Solo Female Travelers

Mar and Meg
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Places & Travel
  • 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. 5d ago

    #30 | Wheelchair Travel - Unseen Challenges and Joys

    In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Meg is joined by Kelcie Miller-Anderson, environmental scientist, disability advocate, and creator of The Chronic Explorer, to explore the unseen challenges and incredible possibilities of traveling as a wheelchair user. After being diagnosed with a rare disease in 2018, Kelcie's relationship with travel changed dramatically. But rather than giving up exploring the world, she discovered how using a wheelchair could give her back her independence and open the door to new adventures. From swimming with whale sharks to adaptive skiing and exploring Oregon's accessible beaches, she shares how travel continues to bring her joy and new experiences. Together, Meg and Kelcie discuss the realities of accessible travel that many able-bodied travelers never consider. From researching hotel bathrooms and navigating airports to dealing with inaccessible transportation, unreliable accessibility information, and unsafe boarding procedures, Kelcie explains why traveling with a disability often requires extensive preparation and constant self-advocacy. She also shares how these challenges can become even more complicated when traveling solo. The conversation also explores the importance of respecting wheelchair users' independence, asking before offering assistance, and recognizing that accessibility isn't one-size-fits-all. Kelcie highlights destinations making meaningful progress, including Oregon's adaptive outdoor experiences and Switzerland's accessible infrastructure, while offering practical advice for women who want to begin traveling independently with a disability. Whether you use a wheelchair, travel with someone who has a disability, or simply want to become a more thoughtful traveler, this episode offers a powerful perspective on accessibility, dignity, and inclusion. Above all, it's a reminder that a change in mobility doesn't have to mean the end of travel. It can be the beginning of discovering the world in a whole new way. Connect with Kelcie: InstagramWebsite-- Connect with Solo Female Travelers: Book a tourSubscribe to our newsletterSubscribe on SubstackConnect on InstagramView on YouTubeJoin our Facebook communityFollow us on Facebookwww.solofemaletravelers.club

  2. Oct 20

    #29 | Unplugged traveling - On the road without a phone

    In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Mar is joined by Lisa Abend, freelance journalist and creator of The Unplugged Traveler, to explore what happens when we put our phones away and rediscover the joy of traveling without digital distractions. After noticing how social media, online recommendations, and travel algorithms were making travel experiences increasingly predictable, Lisa decided to try something different: visiting unfamiliar destinations without using Google Maps, researching attractions, or booking accommodation in advance. Lisa shares how her unplugged adventures across Europe have brought back the spontaneity and unexpected discoveries that made travel so exciting before smartphones. From asking locals where to find the best Bolognese in Bologna to stumbling upon a science fiction convention in Glasgow, she reveals how traveling without a phone can lead to memorable experiences and meaningful human connections. Together, Mar and Lisa discuss the practical challenges of unplugged travel, including finding hotels without reservations, navigating with paper maps, managing unfamiliar currencies, and overcoming the fear of missing out on must-see attractions. They also explore how our phones can unintentionally make us less approachable and why even small changes, like putting your phone away during dinner, can open the door to conversations with strangers. Whether you're an experienced solo traveler or simply looking to be more present on your next adventure, this conversation will inspire you to embrace a little more spontaneity, connect with the people around you, and discover the world beyond your screen. Connect with Solo Female Travelers: Book a tourSubscribe to our newsletterSubscribe on SubstackConnect on InstagramView on YouTubeJoin our Facebook communityFollow us on Facebookwww.solofemaletravelers.club

