It’s been one month since I moved to Kazakhstan, and in this episode I’m sharing what life in Almaty has really been like so far. I start with a broad overview of Kazakhstan — the ninth largest country in the world and the largest landlocked country, located in Central Asia — before diving into the personal side of relocating here.

From a chaotic travel day and an unexpected overnight in Istanbul, to apartment hunting, navigating bureaucracy, adjusting to a ten-hour time difference, and beginning boxing lessons entirely in Russian, this episode captures the reality of settling into a new country.

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/AmdPShISk24

📸 Follow the Journey: Join me on Instagram ⁠@tastytralstravelpod⁠ and ⁠@tastytrailstravel⁠ for behind-the-scenes stories, foodie finds, and cultural deep dives

What should you really eat in New York City beyond pizza and bagels?In this episode, I’m joined by Scott Goodfriend, founder of Ultimate Food Tours NYC, to explore the incredible diversity of New York food culture. From regional Chinese cuisine in Chinatown NYC to Central Asian markets in Brighton Beach Brooklyn, we talk about how food tells the story of immigration, neighborhoods, and identity in the city.You’ll learn:🍜 How to find authentic food in NYC neighborhoods🥟 The difference between tourist spots and local favorites🗺️ Underrated food neighborhoods in New York 🍔 Viral foods in NYC that are actually worth the hype🚇 The NUMBER ONE TIP when visiting New York - and it's not what you think! Whether you’re planning a trip or just love learning about food, travel, and culture, this NYC food guide will give you a deeper, more meaningful way to experience the city.Connect with Scott and take a tour: Instragram: @ultimatefoodtours https://www.instagram.com/ultimatefoodtours/ Website: https://ultimatefoodtours.com/ Resources: ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/actionNational Immigration Law Center: https://www.nilc.org/ Minnesota Resources: https://linktr.ee/MutualAidMN50501 Hang out with me on Instagram: FOOD: @tastytrailstravelpod / tastytrailstravelpod TRAVEL: @tasty.trails.travel / tasty.trails.travel

This week the episode is a vlog, and it's up on Youtube, all about my trip to Finland!!

Check it out here

This was my first real vacation in two years—no work, no laptop, just pure adventure—and I couldn’t have picked a better place than Finland 🇫🇮❄️In this episode of Tasty Trails Travel, I’m sharing my winter journey through Helsinki, Lapland, and beyond, including:

• An overnight train to Rovaniemi (aka Santa Claus’ hometown 🎅)

• Visiting Santa Claus Village and crossing the Arctic Circle
• An icebreaker cruise where we walked and swam in frozen seas 🧊
• Seeing the Northern Lights (just a little!)
• Ethically run reindeer sleigh rides
• Staying in a glass igloo hotel for my birthday ✨

• Finnish saunas, great food, and lots of hot drinks
• A winter day trip to Tallinn, Estonia
• Ending the trip back in Helsinki with amazing meals and city wandering

-Dog sledding with the fastest, happiest pups ever 🐕❄️I also talk about traveling in low season, researching ethical animal tourism, and why this trip meant so much to me after a long stretch without a real break.If you love winter travel, slow travel, cozy vibes, or just living vicariously through cold-weather adventures—this one’s for you.