Travel Writers Radio

Our reporting team of Helen Hayes and Carolyne Jasinski joined forces to interview an experienced couple of hoteliers who are building the first five-star hotel in the US state of New Hampshire, in New England. The Lake Estate is a privately owned estate on the banks of Lake Winnesquam which the women discovered on their road trip through New England. They meet Ed and Patty Rocco who have taken on...

Sustainable tourism reporter Keeley Warren explores the rising challenges of greenhushing with communications expert JoAnna Haugen from Rooted Storytelling. Together, they explore why companies are remaining silent about their sustainability efforts and how this affects travellers seeking sustainable options beyond surface-level marketing claims. This discussion empowers listeners to cut through c...

One of the headline acts at the Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak last week was Earth Wind and Fire, which reporter Carmen Jenner says sounded just the same as the original despite having a number of new members. It was just one of the memorable three-day festival at the Sarawak cultural village on one side of the island of Borneo that belongs to Malaysia. While Carmen has been to the cit...

This week on Travel Writers Radio we take you to Bali, Sarawak, New Hampshire USA, Armenia and Vietnam and we also cover an emerging trend, that of "green- hushing", which is the opposite of green-washing. At Travel Writers Radio we bring you authentic independent stories about the people and the experiences you can enjoy around food, wine, lifestyle and travel. We're grateful to have been rankled...

It’s the smallest state in the US but it packs a big punch. Rhode Island is a surprise package. It’s the Ocean State and the sailing capital of the world. Here, you pay tax on toilet paper but if you buy a boat, it’s tax free! Newport, with its connection to the America’s Cup, is king for boaties. But there’s much more to see and do. Here’s the lowdown from Mark Brodeur, Rhode Island’s State Touri...

On a visit to New Zealand for a business events connference, Graeme Kemlo undertakes the All Blacks Experience about New Zealand's famous rugby union team. He reckons it is one of the most immersive sports experiences he has witnessed. More information: https://www.experienceallblacks.com/ Photo: Graeme Kemlo

Summertime Fire and Ice It was the first day of summer when correspondents Keeley Warren and Karin Avila met in Dénia, a historic coastal town halfway between Valencia and Alicante - once inhabited by the Greeks, Romans and Visigoths. With a looming castle and narrow streets lined with colourful international restaurants and cafes, it was the perfect backdrop for enjoying iced coffee and conversat...

And while we’re on the topic of Bali, Graeme Kemlo met up with a very busy Suzanne Hart who has been our correspondent in Bali for six years. Suzanne talked about the latest developments in Bali, including a large new Bali International Hospital, due to open next month in Sanur and its impact on Bali as a medical tourism destination. More than 1.5 million Australians visit Bali every year, making...

No Kings Day, June 14, was marked across the United States with peaceful demonstrations. Countrywide, the rallies attracted more than five million protestors. The same day, President Trump was attending a military parade of his devising, to mark the US Army’s 250th birthday, and Trump’s own 79th. Nearly 2,000 different rallies across 50 states took place to protest immigration crackdowns, attacks...

The Sound of Music movie will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year, which will again shed light on the incredible true story of the Von Trapp family. After leaving Austria, Captain Georg Von Trapp and his wife Maria, settled in Stowe, Vermont, and 75 years ago, built a lodge that was "part Austria and a lot of Vermont". Helen Hayes recently stayed at the Von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort, and...

Sometimes you can spend so much time in a place that you end up not being able to see the forest for the trees. In other words, we don't know all the amazing places in the city we live in. Sydney is truly one of the world’s most beautiful cities, and Mike Smith ventures beyond his home area to surprise us with some of his favourite places. Photo: Spice Alley by Mike Smith

Graeme Kemlo asks Helen Hayes how she fared entering the US border during her recent visit in light of reports border agents might inspect visitor's phones for social media content and potentially deny entry. Helen says she was made very welcome everywhere as were other journalists who attended a media event in June.

