Explorations All Over

For many trips, I’ve traveled with a purpose.I wanted to learn something. Understand something. Come home with a story that explained not just where I went — but why it mattered.French Polynesia was different.This wasn’t a trip about meaning or growth. It wasn’t about checking boxes or chasing experiences.It was about letting go.In this episode of Explorations All Over, I share what it felt like to slow down in one of the most beautiful places on earth — floating in crystal-clear water, swimming alongside reef sharks, diving coral reefs, and stepping inside those iconic overwater bungalows you see in photos and wonder if they’re even real.But I also talk about something else.How easy it is to miss the moment while trying to capture it. How travel doesn’t always have to change you. And how sometimes the most meaningful journeys are the ones that ask nothing of you at all.If you’ve ever felt the need to make every trip “count,” this episode might just give you permission to travel a little differently.Share your thoughts on this episode.Support the showThanks for listening.  Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode.  Don't forget to subscribe and make sure to "like" the Explorations All Over" Facebook page, too!

Travel reviews are everywhere.Five stars. One star. Glowing praise. Brutal criticism.But what do those ratings actually mean?In this episode of Explorations All Over, Russ steps away from a destination story and looks at something almost every traveler relies on when planning a trip: review sites.Drawing on nearly two decades of experience as a bed & breakfast and boutique hotel owner—and as someone who has written nearly 1,100 reviews himself—Russ explains how to read travel reviews in a way that actually helps you make better decisions.Because star ratings rarely measure quality alone.More often, they measure something else entirely: fit.In this episode, you'll learn:Why a five-star review can still lead to a disappointing experienceHow to identify patterns that matter in hotel and restaurant reviewsThe red flags that can signal questionable or unreliable reviewsWhy it’s important to speak up during a stay if something goes wrongHow businesses respond to feedback—and what that tells youWhy different travelers can leave completely different reviews of the same placeRuss also shares a recent dining experience that perfectly illustrates how two guests can walk away from the same restaurant with entirely different impressions—and how those differences show up in the reviews we read online.The takeaway?Read the reviews.Just don’t let the stars decide for you.Let them help you ask better questions.Connect with Explorations All OverFollow the show and share your thoughts:📸 Instagram: Explorations All Over 📘 Facebook: Explorations All OverRuss loves hearing from listeners and often responds directly.Support the ShowIf you enjoy Explorations All Over, consider supporting the podcast.Subscriber-only episodes are available starting at just $3 per month, giving you access to additional stories and deeper travel experiences.Share your thoughts on this episode.Support the showThanks for listening.  Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode.  Don't forget to subscribe and make sure to "like" the Explorations All Over" Facebook page, too!

Uganda isn’t usually the first place people imagine when they think about Africa.For us, it became one of the most humbling experiences of our travels.In this episode of Explorations All Over, we journey into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a mountain gorilla trek — an experience that demanded patience, effort, and a willingness to give up control. There were no guarantees we would see anything at all.The climb was steep. The forest was dense. And the rules were simple: move slowly, speak softly, and remember whose world we were entering.What followed wasn’t a safari moment or a wildlife spectacle. It was something quieter — a brief encounter spent at eye level with another living being, and the realization that we were not the only ones doing the watching.If this episode stays with you, I’d love to hear from you. You can connect with Explorations All Over on Facebook and Instagram, or leave a comment wherever you listen.Share your thoughts on this episode.Support the showThanks for listening.  Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode.  Don't forget to subscribe and make sure to "like" the Explorations All Over" Facebook page, too!

Ancient Faiths, Modern Worlds is not an episode about geopolitics or theology. It’s about what happens when travel quietly reshapes the way we see belief, belonging, and one another.In this episode of Explorations All Over, I take you through sacred spaces across cultures and continents — from the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Masada, Vietnam, Antarctica, and Dubai. Along the way, I found myself unsettled, humbled, and unexpectedly changed.Standing barefoot on cool marble, listening to prayers spoken in unfamiliar languages, I recognized something deeply familiar. The words were different. The cadence was different. But the intention wasn’t.This journey confronts contrast: ancient faith and modern conflict, certainty and compromise, vastness and excess, humility and control.It’s a story about moments that stayed with me long after the journey ended — the wall surrounding Bethlehem, the scent of frankincense, the quiet of Antarctica, the abundance of Dubai — and how they reshaped the way I hear prayer and think about faith.I didn’t come away with answers. But I did come away listening more closely.Because in the end, there is far more that unites us than divides us — and that might be the only thing that really matters.Share your thoughts on this episode.Support the showThanks for listening.  Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode.  Don't forget to subscribe and make sure to "like" the Explorations All Over" Facebook page, too!

