PATHWAYS September: Desert Stars, Swiss Hikes and the Funniest Hot Air Balloon Crash of All Time

Every month on Pathways, host Aaron Millar and producer Jason Paton crack open a few stories, play their favorite clips, and take you on a whirlwind preview of what’s coming up this month on Armchair Explorer. It’s part travel hangout, part behind-the-scenes, and a whole lot of part “wait, you did what?” Special Offer: we’ve revived our ⁠NEWSLETTER!⁠ (scroll to the bottom of our homepage to signup) And contact us for a free copy of our fearless leader Aaron Millar’s ebook:  ⁠The 50 Greatest Wonders of the World⁠ Award-winning travel journalist Aaron Millar reveals the greatest wonders of the world and the insider secrets on how to see them. From where to catch the perfect sunrise over the Grand Canyon to how to swim up to the very edge of the Victoria Falls, this is a road map for discovering the greatest experiences of your life.  This Month on Pathways: Stargazing with the Bedouin in the Arabian DesertNight has fallen over the Arabian desert, pillows and blankets are laid out in the sand, and our guide, Badrea, begins to share the secrets of bedouin stars ‘Giggly Landings’ in a Hot Air BalloonEver wondered what it feels like to crash land a balloon in the middle of a UNESCO heritage site? Turns out it’s surprisingly funny. In the Footsteps of J.R.R Tolkien in SwitzerlandDiscover the hike that inspired Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings … and a swiss mountain hut, that might just be the coolest place to stay in the alps. Hamming it up in a Kyrgyzstani JailCurious how to survive in a Kyrgyzstani prison? In the middle of his 16,000-mile trek around the world, Arjun Bhogle learns how …  Busking for your Supper in SpainCelebrated adventurer Alastair Humphreys takes on his most daunting challenge yet: 500-miles across Spain with nothing but busking and bad violin playing to pay for his food. SPONSORS: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at ⁠⁠⁠betterhelp.com/ARMCHAIR⁠⁠⁠ and get on your way to being your best self. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the link below: Ready to Explore? If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who’ve lived them, make sure to subscribe—that way you choose the adventure, not the algorithm.  Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠ Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠ ⁠Armchair Explorer⁠ is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices