Listen to today’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-travellers-daily/id1842920062
True Travellers Society Podcast
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories:
What have Manitoba leaders learned from a summer of wildfire evacuations?
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By Steve Lambert · The Canadian Press — Published: October 12, 2025
After a season that saw 52,000 evacuees registered nationally and 32,000 in Manitoba alone, officials are rethinking readiness: crews must be equipped earlier, and more water bombers may be needed as fires start sooner and spread faster. Remote evacuations exposed bottlenecks—from smoke-closed airports to limited hotel capacity—prompting calls for dedicated evacuation facilities and streamlined registration. Manitoba and the Canadian Red Cross plan thorough operational reviews to improve coordination and culturally appropriate support.
Travel Insurance Is Becoming Mandatory In More Destinations. Here’s What You Need To Know
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By Christopher Elliott — Published: October 12, 2025
A growing list of destinations now require proof of medical travel insurance, from Argentina and Cuba to Thailand and the Schengen Area—where visa applicants must show about $35,000 in coverage, and France can ask any traveler for proof at the border. Enforcement is inconsistent but absolute when it happens, so experts advise buying comprehensive coverage (often $100,000 recommended), verifying country-specific criteria, and carrying digital and printed proof. Bottom line: no proof of protection, no travel.
Why Balding People Are Vacationing in the Middle East
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By Tim Karan — Published: October 12, 2025
Turkey has become a global hub for hair transplants, pairing skilled surgeons and dense clinic competition with bundled travel packages that can bring total trip costs near $3,400—far less than many U.S. quotes for the procedure alone. The boom, however, has spawned a “Wild West” of unlicensed operators and technician-led procedures, raising risks of botched outcomes. Prospective patients should vet clinics carefully, ensure a qualified surgeon performs the procedure, and beware of deals that seem too good to be true.
Prairie farmer concerned about food production as invasive weed spreads
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By Halyna Mihalik — Published: October 12, 2025
Herbicide-resistant kochia is spreading north across the Canadian Prairies, choking out crops and driving up farmers’ costs for repeated spraying and new equipment. Scientists warn tougher weeds like waterhemp and palmer amaranth may follow within five years, threatening yields and crop diversification. Research teams are scaling up identification guidance, surveillance, and mitigation strategies, but growers face mounting expenses and pressure on profitability in the meantime.
The Rudest Things Americans Say While Traveling Abroad
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By Jillian Wilson — Published: October 12, 2025
Etiquette experts flag common missteps like declaring “the customer is always right,” calling local currency “real money,” demanding English, or labeling places “exotic.” The fix is simple: approach every country like a guest, learn a few local phrases, and avoid judging customs through a U.S.-centric lens. Respect and cultural humility go a long way toward smoother travels and warmer interactions.
Why Norway Said No To The World’s First Ship Tunnel
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By David Nikel — Published: October 12, 2025
Norway has moved to cancel the long-planned Stad Ship Tunnel after project costs swelled from 1.5 to 9.4 billion NOK, with the prime minister citing higher priorities in defense, healthcare, and local services. The decision disappoints coastal industries hoping for safer, shorter routes and emissions cuts, but Norway continues to invest in greener transport—from electric ferries to near-term electric aviation. It’s a high-profile reminder that even bold, visionary projects must survive fiscal reality.
Europe launches new digital border checks for non-EU citizens
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By Thomas Mangin — Published: October 12, 2025
Twenty-nine countries in the Schengen area have begun rolling out the Entry/Exit System (EES), which replaces passport stamps with biometric registration (fingerprints and facial image) for non-EU travelers. The system will fully replace manual stamping by April 10, 2026, and sets the stage for ETIAS travel authorization. Travelers should expect a gradual transition period and potentially longer border checks early in implementation.
Sagre in Emilia Romagna a Ottobre 2025: la guida completa tra tartufo, castagne e funghi
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By Redazione Travel — Published: October 12, 2025
October in Emilia-Romagna brims with food festivals celebrating white truffles, chestnuts, and porcini, from Sant’Agata Feltria’s renowned truffle fair to Castel del Rio’s storied chestnut sagra. The calendar spans hilltowns and art cities, pairing markets and tastings with hikes and cultural events. It’s a flavorful roadmap for planning autumn weekends steeped in Italy’s Food Valley traditions.
The Classic Car Lover’s Guide To Italy’s Motor Valley
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By Jennifer Leigh Parker — Published: October 12, 2025
Motor Valley near Bologna is drawing the collector set, with the Concorso d’Eleganza Varignana spotlighting icons like the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Berlinetta (Best of Show) and Ferrari 121 LM. Beyond the concours, travelers can tour legendary circuits in Modena and Imola, visit world-class museums (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati, Pagani), and stay at destination properties like Casa Maria Luigia or Palazzo di Varignana. It’s a curated blend of heritage, horsepower, and high cuisine.