Friends Along The Way

From Marienplatz to Dachau: My Munich Travel Story, Oktoberfest & Bavaria Highlights

Join me as I travel from Austria to Munich, Germany — one of the most vibrant and historic cities in Europe. In this episode, I explore Marienplatz, Munich’s famous Old Town square, visit iconic beer halls, experience Oktoberfest for the very first time, and take in the fairy-tale beauty of Neuschwanstein Castle. I wrap up the episode with a powerful and emotional visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.
If you're planning a trip to Germany, Bavaria, or Munich, this episode gives you real travel tips, cultural insights, fun facts, and a heartfelt look at one of Europe’s most meaningful historical sites.
What you’ll hear in this episode:🇩🇪 Marienplatz history & Munich travel tips🍺 Traditional Bavarian beer halls & my first German beer🎡 What Oktoberfest is really like as a first-timer🏰 Fun facts about Neuschwanstein Castle🕯️ My honest experience at the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial🚍 Travel stories, friendships, and the moments that made Munich unforgettable

From Innsbruck to Salzburg: Exploring Austria’s Alpine Cities & Hidden Gems

This week, I take you with me from Northern Italy across the Alps into Austria, where I explored Innsbruck’s fairytale mountains and Salzburg’s musical magic. From Red Bull history to Swarovski crystals, café culture, cooking classes, and a traditional festival I stumbled into—I’m sharing it all.
If you love slow travel, mountain views, and European charm, this episode is for you.

Italy Travel Guide: Rome, Venice & Northern Italy — What I Learned on My Solo Trip

Discover what it’s really like to solo travel through Italy. In this episode, I share everything I learned while exploring Rome, Venice, and northern Italy—from getting lost on day one to visiting the Colosseum, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, and the canals of Venice. I talk about the food that made me emotional, the friends I met along the way, wine tasting in the Veneto region, and even whitewater rafting in the mountains. If you’re planning an Italy trip or looking for honest Rome and Venice travel tips, this guide-style episode will inspire your own Italy itinerary.

Thankful Around the World: What Every Country Taught Me

In this special episode of Friends Along the Way, I share the biggest lessons I’m thankful for from every country I’ve visited. From London opening my eyes to travel, to Paris feeling like a living painting, to Amsterdam giving me clarity about my values, each place taught me something different about the world — and about myself.
You’ll hear reflections from:London • Paris • Amsterdam • Montreal & Quebec City • Rome & Venice • Salzburg & Innsbruck • Munich • Liechtenstein • Lucerne • Mexico
Travel has built my confidence, expanded my horizons, and made my dreams bigger than I ever imagined. This episode is filled with gratitude, perspective, and the moments that shaped me as a solo traveler and as a person.
If you love solo travel, personal growth, and meaningful stories from around the world, this episode is for you.

Living in India: How Natalie Built a Life Abroad She Loved

This week on Friends Along the Way, Bethany talks with Natalie, who lived in India and shares what life abroad is truly like — the travel, the community, and the perspective that comes from stepping into a new culture.For anyone thinking about moving overseas, this episode is a must-listen.

From Germany to the USA | Michelle on Being a Foreign Exchange Student & Finding Perspective

Bethany reconnects with her friend Michelle, who moved from Germany to the U.S. at just 16 years old as a foreign exchange student. They talk about what it was like to experience a new culture, the differences between Europe and America, and how that year abroad shaped who she is today.

Grace in Every Journey | Cristal on Friendship, Faith & Finding God Through Travel

Cristal joins Bethany to share how travel has deepened her faith and sense of gratitude. From her annual best-friend trips with her roommate Kiley to moments of awe in new places, she reflects on seeing God’s hand in every destination. This episode is a reminder to pause, take it in, and recognize the grace woven into every journey.
 

It’s a Small World After All | Sara on Study Abroad, Friendship & Travel Serendipity

Bethany sits down with her friend Sara, whose adventures span from studying abroad in Spain to exploring hidden corners of Europe. Together, they share stories of almost crossing paths overseas and how travel creates lifelong friendships, perspective, and those magical “small world” moments that remind us how connected we really are.

How My Trip to Canada Inspired Friends Along the Way | Finding Creativity & Connection Abroad

In this episode, Bethany looks back on her time in Canada — the trip that inspired Friends Along the Way. From meaningful conversations at Café Olimpico to the chance encounters that felt like fate, she shares how travel often brings the right people into your life at just the right time.

Slower Living in Mexico | Gabby on Peace, Community & Finding Home Abroad

In this episode, Gabby reflects on her time living in Mexico — and how its slower rhythm and close-knit community changed her outlook on life. We talk about the differences between Mexican and American culture, what small-town living taught her, and how she’s finding her way back to what truly feels like home.