Solo Female Travelers

Mar and Meg
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

This isn’t just a travel podcast. It’s about the parts of travel you don’t always hear about. Brought to you by the team behind Solo Female Travelers and our global community, we go beyond destinations and highlight reels to get into what travel actually looks like in real life. We speak with women who do things differently, who take unconventional paths, ask hard questions, and navigate the world on their own terms. You’ll hear practical travel tips, honest conversations, and the stories that don’t always get talked about; the messy, the funny, and the moments that didn’t go as planned but end up being the ones you remember most. Because travel isn’t always polished, and that’s kind of the point. If you’ve ever felt the pull to go somewhere new or to travel more consciously, you’re in the right place. Hosted by Mar & Meg www.solofemaletravelers.club

  1. 17h ago

    #16 | Your Most Asked Questions Answered

    This week’s episode brings your favorite co-founder duo, Mar and Meg, back together for a fun and very honest conversation answering all the questions you have about Solo Female Travelers and our trips. They answer the most asked questions they get: Am I too old or too young? Does everyone really come solo? Will I fit in? They also get into the practical details, including payments, what is included in the trip price, dietary requirements, when tours are confirmed and how Meg carefully matches roommates. She is quite the matchmaker, hopefully helping you find your bestie and travel buddy along the way. Mar and Meg also share more about what being female-powered really means at SFT, and the non-negotiable principles they will never compromise on. From only ever working with female guides who are from the places they visit, to intentionally creating experiences that directly support local women and communities. They explain how these values shape every decision they make, why meaningful, responsible travel matters so deeply to them, and how their commitment to transparency and staying personally involved with every guest is rooted in those core beliefs, because they are building something they truly believe in and are here for the long run. Of course, it would not be a Mar and Meg episode without plenty of laughs, questionable photography skills, unexpected tangents and a brand-new trousers-versus-skirt analogy that even Meg had never heard before. It is a fun behind-the-scenes look at how SFT trips work, the care that goes into every detail and the two women behind it all. www.solofemaletravelers.club

  2. Jul 14

    #15 | How to Take Photos of Yourself When Traveling Solo

    Travel photography doesn't have to be complicated or intimidating. In this episode, Meg sits down with professional photographer Anastasia Novosyolova-Blatt to share practical, beginner-friendly tips for taking better travel photos, especially when you're traveling solo. They cover everything from choosing the right camera setup (spoiler: your phone is probably enough) to finding the best lighting, asking strangers for photos with confidence, using simple accessories like tripods and remote shutters, and deciding when it's worth hiring a professional photographer. Anastasia also shares her favorite editing tips and explains why mindset is often the biggest factor in getting photos you'll actually love. Whether you want beautiful vacation memories, better social media photos, or simply more confidence in front of the camera, this episode is packed with realistic advice you can use on your very next trip. www.solofemaletravelers.club

  3. Jul 7

    #14 | How to Be a More Thoughtful Traveler

    Thoughtful travel can sound like a fancy buzzword, but it does not have to be complicated or hard to achieve. In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Meg sits down with Amanda Kendle, travel writer, podcaster, and host of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast, for an honest conversation about what it actually means to travel with more intention. Amanda shares how her love of travel began with a six-month campervan trip through Europe as a child, how moving to Japan in her twenties helped shift her anxiety and open up her world, and how one simple comment about not riding elephants in Bali changed the way she thinks about ethical travel. Meg also reflects on her own travel evolution, from early backpacking trips and checklist-style planning to the ways Solo Female Travelers now approaches social impact, animal welfare, child photography, locally owned businesses, and helping travelers prepare more intentionally before they go. Together, they talk about moving beyond top 10 lists, planning trips around your actual interests, making space for spontaneity, being a guest in someone else’s home, and why thoughtful travel does not mean perfect travel. They also reflect on how travel does not really end when you get home, but continues in the way you carry those experiences forward. We hope this episode inspires you to pause when planning your next trip, stay open-minded, and remember that even small, thoughtful choices can make a difference along the way. Connect with Amanda: Podcast: Not a Ballerina Instagram: @amandakendle www.solofemaletravelers.club

