The Pod Well Travelled team Penny Thomas, Stephen Scourfield and Megan French tackle the great outdoors in a new episode of their Packing Series.

Penny seeks packing tips ahead of her trip to Japan to hike one of the world’s premier spiritual roads — the Kumano Kodō, ancient pilgrimage routes which crisscross the Kii Peninsula.

Outdoors-man travel editor Stephen and fashion writer Megan present a brief overview on the history of outdoor gear and how fabrications evolved as popularity for hiking and outdoor exploring gained momentum throughout time.

From the importance of layering to what a hiking day pack should contain, the trio cover extensive ground on the topic.

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Packing too much. Packing too little. Forgetting to label your case. Toiletries exploding. Leaving it to the last minute. Using the wrong bag.

These are packing mistakes we’re all guilty of at some point, no matter how experienced a traveller we are. But sometimes you just have to learn the hard way.

Tune into the latest episode of The Pod Well Travelled’s Packing Series with co-hosts Penny Thomas and Megan French as they explore the contentious topic of packing mistakes, confessing their worst packing blunders and offering tips on how to avoid common mistakes we can all succumb to along the way.

The duo cover everything from cultural and weather considerations to travel hacks from the travel veteran himself, Stephen Scourfield, that have unsurprisingly proven successful.

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On this week’s episode, The West’s travel editor Stephen Scourfield reports from France’s Juno Beach in Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. 

During the show, Stephen reflects on the complex and brazen operation that unfolded on D-Day, the bravery of the soldiers involved in the mission and how it was a turning point in WWII.

We also hear about Normandy’s Viking history and William the Conqueror’s legacy.

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In this week's episode, special guest Will Yeoman from Writing WA returns to The Pod Well Travelled to chat about literary-inspired travel destinations with fashion writer and stylist Megan French and travel editor Stephen Scourfield. 

From the Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth to Dylan Thomas' writing shed in Wales, join the trio of bookworms as they dive into their favourite literary hotspots. 

During the show, they discuss top writing festivals around the world including the iconic Hay Festival in Wales and India's Jaipur Literature Festival, as well as Singapore's annual multi-lingual event.

Stephen shares an author's perspective and reveals the West Australian landscapes that inspired his novels Other Country and As The River Runs.

And, we hear about what's important to consider when planning and attending a literary festival from Will, a past director of the York Writers Festival, New Norcia Writers Festival and Perth Festival Writers Week. 

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+ For more on literary and writing, check out Writing WA's podcast, Podstreet, featuring West Australian authors, poets, essayists, booksellers, publishers and other industry professionals. 

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On this week’s episode, Penny Thomas and Megan French chat with Perth businessman Jeff Robson about his new book, The Traveling Trainer.

Throughout the show, we hear about Jeff’s passion for rock climbing, how he turned his love for travelling into a career and why he decided to publish a book about it.

Jeff also tells us about the far-flung destinations he’s visited because of his career, including places like Islamabad in Pakistan, Tehran in Iran and Angola in Africa — just to name a few.

Discussing the new book, Jeff says it is packed full of practical tips and a must read for anyone who has ever thought about working as a professional trainer.

“This book aims to inspire professionals to think about how you can teach your skills overseas,” he says.

“Then — once you begin leveraging your professional qualifications to train others who maybe based near exotic locations — it is an opportunity to travel more broadly.

“I want to encourage people to step away from the glossy marketing of the global travel industry train, with its luxury hotels, pools and bright cocktails. Some of the most memorable and enjoyable times I’ve had have been in remote locations, far from the well-known hotels and package tours.”

+ To purchase a copy of The Traveling Trainer, visit travelingtrainerlife.com.

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On this week’s episode of The Pod Well Travelled, our travel team delves into the best destinations to visit in the latter half of 2024.

We kick off the episode by reflecting on the year so far, discussing the most popular hotspots that have been buzzing with travellers.

Later on in the program, we share a list of places where prospective travellers can still book trips this year without encountering overwhelming crowds.

We also explore the places where you can maximise your budget thanks to favourable exchange rates — and highlight the destinations to avoid.

And, Stephen shares insider tips on finding last-minute deals for popular tours and cruises that are typically booked out.

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On this week's episode of The Pod Well Travelled, Penny Thomas and Megan French chat to TV Editor Clare Rigden about the concept of set jetting, which is when travellers visit a particular destination because it was featured in a television show or movie.

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This week on our dedicated travel podcast, Penny Thomas and Megan French sit down with local astrologer, Stefanie Schroeder, to discuss the ancient art of astrology and its impact on travel. 

