Strange Old World

Looking for some unusual attractions in Bangkok, Thailand? Look no further.In this episode, we talk to expert travel writer and house DJ Barbara Woolsey.Barbara is a culture and travel writer who splits her time between Bangkok and Berlin. She has authored several Lonely Planet Thailand guides and covered the country for Atlas Obscura, Thrillist and more. Barbara is also as DJ (known as Babxi), playing house and disco in famous nightclubs in Europe and SE Asia.In this episode you’ll find out…How you can earn good karma by paying to release a captive animalWhere you’ll find a menu including duck in bile and pig brain with chilliWhy you shouldn’t go around touching people on the top of the head…and so much more.You’ll find all Barbara’s picks on the pod website: www.strangeoldworld.com(LINKS DON'T WORK ON YOUR PODCAST PLATFORM? THEY'RE ALL AT WWW.STRANGEOLDWORLD.COM TOO)You can read Barbara’s latest travel articles at barbarawoolsey.com — or listen to Babxis’s music at soundcloud.com/babxi. She’s also on Facebook and InstaPlanning to travel to Thailand? Buy Barbara’s brand new Lonely Planet Thailand book (or wait for her Thailand’s Islands & Beaches book — it’s out this summer)If you’re interested, this is the Pyongyang skyscraper Joe talked about in the epFollow Joe on X or Instagram or get in touch at info@juniorproductions.co.uk

Looking for unusual attractions in Marrakech, Morocco? Look no further.In this ep, we talk to writer, podcaster and travel consultant Mandy Sinclair.When Mandy relocated to Marrakech in 2011, she launched a travel blog and podcast called Why Morocco. She also founded Tasting Marrakech, offering food and cultural tours of the city. While Mandy no longer lives in Marrakech, she often returns and worked on the latest Lonely Planet Morocco guidebook.In this episode you’ll find out…Where you can go to create your own unique perfumeWhy you don’t have to pay a fortune to attend a film premiereWhich unusual flavour of milkshake is a big hit in Marrakech…and so much more.You’ll find all Mandy’s picks on the pod website: www.strangeoldworld.com(LINKS DON'T WORK ON YOUR PODCAST PLATFORM? THEY'RE ALL AT WWW.STRANGEOLDWORLD.COM TOO)Venture over to Mandy’s website — mandyinmorocco.com — to read her blog articles, listen to her podcast and learn all about her Tasting Marrakech toursThere are also links to her freelance writing. Articles we mentioned on the pod:Where to Find the Best Street Art in Marrakech - Culture TripHow to spend a day in trendy Sidi Ghanem - The IndependentFollow Joe on X or Instagram or get in touch at info@juniorproductions.co.uk

Looking for some unusual attractions in Andalusia, Spain? Look no further.In this episode, we talk to local Andalusia travel blogger Molly Sears-Piccavey.Originally from Nottingham, England, Molly has lived in Spain since 1998 and now resides in Granada, Andalusia. She is fluent in Spanish and is passionate about local gastronomy, history and culture. Read her blog at piccavey.com or reserve one of her Spain Food Sherpas tours in Seville, Granada and Málaga.In this episode you’ll find out…Why not all men in pointy hoods are members of the KKKHow a sprinkling of sheep brains and testicles can pep up an omeletteWhen your mum’s savage insult hurts more than a military surrender…and so much more.You’ll find all Molly’s picks on the podcast website: www.strangeoldworld.com(LINKS DON'T WORK ON YOUR PODCAST PLATFORM? THEY'RE ALL AT WWW.STRANGEOLDWORLD.COM TOO)Read her latest Spain blog articles or follow her on Facebook, X or InstagramHere are a couple of the blog articles we mentioned on the pod:Spanish Christmas Lottery – Why is it such a big tradition?Street Food in Spain – Snack like a local in GranadaFollow Joe on X or Instagram or get in touch at info@juniorproductions.co.uk

Looking for unusual attractions in Amsterdam, Netherlands? Look no further.In this episode, we talk to local travel YouTuber and blogger Jessica Cutrufello.Jessica runs the YouTube channel A Wanderlust for Life — as well as the blog of the same name. She relocated from the mountains of Virginia to the lowlands of the Netherlands in 2014. Having called Amsterdam home for the last decade, she is passionate about helping others to discover the best of her adopted city.In this episode you’ll find out…Where to go for a reminder that you’re crawling with microbesWhy eating and drinking on the go can result in some funny looksHow the Old Town was built on top of submerged wooden stilts…and so much more.You’ll find all Jessica’s picks on the pod website: www.strangeoldworld.com(LINKS DON'T WORK ON YOUR PODCAST PLATFORM? THEY'RE ALL AT WWW.STRANGEOLDWORLD.COM TOO)Check out her YouTube and blog, and follow her on Insta, X and FacebookHere are three ways to get more travel content from Jessica:Read Jessica’s European travel articles at www.awanderlustforlife.comWatch Jessica’s travel videos at youtube.com/awanderlustforlifeLet Jessica help you plan your trip at www.thatch.co/@awanderlustforlifeFollow Joe on X or Instagram or get in touch at info@juniorproductions.co.uk

