52 Places: The Art of Traveling Like a Journalist and Making Every Trip Memorable with Sebastian Modak

#70:  Expert traveler, writer, and journalist, Sebastian Modak, joins Chris to talk about what he's learned from traveling to 80+ countries and living on four continents. They discuss what it means to travel like a journalist, how he uses those skills to plan a memorable trip, some of the unusual experiences he's had on his journeys, why travel is important for everyone, and he shares some of his favorite places to inspire your next adventure.

Sebastian Modak (@sebmodak) is a writer, multimedia journalist, and the editor-at-large at Lonely Planet. He spent 2019 circling the globe as the New York Times 52 Places Traveler, reporting from every destination on the Times’ 52 Places to Go list. 

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Selected Links From The Episode

Connect with Sebastian Modak: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Lonely Planet

Publications Mentioned:

• On Québec’s Route Verte, not knowing what I was getting myself into was the best part
• 52 Places to Go in 2019

Resources Mentioned: 

• The World (Lonely Planet)
• Reddit
• Smart Wool
• Fjällräven
• Packing Cubes
• Takuhaibin Delivery Services

Full Show Notes

What most people could be doing differently in the way they travel [1:21]

Excellent examples of why people choose to travel [2:52]

How to search for a travel destination based on the type of experience you want to have [5:16]

Resources to find travel information and inspiration, and how Sebastian begins his travel planning [7:09]

Sebastian recounts how reading a forum on Reddit inspired him to plan a bicycling trip in Canada as well as two takeaways from that trip [11:07]

To make your trip more connective than extractive, Sebastian talks about research to do in advance and how choosing where to stay can impact your travel experience [14:55]

Steps to take in order to feel connected to your destination [18:14]

Sebastian’s hard and fast rules of what and how to pack [26:04] 

Using GPS trackers in your luggage [29:11] 

Checking bags versus using only a carry-on, renting items you may need, and alternate methods for transporting your luggage during your trip [30:55]

Three tips for engineering moments of serendipity [33:17]

How to create engaging and exciting experiences while traveling with children [41:19]

Hiring experiences for your next travel adventure if you have limited time and budget isn’t the primary concern [46:01]

Sebastian shares his most memorable and fascinating experiences of traveling to 52 destination in one year  [50:52]

Final travel parting advice [54:41]

How to follow Sebastian on his adventures and learn what he is writing about [55:48]

Travel Destinations Mentioned

• Amalfi Coast
• Hawaii
• Slovenia
• Italy
• Provence
• Bordeaux
• France
• Spain
• Albania
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
• Alto Adige
• Quebec, Canada
• Bulgaria
• South Africa
• Uzbekistan
• Syria
• Turkey
• Siberia
• Tahiti
• Gambia
• Faroe Islands
• Dolomites
• Tokyo
• Kyoto
• Munich
• New York
• San Francisco
• New Orleans
• Galiza, Spain
• Chile
• Falkland Islands
• Denmark
• Orcas Island
• Mexico

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