Antarctica isn’t a place most people plan to visit.And that’s exactly why this episode isn’t about planning a trip.In this episode of Explorations All Over, I reflect on what happens when you step into an environment that doesn’t accommodate you — where scale breaks your sense of proportion, silence carries weight, and life unfolds without regard for human presence.From misjudging the size of distant icebergs, to standing still as whale spray appears on the horizon… from kayaking at eye level with dolphins, to realizing how thin the margin of comfort really is — this isn’t a checklist of sights, but a meditation on awe, vulnerability, and return.Because even if you never go to Antarctica, you’ve felt versions of this before:that moment when the world feels bigger than you… and you come back changed.This episode is about why we travel at all — not to escape life, but to re-enter it with clearer eyes.Share your thoughts on this episode.Support the showThanks for listening.  Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode.  Don't forget to subscribe and make sure to "like" the Explorations All Over" Facebook page, too!

 In the Glow of Christmas is the first episode of Explorations All Over Season 2—and the beginning of a more immersive way of traveling together.Rather than focusing on schedules or daily itineraries, this episode invites you into the atmosphere of Europe’s Christmas markets along the Rhine. From the warmth of mulled wine cradled in your hands to the glow of lights reflected on cobblestone streets, this journey is about how the season feels—and why these moments linger long after the trip ends.As I travel through cities like Cologne and into the heart of the Black Forest, I share the sensory details, quiet observations, and unexpected reflections that made this experience so meaningful. You’ll hear not just where we went, but how it felt to be there—wandering through markets, tasting familiar flavors, and soaking in the sounds and rhythms of the season.This episode marks a shift for Season 2 of Explorations All Over: travel as lived experience, not just a recap of where we went and what we did. Along the way, I’ll still share helpful insights and lessons learned—both the wins and the moments that didn’t go quite as planned.So grab a warm drink, settle in, and join me in the glow of Christmas.Share your thoughts on this episode.Support the showThanks for listening.  Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode.  Don't forget to subscribe and make sure to "like" the Explorations All Over" Facebook page, too!

What do you do when the sun refuses to set?Join Russ as he sails north — way north — past the Arctic Circle into the Land of the Midnight Sun. From Bergen to the North Cape, this voyage along Norway’s rugged coast promised postcard-perfect scenery, endless daylight, and a little too much similarity onboard.In this episode, Russ and Duncan discover:The surreal reality of sunlight at 2:00 a.m. — and what it does to your sense of time.How a cruise line known for elegance turned out to be a little too uniform.Why a king crab feast in a smoky tepee became the culinary highlight of the trip.The serene beauty of Norway’s fjords — and the jarring contrast of modern Tromsø.What happens when your luggage goes missing in Oslo (and the saleslady loses her commission).The one moment that made it all worthwhile: standing on deck at the top of the world as the sun refused to set.This journey had it all: beauty, absurdity, laughter, and a few lessons about what really matters when you travel.☀️ Listen for: the sound of the Arctic wind, the ring of distant cowbells, and the quiet awe of a world that never goes dark.✈️ Next UpIn the next episode, Russ sits down with his friend and travel advisor Dee to talk about how to pick the right cruise line, why not all voyages are created equal, and how to make sure your next trip feels as good as it looks on paper.🎧 Listen now on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | ExplorationsAllOver.com📸 Follow the journey: Instagram & Facebook → @ExplorationsAllOverShare your thoughts on this episode.Support the showThanks for listening.  Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode.  Don't forget to subscribe and make sure to "like" the Explorations All Over" Facebook page, too!

