GoNOMAD Travel Podcast

GONOMAD TRAVEL PODCAST SHOW NOTESEpisode: MOSTAR, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA — A RESILIENT CITY OF HISTORY, DIVING FEATS & ADVENTUREIn this episode, we travel to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina — a city where beauty, bravery, and centuries of history meet on the stones of one of the world’s most iconic bridges.Host Max Hartshorne takes listeners to the edge of the 79‑foot Stari Most, where divers have leapt into the emerald Neretva River for nearly 500 years, continuing a rite of passage that has become one of Europe’s most thrilling spectacles.We explore the rebuilt 16th‑century Ottoman bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage site that stands today as a powerful symbol of resilience after its destruction in 1993 and painstaking reconstruction stone by stone. Walking across it, you can feel the weight of history beneath your feet — the smooth limestone worn by centuries of footsteps, conflict, and renewal.You’ll meet the Mostarski Icarí, the legendary divers who wait patiently for crowds to gather before taking their breathtaking plunge. Their tradition, named after the myth of Icarus, is one of the most unforgettable experiences in the Balkans.Beyond the bridge, we wander through Mostar’s artisan‑filled Old Town, where shopkeepers proudly share hand‑made treasures — from glass mosaics to repurposed bullet casings transformed into art. These pieces tell the story of a city that has endured hardship yet continues to create beauty.The episode also explores the adventures waiting just outside the city:Kravica Waterfall, a lush oasis 45 minutes from MostarPočitelj, a hilltop town of Ottoman architectureBlagaj Tekke, the cliff‑side dervish monastery perched above the turquoise spring of the Buna RiverMostar is more than a postcard‑perfect stop — it’s a destination filled with meaning, memory, and a spirit that refuses to fade. Around every corner, visitors find reminders of resilience, creativity, and the enduring pride of its people.CREDITSThis episode was produced by Max Hartshorne. Special thanks to GoNOMAD writer Monique Evdokiou for her help with the script and her vivid reporting from Mostar.

Why You Should Never Reach for Your Phone on an AirplaneOn today’s episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, we’re unpacking a safety warning you’ve heard on every flight but may not have taken seriously: don’t reach for your phone if it slips between the airplane seats — call a flight attendant instead.It sounds like a small thing, but as we explore in this episode, it’s a rule written in fire. Literally.This story comes from reporting in Afar Magazine, and it reveals just how dangerous a crushed smartphone can be inside an aircraft cabin.🔥 What You’ll Hear in This Episode• Why a dropped phone can become a fire hazardWhen a phone gets wedged in the seat’s mechanical components, it can be crushed if the seat moves. That’s when the lithium battery can overheat and enter thermal runaway, a chain reaction where the battery “rapidly heats up, releases flammable gases, and can ignite.”• Real incidents that forced emergency landings and evacuationsWe highlight several dramatic examples, including:A Southwest flight where a crushed phone ignited a seat at the gate, forcing all 108 passengers to evacuate via emergency slides.A Hawaiian Airlines flight that declared an emergency after a trapped phone began emitting a burning smell near landing.An Alaska Airlines flight that returned to the airport after a phone and portable battery pack ignited in the cabin.• What the FAA data revealsFAA records show 106 verified incidents between 2006 and early 2026 involving lithium batteries in phones overheating, smoking, or catching fire — with 21 incidents in 2025 alone.• Why flight attendants insist you call themAirline reps explain that crews are trained to access the tight, complex seat mechanisms safely. As American Airlines notes, “seats can vary between aircraft,” and flight attendants know how to retrieve a device before it becomes a hazard.Delta adds that calling a crew member also prevents passengers from injuring themselves: “Those seats are tight. We’d rather get your phone out for you rather than have you potentially jam your finger.”• What happens if the phone starts to smokeIf a device becomes hot or begins emitting fumes, the crew can immediately activate fire‑safety protocols — another reason they want to know right away.✈️ The Big TakeawayThat quick line in the safety briefing isn’t just airline over‑caution. It’s a real, documented risk. If your phone slips into the seat, don’t reach for it — call a flight attendant. As the article concludes, “now you know, they weren’t kidding when they warned you about that.”🔗 Links from Today’s Episode(Here are the standard links you like included at the bottom of every set of show notes.)• GoNOMAD Travel https://www.gonomad.com• GoNOMAD Podcast Page https://www.gonomad.com/category/podcasts• Max’s Travel Writing on GoNOMAD https://www.gonomad.com/author/max-hartshorne (gonomad.com in Bing)• Subscribe to the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listenMentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:Smart Travel PodcastCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.Voyascape Podcast Network

