Blogger at Large Travel Podcast

I met LA comedian/waitress and tour guide Noelle Hoffman last year when we joined one of her tours up to the Hollywood sign. In this episode she spills the goss on who you're likely to see when you walk in the Hollywood Hills, and who the A-list celebrity is who makes a fuss if they can't get ketchup to pour all over their expensive steak! Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram

I grabbed a few minutes onboard an Avalon Waterways ship to interview cruise director Bram Von Dyk as we sailed on the Danube from Vienna to Nuremberg. We discuss the best things to do and see along the river, what happens when ships can't sail due to the river running to high or too low, plus Bram's recommendation for our next Christmas cruise! Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram

Today's guest is Joyce Kiehl, director of communications at Greater Palm Springs. I've known Joyce for years and visited Palm Springs four or five times, so we delve into what's new and when the biggest events are on. If you've done LA many times and are looking for somewhere else to spend a few days, just a 2-hour drive east and you're in the desert with mineral hot springs, spas, mid-century modern architecture, 100 golf courses and a whole lot more. Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram

Sarah Chant runs New Zealand Travel Tips, a website and Facebook page with over 42,000 followers. It's only been going about a year and has a really engaged readership of local and international visitors who ask questions and help each other out. If you're looking for all things NZ, from where to stay, things to do, where to eat - you name it, someone will know! She also has exclusive arrangements with many local operators to give her members discounts on attractions. And while most of us hit the beach over summer, Sarah worked on and released a 32-page North Island Travel Guide to download. She tells us all about it in this podcast. Her website is www.NZTravelTips.com Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram

I chatted with Heather Egan, director of Leisure and International Sales at Grapevine Texas. Where?! I know, right! Grapevine is the city where Dallas Fort Worth Airport is located, and makes an excellent stopover as it's literally smack in between the two cities. But there is a lot to do there. So much that a weekend wouldn't be long enough. Listen to our chat about the wines (obvs!), craft beer scene, historic train, outlet shopping and golf. Even something for kids with Peppa Pig world and Lego. Grapevine is also in the Guinness Book of Records for having the most painted rocks on a walking trail in the world - thousands of them, including 2 from me! And if you're a Christmas fan, Grapevine is the Christmas capital of Texas. Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram

Today I chatted with Rachel Mackey, Marketing Manager NZ for Cook Islands Tourism. We had a great time talking about things to know before you go, some tips for great places to eat and stay. Some fun activities that are well worth booking in advance so you don't miss out. For more about my trip to the Cooks, I've got some posts over on the blog on Raro https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/rarotonga-things-to-know-before-you-go/ and Aitutaki https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/discover-aitutaki-with-me/ Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram

Brent Thomas is not only COO of House of Travel, but also President of TAANZ (Travel Agents Association NZ). We talk about how the travel industry is faring in New Zealand, what is coming up on the horizon and how the government needs to drop quarantine at the border for incoming visitors if we are to not only get the travel industry moving again, but businesses and families connecting once more. "Self isolation for Omicron is not an appropriate tool in the toolkit" It's a very interesting chat, and he has some timely advice for those planning to head overseas later this year too. Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram

On today's podcast I talked with Miranda Plummer, managing director of Be My Guest Waiheke. She manages about 50 private properties that guests can rent from small studios on a beach to huge, architecturally designed houses with outstanding views. We also talked about things to do on Waiheke, whether you need a car to get around and the trend she's seeing of elopements! Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram

This month Genting Cruise Line's Dream Cruise ships chalked up 1 year of cruising - through the pandemic - carrying out domestic cruises in and out of Singapore. Brigita Devries is Vice President Sales & Marketing, Managing Director Australia & NZ for Genting Cruise Line's three brands, based in Sydney. We talked about what it's like onboard a Dream cruise ship (the cuisine, the entertainment, the new protocols, the massages and the fancy Palace), what has changed, and how short 2 and 3-night cruises are such a great way to start your cruising dreams for first-timers. Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram

I interviewed Sonya Lawson, Tourism Fiji Regional Director NZ, about the latest updates on Fiji as it prepares to open to the world on December 1st. They are on the forefront of Covid protocols with the Care Fiji Commitment Protocol for accommodation providers and every touch point a tourist would have in Fiji. Plus hear how some local hospitality operators made use of the past 20 months and have opened food trucks and even a donut cafe. We'll also notice lots of refurbished hotels and a huge emphasis on locally grown produce and ingredients with the Dock to Plate concept. Hear all about it and begin to dream! Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram

I am hosting 4 small group tours in 2022. 3 in New Zealand: Hokianga, Bay of Islands and Northland in February Nelson, Abel Tasman, Hokitika Wildfoods Festival with Trans Alpine to Christchurch in March Queenstown, Wanaka and Clyde in Autumn in April Plus a fabulous Greek Islands Cruise with optional Italy tour add-on in September Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram

Today I got to interview Theresa Belpulsi, VP of Tourism, Sports and Visitor Services at Destination DC. We spoke about the latest Covid protocols in the city, and what's been happening in DC over the past 2 years. She shared her pick for the most special experience in DC that she takes all her out of town friends to, plus 2 new museums and 26 new hotels that have opened during the pandemic. Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram

In this episode I interview Sean Martin, G Adventures managing director for Australia and New Zealand. We discuss (I should say lament!) the state of travel at the moment, talk about what's happening with their tours globally and hear about some new itineraries they've launched that are going great guns. Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram

My friend and fellow travel writer, Rob McFarland celebrated Freedom Day in Sydney this week with a haircut is excitedly off out for dinner once we'd finished this podcast! He told me what it's been like for Australians in lockdown, the new 5-day home quarantine starting next month for Aussies to be able to travel overseas and a fancy new 6-star hotel in Sydney! Plus a new Bondi to Manly 80km walk which you can do over days with hotel stays or just parts of it. There's plenty for us to do when we get back to Sydney! Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram

I spoke to Rachel Williams, founder and director of Viva Expeditions who has found a clever way to pivot her business from South America and Antarctica tours to taking people on all-night flights to the Southern Lights. The aurora Australis. See the brochure https://online.flippingbook.com/view/605947036/ Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram

A lot has changed in the global cruise scene since the pandemic. This podcast covers latest trends in cruising, things you need know, what to expect on your next cruise and some excellent tips for making sure you don't miss out on any deals, excursions and even specialty restaurant bookings. Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com You can also join the chat on Facebook Or over on Instagram