and Producer Luke Jones as they eat their way through Orlando's tastiest neighbourhoods, from hip Audubon Park to buzzy Ivanhoe Village, exploring street food stalls, Michelin-recommended restaurants, and indie cafés to uncover the places locals really rate.

From pizzas, Instagram-worthy cookies and burritos the size of your head to wildly inventive fine dining and world-class cocktails, this episode is your ultimate insider's guide to Orlando's must-try foodie spots.

We also meet chefs, bartenders, food writers, and vendors who are shaking up the scene and creating a stir. Tune in for tips on the best places to eat in Orlando, what to order, and why Orlando might just be the best food city you're not talking about yet.

We'll also reveal the best places to stay if food is at the heart of your trip, from luxe options like the Lake Nona Wave Hotel and the Four Seasons, to more affordable, self-catering stays like The Terraces at The Grove Resort, where you can whip up your own feast with fresh finds from the local farmers' market.

This isn't just a food episode; it's a full-on flavour roadmap through a city that's rewriting the script for what American dining can be. From global cuisines and rooftop views to biscuits, burritos, and Bib Gourmands, Orlando has so much to offer beyond the incredible theme parks.

Thanks to Visit Orlando for supporting this episode of Travel Goals. Visit visitorlando.com to start planning your ultimate foodie escape now.

*****

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

If you love to travel, check out my travel website and subscribe to my travel newsletter 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.

Orlando, Florida, is the ultimate family destination, but did you know it's also an amazing adults-only vacation? Join us on an epic audio journey as we explore some of the best things to do for adults in Orlando, including top-rated dining, wine tasting, sunset kayaking, and adrenaline-pumping roller coasters.

Pack your bags and join me and producer Luke as we head to the theme park capital of the world to show you why this sun-soaked city isn't just for families; it's also the perfect grown-up getaway if you want thrill rides paired with buzzing bars, restaurants and shopping.

In this episode of Travel Goals, we're swapping character breakfasts for wine tastings, thrill rides for even bigger thrill rides and discovering a more sophisticated side to Orlando. One with sunset kayaking, indie wine bars, swish hotels and luxury dining

Of course, we're still hitting the big-name parks because riding TRON Lightcycle / Run or drinking Butterbeer in Diagon Alley is just as magical when you're grown up. You can race through the raptor paddocks on the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, face the First Order on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and then hop on classic rides that bring back all the childhood nostalgia.

But we're also stepping outside the parks to explore Orlando's cooler, calmer corners. Expect leafy neighbourhoods with boutique shops and culture, glass-bottom kayaking through glittering lakes, and wine tasting in bougie bars.

If you're planning a getaway, a couples' escape, a group trip, or a trip with the girls, this episode will help you plan your dream grown-up adventure in Orlando, with where to stay, play and eat. If you're looking for a fabulous hotel, Lake Nona Wave Hotel is highly recommended. Please note that since the recording at Lake Nona Wave Hotel, Haven Kitchen has now become Garni Café, and Haven Lounge has now become The Nectar Room. Make sure to check them both out.

Thanks to Visit Orlando for supporting this episode of Travel Goals. Start planning your Orlando escape at visitorlando.com now!

*****

Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nicknamed Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and Lonely Planet author.

If you love to travel, check out my travel website and subscribe to my travel newsletter 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.

Think you know the Lake District? Think again. Join us on an epic audio journey as we peel back the layers of Cumbria to reveal a side you probably never expected—one bursting with art, heritage, and culture. When most people picture the Lake District, they see shimmering lakes, rugged fells, and charming country inns. And yes, all that is spectacular—but what if we told you this region is so much more than scenic hikes and boat trips?

Beyond the well-trodden trails, Cumbria has long been a magnet for creatives, from poets and painters to musicians and makers.

And it's not just about Wordsworth and his daffodils—Cumbria's cultural scene is alive and kicking.

Artists, musicians, and theatre-makers have put down roots here, turning former textile mills into buzzing creative hubs and filling historic venues with new concepts and fresh exhibits.

We're stepping off the tourist trail to explore a different side of Cumbria. Think ancient abbeys, maritime museums that tell the region's shipbuilding past, and grand houses that played a key role in the early Quaker movement.

There's even an auto museum packed with classic cars and unexpected stories and vintage treasures.

So, if you thought the Lake District was all about hiking boots and boat trips, get ready to see it in a whole new way.

Thanks to Cumbria Tourism for supporting this episode of Travel Goals. The Let's Go Culture project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is supported by Westmorland & Furness Council. #UKSPF

*****

Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nicknamed Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and Lonely Planet author.

If you love to travel, check out my travel website and subscribe to my travel newsletter 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.

Boston is a city shaped by water. From its earliest Indigenous inhabitants, to its dramatic role in the American Revolution, the city's history is written in its harbours, rivers, and shorelines. But Boston's connection to the water isn't just about the past—it's alive and thriving today.

Join host Portia Jones and producer Luke as they explore Boston's famous harbour and its transformation from a strategic trading port to a thriving waterfront destination.

Whale tails break the surface in the waters of Stellwagen Bank, an ocean sanctuary teeming with marine life. Kayaks glide past the city skyline, offering a fresh perspective on familiar landmarks. Amphibious vehicles splash into the Charles River on a journey that blurs the line between road and water.

From the buzzing harbour to Boston's best waterfront activities, we'll take you beyond the usual sights and into the heart of Boston's relationship with the sea. Along the way, you'll hear from locals who bring these waters to life through conservation, adventure, or the stories of Boston's past

Thanks to Meet Boston and TTM World for supporting and collaborating with the Travel Goals podcast. Tune in to discover a side of Boston you've never seen before.

*****

Hi, I'm your podcast host, Portia Jones [nicknamed Pip Jones]. I'm a freelance travel journalist, podcaster, and Lonely Planet author.

If you love to travel, check out my travel website and subscribe to my travel newsletter 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.