Here's what you'll find in Travel Writers Radio this week whether you listen via FM, Live on the Net, or streamed through your favourite podcast platform. Independent authentic stories about the people in the places you travel to, plus some you are yet to discover.We're proud to have been ranked in the Top 10 World's Best Travel Podcasts (we've bee…

Melbourne journalist and author Alistair Smith is a former newspaperman who still has stories to tell. Graeme Kemlo invited Alistair to tell his story in a new medium and he delights in talking to us about his recent Sri Lanka trip. Alistair avoided the major cities, preferring to see smaller, less crowded places with a story to tell, such as a fif…

Where did Australians travel to last year? Helen Hayes speaks with the CEO of the Australian Travel Industry Association, Dean Long to find out. Figures showed that 11.6 million international trips were taken by Australian residents last year…many of them to Japan. Helen digs into the data with Dean Long to see what we can learn.Image: Dean Long…

Swimming with Australian sea lions, e-biking, hiking, kayaking, surfing, beach combing, staying in luxury villas and dining on fresh seafood ... Reporter Carolyne Jasinski found this amazing adventure at Baird Bay on the far west coast of South Australia.Carolyne speaks with the resident managers of the Baird Bay Experience and its Villa-stay, Kat …

Baird Bay Experience Head Chef Calvin Von Niebel is so humble, he didn't mention that he was Executive Chef and Group Development Chef for the Ottolenghi group across its seven London restaurants ... some of Britain’s most-acclaimed dining destinations. Calvin credits his grandmothers and mentors Yotam Ottolenghi, Sami Tamimi and Ramael Scully, for…

Team member Fiona Harper was invited on board Coral Geographer, an expedition ship that carries only about 120 passengers for its journeys from Darwin into some of the most remote locations in the east Indonesian archipelago. Fiona visited the Spice Islands and West Papua and apart from the pristine waters, coral and fish in the region, Fiona parti…

About a week before Christmas 2024, a devastating earthquake shook the South Pacific country of Vanuatu, capital Port Vila hit the hardest with significant damage to several buildings, the seaport and airport. More than a dozen people died while hundreds more were injured in the natural disaster.While visiting the annual TRAVMEDIA International Med…

Mardi Gras is fast approaching – March 4 is the date – and places like New Orleans in Louisiana are gearing up for the crowds that will flock to Bourbon Street in the French Quarter for its tradition of jazz, blues and a grand parade, but as Mike Smith discovers speaking with Doug Bourgeois of Explore Louisiana, there’s a lot more to experience in …

Reporter Carmen Jenner is fortunate to live where she does, because Western Australia has some of Australia’s most amazing natural attractions each with their own story, some historic, others simply unique adventure experiences. One of the most popular regions of WA is The Kimberley, particularly the town of Broome with its colourful history of pea…

We reckon we should kick off with the most mouth-watering story first. An Ice Cream Festival with 144 flavours across three locations – Yarra Valley, Great Ocean Road and Mornington Peninsula running right through the week, including this coming weekend. And did they really come up with white chocolate, curry and coconut in a cone? Yes they did com…

Two of our team members have come up with a brilliant business idea based on their specific skills and experience. Fiona Harper and Carolyne Jasinski have participated in scores of media familiarization trips both here and overseas. They have also both worked for tourism bodies as hosts guiding other media and travel agents on visits to a range of …

Blake Riddington, Regional Director of TravMedia Australia and New Zealand, chats with Helen Hayes to give the lowdown on last week's successful IMM - the International Media Marketplace - in Sydney. This homegrown event is going gangbusters. Photo: Blake Riddington (supplied)بقلم Travel Writers Radio produced by the Professional Associatioon of Lifestyle and TravelWriters (PALAT)

Thanks for joining us for Traver Writers Radio this week. We have some interesting stories from our team and we hope you enjoy them wherever and however you choose to listen.We welcome your feedback and suggestions. To get in contact please email: [email protected]'re proud to have been officially ranked among the Top 10 Travel Podcasts…

Here's a story of a privately owned island off the coast of South Australia which is being converted from a sheep farm to a safe haven for vulnerable native fauna species. Carolyne Jasinski talks to Jonas Woolford about the history of Flinders island, the family's abalone business and the massive conservation project they are undertaking.Photo: Car…

Carolyne Jasinski, who is a frequent cruiser and often a guest lecturer on cruise ships, gives Part 2 of her tips and traps for cruise newbies. Speaking with Graeme Kemlo, she covers onboard sales, getting the right insurance cover and where to find discount cruises due to relocation of vessels. She provided these links: Each cruise line will list …

On a famil to Japan, Carmen Jenner dived into the tradition of bathing in an onsen and wondered how many other professions promote getting naked with your colleagues. Her interview also revealed how listeners can win free and direct flights with ANA to Japan by following this link: https://www.linkdtourism.com/jnto-ana-flight-competition/. Carmen a…

In association with its annual industry event staged in Melbourne at this time each year, Melbourne Convention Bureau published a report this year on the impact of business events on the city over the past decade. Graeme Kemlo, who has been covering the business events sector of the tourism industry for the past 20 years or so, attends AIME each ye…