We explore this vibrant region, known for its stunning landscapes, mountains, local vineyards, and a plethora of agri-tourism opportunities. Our journey takes us through charming towns like Dunham, Bromont, and Frelighsburg, where we stay at the welcoming Gite La Maison Bleu and dine at Espace Old Mill, enjoying meals crafted from locally sourced ingredients.This episode includes many photos and short videos from this region of Quebec, edited by Teh Chin Liang, a GoNOMAD Contributor. We also visit innovative cideries and partake in activities such as mountain biking and disc golf, all while soaking in the views of the Vermont mountains. Join us as we discover the unique flavors and stories that this nearby region has to offer.https://youtu.be/o3TS6ncDJZcMentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:Smart Travel PodcastCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.Voyascape Podcast Network

This week, host Max Hartshorne takes you inside one of Europe’s most intense and iconic travel experiences: the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. With insight from Pamplona resident Losu Values, we explore what it really takes to watch the event—not just survive it—and how first-time visitors can actually understand what they’re seeing.Most travelers arrive with a cinematic image in mind: bulls charging, runners sprinting, adrenaline everywhere. But the reality is more layered. The route changes character from section to section, and your experience depends entirely on where you stand and how early you prepare.We break down the difference between street-level and balcony viewing, explain why timing and geography matter more than chaos, and explore how the rhythm of the morning builds long before the bulls are released. Losu explains how locals read the route, anticipate the movement, and choose their vantage points with precision. We also quote a friend of Max's who has been to the San Fermin festival 48 times, every year since 1976, he explains what he loves so much.You’ll learn why the run lasts only a few minutes but requires hours of preparation, how the old town’s compact layout can confuse even seasoned travelers, and why clarity—not proximity—is the key to a memorable experience.Whether you’re planning your first trip to San Fermín or just curious about what it’s really like to be there, this episode gives you the insider’s view of Pamplona’s most famous morning.Find out more about how you can attend the Running of the Bulls from Losu Value at Basque Views, in Pamplona, SpainListen now on the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, hosted by Max Hartshorne. Visit us at GoNOMAD.com and Voyascape.com for more travel stories, guides, and podcast episodes.Follow, subscribe, and share to keep the adventure going.

SHOW NOTES — GoNOMAD Travel Podcast PENANG, MALAYSIA's Miao Hui New YearsIn this episode, we travel to the vibrant island of Penang, Malaysia, where Lunar New Year isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a living, breathing celebration that spills into the streets of George Town. Senior Writer Chin Liang Teh takes us home to his island to experience Miao Hui, a community‑driven festival that preserves the traditions many big cities have long forgotten.🎧 What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeWhy Penang’s Lunar New Year feels different from the commercialized celebrations found elsewhereHow George Town’s UNESCO‑listed streets transform into a cultural playgroundThe meaning and magic behind Miao Hui, held during the first week of the Lunar New Year🐉 Cultural Performances That Steal the ShowDragon dances weaving through narrow lanes to the beat of thunderous drumsLion dancers leaping between high platforms with acrobatic precisionThe spectacular Chingay parade, where performers toss massive flags—sometimes catching them with their foreheads🎭 Hands‑On Heritage ExperiencesTraditional glove puppet theater, where visitors try their hand at ancient storytellingA quirky mini paddy field that lets festivalgoers plant a single rice seedling in real mudLanterns decorated with riddles, a centuries‑old tradition that turns the streets into a glowing puzzle trail🌿 Wellness the Old‑School WayThe surprisingly soothing knife massage, using the flat sides of blades to tap and pressHerbal face masks and threading, beauty rituals passed down through generations🍚 Festival Foods You Won’t ForgetLei cha, a bright green Hakka tea‑and‑herb rice dish believed to cool the bodyThe crowd‑pleasing cannon popcorn, which explodes from a heated metal cannon with a booming blast❤️ Why Penang’s Celebration MattersMiao Hui isn’t just a festival—it’s a reminder of how traditions survive when communities keep them alive. Locals, travelers, families, and curious wanderers all share the same streets, the same sounds, and the same joy. In Penang, Lunar New Year still feels like it always has: meaningful, communal, and full of heart.Mentioned in this episode:Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.Voyascape Podcast NetworkCheck out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:Smart Travel Podcast