Travel Devil – Guilt-free Sustainable Travel for Adventure Seekers

Clara Francken
  • 5.0 (2)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Travel Devil is your gateway to a world of sustainable travel, slow travel, and truly meaningful adventures. Hosted by slow tourism advocate Clara Francken, this podcast invites you to rethink the way you move across the planet. In a world dominated by mass tourism and cheap flights, Travel Devil shows how eco travel and responsible tourism can transform not only your trips but your entire travel mindset. Here, we explore how to travel lighter, deeper, and with intention, whether you're interested in slow tourism, eco-friendly travel, overland travel, or discovering unique travel destinations across Europe and the world. With regular updates touching on Europe travel news and trends in conscious mobility, the show brings you stories that inform, inspire, and challenge the status quo. Each episode features travellers, adventurers, and experts who share honest experiences about train travel, bikepacking, hitchhiking, thru-hiking, cargo ship travel, family travel, solo travel for women, travelling as a couple, moving abroad, and much more. You’ll hear what it really means to reduce your carbon footprint while staying curious, open-minded, and connected to local communities. What you can expect from Travel Devil: Practical insights into sustainable travel, eco travel, and slow travelReal conversations about responsible tourism and slow tourism in Europe and beyondUpdates and reflections tied to Europe travel news and conscious mobilityTips for travel safety, travel tech, and using smart remote work tools while exploringInspiration for overland travel, finding cheap train tickets, and travelling on a budgetStories from nomads, expats, long-distance hikers, cyclists, night train travellers, and first-time adventurersAdvice on packing lists, packing hacks, and navigating nomad housingDeep dives into local community projects and sustainable initiatives shaping the future of travel Whether you’re into eco-friendly travel, sustainable travel, slow tourism, overland routes, or simply want to expand your travel mindset, this podcast will help you explore the world in a way that feels good - for you and the planet. Expect inspiration. Expect laughter. Expect honest stories that make you rethink how you travel. For more conscious travel content, follow @traveldevil.podcast and @clarafrancken on Instagram.

  1. JAN 22

    47- This Steam Train Changed How I See Travel in Germany

    In this solo episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken takes you along on her winter steam train adventure through Germany - from snowy train platforms in Saxony to wooden vintage carriages, smoky landscapes, and a behind-the-scenes look inside the locomotive cabin. You’ll hear and see what it feels like to travel on a coal-powered steam train, how these historic trains actually work, and why slow travel experiences like this can make you appreciate modern train travel even more. Clara also shares practical tips for affordable train travel in Germany, including how to use the Deutschland Ticket, Sachsen Ticket, and smart booking hacks for Deutsche Bahn. This episode blends storytelling, travel inspiration, and practical tips for anyone curious about slow travel, sustainable transport, and unique train journeys in Europe. In this episode, we cover: What it’s like to ride a historic steam train in GermanyHow steam trains work (in simple terms)Inside the locomotive cabin experienceThe environmental impact of steam trains vs modern trainsWhy slow travel feels more meaningfulWinter train travel in SaxonySachsen Ticket vs Deutschland Ticket explainedHow to save money on German train travelDeutsche Bahn app tips & booking hacksUsing Omio for European train tickets (with a discount tip)You can get €10 discount on your first purchase of train tickets on Omio: https://go-refer.omio.com/oVAM15 - Or if you prefer to use a code, enter this code when you pay: claraf2z3v6f 📍This journey took place on the Lößnitzgrundbahn between Radebeul Ost and Radeburg - 20 minutes by train from Dresden - 1h30 by train from Leipzig. Whether you’re a train lover, a slow travel fan, or just looking for a unique weekend trip idea in Germany, this episode will inspire you to travel differently. Write us your thoughts on the show Want more? Follow Paul Waye on Instagram @wayeoflife Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevilpod Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken Watch more on my YouTube channel

    34 min

  2. JAN 8

    46- He Runs to the Train And Picks Up Everything Along the Way — Plogging with Paul Waye

