Travel Devil – Adventures Without Guilt for Sustainable Travel

46- He Runs to the Train And Picks Up Everything Along the Way — Plogging with Paul Waye

Train travel is often praised as a sustainable alternative to flying.But if you’ve spent time around train stations, platforms, and tracks, you’ve probably noticed something else: trash. A lot of it.In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken sits down with Paul Waye, the world’s first professional plogger - someone who runs and picks up litter at the same time. Recorded on location in the Netherlands, this conversation talkes about why public spaces around trains are so polluted, why cigarette butts are one of the biggest hidden problems, and what behavior change really looks like in everyday life.Paul shares how plogging started during his daily run to the train station, how it grew into a full-time job, and why the first piece of trash you pick up matters more than how much you collect. Together, Clara and Paul talk about train stations, commuter behavior, deposit systems, smoking bans, and why infrastructure alone isn’t enough if habits don’t change.In this episode, we talk about:What plogging actually isWhy trash piles up just outside train stationsThe cigarette butt problem most travelers overlookHow deposit systems work in countries like Germany and the NetherlandsWhy clean trains don’t always mean clean tracksBehavior vs. infrastructure in sustainable travelSimple ways travelers and commuters can make a differenceThis episode is a reminder that sustainable travel isn’t only about how you move; it’s also about how you behave once you arrive.sustainable travel • train travel europe • slow travel • eco travel • cigarette butts pollution • microplastic pollution • sustainable transport • green travel myth • train stations europe • environmental impact travel • travel devil podcast • Clara Francken • plogging • plastic pollution travel • sustainable mobility • public transport sustainability • climate conscious travel • ethical travel europe • travel podcast europe • Paul Waye • plogging train stationsWrite us your thoughts on the showWant more? Follow Paul Waye on Instagram @wayeoflife Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevilpod Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken Watch more on my YouTube channel

45- I Traveled from Greece to Germany Without Flying - Here’s the Full Route & Cost! (Train, Ferry, Bus)

Is there anything more beautiful than arriving at your destination by land instead of air? In this solo episode, host Clara Francken shares exactly how she traveled from Greece to Germany without flying - using ferries, regional trains, high-speed trains, and even the most stunning Flixbus ride of her entire life.This episode is a mix of stories, practical tips, cost breakdowns, and slow-travel inspiration. Whether you dream of doing an Interrail trip, want to reduce your travel footprint, or simply love hearing about chaotic but wholesome journeys… this one’s for you.✨ Total cost: €254.80✨ Route: Greece → Italy → Switzerland → Liechtenstein → Austria → Germany✨ Best part: The views. The views!!What we cover:Why I traveled overland instead of flyingFerries between Greek islands & ItalyNight ferry experience (and the €9 hack!)Italy’s magical coastline trainsA small meltdown in Bari’s train stationThe most beautiful Flixbus route I’ve ever takenCrossing Liechtenstein’s tiny railwayAustria’s stunning Railjet trainsFinal reflections on sustainable travelWrite us your thoughts on the showWant more? Follow Paul Waye on Instagram @wayeoflife Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevilpod Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken Watch more on my YouTube channel

43- Will ChatGPT save or destroy sustainable travel?

AI is transforming the way we travel, from how we plan our trips to how we book hotels and trains. But is it really sustainable?In this solo episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken explores the climate footprint of artificial intelligence and its growing role in tourism. From ChatGPT to Gemini, she looks at how AI tools can both harm and help our planet - AND how travelers can use them responsibly.We break down:How much energy AI actually consumes compared to GoogleTips on how to use ChatGPT to plan your sustainable travelWhat travelers can do to limit the footprint of their tech useHow AI can improve route planning, eco-hotel booking & local experiencesTools like EasyTrips, Biliki AI, GoodWings, Exploreo and Komoot making travel greenerWhy AI might one day fix its own carbon problemThe balance between tech innovation and climate anxietyThis episode is for curious travelers, digital nomads, and eco-conscious listeners who want to explore smarter, without guilt.Write us your thoughts on the showWant more? Follow Paul Waye on Instagram @wayeoflife Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevilpod Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken Watch more on my YouTube channel

44- Camping in Gardens: The Belgian Platform Changing Travel w/ Manon, Welcome To My Garden

Have you ever imagined camping for free in someone’s backyard? In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken talks to Manon from "Welcome To My Garden", the Belgian non-profit platform that connects travelers with locals who offer their gardens as camping spots.Together, we talk about how the project started, why it’s revolutionizing slow travel, and what it means for the future of sustainable tourism in Europe. Clara also shares her own experience cycling across Belgium and staying at Welcome To My Garden spots.📌 In this episode:How Welcome To My Garden was born and what it stands forWhy free camping empowers both locals and travelersThe rise of community-led sustainable travelHow to find or host your own garden on the platformLessons learned from cycling from Belgium to TokyoHow small ideas can reshape tourism systemsDifference between Welcome To My Garden and campsites or courchsurfingFuture goals for the communityWhether you’re a cyclist, hiker, or just someone who loves meaningful travel, this episode will inspire you to slow down and reconnect, with nature and people.🎧 Episode 44 of Travel Devil is out now on all podcast platforms!sustainable travel • slow travel podcast • welcome to my garden • WTMG • eco travel • belgium travel • free camping europe • green travel ideas • cycling in belgium • responsible tourism • community-based travel • travel differently • backyard camping • local travel tips • travel devil podcast • clara francken podcast Write us your thoughts on the showWant more? Follow Paul Waye on Instagram @wayeoflife Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevilpod Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken Watch more on my YouTube channel

42- What Every Traveler Should Know About Microplastics w/ Dana Zhaxylykova

When we think about sustainable travel, we often picture avoiding flights or packing eco-friendly gear. But what if the real danger lies in something we can’t even see - in microplastics?In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken talks to Dana Zhaxylykova, a microplastic researcher from Kazakhstan and co-founder of the Microplastic Free app, about how travel habits contribute to microplastic pollution. We discuss topics from tire dust on roads to the “paper” cups we drink from on planes.Dana shares her journey from the Aral Sea region to studying microplastics across Europe, uncovering how even our most “harmless” travel routines leave invisible traces behind.In this episode we cover:How microplastics form and why they’re dangerousThe hidden microplastics in airplanes, buses, and tiresWhy a “recyclable” coffee cup might not be so innocentThe truth about plastic water bottles and travel gearWhat fabrics shed microplastics and which ones are good alternativesHow to reduce plastic waste when travelingAre bioplastics and silicone really better alternatives?The impact of laundry and clothing on plastic pollutionWhy microplastics affect every ecosystem, even how it reacts in snowPractical tips for sustainable, low-plastic travelEpisode 42 of Travel Devil is out now on all podcast platforms.More of Dana’s work:Connect with Dana on InstagramCheck out her Microplastic Free AppWrite us your thoughts on the showWant more? Follow Paul Waye on Instagram @wayeoflife Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevilpod Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken Watch more on my YouTube channel