What an incredible year it has been for the UK Travel Planning Podcast! With over 200,000 downloads this year and listeners across 177 countries, we are celebrating a global community that shares a passion for exploring the wonders of the UK. Join me, Tracy Collins, as we reminisce about our journey through 2024, highlighting unforgettable experiences and milestones.
From our memorable 100th episode to heartfelt encounters with listeners like Susan, Wren, Milo, and Melissa, this episode is a tribute to the connections that make our travel adventures so special. Our travels have taken us from the stunning landscapes of Wales to the bustling streets of London, and in this episode, we're diving into the stories that shaped our year.
Reflecting on the 51 episodes released this year, I'm thrilled to share some exciting updates about our sister podcast, the Global Travel Planning Podcast, celebrating its first anniversary.
Get ready for a roundup of our top episodes, personal highlights, and a sneak peek at what's in store for 2025. Whether it's discovering the historic castles of Scotland or unearthing hidden gems in Northern Ireland, our journey is far from over.
Thank you for being part of this incredible community, and here’s to many more adventures and connections in the year ahead!
📝 Show Notes - Episode 130
🎧 Listen to next
- Episode #100 - Celebrating our 100th episode
- Episode #119 - Exploring the UK in 17 days
- Episode #86 - London like a local with Discover Real London Black Cab Tours
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Episode Transcript
Welcome to episode 130 of the UK Travel Plan
podcast.
As 2024 comes to a close, we'recelebrating an incredible year
with a look back at thehighlights, milestones and
unforgettable moments that madeit so special, From reaching
over 200,000 downloads tocelebrating our 100th episode
and meeting some amazing podcastlisteners.
(00:21):
This episode is a celebrationof everything we've achieved
together, Plus, we'll sharewhat's coming up in 2025.
So stay tuned for an inspiringroundup of the year.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Welcome to the UK Travel Planning Podcast.
Your host is the founder of theUK Travel Planning website,
Tracey Collins.
In this podcast, Tracey sharesdestination guides, travel tips
and itinerary ideas, as well asinterviews with a variety of
guests who share their knowledgeand experience of UK travel to
help you plan your perfect UKvacation.
(00:54):
Join us as we explore the UKfrom cosmopolitan cities to
quaint villages, from historiccastles to beautiful islands,
and from the picturesquecountryside to seaside towns.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Hi everybody, what an incredible year it's been for
the UK Travel Planning Podcast.
From some wonderful meetings,both planned and unplanned, with
some of you, our listeners, toreaching major milestones.
2024 has been truly special.
Today we are celebrating bysharing our highlights of the
year by the numbers and withsome unforgettable stories.
(01:31):
Thank you for being a part ofthis journey with us.
In this episode, we'll reflecton what we've achieved together,
from our most downloadedepisodes to personal highlights
and some big milestones.
Plus, I'll share a bit aboutDoug and my travels this year,
including our incredible UKadventures and our time
exploring further afield.
And exciting news.
We're also celebrating thefirst anniversary of our other
(01:54):
podcast, the Global TravelPlanner Podcast, where we share
tips and inspiration for yourtravels to destinations across
the globe.
So if you haven't already, Iencourage you to give it a
listen.
So let's dive into our 2024roundup in numbers.
So, as I mentioned, we arethrilled to announce that the
podcast has been downloaded over200,000 times this year.
(02:18):
This is a huge milestone and wecouldn't have done it without
each and every one of you tuningin.
This remarkable number reflectshow our community has grown and
we are so grateful for yoursupport.
Our listeners span the globe,tuning in from 177 states and
countries.
It's amazing to see how ourlove for UK travel connects
(02:38):
people worldwide, from the UKand the USA to Australia, canada
, even as far as Japan andArgentina.
Thank you for making this atruly global community.
This year, we released 51episodes covering everything
from detailed trip reports toexpert interviews and insider
tips.
I only took one week off forthe holiday season, and a
(03:00):
standout moment for me this yearwas our 100th episode.
It was a major milestone,considering lots of podcasts
don't get past seven episodes.
To actually reach 100 wassomething I really had to sit
down and go.
Wow, I can't believe this.
We had podcast listeners fromaround the world come onto that
episode and share their favoriteepisodes, and it was just
(03:21):
amazing to hear voices andstories and it just was so, was
so, so special.
So one of the absolutehighlights of this year has been
meeting some of you in person,and I had the joy of meeting
podcast listeners susan, ren andmilo in london recently.
Hello and we explored thenational gallery together.
Spending time together andhearing about your travel
experience was trulyheartwarming and it just was
(03:43):
such a lovely, lovely afternoon.
So thank you so much.
I also had a fantastic timewith Melissa during her solo
visit to London, exploring thecity together and sharing travel
stories made for unforgettablememories, and I know we're going
to be friends forever.
You can hear more from Melissain episode 127.
We also bumped into the lovelyEmily and Ryan on a tram in
(04:04):
Edinburgh in September.
Now Emily recognised Doug'slegs before anything else, which
was so funny.
It was just so special and ithighlights how connected we are
all through this podcast.
It was just fantastic.
I'll never forget him kind oflooking up and Emily saying Doug
Tracy across the tram.
It was just amazing and it wasso lovely to meet you guys.
(04:26):
So Doug and I have also thisyear spent several months
exploring the UK, which has beenreally incredible.