    Train travel is often praised as a sustainable alternative to flying. But if you’ve spent time around train stations, platforms, and tracks, you’ve probably noticed something else: trash. A lot of it. In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken sits down with Paul Waye, the world’s first professional plogger - someone who runs and picks up litter at the same time. Recorded on location in the Netherlands, this conversation talkes about why public spaces around trains are so polluted, why cigarette butts are one of the biggest hidden problems, and what behavior change really looks like in everyday life. Paul shares how plogging started during his daily run to the train station, how it grew into a full-time job, and why the first piece of trash you pick up matters more than how much you collect. Together, Clara and Paul talk about train stations, commuter behavior, deposit systems, smoking bans, and why infrastructure alone isn’t enough if habits don’t change. In this episode, we talk about: What plogging actually isWhy trash piles up just outside train stationsThe cigarette butt problem most travelers overlookHow deposit systems work in countries like Germany and the NetherlandsWhy clean trains don’t always mean clean tracksBehavior vs. infrastructure in sustainable travelSimple ways travelers and commuters can make a differenceThis episode is a reminder that sustainable travel isn’t only about how you move; it’s also about how you behave once you arrive. sustainable travel • train travel europe • slow travel • eco travel • cigarette butts pollution • microplastic pollution • sustainable transport • green travel myth • train stations europe • environmental impact travel • travel devil podcast • Clara Francken • plogging • plastic pollution travel • sustainable mobility • public transport sustainability • climate conscious travel • ethical travel europe • travel podcast europe • Paul Waye • plogging train stations Write us your thoughts on the show Want more? Follow Paul Waye on Instagram @wayeoflife Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevilpod Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken Watch more on my YouTube channel

    42 min

  3. 12/04/2025

    45- I Traveled from Greece to Germany Without Flying - Here’s the Full Route & Cost! (Train, Ferry, Bus)

    Is there anything more beautiful than arriving at your destination by land instead of air? In this solo episode, host Clara Francken shares exactly how she traveled from Greece to Germany without flying - using ferries, regional trains, high-speed trains, and even the most stunning Flixbus ride of her entire life. This episode is a mix of stories, practical tips, cost breakdowns, and slow-travel inspiration. Whether you dream of doing an Interrail trip, want to reduce your travel footprint, or simply love hearing about chaotic but wholesome journeys… this one’s for you. ✨ Total cost: €254.80 ✨ Route: Greece → Italy → Switzerland → Liechtenstein → Austria → Germany ✨ Best part: The views. The views!! What we cover: Why I traveled overland instead of flyingFerries between Greek islands & ItalyNight ferry experience (and the €9 hack!)Italy’s magical coastline trainsA small meltdown in Bari’s train stationThe most beautiful Flixbus route I’ve ever takenCrossing Liechtenstein’s tiny railwayAustria’s stunning Railjet trainsFinal reflections on sustainable travelWrite us your thoughts on the show Want more? Follow Paul Waye on Instagram @wayeoflife Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevilpod Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken Watch more on my YouTube channel

    36 min

  4. 11/13/2025

    43- Will ChatGPT save or destroy sustainable travel?

    AI is transforming the way we travel, from how we plan our trips to how we book hotels and trains. But is it really sustainable? In this solo episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken explores the climate footprint of artificial intelligence and its growing role in tourism. From ChatGPT to Gemini, she looks at how AI tools can both harm and help our planet - AND how travelers can use them responsibly. We break down: How much energy AI actually consumes compared to GoogleTips on how to use ChatGPT to plan your sustainable travelWhat travelers can do to limit the footprint of their tech useHow AI can improve route planning, eco-hotel booking & local experiencesTools like EasyTrips, Biliki AI, GoodWings, Exploreo and Komoot making travel greenerWhy AI might one day fix its own carbon problemThe balance between tech innovation and climate anxietyThis episode is for curious travelers, digital nomads, and eco-conscious listeners who want to explore smarter, without guilt. Write us your thoughts on the show Want more? Follow Paul Waye on Instagram @wayeoflife Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevilpod Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken Watch more on my YouTube channel

