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Here is what's new this week from the team at Travel Writers Radio. We'd love to have your comment by email - [email protected]

Here's your latest lifestyle and travel news from the auspices of Travel Writers Radio. If you would like to submit a news item, please remember these key points: Keep it short, keep it relevant and remember our ethos - No AI and No BS, email: [email protected]

In New Zealand last week, Graeme Kemlo interviewed a number of key industry players in the meetings and events sector, including Loryn Blaikie who runs the Wellington Convention Bureau. They talk here about Auckland’s sparkling new multi-storey convention centre which hosted the sector's premier industry event, Meetings 2026.

In 2010 Melbourne Writer Ash Jurberg promised his three-year-old twins he would take them to a FIFA World Cup game and wrote a story about how it had proved too expensive to go to the USA for this year's competition. Then he got an email, but was it for real, or a World Cup Scam? He feared the worst as he explains to Helen Hayes in this heart-warming story. Photo: Ash Jurberg and his twins.

On a cruise around Africa, Alistair Smith opted for a shore excursion on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. But instead of going with the crowds to the Spanish colonial buildings or the Santa Cruz shops, our veteran newsman headed for the hill - the tallest peak in Spain. He talks to Graeme Kemlo about the six-hour bus trip up and down narrow winding roads and a very rare sight. Photo: Aistair Smith - God's Finger.

Alistair Smith heads into the desert of Namibia to check out a plant growing in a shallow depression in the hot, dry sands. And it was the weirdest tourism experience he had ever encountered. Have a listen and check out the photo… of the Weird Welwitschia of Walvis Photo - Alistair Smith

We summarise the stories presented in our first hour of this episode and those to come in the second hour. There's many ways to listen to Travel Writers Radio via our website, via SoundCloud or live on the Internet if you are not in earshot of 88FM Melbourne.

Kristin Henning tells us about a memorable culinary experience she enjoyed in Jerez. It was a meal at La Carbona, the restaurant made famous by renowned Spanish chef, Javier Munoz. Kris wanted to see what had earned Jerez the title of Spain’s Gastronomy Capital 2026. And Javier did not disappoint with seven courses paired with sherries and following his philosophy of local produce and incorporating the essence of the region…even going to the extremes of distilling some local earth to add a taste of terroir to one dish. More information: https://www.lacarbona.com/ Photo Kristin Henning.

We are pleased to welcome our newest team member, Miyuki Seguchi, who has lived and worked in both Japan and the UK, where she gained a Master's in Journalism. We believe she will add to our expert coverage of the burgeoning Japan tourism market, particularly the cultural elements that are important in visiting Japan. Miyuki, who is also a licensed tour guide in Japan, speaks with Graeme Kemlo about some cultural differences (or are they similar) in this episode. Photo: supplied.

Our culinary editor, Rita Erlich spent a week in Adelaide with a group of chefs checking out the food and wine scene in the light of the city’s move to introduce the Michelin Guide to the city. Rita gives her opinion on the city’s food and wine scene and its potential tourism boost. Photo by Ria Erlich -Adelaide Hills vineyard

Karin Avila recently attended the Moverence conference in Lucerne, Switzerland bringing together members of the regenerative tourism community and taking participants to locations of cultural and ecological significance. Regenerative tourism is an approach to tourism that goes beyond sustainability and focuses on leaving a place better than it was before. Karin spoke with Bill Reed, an internationally recognised consultant, educator, and author specialising in sustainability and regeneration. Photo by Karin Avila shows Bill Reed

Just 45 km from Auckland on New Zealand's west coast is Cliffside, a luxury glamping venue for conferences and events. GM Jasmine Shine tells Graeme Kemlo how the business grew and she returned from seven years as an adventure travel guide dog sledding in Alaska. She leads the team in delivering full conference programs for up to 80. The venue is growing due to local and international demand and has already added 30 of 100 villas and eventually a conference space for 250 to 300. More information - cliffside.co.nz

This is your latest travel and lifestyle news from the auspices of our newsroom. Feel free to get in contact with us by email: [email protected]

Here is the latest update from Travel Writers Radio with all the stories you can hear this week. The show is produced and presented by {ALAT, the Professional Association of Lifesryle and Travel Writers email: [email protected]

Meet Marie Claire Trotter, owner and CEO of the Q-Train in Geelong, a narrow gauge train with very comfortable renovated carriages and a delightful five-course meal served with great local wines. Marie-Claire used to be a Shakespearean actor, so how on earth did she end up owning a train? Photo: Marie-Claire Trotter by Graeme Kemlo

Carolyne Jasinski met Melbourne travel agent Andrew Rattle on her recent Brazil cruise. After more than three decades in the travel industry, Andrew had a lot of valuable information to share including the fact that, with all that's going on in the world, travel agents are even more in demand. She finds out why. Image supplied

Our US-based correspondent, Kristin Henning visits southern Spain and enjoys the city of Jerez del la Frontera in Cádiz province. Jerez was just named Spain's Gastronomic Capital of 2026. So food – along with Jerez's well-known production of sherry wines – is the focus of our conversation.You can read more and find specific links in Kristin's "Guide to Jerez de la Frontera: Sherry, Flamenco, Horses, and Food" on TravelPast50 (dot) com https://travelpast50.com/guide-jerez-de-la-frontera/ Photo Kristin Henning

Fiona Harper comments on her experience: The time I was charged by a 250kg silverback mountain gorilla in Uganda was one that I will never forget. One moment we were photographing this magnificent creature from about 10m away, the next, he charged our group at full speed, landing about 2m away from where I was wedged behind a small tree. He was so close I could see the texture and spittle dripping from his nose. My photographer’s instinct was to keep shooting, despite seeing my life flash before my eyes as my heart rate soared. The photos I captured are not worthy of showing as he was too close for my 400mm lens to capture in focus. But I treasure them for the heart-stopping story behind the lens.

Hearing last week’s story from reporter Fiona Harper about her encounter with a charging 250 kg silverback gorilla, reminded our Sydney veteran reporter of his own adventurous moments in travel journalism, from swimming with whale sharks at Ningaoo Reef, to getting charged by a rhino in Nepal…eventually he had to climb a tree to escape. Photo courtesy of Tourism Western Australia - Swimming with whale shark at Ningaloo Reef

The latest travel and lifestyle news from the team at TWR, produced and presented by Helen Hayes and Graeme Kemlo. If you want to submit items for potential inclusion in our news bulletin, here are a few tips to improve your chances of success: do not use AI, keep it short and relevant, make sure it is news, not spin. Don't send us surveys that simply serve the marketing needs of your client - we bin them.

Just Dropped at TWR, our latest episode has some great travel experiences and advice. To get in contact with us, email: [email protected] and beware of scammers using other forms of this email address, such as info.travel.writers.radio etc. This is not us and we do not offer to interview you and charge you a fee. And thanks for a fabulous 12 years of listening to our professional journalists and broadcasters.

From the team at Travel Writers Radio, more stories about food, wine, lifestyle and travel experiences. Email us: [email protected]

Here is news you can use from the professional team at Travel Writers Radio

If you’ve seen Evita, visited Buenos Aires, or read up on 20th Century Argentina, you know that Eva Perón still holds a special place in the hearts of Argentinians. The former First Lady of Argentina was famous not only for her acting career and marriage, but for her charitable work and care for the public. Her burial site at Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires evokes this emotional attachment with a simple memorial stone – part of a larger tomb for the Duarte Family – rather than with a more grandiose display. Visitors to Buenos Aires can see more about her life in a permanent exhibit in the Palacio Libertad Cultural Center recreating Eva Perón’s office in the magnificent building not far from the ‘Casa Rosada’ (pink house) Presidential Offices. Evita is also about to be staged again on Broadway. Photo - Kristin Henning

Kristin Henning takes us on a tour of Buenos Aires in Argentina. She looks at the interesting architecture, wide boulevards, cafe culture of the "Paris of the South".

Team member Fiona Harper had her most heart-stopping moment photographing wildlife in Uganda last week. She was with a small group and a guide in the jungle when a siiverback gorilla, she estimated at more than 250kilos charged at her and two others taking photos. And this was amidst a chest-to-chest confrontation between two silvebacks, and about 20 in the mob, each protecting their own family. Photo -Fiona Harper

Balinese authorities reported on Instagram that sponsored posts by foreign influencers without permits are now illegal in Bali, and those who flout the law could be detained, deported at their own expense, and blacklisted for up to 20 years. We checked with our Bali correspondent, Suzanne Hart who has lived in Bali for nearly 10 years. Image: The Bali authority's Instagram post

Graeme Kemlo attended the Business Event Victoria regioal showcase in the city earier this week – one of the biggest of the many events he has attended. He spoke with the General Manager of BEV, Chris Porter about the state of this sector of the tourism industry beyond metropolitan Melbourne.