Earlier in the year we spent 10days in Wales and in September
we completed an unforgettableround trip from London
travelling through Wales,northern Ireland and Scotland
and then back down to London onthe Caledonian Sleeper.
(04:48):
That was a truly marvellous andwonderful experience.
And in October I spent a weekin Jersey on the Channel Islands
, soaking up its unique charmand history and visiting Jersey
Zoo, which had been on my bucketlist since I was about nine
years of age At the time thispodcast goes live on the 31st of
December, doug and I are basedin Edinburgh for six weeks,
(05:10):
including for Hogmanay, which isanother bucket list experience
we're so excited about.
We've also enjoyed plenty oftime in London itself,
continuing to discover newthings about this incredible
city.
We've added lots of new contentto our London Travel Planning
website and to our map, so dopop over to
LondonTravelPlanningcom as wellif you're planning a trip to
(05:30):
London, because we have lots ofamazing content on there to help
you plan that trip.
Now, we have featured quite anumber of trip reports this year
where listeners shared theirown UK travel experiences, so a
huge thank you to Melissa, kathy, ashley, heather, krista,
(05:51):
Hannah, amanda, victoria, leanne, lauren, mandy, alison,
vernetta, deb, kate and Tanyafor taking part.
You've provided invaluableinsights and inspiration for
fellow travellers.
These episodes have become someof our most popular, showcasing
real stories and practical tipsthat only first-hand experience
(06:12):
can offer.
We hosted many amazing gueststhis year, including blue badge
guides, travel experts and localinsiders, who shared their
wealth of knowledge.
Memorable interviews includedour deep dive into Portsmouth
with Pauline and Kevin, ourchats with Charlie Bennett of
Take Walks and Devour Tours.
Exploring the hidden gems ofDevon with Alex Graham
(06:33):
introducing the wonderful LisaBenjamin of Go Cotswolds Tours,
who joined me for a number ofepisodes and will be back in
2025, chats with Oz Harris ofTaylor Tours, chris Horsey of
the English Boss, john Hadwin ofBoutique Tours of Wales.
Discovering County Durham withMichelle Gorman and Anna Unger.
Exploring Edinburgh'sGreyfriars Kirkyard with
(06:53):
Charlotte Gollage and learningabout the knowledge and
exploring London in an iconicblack cab with Ollie of Discover
Real London.
We learnt essential tips fordriving in the UK with John
Cortese of Trippiamo and thebest photography spots in London
from Domi of Scale and Studio.
And last but by no means least,I also introduced the wonderful
Riz of XFA Cars to so many.
(07:21):
Over the space of this year, ourFacebook group has grown to
over 23,000 members, which isit's become a really vibrant
space where you can share tips,ask questions and support each
other's travel plans.
It's been wonderful to see yourtrip photos, hear about your
adventures and watch thecommunity thrive.
So if you're yet to join,please pop over and say hello.
We now have three groups onefocused on UK travel planning,
(07:43):
one on London travel planningand a UK train travel tips run
by Doug.
Wow, so that takes a bit oftime, so I have to also say a
huge thank you to our moderators, who help us run the Facebook
group, so we could not do itwithout you.
We've also loved connectingwith so many of you who've
booked, myself and Doug, foritinerary consults.
It's been a true pleasurehelping listeners from all over
(08:04):
the world New Zealand, australia, across the US, from California
, texas, new York, florida andeverywhere in between answering
your questions, building amazingitineraries and fine-tuning
your plans.
It's such a joy to be part ofyour travel journeys.
Consultants are now open forJanuary 2025, so pop over and
book a slot if you'd like tochat with us about your UK
travel plans.
(08:24):
We can't wait to meet you.
We just love doing consults.
So, as you look forward to 2025, we're excited to bring you
even more in-depth guides, tripreports and expert interviews.
We'll be exploring newdestinations within the UK,
uncovering hidden gems andsharing more practical tips to
help you plan your perfect UKadventure in 2025.
(08:47):
Don't also forget our GlobalTravel Planner podcast is
celebrating its firstanniversary, so if you're
dreaming of destinations beyondthe UK, be sure to check it out
for tips and inspiration to helpplan your trips across the
globe.
So, reflecting on this pastyear has filled me with immense
gratitude.
Meeting some of you in person,sharing in your travel stories
and celebrating our 100thepisode together has been
(09:09):
absolute highlights for me.
Your support and enthusiasminspired us to keep bringing you
the best content possible.
So if you've enjoyed thepodcast, please consider leaving
a review.
It really helps others discoverthe show and grow our amazing
community.
Let's hit 500,000 downloadsnext year.
Don't forget to subscribe so youdon't miss any of our exciting
(09:29):
episodes coming in 2025.
And, of course, join us onsocial media on Instagram,
youtube and our Facebook groupsfor even more travel inspiration
and connections.
Links to the episodes I'vementioned, plus to our Facebook
groups, can be found in the shownotes for this episode at
ukktravelplanningcom.
Forward slash, episode 130.
So here's to another year ofadventures, discoveries and
(09:53):
connections, and wishing you allhappy and safe travels in 2025
and, as always, happy UK travelplanning.
Thank you for tuning in to thisweek's episode of the UK Travel
Planning Podcast.
As always, show notes can befound at uktravelplanningcom.
If you've enjoyed the show, whynot leave us feedback via text
(10:14):
or a review on your favouritepodcast app?
We love to hear from you andyou never know.
You may receive a shout out ina future episode.
But as always, that just leavesme to say until next week,
happy UK travel planning.
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