Here is what you will hear this week of June 25 on Travel Writers Radio. We take you to New England USA, to Bali Indonesia, To Auckland New Zealand and tell you about Secret Sydney. Thanks for oistening and please tell your friends they too can be informed and maybe even inspired by our stories about the people and the places behind the food, wine, lifestyle and travel experiences we cover. If you...

Well that’s our theme for #Worth 1000 Words and this week’s image is from Kristin Henning, who told us last week that Americans were not necessarily resigned to four years of the Trunp administration and its uncertainties over tariffs, immigration and cuts to the public service. Kris’s photo shows a huge gathering outside Minnesota’s State capital one of many such protests around the country that...

Akira Mori is 18th generation family owner of the historic Japanese inn – Ryokan Sakaya – which is ideally located in the mountainous Nozawa Onsen (hot spring) resort area – a haven for guests both in winter and the warmer months. It’s a town where visitors are often seen wearing traditional yukata robes on their walk to and from the hot springs. To stay at his ryokan is an experience in the true...

Heidi Halson launched The Entertainment Book in Australia more than 20 years ago, but the original coupon system that gave you access to dining and entertainment discounts has been rreinvented by the group as a smartphone app and now also includes a significant lineup of the big names in travel – think cruise lines, airlines, major hoptels, as well as shopping and entertainment discounts from more...

The Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau was in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland over the [past week speaking with local agents and meeting planners to encourage both leisure and business event visitors to come to the islands. HVCB CEO, Dr Aaron Salā , told Graeme Kemlo in Melbourne that Hawaii was not so much a destination you should visit, but a way of life. And while it was part of United States a...

Here's what you will find on Travel Writers Radio tonight, June 11. The show is produced and presented by members of PALAT, the Professional Association of Lifestyle and Travel Writers. To get in contact email: info@travelwritersradio.com

Australian Luke Bridgford, keen to take on the world applies as a young man for a working visa from four countries. First to respond was Japan so that’s where he went, working a nine to five job. Understanding the language and the culture a little better he believed the Japanese might like to try camping Australian style in the great outdoors. So Luke setrup Overland Japan after testing it out on...

This is a cauitionary tale about searching for the official Indonesia Government visa service and being greeted by "Welcome To Indonesia - Indonesia Visa Online" Except it was a message from 16,577 kilometres away in the USA and they charged me four times the usual fee and have not responded to my reauests to cancel the transaction because I felt scammed. Don't make my costly mistake - go to https...

A few weeks back we spoke with our man in New York, Aussie Phil Brown, who said he felt New Yorkers were resigned to the fact that they probably had to put up with Donald Trump as president for the remainder of his term. He is firing public servants who disagree with him, he has the numbers in congress. He is challenging laws, some might say creating new rules as he goes, and also his appointees a...

This week’s photo is of a quirky set-up on little Bruny Island, which is off the coast of Tasmania in Australia. As you drive along Bruny Island Main Road on the south island, you’ll see a few signs saying ‘bread’ to alert you to the ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ ‘bread store’ up ahead – and I say ‘bread store’ in inverted commas. Because this store is nothing but two rusted, retro fridges by the sid...

As a newspaper reporter in the 1970s here in Melbourne, Alistair Smith was well aware of the scare that gripped Perth in Western Australia when it was announced by NASA that their Skylab space platform on returning to earth was likely to crash into the city. That did not happen, but it came relatively close and crashed further east into the West Australian bush. Like a good newshound, years later...

Melbourne-based Emily McAuliffe has been plenty of places in her travel writing career, but she reckons a little island off the island of Tasmania – which is of course an island off the coast of the Australia, itself an island continent – anyway Emily reckons Bruny Island is one of her most favourite destinations. At 362-square-kilometres (140 sq mi) it is larger than it looks and Emily says there...

Here's what's new on Travel Writers Radio as Graeme Kemlop is joined at the host desk by US Correspondent Kristin Henning who updates us on the five year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd and the birth of Black Lives Matter in her home town, Minneapolis Minnesota. Plus we outline all the other stories on this week's episode, number 437. Thanks for listening. We value your feedback and your...