Travel By Design

Design your own travel experience by exploring many travel niches on this Travel by Design page.

Whether you are an adventurer or arm-chair traveler you will find stories on this page that will pique your interest and curiosity. Nearly any hobby, interest or experience can be the very essence of a travel niche and you’ll find many of them below.

Perhaps you are looking for the best LGBTQ destinations or you’re interested in different experiences, volunteer travel (voluntourism) or health and wellness opportunities there are many travel niches to experience. We have several stories that showcase a traveler’s insights and there are other stories that illuminate the outdoors and beautiful landscapes. We have stories of varied experiences from far and wide. The experiences are unique and quite interesting and come from various places across the globe. Our stories will give you a wide coverage of places from around the world.

Whatever travel experience you’re interesting in learning about or designing for your future travels you can find something here. As new travel trends evolve we will continue to add new content that addresses new travel niches.

Go through the interesting stories listed below on this Travel by Design page.

  • Zimmern photo at Expo

    With more than 200 songs to his credit and multiple film scores, Frank Stallone has distinguished himself from movie-star brother Sylvester.  His road as a musician was difficult despite his brother's fame but he found ways to stay relevant and reinvent himself.  Frank says that traveling has played an important role in his development as a person and an artist.

  • Global Entry kiosk

    The multi award-winning CBS reality show, The Amazing Race, has been entertaining audiences since 2001.  The show was created by partners Eleise Doganieri and Bertram van Munster as part of a bet.  Viewers have traveled around the world vicariously through The Amazing Race teams as they race for the $1 million grand prize.  As part of World Footprints' "Best Of" series we are sharing our interview with Executive Producer Bertram van Munster who joined us a few seasons ago to share his travel experiences and give us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of his Emmy-winning show.

  • TSA checkpoint

    Listen to our interview with Chef Cat Cora. The Norfolk Botanical Garden is an oasis that sits on a 155 acre site near the Norfolk International Airport. The garden showcases 52 themed gardens including a butterfly garden, rose garden and other diverse flora. President Michael Desplaines tells us that visitors will soon experience a taste of Asia when the garden hosts Lanterasia. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched four trusted traveler programs to help streamline the travel experience to and around the United States.  One program, TSA Precheck is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and we'll get the 4-1-1 from Nathan Tsoi on how the TSA Precheck program can help travelers avoid long and aggravating security lines. We had an opportunity to speak to Richard Zarkin about Mexico's Riviera Nayarit following a recent trip to Puerto Vallarta. Richard joins World Footprints to explain why Riviera Nayarit is [...]

  • Looking at the Eiffel Tower from the bottom up

    The best way to experience a city is through the eyes of a local.   We'll travel to New Orleans and walk along Paris’s rue des Martyrs with the people who know them best. Democratic consultant James Carville says that New Orleans is defined by its culture and way of life and that distinguishes the city from other places.  We'll talk to him to learn what he means by this. The beheading of Saint Denis, now the patron saint of France, was one of many events that occurred on the rue des Martyrs in Paris.  Accoring to author and New York Times writer, Elaine Sciolino, the rue des Martyrs was a cultural enclave where Degas and Renoir painted, Puccini replicated in his La Boheme opera and Edith Piaf would sing for a few francs.  Yet, this charming half-mile long street that is steeped in history has been overlooked in Paris guidebooks.  [...]

  • Ian on Marthas Vineyard

    Prepare for a trans-continental bike ride to the South Pole and experience island paradise – USA style - in Georgia, Massachusetts, and California.

  • Fort Monroe

    A very talented musical group in Mondesa greets us with beautiful sounds.  Photo:  Ian Fitzpatrick Today, World Footprints will explore elements of American history from small towns and historic hotels to Fort Monroe.  We'll also visit the shanty town of Mondesa which sits just outside of Swakopmund, Namibia.  There we will mingle with the locals and witness how black Namibians are preserving their history and traditions. Fort Monroe in Virginia has been defending America since 1607 and today it remains the largest stone fortification in the United States.   Tour guide Robin Reed gives us the backstory of the Fort's rich history and the important role it has played in American history. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is on a mission to preserve and share all of America's history.  We'll share the work the organization is doing and we'll introduce two interesting historic hotels in Washington, DC--the Mayflower and the [...]

  • cheetah

    Travel around the globe with World Footprints today as we go to Namibia, the Mediterranean and Detroit. First stop…Namibia with Dr. Laurie Marker, Founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund.

  • Spy.Agent behind binoculars.pixabay

    Today we will share the legacies of two individuals who have put themselves on the frontlines in the fight against the crimes of drug and human trafficking. Robert Mazur served 27 years as a Federal Special Agent for the IRS, Customs Service and Drug Enforcement Administration. 

  • airplane

    In this star-studded podcast episode, we welcome Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Braeden, celebrated for his iconic role as Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless and memorable performances in The Rat Patrol, Colossus: The Forbin Project, and as John Jacob Astor IV in Titanic. Braeden shares exclusive insights into his early childhood in Germany, his journey immigrating to the United States, and his most impactful travel experiences.

  • Dolphin Rescue as part of a cruise shore execursion.

    Luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises has launched 16 shore excursions for passengers who want to “give back” during port stops.  These humanitarian and conservation excursions are free to guests and crew under the cruise line’s program “You Care, We Care.”

  • Calgary Stampede

     World Footprints will take you inside “The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth”—the Calgary Stampede.  The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition, and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

  • Thrillseekers riding The Gatekeeper at Cedar Point. PHoto: Tonya Fitzpatrick

    Ian walking with Park Ranger Duvendack.  Photo:  Tonya Fitzpatrick On today's World Footprints radio show we will take flight across America with pilot Field Morey as he prepares for his Capital Air Tour.  Field and fellow pilot Conrad Teitell are embarking on an adventurous flight in a small aircraft to all the state capitals in the United States lower 48 plus Alaska in only two weeks.  The pilots plan to raise awareness about the importance of smaller airports to the tourism industry and to provide a virtual geography lesson to school children across America. We will also enjoy some time in middle America; namely Ohio, as we enjoy a walk through the roller coaster capital of the world--Cedar Point.   This Sandusky landmark is a place that holds special memories for us because every childhood summer was spent daring ourselves to ride the latest roller coaster.  This visit was no different because [...]