Episodes
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Coffee first, then clippers: Here’s what we did in Sydney
Sydney is one of our favorite cities, but we’ve been enough times to stop acting like tourists. You know what I mean, right? No more stumbling around Sydney Cove with our cameras out, waiting for that perfect angle of the opera. We wanted a more authentic experience. The answer involved a barber…
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Vanuatu Confidential: Volcanoes, kava and a road trip we’ll never forget
Vanuatu doesn’t show up in many top 10 lists, so of course we had to go. If you look at a map of the South Pacific, you’ll find it just west of Fiji. Since we’ve been based in Sydney for the last few months, it was only a 3.5-hour flight. Efate, Vanuatu’s main island, is a relatively flat jungle...
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We visited the adventure capital of the world. Here's what we discovered.
People visit Queenstown, New Zealand, for the thrills. But maybe that’s a mistake. You can ski the Southern Alps in August or drive a speedboat on the rapids of Shotover Canyon in January. You can even go bungee jumping off the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge. There’s more to this part of New...
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From babkas to banh mis: Our whirlwind food tour of Melbourne
Melbourne is a collection of the world’s most intriguing flavors. From the Jewish heart of Caulfield to the Greek streets of Oakleigh and the Vietnamese pulse of Windsor, we wanted to see how the city’s diaspora keeps its heritage alive through food. So we did. Where’s the fluffiest pita in the...
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Is Christchurch really the world’s most interesting city?
Christchurch, New Zealand’s resilience is on display everywhere you look. From its jarringly contrasty architecture to its surprising diverse food scene, this city has reimagined what a modern urban center can be. But is it the world’s most interesting city? Hmmm, let’s find out … Architecture…
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Swept away in windy Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington is a city of vertical hills and horizontal rain, a place where the sophisticated hum of Parliament meets the raw, salt-sprayed edge of the Cook Strait. It’s the next stop on our around-the-world adventure—and as we quickly learned, “Windy Wellington” is more than a nickname.…
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Sailboats, sourdough, and the salty soul of Auckland
Auckland is a city of skyscrapers and cedar masts, a place where the high-gloss world of international business meets the cobalt embrace of the Hauraki Gulf. And it’s the next stop on our around-the world adventure. New Zealand’s seasons are famously temperamental. Technically, the calendar says...
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Fiji Confidential: Culture, kava and endangered green iguanas
Bula from Fiji! We’ve just returned from a whirlwind tour of these South Pacific islands. And we saw a lot. Before we get into it, here’s this week’s question: What is your favorite island? It’s that time of year when everyone is thinking of visiting a warmer place, so please cast your vote in…
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Tahiti Confidential: What happened to us in French Polynesia
Ia ora na from Tahiti. This is our first stop on our South Pacific tour. We’ve never been here and I can’t believe it’s taken us this long to discover this part of the world. Before we get to it, here’s this week’s question: Have you ever had a farm-to-table experience in your travels? It’s a big...
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Arizona Confidential: We're tourists in our own state — here's what we did
Hello one last time from Arizona. This week, the three of us were tourists in our adopted home state. But before we talk about what we did, here’s this week’s question: What’s the largest group you’ve ever traveled with? Usually, it’s just the three of us. But we’ve also been part of much larger...
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Phoenix Confidential: Here's what we're doing back in the States
Howdy from Phoenix! Yes, we’re back in the U.S. for a brief visit. I know, I know. It feels a little weird. Before we get any more weirded out, here’s our question of the week: Have you ever returned from a trip to find things were not as you left them? Please tell us about it. We hiked to the…
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Copenhagen Confidential: Mushrooms and Danish architecture
Hej med jer from Copenhagen! It’s our last podcast from Europe, and this one is a little different. Before we get to the details, here’s this week’s question: Have you ever visited a place that you liked so much that you wanted to move there? (And did you?) We’re asking because a lot of Americans...