  4. Jun 30

    #13 | Planning a Trip to Antarctica

    Antarctica is one of the most remote places on Earth, but visiting it isn't as simple as booking a cruise. From choosing the right expedition to understanding the rules that protect this fragile environment, there's a lot to know before you go. In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Mar sits down with expedition guide and Antarctica expert Lori Gross, who has spent nearly 20 years guiding travelers across the White Continent. Together, they talk about what it's really like to visit Antarctica, how to choose the right expedition, the differences between ships and itineraries, what to expect throughout the season, and why flexibility is one of the most important things you can pack. They also discuss responsible tourism, wildlife etiquette, IAATO, biosecurity, social media, and how every traveler can help protect one of the last truly wild places on the planet. If Antarctica is on your bucket list, this episode is packed with practical advice, insider tips, and everything you wish you knew before planning the trip of a lifetime. -- Connect with Lori: Website: The Antartic Experience Facebook Page: The Antarctic Experience Facebook Group: The Antartic Experience YouTube: @theantarcticexperience Instagram: @theantarcticexperience www.solofemaletravelers.club

  5. Jun 23

    #12 | Multisensory Travel

    So much of travel is built around what we can see. We talk about sightseeing, bucket-list views, and must-see attractions. But what happens when you experience the world differently? In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Meg sits down with author, speaker, podcaster, and disability advocate Lois Strachan to talk about travel, independence, and what it means to truly be present in a place. After losing her sight in her early twenties, Lois continued pursuing her lifelong love of travel, visiting more than 20 countries and developing what she calls a different way of seeing the world. Through sound, touch, smell, conversation, and curiosity, she experiences destinations in ways many travelers rarely stop to consider. We talk about navigating new places as a blind traveler, accepting help without sacrificing independence, the role technology plays in making travel more accessible, and why curiosity is one of the most important qualities any traveler can have. Lois also shares practical advice for becoming more present while traveling and challenges us to think beyond photos, viewpoints, and social media checklists to create deeper, more meaningful travel experiences. Whether you're a frequent traveler or simply looking for a new perspective, this conversation is a powerful reminder that there are many different ways to experience the world. Connect with Lois:  Website: Lois Strachan Podcast: A Different Way of Seeing Podcast Facebook: @Loisstrachanspeaker Youtube: @LoisStrachan www.solofemaletravelers.club

  6. Jun 16

    #11 | The Ethics of Tourism Under the Taliban

    In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Mar sits down with Fatima Haidari, Afghanistan’s first female tour guide, for a deeply personal conversation about courage, displacement, identity, and rebuilding a life after unimaginable loss. Fatima’s story is also part of our own. When she first left Afghanistan, she worked with Solo Female Travelers during those early, uncertain moments of starting over. This conversation feels especially meaningful because we get to reconnect with her a few years later, hear where life has taken her, and witness the strength, clarity, and purpose she continues to carry forward. Fatima shares what it was like growing up in rural Afghanistan, teaching herself to read by listening to lessons from outside a classroom, and the journey that eventually led her to become a tour guide, journalist, and women’s rights advocate. She also speaks about the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, escaping Afghanistan on an evacuation flight, and the difficult reality of rebuilding her life from scratch in Italy while navigating grief, culture shock, trauma, and the weight of leaving home behind. Together, Mar and Fatima talk about what life is like for women and girls in Afghanistan today, why Fatima continues to fight for education and women’s rights, and how her organization, Alefba, is helping girls keep learning despite the restrictions they face. The conversation also explores the growing popularity of tourism in Afghanistan and the complicated questions that come with it. Can travel support local communities? Where is the line between cultural exchange and normalizing oppression? And what responsibility do travelers and content creators have when sharing stories from places facing serious human rights challenges? This is an honest, thought-provoking conversation about resilience, survival, education, and the power of refusing to give up on a better future, for ourselves, for Afghanistan, and for women everywhere. Connect with Fatima: Instagram: @fatimahaidari Support her school for girls in Afghanistan: Alefba, instagram: @alefba_for_women YouTube: @fatimahaidari www.solofemaletravelers.club

