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Published by Mark Hodgson and Steve Demedio
Better Journeys is a fortnightly podcast from Mind & Body Travel, hosted by Steven Demedio and Mark Hodgson. Built on a simple philosophy — better, not more — each episode moves beyond the usual travel talk to explore what makes a trip truly meaningful: depth over distance, connection over checklists, and slower, more intentional exploration. Through real client stories and conversations with industry experts, guides, and facilitators, Steven and Mark dig into the experiences that actually change how people travel and, sometimes, how they see the world. From private touring in South America to
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This episode explores the rise of solo female travel and why more women, particularly those aged 50 to 70, are choosing to travel on their own. Mark and Steven are joined by Yvette from Intrepid Travel to talk about what is driving this shift, why women are becoming more adventurous, how group travel has changed, and what makes female-only travel experiences so powerful. The conversation goes well beyond the practicalities of travelling alone. It gets into confidence, safety, friendship, cultural immersion, relationships, family expectations and the idea that sometimes travel is exactly what we need to reconnect with ourselves. One of the most powerful themes is the idea of giving yourself permission to travel. You don't necessarily have to wait for your partner, friends or family to be available. Sometimes, taking the journey yourself can open the door to experiences and relationships you simply wouldn't have otherwise. Inside this Podcast: Why solo female travel is growing, particularly among women aged 50 to 70. How female-only travel experiences can create deeper cultural connections. Why modern small group travel is very different from the traditional group tour. How travel can build confidence, friendships and a stronger sense of independence. Why a better journey should leave you changed, connected and culturally immersed. Episode Highlights 00:00:00 - Why solo female travel is creating unexpected connections 00:01:26 - The rise of the 50-plus female traveller 00:04:01 - Why safety matters when travelling solo 00:04:45 - The thinking behind Intrepid's women's expeditions 00:05:45 - Yvette's powerful experience travelling with women in Nepal 00:06:35 - Discovering the reality of menstrual stigma in Nepal 00:08:35 - Why the people on a journey can become lifelong friends 00:10:17 - Why women shouldn't wait for someone else to travel 00:15:13 - Choosing where to go and how you want to travel 00:17:12 - How modern group travel creates deeper local experiences 00:18:09 - Sharing a room versus paying for your own space 00:20:41 - Why Vietnam and Morocco stand out for different travellers 00:22:03 - How the 50 to 70 age group is changing travel 00:23:13 - Yvette's definition of a better journey Stay Connected Better Journeys — Listen, follow, and join the conversation on Instagram: instagram.com/betterjourneys Mind & Body Travel — Explore our wellness travel experiences: instagram.com/mindandbodytravel Connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mind-and-body-travel Learn more about Mind & Body Travel: mindandbodytravel.com
In this episode, Mark and Steve sit down with Kirsty to hear about her recent self-drive journey through Northern Italy with her husband. Having already travelled to Italy before, Kirsty wasn't looking to simply tick off the usual hotspots. The brief was to get beyond the big cities and experience more of the country, which made a self-drive journey through the Dolomites, Cortina and Valpolicella the perfect fit. Kirsty shares what it was actually like to drive in Italy, including the nerves around toll roads, parking, highways and getting used to driving on the other side of the road. But what comes through strongly is that the freedom of having a car created experiences they simply couldn't have planned. A wrong turn led them to Monza, another spontaneous exit took them towards a beautiful lakeside lunch, and stopping along the roads through the Dolomites gave them moments to simply take in the scenery. We also explore something that sits at the heart of Better Journeys: slowing down doesn't necessarily mean staying in one place for weeks. Kirsty's three-week itinerary still moved through several destinations, but the intention behind the journey allowed her to stop, wander, talk to locals, enjoy long lunches and actually experience the places she was visiting. The result was a holiday that left her feeling refreshed rather than exhausted. She returned to work feeling ready to go, which she believes came from taking the time to soak in the meals, views, local life and unexpected moments along the way. From the spectacular scenery of the Dolomites to the slower rhythm of Valpolicella, this is a great example of what can happen when you give yourself permission to take your time and let the journey unfold. Inside this podcast: Why self-driving gives travellers more freedom and flexibility What it's really like driving through Northern Italy How unexpected stops can become the best travel memories Why slowing down can leave you more refreshed after a holiday How Northern Italy can be experienced beyond the traditional tourist hotspots EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 00:00:00 - Introducing Kirsty and her Northern Italy self-drive journey 00:02:05 - Why Kirsty chose to self-drive through Italy 00:03:33 - The unexpected moments that made the journey special 00:06:25 - Why leaving space in your itinerary matters 00:08:10 - The reality of driving, tolls and navigating Italian roads 00:11:25 - Discovering the Dolomites from behind the wheel 00:14:14 - Why slowing down creates a better travel experience 00:18:27 - Finding the perfect balance in Valpolicella 00:20:59 - Experiencing everyday Italian life beyond the tourist hotspots 00:22:26 - How to start planning your own self-drive journey Stay Connected Better Journeys — Listen, follow, and join the conversation on Instagram: instagram.com/betterjourneys Mind & Body Travel — Explore our wellness travel experiences: instagram.com/mindandbodytravel Connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mind-and-body-travel Learn more about Mind & Body Travel: mindandbodytravel.com
In the first ever episode of the Better Journeys Podcast, Mark Hodgson and Steven Demedio explore a question that sits at the heart of everything they believe about travel: what actually makes a great journey? With more information, recommendations and inspiration available than ever before, planning a holiday can quickly become overwhelming. Instagram, TikTok, Google, friends and endless opinions can create FOMO and turn a relaxing trip into a jam-packed itinerary where we're constantly trying to tick the next box. Mark and Steven question whether that is really what a holiday should feel like. They talk about the importance of restraint, calm and connection, and why travelling well isn't necessarily about seeing more places or fitting more experiences into a trip. Sometimes it's about slowing down enough to actually experience where you are, connect with the people you're travelling with, and create space to reconnect with yourself. They share personal examples from their own travels, including the Otago Rail Trail in New Zealand and time spent hiking and enjoying the quieter side of northern Italy. Both experiences highlight the same idea: when you remove the pressure to constantly move, you can become far more connected to the destination and the people you're sharing it with. This episode also introduces what Better Journeys is all about and what listeners can expect from future conversations with real travellers, industry experts and people finding better ways to experience the world. Because a better journey isn't about maximising how much you see. It's about maximising how much you experience. Inside this podcast: Why travel has become so overwhelming in the age of endless information How FOMO creates jam-packed holidays that leave us exhausted Why restraint and slowing down can create a better travel experience How connection with yourself, your companions and the destination changes a journey What Better Journeys will explore through real travellers and travel industry experts EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 00:00:00 - Welcome to the Better Journeys Podcast 00:02:02 - FOMO and the rise of jam-packed itineraries 00:03:10 - What inspired Better Journeys 00:04:14 - The importance of calm and restraint 00:06:07 - What it means to actually immerse yourself in a destination 00:11:24 - What listeners can expect from Better Journeys Stay Connected Better Journeys — Listen, follow, and join the conversation on Instagram: instagram.com/betterjourneys Mind & Body Travel — Explore our wellness travel experiences: instagram.com/mindandbodytravel Connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mind-and-body-travel Learn more about Mind & Body Travel: mindandbodytravel.com
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Observed September 20, 2026.
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