Episode 81 Stamped: Sinead – Trains, Travels, and Family Adventures Across 80 Countries
In episode 81 of the Global Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy chats with Sinead, a UK-based adventurer who has explored more than 80 countries, despite not driving, being nervous about flying, and getting seasick. Her curiosity and love of train travel have taken her everywhere from childhood caravan holidays in the UK to a two-and-a-half-year global journey and a year of backpacking around the world with her husband and three children.
Sinead reflects on how travel has changed since the days of airmail letters and guidebooks, sharing her experiences of crossing Africa from south to north, discovering the kindness of strangers in Samoa, and sleeping under the stars in Mongolia. She also shares practical tips on travelling light, connecting with locals, and embracing the unexpected.
Whether you are planning your first big adventure or dreaming of exploring with your family, this episode is full of inspiration, laughter, and lessons from a lifetime of travel.
Grab a cuppa and get ready to be Stamped with Sinead!
Click the blue button below to listen:
Episode 81 – What you’ll learn in this episode
📍 How curiosity and childhood exploration can ignite lifelong wanderlust and inspire more meaningful travel experiences.
📅 Practical tips for planning flexible itineraries and adapting travel plans for families, including strategies for managing onward ticket requirements and visa logistics.
🚄 Insights into train travel as a relaxing and immersive way to explore, and why it is the ideal choice for non-drivers and families.
🛏️ Advice on choosing accommodation that encourages local connections, plus resources for affordable travel such as house swaps and house sitting.
🥢 The power of people: how cultural encounters, local hospitality, and respectful engagement enrich every journey, and how to nurture these connections even when language or customs differ.
😲 Why unexpected discoveries such as stumbling across hundreds of butterflies in Argentina or meeting archaeologists at Roman ruins in North Macedonia often become the most treasured memories.
Places, foods and words/concepts mentioned
Places Mentioned
- Ireland >> Childhood summer destination where freedom, family, and nature first inspired a love of travel.
- India >> The starting point of a life-changing two-and-a-half-year round-the-world journey.
- Mongolia >> Loved for its wide-open landscapes, starlit skies, friendly locals, and surprisingly simple travel.
- North Macedonia >> An underrated gem known for Lake Ohrid, Roman ruins, and incredible hospitality.
- Samoa >> Remembered for its welcoming communities and meaningful cultural connections.
- New Zealand >> A favourite place to return to for its beauty, diversity, and friendly people.
- Iguazu Falls (Argentina/Brazil) >> A family highlight filled with wildlife, adventure, and awe-inspiring scenery.
Food & Hospitality
- Local Generosity >> Moments of kindness stood out most, like being gifted local wine or fruit in North Macedonia, showing how food connects travellers and communities.
Concepts & Ideas Mentioned
- Teletext >> A pre-internet TV booking system where holidays were booked without photos or online reviews.
- Lonely Planet >> The original travel guide that helped travellers navigate the world before smartphones.
- Travel Light >> Sinead’s top tip: pack less for more freedom and fewer worries on the road.
- House Swapping & House Sitting >> Affordable, immersive ways to stay like a local while travelling.
- Drake Passage >> The famously rough or calm stretch of sea between South America and Antarctica, nicknamed “Drake Shake” or “Drake Lake”.
Links
Podcasts
- Episode #3 – Visiting York, England
- Episode #17 – Best day trips from York
- Episode #54 – Top 10 Tips for UK and Europe Train Travel in 2025 and Beyond
Articles
Guest Bio – Sinead Camplin
I’m a travel-loving, UK-based mum of three who doesn’t drive, hates flying and gets seasick on a pond.
Thankfully, I love trains. We travel hand luggage only, independently and are happiest on a beach or on a mountain.
Facebook – Map Made Memories | York Travel Expert
