Low Season Vietnam - Insider Insights and Adventures in Vietnam

Discover the hidden gems of Vietnam with exclusive insights from Chum Pham, the sales and partnerships manager of ITS Vietnam. From the tranquil beauty of Hanoi to the vibrant culture of Saigon, explore the diverse landscapes, people, and cuisine of this captivating country. Uncover the secrets of low season travel and immerse yourself in the authentic experiences that make Vietnam a must-visit destination. Join us on a journey through the sights, sounds, and flavors of Vietnam on this special episode of the Low Season Traveller Insider Guides podcast.

The Underrated Beauty of Low Season Paris: An Insider's Guide with Ged Brown and Jay Swanson

In this episode of Low Season Traveller Insider Guides, host Ged Brown is joined by Jay Swanson, the creator of Paris In My Pocket, to discuss the overlooked allure of low season tourism in Paris. Jay provides unique insights into Paris, revealing the charm of local experiences, under-the-radar spots, and the inviting café culture characteristic of the city. He discusses the importance of integrating oneself into the rhythm of life in Paris, recommending the simple pleasure of people-watching. Jay also touches on the significance of French food and wine as he points out the city's international food scene. He offers tips for first-time travellers, focusing on the balance between tourist attractions and hidden gems, and encourages exploration as the key to a fulfilling Parisian trip.

00:06   Introduction and Welcome
00:30   Getting to Know Jay Swanson
01:21    Jay's Journey to Paris
03:16    Becoming a French Citizen
05:04   The Appeal of Paris
05:33   The Parisian Lifestyle
10:51    Language and Communication in Paris
13:01    Visiting Paris in the Low Season
17:13    Exploring Paris: Must-See and Overrated Attractions
22:27   Hidden Gems in Paris
24:07   Food and Drink Recommendations in Paris
27:11    Final Tips for Visiting Paris

Today we’re heading back over to Southeast Asia to join our roving reporter Nikki as she travels the world during the low seasons.

What does it mean to be an eco-friendly hotel?

Sadly the tourism business is flooded with green-washing. On major booking sites, many hotels and resorts simply compile a tick list without necessarily giving any proof of their environmental credentials.

As we’ve discussed several times on the Climate Friendly Travel Podcast, being truly green means more than asking guests to re-use their towels.  

This week Nikki meets Duc Bui who is relatively new to the hotel business having spent a decade working as a civil engineer before buying the Amanaki Hotel, a 43 room boutique hotel in the heart of Ho Chi Minh. He's one of a small number of Vietnamese hoteliers trying to make a positive change in Vietnam.

Nikki Morrison has been exploring the Low Seasons for us on her own Low Season Adventure, you can hear the hum of the city as she chats to Duc about the challenges of trying to bring an environmental awareness to a country like Vietnam.

And you can learn more about The Amanaki Hotel by visiting https://www.amanakihotels.com/

But That’s our show for this week. Thanks as always, for your company, and if you enjoyed this podcast, please do leave us a positive rating and review on your podcast app and also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to be the first to hear our latest low season stories, articles and guides.

Have a great week wherever you are and remember that travel is always better and fairer for the planet, the local communities and you the travellers, when it’s without the crowds…

Today Kate is joined by Leisa Wahlin, the owner and operator of the fabulous Daily Sydney Tours.

If you've been to Australia, the chances are you've been to Sydney at some point.  As the main gateway city for the country, Sydney is the poster-child of Australia and for good reason.  However, Sydney has so much more to offer than the images you see in the brochures.  During her low season months, Sydney boasts unbeatable weather, stunning walks through incredible public parks in the heart of the city and a rich history which is just waiting to be explored.   

So join Kate as she discovers Sydney in a completely new way and from the very best vantage point; eye level, as she talks to Leisa about the fabulous sights and sounds to be enjoyed on a walking tour of this iconic Aussie City.

Episode Links:

Daily Sydney Tours: https://dailysydneytours.com/

Aboriginal Rocks Tour: http://dreamtimesouthernx.com.au/Our-Tours/The-Rocks-Aboriginal-Dreaming-Tour

Smiles and soul come to mind when Bruce Haxton returns with Honor to talk about his travel business The Tuk Tuk Club. Described by the Sunday Times as ‘the best driving holiday in the world,’ The Tuk Tuk Club gives you a chance to see a side of Thailand that few travellers ever see. Think winding mountain roads, towering forests, elephant camps, jungle cookery, hill tribe stays and so much more! For details on how to sponsor Bruce on his cycle ride to help his local elephant home please visit our website www.lowseasontraveller.com 

Today Honor is joined by Bruce Haxton, travel entrepreneur and owner of The Tuk Tuk Club in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. Bruce talks us through Northern Thailand’s Low Seasons; a period of rejuvenation and growth. A place so jam-packed with adventure and culture you’ll want to take your time and triple it. 