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Denmark Confidential: Our adventures in the kingdom
Goddag from Denmark! We’re on a whirlwind tour through this nordic country, and we have a lot to talk about today. Before we get to that, here’s this week’s question: What’s the most you’ve ever spent on food while you’ve traveled? (Denmark’s food prices have left us with sticker shock, but we…
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Paris Confidential: The podcast about nothing (well, almost nothing)
Hello from Paris. We just spent more than two weeks here trying to do the opposite of what most visitors do. We avoided the touristy areas. We walked in lesser-known neighborhoods. In short, we behaved like locals. (Well, kinda.) Before I go into detail, here’s this week’s question: Have you ever...
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Loire Valley Confidential: Our visit to a French Château
Bonjour from the Loire Valley in France! We have an exciting podcast for you today, including a river tour, a visit to a mushroom farm and lots of delicious food. Before we go there, here’s this week’s question: What’s the most clichéd thing you’ve ever done in your travels? (Like, I don’t know,...
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Greece Confidential: Here's what we did in Athens and Sparta!
Greece is a hot but beautiful place in August, and today we’re going to tell you what happened to us when we visited. Before we do, this week’s question: Where’s the must unusual place you’ve gone swimming in your travels? We saw people swimming in the Seine this week. Insane! I remember when I…
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Germany Confidential: A trip to the Baltic coast and beyond
Hello from Paris. In today’s long-awaited podcast, we’ll tell you about our adventures in eastern Germany. But first, this week’s question: What’s the buggiest destination you’ve ever visited? We ask because there’s no air conditioning in our apartment, and we opened the windows last night, and …...
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Germany Confidential: An adventure across Europe and Asia!
Hello from Lenzen, Germany. We’re halfway between Berlin and Hamburg in a small town along the Elbe. Did you miss us? It’s been weeks since our last podcast, so we have a lot to talk about. But first, our question of the week: Have you ever traveled to a place to do something that you thought you...
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Taiwan Confidential: This is the best part of Taipei
Lí hó from Taipei! It’s been two weeks since our last Elliott Confidential podcast, and we have been on the move. We’ll do a lightning round on hotels, and we also have a hotel-related question of the week: In all of your travels, what’s been your favorite hotel experience? The Grand Hotel in...
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Hong Kong Confidential: Our adventures in China
Hello from Hong Kong! We’ve been exploring this fascinating city and hiking around town for the past few days. We’ve also taken a side trip to Phuket, Thailand, and we’ll share details in this podcast. But first, this week’s question. Last week, we asked where you’ve felt the healthiest in your...
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Laos Confidential: On the Mekong in Luang Prabang
Sabaidi from Luang Prabang, Laos! We’re coming to you today from Phuket, Thailand, but we just got back from Laos and we have a lot to share with you. Before we get there, here’s this week’s question: In all of your travels, where have you felt the healthiest? (I’m working on a series of stories...
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Yokohama Confidential: Our wellness adventure in Japan
Hello from Yokohama, Japan! We’re in Japan’s second-largest city today at the Westin Yokohama. I’m researching a series of stories on wellness (I’ll have more on that soon). In the meantime, we’re just checking out the place. Our question of the week: Since it’s Golden Week here in Japan, we...
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Mejiro Confidential: A walk around the neighborhood
Hello again from Tokyo! This week we’re going local with trips to a Japanese grocery store, a park with lots of Americans (and one with almost none) and we have more funny signs. Before I get to that, here’s this week’s question: Since this is a holiday weekend in the U.S., we wanted to know —...
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Japan Confidential: Cherry blossoms, vending machines and funny English signs
Kon'nichiwa from Tokyo. We’ve been here for more than a week and are adjusting to life in Japan. Early April is the perfect time to be here — the weather is still cool and everything is in bloom. That brings us to this week’s question: What's the longest vacation you've taken?Where did you go —…
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Tokyo Confidential: We're back in Japan — and we have a surprise!
Surprise! Iden has joined us after almost two years of traveling abroad and starting a gaming channel. We’re so happy to have him back. Yep, it’s cherry blossom season in Tokyo. You can see them everywhere! Which brings us to this week’s question: Have you ever visited a place that you keep…
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Singapore Confidential: Here's what we found in "instant" Asia
Greetings from Singapore. They call this place “instant” Asia because it’s diverse and multicultural. But nothing could have prepared us for what we found. Before I get to that, here’s this week’s question: What’s the safest you’ve ever felt in your travels? It can be a safe destination, like...
