Gain Valuable Travel Insights with Podcasts
Before we explore how podcasts can assist you with travelling issues, let’s quickly define what a podcast actually is. The term ‘podcast’ refers to an audio recording, which might be in various digital formats, which is in some ways similar to an audio book, although podcasts are a different way to ingest information, like articles and blogs, only in audio form.
How to Listen to a Podcast?
You can listen to a podcast from your smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC, and if you are streaming the podcast, you will need an Internet connection, although you can download the file and listen while offline. Using Bluetooth technology, you can potter about the garden while listening to a traveller’s experiences on the Trans-Siberian Railway, or even enjoy Stephen Fry narrating an exciting novel, and there are podcasts on many exciting aspects of life, such as:
- Travel experiences
- Audio books
- Yoga instruction
- Buddhist teachings
- Current news and debates
Some people prefer listening to reading, and podcasts are a convenient way to learn about many things.
Real Life Travelling Experiences
If, for example, you were planning to stay at a Samui beach resort, you can listen to the experiences of other travellers, which will really prepare you for your own experience. Podcasts can easily be found with a Google search, as many websites are dedicated to giving out information in audio format, allowing you to listen at your convenience.
Hotel & Resort Reviews
You can listen to travellers’ opinions on places they have stayed, which gives you an invaluable insight into the amenities and the service, and this kind of information will help you to make the right choices when booking holiday accommodation. If, for example, some reviews mentioned a general lack of interest by the staff, this would likely result in choosing an alternative venue, while a few 5 star reviews would also help you to make your mind up.
Making a Contribution
Aside from listening to other travellers’ opinions, you can record your experiences in MP3 format and upload it to a podcast website, giving other people the benefit of your experiences, and with millions of travellers doing the same thing, up to date information is readily available to all who know where to find it. Some travellers have a large following and they can actually make money if their content is widely downloaded or streamed, and if you are a serious traveller, there’s no reason why you can’t do the same thing.
Costs
Many podcasts are free, while some cost around one dollar and iTunes streams podcasts, so you will not have to fork out lots of cash to listen to content, and with the help of Google, you can find podcasts on any topic. If you are planning a long camping trip in Alaska, for instance, there are podcasts compiled by seasoned veterans who spend most of their time in the wilderness, offering sound advice on every aspect of adventure travel in this huge expansion of wilderness.
Podcasts are a great way to learn about travel in any specific location and you can listen at your leisure and pause at any time, until you are ready to carry on with the narrative.