As the owner of Astrofusion Astrology and the president of the Federation of Australian Astrologers in Western Australia, Stefanie has a gift for making the stars make sense, without all the mumbo jumbo that usually comes with astrology.

She not only tells us about the study of celestial objects and how a person’s birth chart can influence their travel behaviours, but she also explains how astrology can be a valuable tool for personal introspection and understanding.

Earlier on in the show, we hear from our travel editor Stephen Scourfield, who gives us a brief overview on the history of astrology and why it continues to be an integral part of many cultures.

Stephen also tells us about the rise of astrocartography, and he explains what happened when he met a Vedic astrologer in India last year.

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On this week’s episode, Penny Thomas and Stephen Scourfield chat to cruising specialist Michael Ferrante about the latest news in cruising — an industry that was basically on its knees only two years ago.

During the show, Michael reveals the latest trends in the cruising sector, plus he tells us what it is like to sail through the Mediterranean on the Sun Princess, a new ship from the team at Princess Cruises that launched earlier this year.

We also hear about some other big-name ships that launched over the past 12 months, and why it’s important for first-time cruisers to do their homework before booking a trip.

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On this week’s episode, travel journalist Penny Thomas and STM deputy editor Jade Jurewicz join fashion writer Megan French to discuss an essential travel companion: shoes!

They explore topics like how many pairs to pack for a trip, the best all-terrain styles and why you no longer have to sacrifice style for comfort.

Jade also shares her experience of wearing just one pair of shoes during a 10-day holiday in Indonesia.

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In this week’s episode, we sit down with Sarah Quinn, the global leader of public relations and communications at Flight Centre Travel Group.

During the show, Sarah shares her journey of transforming her passion for travel into a successful career. We also explore the current trends shaping the travel industry. And, we hear about the very first bricks-and-mortar store for Cruiseabout, a new brand for Flight Centre Travel Group that recently opened its doors in Western Australia.

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For our second bonus podcast episode from our reader weekend in New Norcia, Stephen Scourfield and Will Yeoman perform a spoken word piece called Belief in front of a live audience at the Abbey Church. 

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On this week’s episode of The Pod Well Travelled, the team reveal their must-have devices for staying connected, entertained and organised when travelling.

Join Penny Thomas, Stephen Scourfield and Megan French as they discuss everything from compact power banks and travel adaptors to smart luggage, e-readers and more.

Whether you’re gearing up for a weekend getaway or a long-haul adventure, this episode will help you pack like a pro.

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On the back of the New Norcia reader weekend, we're excited to share a couple of bonus podcast episodes that were recorded during the event.

In this episode, The Pod Well Travelled and PodStreet (the official Writing WA podcast) collaborated to bring you a conversation between Stephen Scourfield and Will Yeoman. This engaging discussion occurred in front of a live audience at our recent reader weekend, which also featured various writing workshops, photography courses, panel discussions and musical performances.

Stay tuned for another bonus episode of a special performance we recorded at the weekend. 

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This week on our dedicated travel podcast, we explore Australia’s only monastic town, New Norcia.

Founded in 1847 by Spanish Benedictine Monks, the unique settlement — that looks like it’s been plucked from a bygone village in Spain — is located about 130km north-east of Perth in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt.

The West’s travel team recently spent a weekend exploring the small picturesque town, as part of its annual weekend away with a group of nearly 40 like-minded readers.

Join Penny Thomas and Megan French as they recap the eventful weekend that included things like writing workshops, photography courses, panel discussions and an extra special music performance in the Abbey Church.

Megan also chats with our good friend Will Yeoman from Writing WA, who gives us an insight into the type of things he teaches budding writers during his popular writing workshop, plus he tells us what he enjoys most about being involved in an event like this that is centred around fun and learning.

Stephen Scourfield also joins the conversation and reflects on the historic and spiritual aspects of the New Norcia settlement, whilst acknowledging its difficult past.

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This week on our dedicated travel podcast, we reveal the best and worst types of travel companions. 

During the show, Penny Thomas and Megan French discuss their own red and green flags when it comes to travel partners, plus they share tips on how to be a better companion when travelling with friends or in a group.

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In this week’s show, we discuss one of the world’s most renowned overnight tourist trains, The Ghan.

Having recently travelled on the train from Adelaide in South Australia to Darwin in the country’s Northern Territory, Penny Thomas chats with Megan French about the experience and all the places you visit along the way.

