Off The Map - Why Lauren Valentine Thinks Algeria Might Be The World's Best Kept Travel Secret

Algeria isn't on most people's travel list. That's exactly what makes it worth talking about.Jules Verne’s own Lauren Valentine joins host Abbey to share what it’s really like to visit one of the world’s least-visited countries - and why she came back wondering why more people aren’t going.Lauren started travelling at 18, solo, with no real plan - and spent the best part of four years moving through Australia, Canada, Central America, and beyond before moving into a career in travel. As Jules Verne’s very own ‘explorer’, Lauren tells us why Algeria felt unlike anywhere she'd been:In this episode:·      A beach in Costa Rica, a sleeping crocodile ten metres away, and a very quick decision to move·      Hiking an active volcano in Guatemala and spending the night watching it erupt·      Constantine - a city built over a gorge, full of bridges, and entirely free of other tourists·      Timgad Roman ruins, where the only sound was the wind·      A village welcome: traditional dress, a song, figs dipped in olive oil, and a ceremony that caught everyone off guard·      The food - couscous, tagines, homemade bread, and a lunch eaten overlooking Roman ruins·      Locals wanting selfies, strangers asking to practise their English, and an airport conversation that set the tone for the whole tripThere's also an honest answer to the question Lauren kept getting asked in Algeria: what are you doing here?Thinking about Algeria? Discover Jules Verne’s small group tours and explore a destination few travellers have experienced. Visit julesverne.co.uk for details.For more information about travel for your curious mind:Website - Travel for Curious Minds PodcastInstagram - Travel for Curious Minds PodcastYouTube - Travel for Curious MindsFor more about Jules Verne Travel:Website - Jules Verne TravelTo subscribe to this podcast so you get each new fortnightly episode straight into your inbox the moment it goes live, you can either subscribe on your podcast app (search for Travel for Curious Minds) or go here:Travel for Curious Minds