  3. Oct 13

    #28 | How to Close the Gender Gap in Tourism, One Female Guide at a Time

    In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Mar is joined by Alessandra Lotufo Alonso, founder and managing director of Women in Travel CIC, to explore how female tour guides are transforming the way travelers experience cities while creating new opportunities for women in tourism. Alessandra shares how Women in Travel CIC supports underserved women, including immigrants, refugees, and women rebuilding their careers, through its Tour Guiding Academy. The program helps participants develop storytelling, guiding, and entrepreneurial skills, turning their personal experiences, cultural heritage, and local knowledge into meaningful tours that visitors can book. Together, Mar and Alessandra discuss why the best travel experiences often go beyond famous landmarks and how women-led tours reveal the multicultural communities and overlooked stories that make cities unique. From Ethiopian food and Saudi Arabian cultural experiences in London to Ukrainian heritage and the contributions of Deaf women in Edinburgh, they highlight how local female guides can introduce travelers to a completely different side of familiar destinations. They also explore the challenges women face when entering the tourism industry, the importance of mentorship and financial independence, and how travelers and tourism businesses can support female guides through bookings, partnerships, and sponsorships. Whether you're looking for more authentic travel experiences, hoping to support women-owned businesses, or curious about the power of tourism to create positive social impact, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on who tells a destination's stories—and why that matters. Links mentioned during this episode: Solo Female Travelers: Women-Led London Tour PackagesWomen in Travel CIC - InstagramWomen in Travel CIC - Website-- Solo Female Travelers  Book a tour Subscribe to our newsletterSubscribe on SubstackConnect on InstagramView on YouTubeJoin our Facebook communityFollow us on Facebookwww.solofemaletravelers.club

  4. Oct 6

    #27 | How to Plan a Trip to Australia

    In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Mar is joined by her business partner and fellow co-founder Meg Jerrard to break down everything you need to know to plan a trip to Australia. Drawing on Meg’s experience growing up and living across Australia, as well as the many trips Mar has taken around the country, they explain why Australia is an incredible destination for solo female travelers, and why its enormous size makes planning ahead essential. They cover how long you should spend in Australia, the best time to visit different regions, how to build a realistic two- or three-week itinerary, and when to fly, drive, take a train, or rely on public transportation. They also discuss Sydney, Uluru, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, Tasmania and Western Australia, along with road trips, wildlife, weather, school holidays, costs, food, packing essentials and some of the most common mistakes first-time visitors make. Meg also shares why Australia is particularly easy to explore independently as a woman, how to travel more slowly and meaningfully, and why getting beyond the major cities can lead to some of the most memorable experiences. And, naturally, Mar and Meg settle some very important Australian debates involving dangerous wildlife, little penguins, Vegemite, coffee, thongs, and whether everything in Australia really is trying to kill you. -- Solo Female Travelers  Book a tourSubscribe to our newsletterSubscribe on SubstackConnect on InstagramView on YouTubeJoin our Facebook communityFollow us on Facebookwww.solofemaletravelers.club

  5. Sep 29

    #26 | Should you visit disappearing places?

    In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Mar is joined by Dr. Karla Boluk, professor at the University of Waterloo, to explore the complicated ethics of Last Chance Tourism: traveling to see places, ecosystems, wildlife, or communities before they disappear or change irreversibly. They discuss the paradox at the heart of this kind of travel. Visiting a threatened destination can create awareness, emotional connection, and even inspire conservation, but tourism itself can also contribute to the very pressures putting that place at risk. From melting glaciers and polar bears to gentrifying neighborhoods and fragile communities, Karla explains why simply witnessing environmental or cultural change does not automatically turn travelers into advocates. Mar and Karla also explore what travelers can do before, during, and after a trip to make more responsible choices, including supporting local businesses, listening to communities, traveling more slowly, considering where tourism dollars go, and sharing experiences thoughtfully. Ultimately, the conversation asks a difficult question with no simple yes-or-no answer: Should we visit disappearing places at all, and if we do, how can we move from being spectators to becoming stewards? Links mentioned during this episode: University of Waterloo - Karla BolukLinkedIn ProfileGoogle Scholar (list of publications/citations Index) -- Solo Female Travelers  Book a tourSubscribe to our newsletterSubscribe on SubstackConnect on InstagramView on YouTubeJoin our Facebook communityFollow us on Facebookwww.solofemaletravelers.club