Later on in the show, we hear from Journey Beyond’s food and beverage general manager Matthew Snare, who tells us about the onboard dinning experiences and what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to staffing.

The Ghan’s journey manager Sam Whaley also joins the conversation to explain what makes this iconic train so special and why it’s a bucket-list trip for so many travellers.

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Host Penny Thomas speaks with The West’s travel editor Stephen Scourfield and fashion writer Megan French about the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, and whether you should visit the host city when the world’s greatest athletes gather there to compete.

During the show they unpack how local Parisians feel about hosting the upcoming event, the rising cost of accommodation and public transport fares, plus how travellers can benefit from visiting the popular tourist destination outside the Olympic and Paralympic period.

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In this week's episode, Stephen Scourfield and Megan French join Penny Thomas and share their expert packing tips. 

During the show, they reveal everything from how to pack efficiently and effectively for big and small trips, the packing techniques they swear by and what to do if your bags are overweight at the airport terminal. 

They also unpack the different type of travel bags they use for carry-on, check-in and day trips, plus why you should never pack in a panic. 

Also in the episode, Stephen mentions an article he wrote on hand luggage restrictions that you can read here. 

You can also check out our video of Stephen explaining what's inside his beloved suitcase 'Casey' via our TikTok and Instagram accounts. 

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On this week’s episode of The Pod Well Travelled, we delve into the wonderful world of Formula One and how to witness the racing spectacle live.

Host Penny Thomas is joined by Travel and Motoring Editor Stephen Scourifled and Fashion Writer Megan French, who provide expert travel advice on how to plan and attend an F1 race in-person.

From the glamour of Monaco to the electric atmosphere of Singapore, they cover everything from how to choose the perfect circuit that’s right for you, the type of ticket you’ll need to secure a trackside seat and what really goes on during a F1 weekend.

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After a long wait, W Sydney has officially opened its doors — and we have the inside scoop about what went down at its premiere launch party. 

Join Penny Thomas and Megan French as they unpack the star-studded event, plus we hear what it’s like to stay overnight at the new Darling Harbour property, which is the biggest and boldest W-branded hotel in the world. 

Later on in the episode, we hear from W Hotels vice president and global brand leader George Fleck, who met up with Penny ahead of the hotel’s big premiere party.

He explains why W Sydney was a natural progression for the W brand and what’s to come from the New York-born hotel chain in the future.

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Last week, we devoted an entire episode to the rise and influence of Taylor Swift. This week, it’s all about the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll – Elvis Presley.

Known for his charismatic stage presence, distinctive voice and pioneering fusion of rockabilly, country and rhythm and blues music, Elvis was a performer who captivated audiences around the globe and remains an indomitable figure.

Join Stephen Scourfield and Penny Thomas as they chat about Elvis’ career, Memphis and his beloved Graceland.

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Now that the Taylor Swift Eras Tour has come to an end in Australia, we discuss the pop megastar’s global influence and what happens when she comes to town. 

Whether you’re a fan of Taylor Swift or not, it’s hard to deny the cultural and financial juggernaut she’s become.

Join travel writer Penny Thomas and lifestyle reporter Megan French as they unpack what makes Taylor Swift such a powerful icon, and why people travel from near and far to see her perform.

Later on in the episode, our travel editor Stephen Scourfield joins the conversation and tells us about what’s happening in Singapore as Taylor's Eras Tour continues around the globe. 

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This week on our dedicated travel podcast, hosts Penny Thomas and Megan French are joined by The West’s TV editor and columnist Clare Rigden, who recently returned from a big European adventure.

As a self-confessed bargain hunter, Clare tells us about the cheap travel accessories she bought from a popular online store that is renowned for selling almost every product imaginable for dramatically low prices.

During the show, we get Clare’s honest opinion on the budget-friendly items she took with her, and we find out whether or not they enhanced her trip.

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Join Stephen Scourfield and Penny Thomas as they discuss the magical Margaret River region in Western Australia’s South West.

During the episode, we also hear from Smith Beach Resort marketing manager Gemma O’Loughlin, who tells us her top things to see and do in the region and why she decided to call this place home.

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Join us as we reveal our list of safe places to travel and why it’s important to remain vigilant when exploring unfamiliar environments, particularly for solo female travellers.

During the show, travel writers Penny Thomas and Megan French share personal anecdotes and practical tips to empower fellow travellers seeking peace of mind when in a foreign country.

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Whether you’re flying to Sydney or Santiago, there are some things you just can’t leave home without.

Join travel writer Penny Thomas and lifestyle reporter Megan French as they reveal the must-have items they always pack in their suitcase — beyond basic necessities like your passport, toothbrush and wallet — in the latest episode of The Pod Well Travelled.

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In this week’s episode, Penny Thomas and Leyanne Baillie discuss a different way to experience Antarctica. 

Having recently enjoyed a daytrip over the frozen continent, Leyanne tells us about the “fly-over” experience and whether she thinks it’s worth doing. 

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In this week’s episode, we chat about the unique blend of history, architecture and cosmopolitan flair on offer in Buenos Aires.

Join Penny Thomas and Stephen Scourfield as they unpack a list of things to see and do in Argentina’s bustling and vibrant capital city.

Throughout the show they reveal what makes Buenos Aires so special, why it’s often referred to as the “Paris of South America” and how to make the most of your time when exploring this stunning city.

There’s also some different music included in the show that captures the true sound of Buenos Aires and will put you in the mood for tango.

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Following on from an earlier podcast we did about preparing for Antarctica, in this week’s episode we reveal what it’s like once you're there.

Having recently returned from the southernmost continent, Penny Thomas chats with Stephen Scourfield about her travels and what the experience was like on Hurtigruten’s MS Fridtjof Nansen.

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In the latest episode of The Pod Well Travelled, Stephen Scourfield and Leyanne Baillie celebrate the recent coronation in Denmark of King Frederik and Queen Mary by discussing all things royal and what royalty does for tourism. 

More than 100,000 visitors were in Copenhagen for the coronation, and it has been estimated that the 2023 coronation of King Charles III in Britain brought the UK up to £1billion in tourism earnings.

Around 15 million people a year visit the Palace of Versailles, once home to Queen Marie Antoinette, and Princess Grace still feels very present in Monaco.

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Join Writing WA CEO Will Yeoman and Mogens Johansen as they discuss how he became a travel writer after several decades working as a press photographer.

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Join Penny Thomas and Stephen Scourfield as they discuss one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, Uluru.

Throughout the show they cover everything from when to visit, how to get there, what to expect once you’re there, plus so much more.

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In this week’s episode, Penny Thomas and Stephen Scourfield look beyond the obvious packing necessities and reveal the top five items they never travel without.

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Fresh from exploring Australia’s Coral Coast on a four-day road trip, travel writer Penny Thomas chats with fashion writer and stylist Megan French about her trip and the basic travel essentials she took with her.

They also discuss their favourite things to listen to during a long drive, why you should always double-check you have everything before you head off on an adventure, the importance of having roadside assistance, and why you should always know how to change a tyre.

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In the latest episode of The Pod Well Travelled, Penny Thomas chats with business reporter Cheyanne Enciso and features reporter and stylist Megan French, who just got back from Virgin Voyages’ maiden cruise in Australia. 

Throughout the show, they reveal what it was like sailing from Melbourne to Tasmania and back, their likes and dislikes about the overall experience, plus whether or not they now consider themselves cruising enthusiasts.

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Join Stephen Scourfield as he unpacks the big travel trends for 2024 and shares some invaluable tips for the year ahead.

From emerging destinations, leisurely touring plans and the added perk of more stable airfares — there’s lots to look forward to.

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In today’s episode, Penny Thomas gets advice from Stephen Scourfield ahead of her upcoming trip to Antarctica.

Having already been to the world’s southernmost continent, Stephen shares plenty of useful travel tips like what to pack, how to avoid getting seasick, the type of camera gear you should consider taking, plus why it’s essential to secure comprehensive travel insurance early on for a trip like this.

We also hear Stephen’s own thoughts on whether an adventure like this is worth the time and money.

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Join Penny Thomas and Stephen Scourfield as they discuss India’s Golden Triangle, a popular tourist route in the country’s north that consists of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

Stephen, who just got back from India, shares practical travel tips throughout the episode like when to go, what to expect and the places you can’t miss.

The show ends with a sitar performance recorded during Stephen's latest trip.

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In the latest episode of The Pod Well Travelled, Penny Thomas chats to Western Force scrum-half Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, who was part of the Wallabies squad at the recent Rugby World Cup in France.

During the episode, the 28-year-old reveals what the atmosphere was like during the tournament despite the Wallabies enduring their biggest loss in cup history when they lost to Wales in Lyon.

He also reveals what he got up to during his off-season holiday around Europe.

From exploring Chamonix in the French Alps and eating pizza in Italy, to discovering another side of Spain in Majorca and catching up with old mates in London. We discuss it all in the latest episode of The Pod Well Travelled.

