Adventure Travel Podcast - Big World Made Small
Welcome to the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, where we go far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruises to explore the really cool places, people, and activities that adventurous travelers crave. If your idea of a great vacation is sitting on a beach at an all-inclusive resort, you’re in the wrong place. However, if you’re like me, and a beach resort vacation sounds like torture, stick around. You’ve found your tribe.
My name is Jason Elkins, and as an adventure travel marketing consultant and tour operator myself, I am on a mission to impact the lives of adventure travelers, the tour operators they hire, and the communities that host them, creating deeply meaningful experiences that make this big world feel just a bit smaller.
Are you ready to discover your next great adventure, whether that looks something like climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, SCUBA diving in the South Pacific, or hot air ballooning in Turkey? Then you’ll be happy to know that each episode of the Big World Made Small Podcast features a fascinating interview with an adventure travel expert that has agreed to share, with us, their own personal stories, favorite adventure destinations, and even some incredibly helpful tips and tricks they’ve learned while in the field. I trust that by the end of each episode you’ll feel like booking a ticket to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of these amazing places, and getting to know the incredible people that live there.
I’ll be your guide as we explore this amazing planet and its people on the Big World Made Small podcast. I am a former US Army paratrooper, third generation commercial hot air balloon pilot, paramotor pilot, advanced open water SCUBA diver, and ex-Montana fly fishing guide and lodge manager. I have managed boutique adventure tour operation businesses in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, off-shore in Belize, the Adirondacks in New York, and the desert of Arizona. I also spent nearly a decade with Orvis International Travel, leading a talented team of tour operation experts, putting together and hosting amazing fly fishing and adventure travel excursions around the world. I have tapped into my experience and network of travel pros to put together a weekly series of exclusive expert interviews that I am excited to share with you.
For the last couple of years I have lived a fully nomadic lifestyle, feeding my passion for exploration, creating amazing adventures, and meeting some of the most fascinating people along the way. I record every episode while traveling, so in a sense you’ll be joining me on my journey. Let’s discover some great adventures together and make this big world feel just a bit smaller.
And, don’t forget to take a quick trip over to our website at bigworldmadesmall.com and join our adventure travel community, where you’ll benefit from new episode announcements, exclusive adventure travel opportunities, and special access to the experts you’ve met on the show. You can also follow us on social media, using the links in the show notes below. And, if you’re getting value out of the show please help us grow by sharing it with your friends, family, and anyone else you know that wants to get far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruise ships, the next time they travel.
I’ll publish another episode soon. Until then, keep exploring. It’s the best way to make a big world feel just a bit smaller.
https://adventuretravelmarketing.com/podcast
Adventure Travel Podcast - Big World Made Small
Adventure Travel with Nicole Dane - Heart of India Travel
Nicole Dane
Founder
Heart of India Travel
https://heartofindiatravel.com/
What began as a one-time journey has become a life where I spend eight months a year in India, embraced by people who now feel like family. With 3 years of experience creating authentic and sustainable journeys through Heart of India Travel, I’ve seen how transformative travel can be for both visitors and local communities.
At Heart of India Travel, we believe tourism can support underrepresented communities, preserve heritage, and protect nature. We connect guests with villages where traditions, arts, and crafts thrive, helping stimulate local economies so people can find work without leaving for cities. We also collaborate with sustainable partners on conservation, from organizing safaris in protected areas to promoting electric transport in urban settings.
We support women’s empowerment and education projects for rural children, creating opportunities for the next generation. By blending comfort with sustainability and social responsibility, we deliver meaningful journeys that enrich guests and generate lasting impact. Every experience, hotel, and itinerary is personally tested to ensure authenticity and quality.
Building on this, I founded Bharatvaas Travels, a B2B platform working with agencies worldwide to design small group and tailor-made journeys across India. We focus on unique cultural encounters, sustainability (pursuing Travelife certification), and special-interest themes like wildlife, wellness, women-only travel, photography, festivals, heritage, and local crafts. We provide full guest support in English, French, and Dutch, offering both midrange and high-end options.
I welcome connections with travel professionals who share our vision for meaningful, carefully crafted journeys.
summary
In this episode, Jason Elkins interviews Nicole Dane, founder of Bharatvaas Travels and Heart of India Travel. They discuss Nicole's journey from Europe to India, her experiences in the travel industry, and the cultural differences she has encountered. Nicole shares her insights on the real India, emphasizing the beauty of its villages and the warmth of its people. The conversation also touches on the impact of COVID-19 on travel and mental health, as well as the importance of understanding local economies and cultures. Nicole encourages listeners to explore India beyond the typical tourist spots, highlighting the richness of experiences available in lesser-known areas.
takeaways
- Bharatvaas Travels simplifies travel for foreign companies in India.
- Nicole's journey to India began unexpectedly during a sabbatical.
- Traveling in India requires a mindset of surrendering control.
- The perception of India as dangerous is often outdated and inaccurate.
- Cultural differences shape how travelers perceive safety and hospitality.
- Local economies benefit from tourism in lesser-known areas.
- Understanding poverty in India requires a nuanced perspective.
- Traveling can lead to profound personal insights and connections.
- The importance of listening in both psychology and travel.
- Nicole aims to promote wellness travel in India post-COVID.
Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.
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