Listen to today’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-travellers-daily/id1842920062
True Travellers Society Podcast — November 23, 2025
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories: a mix of destination inspiration, industry shifts, practical travel deals, and gear picks to help you plan smarter journeys.
Isan travel guide: ancient temples, Mekong towns and food highlights
Thailand’s northeast Isan rewards travelers with UNESCO-listed Ban Chiang, Khmer-era Prasat Phanom Rung aligned with sunrise, and Phimai’s vast temple complex—plus surreal landscapes from Phu Kradueng to Three Whale Rock and Pha Taem’s 4,000-year-old cliff paintings. Life along the Mekong hums in Chiang Khan and Nakhon Phanom, while fiery Isan cuisine—som tam with pla ra, duck larb, and gai yang—steals the show. Getting around is easiest via Bangkok with regional flights; distances are wide, so renting a car is best.
COP30 ends with no fossil-fuel plan — but new climate goals impact travel
Talks in Brazil ended without a concrete fossil‑fuel phaseout plan, keeping COP28’s “transition away” language after pushback from key countries. Even so, the deal tightens expectations for private‑sector net‑zero plans and transparency, and elevates nature‑based solutions, resilient infrastructure, and green finance—signals that will shape standards and investments in travel and tourism. Bottom line: more pressure on travel companies to publish credible transition strategies.
Travel + Leisure India — November 2025 (link only)
Link-only listing for the November 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure India. The dataset did not include a title, author, or article text, but we’re sharing the source for listeners who want to explore further.
Upper-caste Hindus dominate India’s Supreme Court
With Chief Justice B. R. Gavai’s retirement, India’s Supreme Court will have just one Dalit and one woman among 33 judges, while Brahmins—about 4% of the population—comprise roughly 36% of the bench. Former justices cite a shallow, slow-moving pipeline and lingering nepotism, even as women’s representation rises in lower courts; a recent case saw the Court condemn caste bias in judicial evaluations. The debate over diversity, transparency, and the collegium’s opaque selection process is intensifying ahead of further retirements in 2026.
You don’t need a passport to retire to this Caribbean island where the dollar goes a long way
For U.S. retirees, Puerto Rico offers Caribbean living without a passport, U.S. currency and legal systems, and potentially attractive tax incentives under Act 60—alongside a cost of living estimated about 21% below mainland averages. Lifestyle options range from Old San Juan to Rincon and Ponce, with plenty of outdoor activities and healthcare access, though infrastructure quirks and power reliability warrant a trial stay. Bottom line: with thoughtful planning, the island can stretch retirement dollars while keeping stateside conveniences.
Frain’s FridA10 Notebook: major upsets from Dayton and… Rhode Island?
Riley Frain recaps a busy A10 week: long‑time commissioner Bernadette McGlade announced her 2026 retirement, Dayton upset Marquette in OT, and Rhode Island surprised Yale on the road. George Mason opened 5‑0 ahead of its first real tests, while Philly’s St. Joe’s and La Salle won’t play for the Big 5 title this year. Saint Louis guard Amari McCottry is emerging as an early-season standout.
How photographers can maximize holiday revenue with Lumaprints
Lumaprints positions itself as a white‑label, print‑on‑demand engine to help photographers capture holiday demand without fulfillment headaches. The piece outlines upsell-friendly products—from framed fine art and canvas to metal and peel‑and‑stick prints—and shows how curated bundles, framing choices, bulk orders, and integrations with Shopify, Etsy, and more can boost Q4 revenue. The message: automate production, expand offerings, and keep margins.
This sub-$200 lens will change how you pack for travel photos
Viltrox’s AF 14mm f/4 Air is a 166‑gram, sub‑$200 ultra‑wide that punches well above its price with sharp optics, solid AF, and virtually no chromatic aberration—ideal for travel, vlogging, and real estate. Trade‑offs include no weather sealing, notable vignetting, and some mustache distortion that benefits from software correction. Not for astro, but a compelling, low‑weight add to any travel kit.
Qatar Airways ex‑Europe Black Friday sale for 2025 (book by December 2)
Qatar Airways’ Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale offers up to 20% off base fares in select economy and business classes on ex‑Europe routes booked by December 2, 2025. Eligible destinations and blackout dates vary by country, seats are limited, and discounts apply to base fare only; dynamic pricing may affect totals. Worth a search if your dates are flexible and you can book quickly.
Is now a good time to buy Disney Vacation Club at Disney World?
Direct DVC prices continue to climb, but qualifying buyers still value perks like member lounges, Moonlight Magic, and discounts—while a soft resale market offers lower entry costs with restrictions and Disney’s right of first refusal to navigate. New inventory at properties like the Polynesian’s Island Tower and Fort Wilderness Cabins may bring incentives and availability. If you visit often, prefer Deluxe stays, and can commit to dues, this may be a favorable window; otherwise, waiting could make sense.