Looking for strange attractions in Lagos & Yorubaland? Look no further.In this episode, we talk to local travel journalist and tour guide Pelu Awofeso.Pelu is a culture and travel writer and contributor to Lonely Planet and Medium. A winner at the CNN Multichoice African Journalist Awards in travel reporting, Pelu is also the author of several Nigeria travel books — his latest, One for the Road, is out now. He regularly guides tourists around Yorubaland and Nigeria.In this episode you’ll find out…Where to pick up monkey heads, snakes and other ‘fetishes’Why you shouldn’t ask a tour guide to go to Makoko floating villageHow an ancient Yoruba city was the place where the world began…and so much more.You’ll find all Pelu’s picks on the podcast website: www.strangeoldworld.comYou can read his travel articles about Nigeria on the Lonely Planet website.His books are available in various places. Head to Amazon to buy Nigerian Festivals, Route 234 and Tour of Duty. Visit Rovingheights Books to get White Lagos and 9 Degrees North. And nip across to Paystack for One for the RoadWant to book Pelu as your Lagos tour guide? He’s on Facebook, X and Insta

Looking for unusual attractions in Florence, Italy? Look no further.In this episode, we talk to local expert and travel journalist Nicky Swallow.A musician by training, Nicky Swallow first moved to Florence in 1981 to play in the opera orchestra. She tried bruschetta drizzled with newly-pressed, grass green olive oil early on, and was hooked. She has been writing about Florence for the past 20 years and continues to travel extensively throughout the country.In this episode you’ll find out…How Florence’s medieval football match gets surprisingly violentWhich of a cow’s four stomachs tastes best with salsa verdeWhy you should ignore a Hollywood star’s wine-drinking advice…and so much more.You’ll find all Nicky’s picks on the podcast website: www.strangeoldworld.com(LINKS DON'T WORK ON YOUR PODCAST PLATFORM? THEY'RE ALL AT WWW.STRANGEOLDWORLD.COM TOO)Read Nicky’s travel articles in all the big publications, including The Telegraph, Condé Nast Traveller, The Guardian, AFAR, Travel + Leisure and The FlorentineHer latest book, Cala di Volpe, is available on Assouline Press or from AmazonClassical music fans should also check out her festival: Incontri in Terra di SienaYou can also follow Nicky on Twitter (X) and Instagram. Connect with Joe by following him on X or Insta — or get in touch at info@juniorproductions.co.uk

Looking for some unusual attractions in Ljubljana, Slovenia? Look no further.In this episode, we talk to local expert Mark Baker, writer for Lonely Planet.Mark Baker is a travel writer, blogger and author with a penchant for offbeat stories and forgotten places. Originally from the United States, he now calls Prague home. In addition to writing Lonely Planet Slovenia, he’s also the author of Lonely Planet Prague & Czechia. Follow his work at markbakerprague.comIn this episode you’ll find out…How Jason (of ‘and the Argonauts’ fame) founded Ljubljana… maybeWhy ‘hot horse’ is a more literal description than ‘hot dog’Where you can cycle and kayak through miles of underground mines…and so much more.You’ll find all Mark’s picks on the podcast website: www.strangeoldworld.com(LINKS DON'T WORK ON YOUR PODCAST PLATFORM? THEY'RE ALL AT WWW.STRANGEOLDWORLD.COM TOO)Follow Mark on X and Insta and check out his blog: markbakerprague.comMark’s latest Lonely Planet Slovenia guidebook is out in spring. Pre-order nowBetter yet, if you read Czech, buy his book! It’s Čas proměn (Time of Changes)Want to know more about Mark’s espionage entanglement? Follow these links:Part 1: Introducing 'Inter' — the start of a five-part blog seriesTrue Spies podcast: Operation InterFollow Joe on X or Instagram or get in touch at info@juniorproductions.co.uk

Looking for some unusual attractions in Tokyo, Japan? Look no further.In this episode, we talk to local expert and freelance writer David McElhinney.David is a Northern Irish journalist and editor based in Tokyo and Belfast. Since first moving to Japan in 2018, he’s written travel articles — as well as pieces on Japanese art, culture and current affairs — for the likes of Lonely Planet, Tokyo Weekender and CNN Travel. He’s currently working on a guidebook to Japan.In this episode you’ll find out…Where to witness the genitalia-celebrating Festival of the Steel PhallusWhy curry bread and pit-viper liqueur beat salted squid gutsHow rockabilly and jazz music have found a loving home in Tokyo…and so much more.You’ll find all David’s picks on the podcast website: www.strangeoldworld.com(LINKS DON'T WORK ON YOUR PODCAST PLATFORM? THEY'RE ALL AT WWW.STRANGEOLDWORLD.COM TOO)Read his articles for Tokyo Weekender and check out his freelance websiteHere are a couple of the Japan-focused articles we mentioned on the pod:Spirituality Without Religion on the Kumano KodoIn Praise of Silence: Japan’s Ancient Relationship to the Absence of NoiseJazz Kissa: A Musical Culture Unique to JapanFollow Joe on X or Instagram or get in touch at info@juniorproductions.co.uk