GoNOMAD Travel Podcast

In this episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, Senior Writer Chin Liang takes us deep into the heart of Transylvania, a region forever linked to gothic legends, dark forests, and of course… vampires. But as Chin quickly shows us, the real Transylvania—and the real Brașov—is far more fascinating than any fictional horror story.We begin with the scenic train ride from Bucharest, winding through the Carpathian Mountains before arriving in Brașov, a city of 250,000 people that still feels like a perfectly preserved medieval town. In the Old Town’s Council Square, Chin notices something unusual: the eyebrow dormer windows that look like hundreds of half‑closed eyes watching from the rooftops. Built by Saxons centuries ago, these “eyes” once ventilated attics—but today they give Brașov its unforgettable, slightly eerie charm.Chin explores the Black Church, the city’s most famous landmark, named for the fire that blackened its walls in the 17th century. Inside stands one of the largest pipe organs in Southeastern Europe, with nearly 4,000 pipes still used for concerts.No trip to Brașov is complete without a visit to Bran Castle, the so‑called “Dracula’s Castle.” Chin sets the record straight: the castle has nothing to do with vampires. Instead, it was a fortress, then a royal residence, and now a museum perched dramatically on a rocky cliff. Still, its silhouette was close enough to Bram Stoker’s imagination that the legend stuck.Chin also recommends pairing your visit with Râșnov Fortress, a 13th‑century hilltop stronghold, and Peleș Palace, a spectacular neo‑Renaissance royal residence filled with secret doors, stained glass, medieval weapons, and ornate rooms that feel straight out of a fairytale.Back in Brașov, Chin samples local dishes like hearty beef stew and creamy roasted eggplant spread. And for the best view in town, he rides the cable car up Mount Tâmpa, where the forests and ridges of Transylvania stretch out in every direction. It’s here, above the rooftops and the “watchful eyes,” that the city’s resilience and history truly come into focus.Brașov is a place shaped by fire, rebuilt with pride, and wrapped in centuries of myth. And as Chin reminds us, sometimes the real stories are even better than the legends.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast and never miss a new journey.Explore more great travel stories at GoNOMAD.com 👉 https://www.gonomad.comCheck out all the Voyascape podcasts and subscribe here: 👉 https://www.voyascape.comThanks for listening—and happy travels!

In this episode, we head to Lower Manhattan to explore the layers of history hidden beneath the skyscrapers of Wall Street. Longtime GoNOMAD contributor Susmita Sengupta, a New Yorker with a sharp eye for the city’s past, takes us on a walking journey through the Financial District — revealing the colonial streets, early American landmarks, and sacred spaces that shaped the beginnings of the United States.We begin at the New York Stock Exchange, but instead of watching the crowds, Susmita leads us to the Federal Hall National Memorial, the “Birthplace of American Government,” where George Washington took the oath of office in 1789. The Doric columns, the bronze Washington statue, and the preserved balcony inside all bring the early republic vividly to life.Just steps away stands Trinity Church Wall Street, a Gothic masterpiece and the oldest public building still in use in Manhattan. Inside, its stained glass windows glow above the grave of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers.We continue to St. Paul’s Chapel, the Georgian-era sanctuary where Washington prayed after his inauguration, before wandering toward Stone Street, a cobblestone lane dating back to the Dutch colonial era — built by enslaved Africans and now lined with lively restaurants.Susmita then guides us to Fraunces Tavern Museum, a Revolutionary War landmark where patriots gathered and history unfolded. Across the street, she discovers the preserved remains of 17th‑century New Amsterdam, including the 1667 foundations of the Lovelace Tavern, visible beneath glass panels in the sidewalk.The journey concludes at the powerful and moving African Burial Ground National Monument, the largest colonial-era burial site for enslaved and free Africans in North America. Rediscovered in 1991, it now stands as a solemn memorial and educational center honoring more than 400 individuals whose labor helped build New York City.This episode is a thoughtful walk through the origins of the city — a reminder that beneath the financial capital of the world lies a deep, complex, and essential American story.Written by GoNOMAD contributor Susmita Sengupta.SUBSCRIBE & LISTENExplore more than 260 episodes of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast and discover new places every week.Subscribe to the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast: Visit Voyascape for more great travel podcasts: https://www.voyascape.comRead more travel stories on GoNOMAD: https://www.gonomad.com

In this episode, host Max Hartshorne takes listeners deep into Komodo National Park, exploring what it actually feels like to move through one of the world’s wildest island chains. This isn’t the postcard version—this is the lived version.Drawing from on‑the‑ground insight in the uploaded script — “You start to realize Komodo National Park isn’t really a checklist kind of place. It’s something you feel your way through.” — the episode breaks down the rhythm, the slowness, the raw landscapes, and the moments in between that define the Komodo experience.You’ll hear how the park has evolved, why access to Komodo Island is still open but more regulated, and what it’s like to wake up on the water day after day as the islands reveal themselves in layers.KEY MOMENTS & THEMESKomodo isn’t a checklist destination — it’s a place that unfolds slowly, shaped by tides, weather, and time.The dragons are iconic, but the surrounding landscape—dry hills, blue water, untouched islands—often leaves a deeper impression.Life on the water forces a different pace, where time stretches and the experience becomes more about presence than itinerary.Underwater is another world entirely, with mantas, coral, and visibility that stops you in your tracks.The in‑between moments matter most — sunsets on deck, quiet conversations, simple meals that taste better because of where you are.Komodo lingers long after you leave, not as a bucket‑list trophy but as a place that shifts your perspective.ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORThis episode was created with the insight and experience of Derek Haight, an American entrepreneur based in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, whose writing captures the emotional truth of traveling through Komodo National Park. From the script: “There’s something about Komodo that doesn’t really end when the trip does… Whatever it is, it lingers.” [email protected] IN THIS EPISODELabuan Bajo — gateway to Komodo National ParkPadar Island, Pink Beach, Rinca IslandManta encounters and world‑class snorkelingLife aboard traditional wooden boatsConservation efforts and regulated access to Komodo IslandLISTEN TO MORE EPISODESExplore more travel stories and destination deep dives at: 👉 WWW.VOYASCAPE.COMPLEASE SUBSCRIBEIf you enjoy the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the show with a friend who loves travel.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

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.

On 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 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