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In this week’s episode, Penny Thomas and Mogens Johansen chat about the charming yet confounding Kingdom of Cambodia.

After two recent travel assignments to the South-East Asian nation, Mogens tells us what to do, where to stay and why he thinks you should add Cambodia to your list of places to visit.

Earlier episodes of The Pod Well Travelled are also available to stream, including our recent two-part Cruising Special and our guide to Mauritius.

Next week is another special episode, as host Penny Thomas talks to Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, an Australian rugby union player who recently returned from travelling around Europe.

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In this week’s two-part Cruising Special, Stephen Scourfield and Michael Ferrante, Australia and New Zealand’s cruise writer of the year, reveal the latest in cruising.

In this first episode, they cover everything from how to choose a cruise that’s right for you, to key destinations and emerging players in the industry.

In the following episode, special guest Joel Katz, from Cruise Lines International Association, tells us what’s in store for Australia and New Zealand. And Jason Flesher, from Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, reveals all that goes into planning and running expedition voyages.

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In the second episode of our two-part Cruising Special, Stephen Scourfield and Michael Ferrante, Australia and New Zealand’s cruise writer of the year, continue their conversation about the wonderful world of cruising.

Special guest Joel Katz, from Cruise Lines International Association, also joins the show and tells us what’s in store for Australia and New Zealand.

And Jason Flesher, from Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, reveals all that goes into planning and running expedition voyages.

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The Pod Well Travelled is back for another season.

In today’s episode, join host Penny Thomas and Stephen Scourfield as they discuss the beautiful island of Mauritius.

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On this week’s episode, Penny Thomas is joined by The West’s travel editor Stephen Scourfield and another familiar voice to the show, Will Yeoman.

The trio announce a new direction for the team’s dedicated travel podcast, which is set to launch midway through September.

While the new season won’t veer too far off its original path, it will dive deeper into the places we visit and feature more conversations with creative thinkers and experts from the travel industry.

Continue subscribing to The Pod Well Travelled and our digital edition of eTravel to find out more.

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This week The Pod Well Travelled sets off on a journey to explore two trends taking flight in the travel industry.

Expert photographer Mogens Johansen and travel editor Stephen Scourfield chat to host Megan French about the concepts of “second city” travel and destination dupes — from prioritising a “more authentic” experience to stretching your wallet even further abroad and building genuine connections.

Plus, Stephen is challenged to a “quick-fire question” round disclosing his top suggestions of alternatives for some of the world’s most popular tourism destinations.

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• Sign up for eTravel via thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences. It’s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events and more.

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On this week’s episode of The Pod Well Travelled, the Travel team discuss all things stars, stripes and motorcycles.

Having recently attended Harley-Davidson’s Homecoming event in Milwaukee, Mogens Johansen chats with Stephen Scourfield and Penny Thomas about the mammoth parade that attracted more than 130,000 attendees.

We also touch on what's happening politically in the US. Plus, we briefly talk about electric vehicles (EVs) in Norway, which has the largest number of plug-in EVs per capita in the world.

The Pod Well Travelled is Seven West Media’s dedicated travel podcast, released each week on Wednesday. Sign up to The West’s digital edition of Travel here to receive notifications of new episodes.

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On today’s episode of The Pod Well Travelled, Travel Editor Stephen Scourfield talks all things New York with Penny Thomas.

They also discuss different ways to travel — planes, trains or automobiles? Plus, Stephen shares more details about the upcoming Festival of Travel.

The Pod Well Travelled is Seven West Media’s dedicated travel podcast, released each week on Wednesday. Sign up to The West’s digital edition of Travel here to receive notifications of new episodes.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Pod Well Travelled we focus on Location Location…

Stephen Scourfield and Leyanne Baillie discuss screen and literary classics which expose us to places — and maybe even prompt us to visit.

Leyanne takes us through the locations of the streaming series Succession — a surprising number of which are in Scotland.

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In this week’s episode of The Pod Well Travelled Travel editor Stephen Scourfield and Travel journalist Mogens Johansen chat about new low-cost flights between Perth, Bali and Jakarta with Indonesian airline Citilink...

and the inaugural West Travel Club Festival of Travel which has just been announced.

There's a $15,000 Collette travel voucher for one festival winner, and Stephen speaks to Roger Clulow from Collette, who designed their Cultural Treasures of Japan tour.

The Pod Well Travelled is Seven West Media’s dedicated travel podcast, released each week on Wednesday. Sign up to The West’s digital edition of Travel here to receive notifications of new episodes.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.