    56 min

  5. 10/30/2025

    44- Camping in Gardens: The Belgian Platform Changing Travel w/ Manon, Welcome To My Garden

    Have you ever imagined camping for free in someone’s backyard? In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken talks to Manon from "Welcome To My Garden", the Belgian non-profit platform that connects travelers with locals who offer their gardens as camping spots. Together, we talk about how the project started, why it’s revolutionizing slow travel, and what it means for the future of sustainable tourism in Europe. Clara also shares her own experience cycling across Belgium and staying at Welcome To My Garden spots. 📌 In this episode: How Welcome To My Garden was born and what it stands forWhy free camping empowers both locals and travelersThe rise of community-led sustainable travelHow to find or host your own garden on the platformLessons learned from cycling from Belgium to TokyoHow small ideas can reshape tourism systemsDifference between Welcome To My Garden and campsites or courchsurfingFuture goals for the communityWhether you’re a cyclist, hiker, or just someone who loves meaningful travel, this episode will inspire you to slow down and reconnect, with nature and people. 🎧 Episode 44 of Travel Devil is out now on all podcast platforms! sustainable travel • slow travel podcast • welcome to my garden • WTMG • eco travel • belgium travel • free camping europe • green travel ideas • cycling in belgium • responsible tourism • community-based travel • travel differently • backyard camping • local travel tips • travel devil podcast • clara francken podcast  Write us your thoughts on the show Want more? Follow Paul Waye on Instagram @wayeoflife Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevilpod Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken Watch more on my YouTube channel

    46 min

  6. 10/09/2025

    42- What Every Traveler Should Know About Microplastics w/ Dana Zhaxylykova

    When we think about sustainable travel, we often picture avoiding flights or packing eco-friendly gear. But what if the real danger lies in something we can’t even see - in microplastics? In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken talks to Dana Zhaxylykova, a microplastic researcher from Kazakhstan and co-founder of the Microplastic Free app, about how travel habits contribute to microplastic pollution. We discuss topics from tire dust on roads to the “paper” cups we drink from on planes. Dana shares her journey from the Aral Sea region to studying microplastics across Europe, uncovering how even our most “harmless” travel routines leave invisible traces behind. In this episode we cover: How microplastics form and why they’re dangerousThe hidden microplastics in airplanes, buses, and tiresWhy a “recyclable” coffee cup might not be so innocentThe truth about plastic water bottles and travel gearWhat fabrics shed microplastics and which ones are good alternativesHow to reduce plastic waste when travelingAre bioplastics and silicone really better alternatives?The impact of laundry and clothing on plastic pollutionWhy microplastics affect every ecosystem, even how it reacts in snowPractical tips for sustainable, low-plastic travelEpisode 42 of Travel Devil is out now on all podcast platforms. More of Dana’s work: Connect with Dana on InstagramCheck out her Microplastic Free AppWrite us your thoughts on the show Want more? Follow Paul Waye on Instagram @wayeoflife Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevilpod Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken Watch more on my YouTube channel

    54 min

  7. 09/25/2025

    41- Why the Bus Beats the Train in Thailand & Laos w/ Eva & The Planet

    When you think of traveling through Southeast Asia, do you imagine hopping on a quick flight between islands?  In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken sits down with Eva Werners from Eva & The Planet to talk about the real side of slow and sustainable travel in Thailand and Laos. Eva shares her stories from night buses, VIP buses, overnight trains, and the legendary two-day slow boat along the Mekong River. Together we dive into what it means to travel like a local and why the bus so often beats the train. In this episode you’ll hear about: Buses vs. trains in Thailand & Laos: which one truly works betterDifference between the VIP bus,The reality of the famous two-day slow boat on the Mekong RiverWhy locals often choose buses over trainsThe ups & downs of night buses and night trainsLessons learned from long, unpredictable journeysVIP Night Bus (Bangkok–Chiang Mai) vs the Standard Night Bus (Bangkok–Chiang Mai)Day Buses vs Minibuses (Chiang Mai–Pai)Long-Distance Buses vs the new train in LaosWhether you’re planning a trip to Thailand or Laos, or just curious about slow, conscious travel, this episode will inspire you to rethink how you move across borders. More from Eva: Website: evaandtheplanet.com Instagram: @evaandtheplanet Write us your thoughts on the show Want more? Follow Paul Waye on Instagram @wayeoflife Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevilpod Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken Watch more on my YouTube channel

