Tourist to Traveller

Tahnee Donkin

Tourist to Traveller is a travel podcast for curious, time-poor adventurers who want to travel deeper, smarter, and more intentionally, without quitting their 9-5. Hosted by Tahnee, a long-time traveller, travel blogger, and bucket-list chaser, this podcast helps you move beyond ticking off landmarks and into truly memorable travel experiences. Think practical travel tips, realistic itineraries, destination guides, and behind-the-scenes lessons from balancing full-time work with epic adventures. From underrated destinations and iconic bucket list journeys to travel planning hacks, packing strategies, and slow, responsible travel insights, Tourist to Traveller is here to help you travel better, not just more. Whether you’re planning your next adventure, dreaming of future travels, or looking for inspiration to live a more travel-rich life, this podcast will help you shift from tourist to traveller. 

  1. 6d ago

    What I Pack in My Carry-On for Long-Haul Flights (Comfort, Delays & Lost Luggage Covered)

    Long-haul flights are a fact of life when you’re a frequent flyer. They’re the gateway to bucket-list adventures… but they can also be uncomfortable, exhausting, and wildly unpredictable. On a recent trip from Australia to the USA, a “quick” stopover in Dallas turned into a 24-hour airport survival situation when a once-in-a-century snowstorm hit Texas. Flights were cancelled, hotels were full, Ubers shut down, terminals were freezing... and when I finally reached my destination, my checked luggage didn’t. That experience reinforced something I’ve believed for years: what you pack in your carry-on can make or break your journey. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what I pack in my carry-on for long-haul flights... not for perfection, but for comfort, preparedness, and peace of mind when travel doesn’t go to plan. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why your carry-on matters more than your checked luggageHow to pack for delays, cancellations, and lost bagsMy go-to carry-on bag setup for long-haul travelWhat always stays with me (and what I intentionally leave out)Comfort essentials that make long flights more bearableThe underrated items that have saved my trips more than onceThis episode breaks down my real-world carry-on packing strategy for long-haul flights... especially when travelling from Australia, where multi-leg journeys and long stopovers are unavoidable. You’ll hear why I always travel with a hard-shell suitcase plus a carry-on backpack, and why I swear by my Tildy Carryall Camera Backpack from taz + tez... a bag that works as my flight carry-on, day pack, hiking bag, and road-trip backpack. Helpful Resources & Links Related blog post: What I Pack in My Carry-On for Long-Haul Flights Disclosure: This podcast includes affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use these links to make a purchase.  Connect & Explore Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

    34 min
  2. Jun 7

    Hiking the Caminito del Rey: Everything You Need to Know About Spain’s Most Epic Cliffside Walk

    Before I even landed in Spain, the Caminito del Rey was already locked into my bucket list. I’d seen the photos... narrow walkways hugging towering cliffs, the river below, and views that felt almost unreal. What I didn’t realise at the time was how misunderstood this hike actually is. Despite its dramatic reputation (and its past as one of the world’s most dangerous walks), the Caminito del Rey today is surprisingly accessible, and absolutely unforgettable if you know how to do it right. In this episode, I’m sharing what it’s really like to hike the Caminito del Rey, what surprised me most, and the practical tips I wish I’d known before stepping onto that cliffside path. What You’ll Learn in This Episode What the Caminito del Rey actually is (and what it isn’t)Where it’s located and how to visit it as a day tripHow long the hike really takes and how challenging it feelsWhat to expect on the trail, from safety briefings to no-stop zonesThe pros and cons of guided tours vs doing it yourselfPractical tips to enjoy the views properlyHelpful Resources & Links I’ve written a full South of Spain travel guide that shows how to fit the Caminito del Rey into a bigger itinerary.Dive deeper with my blog post Hiking the Camonito del Rey - Spain's Most Epic Cliffside WalkConnect & Explore Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

    21 min
  3. May 31

    Why Everyone Should Do a Yearly Off-Grid Tiny House Stay (And How to Plan Yours)

    There’s a moment that happens every time I arrive at an off-grid tiny house. My phone loses signal, the noise drops away, and finally I feel like I can breathe again.  Over the years, my yearly off-grid tiny house stay has become a ritual... not just a getaway, but a full reset. It’s the kind of travel experience that doesn’t just give you memories, but actually changes how you feel when you come home. In this episode of Tourist to Traveller, I’m sharing why I believe everyone should experience an off-grid tiny house stay at least once a year, and exactly how to plan one so it feels restorative, not intimidating. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why off-grid stays offer a deeper reset than traditional holidaysWhat a tiny house stay actually includes (and what it doesn’t)How unplugging impacts your nervous system and creativityWhat to pack, and what to leave behindEasy, comforting food ideas for tiny house livingWhere to find great off-grid tiny house stays in Australia and beyondHelpful Resources & Links Related Blog Post: Why Everyone Should Do a Yearly Off-Grid Tiny House Stay (And How to Plan Yours)Discount Code: Tiny Away - Australia, NZ, Europe, Malaysia, Taiwan (get 10% off with discount code TOURISTTOTRAVELLER10)Disclosure: This episode includes an affiliate code. I will be paid a commission if you use this code to make a purchase.  Connect & Explore Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

