Ibiza, Loch Ness monster, camembert cheese and Kempsey

John Crook reviews Sassy Wines from Orange NSW. Geoff Harrison reveals the delights of the Spanish 'party island' - Ibiza. Myth or reality: David Gordon from Travelbites Radio investigates the legend of the Loch Ness monster. Frances Beasley loves cheese, and one of her favourites is Camembert, from her sometimes home country, France. Geoff Harrison finds out what to do in Kempsey (NSW) from local tourism officer Angela Davis-Smith.

Travelradio Australia #155

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Cruise destination: Vigo, Spain

My partner Donna and I recently enjoyed an 11 night cruise from Southampton (UK) to destinations in Spain, Portugal, Gran Canarie and Canary Islands on Royal Caribbean's super-sized ship 'Independence of the Seas'. I had my trusty camcorder on hand to record the many colourful scenes in ports enroute. This is the first episode of my cruise destination video series: featuring the western Spanish port of Vigo. The next destination, Lisbon, Portugal will be 'in the can' in the near future!

Return from halfway around the world

Posing for a snapshot in front of a Paris landmark.

I’ve covered a lot of kilometres (or nautical miles, in some cases) over the past month visiting some great destinations in Europe. The highlight of the epic journey was an 11-night voyage on the huge Independence of the Seas, until recently the world’s biggest cruise ship boasting a full complement of almost 4000 passengers.

Royal Caribbean International treated us to a return cruise from/to Southampton visiting many Spanish and Portugese ports along the way. Our stops included Vigo, Lisbon, Las Palmas, Tenerife and Funchal and La Coruna.

I have always been very impressed with the quality of service delivered by Royal Caribbean aboard its ships and this cruise did not disappoint. Along with great service, good quality food and reasonably priced drinks, the cruise was a memorable event.

Not surprisingly, most of the passengers were British. I’m pleased to say, overall the term of endearment ‘whinging poms’ we often lavish upon Britons here in Australia did not apply. Sure there were a few obnoxious passengers onboard, but their nationality was not identified, they could have been Aussies for all I know!

All jokes aside, it was a very pleasant cruise and we will definitely return for more before we get much older. Thank you Royal Caribbean for providing us with a great time.

Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas moored at Funchal, Madeira.

Praise should also go to Etihad Airways for getting us everywhere on time and safely, although that last leg from Abu Dhabi to Sydney in Economy Class was a task I’m not keen to repeat in a hurry. 

However, if you live in Australia and want to visit Europe, there is no choice but to endure about 25 hours upwards of laborious travel.

And now I’m back at my desk – almost ready to record another podcast in the Travel Radio Australia series. Keep an ear and an eye out for the next show! 

Luckily on the outward route from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow we paid a small fee to upgrade to vacant Business Class seats which also included entry to the Etihad lounge in AD…well worth the money! Unfortunately the finances did not permit another upgrade on the return leg, even though they phoned several times to offer the opportunity to upgrade.

-Ren Zwiers

It's travelling time!

The regular Travel Radio Australia podcasts will take a break for a few weeks as I'll be hitting the 'road' (well, actually 'the air', 'the road', 'the train' and 'the ship').

I'll be visiting 'exotic' destinations like Luton and Southampton in the UK, Amsterdam (Netherlands), Paris (yep, the one in France) followed by an 11-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's mighty Independence of the Seas to ports in Spain, Portugal and almost near Africa - the Canaries.

No doubt this trip will provide me with plenty of fodder for both my youtube travel video channel and Travelradio Australia podcast upon my return.

Meanwhile, I'll enjoy some time away from my computer! We'll renew acquaintance late next month!

Surf's up in the heart of Munich

Catching a wave in the heart of Munich, Germany? Yes, it's possible and very popular! In this week's podcast our European-based contributor Frances Beasley explains how you can do this quite successfully. Also on this edition of the podcast Arthur von Wiesenberger and Martha Bull take us touring to Spain (in and around Cadiz). In conclusion, our Aussie correspondent John Crook interviews Peter Perry, the director of the Castlemaine Art Gallery and Museum, Victoria.

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Walk this way - in Tasmania!

John Crook has details of some great walking tours in Australia's Apple Isle, Tasmania on our latest travel podcast. Also on the show US-based hosts Arthur von Wiesenberger and Martha Bull take listeners to two lesser visited destinations in Spain, namely Gibraltar and Malaga. Euro correspondent Frances Beasley tells us about one of Queen Elizabeth II's favourite holiday retreats, Castle May, Scotland.

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Europe's great fur debate

Frances Beasley explains the great fur debate in Europe. John Crook reviews Portugese wines. From the US studio, Arthur von Wiesenberger and Martha Bull chat with guest Jean Spoljaric about her trip to Valencia, Spain. They also chat with studio guest Elyse Pasquale about her 'best 100 dining experiences' around the world. These segments are featured in the latest edition of ATW Travelradio Australia.
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It's tulip time at Bowral!

John Crook has all the information on the forthcoming floral festival at Bowral (NSW). Arthur von Wiesenberger and Martha Bull chat with Michael Cervin who phones in from Rueda, Spain. John Crook interviews Serena at Sovereign Hill (Ballarat). Frances Beasley paints a word picture of the leisurely lakes at Starnberg (Germany). All these segments can be heard on the latest edition of ATW Travelradio Australia. Click this podcast link to listen.

Titanic Awards honour worst in travel

Another edition of our weekly travel radio show/podcast has been posted. In this edition John Crook reviews Kirrihill wines from the Clare Valley (South Australia). Frances Beasley visits Madrid (Spain). Arthur von Wiesenberger and travel editor/author Doug Lanskey discuss the winners of the ‘Titanic Awards’ honouring the worst in travel. John Crook interviews Simon Hills from Icon Travel. Click this link to the podcast

Take a trip to Paradise (Dam) via Madrid and Londonderry!

In the latest edition of ATW Travelradio Australia, John Crook visits Paradise Dam, a new tourist attraction in the North Burnett region of south east Queensland. Euro correspondent Frances Beasley takes listeners on a tour through Madrid, Spain. US hosts Arthur von Wiesenberger and Martha Bull chat with Irish contributor David Gordon about Ireland’s fourth biggest city, Londonderry. John Crook learns about the benefits of train travel in Europe from Greg McCallum of RailPlus. Click this link to listen

Great listening for armchair travellers

On this week's edition of my travel radio show John Crook is back in Canberra this week to visit the National Film & Sound Archive where he chats with Emma Spellman. Frances Beasley visits a lavish and large monastery in Spain. Arthur von Wiesenberger interviews Ireland-based contributor David Gordon on Dublin (and its favourite export, Guinness). Listen to podcast

Aussie wines, Spain, River Café (London) and Sag Harbour (New York)

ATW Travel Radio Australia-13-2010
On this week's radio show podcast John Crook reviews wines from the Cowra/Canowindra districts. Arthur von Wiesenberger and Martha Bull find out about Salou (Spain) from European contributor David Gordon. Frances Beasley tells us about the famed River Cafe (London). John Crook chats with Andrew Wailes about some musical and other cultural travel opportunities in Melbourne. Arthur von Wiesenberger relates happy memories of visiting Sag Harbour (New York).