  6. Sep 22

    #25 | What Women Want when Traveling Solo

    In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Meg and Mar dive into six years of data from the annual Solo Female Travel Trends Survey to uncover what women really want when they travel alone. They challenge some of the most persistent stereotypes around solo female travel, including the idea that women travel alone because they have no one to go with, or that shopping, spas and Instagram-worthy destinations drive their travel decisions. Using insights gathered from thousands of women around the world, they explore why women choose to travel solo, the biggest barriers they face, how safety concerns change with experience, and the destinations women recommend for a first solo trip. They also look at what actually influences destination and purchasing decisions, from culture, food and nature to price, sustainability, local ownership and supporting female-owned businesses. Meg and Mar also discuss how women can use their purchasing power to influence the travel industry and why better data and greater representation matter. Ultimately, the episode shows that solo female travelers are not one type of woman, and that understanding what women actually want starts with listening to them. -- Solo Female Travelers  Book a tourSubscribe to our newsletterSubscribe on SubstackConnect on InstagramView on YouTubeJoin our Facebook communityFollow us on Facebookwww.solofemaletravelers.club

  7. Sep 15

    #24 | How to Move to Europe

    In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Mar is joined by Cepee, founder of She Hit Refresh and author of An American’s Ultimate Visa Guide to Living in Europe. Cepee shares her story of moving from the US to Spain at 35 after realizing that the stable life she had built wasn't the life she wanted. Together, they explore what it really takes to turn the dream of moving abroad into a realistic plan. They talk about finding your “why,” overcoming the fear that you're too old to start over, choosing the right destination, taking a scouting trip, understanding the cost of living and taxes, learning the local language, and figuring out which visa options might work for your situation. Cepee also breaks down digital nomad, retirement, self-employment and work visas, and explains why having a realistic plan for work and income is one of the most important parts of a successful move. This conversation is for women who have been dreaming about living abroad but aren't sure where to start. Whether you're considering Spain, Portugal, Italy or another European country, you'll come away with practical steps to turn endless research into action—and a more realistic understanding of both the challenges and rewards of starting a new life abroad. Links mentioned in this episode: Website: https://shehitrefresh.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shehitrefresh/Membership: https://www.refresherslounge.com/-- Solo Female Travelers  Book a tourSubscribe to our newsletterSubscribe on SubstackConnect on InstagramView on YouTubeJoin our Facebook communityFollow us on Facebookwww.solofemaletravelers.club

  8. Sep 8

    #23 | Queer Travel Beyond the Rainbow Flag

    In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Anastasia is joined by Meg Ten Eyck, founder and CEO of Every Queer and a longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ travel and inclusion. Together, they explore what it really means for a destination to be welcoming and affirming to queer travelers, beyond rainbow flags, Pride campaigns, and LGBTQ-friendly marketing. Meg shares her experience traveling to more than 80 countries and explains how queer travelers often have to make safety and visibility calculations that other travelers may never consider. They discuss researching destinations, deciding when to disclose your identity, traveling with trans and non-binary companions, evaluating whether hotels and tourism businesses genuinely support LGBTQ+ travelers, and the different meanings of Pride around the world. Meg also shares some of the destinations that have surprised her, including Jordan, and highlights welcoming places for first-time LGBTQ+ travelers. The conversation is ultimately about finding confidence, community, and belonging while traveling. Meg encourages travelers to start small, take manageable steps, use the resources available to them, and remember that there are queer communities and welcoming people all over the world. This episode is especially useful for queer women, trans and non-binary travelers, and anyone who wants to travel more confidently while understanding the realities of LGBTQ+ travel. Connect with Meg: EveryQueer.comInstagram.com/EveryQueerInstagram.com/MegTenEyck-- Solo Female Travelers  Book a tourSubscribe to our newsletterSubscribe on SubstackConnect on InstagramView on YouTubeJoin our Facebook communityFollow us on Facebookwww.solofemaletravelers.club

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Trailer

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

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
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Solo Female Travelers
  • Show Website
    Solo Female Travelers

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