Beach Travel Wine Podcast

Most people heading to the top of New Zealand's South Island go straight for the Abel Tasman. In this episode we spend a day exploring the Nelson wine region instead, and we're so glad we did. We spent the day with CJ from Nelson Tours and Travel, tasting our way through boutique wineries including Flaxmore, meeting a banker turned winemaker who planted vines on an old apple orchard, and having a long lunch at Moutere Hills with views we didn't want to leave. Then CJ surprised us with a gin tasting at the Moutere Inn, New Zealand's oldest pub. We chat about the wines we loved, why Nelson is one of the sunniest spots in New Zealand, and which stop we both picked as our favourite.For photos, a map of everywhere we mention, and a link to CJ's tours, head to:https://www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/155/nelson-wine-tourPlanning your own trip? We've turned our travels into two maps you can use right in Google Maps on your phone, with our own notes on every stop.New Zealand South Island Winery Map, every winery we visited across six wine regions: https://www.beachtravelwine.com/nz-south-island-winery-mapNew Zealand South Island Road Trip Map, our full 34-day loop with over 130 spots: https://www.beachtravelwine.com/nz-south-island-road-trip-map

In the first of our South Island wine region episodes, we spend a day with Wanaka Wine Tours, and it’s nothing like the rushed, on and off the bus wine days we’ve done before. Four very different stops, from a lakeside cellar door with views of the Southern Alps to a tiny family vineyard with a very dry sense of humour. There’s some seriously good Pinot, a host who poured himself a glass and tasted along with us, a lunch cooked inside an old wine barrel, and a mystery box we were made to open in front of the whole group. To see all the photos from this episode, click the link here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/154/wanakawinePlanning your own trip? We've turned our travels into two maps you can use right in Google Maps on your phone, with our own notes on every stop.New Zealand South Island Winery Map, every winery we visited across six wine regions: www.beachtravelwine.com/nz-south-island-winery-mapNew Zealand South Island Road Trip Map, our full 34-day loop with over 130 spots: www.beachtravelwine.com/nz-south-island-road-trip-map

Most people stop at Lake Tekapo for the lake. We went for the stars at Tekapo Springs, in one of the darkest skies in the world, and then the clouds rolled in. What happened next turned into one of the highlights of ourwhole New Zealand trip, and something neither of us had ever done before. Add in a late night soak in the hot pools under red lights, an ancient Māori instrument played to the sky, and a place that turned out to be a lot bigger than we thought when we went back in daylight. We also treated ourselves to a bit of luxury at the day spa,found the best hot pool view we’ve ever had, and played a round of mini golf. One of us scored two holes in one and still lost by a mile. Have a listen to find out who. If you’re driving between Christchurch and Queenstown and thinking of skipping Tekapo, listen to this one first. Photos and links are here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/153/tekapospringsPlanning your own trip? We've turned our travels into two maps you can use right in Google Maps on your phone, with our own notes on every stop.New Zealand South Island Winery Map, every winery we visited across six wine regions: https://www.beachtravelwine.com/nz-south-island-winery-mapNew Zealand South Island Road Trip Map, our full 34-day loop with over 130 spots: https://www.beachtravelwine.com/nz-south-island-road-trip-map

Nearly a quarter of a million travellers have listened to our advice, and today we're taking you to Toledo, the walled hilltop city that was Spain's capital long before Madrid ever was. Just thirty minutes from Madrid on the fast train, Toledo hides a cathedral holding a 237-kilogram solid gold monstrance worth fourteen million dollars, sword shops stacked floor to ceiling with blades, and a terrace bar where we somehow crashed the locals' Sunday sesh, wine in hand, overlooking the Tagus River gorge. Join us as we wander winding, deliberately confusing medieval streets built to outsmart invaders, and hear from a local guide whose own father used to drag him to Sunday Mass in that very cathedral. Click the link here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/152/toledo to see all 23 photos we took wandering Toledo, an interactive map with every place we mention, and our best tips for planning your own visit.

Halfway between Madrid and Barcelona sits Zaragoza, a city most travellers skip on the fast train between the two, and one of our favourite surprises in Spain. In this episode we visit the Basilica del Pilar, wander the tapas bars of El Tubo, explore the Moorish Aljafería Palace, and climb the water staircase in the stunning Parque Grande. We share our favourite meals, the best value tapas in town, and why two or three nights here is well worth the detour. Head to the link here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/151/zaragoza for the full blog post, photos from the trip, and a map of everywhere we cover so you can plan your own visit to Zaragoza.