TRAVEL WITH REN

The joys of travel with kids

2012-01-24T09:02:00.000+10:00

Traveling with kids can be a chore but a website itcheefeet.com can help ease the endurance test. On this week's podcast I chat with the co-originator of this site, well-travelled Australian children's book author Jane Tara who, with her partner boasts a quartet of young children, so has plenty of experience in this field. The website offers games and other solutions for making the next trip with your offspring more bearable, or maybe even 'enjoyable'.

Also on the show I have news of an exciting new public concourse to be constructed fronting busy Kings Cross station in London. Munich-based reporter Frances Beasley has been enjoying some heavy snowfalls in her part of Europe. US-based reporter Diane Covington is enjoying the delights of France.

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2012-01-17T08:58:00.000+10:00

The new format of Travel Radio Australia is now into its second edition and the latest podcast can be heard on the audio player below this post.

We're pleased with the number of people who have downloaded or listened to the podcast online and we will keep producing new shows as material (and spare time) becomes available.

There will be a break in production for a month from late February, as I'll be travelling the high seas on Royal Caribbean's mighty ship 'Independence of the Seas'. Our itinerary will include a range of Spanish and Portuguese ports.

In addition to the cruise I'll be making independent visits to England, Holland and France.

No doubt I'll get plenty of inspiration from that trip for plenty of new podcast segments upon my return. Meanwhile here's is the latest show:

Ren Zwiers has info on what's new in the Whitsundays region, Queensland
Frances Beasley provides some interesting facts on the Bolshoi Ballet.
From our US sister show, Around the World, Karen Ensign visits China.
Ren Zwiers gives an insight into the renewed popularity of Bed and Breakfast establishments in Europe.

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Surfers Paradise is looking much better!

2012-01-12T12:41:00.000+10:00

Ever since first visiting the Gold Coast in the early 1960s, I have seen the gradual decline in Surfers Paradise as being a family-friendly destination.

In more recent years it has become a holiday haven for drunks and louts and it hasn't been a good spot to find a quality restaurant either. Broadbeach, just one suburb southwards, has easily overtaken Surfers in recent years in all those departments.

However, there has been (and still is) much work going on reshaping the Surfers skyline and beachfront - so I eagerly look forward to revisiting Surfers more regularly before too long in the hope that the change in the air is permanent or at least, long lasting.

I spent a day in Surfers Paradise between Christmas and New Year 2011, when the surf was well and truly up (too big to swim in, thanks to king tides coupled with a recent cyclone in the Pacific Ocean) but that didn't stop people heading for the beach to watch the spectacle more reminiscent of an Hawaiian landscape!

I had my trusty camcorder at hand and produced this video for my youtube channel.

New format kicks off 2012 season

2012-01-05T11:14:00.000+10:00

This week we introduce a new shorter and snappier format for the travel podcast.

Travel Radio Australia is now available only as a podcast via our websites travelradioaustralia.com; travelwithren.com; travelcastnetwork.com and as a download from the iTunes store's free podcast department.

We appreciate all the online listeners we have collected to the show over the past four years and hope to build the audience even more in time to come.

Although the show is no longer a weekly event like it has been for the past decade (and longer), it will appear here on a regular basis, so keep checking back, or even better, subscribe and you'll never miss an episode.

On this edition host Ren Zwiers has some travel news involving a wayward tourism manager in Croatia who has been sacked for her comments about Aussie visitors to her country; Frances Beasley celebrates the Christmas season in Munich, Germany and in the final segment, Ren offers some cruise specials from an Australian-based agency.

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Final radio show but we'll be back!

2012-01-04T09:07:00.000+10:00

After more than a decade on the airwaves in Australia we have come to the end of an era. We have produced the final travel radio show to be broadcast on Community Radio Network stations throughout Australia. The show has been taking a few weeks' break over the festive period and will return early in 2012 as a podcast available on this site as well as travelradioaustralia.com and, of course, through the iTunes store. I would like to thank the countless program managers and others who have supported the show in its lengthy career. I look forward to producing and hosting brand new episodes featuring our regular team of contributors in January 2012. Until then, I hope you enjoy this show!