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Kota Kinabalu Confidential: Our adventures in the rainforests of Borneo
Hello from Borneo! We’re in Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia’s Sabah state. It’s on the northern tip of Borneo. And wow, what an adventure it’s been! Before we get to that, here’s this week’s question: What’s the most remote place you’ve ever visited? Borneo is definitely a contender, but we’ve also…
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Borneo Confidential: What we discovered in Kuching, Malaysia
Hai from Borneo! We’re in Kuching, the capital of the Malaysian state of Sarawak. We’ve spent this week discovering the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of East Malaysia. This week’s question is inspired by Southwest Airlines’ move to end its “bags fly free” policy. Have you ever stopped...
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Outback Confidential: Our adventures in Australia's Northern Territory
Werte from Alice Springs in the Australian Outback. Wow, what an adventure! We’ve been to Uluru, Kings Canyon and Alice Springs in the last week, and we have so much to share that we had to turn this podcast into a video. But before we do, here’s this week’s question: Have you experienced...
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Sydney Confidential: Hanging out in Harbor City
G’day from Sydney! We’ve been hanging out in the Harbor City — sorry, I mean Harbour City — and trying not to get into too much trouble. But hey, it’s us. We always find a way. Before I forget, here’s this week’s question: Sydney has some of the best mass transit systems in the world. What’s the...
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New Zealand Confidential: Our adventures on the South Island
Hello from New Zealand’s scenic South Island. Maybe you’ve never heard of this place, but you’ve probably seen in — in movies like The Lord of the Rings and Narnia. This is where Hollywood goes for epic scenery. And the scenery is epic. Before we get to the photos, here’s this week’s question…
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Auckland Confidential: A dispatch from the Southern Hemisphere summer
Kia ora from Auckland! It’s been almost two years since we’ve been here. But it’s our first summer here — and we love it. Here’s this week’s question: What’s the farthest you’ve been from home for the holidays? Here in Auckland, we’re almost halfway around the world from home, so we’re really...
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Istanbul Confidential: Our new adventures on the Bosphorus
Merhaba from Istanbul! We’re back in town (we were here in April 2022) and we got to stay for two weeks this time. And wow, what an adventure we’ve had. Before we get into it, here’s this week’s question: Have you ever visited a city that changed how you think about food? That’s how we feel about...
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Limerick Confidential: Exploring the greenways and castles of western Ireland
Hello from Limerick! We spent our last week in Ireland exploring the western coast, including its famous Greenway, museums and castles. We’ve been here a while. Which brings us to this week’s question: Have you ever visited a place where you’ve overstayed your welcome? Please share your…
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Belfast Confidential: Checking out the Titanic Museum — and more
Hello again from Ireland. We’ve spent the last few days exploring Northern Ireland — a place we never expected to visit. And we’re glad we did! Which brings us to this week’s question: Have you ever visited a place you had sworn off — and either loved it or hated it? Please share your experiences...
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Ireland Confidential: An 800-year-old castle ... and how about this weather?
Hello again from Dublin! This week, we discovered an old Irish castle turned into a golf resort and Ireland’s national pastime: complaining about the weather. (The full story is in the podcast.) Speaking of weather, here’s this week’s question: Tell us about the most unpredictable weather you’ve...
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Dublin Confidential: Discovering Ireland one bite at a time
Dia duit from Dublin! We’ve landed in the Irish capital, and oh boy, do we ever have stories to tell. We live right across the street from one of the most famous pubs in the city. Before I show you, let’s do this week’s question: What’s the loudest experience you’ve ever had in your travels? I’d...
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Finland Confidential: Hanging out in Helsinki, Turku and Tampere
Hello from Helsinki. It’s a rainy day here in the capital and we are at the end of a two-week whirlwind adventure through Finland. This week’s question: Tell us about your last airline luggage disaster! I’d love to hear your tales of surprise luggage fees, emergency repacking, and evading the...
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Sweden Confidential: What we did in Stockholm this summer
Hello from Stockholm! It’s great to be back in Minnesota — I mean, uh, Sweden — and we’ve covered a lot of ground in the last two weeks. We’ll have all the details in this week’s podcast. Before we get to the pictures, here’s this week’s question: Tell us about your most recent visit to a “hidden...
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Leipzig Confidential: Our midsummer trek through eastern Germany
Hallo from Leipzig, Germany! We just wrapped up an ambitious tour of eastern Germany, which included Magdeburg, Halle and Leipzig. It’s almost too much to fit into a single podcast — but we’ll try! Before we get to it, here’s this week’s question: What is the worst destination dupe you’ve ever...
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Berlin Confidential: Exploring Germany in summer
Hi from Berlin! We’ve been exploring the German capital and we also made a side trip to Hamburg. We can’t wait to tell you all about it in this podcast. But before we do, here’s this week’s question: What’s the best walking city you’ve ever visited? And what’s the worst? (Also, please tell us…
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Switzerland Confidential: What happened on our train tour of the Alps
Hello from Berlin. This week’s podcast is all about Switzerland — our rail tour and our adventures in Grindelwald. Before we go there, here’s this week’s question: What’s the strangest thing you’ve eaten in your travels? I ask because we’ve just finished a tour of Berlin’s urban gardens. And they...
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Zürich Confidential: Our adventures in Switzerland ... and elsewhere
Gruezi from Zürich, Switzerland! It’s been a few weeks since our last podcast, so we have a lot of catching up to do. Our adventure has taken us from Tampa to the Swiss financial capital, to Liechtenstein and Germany. That’s a lot of ground to cover. Before we get to our pictures, here’s this...
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Anguilla Confidential: At the end of the road on our Caribbean adventure
Hello from Anguilla. This is the final podcast in our nine-week odyssey through the Caribbean. Anguilla is a popular alternative to St. Martin, which you can see from the southern end of the island. Which brings us to this week’s question: Have you ever visited an “alternate” destination? For...
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Antigua Confidential: Blue waters, honeymooners — and a little earthquake
Hello from Antigua! If you like romantic islands with warm blue waters and lots of all-inclusive resorts, you’re going to love this place. But it’s also a seismically active area. This week, we experienced a small earthquake. Which brings me to our question: Have you ever been through a natural...
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Barbados Confidential: Turtles, sustainable ports and scuba diving
Hello from Barbados! This is a fascinating island and there’s a lot going on here. Before I get to the details, here’s this week’s question: Tell me about the newest skill you’ve learned in your travels. We’re asking because Aren is trying to learn how to dive, and it hasn’t been easy. We’ll talk...
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Grenada Confidential: Our adventures on spice island
Hello from Grenada, a small Caribbean island just north of Trinidad and Tobago. Grenada is called the spice island because they grow everything here — allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mace. When they burn wood, you feel like it’s the holidays because you smell all the spices. All of which brings…
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Curaçao Confidential: Hunting lionfish in the ABC islands
Greetings from Curaçao! Today, I have something completely different: I strapped on some dive gear and accompanied lionfish huntress Lisette Keus on an expedition. Keus runs an organization called Lionfish Caribbean that turns these invasive creatures into bracelets, earrings and keychains. It’s...
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Aruba Confidential: Here's what we found on this "happy" island
Bon dia from Aruba! People here refer to it as “one happy island” without irony, so we will try to refrain from irony in this podcast. I’m here to write about Arbua’s sustainability efforts, so we are not doing the usual touristy activities, like lying on the beach, snorkeling and making donuts…
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Bonaire Confidential: Diving in to the ABC islands
Bon dia from Bonaire! We’re in the Dutch Caribbean right off the coast of Venezuela — and boy, what an interesting place! Reminds me a lot of my old home in the Florida Keys. Speaking of which, here’s this week’s question: What’s your favorite doppelganger destination? I’m talking about a place…
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