    1h 4m

  8. 09/04/2025

    40- Cruise Industry Exposed: Greenwashing & Alternatives w/ Joe Sills

    From documenting the world’s largest sailing ship, the Royal Clipper, to walking on mega cruise liners with thousands of passengers, Joe Sills has seen both sides of the ocean travel spectrum.  In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken sits down with Joe Sills, journalist and photographer, to dig into one of travel’s most controversial industries: cruises. Together, they explore the environmental cost of cruising, the rise of greenwashing in tourism, and whether sailing ships and boutique cruises could offer a better way forward. What we cover in this episode: The difference between mega cruise ships and sailing vesselsWhat responsible travel means in 2025How small-scale cruises support local economies (and why mega ships can overwhelm them)CO₂ emissions of cruise ships vs airplanes and trainsWhy Antarctica should be a no-go for mass cruisesGreenwashing in the cruise industry and how to spot red flagsAlternatives: local sailing yachts, small river cruises, boutique shipsJoe’s Arctic expedition experience, and how climate change cut it shortPractical tips on how to pick a more sustainable cruiseIf you’ve ever wondered “are cruises worse than flying?”, or if sailing ships could really be a sustainable option compared to regular cruises, this episode gives you a deep dive into the truth. Write us your thoughts on the show Want more? Follow Paul Waye on Instagram @wayeoflife Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevilpod Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken Watch more on my YouTube channel

    1h 1m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Travel Devil is your gateway to a world of sustainable travel, slow travel, and truly meaningful adventures. Hosted by slow tourism advocate Clara Francken, this podcast invites you to rethink the way you move across the planet. In a world dominated by mass tourism and cheap flights, Travel Devil shows how eco travel and responsible tourism can transform not only your trips but your entire travel mindset. Here, we explore how to travel lighter, deeper, and with intention, whether you're interested in slow tourism, eco-friendly travel, overland travel, or discovering unique travel destinations across Europe and the world. With regular updates touching on Europe travel news and trends in conscious mobility, the show brings you stories that inform, inspire, and challenge the status quo. Each episode features travellers, adventurers, and experts who share honest experiences about train travel, bikepacking, hitchhiking, thru-hiking, cargo ship travel, family travel, solo travel for women, travelling as a couple, moving abroad, and much more. You’ll hear what it really means to reduce your carbon footprint while staying curious, open-minded, and connected to local communities. What you can expect from Travel Devil: Practical insights into sustainable travel, eco travel, and slow travelReal conversations about responsible tourism and slow tourism in Europe and beyondUpdates and reflections tied to Europe travel news and conscious mobilityTips for travel safety, travel tech, and using smart remote work tools while exploringInspiration for overland travel, finding cheap train tickets, and travelling on a budgetStories from nomads, expats, long-distance hikers, cyclists, night train travellers, and first-time adventurersAdvice on packing lists, packing hacks, and navigating nomad housingDeep dives into local community projects and sustainable initiatives shaping the future of travel Whether you’re into eco-friendly travel, sustainable travel, slow tourism, overland routes, or simply want to expand your travel mindset, this podcast will help you explore the world in a way that feels good - for you and the planet. Expect inspiration. Expect laughter. Expect honest stories that make you rethink how you travel. For more conscious travel content, follow @traveldevil.podcast and @clarafrancken on Instagram.

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