Trains. Most people think of them as part of the daily grind — commuting, delays, and crowded cars. But rail travel can also be magical, maddening, and unforgettable.In this episode of Explorations All Over, Russ takes you along on four very different train journeys:🚆 VIA Rail “Yellow and Blue” (Canada) – A cross-country ride through the Rockies and across endless prairies. 🚆 Paris to Barcelona Overnight (Spain) – A smoky, surly, less-than-romantic night on rails. 🚆 Hiram Bingham (Peru) – A splurge from Machu Picchu to Cusco that promised elegance but delivered a mariachi-fueled conga line. 🚆 The Ghan (Australia) – A luxury run from Darwin to Adelaide with Outback stops, champagne sunsets, and even a cattle-truck mishap.From cramped cabins to unexpected entertainment, from outstanding meals to meh service, this episode is all about the romance — and the reality — of train travel. Russ also shares tips and tricks for booking, what to expect onboard, and why “going with the flow” is the best mindset to have when riding the rails.✨ Highlights:The highs and lows of service and food on long-distance trainsOff-train adventures in the Australian OutbackUnexpected mishaps (including a near trip-ending collision)Practical tips for planning your own rail journey🎧 Whether you’re dreaming of crossing Canada, exploring Peru, or gliding through the Australian Outback, this episode will help you decide if train travel deserves a spot on your bucket list.👉 Don’t miss the next Far Flung Adventures subscriber episode — we pick up in Africa, leaving Sanctuary Swala for the Ngorongoro Crater and on to the Serengeti. Subscribe today so you don’t miss a moment!🔗 Stay ConnectedFollow along on Facebook & Instagram: @ExplorationsAllOver Join the conversation, see behind-the-scenes photos, and never miss an update.Share your thoughts on this episode.Support the showThanks for listening.  Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode.  Don't forget to subscribe and make sure to "like" the Explorations All Over" Facebook page, too!

Japan is a country where the past isn’t left behind—it walks alongside you. In this first part of my Far Flung Adventure, join me as I uncover the timeless beauty of Kyoto and the vibrant contrasts of Tokyo.We’ll slip off our shoes at a centuries-old ryokan in Gion, savor a kaiseki dinner that’s as much art as cuisine, and wander through vermilion gates that seem to climb into the clouds. You’ll hear about the rituals, the surprises, and the quiet moments that made this trip unforgettable.And just when you’ve fallen under Japan’s spell, I’ll leave you at the water’s edge—gazing up at the most luxurious ship I’ve ever boarded, ready to carry us even deeper into this land of tradition and transformation.What you’ll hear in this episode:The magic of Kyoto’s historic Gion district and our unforgettable stay at a traditional ryokanDining on a kaiseki feast—why it’s more than just dinnerExploring Tokyo’s neon energy and serene temples in equal measureThe moment we first laid eyes on the Silver Muse, setting the stage for Part 2Subscribe to hear Part 2: Part 2 of this journey—our voyage aboard the Silver Muse, through Kanazawa’s samurai heritage, Hiroshima’s moving memorials, and culinary adventures along Japan’s coast—is exclusively available to Far Flung Adventures subscribers. Subscribe right from your podcast app to join us.Share your thoughts on this episode.Support the showThanks for listening.  Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode.  Don't forget to subscribe and make sure to "like" the Explorations All Over" Facebook page, too!

🌴 Thinking about your first cruise? Or maybe you’re wondering what all the fuss is about? In this episode of Explorations All Over, host Russell Gibson breaks down everything you need to know before you set sail on a Caribbean cruise.From choosing the right cabin and cruise line to understanding shore excursions, dining options, motion sickness remedies, and those sneaky hidden fees—this is your no-nonsense, highly entertaining intro to cruise life. You’ll also hear stories from Russell’s own cruising adventures and learn why a travel advisor might be your best travel companion.💡 Whether you're packing for your first cruise or planning your fifth, this episode is full of smart tips, a few laughs, and even a lightning round of cruise do’s and don’ts.🎧 Subscribe so you don’t miss our next episode—a journey to Japan in our second Far Flung Adventures installment!Share your thoughts on this episode.Support the showThanks for listening.  Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode.  Don't forget to subscribe and make sure to "like" the Explorations All Over" Facebook page, too!