Trip Notes

Jessica Nabongo is in a rare club - she is one of the few people to have travelled to every country on Earth, achieving the feat in 2019 and is one of the only Black women to have done so. And for much of her travels, she has gone to these countries by herself. For the last episode of the season, Lorna is joined by Jessica to discuss how she has made a career out of travelling the world, which of the 195 countries she would recommend - and which countries she didn't enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, passports have been our main form of identification when travelling between countries. But within only a few years, we could soon see physical passports become a thing of the past, and move onto our phones alongside our boarding passes. And it's not the only way the industry is changing. From green-friendly planes to different types of seating, air travel as we know it is changing. To discuss the state of the industry, this week Lorna is joined by Air New Zealand Chief Transformation and Alliances Officer, Mike Williams, to talk through the changes, and how Air New Zealand is recovering from the pandemic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand may have lost the tradition of the big Sunday drive, but there is plenty to go see in on our own backyard. There are so many great locations to visit around both the North and South Islands - and Stewart Island as well - so this week, we are exploring the hidden gems you might like to consider for your next road trip around the country.   And to do that, Lorna is joined by a man who has extensively travelled New Zealand. Peter Janssen is an experienced travel writer who has criss-crossed the length of New Zealand 15 times, and knows all the best spots to visit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overtourism in Europe has become an increasing issue – so much that destinations are now putting strategies in place to manage the number for tourists coming in and the impact it is having. Cities like Venice, Rome, Barcelona and Amsterdam are introducing everything from fines to caps to outright bans - with many saying we are entering a new era for tourism in Europe.  This week, Lorna is joined by Intrepid Travel Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand Brett Mitchell to cover what you need to know about overtourism, and gets tips on some hidden gems you can visit instead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Budgets have been tighter over the last few years as the cost of everything just keeps getting higher.  But a tight budget doesn’t always mean you have to give up on your dream holiday. And, with budgets getting tighter, the travel industry is adapting and innovating to make cheaper travel a higher end option.  To get all the tips and ideas, Lorna is joined by Tim Alpe, the co-founder of rental car and campervan business Jucy, and now the managing director of budget lifestyle accommodation Lylo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cruising is one of the oldest forms of travel, but in the modern era it's often seen as something for retirees to do. That's all changing though, with the number of cruise passengers growing by the year, and the average age is dropping at the same time. So today, we're talking all things cruising and giving you all the information you need if you are considering one, heading on your first cruise, or for those experienced cruisers we’ll find out some of the trends for 2025 and what we can expect from the cruising industry.  And to do that, Lorna is joined by Joel Katz, the Australasia Managing Director for the Cruise Lines International Association.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Lorna is talking about all things foodie travel - otherwise known as culinary or gastronomy tourism. And she is joined by the perfect guest in Peta Mathias - food writer, TV presenter, producer of food and travel shows, and has led gastronomic tours around the world!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us don’t like to think about our big overseas adventure going wrong. So much planning, money and time goes into these trips, but the reality is, anything can happen to impact your trip.  Whether it be airline issues, natural disasters, medical events or theft, you need to know you are covered if the worst does happen. Today, Lorna is getting advice, tips and tricks from inside the industry, with Sales Director at Allianz Partners, David Wallace. This season is sponsored by AA Travel Insurance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multi-stopping is tipped to be one of up and coming travel trends for 2025. It’s pretty much getting two or more destinations into your holidays for the price of one – adding in stopovers to and from your main destination when flying long haul. To discuss how to best get the most of our holiday, this week Lorna is joined by travel bloggeratlarge Megan Singleton to discuss which cities and countries are best to transit through and get that extra holiday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia is such a natural destination for Kiwis too visit - but how many of us have explored outside the usual go to’s of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or the Gold Coast? Aren't we all a little guilty of sticking to those tried and true destinations? Today, Lorna is joined by Chris Zeiher, a spokesperson and writer for Lonely Planet in the Asia Pacific Region.  He’s based in Melbourne but an avid traveller and an expert on all that Australia has to offer – including those ‘off the beaten path’ suggestions for travelling across the ditch. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first episode of the new season, Lorna Riley is joined by Kiwi Below Deck star Aesha Scott, to discuss her life on the high seas working on super yachts and what really goes on behind the scenes. And she helps us kick off the new season by sharing some of her top travel destinations - and the places she'll never go back to again! