Zero To Travel Podcast

• How to Win at Travel with “The Points Guy” Brian Kelly

  Are you leaving free travel on the table? Brian Kelly, aka The Points Guy, is one of the world’s leading experts on travel and loyalty programs. What started as a blog in 2010 has become a massive platform helping millions of travelers maximize rewards and travel smarter.  In his new book How to Win at Travel, Brian shares everything he’s learned about the game of travel, from leveraging airline and credit card points to planning your dream itinerary so you can experience the world in ways you never thought possible. Brian joins me to talk about why playing the points game is about more than just free flights—it’s a strategy for life. He also shares how he turned a side hustle into a travel empire and opens up about his experience growing up in a small town and coming out after college. Whether you're a travel hacking pro or just getting started, this episode will reframe how you think about points and miles as a financial tool. Brian breaks it all down in a way that makes sense, showing you how to turn travel into a strategic investment while revealing lesser-known perks and insider tips that will allow you to travel smarter and truly win at travel. PLUS, you’re going to hear the 5th and final installment of our Five Best Road Trips in the USA mini-series. I saved the best for last!  What’s your biggest travel hack or points win? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: Why being authentic will always reign supreme in life and business Why Brian is passionate about Peace Jam and giving back through travel Why points are not only an extremely powerful tool but an important safety net The biggest mistakes people make with points and miles and how to avoid wasting your rewards How to reframe stressful travel with a “karma points” mindset and have better experiences The four main loyalty program structures and how understanding them can help you redeem points for maximum value The one travel insurance mistake that could cost you big time Hidden gem destinations you should add to your bucket list And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Visit The Points Guy Grab the book How to Win at Travel Want More? How To Take More Vacations by Booking Better, Cheaper Flights With Scott Keyes When Is the Best Time to Book a Flight (In 2024) With Christie Hudson Work Exchange: How to Travel with Purpose with Ricardo Lima from Worldpackers Thanks To Our Sponsors Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com. Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Saily - Go to saily.com/zerototravel and download the SAILY app - use the code ‘zerototravel’ at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase. Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com

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• Discovering The Hidden Europe with Francis Tapon

  Why should you explore Eastern Europe? Francis Tapon is a global nomad and author of Hike Your Own Hike and The Hidden Europe. With an inspiring travel resume, he has traveled to 125 countries, has walked across America four times, Spain twice, and Madagascar once (at the time of this recording). From 2013 to 2018, he even traveled nonstop overland to all 54 African countries. Francis shares his journey traveling through Eastern Europe, discussing what he learned about the region, the people, and the misconceptions many have about this part of the world. He shares his philosophy of “wander learning,” explains why he believes slow travel is the future, and even gives us a sneak peek into his epic five-year overland journey across Africa. This episode will encourage you to go beyond the typical tourist hotspots to truly experience a place. Francis shares insights into how to travel deeply, meet locals, and gain a richer understanding of different cultures. He also opens up about how he financially sustains his travels, his approach to living with less, and why investing unconventionally has helped him maintain a life of adventure.  Plus, if you’re curious about long-distance hiking, you won’t want to miss his take on hiking all three of America’s major trails and the crazy adventure he took on the Continental Divide Trail. What’s a place you’ve visited that completely changed your perspective? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. *This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: His philosophy of "wander learning" and how travel is the best education How Francis hiked the three longest trails in the U.S. and what he learned from each Why taking a contrarian approach to money and investing can fuel a life of travel Why Francis defines Eastern Europe differently than most people (and why that matters) The biggest misconceptions about Eastern Europe The best ways to meet locals and truly experience a destination How slow travel can lead to deeper, more meaningful experiences How he managed to travel through all 54 African countries over five years How Francis approaches writing about his travels and his latest project, Unseen Africa What destinations you should visit now And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Visit FrancisTapon.com Follow Francis on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube Visit Africa54.com Listen to Wander Learn Podcast Grab a copy of Francis' books CouchSurfing RescueTime Want More? How to Plan a Trip to Europe in 2025 with Lynne Nieman World’s Cheapest Destinations + Traveling Europe on a Budget (2025) with Tim Leffel Top 8 Food Hacks in Europe: How to Find Authentic Culinary Experiences on the Old Continent with Kenny Dunn Thanks To Our Sponsors Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com. Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Saily - Go to saily.com/zerototravel and download the SAILY app - use the code ‘zerototravel’ at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase. Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com

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• Beyond the Summit: Climbing Mt. Everest, Filming at 29,000 Feet, a Cultural Journey through Nepal, and Taking Your Childhood Dreams to Heart with Alex Harz