  7. Jun 9

    #10 | Greece Beyond Mykonos and Santorini

    When most people think about traveling to Greece, they picture Santorini sunsets, Mykonos beach clubs, and crowded whitewashed streets packed with tourists. But what if some of the best Greek islands are actually the ones you've never heard of? In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Mar sits down with Stella, our Greece tour host and a travel industry expert who has spent more than 25 years working across the Greek islands as a wedding planner, tour leader, cruise director, and travel specialist. Together, they talk about what tourism is really like in Greece today, the impact cruise ships have on small island communities, and why some of the most memorable experiences happen away from the country's most famous destinations. Stella shares her favorite alternative islands, including Folegandros, Sifnos, and Milos, and explains why they're perfect for travelers looking for beautiful beaches, charming villages, incredible food, and a slower pace of life without the crowds of Santorini and Mykonos. We also chat about island hopping, ferry travel, Greek hospitality, local food, why dinner starts surprisingly late, and why Greece might be even better outside of peak summer season. If you're planning a trip to Greece, dreaming of island hopping, or simply looking for a more authentic experience beyond the Instagram hotspots, this episode is full of practical tips and local insights from someone who knows these islands inside and out. www.solofemaletravelers.club

  8. Jun 2

    #9 | The Magic of Packing with Mar

    Packing light sounds simple in theory, but for many travelers, fitting everything into a carry-on can feel almost impossible. In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Meg sits down with Mar to unpack the strategies, mindset shifts, and practical tips that have allowed her to travel carry-on only for more than 20 years. While Meg openly admits to being a lifelong overpacker, Mar has refined her packing system through thousands of flights, years of business travel, and countless trips around the world. From capsule wardrobes and versatile clothing to choosing the right suitcase and avoiding "just in case" items, Mar shares exactly how she consistently travels with only a carry-on, even on multi-week trips. Together, Meg and Mar discuss the psychology of overpacking, common packing mistakes, how to choose clothing for different climates, and why most travelers bring far more than they actually need. They also dive into practical topics like packing cubes, laundry on the road, toiletries, carry-on weight limits, favorite travel gear, and how to handle shopping while traveling light. Along the way, Meg shares some entertaining stories about traveling with multiple suitcases, navigating airports with a toddler, and learning firsthand why packing light can make travel easier, faster, and far less stressful. Whether you're attempting your first carry-on-only trip, looking to streamline your packing process, or simply curious how Mar manages to fit weeks of travel into a single suitcase, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world experience to help you travel lighter and more confidently. Here are the products they mention in this episode: My TUMI carry on, the one I have been using for 13 years and have re-bought and have at home as back up when the current one breaks down completelyMy TUMI tote bag that I have also had for over 13 years and which keeps everything that is delicate (laptop, wallet, chargers, cameras, drones, GoPro, etc.)Foldable TUMI tote bag that packs really small, for when I know I may shop. This is my "just in case" bag that my mother gifted to me. It's a really useful bag.This crossbody sling bag is almost like the one I have to keep all my personal items and valuables.Ear plugsSun Bum face stickAnother sole shoes. All of their range of shoes are amazing, but I wear the original Anytime flatsI have exactly these laundry soap sheets for travel which come in their own tiny box and occupy little spacePhone lanyardOakley sunglassesWide brim hatAdaptor with USB portsBose noise cancelling headsetsAnker power bank 20,000 mAhAirplane phone holderDr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro – LED Face Maskwww.solofemaletravelers.club

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Trailer

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About

This isn’t just a travel podcast. It’s about the parts of travel you don’t always hear about. Brought to you by the team behind Solo Female Travelers and our global community, we go beyond destinations and highlight reels to get into what travel actually looks like in real life. We speak with women who do things differently, who take unconventional paths, ask hard questions, and navigate the world on their own terms. You’ll hear practical travel tips, honest conversations, and the stories that don’t always get talked about; the messy, the funny, and the moments that didn’t go as planned but end up being the ones you remember most. Because travel isn’t always polished, and that’s kind of the point. If you’ve ever felt the pull to go somewhere new or to travel more consciously, you’re in the right place. Hosted by Mar & Meg www.solofemaletravelers.club

Information

  • Creator
    Mar and Meg
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Solo Female Travelers
  • Show Website
    Solo Female Travelers

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