This week Kate is joined once more by Lars Werner from Raddison Blue Hotel Andermatt. They discuss the mysterious and intriguing history that surrounds Andermatt. The stories and tales passed on by the locals, talk of Andermatt's transformation from a military base into a resort town for explorers. Lars tells Kate of this local folktale of striking a deal with the Devil to build an impossible bridge. Are you brave enough to tackle the bridge built by the Devil? If mystery isn't your thing, relax at one of the many Michelin star restaurants and try a perfect Swiss Fondue - sounds like the perfect day! 

This week Kate is joined by Lars Werner from the Raddison Blue Hotel in Andermatt as they discuss the wonders this famous ski town has to offer when there's no snow on the ground.

Huddled in the Swiss Alps this town of only 1,200 people allows the traveller to escape the busy life and take a breath of fresh air. Walking, cycling or driving, Andermatt has plenty to explore during the wonderful and warm low season months. 

Michael from Fremantle tours is back on today's episode with fellow Aussie, Kate. They discuss Fremantle's low season International Street Art Festival - filled with all types of street performers, free for all to come! Eat fantastic seafood, drink craft beer and have a chat with a local - that's what Fremantle's all about.

Kate is joined by the passionate Michael from Fremantle Tours. Tucked in the coast of Western Australia Fremantle boasts an exciting and colourful culture while carefully preserving and maintaining its rich history. Hear the reason people visit Fremantle and never leave. Learn more at https://fremantletours.com.au/

Today Honor Morrison is joined by Anna Leal from Domitur Travel. Join us as we talk through their hand-picked cycling tour of the Algarve. For full details visit our website: www.lowseasontraveller.com Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a total novice, there is something for everyone and the Low Season is the best time to do it. Expect beautiful views, delicious food and full-time sun; what’s not to love?

Naples low season is festival season! Opera, nativity scenes, fireworks and of course fantastic food and wine is what you can expect from Naples from November to April. What more could you ask for?

Today Kate speaks with Andrea from IC Bellagio about the magical town that is Naples. The home of margarita pizza Naples offers the most luxurious dining experiences coupled with walking around the old town looking at art even when you're on the subway!

Today we’re heading over to Borneo to join Nikki as she travels the world during the low seasons.

Orangutans are one of the three species of great ape and - along with gorillas and chimpanzees - our closest cousins.  Their plight is such that the Orangutan Foundation International estimates that at current rates they will be extinct in 50 years; pressures from illegal logging and the palm oil industry being their greatest threats.

Despite that, one place where you are almost guaranteed to see them in the wild is Indonesian Borneo - also known as Kalimantan. As ever, tourism provides a vital role in saving these remarkable creatures by both protecting their environment and providing alternative sources of income for local people.

Former BBC journalist, Nikki Morrison, has been travelling the world during the low seasons for us and a highlight of her trip so far has been a four day river cruise with the eco-tourism organisation, Local Guides: It does what it says on the tin, cutting out the middle man and putting you the traveller in direct contact with a community of local experts who promote responsible travel in off-the-beaten-path destinations throughout Indonesia. Guides like Teguh Prakoso, who Nikki spoke to as their journey drew to a close on what also transpired to be his 27th birthday!

And you can learn more about Local Guides by visiting www.local-guides.org/ and you can also find out what they’re up to over on Instagram at instagram.com/localguidesadventures/

Nikki tells us that the High Season is June July August and September, so the low season is effectively the rest of the year from October through to May.

At peak times before the pandemic there could be as many as 100 people at a feeding station to see the orangutans.

The number of klotok (boats) working the river has halved since the pandemic from 100 to 50 so again there's urgent need to support Borneo tourism regardless of season.

But That’s our show for this week. Thanks as always, for your company, and if you enjoyed this podcast, please do leave us a positive rating and review on your podcast app and also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to be the first to hear our latest low season stories, articles and guides.

Have a great week wherever you are and remember that travel is always better and fairer for the planet, the local communities and you the travellers, when it’s without the crowds…

In this episode Ana Leal from Domitur talks us through what we can expect to experience when we take a walking tour in Portugal during the low season. 

Hint: sunshine, warmth, natural beauty, friendly locals, amazing food...and no crowds! 