Helen Hayes chats with Lisa Pagotto of Crooked Compass, whose latest offering is a traditional lodge experience in a village in Papua New Guinea.بقلم Travel Writers Radio produced by the Professional Associatioon of Lifestyle and TravelWriters (PALAT)

Thanks for listening to Travel Writers Radio - here's your latest delivery of independent authentic travel journalism from the professional team of writers and broadcasters. Our mantra: No AI and No BS.We'd love to have your comments - email us: [email protected]بقلم Travel Writers Radio produced by the Professional Associatioon of Lifestyle and TravelWriters (PALAT)

Helen Hayes pays a visit to Boise, Idaho, the capital of Idaho and one of the fastest growing cities in the US. It is known as the 'City of Trees' and has an interesting Basque history.بقلم Travel Writers Radio produced by the Professional Associatioon of Lifestyle and TravelWriters (PALAT)

We have all heard the saying that food is medicine. Well we have an example here in Adelaide where Food writer and chef Dianne Mattsson prepares special meals for those whose health situations require very special dietary approaches. And it is timely with AFL figure Neale Daniher being named Australian of the Year for raising $100 million to resear…

Chinese New Year is being celebrated all around the world. Mike Smith tells us that 2025 - the Year of the Snake - will be an exciting fruitful year, especially for those born under that sign. They are determined, wise and particularly fiery. Photo: Mike Smith: New Year Celebrations in Macauبقلم Travel Writers Radio produced by the Professional Associatioon of Lifestyle and TravelWriters (PALAT)

There’s no business like snow business for Helen Hayes who is in Idaho learning about a small community-owned, not-for-profit ski resort called Bogus Basin. Helen speaks with Susan Saad from the resort which is just 45 minutes from the capital, Boise. Photo: Helen Hayesبقلم Travel Writers Radio produced by the Professional Associatioon of Lifestyle and TravelWriters (PALAT)

Kristin Henning's recent trip to Sweden took an unexpected and emotional turn. She found some public records about her late grandfather and, in following these clues, she ended up at the house he grew up in. It has opened her eyes, and heart, to new reasons to travel ... following in the footsteps of your ancestors.Photo: Henning ancestral home.Kri…

Graeme Kemlo and Carolyne Jasinski reminisce about Adelaide's famous Pie Floater - an Aussie meat pie served in mushy pea soup with tomato sauce (ketchup) that used to be popular after night clubbing. But where is the famous dispensary - the pie cart - and what has happened to the local "delicacy" now? Carolyne promises to track it down and share t…

After many, many cruises, Carolyne Jasinski has accumulated a host of tips and tricks to make exploring the seven seas easier ... and cheaper. Tune in for the details. Photo: Don't get taken for a ride on your cruiseبقلم Travel Writers Radio produced by the Professional Associatioon of Lifestyle and TravelWriters (PALAT)

In the lead-up to Australasia’s largest gathering of people in the business events industry – AIME - we discover how helping to protect the Great Barrier Reef and rainforests of Tropical North Queensland can win business from local and international clients. Graeme Kemlo, who will be at AIME, speaks to Tara Bennett from the Cairns and Great Barrier…

Graeme Kemlo and Karin Avila were separately in Vietnam recently but both found common ground ... the local coffee scene. We discover Vietnam is the second largest coffee producer in the world producing a staggering 1.8 million tonnes of coffee annually.And Vietnamese coffee isn’t just about a strong brew. Have you heard of ‘egg,’ ‘weasel’, or ‘sal…

Here's what you will find on our travel podcast - rated #4 of the world's best travel podcasts - and we're pretty pleased about that. Our professional team of writers and broadcasters produces and presents Travel Writers Radio every week on FM Radio, Live on the Net and also on your favourite podcast platforms.We are an independent team of storytel…

Veteran travel editor, Mijke Smith is not trying to save money when he opts for a road trip instead of a flight from Sydney to Gold Coast. And he doesn’t drive through the night to get there either. Mike prefers the leisurely pace of stopping for one or two nights about halfway there and again about hallway home. A cabin in a caravan park has all t…

Helen Hayes has been away during our simmer break here on Travel Writers Radio. She visited Switzerland home to some of the world’s most iconic mountain-scapes. While there she interviewed Alan Ramsey who used to work in Paris but went towork Switzerland for one ski season…that was 34 years ago, he;s still there, and the rest, as they say is histor…

Carolyne Jasinski was angling for the ultimate girls' getaway and she found it - learning the fine art of fly fishing in Tasmania with expert guide Matt Stone. She's hooked ... even though she didn't catch a fish.Photo: Carolyne Jasinski and Matt Stone in Tasmania's Central Highlandsبقلم Travel Writers Radio produced by the Professional Associatioon of Lifestyle and TravelWriters (PALAT)

We put out a call late last year for journalists, broadcasters, in fact storytellers who had travel-related stories to tell asking them to get in touch if they would like to be featured on Travel Writers Radio. Who would have thought that we would get a note from someone who had their own television show on WIN, largest one of Australia’s regional …

