Listen to today’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-travellers-daily/id1842920062
True Travellers Society Podcast 12/12/2025
Welcome back to the True Travellers Society. Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories:
Telemedicine turns the tide for women with diabetes in rural Zimbabwe
Source: TriplePundit
Rural telehealth hubs run by ZimSmart Villages are expanding access to screening, consultations, and subsidized medications for noncommunicable diseases, with women benefiting most. Reliable connectivity (via Starlink) now supports real-time doctor visits, and early data shows thousands screened and many first-time diagnoses. As centers scale to 28 locations, privacy and space upgrades are planned, alongside remote monitoring and community health education.
Croisière sur le Nil : un voyage au rythme du fleuve, des pharaons aux pêcheurs qui en vivent
Source: franceinfo
A traditional dahabiya sail down the Nile pairs slow travel with timeless heritage, from Luxor’s Karnak temple to the Valley of the Kings and sandstone quarries at Gebel Silsileh. Onboard life emphasizes quiet luxury—local cuisine, wind power, and intimate cabins—while shoreside visits reveal the daily rhythms of fishermen who still depend on the river. It’s a window into Egypt’s living culture as much as its ancient past.
LVMH’s Belmond upgrades its hotels while rivals chase scale
Source: Skift
Belmond is prioritizing deep renovations and experience design over rapid, asset-light expansion—an intentional pivot under LVMH to protect brand equity and heritage. CEO Dan Ruff touts “slow luxury,” designer collaborations, and rail journeys as amplifiers, while resisting guest-facing tech in favor of human-led service. The playbook aims to resonate with younger luxury travelers seeking meaning, not just footprint.
The flying taxi designed to cut airport transfer times in London
Source: Oilprice.com
Vertical Aerospace unveiled Valo, a six-seat eVTOL targeting 2028 certification for fast, zero-emissions hops between hubs like Heathrow, Gatwick, Oxford, and Cambridge. Partnerships with Skyports and Bristow plus new UK funding bolster plans for Britain’s first electric air taxi network, with aims to produce 225 aircraft annually by 2030. With 150 mph cruise speed and expanded cabin capacity, Valo seeks to make airport transfers minutes, not hours.
В туры по Русскому Северу предложили включать рыбалку и походы за грибами
Source: ТАСС
To attract more Asian visitors to Russia’s North, tour operators propose nature-forward itineraries—fishing, mushroom foraging, eco-trails, and farm visits—paired with craft, culture, and gastronomy. Family programs increasingly include behind-the-scenes stops like hockey and ballet schools, reflecting demand for immersive, hands-on experiences. The shift follows a post-pandemic rise in independent travelers and mini-groups seeking authentic contact with nature.
Mamoru Hosoda explains why Hamlet is everywhere this year
Source: The Verge
Director Mamoru Hosoda’s new film, Scarlet, reframes Hamlet’s revenge arc through forgiveness, time travel, and a liminal afterlife inspired by Dante. He connects the surge of 2025 Hamlet reinterpretations to a world preoccupied with conflict, arguing optimism can break cycles of vengeance. The result is a fantastical, open-to-interpretation epic that invites audiences to wrestle with harder, more humane choices.
U.S.A. now the fastest-growing market for Japan’s high-tech toilets, now selling quicker than ever
Source: SoraNews24
Toto’s Washlet has surpassed 70 million units worldwide, with the U.S. now the fastest-growing market after pandemic-era toilet paper shortages and exposure via inbound tourism. Feature-rich bidet seats—heated seats, adjustable sprays, deodorizing, and more—are converting first-time users into evangelists. With vast headroom remaining globally, adoption is poised to accelerate.
Best Buy dusted off the Apple MagSafe Duo relic to list at $80 today, but you may be better off with these modern alternatives
Source: 9to5Toys
Apple’s aging MagSafe Duo popped up for $79.99, but newer Qi2-certified options from Belkin, Anker, and Satechi offer faster 15W charging, stronger magnets, and smarter 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 layouts. Travel-friendly, foldable designs and multi-device charging make them better values for most users. If you’re shopping holiday deals, these modern pads and stands are the safer bet.
Seamless Vacation announces new owner support program to simplify timeshare management
Source: GlobeNewswire
Seamless Vacation launched an Owner Support Program to help timeshare holders reduce costs and boost occupancy via multi-platform listings, targeted digital marketing, and structured rental strategies. The company also touts expanded corporate lodging options for events in destinations like Orlando, Myrtle Beach, and Las Vegas. The emphasis is on transparency, streamlined processes, and responsive support for owners and renters alike.
Lords of the Realm
Source: Royals Review
A fresh look at John Helyar’s classic traces baseball’s labor battles from the reserve clause to free agency, centering on Marvin Miller’s pivotal role in reshaping player rights. The review highlights Kansas City’s surprising influence and revisits the Curt Flood and Catfish Hunter milestones that remade the sport. It’s a timely read as MLB again faces labor tensions—and a reminder that media narratives often oversimplify complex power struggles.