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New episodes of Trip Notes with host Lorna Riley out every Tuesday from March 4th. Proudly supported by AA Travel Insurance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Best Beach is back for 2025, presented by Fruju. New Trip Notes host Lorna Riley is joined by comedian Eli Matthewson (new show Heaven's Devil) and Find My Country House New Zealand host Matt Gibb to discuss their picks for the best family-friendly, city, surf, hidden gem and camping beach in the country.  To read more about the Best Beach campaign and have your say, go to nzherald.co.nz/bestbeach. Nominations close January 12th.  A new season of Trip Notes returns in early March. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode of Trip Notes, the Herald Travel team is once again looking for New Zealand's Best Beach - this time with support from Fruju, NZ's favourite ice block. To get the ideas ball rolling, NZ Herald Lifestyle and Travel editor Stephanie Holmes is joined by Celebrity Treasure Island finalist Turia Schmidt-Peke, and Small Town Scandal host Tom Sainsbury, to get their ideas. To nominate and vote, head to nzherald.co.nz/bestbeachSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a while since you’ve heard from us here at Trip Notes, but we are back for a special bonus episode thanks to New Zealand’s favourite ice cream Tip Top in order to celebrate New Zealand’s Best Beach! But we need your help – we want you to tell us your favourite beaches around Aotearoa as part of the Herald’s Best Beach campaign.  We last crowned a winner back in 2021, when Ōhope voted New Zealand’s best beach. Now we’re letting Kiwis pick their favourites once again, and this year, we’ve extended our search to five special categories. You can find out more, and nominate your favourites, at nzherald.co.nz/bestbeach  In this episode, NZ Herald Travel editor Stephanie Holmes talks to Damien Venuto, host of The Front Page, and Jenni Mortimer, lifestyle editor and co-host of One Day You’ll Thank Me, about their favourite beaches - plus, hear from some notable Kiwis as well! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trip Notes is proud to present the first episode of the new travel podcast miniseries from NZH Travel's Thomas Bywater. In the first episode of this seven-part series, Bywater explores the mysteries of Antarctica while stuck on a cruise ship at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. You can find all episodes of Detour: Antarctica at nzherald.co.nz/detour, or on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you run a travel magazine when you can't travel?Somehow, despite the world being shut off for the last 18 months, the NZ Herald Travel magazine has been able to not only survive, but also thrive and become an award-winning magazine. But we're not going to lie - it's been a tough road. In our final episode of this season's Trip Notes travel podcast, travel writer Juliette Sivertsen, Deputy Editor Maggie Wicks and Editor Stephanie Holmes take a look down memory lane, and chat about some of the challenges we've had producing two weekly travel magazines in a Covid era. The episode was inspired by Juliette Sivertsen's article, Why The Australia Bubble Pause Is Giving Me An Identity Crisis, which you can read here: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/transtasman-bubble-why-the-australian-bubble-pause-is-giving-me-an-identity-crisis/YVJCQMPSMNKMPNGDN4ZH4Z4NWU/ Find more great travel stories here: www.nzherald.co.nz/travelHosted by: Stephanie HolmesStory narration: Juliette SivertsenGuests: Maggie Wicks, Juliette SivertsenAudio Engineer: Adam Pomana Social: Instagram and Facebook - @nzhtravel Email: travel@nzherald.co.nzWebsite: www.nzherald.co.nz/tripnotesThanks for listening!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I came back to Milford Sound because I couldn't get the shape of the landscape out of my head; those glacier-carved mountains plunging toward deep green water, the lichen and moss hugging the faces of giants who seemed to lean in and admire their faces in the deep stillness."Actor and writer Michelle Langstone is rarely lost for words - except when she tries to describe the beauty of Milford Sound. In this episode of our Trip Notes travel podcast, NZ Herald Travel Editor Stephanie Holmes and writer Juliette Sivertsen talk to Michelle about travel to Fiordland and the magic of Milford Sound. They also discuss boating holidays in New Zealand and abroad, and their favourite memories of being out on the water. The episode is inspired by Michelle's article 'Sounds of Silence, which you can read here:https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/go-nz-a-milford-sound-overnight-cruise-in-magical-fiordland-national-park/IQAMWFX6DIYRYJD7HVSCDNXTKI/Find more great travel stories here: www.nzherald.co.nz/travelHosted by: Stephanie HolmesStory narration: Juliette SivertsenAudio Engineer: Adam PomanaGuests: Juliette Sivertsen and Michelle LangstoneSocial: Instagram and Facebook - @nzhtravelEmail: travel@nzherald.co.nzWebsite: www.nzherald.co.nz/tripnotesThanks for listening! Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe and share with all your travel-loving friends.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you remember about family holidays growing up? From being piled in to clunky old cars, to what felt like endless hours on the road, family road trips can make up some of our strongest childhood memories. Join NZ Herald Travel Editor Stephanie Holmes and writers Juliette Sivertsen and Karl Puschmann as we discuss family travel memories, as well as tips and advice for planning a road trip with the kids in tow. Read Karl's story, Remembering The Classic Kiwi Road Trip, here: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/go-nz-remembering-the-classic-kiwi-family-road-trip/YA7VGUNKAJV4DS23E6LGEG6TAA/Find more great travel stories here: www.nzherald.co.nz/travel Hosted by: Stephanie HolmesStory narration: Juliette SivertsenAudio Engineer: Adam Pomana Guests: Juliette Sivertsen and Karl Puschmann Social: Instagram and Facebook - @nzhtravel Email: travel@nzherald.co.nzWebsite: www.nzherald.co.nz/tripnotesThanks for listening! Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe and share with all your travel-loving friends.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.