We speak with Ana Leal from Domitur Portugal to learn more about this wonderful region as well as her approach to truly community-based tourism. 

Get ready because Kate is in her element today talking to Hua about Vietnamese food. From cooking classes to tiny chairs Vietnamese food is more than just the food. The culture, the traditions and the rituals around food are what makes the visitor connect with the local community. 

In this week's episode, Kate is joined by Hua, a sustainability tourism researcher from Quang Binh Province in Central Vietnam. Hua transports us from the rice fields to the beach. She discusses the untouched mountain ranges of Vietnam and why they're best experienced during the low seasons. 

Vikki, from MacLean and Bruce, returns to talk about whisky! Charles MacLean, Vikki's business partner, is a world-leading whisky expert. Prepare yourself as we tackle everything you need to know about whisky - we cover it all from Ancient Egypt to royalty and even intoxicated angels...

Today's guest is Vikki, Managing Director for MacLean and Bruce, a small luxury travel business in Scotland. Join Honor, as we explore a more authentic, culturally grounding and relaxed Scotland. Think icy Lochs, white frost on trees and big blue skies, oh and of course a blazing fire.

Far North Queensland is one of the only areas in Australia where multiple Aboriginal tribes and cultures meet. The Cairns Indigenous Arts Festival and the Laura Dance festival are two of Australia's largest displays of Indigenous culture. Both events fall during the low season and are an absolute must for visitors who want to understand, learn about and immerse themselves in Aboriginal culture. 

This week Kate is joined by Annette from My Cairns Concierge. Home of the Great Barrier Reef, Annette describes FNQ as so much more. Rainforests, island hopping and a plethora of educational resources for visitors who are wanting to travel in a responsible manner. 

In the first episode we gained insights into Philadelphia during the low season months and today we go a little deeper into the cultural heritage of Philadelphia as well as getting some of Gregg’s top tips and tricks to make the most out of your trip to this vibrant and unstoppable city.

We hope you enjoy the episode and would like to wish all of our friends in the US a peaceful and happy Thanksgiving Day wherever you are.

In this episode, we catch up with Gregg Caren who's the President & CEO of The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, to learn more about what Philly offers during the low season and why anytime is a great time to visit this hip and cool birthplace of the USA!

For this week’s episode we’re heading back over to Southeast Asia as we catch up with Nikki in Bangkok, Thailand where she meets an incredible woman called Nok.

Nok is a rarity, a Thai woman who started her own tourism business and made a great success of it. She comes from humble beginnings, a rural farming community in Isaan where she jokes she never grew because her mum had to go back to working the fields soon after she was born and her grandmother fed her on Carnation as a milk substitute. As a result, she claims that both her younger siblings are much bigger than her! Nevertheless, Nok has made a big impact in her own way. She started as a guide for an internationally owned cycle tour company that is very big across SE Asia, before eventually breaking away to start her own tours with just four bikes.

Before the Pandemic, she had grown to have 50 bikes and a team of five guides working for her. However, the pandemic was tough, with little to no financial cushion, she had to return to Isaan to live with her elderly parents. But…now she's back!

Nok is a bundle of energy who always goes the extra mile and Low Season Traveller is happy to support her. Nikki took part in her “Back Streets of Bangkok” tour as part of her Low Season Adventure and managed to find a relatively quiet corner of Bangkok to chat afterwards....

And you can learn more about Nok and her brilliant tours by visiting https://www.justnoktours.com/ - it’s definitely on our bucketlist for our next visit to Bangkok!

But That’s our show for this week. Thanks as always, for your company, and if you enjoyed this podcast, please do leave us a positive rating and review on your podcast app and also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to be the first to hear our latest low season stories, articles and guides.

Have a great week wherever you are and remember that travel is always better and fairer for the planet, the local communities and you the travellers, when it’s without the crowds…

The Portuguese Fado is like nothing else, the Portuguese even use the word 'saudade' to describe it, which has no direct translation in any other language. Melissa Puebla, from Vila Vita Parc Hotel, talks us through Fado's importance, history and where it can be enjoyed. For more information and a list of influential names go to our website: www.lowseasontraveller.com

Song used: Promete, jura (Fado Sérgio) by Mariza & Artur Batalha

This week we’re in the Algarve in the South of Portugal with Melissa Puebla, who works at the luxury Vila Vita Parc Hotel & Resort.

Melissa describes the smells of fresh coffee, the sound of waves, and views over national parks. Melissa gives us a complete guide from gastronomy to festivals, historic tours to hiking trails. It’s hard not to get lost in this week’s podcast.

