Palau is one of those destinations that doesn’t just live up to the hype... it rewrites what you thought tropical travel could be. Remote, raw, and wildly beautiful, it’s a place where emerald islands rise out of electric-blue water, WWII history sits alongside ancient culture, and nature is protected.

Palau is a small island nation in Micronesia that consistently ranks as one of the world’s top destinations for nature, diving, and conservation-led travel... yet it still flies under the radar for many travellers.

When I first started planning Palau, I realised very quickly that this wasn’t a “turn up and wing it” kind of destination. It rewards curiosity, preparation, and travellers who want more than just pretty beaches.

In this episode, I’m sharing 23 unmissable things to see and do in Palau, based on first-hand experience... from kayaking through hidden lagoons and swimming with sharks, to ancient stone monoliths, waterfalls, cultural sites, and moments that genuinely stopped me in my tracks.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why Palau feels so different to other tropical destinations
• The absolute must-see experiences (and what you can skip)
• How to explore the Rock Islands by boat, kayak, and even from the air
• Where Palau’s WWII history comes to life
• What surprised me most about travelling around Palau
• Practical tips for tours, permits, transport, and planning
• Who Palau is best suited for — and who it might not be right for

Destinations & Experiences Covered in This Episode

• Rock Islands
• Badrulchau Stone Monoliths
• Airai Bai
• Scenic Flight Over Palau
• Overnight Kayaking with Paddling Palau
• Peleliu Island
• Natural Arch
• Ngardmau Waterfall
• Palau National Capitol
• Kuabes Park
• Japanese WWII Lighthouse
• Belau National Museum
• Palau International Coral Reef Center
• Milky Way Lagoon
• Mesekelat Waterfall
• Shark City
• Clam City
• Jellyfish Lake
• Blue Corner
• German Channel
• Carp Island
• Etpison Museum
• Traditional Sailing Tour

Helpful Resources & Links

• Free Resource: Palau Destination Guide, a practical planning guide with packing lists, activities, tours, accommodation, logistics tips, and adventure ideas beyond diving... perfect if Palau’s on your bucket list.
• Podcast Episode: Kayaking the Rock Islands of Palau

If Palau is on your radar, grab my free Palau Destination Guide... it’ll help you plan smarter, pack better, and feel confident booking experiences like these.

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

Travelling the world with a chronic illness isn’t something you often see talked about online, especially when the illness doesn’t “look” obvious. From the outside, my travels might seem carefree and high-energy, but behind every trip is careful planning, flexibility, and a deep understanding of my body.

In this episode, I’m sharing something I don’t often talk about publicly: my experience living with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), often referred to as mould illness, and how it impacts the way I travel.

This is a deeply personal conversation about invisible illness, flare-ups on the road, missed moments, and why I continue to travel anyway... just differently. If you’ve ever wondered whether travel is still possible with a chronic illness, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What it’s really like travelling with an invisible chronic illness
• How CIRS affects my energy, cognition, digestion, and resilience
• Why I plan trips months in advance (and how I do it gently)
• How I use Google Maps, social media, and AI to reduce planning overwhelm
• My non-negotiables when choosing accommodation
• What travelling during a flare-up actually looks like
• What I pack in my chronic illness travel kit

Helpful Resources & Links

Related blog post: How I Travel with a Chronic Illness: My CIRS Travel Story

Related blog post: The Future of Travel AI is Here: How AI is Revolutionising The Way We Plan, Book & Experience the World

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.

Long-haul flights are a fact of life when you’re a frequent flyer. They’re the gateway to bucket-list adventures… but they can also be uncomfortable, exhausting, and wildly unpredictable.

On a recent trip from Australia to the USA, a “quick” stopover in Dallas turned into a 24-hour airport survival situation when a once-in-a-century snowstorm hit Texas. Flights were cancelled, hotels were full, Ubers shut down, terminals were freezing... and when I finally reached my destination, my checked luggage didn’t.

That experience reinforced something I’ve believed for years: what you pack in your carry-on can make or break your journey. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what I pack in my carry-on for long-haul flights... not for perfection, but for comfort, preparedness, and peace of mind when travel doesn’t go to plan.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why your carry-on matters more than your checked luggage
• How to pack for delays, cancellations, and lost bags
• My go-to carry-on bag setup for long-haul travel
• What always stays with me (and what I intentionally leave out)
• Comfort essentials that make long flights more bearable
• The underrated items that have saved my trips more than once

This episode breaks down my real-world carry-on packing strategy for long-haul flights... especially when travelling from Australia, where multi-leg journeys and long stopovers are unavoidable.

You’ll hear why I always travel with a hard-shell suitcase plus a carry-on backpack, and why I swear by my Tildy Carryall Camera Backpack from taz + tez... a bag that works as my flight carry-on, day pack, hiking bag, and road-trip backpack.

Helpful Resources & Links

• Related blog post: What I Pack in My Carry-On for Long-Haul Flights

Disclosure: This podcast includes affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use these links to make a purchase.

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration.