Affordable Adventure Travel to 50+ Countries

What does it actually take to visit 50+ countries without draining your bank account? John Johnston of The Bucket List Things has been doing exactly that — chasing bucket list adventures across Africa, South America, the Baltic States, and beyond, all on a budget most people spend on a single resort vacation.In this episode, John breaks down his entire approach to affordable adventure travel: how he finds jaw-dropping flight deals before anyone else, why he chooses hostels over hotels (and how to pick the right ones), and how a Morgan Freeman movie started it all.Plus — the story of how he jumped off a sleeper bus in Brazil at 2am while his luggage kept going without him. You won't want to miss it.In This EpisodeHow a Morgan Freeman movie sparked John's passion for travelPlanning active, adventure-focused trips across 50+ countriesThe flight deal services most travellers have never heard of (YYZ Deals & Next Departure)Why hostels beat hotels for budget AND social experiencesHow to choose the right hostel — ratings, reviews, and red flagsPersonal stories from Africa, Brazil, and the Baltic StatesHandling travel disasters with grace (or at least a good story)Upcoming trips: Newfoundland, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, and Southeast AsiaThe best apps and tools for long-haul travel: Rome2Rio, Hostelworld & moreTimestamps00:00 — Welcome & introduction to John Johnston of The Bucket List Things01:03 — How John's travel passion was sparked by a Morgan Freeman movie02:01 — Crafting personalized bucket list adventures with a focus on activity and uniqueness03:26 — Experience on a G Adventures trip through Southern Africa04:33 — Solo travel vs group tours — pros and cons05:25 — Discovering exotic destinations through airfare alerts like YYZ Deals and Next Departure06:52 — Planning trips to the Baltic States and exploring nearby Finland08:13 — Typical trip durations and balancing travel with budget09:12 — Strategies for organizing multi-city travel itineraries09:40 — How John attracts travel companions through social media10:33 — The affordability case for hostels — and the social benefits11:29 — Staying in budget-friendly hostels that rival four-star hotels12:58 — Identifying and choosing social but non-party hostels14:12 — Traveling with a mix of retired travelers and working professionals15:08 — The quirky fun of staying in unique accommodations16:07 — The Brazil sleeper bus story: luggage goes one way, John goes another21:46 — Planning and research tips for the Baltic States26:18 — Upcoming plans: Newfoundland, French overseas territories, Indonesia & Vietnam28:55 — Comparing travel costs by region and how that shapes trip planning29:57 — How John keeps travel organized with websites, apps & local insights30:44 — John's online presence and social media platforms31:39 — Long-haul flight tips: packing, comfort & sleep tricks33:02 — Choosing the best seats & travel apps like Rome2Rio and Fairy Hopper34:51 — The value of engaging with locals for hidden gems35:01 — Closing thoughts and advice for independent travelersResources & LinksThe Bucket List ThingsYYZ DealsNext DepartureHostelworldRome2RioConnect with John JohnstonFacebookInstagramYouTubeTikTokThreadsAbout the Truly Expert Travel PodcastYour go-to source for real travel stories, insider tips, and inspiration for your next adventure. Hosted by Paula.🌍 Visit us at trulyexpattravel.com for more tips, stories, and travel inspiration.Send us Fan MailHelp Truly Expat Travel by leaving a review or making a donation Here is the link - https://buymeacoffee.com/trulyexpatFind Your Perfect Rental Compare prices from 500+ car rental companies worldwide and save up to 70%. Best price guaranteed.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Find me on:Website: Truly Expat Travel Facebook: Truly ExpatInstagram: Truly Expat Travel TikTok: Truly Expat Travel Running this podcast takes a lot of coffee (and countless hours exploring every destination!). If you found this helpful and want to support more honest, detailed travel guides and itineraries, you can buy me a coffee. No pressure though – I'm just happy you're here and hope you have an incredible adventure! 🙂