The Pod Well Travelled

The West Australian
  • 0.0 (0)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Pod Well Travelled

A weekly podcast with Travel Editor Stephen Scourfield and the West Travel Club Team, filled with travel news and stories, in conversation and through the speech and sounds we collect on the road.

  1. DEC 18

    Stephen Scourfield’s Antarctic expedition

    In this episode of The Pod Well Travelled, Penny Thomas and Megan French sit down with Stephen Scourfield to delve into his latest adventure — an unforgettable expedition to Antarctica with Lindblad Expeditions, where he guided a group of enthusiastic West Travel Club guests to one of the planet’s most remote and awe-inspiring destinations. Stephen shares the excitement of travelling aboard the Lindblad National Geographic Resolution, a ship that strikes the perfect balance between exploration and learning thanks to the expertise of onboard naturalists, photographers, and scientists who enriched every moment. Stephen also tells us about how he prepared his group for the unpredictable nature of the journey, from practical tips for braving the infamous Drake Passage seas, to the type of camera gear to take and why it’s important to pack lots of layers. We then discuss the daily rhythm of life on the expedition, from zodiac landings and wildlife encounters to unique activities like the popular polar plunge. Finally, Stephen leaves us with a poignant reflection on why he thinks this icy frontier continues to captivate adventurers and conservationists alike, before Megan wraps up the episode with another fun round of This or That. + Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled wherever you get your podcasts — and share it with your family and friends. + Sign up for eTravel via thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences and click on West Travel Club. 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 13m

  2. DEC 11

    Hotels of the World | Mercure Perth

    This week, we’re kicking off our new Hotels of the World series, where we uncover the stories and secrets beyond the check-in counter at popular hotels. For our first episode of the new series, Megan French and Penny Thomas chat with Mercure Perth general manager Brian McHenry about what goes on behind the scenes at his hotel in Perth’s CBD.  Having spent 35 years in the hospitality industry, Brian shares insights into his role, what he loves most about the business, and anecdotes from memorable guest experiences. He also explains the importance of crafting unique, localised stays that leave a lasting impression. + Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled wherever you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends. + Sign up for eTravel via thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences and click on West Travel Club. 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    21 min

  3. DEC 4

    Christmas traditions from around the globe

    In this festive episode of The Pod Well Travelled, hosts Penny Thomas and Megan French explore the most delightful and quirky Christmas traditions from around the world. From Germany’s enchanting Christmas markets — where mulled wine, bratwurst and handcrafted ornaments bring festive cheer — to Japan’s unexpected KFC Christmas feast, a tradition born from a clever 1970s marketing campaign, this episode is packed with holiday magic. The fun wraps up with a festive round of ‘This or That,’ where Megan puts Penny to the test with some lighthearted questions to spark your own Christmas inspiration! Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends. 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 min

  4. NOV 27

    November Travel Pulse

    Join Penny Thomas, Megan French and Stephen Scourfield as they unpack a series of interesting travel stories and trends for the month of November. Penny kicks things off by telling us about the rise of medical tourism, sharing surprising new data that reveals over half of Australians are willing to travel abroad for medical procedures. Next, Stephen introduces Four Points Flex by Sheraton, a budget-friendly accommodation option perfect for travellers heading to Japan. The discussion then looks at the recent methanol poisoning incident in Laos. Plus, Stephen considers whether or not it’s safe to travel to Egypt amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and tensions around Israeli military presence near the border. Megan then lightens the mood by sharing some upbeat travel news, including Scoot’s new flight routes, Outback Spirit’s impressive “fly-free” deal, and the much-anticipated expansion of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan. At the end of the show, Stephen leads a lively round of ‘This or That,’ where Penny and Megan face off in a fun, fast-paced showdown. + Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends. + 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min

