The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest on Earth, encompassing more than 2 million square miles and seven South American countries. Brazil is home to the largest swathe with roughly 60% of the total area, and is arguably the most accessible too, with some of the best and most varied adventure opportunities on offer.

Seeing the Amazon with your own eyes is rightly on the bucket list of many travellers. But with so much to see, it’s hard to know where to start.
In today’s episode, Wanderlust contributor Alex Robinson, who has been to and written about the Brazilian Amazon numerous times, shares his top tips for where to go, what to see and how to get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
If you’re curious about one of the great wonders of the natural world, or dreaming of where to go next, this is your ultimate guide to the Brazilian Amazon.

Highlights include:

- Discovering the city of Manaus, your gateway to Amazon adventures.

- Exploring the state of Amazonas, Brazil’s largest state and almost entirely
covered in lush green tropical forest.

- Finding out the most authentic and sustainable ways to connect with indigenous
communities, including the best eco-lodges and river tours.

- Learning about the food and culture of the historic city of Belém, in Pará.

- Partying at the Boi Bumba festival in Parintins - the carnival of the Amazon, as
exuberant and colourful as Rio carnival.

- Taking the road less travelled to lesser-known places including the white sand
beaches of Alto do Chao, and Ilha do Marajo - a Denmark sized island where the
police ride buffalo.

FIND OUT MORE

You can find out more about everything mentioned in this episode at visitbrasil.com

Connect with Alex Robinson on Instagram @alexrobinsonphotography

Alex’s top tips:

- Manaus hotel - Casa do Bispo
- Indigenous led Amazon cruises -The Earth Trip
- Alter Do Chao treehouse hotel - Casa do Arvore
- Belém Hotel – Grand Mercure

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and produces it; Charles Tyrie does the audio editing and sound design. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com

“The Florida Keys are a real mixture of the Caribbean and of the United States…actually, I’m doing them a disservice saying that. The Keys definitely have their own distinct personality.”

In today’s episode we’re heading down to the Florida Keys, the southernmost destination in the US. This charming archipelago of islands, sprawling from the southern tip of Florida’s peninsula, are home to a vibrant array of wildlife and abundant natural attractions, from pristine coral reefs to luscious mangrove forests. They’re also chock full of rich cultural history, artistic heritage, and culinary traditions…be on the lookout for one of the most unique uses of a Key Lime imaginable.

To explore the islands, host Aaron Millar interviews Wanderlust’s own founding editor Lyn Hughes about her recent visit there. The episode also features clips from the new podcast, The Florida Keys Traveler, which was recorded on location and which immerses listeners in the sounds and voices of the Keys.

Read Lyn’s full article about her time in the Keys at https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/florida-keys-of-my-imagination/.

Find more of Wanderlust and subscribe at wanderlustmagazine.com.

Wanderlust: Off the Page is produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Find more at armchair-productions.com. You can also find the full series, The Florida Keys Traveler, anywhere you find podcasts.

From rainforests to high peaks, crashing surf to the greatest wildlife show on Earth,
when you travel to Ecuador you get four worlds in one.

In today’s episode, we’re going to be exploring the natural beauty, culture, and food of this varied South American country through the lens of its four distinct eco-systems: The Andes, The Amazon, The Pacific Coast, and The Galapagos.

Named after the equator it straddles, Ecuador may not be on your bucket list yet, but after listening to this episode we guarantee you’ll want to bump it up the list.

Joining us today are three local experts: Ecuador tourism expert and representative of Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism, Santiago Granda; Rebecca Braak, the founder of Rebecca Adventure Travel, a B Corp-certified tour operator based in Ecuador; and award-winning Ecuadorian chef, Alejandra Espinoza, founder and head chef at Somos restaurant in Quito.

Highlights include:

- Discovering Quito, one of South America’s most beautiful cities: what to see,
where to eat and how to have the perfect start to your trip.
- Finding out about the best sustainable tourism initiatives in the Andes, and how
you can connect authentically with local communities.
- Hearing why the little visited Pacific Coast of Ecuador makes the perfect beach,
surf and foodie break.
- Learning about indigenous culture in the Amazon rainforest, and how you can
experience it in the most sustainable and authentic way possible.
- Finding out how to make the most of your Galapagos trip, and what makes this
tiny archipelago one of the most unique travel experiences on the planet.
- Getting the expert low-down on the ultimate 2–3-week Ecuador itinerary.

FIND OUT MORE

You can find out more about everything mentioned in this episode at Ecuador.travel

Discover authentic B Corp certified Ecuadorian adventures at
rebeccaadventuretravel.com

Alejandra Espinoza restaurant is Somos, in Quito. somos.rest

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE

Wanderlust is the UK’s leading independent travel magazine which has been taking theroad less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com

Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join our community of serious travellers for just £35 a year (or about $50). This will get you six beautiful collectible issues, exclusive member- only competitions and events, access to our entire online archive back to 2010, and heaps of other benefits.

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Aaron Millar hosts the show and produces it, along with Jenny Allison, and Charles Tyrie does the audio editing and sound design.

Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com