Ep 188 w/ Pauline Frommer (Frommer's Travel Guides) - From $5 a Day to the Digital Age: Why Travel Still Matters
In this week’s episode, I sit down with Pauline Frommer, the editorial director and the voice behind the legendary Frommer’s Travel Guides — a brand that has shaped how millions of people explore the world. From her father Arthur Frommer’s iconic Europe on $5 a Day to her own role in redefining modern travel, Pauline shares a fascinating journey through decades of changing travel trends and timeless wisdom.
We dive into the golden age of travel, the challenges of keeping guidebooks relevant in the AI and influencer era, and why authentic, local knowledge still matters more than viral posts or paid promotions. Pauline reflects on her early travels across Europe as a child, her father’s unexpected path from law to publishing, and how the Frommer family helped democratise travel for everyone—not just the rich.
We also unpack the realities of today’s travel media landscape — from fake reviews and corporate bias to AI scraping journalism — and what this means for travellers seeking honest advice. Pauline shares her insights on sustainable travel, mid-range budgets, and why travel remains one of the best ways to understand humanity, especially in divided times.
If you’ve ever carried a guidebook in your backpack, dreamed of exploring the world more meaningfully, or wondered how travel has evolved over the last 70 years, this episode is a must-listen.
Expect heartfelt stories, insider travel tips, reflections on modern society, and the enduring reminder that the world is still worth exploring — one honest adventure at a time.
🔗 Useful Links
🎧 Listen to The Frommer’s Travel Show: https://www.frommers.com/podcast
📚 Explore Frommer’s Guidebooks: https://www.frommers.com
📸 Follow Pauline Frommer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frommers
☕ Support Winging It Travel Podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wingingit
🕒 Timestamps
00:00 – Why Pauline Frommer believes guidebooks still matter
04:00 – The Story of Arthur Frommer and Europe on $5 a Day
09:00 – Travelling through postwar Europe and lessons learned
13:00 – The power of travel to connect us beyond nationalism
15:00 – How influencers changed travel media (and not for the better)
19:00 – Why Americans don’t travel as much as they should
22:00 – What keeps Pauline passionate about exploring
30:00 – The best decades for travel and how COVID reshaped wanderlust
36:00 – Culture shock moments in China and India
37:30 – Who are Frommer’s guidebooks written for today
41:00 – How AI and algorithms are reshaping travel advice
47:00 – The truth behind energy use and AI’s environmental cost
48:00 – How podcasts keep travel storytelling real
53:00 – Pauline’s favourite destinations, cuisines, and experiences
59:00 – Why you should travel while you can
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