  5. NOV 20

    Walking Japan's Kumano Kodo

    In this episode, Stephen Scourfield chats with Penny Thomas about the Kumano Kodo trail in Japan, which is one of only two UNESCO-recognised pilgrimage routes in the world. Nestled in the heart of Japan’s Kii Peninsula, the series of trails weave through lush forests, towering mountains and sacred shrines and temples that have lured emperors, monks and pilgrims to the region for over 1,000 years. Whether you’re captivated by its spiritual significance, stunning natural landscapes, or the allure of Japan’s countryside, Penny delves into what makes the Kumano Kodo so remarkable — and she reveals some exciting personal news too. During the show, Penny and Stephen highlight several companies offering guided tours along the Kumano Kodo, which we’ve listed below: Intrepid Travel World Expeditions Auswalk Raw Travel Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends. 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    17 min

  6. NOV 13

    Finding your perfect river cruise adventure

    In this episode of The Pod Well Travelled, host Penny Thomas sits down with seasoned travel writers Stephen Scourfield and Mogens Johansen to discuss the world of river cruising. From Europe’s iconic waterways to the hidden treasures of Asia, Stephen and Mogens share insider tips on top destinations and itineraries, including unique experiences that only river cruises can offer. With practical advice for first-time cruisers, they discuss what to consider when choosing a cruise: how boat size impacts the onboard experience, which amenities matter most, and how river cruising differs from ocean cruising in terms of excursions, dining and entertainment. Megan French returns towards the end of the show for a lively round of “This or That”, where Stephen and Mogens reveal their preferences between European and Asian rivers, large and small ships, plus more. Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends. 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    36 min

  7. NOV 6

    The Life of Py

    Join Writing WA CEO Will Yeoman for a special crossover episode of Podstreet and The Pod Well Travelled. During the show, Will chats with Mark Pybus, the passionate hiker and founder behind The Life of Py. From his first trek across Costa Rica to the diverse landscapes of the Warren River Loop and Cape Le Grand Coastal Trail, Mark shares his journey into hiking and his passion for Western Australia’s natural beauty. Tune in as they discuss his popular guidebooks, the rise in hiking interest during lockdowns, and the importance of preserving these trails for future adventurers. Will Yeoman has also written an exclusive piece on Mark Pybus and his adventures for this Saturday’s Travel section in The West Australian. Subscribers to the podcast can get early access to the story here. + This special episode of Podstreet and The Pod Well Travelled is brought to you by Writing WA and The West’s travel team. + Discover more from Writing WA at writingwa.org, and don’t miss their latest insights by subscribing to their Substack here. + Follow Mark Pybus’s adventures and hiking insights at thelifeofpy.com or on Instagram @thelife0fpy. + Catch every episode of The Pod Well Travelled and Podstreet on your favourite podcast platform — and don't forget to share the journey with friends and family! + For more travel inspiration, sign up for our free weekly digital edition of eTravel at thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences. Each issue is packed with fresh stories, podcast updates, event listings and more — delivered straight to your inbox. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    19 min

  8. OCT 30

    October Travel Pulse

    Join Penny Thomas, Megan French and Stephen Scourfield as they explore October’s biggest travel trends. Stephen kicks off the show with highlights from the National Travel Industry Awards in Sydney, where he shares stories from the night and celebrates some of the well-deserved winners. From there, the team dives into the latest industry happenings — from ALDI’s surprise launch of holiday packages and Uber’s new safari experiences, to insights on the cultural challenges plaguing Boeing. They also unpack what makes Singapore Airlines an industry leader and share details on a new mountain biking trail in New Zealand. At the end of the show, Megan and Stephen go head-to-head in another lively round of ‘This or That.’ + Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends. + 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    45 min
See All (102)

About

A weekly podcast with Travel Editor Stephen Scourfield and the West Travel Club Team, filled with travel news and stories, in conversation and through the speech and sounds we collect on the road.

Information

  • Creator
    The West Australian
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    102
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Seven West Media
  • Show Website
    The Pod Well Travelled

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada