Podcast Archives - Page 8 of 8

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What does it mean to be a secular pilgrim — when you’re not a Christian, but you love churches, history, beauty, and religious symbolism?

In this episode, Howard Kramer talks about some of the most beautiful places to visit in terms of architecture, as well as natural locations, and how sometimes, the most emotionally resonant places, those that inspire awe and wonder, are not the most famous, but those that touch us at a deeper level.

Howard Kramer is the author of The Complete American Pilgrim, The Complete Christian Pilgrim, and The Complete American Military Pilgrim. His extensive site, TheCompletePilgrim.com, contains articles and pictures of some of the world’s greatest sites of religious interest.

Show notes

Pilgrimage as a journey of meaning, regardless of religious belief
The four stages of pilgrimage
Interesting churches in the USA, chosen for natural beauty, architecture, history, and meaning
Other places of religious interest
Recommended travel books

You can find Howard Kramer at TheCompletePilgrim.com

My book, Pilgrimage, Lessons Learned from Solo Walking Three Ancient Ways, is out now.

Pilgrimage Kickstarter Banner4 — My book, Pilgrimage, Lessons Learned from Solo Walking Three Ancient Ways, is out now

Not Quite Lost. Travels Without A Sense Of Direction With Roz Morris

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How can you see your own country with the eyes of an outsider? How can you follow your curiosity and discover new things about a place you already know?

In this interview, Roz Morris talks about finding fragments and tiny miracles while exploring England and how we can experience our own land from a new perspective, increasingly important while we can’t travel in the way we used to.

Roz Morris is the author of Not Quite Lost: Travels Without A Sense of Direction, literary novels, My Memories of a Future Life, and Lifeform Three, as well as books for writers.

Show notes

The joys of discovery when traveling without direction
Seeing your own country with new eyes and following your curiosity
Finding unusual and interesting places to stay
Visiting sites out of season
How writing fiction can be inspired by travel
On using a specific notebook for travel and why that matters
Personal connections to a place

You can find Roz Morris at RozMorris.org

The Gardens Of Mars. Madagascar With John Gimlette

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An island nation off the coast of Africa, Madagascar has an incredible diversity of unusual landscapes and wildlife, of which lemurs are the most famous but by no means the only ones! 90% of its flora and fauna are endemic, found nowhere else in the world.

While there are some resorts, much of Madagascar is remote and escapes the influence of modern life with unique religious and cultural practices, as John Gimlette talks about in this interview.

John Gimlette is a multi-award-winning travel writer. His latest book is The Gardens of Mars: Madagascar, an Island Story.

Show notes

Unique aspects of Madagascar including the landscape and wildlife
Influences of Borneo, Africa, and France
The beliefs about ancestors that guide the Malagasy life
Food and drink in Madagascar
Recommended travel books

You can find John Gimlette at JohnGimlette.com and on Facebook.com/JohnGimlette.

Lava Fields, Trolls, And The Hidden People. Iceland with Michael Ridpath

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From the ice of the glaciers to the black church near the lava fields and on to the steaming hot pools of the blue lagoon, Iceland is a country of stark natural beauty and interesting folklore.

In this interview, Michael Ridpath talks about the hidden people, the trolls, and the ghosts in the mist, as well as the landscape as a character, and why he keeps returning to the country for inspiration.

Michael Ridpath is a British author of crime and thriller novels. His Magnus crime thriller series is set in Iceland. And he has a website, WritingInIce.com, which features articles and pictures from his research travels.

Show notes

Why Iceland is so compelling to visit
Suggestions for the most beautiful places to visit in Iceland
The Hidden People, and other interesting folklore of the region
How long winters impact the Icelandic temperament
Things to see and do in Reykjavik
How to write evocative stories where the landscape is a character
Recommended books about or set in Iceland

You can find Michael Ridpath at MichaelRidpath.com

Fjords, Vikings And The Northern Lights. Norway With David Nikel

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From the stunning Northern Lights of Lofoten, to the fjords of the western coast, scenic train journeys across the mountains, Viking history, and the culture of the cities, David Nikel evokes a country that has much to explore. In this pandemic year, I’m certainly dreaming of kayaking the fjords!

David Nikel is a British writer specializing in all things Scandinavia. Since moving to Norway in 2011, he’s traveled the length and breadth of the country producing the first and second editions of The Moon Norway Guidebook. He also runs a successful website and podcast Life in Norway where he talks about everything from relocation and travel advice to stories from the Viking age.

Show Notes

Why fjords are such a feature of the Norwegian landscape
The Northern Lights at Lofoten
The different ways to explore Norway including by car and railway
Places to visit in cities like Oslo
On the New Nordic cuisine movement focused on simple, fresh ingredients
Locations for authentic Viking experiences
Aspects of Norwegian culture that are unique from the rest of Scandinavia
How Norse mythology fits into present-day life in Norway

You can find David Nikel at LifeInNorway.net

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