    28 min
  4. May 24

    How to Spend 24 Magical Hours in Marrakech (A Slow, Soulful One-Day Itinerary)

    Marrakech is one of those cities that pulls you in fast... the colour, sound, movement, magic. It’s exciting, intoxicating… and for many travellers, completely overwhelming.  The truth is, you can’t truly “do” Marrakech in a day. But if 24 hours is all you’ve got, you can experience something real... the rhythm of the medina, the calm behind carved wooden doors, and the quiet moments that live between the chaos. In this episode, I’m sharing a relaxed, experience-first guide to spending one magical day in Marrakech. It’s designed for time-poor travellers who want depth over checklists... without feeling rushed, stressed, or like they’ve missed the point of the Red City.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode How to experience Marrakech in one day without burning outWhy starting early (and slow) changes everything in the medinaThe best way to balance iconic sights with quiet, grounding momentsHow riads, rooftops, and hammams shape a more meaningful experienceWhere to pause, reset, and soak up the soul of the cityHelpful Resources & Links Blog: How to Spend 24 Magical Hours in Marrakech - dive deeper into the itinerary covered during this episode Blog: Morocco Destination Guides - my full series of blogs on visiting Morocco Destination Guide: The Ultimate Morocco Travel Guide - everything in one place for planning a smooth, meaningful tripLocations Mentioned In This Episode Koutoubia MosqueBen Youssef Madrasa Accommodation: Riad Dar Rayane, Palais Sebban, Riad Eloise Le Jardin SecretLunch spots: Nomad, Atay Cafe, Cabana Food & Cocktails El Badi PalaceHammams: Les Bains Du Lotus, Heritage Spa, Mythic Oriental Spa Rooftop bars: El Fenn, Kabana Marrakech Dinner spots: Le Jardin, Dar Moha, Puls61 Bahia Palace Saadian Tombs Marrakech Museum Batcha Coffee Connect & Explore Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

    24 min
  5. May 17

    The Ultimate Guide to Taking Your First Solo Trip: Everything You Need to Know

    Have you ever caught yourself dreaming about taking a solo trip… only to immediately talk yourself out of it? Worries about safety, loneliness, or simply not knowing where to start can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already juggling work, life, and limited time off. I remember boarding the plane for my very first solo trip, heart racing, wondering if I’d made a huge mistake. But by the end of that journey, I came home with something I hadn’t expected at all... confidence, clarity, and a deep trust in myself. In this episode of Tourist to Traveller, I’m sharing everything I wish I’d known before taking that first leap. If solo travel has been quietly calling you, this episode is designed to help you feel prepared, supported, and genuinely excited to start planning. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How to choose the right solo travel style for your personality and confidence levelBeginner-friendly destinations that make first-time solo travel easierPractical flight and accommodation tips to reduce stressHow to make friends while travelling alone Solo travel safety tips that build confidence, not fearWhy solo travel is one of the most empowering things you can do for yourselfHelpful Resources & Links Related blog post: The Ultimate Guide to Taking Your First Solo TripConnect & Explore Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

    39 min
  6. May 3

    10 Travel Mistakes You'll Never Make Again (and How to Avoid Them)

    Every traveller has that moment... standing at an airport carousel hoping your bag magically appears, realising your card’s been blocked overseas, or discovering the “must-see” attraction is completely sold out. I’ve been there. More than once. And while those moments usually become funny stories after the trip, they’re stressful, expensive, and exhausting in the moment... especially when you’ve used precious annual leave to be there. In this episode of Tourist to Traveller, I’m sharing ten real travel mistakes I’ve made over the years, and exactly how to avoid them, so you can travel with more confidence, less stress, and a whole lot more ease. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The biggest rookie mistake travellers still make before leaving homeWhy overplanning can ruin even the best tripsThe jet lag mistake that steals days from short tripsWhy pre-booking attractions matters more than everHow to avoid common transport scamsHow to travel smarter without overcomplicating thingsThis episode is about learning from mistakes without shame, and giving you simple, actionable ways to avoid them so you can spend less time troubleshooting and more time actually enjoying your trip. Helpful Resources & Links Related blog post: 10 Travel Mistakes You'll Never Make Again (and How to Avoid Them) Connect & Explore Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

    29 min

Trailer

About

Tourist to Traveller is a travel podcast for curious, time-poor adventurers who want to travel deeper, smarter, and more intentionally, without quitting their 9-5. Hosted by Tahnee, a long-time traveller, travel blogger, and bucket-list chaser, this podcast helps you move beyond ticking off landmarks and into truly memorable travel experiences. Think practical travel tips, realistic itineraries, destination guides, and behind-the-scenes lessons from balancing full-time work with epic adventures. From underrated destinations and iconic bucket list journeys to travel planning hacks, packing strategies, and slow, responsible travel insights, Tourist to Traveller is here to help you travel better, not just more. Whether you’re planning your next adventure, dreaming of future travels, or looking for inspiration to live a more travel-rich life, this podcast will help you shift from tourist to traveller. 

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