Our Northern Norway expert, Karoline, is joining Kate again for today's episode. Salt and cheese is the theme throughout while Kate and Karoline take a deep dive into traditional Norwegian dishes. Salted fish, salted lamb, salted elk! Preserving foods has long been a tradition in Norway but with modern spins on classic dishes make Norway a culinary dream.    

Karoline Hol Blomstrand, marketing manager for Skaarugen, talks to us about Northern Norway; full of extremes! Grab a coat and learn about the extreme weather, extreme activities and extreme-ly awesome cities to visit! Take a journey dog-sledding or go island hopping, Northern Norway has it all.  

Maria Paravantes returns, this time giving us a snapshot of Greek music history. A student of music herself, we discuss Byzantine chants, Rebetiko and popular music: Laïkó.

Song Used: ‘50 Hronia Rebetiko Tragoudi’ by George Dalaras.

Maria Paravantes, accomplished journalist and creator of ‘The Greek Vibe’, talks to us about Greece; the best places to visit, top experiences and insider tips. Turning our attention to the hidden side of Greece, away from the beaches towards the mountains.

Founder of the Fair Tourism Foundation Charlotte chats with Kate on the community based tourism (CBT) created in the Mae Hong Son province, specifically the Huay Pu Keng village. We discuss this magical sliver of Northern Thailand only accessed by braving the winding roads through endless mountains. This is the perfect spot for learning, immersing and engaging in rural Thai culture. Check out LowSeasonTraveller.com to access all the links we spoke about today. Enjoy!

BBC presenter and voice of TomTom Satnav, Kathy Clugston gives us a personal tour of her home city. Kathy presents a weekly show on BBC Radio Ulster and is immersed in Belfast's arts and culture. We discuss Belfast's music scene from jazz to indie: where to find it, what it's like and why it's important. We also discuss the best places to visit in Belfast and the perks of Low Season Travel, enjoy!

This week Kate talks to fellow Ozzie, David Cox, the State Manager for Hawthorn Football Club in Tasmania, to learn more about the wide-open spaces of Tasmania and why we should all consider a low season trip to Tassie when we can.

Ljubljana is an incredible hidden gem that continuously gets accolades for its green initiatives and its food and drink which is a mixture of east and west. It's the European capital of gastronomy in 2021 which says it all. Janja Romi explains how Ljubljana is a perfect hybrid of a big city and all the benefits that come with that, combined with nature and outdoor activities.

Welcome to this week’s episode of Low Season Traveller Insider Guides brought to you in partnership with our good friends at Tourism Ireland

Today we head back over to Dublin one last time, where I spent a wonderful 3 days in the low season of January earlier this year.  With clear blue skies, low crowds and plenty of things to experience and do, Dublin rarely disappoints in the winter months.  And what better way to pass the time than meeting up with some wonderful people like today’s guest, Simon O’Connor who is the Director of the Museum of Literature Ireland or MoLI as it’s better known.

MoLI is a museum of literature for the world’s greatest storytellers.  A tranquil oasis on St Stephen’s Green in the heart of Dublin, MoLI is where visitors from all over the world come to discover Ireland’s rich literary heritage from past to present via it’s immersive exhibitions and rare treasures from the National Library of Ireland.

And it is an utterly inspiring place which I had the pleasure of passing a few hours in before meeting up with Simon in his curator's office when we met up to find out more about Ireland’s literary past.

And if you’re interested in learning more about the Museum or indeed would like to plan a visit during your next trip to Dublin, you can learn more by visiting moli.ie.

But That’s our show for this week. Thanks as always, for your company, and if you enjoyed this podcast, please do leave us a positive rating and review on your podcast app and also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to be the first to hear our latest low season stories, articles and guides.

Have a great week wherever you are and remember that travel is always better and fairer for the planet, the local communities and you the travellers, when it’s without the crowds…

In today’s episode, Kate Burgess chats with Naya Ahmed about everyone's dream destination - The Maldives. The Maldives is known for its picturesque beaches, crystal clear waters, and 5* resorts but it offers so much more. The Maldives is rich in traditions and tourists can visit local villages and islands to explore this abundance of culture. But of course, Naya gives us great insights into the enviable snorkeling and diving, the local foods, and the best way to travel around the islands.

In this special episode for World Tourism Day Kate talks to 3 industry experts: Ged Brown from the UK, Warren Pearson from South Africa, and Chris Flynn from Australia on what they think the travel industry is going too look like in the future. Together we discuss what travellers are to expect when going on their next holiday, the importance of tourism for wildlife conservation in Africa, and tourism as a tool for protecting cultural heritage.