Here's the rundown on this edition....

Frances Beasley discovers the popularity of Australian wines in Europe and particularly her home country of Germany.
John Crook chats with his 'cruise junkie' mate Phil Kirby about his latest adventures on the high seas.
From our US affiliated show 'Around the World', Arthur von Wiesenberger and Martha Bull discover the Kohala Coasy, Hawaii.

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Aussie wines, arts in Munich and Montpellier, France

2011-12-20T09:27:00.000+10:00

On this week's 'Travel Radio Australia' podcast John Crook chats with Australian wine ambassador George Samios. Then we feature our European-based contributor Frances Beasley 'going arty' in her home city of Munich, Germany. The third segment features gonomad.com travel editor Kent St John talking about his recent visit to Montpellier, France.

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Aussie wines, Hawaii, Switzerland and northern England

2011-12-14T08:08:00.004+10:00

As the year draws to its conclusion we will have two more podcasts online before the end of 2011.

Edition number 50 features John Crook reviewing Stockman's Wines from Australia.

US reporter Carrie Blanc recently visited Maui, Hawaii and reports on her trip.

Our own European contributor Frances Beasley has discovered that 'wellness' is an 'occupational hazard' in Switzerland. Listen to her commentary to find out all about this topic.

In the final segment Irish-based contributor David Gordon (who is also our voice-over man), visits northern England.

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Surf's up in the heart of Munich

2011-12-07T13:09:00.001+10:00

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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Focus on Anchorage, Alaska

2011-11-30T13:42:00.001+10:00

What's it like living in an out of the way place like Anchorage (Alaska)? One of the locals, Jack Bonney' tells us all about it in the current edition of our travel podcast. Also on the show John Crook reviews Lowe Wines from Mudgee (NSW); Frances Beasley chats with Hans Peter Groot from Constantia Wines at an industry function in Munich; gonomad.com editor Max Hartshorne visits Wales (UK).

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Film locations popular with tourists

2011-11-23T08:20:00.001+10:00

US-based correspondent Jennifer Merin has been visiting many of the popular film destinations recently and in this week's Travel Radio Australia podcast she tells us about some of these sites which have since become renowned tourist haunts. Also on this show John Crook reviews wines from Kingston Estate (South Australia); Frances Beasley describes St Leonard's Day celebrations in Germany and Bruce Salam takes listeners skiing in Canada.

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Podcast focus on Germany, Italy and Norway

2011-11-16T08:06:00.001+10:00

Another edition of Travel radio Australia has been posted online. It has the following segments for your listening pleasure: Kirsten Schmidt takes listeners on a tour around Berlin, Germany. John Crook has details of mardi gras time in Italy next year. Gonomad.com owner Max Hartshorne visits Norway.

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A 'seadream' survives its first decade

2011-11-09T12:43:00.000+10:00

It's a tough life onboard Seadream II during

a Mediterranean cruise several years ago.

My favourite luxury cruise company, Seadream Yacht Club is celebrating its first decade of cruising its two small luxury liners (holding less than 100 passengers each) to some of the world's favourite destinations. Our Australian contributor on Travel Radio Australia John Crook tells the success story of Seadream Yacht Club which is celebrating its 10th birthday, despite a major setback weeks after it launched trading.

In other segments on this edition, yours truly (Ren Zwiers) lists some of the world's most haunted hotels.

Frances Beasley provides an update on Olympics 2012 in London.

Arthur von Wiesenberger visits Spain.

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Smartphone roaming 'not so smart'

2011-11-02T08:17:00.002+10:00

On this week's podcast, yours truly, Ren Zwiers has survey results from Europe on why many people in that part of the world won't use their smartphones for international roaming. US-expatriate Karin Clark reports on London, England which is now her hometown. John Crook discovers Quebec, Canada. Asian expert Richard Torin visits Hong Kong and Macau. Listen to the show on the player below.

