Travel Writers Radio

In March Graeme Kemlo was fortunate to be invited as the only journalist to attend the Reawaken event by Business Events Perth. From my perspective this was a pretty bold move by ths convention bureau to fly in and fully host 40 international decision makers and conference organisers not only from Australia, but also from USA, Canada, Europe, UK and Asia. Usually this would be something funded by Tourism Australia for the whole industry, but Perth has gone along on this and as CEO Gareth Martin tells me they have already been successful in winning $15 million worth of business with another $70 million in a pipeline off the back of this three-day event. Graeme also speaks with the event organiser, Tracey Cinavas-Prosser who is Director of Guest Experiences for BEPerth. More: beperth.com Photo: Elizabeth Quay Perth

As travel writers, Graeme Kemlo and Justine Costigan look for new trends in tourism and travel and TFE Hotels Europe division has setup MM:NT (read it as moment) a laboratory of rooms to get guest feedback on their design to obtain direct feedback. We played the audio track from a video they sent (we link the video below) featuring their CEO and design leads commenting on this innovative move. Then we give our feedback. Feel free to comment in an email - info@travelwritersradio.com Photo supplied Video: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/wCfd2axSdW

Karin Avila, our correspondent in the Valencia Province of Spain is a triathlete and thought a local foot race sounded cool - El Camí dels Bandolers (Bandits Road in Valenciano). It was a "thigh burner" not what she expected, but she did discover some amazing local history along the track. Her notes on the event follow: Event: El Camí dels Bandolers (Bandits Road in Valenciano) trail race Location: Race start is in village of Senija in the Marina Alta region (Senija is 10 km from where I live) Route: Merchant trails from 16th-19th centuries, populated by thieves and bandits Distance: 23 km (there is also a half distance of ~13 km) Terrain: Scrub, forest, rocky and steep with 1275 meters elevation (4,183 feet) History: Josep Tomás Garcia ‘Josep de la Tona’ is a notorious bandit from the area who based himself in a cave – ‘Cova de la Garganta’ – on the trail where he could launch his kidnappings and robberies, known for committing a massive kidnapping and robbery in 1874 at a church in local village of Benimossot where ‘hardly any’ violence was carried out by him and his 34 bandits (book about event: El Robatori de Benimassot, Manel Arcos i Martínez) Photo by Karin Avila

This week’s #Worth1000Words is an image from Anna Richards who se photo of the French parliament shows the trouble the French have gone to in order to show their true colours of pride about the upcoming Olympic Games. Check it out on soundcloud.com, but we think it really is “worth1000words. Photo by Anna Richards

Journalist , travel writer and editor Justine Costigan is one of our team and she's leaving Melbourne to live in europe for at least six months, initially moving to France later this month. While we're sad to see her go, we know what a great reporter she is and that we can expect some great stories from her time spent in Europe and nearby countries. But she will be back next week to co-host another show and we appreciate her talent and commitment to her craft. She explains why she's leaving in a conversation with Graeme Kemlo. Flag image: Creative Ciommons Wikipedia

The Times of London ran a story recently headed: Macron wants French chefs to learn from the best … so he’s sending them abroad. The story goes on to say that as French influence on global gastronomy wanes, plans are in place to send the next generation to Scandinavia and the UK. You might imagine that some members of the French culinary scene could be upset by this suggestion so we thought we’d find out the reaction and Graeme Kemlo spoke with correspondent Anna Richards in the French culinary capital, Lyon.

- Journalist Sue Wallace has always wanted a trip down the Nile and she recently achieved that, but she also spent time in Cairo visiting the museums, souks and even got a sneak peek at the Grand Egypt Museum, which has been built over the past 20 years at a cost of over 1 billion dollars. Sue spoke about her trip with our Helen Hayes. Look for Sue's story in Signature Luxury Travel & Style magazine

Here is what you will find on this week's episode of Travel Writers Radio produced and opresented by members of PALAT - the Professional Association of Lifestyle and Travel Writers. To get in contact, email: info@travelwritersradio.com

Our correspondent Anna Richards in Lyon France talks about the effect of the 2024 Paris Olympics on not only tourists but everyday residents as prices leap to what Anna describes as “eye watering” levels in anticipation of the event which not only happens in Paris but other major cities in France.