Team member Fiona Harper has been in Uganda and despite difficult communications problems she managed to get a few minutes to report for us. And while conscious of the growing Ebola threat moving from the Congo into Uganda, her most exciting moment was meeting a family of 20 gorillas in the jungle and witnessing two silverbacks going chest to chest – like a ringside seat at a title fight. Photo: Fiona Harper

Carmen Jenner talks about an upcoming visit to Sarawak, that part of the island of Borneo that belongs to Malaysia. It is home to the annual Rainforest World Music Festival and also to a range of indigenous tribal cultures. It is also one of the last places on Earth where you can see critically endangered orang utan in their natural forest habitat

Sarah Schmitt is a travel, food and lifestyle writer based in Perth, Western Australia. She writes for a range of local and national publications including We Are Explorers, Broadsheet, Mamamia and The NZ Herald. Sarah enjoys active and adventure travel, so you won’t really find her lying poolside, she’s more likely to be out and about exploring the local area. And true to form she speaks with me this week about a recent trip to Portugal and the island of Faial in the Azores where she participated in some citizen science on the migration of whales in the Atlantic. More information: Biosphere Expeditions Photo: Sarah Scmitt on the island of Faial with the township of Horta in the background.

Melbourne's restaurants keep going strong even after they have closed, thanks to chefs and those who work front of house. Good people move on, within the city, the country, and internationally. A grand dinner at the Botanical Hotel in South Yarra recently showcased dishes from a restaurant called Est Est Est that was all the rage 30 years ago. Dated? Not a bit. And the people behind the restaurant then have been busy for 30 years, and are still planning ahead. Our Culinary Editor Rita Erlich spoke to Donovan Cook and Frank Heaney. Photo: Rita Erlich

From the team at Travel Writers Radio here's our latest drop of food, wine and travel stories for May 27

From the auspices of Travel Writers Radio, here is the latest travel news. To submit your news story for consideration email: [email protected]. Please be accurate, brief and interesting. Remember our promise - No AI and No BS

Not all of us are cold plungers who will swim Sydney’s beaches in any weather, so veteran reporter Mike Smith has come up with suggestions for coastal walks around Sydney. And he reckons you should take a camera and binoculars as you might just encounter the annual migration of humpback whales on the coastal walks. You will also come across many great cafes. Mike has suggested short, medium and longer walks depending on fitness levels. Photo: Mike Smith, showing South Head More information: sydney/com

Our photography expert Ewen Bell is sounding the alarm about over-tourism in Norway’s Tromso – regarding the best place from which to view the northern lights – Aurora Borealis. Over the past 15 years, travelling to the Arctic, Ewen has noticed that tourist numbers are rising with about 180 coaches a night taking passengers out around Tromso to find a good place to view the aurora. So Ewen has moved four hours south of Tromso, where he has a private house and cabins with a clear view of the sky for him and his p-photography group. Photo: Ewen Bell self-portrait under the Northern Lights. More information: ewenbell.com (Photography tours to the Arctic and Himalayas)

We have found a travel hack that helps create holidays without using all your leave. The secret is to build days off into public holidays. Have a listen!

From the auspices of Travel Writers Radio - and a very full inbox - we have chosen the most interesting and appropriate travel news for listeners this week. To submit your potential news item, remember our ethos - No AI, No BS, Keep it short, TWR News is produced and presented by Graeme Kemlo and Helen Hayes.

Just dropped - latest travel and lifesyle stories from Travel Writers Radio. Thank you for listening...wherever in the world you happen to be. To get in contact, email: [email protected]

With everything going on in the world right now, and much of it driven by the White House, we wondered what the average man in the street in USA worries about. So we checked in with New York correspondent, Phil Brown.

When predictions come true! Our wine expert Tyson Stelzer has consistently picked the House of Arras sparkling wine as one of the world's best - even up against French champagnes. Recently, a vintage magnum of Arras sparkling was given the first perfect score by an international wine critic – a score f 100. We now wonder if Tyson is as good at picking this year’s Melbourne Cup winner? Image: Houe of Arras Late Disgorged Sparkling Tyson's Recommended Wines: Bellebonne Bis Rosé NV Billecart-Salmon Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs NV Xanadu Reserve Chardonnay 2023

Timing is key to every great holiday … especially when you’re hiking. Knowing where to go and what you can see and do is important. But, knowing when to go is crucial. Lonely Planet’s new book: Where to go When – Hiking has it all sorted. Carolyne Jasinski speaks with the authors Sarah Baxter and Paul Bloomfield.

This is music to your ears! Carolyne Jasinski and Graeme Kemlo update listeners on the new musicals showing now and coming to a live theatre near you in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Image: Natalie Bassingthwaite premiered in Waitress last weekend in Melboune. It will then tour other states.