  What does it take to turn a childhood dream into reality, even when it seems impossible? Alex Harz is an adventurer, filmmaker, and storyteller who took his dream of climbing Mount Everest and turned it into a powerful multimedia project, The Quest: Everest. With a background in acting, business, and international travel, Alex combined his skills to document the Everest experience like never before, bringing audiences up the mountain with him through both a documentary film and an immersive VR experience. But his journey was about much more than just summiting Everest; it was about embracing challenge, cultural connection, and pushing human limits.  In this episode, Alex shares the incredible story behind his ascent of Mount Everest, providing an unfiltered look at what it takes to push beyond your limits and climb the world’s highest peak.  From his rigorous training and years of preparation to the emotional and spiritual impact of the journey, Alex talks about the intense preparation, the surreal beauty of the Himalayas, and the life-and-death decisions climbers face on the mountain. Beyond the climb itself, we dive into the deeper meaning of pursuing a lifelong dream and how the people of Nepal profoundly shaped his journey.  What is your “personal Everest?” I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: The random moment that inspired Alex to embrace his childhood dream after 15 years  How he went from zero mountaineering experience to climbing the world’s tallest peak The extreme training regimen required to prepare for Everest What it’s like to experience Everest Base Camp’s international tent city The spiritual side of Everest and how Nepalese culture shaped his journey The life-or-death decisions climbers must make on the mountain Why physical fitness alone won’t get you to the summit The ethical questions surrounding Everest tourism and the role of Sherpas How witnessing death on Everest changed his perspectives  The challenges of documenting a high-altitude expedition and bringing the story to life The moment Alex stood at the top of the world and what it meant to him And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Learn more and watch The Quest: Everest Want More? Everest Excellence with Ellen Miller From Wall Street to Nepal, Life-Changing Moments, and What It Means To Have Enough With James C. Hopkins Silence in the Age of Noise with Legendary Explorer Erling Kagge Thanks To Our Sponsors Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com. Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Saily - Go to saily.com/zerototravel and download the SAILY app - use the code ‘zerototravel’ at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase. Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com

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• The JOMO Revolution, Exciting New Visa Announcement, Is This the Best Way to Determine Your Next Destination? (February 2025 Recap)

  I’m bringing you some of the best insights from the past month’s newsletter—curated travel tips, trends, and ideas that deserve a deeper dive. If you’ve ever felt the sting of travel FOMO, wondered about the latest digital nomad visas, or wanted a better way to pick your next destination without overcomplicating it, this one’s for you. You’ll get my take on the antidote to travel FOMO that might change your mindset, what this new visa to an exciting destination means for remote workers, and why tourist taxes are becoming more common (and who it really impacts).  You’ll also learn a simple strategy for choosing your next destination, hear about my personal mantra for the year and how it’s influencing my mindset and travels for 2025, and I’ll leave you with a powerful question to inspire your next move. What’s your phrase for the year? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share what it means to you by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Read the JOMO article Learn about the New Zealand visa Check out the Best places to travel by month Want More? New Zealand: Top 10 Hidden Gems, Campervan Lifestyle (Tips and Tricks), and Doing Life Differently With Lisa Jansen Trekking from France to Austria (Using Hand-Drawn Maps from Locals) + Advocating for Torture Prevention Around the World with Ben Buckland Rick Steves On the Hippie Trail (The Making of a Travel Writer) with Special Guest Host Eric Weiner 14 Best of “The Best Places to Travel in 2025” (Jason’s Picks) Thanks To Our Sponsors Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com. Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Saily - Go to saily.com/zerototravel and download the SAILY app - use the code ‘zerototravel’ at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase. Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com

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• Top 5 Hotels in the World (Worth Seeking Out) + How Hotels Can Transform Your Travels with National Geographic Author Annie Fitzsimmons

  How can your hotel or accommodations change how you experience a place? Annie Fitzsimmons is a seasoned luxury travel expert and author of the National Geographic book 100 Hotels of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Retreats. Annie has covered hotels, travel, lifestyle, restaurants, and destinations around the world for the last 20 years, working with major travel media companies such as National Geographic Travel and AFAR, and is currently the editor-in-chief at Embark Beyond. Annie shares the top five hotels that are worth seeking out in your life, covering not just luxury stays but those that tell a story, bring people together, and enhance the entire travel experience.  We talk about the best hotels in the world that are actually worth their price tag and why you should experience these places even if you’re not a guest. You’ll learn how to find places that match your travel style, gain insight into the world of hospitality, and learn how the hotel industry is evolving in the era of Airbnb.  We also discuss how she landed her dream job as National Geographic’s first-ever Urban Insider and how you, too, can forge your own unique career path. PLUS: You'll hear part three of our Top 5 Road Trips in the USA series! What was the most memorable hotel you’ve ever stayed in? I'd love to hear about your experience, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: What it was like to leave her home country, raise a family abroad, and navigate cultural differences How to match the right hotel to your travel style and expectations Tips for making the most of a hotel, even if you’re not a guest Where to find unique stays beyond typical luxury hotels The top hotels in the world that immerse you in the local experience  Why “affordable luxury” is on the rise and what that means for travelers Where the future of hotels is headed in a world of alternative stays How Annie landed a dream job at National Geographic and created her own career path Her best advice for writing and interviewing  And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Visit Annie’s website Read her book 100 Hotels of a Lifetime Want More? Choose Travel NOW! Lessons from the World’s Longest Honeymoon with National Geographic Authors Mike and Anne Howard of HoneyTrek Here Not There: Alternative Destinations With Less Crowds (And Meaningful Experiences) with National Geographic Author Andrew Nelson Travel TV Legend Samantha Brown: Pursuing Dreams, Solo Travel, Making Authentic Connections, and Why Success Begins Behind the Scenes Thanks To Our Sponsors Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com. Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Saily - Go to saily.com/zerototravel and download the SAILY app - use the code ‘zerototravel’ at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase. Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com

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