Reporter Carolyne Jasinski tells us about her recent cruise experience as a an enrichment speaker on Oceania Sirena, sailing to the British Virgin Islands, Caribbean and the Spanish islands of Grand Canaria and Teneriffe. She enjoyed visiting new ports, but her favourite experience was eating the Oceania's lobster tails.

What is it like to be married to a man who is a chef with three Michelin stars? Bridgett Leslie interviewed Lara Gilmore, wife of the renowned three-Michelin-star-chef Massimo Bottura. Massimo helms Osteria Francescana, in Modena, Italy, a restaurant that has twice been ranked No.1 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants and currently he is part of the Best of the Best list. Lara shares her philosophy on the art of hospitality with Bridgett.

ANZAC Day is part of our DNA. Graeme and Helen talk about what it means to them

Graeme Kemlo introduces a special story in recognition of Anzac Day, one of the most important national days of remembrance in Australian military history. We focus on one extraordinary soldier, Brian Walpole who was not an ANZAC, however bravely waged his war behind Japanese lines with a small band of Iban headhunters during the occupation of Sarawak in 1943 to 1945. He wrote a gripping account of this in "My War - Life is for Living" with journalist David Levell detailing his life as a member of Australia's elite Z Special unit. Photo by Graeme Kemlo shows Brian Walpole with Iban warrior: in Sarawak.

Here's what you will find on Travel Writers Radio for this week - April 24, 2024. The show is presented by professional journalists, members of PALAT - the Professional Association of Lifestyle and Travel Writers. IOt is produced in Melbourne Australia. To get in touch email: info@travelwritersradio.com

From the hinterland to the headlands there is plenty to see on the Central Coast, a favourite playground for those seeking surf, sun, and sand all year round. And one of its regular visitors over many years is our Sydney-based correspondent, travel editor and journalist, Mike Smith. He says at just over one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast, which stretches about 70 km north from Mooney Mooney in the Hawkesbury River system, is an easy place for local and international visitors to get to, whether they want sun, sand, surf or somewhere to simply chill. Mike suggests visitors try the • Central Coast Makers Trail expansion to a dozen local businesses showcasing their local produce (food and drink). Family-owned Little Creek Cheese Factory (Woy Woy), Chocolate Factory (Gosford), Broken Bay Pearl Farm (Mooney Mooney), and the Firescreek Botanical Winery (Holgate) among the pioneering companies on the self-drive trail. It now includes Adri’s Gingerbread creations, distilleries Amber Lane and Botanica, the Six String Brewing Company and Block N Tackle Brewery, Herbie’s Spices, Legend Coffee and Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. Mike speaks with Graeme Kemlo. Image: Bouddi National Park Photo by Keira Trainor More information: lovecentralcoast.com

Bridgett Leslie recently visited Amsterdam in the Netherlands where she met three chefs - two Dutch and one French-born - running a restaurant in the suburbs. Rather than focus on the traditional Dutch favourite dishes, such as Stamppot at their Café Cress they choose to select the freshest seasonal ingredients paired with mostly French wines to offer a paddock to plate menu…some might say it was a dangerous move, but they explain their philosophy to Bridgett.

Our Spain-based correspondent Karin Avila has decades of driving experience in the USA, but now she lives in the Valencia province of Spain and getting a licence there is a different kettle of fish, due to cultural and language differences. It is a two-part process with a 266-page book of driving rules plus a practical test. Karin details the good, the bad and the counter-intuitive. Luckily she has a bicycle.

There is a lot to see in the USA, as Giselle Whiteaker discovered when she went to visit one state, and ended up visiting 48. Giselle, who lives in Australia explains why she has done an (almost) full lap of the Union.

Michelle Androsenko grew up in a dancing family and always dreamed of travelling the world as a dancer. That dream came true when she signed on with the entertainment team on board Oceania Sirena. She talks to Carolyne Jasinski about how she got her dream job and what it's like to be a performer on cruise ships. Photo by Carolyne Jasinski

There really are kangaroos on the beaches in Australia. When international tourists come to Australia and expect to find kangaroos roaming the streets or turning up on beaches, we Aussies tend to roll our eyes and say, “Really?” Well, Carolyne Jasinski has found a coastal hotspot where it does happen. Cape Hillsborough is a beach located on the coast of Queensland between Mackay and Airlie Beach. If you go to the water’s edge at sunrise, you’ll find kangaroos and wallabies feasting on mangrove seed pods. Here she talks to ranger Murray Gibbs about this magical spot that even the Australian tourists rave about.