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Lindau on the lake

2011-10-26T07:52:00.002+10:00

Lindau is an historic town on an island in Lake Constance (the Bodensee) in Bavaria, Germany. Although Roman relics have been discovered in the surroundings, the town's name was first mentioned referring to a nunnery dating back to the ninth century. Our European reporter Frances Beasley goes 'lolling around Lindau' in this week's podcast/radio show.

Also on the program, our Aussie correspondent John Crook heads for gem country in central Queensland and chats with avid rockhounds Michael and Jane in Rubyvale.

The third segment features US-based travel writer Diane Covington reporting on train travel in England/France.

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New centre is a fitting tribute to true Aussie legend

2011-10-19T10:22:00.000+10:00

On this week's podcast, Australian contributor John Crook chats with Joy Jensen at the new RM Williams Centre in Eidsvold, central Queensland. This centre is a fitting tribute to one of Australia's true icons, Reginald Murray Williams OA (May 24, 1908 - Nov 4, 2003). He was a bushman and businessman who had a rise to fame which led from humble beginnings as a 'swaggie' to a multi-millionaire bushwear retailer.

Also on the show, US travel writer Diane Covington reports on her trip to The Sierras in southern California.

Our European correspondent Frances Beasley takes listeners aboard the classic Danube Express rail service.

Gonomad.com editor Max Hartshorne travels to Zagreb, Croatia.

Listen to the show on the mp3 player below. Hope you enjoy the show!

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Hardened stance on soft drugs in Maastricht

2011-10-12T07:44:00.000+10:00

The city of Maastricht in the far south east of the Netherlands is taking a tougher stance on tourists who wish to light up on some 'grass' in the cafes. The recreational drugs will soon only be available to locals and several surrounding country-residents, according to a recent news report. It's possible that this sort of change in attitude by city 'fathers' may spread to Amsterdam's popular cafe scene as well. I've got more details on this week's Travel Radio Australia podcast. Also on the show are John Crook interviewing Emma Martin in the Town of 1770 on Queensland's coast, Euro correspondent Frances Beasley who talks about the Channel Islands and US host Arthur von Wiesenberger who chats with his son Chris about the latter's recent trip to the Cook Islands. You can listen to the show on the mp3 player below.

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Riding the trams in Europe

2011-10-05T07:41:00.000+10:00

Trams and light rail systems have always been part of the European landscape. However in recent years they have become even more popular as modes of urban transport. I have fond memories of my days as a youth growing up in Amsterdam (it seems like only yesterday, even though it's actually more like 50+ years ago) and riding the trams to all parts of the city. I have been back to my birth city many times in the past 15 years and still enjoy exploring the city on the rails. On this week's podcast, our Euro correspondent Frances Beasley has European trams as her topic of conversation. Also on the show, Aussie contributor John Crook visits the Town of 1770, on the central Queensland coast. It's a beautiful area which until recently had a woeful access road, but, from all reports it's much easier to get their by car now. Arthur von Wiesenberger from our US sister-show 'Around the World' chats with author John Shors about his impressions of Ko Phi Phi, a boat ride away from ever-popular Phuket, Thailand. Listen to the show on the mp3 player below.

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Main destination: Europe!

2011-09-28T12:03:00.000+10:00

There's a definite European flavour to this week's travel podcast. David Gordon takes listeners to London, England. Frances Beasley enjoys the beach at Lyme Regis (UK) and Kathy Borrus visits Paris, France. Just to break the monotony, our own Aussie-based contributor John Crook sends an audio postcard from the Barossa Valley, South Australia's predominant wine production region with a strong German heritage.
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Air Pacific celebrates 60th birthday

2011-09-21T09:53:00.000+10:00

Fiji's national airline Air Pacific is 60 years old this year. Our Australian contributor John Crook has details of this celebration. Also on this week's Travel Radio Australia podcast Frances Beasley highlights the French obsession with bowls in the form of Petanque (usually played on the beach for hours on end). Host of our US-based sister-show Around the World, Arthur von Wiesenberger chats with Herman's Hermits 'rock legend' Peter Noone about travel to Malta and Sicily. Author Tony Perrottet talks about the topic of his latest book 'a Grand Tour for Sinners'. Click the play button below and enjoy the show!