Graeme Kemlo Graeme, recently took a 10-day cruise (paid, not a media famil) from Singapore to Thailand, Vietnam and back aboard Anthem of the Seas It is not his first cruise, but it has been many years between sailingsand his previous cruise had up to 2500 passengers and Anthem had 4100 passengers and 1300 crew. The vessel like a city tower stands…

Here's what 's new on Travel Writers Radio for this week - January 29, 2025.Thanks for listening to our show which was recently ranked #8 in the 100 World's Best Travel Podcasts.Let us know if you have an authentic travel story to tell.We welcome your feedback by email - [email protected]بقلم Travel Writers Radio produced by the Professional Associatioon of Lifestyle and TravelWriters (PALAT)

We were recently ranked #8 in the World's 100 Best Travel Podcasts as nominated by feedspot.They ranked our show based on its relevancy, authority, social media followers and freshness.Every week our team of reportwers and producers put about six stories to air covering the people and the places where you can enjoy a broad range of travel-related i…

Helen Hayes took a summer trip to Perisher, a ski resort in New South Wales to learn about the mountain's latest attraction for winter 2025 - a new six-chair ski lift that will improve the capacity of the mountain and the skier's experience.بقلم Travel Writers Radio produced by the Professional Associatioon of Lifestyle and TravelWriters (PALAT)

West Australian reporter Carmen Jenner has also been away, this time to Laos and Thailand – interestingly both countries have had issues with illegal alcohol production in some rural locations that have killed or seriously injured travellers. We’ll see what Carmen felt safe to drink over there.بقلم Travel Writers Radio produced by the Professional Associatioon of Lifestyle and TravelWriters (PALAT)

Recently on the show we featured the musical theatre shows Melbourne has lined up for the rest of 2025. It was very well received by our audience and while it did include some of the shows being staged in Sydney, that was not the full list – tonight we present the unabridged Sydney music theatre scene, the names of the theatres and the dates they w…

Karin Avila knows the speed of a New York minute – she lived and worked in the Big Apple before moving to Spain two years ago where it is commonly said – “A Spaniard never looks at his watch”. The Spanish approach to time, to punctuality, to the siesta and to meal time, being about two hours later than we expect - has ramifications for the unwary t…

Helen Hayes has been a regular visitor to Canada particularly during their winter, but recently she travelled across the country from west to east, ending up in Quebec, the predominantly French speaking province. It is an accident of history we gather, but we’re wondering just how French is this enclave on the North American continent. Does it exte…

Our reporter/photographer Fiona Harper documents her recent slow travel experience pedalling along the Spice Roads of Sri Lanka. Fiona rode up to 60 km a day, but she's particularly fit (marathon fit) so she enjoyed it immensely. Read more from Fiona and check out her photography at: fionaharper.com.au…

We kick off 2025 with some more fabulous stories about the people and the places behind our food, wine, lifestyle and travel experiences - around the world, or around the corner. Our team is raring to go and are reporting in from the places they have been in our quest to bring you authentic independent travel journalism. Thanks so much for listenin…

Here's what you'll find on our show this week. Travel Writers Radio is produced and presented by members of PALAT - the Professional Association of Lifestyle and Travel Writers.We welcome your comments or questions to: [email protected] for listening.بقلم Travel Writers Radio produced by the Professional Associatioon of Lifestyle and TravelWriters (PALAT)

Karin Avila is US-born but has been living in the province of Valencia on Spain’s east coast for the past couple of years. While she was unaffected by the floods that raced through parts of her province, killing more than 200 people, she is aware friom friends and neighbours that almost everyone knows someone who has lost their home, their car, the…

Who knew that you could board a ship in Outer Harbour Adelaide and then cruise South Australian waters for 10 days and find plenty to see and do. Well it surprised local Carolyne Jasinski who was amazed at the geographic features on islands near SA and also on the mainland. She loved every minute of it as you can tell from her chat with Graeme Keml…

So here’s a different type of “cruise” - a train cruise along a score of bucket-list journeys like the spice route and the silk road. Helen Hayes talks to Megan Bardsley from Golden Eagle Luxury Private train cruises. Photo supplied: The Madras Mail between Hyderabad and Mumbaiبقلم Travel Writers Radio produced by the Professional Associatioon of Lifestyle and TravelWriters (PALAT)

Helen Hayes, clearly a fan of the live stage musical and I know there’s a bit of a turf war between Sydney and Melbourne as to who can get the big musicals first. Helen adds her city's musicals to Graeme's rundown for 2025, We tell listeners who do appreciate this theatre form what they can expect to see and when in Melbourne’s fabulous traditional…

Last week we presented our definitive guide to travel-related Christmas shopping and gift giving. This week in part 2, our tag team of Helen Hayes and Carolyne Jasinski wrestle with the best of books to slide under your tree. And of course other family activities such as board games count too.Photo - The Intrepid List…

US-based ristin Henning has stayed away from home over the past month or more to report in from Europe. Kris has been travelling around via Eurail, visiting places including Zagreb, Graz, Bratislava, Salzburg and, Nuremberg. Her trip is much a history lesson as it is a guide to using the Eurail Pass effectively during a longer stay in Europe. She s…