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Lebanon, a small Middle Eastern gem nestled along the Mediterranean, packs a punch far beyond its size. From ancient Phoenician ports to Roman ruins, cedar-covered mountains to bustling souks, this country is a tapestry of history and culture. Despite its tumultuous past and present challenges, Lebanon's resilient spirit shines through in its vibrant cities, mouthwatering cuisine, and warm hospitality. Prepare for a journey where every moment is an adventure, and every meal a feast. Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to Lebanon for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membership Thanks for all your support! TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer - and for this episode, we're joined by travel journalist and our close friend Kaye Holland! Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Seychelles is what happens when nature decides to show off. An archipelago of 115 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean like emeralds tossed by a careless deity, this nation combines granite boulders the size of apartment blocks, beaches so white they seem computer-generated, and forests so ancient they make the Amazon look like a startup. It is expensive to reach, tricky to navigate, and absolutely worth every penny and logistical headache. Welcome to the Maldives of Africa – only with more personality. Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to Seychelles for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membership Thanks for all your support! TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wedged between Brazil and Argentina like a perfectly content middle child, Uruguay punches well above its weight in progressive politics and stunning coastlines. This small South American gem offers European sophistication with Latin American warmth, where colonial cobblestones meet cutting-edge social policies. From cosmopolitan Montevideo to the glitzy beaches of Punta del Este, Uruguay manages to be both utterly relaxed and surprisingly sophisticated - a country that has quietly figured out how to do democracy, human rights, and gorgeous sunsets remarkably well. Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to Uruguay for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membership Thanks for all your support! TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Libya sprawls across North Africa like a vast historical palimpsest, where Roman emperors once strutted and desert nomads still traverse ancient caravan routes. This is where the Sahara meets the Mediterranean in spectacular fashion, offering travelers Roman ruins that shame Pompeii, oasis towns that predate air conditioning by centuries, and beaches so pristine you'll wonder why everyone flocks to overcrowded European resorts instead. Currently emerging from years of instability, Libya remains wonderfully off the beaten track. Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to Libya for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membership Thanks for all your support! TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Albania feels like Europe's best-kept secret, perched between the Adriatic and Ionian seas with a coastline that rivals the French Riviera minus the crowds and prices. This small Balkan nation has spent decades catching up with the rest of Europe after emerging from one of the world's most isolated communist regimes. The result is a fascinating collision of ancient history, Soviet-era architecture painted in rainbow colors, and a population eager to show off their spectacular country to anyone willing to venture beyond the typical European trail. Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to Albania for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membership Thanks for all your support! TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Myanmar remains one of Southeast Asia's most enigmatic destinations, a country where golden pagodas pierce morning mists and ancient kingdoms whisper through temple ruins. Despite recent political upheaval that has cast shadows over this remarkable nation, its cultural treasures endure – from the floating gardens of Inle Lake to Bagan's temple-studded plains. Visiting requires careful consideration of current conditions, but for those who venture here, Myanmar offers glimpses of a world largely untouched by mass tourism. Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to Myanmar for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membership Thanks for all your support! TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

South Africa sits at the continent's southern tip like nature's grand finale, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans collide in spectacular fashion. This is a country that serves up jaw-dropping landscapes, world-class wine, and the Big Five with equal aplomb. From Cape Town's postcard perfection to the raw wilderness of Kruger, it's a place where beauty runs deeper than its admittedly gorgeous surface – though that surface really is rather magnificent. Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to South Africa for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membership Thanks for all your support! TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Caribbean's best-kept secret – though probably not for much longer. Dominica is the region's eco-tourism crown jewel, where volcanic peaks pierce rainforest canopies and waterfalls cascade into natural hot tubs. Originally called "Wai'tu kubuli" meaning "Tall is her body" by indigenous Kalinago peoples, this mountainous island avoided European colonization longer than its neighbors precisely because it looked so forbiddingly vertical. Today, that same dramatic terrain makes it a paradise for adventure seekers and nature lovers. Join us as we traverse its trails and uncover its secrets. Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to Dominica for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membership Thanks for all your support! TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,600 islands scattered across the western Pacific, is like emeralds on blue velvet. This former Spanish and American colony has evolved into Southeast Asia's creative powerhouse, where jeepneys cruise alongside skyscrapers and ancient rice terraces meet pristine beaches. Join us as we head to one of the world's most glorious countries... Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to The Philippines for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membership Thanks for all your support! TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Somalia occupies a unique position at the Horn of Africa, where ancient trade routes converged and civilizations flourished. Despite decades of conflict that have earned it an unfortunate reputation, this is a land of extraordinary archaeological treasures, stunning coastlines, and remarkably resilient people. The country remains challenging for visitors, but those who venture here discover a place where hospitality endures against all odds, and where some of humanity's oldest art adorns remote desert caves. Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to Somalia for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membership Thanks for all your support! TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Central Asia's leading light - a country high on its own grandeur. Tajikistan is where the world's most spectacular mountain scenery meets warm hospitality and endless pots of green tea. Despite being scarred by civil war and overshadowed by its more famous neighbors, this Persian-speaking nation offers some of the planet's most dramatic landscapes, from the legendary Pamir Highway to crystalline alpine lakes that mirror Ming-vase blue skies. Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to Tajikistan for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membership Thanks for all your support! TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Samoa sits in the heart of the South Pacific like a perfectly placed emerald, offering visitors a compelling blend of ancient Polynesian culture and stunning natural beauty. This island nation, consisting primarily of Upolu and Savai'i, presents one of the region's most authentic experiences. From dramatic volcanic landscapes and pristine beaches to vibrant coral reefs and cascading waterfalls, Samoa delivers paradise without the tourist hordes—though watch out for the occasional pack of territorial dogs. Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to Samoa for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membership Thanks for all your support! TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burundi is East Africa's best-kept secret, a mountainous jewel wedged between the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania. This landlocked nation may be one of the world's smallest countries, but it packs extraordinary biodiversity, ancient kingdoms, and some of the planet's finest tea into its compact borders. Known as the "Heart of Africa" for its central location, Burundi offers intrepid travelers pristine national parks, sacred drumming traditions, and a resilient culture shaped by both triumph and turbulence. Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to Burundi for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membership Thanks for all your support! TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the world’s smallest sovereign state, where 800 residents preside over the spiritual lives of 1.4 billion Catholics. This 0.17-square-mile enclave packs more artistic treasures, religious significance, and ecclesiastical intrigue per square meter than anywhere else on Earth. Surrounded entirely by Rome, Vatican City operates as an absolute monarchy ruled by the Pope, making it simultaneously one of the most powerful and most sparsely populated nations on the planet. Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to the Vatican City for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/posts/142823145. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membership Thanks for all your support! TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Panama is that improbably narrow thread of land that somehow keeps two continents from drifting apart – a geographical accident that became the world's shortcut. This slender nation punches well above its weight, offering pristine Caribbean beaches, dense Pacific jungles teeming with harpy eagles, and a canal that remains one of humanity's greatest engineering triumphs. Between the buzzing capital and indigenous archipelagos, Panama delivers outsized adventures in a remarkably compact package. Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to Panama for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/posts/trodpod-69-142353113. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membership Thanks for all your support! TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.