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Discovering Porto Ercole where Romans enjoy a coastal break

2011-09-14T08:34:00.000+10:00

Just a couple of hours north of Rome, on the Italian west coast lies the charming town of Porto Ercole which is popular with Romans and tourists alike thanks to its easy-going lifestyle and beautiful surroundings. I enjoyed a stopover in this town whilst on a Seadream II Mediterranean cruise several years ago. Host of 'Around the World' travel radio, Arthur von Wiesenberger recently visited the town as well and his report features on this week's 'Travel Radio Australia' podcast. Also on the show John Crook reviews Mitolo Wines, Frances Beasley finds a 'little bit of Africa' near her home in the Dordogne, France and Laura Powell talks about her recent experiences in Jordan. Enjoy the podcast by clicking the play button below.

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How a sea dream survived September 11

2011-09-08T07:43:00.001+10:00

The big and the small of cruising: SeaDream I dwarfed by Oasis of the Seas in the Caribbean.

I AM a self confessed cruise 'junkie' and my all-time favourite cruise was a seven night trip from Nice to Rome (via Capri and Sorrento) on Seadream II, several years ago. However, earlier this year I undertook a week-long Caribbean cruise at the other end of the scale - on the almighty Oasis of the Seas, which was also a memorable journey and a great ship. Seadream Yacht Club celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and below is the official story on its first decade history. It makes interesting reading...

NORWEGIAN entrepreneur and cruise industry heavyweight, Atle Brynestad was certain he was on a winner when he bought two small luxury cruise ships that Carnival Corporation no longer needed, and announced that he was going to refurbish and launch them as super-luxury in a “Yachting, Not Cruising” concept.

The critics had a field day. This was the 21^st century and shipping lines were looking to mega-liners that counted their passengers by the thousands, not trifling little things that carried a mere 110 with an expensive almost one crew member for every guest.

And which was why, they pointed out, the little Sea Goddess 1 and Sea Goddess 2 had been sold by Carnival – a company which had forgotten more about the cruise passenger business than most other companies combined had ever learned.

And when Mr Brynestad launched his company, it was brought almost to its knees after just one week sailing the Mediterranean. Not because he’d gone smaller rather than larger, but because he’d chosen as his launch date September 1 2001 – just ten days before the catastrophies of September 11.

The travel industry world-wide came crashing to a halt overnight. Holidaymakers cancelled flights and cruises by their hundreds of thousands; hotels and resorts took on the look of ghost towns.

But Atle Brynestad had both faith in his concept, and past experience to back him up. Because it was he who had founded the highly successful Seabourn Cruise Line which in fact had once owned the Sea Goddesses 1 and 2 and which had been merged into the Cunard company (later acquired by Carnival Corp) in the 1990s.

This had left Atle itching for new cruise opportunities. So when he learned Carnival were selling the 55-stateroom, 95-crew Sea Goddesses he snapped them up, re-naming the mega motor-cruisers SeaDream I and SeaDream II.

Millions of dollars were spent on refurbishments, adding an outdoor “Topside Restaurant” under shade cloths for al fresco breakfasts and lunches, a new Top of the Yacht open-air bar, a new spa and fitness area, a 30-course golf simulator, and “Balinese Dream Beds” on which guests could relax by day – or have made up into beds to sleep on under the stars at night.

Stateroom bathrooms were re-built in marble with shower massage units, new artworks installed throughout the yachts, furnishings replaced.

But after just one sailing came the horrors of September 11.

