🎙️ Exploring Train Journeys & Forgotten British Histories with Shafik Meghji 🚂 | Winging It Travel Podcast In this week's episode, I'm joined for a hat-trick appearance by award-winning travel writer, journalist, and broadcaster Shafik Meghji , as we dive deep into the romance of train travel, chance encounters on the road, and his brand new book Small Earthquakes: A Journey Through Lost British History in South America (out July 24, 2025). We start with a ride on the Tren del Fin del Mundo , the world’s southernmost railway near Ushuaia, Argentina — a former prison line turned into a stunning tourist route through Tierra del Fuego National Park. We chat train adventures across the globe, from the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada to India’s rail journeys , the Trans-Siberian , Vietnam’s Reunification Express , and future plans for travel by rail through Europe, Japan, and Australia . But that’s not all — we explore unexpected British footprints across South America , from Welsh-speaking communities in Patagonia to Victorian architecture in Montevideo , British-built railways in Argentina, and even the story behind the iconic Fray Bentos pies in Uruguay. Whether you’re into epic train journeys , unusual travel histories , or looking for South America travel inspiration , this episode will ignite your wanderlust. 🌍 Topics Covered: Shafik’s top global train journeys & bucket list routes Life and landscapes aboard the Tren del Fin del Mundo A deep dive into Uruguay’s underrated capital, Montevideo The incredible stories behind his new book Small Earthquakes British history in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile & beyond Serendipitous travel encounters and the magic of slow travel Central America travel tips – including El Salvador, Panama & Belize The polar bears (and beluga whales!) of Churchill, Manitoba via train Street tango, carne asado, and the culture of the River Plate 📚 Pre-order Small Earthquakes – A powerful and fascinating narrative connecting British history to forgotten corners of Latin America. Out July 24, 2025 - order here! Shafik Meghji Website Instagram 💬 Have you taken a memorable train journey? Visited South America recently? Drop a comment and share your stories – we’d love to hear them! 📺 New episodes every Monday on YouTube & all major podcast platforms. Hit subscribe and never miss an episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast . Timestamps 00:00 Exploring 'Small Earthquakes' and British History in South America 02:47 Travel Plans and Adventures for 2025 06:02 The Allure of Central America and El Salvador 09:12 Chance Encounters and Connections While Traveling 12:05 The Impact of Travel on Personal Growth 15:01 The Hidden Gems of Uruguay and Montevideo 18:00 Tango, Carnival, and Cultural Experiences in Montevideo 21:04 Traveling to Uruguay: Tips and Recommendations 24:01 Exploring the Unique...
