Travel By Design

What first comes to mind when you think of a luxury travel experience? Perhaps it's an extended shopping trip through the ritziest corners of Paris. Maybe it's a decadent blowout in Las Vegas or a decadent period of rest on the most exclusive resorts in the Caribbean.

For constant travellers airports are an unavoidable part of their world-exploring experience but it is not the most enjoyable part of traveling.  Airports around the world are generally overcrowded, chaotic and stressful environments packed within a generic structure.  However, there are a few airports throughout the former Soviet Union that are aesthetically and conceptually different.  They are repurposed military bases that were used during WWII.  The wooden airports in Russia are still mostly functional and surprisingly beautiful, however it takes a grain of courage to fly into such places. Solovetsky Islands For those seeking an adventurous trip to the Solovetsky Islands in Russia, an archipelago located at the White Sea, the Solovetsky Airport offers a beautify gateway to the destination. Visitors to the Solovetsky Islands can discover one of the most important holy cities for the Russian Orthodox Church.  The UNESCO World Heritage site holds a 5th century Monastery built [...]

In many ways Uzbekistan is a fantastic country to cycle through – the friendly hospitality, exotic culture, stunning architecture and, of course, the excitement of exploring faraway lands, well away from the beaten tourist trail.

North Carolina’s Outer Banks offers everything from open-sea beaches, theatre, wildlife preserves and popular shipwreck diving sites to down home cooking and history. On today’s show we explore these barrier islands and put a spotlight on Thailand and Indonesia. The Outer Bank’s Roanoke Island was the site of the first English settlement in the New World. A local popular theatrical production called “The Lost Colony” celebrates the birth of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America. The Lost Colony is America’s longest running outdoor symphonic drama. We’re given a behind the scenes look at this epic drama that has drawn theatre goers every year since 1937. Before the farm-to-table and locally-source movement in food there was Owens Restaurant leading the way. An Outer Banks institution, Owens is North Carolina’s oldest family-owned restaurant having been owned and operated by the same family since 1946. During a visit, we met [...]

Darwin, the capital of Australian Northern Territory, is one of those places where people come for a visit and often decide to stay. Its diversity is fascinating and local atmosphere seems to always cheer up.

One of my favorite "Instagrammers," dsjasonnam, had a long layover in Madrid on his way to Mallorca. Knowing he would have an extended period of time in a city he’d never visited before he naturally reached out to his follower base for recommendations. Upon finding out he would be in my city, I contacted him and made plans to show him around the Spanish capital. In the end, I didn’t have to write a long list of recommendations for him, but it got me thinking. A lot of people pass through Madrid on their way to more popular destinations such as Mallorca and Barcelona, and more often then not they have plenty of time to kill. So, I put myself in dsjasonnam’s shoes and thought about what I could do in less than eight hours and still get the real Madrileño experience. I’ve put together five of my favorite things [...]

People come to the desert for many reasons. Some believe the never-ending sun and the warm, dry air are therapeutic. An hour north of Palm Springs, California, nestled in the lunar landscape of Joshua trees, amid the low desert scrub, lies a place some believe is magical, possibly even supernatural in its healing ability.

World Footprints will talk to intrepid travelers, explore America's Natural Parks and endangered World Heritage Sites, and we'll pay a visit to the Philippines and Northern Florida. First, the Congo's Virunga National Park has been ensnared in bloody conflict for years but National Geographic Explorer correspondent, Justin Hall, discusses whether this vast natural resource can uplift the Congo's fortunes. This park is unique with its active chain of volcanoes and rich diversity of habitats that surpass those of any other African park Then, hear about what lies "Beyond the Horizon" with author and traveler Christopher Many, who has taken some unconventional means to traveler around the world. Also, we welcome back television personality and former Travel Channel host, Samantha Brown, who has joined forces with AARP to celebrate the centennial of the U.S. National Park Service. Finally, Dr. Mechtild Rossler, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center joins World Footprints to discuss [...]

Like so many people across the globe, Anthony Bourdain’s death has left me numb. Anthony was a true global citizen who touched many people across countless cultures. He showed his viewers how humanity is connected through the love and necessity of food. The flavors of the world made Anthony feel most alive, and he inspired me when I traveled vicariously through his palate. I idolized and tried to emulate him at World Footprints because of our shared view of the world.

Ever wondered what it would be like to walk on the ceiling? Now you can experience it for yourself at one of Shanghai's most unique attractions. Situated in the Fengjing Ancient Town, the upside-down house has become a magnet for tourists since it opened, offering a mind-bending adventure that challenges your sense of balance and perception.

Jalisco is the seventh largest state of the 32 states in Mexico.  It is rich in history and considered to be the true Mexico since many of the cultural characteristics of the country (Mariachis, the sombrero, Mexican Hat Dance, tequila) originated there.  While touring the state we enjoyed a playful swim with dolphins at the Dolphin Discovery in Puerto Vallarta and spoke to a resident veterinarian about how Dolphin Discovery is at the forefront of marine life conservation.

Tonya Fitzpatrick, an award-winning travel journalist and 3-time TEDx speaker, brings a fresh perspective on the power of travel in her TEDx talk, "Travel as an Antidote to Divisiveness." As co-founder of the social impact travel platform World Footprints, Tonya has spent years exploring how travel can be used as a force for good, challenging stereotypes, bridging cultural divides, and fostering mutual understanding. Her TEDx presentation shines a spotlight on the ways travel can heal divisions, whether they stem from race, religion, politics, or geography. In this inspiring talk, Tonya takes the audience on a journey that goes beyond the typical vacation experience. She explains how purposeful travel, with an openness to learning from others, has the power to transform individuals and communities alike. For Tonya, travel is more than just seeing new places—it's a way to engage with different cultures, challenge assumptions, and grow in empathy. This intentional approach [...]