Undaunted, Brynestad continued to sail their advertised itineraries, no matter how few guests were aboard.

Remarkably within a year guests were clamouring for repeat sailings, and travel agents found well-heeled clients wanting to be pampered aboard a SeaDream yacht as a means of escaping the continuing political and economic turmoils at home.

He continued to push his mantra of only-the-best: with 95 crew (for a now maximum 112-guests after a new over-sized Admiral Suite was added,) 5-star dining, wines with meals, no-charge bars to which to sidle up for anything from Champagne to Coke at virtually any hour, nightly cocktail gatherings, a host of power and sail watersports facilities, movies on deck on select nights – it all added up to super-sea-dreaming.

And hand-picked crew pampered without being fawning, remembered every guest’s name within a day of sailing – and to this day still offer guest’s a spray of mineral water on the back and arms when delivering drinks around the pool, and to clean your sun-glasses at the same time.

The company picked up the highest industry awards hand over fist.

Today Atle Brynestad still runs SeaDream Yacht Club, together with another ex-Cunard man, Bob Lepisto whom he appointed as Senior Vice-President at the company’s inception in 2001 and who is now President.

And remarkably one of its great success stories is the Australian market. Since opening representation here in 2003 Australian guest numbers have risen from under one-percent, to almost ten percent of onboard guests in 2011.

For information about sailing SeaDream I and SeaDream II in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Turkey’s Turquoise Coast from April to October, and on the Amazon and in the Caribbean during the remainder of the year, see travel agents or visit www.seadream.com

-Article courtesy of Seadream Yacht Club

Travel the Great Ocean Road

2011-09-07T08:00:00.001+10:00

The Great Ocean Road hugging the coastline from Victoria to South Australia is one of Australia's great driving adventures offering spectacular waterviews and interesting townships enroute. John Crook has more details of this journey on this week's podcast. Also on this edition Arthur von Wiesenberger and Herman's Hermits lead-singer Peter Noone chat with author Elizabeth Eaves about her book 'Wanderlust'. Frances Beasley describes some of the peculiar ways French locals promote their fetes and fairs. Arthur von Wiesenberger interviews US author and teacher 'Jungle' Larry Shortell on his travel adventures. Listen to this week's show on the mp3 player below.

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Discover Adelaide's historic North Terrace

2011-08-31T09:16:00.000+10:00

Former Brisbane TV personality John Crook discovers the rich history of Adelaide's North Terrace, in the heart of the city and holding many historic and attractive buildings. Later in the show he visits the Huon Valley in Tasmania. Also on this week's travel podcast the US-based studio team, Arthur von Wiesenberger and Martha Bull chat with gonomad.com editor Max Hartshorne about his recent trip to Bordeaux, France. Speaking about France, we have our own European contributor, Frances Beasley based in that country. Frances' topic for this week is 'scarecrow festivals'....sounds intriguing? Just click the player arrow button below to listen to the show.

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Have you ever been to Eumundi?

2011-08-24T07:46:00.000+10:00

If you'd like to find out about this south east Queensland town, then listen to John Crook's report on this week's Travel Radio Australia episode. Also on the line-up: Arthur von Wiesenberger visits the Aolin Islands, Italy; Frances Beasley takes listeners to the German city of Freiburg and Gonomad.com editor Max Hartshorne reports on Maine (US). Click the play button on the player below to listen.

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Is New York dozing off?

2011-08-17T08:20:00.004+10:00

A recent 'unofficial' poll lists the top 10 cities that never sleep...and guess what? New York never made the list! Listen to the details as I present them to you on this week's Travel Radio Australia podcast. Also on this show, John Crook sends one of his audio postcards, this time from Berrimah (New South Wales). European contributor Frances Beasley meets a noted Zimbabwean stone sculptor who is now working and living in the Dordogne, France. From our US sister program 'Around the World', Martha Bull relates her recent experiences on the Italian isles of Capri and Ishia. Click the start button on the mp3 player below and enjoy the show!