In this episode Kate explores Greek cuisine with Dimitris Palaiogiannis. We explore the rich history of Greek cuisine, dream about seafood to spanakopita and talk about the importance of Greek food in creating community, culture and connection. 

Get ready to salivate!

Kate Burgess explores the paradise Gili Islands and Lombok in Indonesia with Fahman Toriki from Wonderful Indonesia. Right next door to Bali these islands are still developing and have not seen the mass tourism that Bali has. From white beaches to hiking volcanos Lombok and Gili Islands are a Low Season Traveller's dream.

In this episode, Kate Burgess explores the Yucatan Peninsula with Jorge Ortiz. We discuss the best route to take by car to find the empty beaches beyond the big cities of Cabo and Playa del Carmen. Although the Yucatan Peninsula has only two seasons "hot" and "too hot" Jorge shares the best times to travel and gives an insight of what it's like to travel with a disability. 

We speak to Nick Middleton, the bestselling author of "Going To Extremes", about what life is like in the hottest, coldest, wettest and driest inhabited places on earth. Nick presented "Going To Extremes" on the National Geographic Channel which is also highly recommended.

Zimbabwe offers some of the finest wildlife experiences in the whole of Africa.  It's guides are reputed to be the most knowledgeable and most welcoming on the continent and in this week's episode, we learn all about the incredible experiences and sights of this amazing country during the low season months. Oh, and yes, we feature Victoria Falls of course!

As the world’s second least densely populated country, Namibia has a lot of space. In fact, there aren’t many destinations which can match it’s ability to avoid any vague form of crowds.

Here you will find the biggest skies with the brightest stars, mountainous sand dunes the size of London’s “Shard”, coastal shores which are entirely deserted, silent, meandering rivers and fascinating tribal culture.

If you don’t know much about Namibia, prepare to be utterly won over by a destination which by rights, should be the top of your wish list for ultimate low season destinations.

This week we learn more about the experience of being on Safari in Botswana during the low season months. We hear how Botswana has the largest collection of wild elephants in the world and we learn some of the worrying challenges these herds are facing today.  

In this episode, we speak with Warren Pearson, a wildlife expert and guide, who helps us to understand why we should visit during the low season months from a wildlife perspective.

Welcome to this week’s episode of Low Season Traveller Insider Guides brought to you in partnership with our good friends at Tourism Ireland

Today we return to Dublin where I spent a wonderful 3 days in the low season of January earlier this year.  With clear blue skies, low crowds and plenty of things to experience and do, Dublin rarely disappoints in the winter months.  And what better way to pass the time than meeting up with some wonderful people like today’s guest, Ronan Lynch.

Ronan is a 3rd generation Dublin publican, who’s family have been running the Swan Bar in Aungier Street for the past 85 years.  And as The Swan has been standing here since 1661, it is, as you would expect, like stepping back in time to set foot in a true Irish pub.  And Ronan pointed out to me that his is a drinking pub. It’s a place for drinking, conversation, craic and perhaps a little rugby banter.

So grab a pint and join us for this short conversation in one of the oldest, least touristy pubs in the whole of Dublin – it’s an absolute gem!

And you can learn more about The Swan by visiting theswanbar.com where you will be able to see the pub for yourself and indeed later this year, you’ll be able to stay at The Swan when they open their new accommodation which promises an experience true to the style of this old world pub. 

In the next episode, we continue our low season Dublin trip as we head over to meet Simon from the Museum of Literature Ireland in a fascinating conversation where we learn more about Ireland’s rich history of writers and try to find out just how it came to be that such a small nation with modest population was able to produce such an incredible number of literary legends.

But That’s our show for this week. Thanks as always, for your company, and if you enjoyed this podcast, please do leave us a positive rating and review on your podcast app and also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to be the first to hear our latest low season stories, articles and guides.

Have a great week wherever you are and remember that travel is always better and fairer for the planet, the local communities and you the travellers, when it’s without the crowds…

Hicham Alaoui believes that travel can be more than tourism.  It can be a unifying experience that makes the global feel a bit more local.

Join us as we travel to a land of snow-capped mountains, blue cities, bustling Bazaars, a hundred tagines and lots and lots of Morrocan mint tea...

We catch up with the enigmatic Avi Lugasi to learn about the low season experience which awaits travellers to this wonderful and varied country of extremes.

We look at the fascinating culture of Japan as we discover why you should never be late (or too early for that matter), why the streets are so clean despite the lack of trash cans and bins and why, for the Japanese, the intricate details matter so much...