Melbourne journalist Emily McAuliffe takes us "home" to Far North Queensland to see Australia's largest monolith ... and it's not Uluru. Come on a trip to remote Mount Mulligan, a three-hour drive (by 4WD preferably) west of Cairns. It's so isolated, not many people really know about the monolith that dominates the landscape and dwarfs Uluru - or about the cattle station with a five-star, 28-guest luxury lodge. Photo: by Emily McAuliffe shows Mount Mulligan in the backgund viewed from the luxury lodge pool.

Karin Avila, our Spain-based correspondent talks to people who, like her, are expats … strangers in a strange land. This time she speaks with Ken Thompson who, in 1982, joined the Royal Observer Corps to help serve the Royal Air Force. With Cold War tensions high and in pursuit of purpose and camaraderie, there was an opportunity to serve his fellow countrymen as an observer. Ken shares that it’s never too late to try something new and a sense of belonging goes a long way. There's also a comical encounter with Queen Elizabeth. Photos Karin Avila and Ken Thompson

The latest travel and lifestyle news from Travel Writers Radio produced and presented by Graeme Kemlo. To submit your news item, a few tips: Be brief, be accurate, be interesting and newsworthy. And remember No AI and No BS. Email: [email protected]

Graeme Kemlo was invited by the Gold Coast Convention Event Centre at Broadbeach to witness the Arena at work, hosting Guy Sebastian's concert. It seats 4000 in concert style, but 6000 in the round. GM Nick Jeffrey said he was proud to show guests the capabilities of the venue with the added enjoyment of a a first class musical event. Acoustics were great, sight-lines perfect from elevated seats in what works well as an intimate performance space. Jeffrey points out that not all convention centres have the benefit of an arena like Gold Coast. Graeme stayed at The Dorsett, which is adjacent to the Centre at Broadbeach.

A PORT FOR ALL SEASONS A 2hr 30 min drive north of Sydney is a blue water paradise that only 12 months ago was labelled by online travel app Wotif as Aussie Town of the Year. Port Stephens is more than a town though. The blue water hotspot comprises a cluster of townships which make for a quintessential Aussie coastal holiday – all year round. Whether you throw a prawn on the barbecue or picnic on local oysters or fish and chips on the water’s edge, Port Stephens is as relaxing as it is energising. And it’s about to get busier with the arrival of the annual whale watching season attracting hordes of tourists from here and from overseas, reports travel writer MIKE SMITH Points of interest: 10 things to see and do – 1. The vast open sands of the Stockton Bight Dunes (Worimi Regional Park). 2. The blue waters of the port, by taking a dolphin or whale watching cruise (May – November). Home to around 140 bottlenose dolphins. 3. Embrace nature on a walk along a series of marked trails. Of note is Tomaree National Park, including Mt Tomaree for those fit enough to challenge. 4. Where to dine, day or night – Little Beach Boathouse, Inner Lighthouse (for scones and jam), Aussie Bob’s Fish and Chips, Crest Birubi Beach Café, Shoal Beach Country Club, etc 5. Dine out on local oysters. Or try one of around 45 different pie selections at Red Neds I Nelson Bay. 6. Try your skills at some more strenuous activities like quad biking on the dunes or joining Sand Dune Safaris sandboarding down the slopes. Toboggan Hill Parkis another family favourite. 7. Family attractions such as Oakvale Wildlife Park, Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary and the Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters. 8. Fighter World Museum near the airport at Williamtown. 9. Drive to Lemon Tree Passage for a walk-through bushland at Tanilba to spot koalas in the wild. 10. We have stayed at a series of alternative forms of accommodation, the past two at the Mantra Nelson Bay. Of course, you have hot spots such as Bannisters at Salamander Bay, The Anchorage at Corlette, Shoal Bay Country Club, The Landmark at Nelson Bay (near the golf course), Ph0to: Mike Smith

Heen Hayes interviews Jane Lawson, an Australian travel writer who has written several books on Japan. A former chef, Jane has studied Japan over the past 40 years, and her latest book, Secret Japan, is an insider’s guide. She speaks with Helen Hayes. Photo: Helen Hayes

Chamberlain Emmanuel is CEO of the Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund, launched at the Global Sustainable Island Summit in April 2026 Karin Avila met with Chamberlain shortly after his team formally announced the launch of the Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund and revealed the project logo. He shared with Karin what “creating the world’s first climate-smart island chain” means in practice, and how this Fund is designed to work differently -responding to growing urgency with a more targeted, impact-driven approach. They also discussed anticipated barriers to mobilising funding, how the Fund plans to address them, and what travellers, partners, and funders should understand about delivering real impact on the ground. Looking ahead, he highlighted priority areas for upcoming project proposals, what makes them truly impactful, and his vision for a more resilient Virgin Islands in the years to come. Photo: Karin Avila