Phil Blizzard PodTalks Phil Blizzard

Jump onboard this podcast with Phil Blizzard for an exploration of the world's newest cruise ship the gigantic Sun Princess.   You will be taken on journey starting in Barcelona, cruising acoss the Mediterranean  to  Athens. Enroute you will be discovering the cuisine in its many restaurants,  with entertainnment galore and take a visit to the bridge for a conversation with Captain Craig Street.

For more information visitwww.princess.com

and

www.cruisemaster-me.com

"Talking to Adrian Hayes is an adventure in itself " says Phil Blizzard with this episode taking you, via your "Airpods'  from the comfort of your 'zone' to the frozen, almost,  vertical rock face close to the 8,586m summit of Kanchenjunga in the Himalayas.

Adrian Hayes is heading back to the Himalayan 8000m giants with an expedition to attempt the majestic Kanchenjunga - the little known, 3rd highest mountain in the world, located on the Eastern Nepal and Indian border.  We start by talking about the preparations  for the expedition and the challenges to be faced.

In this conversational journey  we reflect on his previous major expeditions and his collection of world records - including the Three Poles Challenge. Climbing Mount Everest and walking to both the North & South Poles!  Which, when talking about bringing up a teenage daughter he said "was more demanding than summiting  Everest and reaching the two poles "!

Our common connection with the Middle East comes into the conversation - with my memories of him dragging car tyres across the beaches of Dubai for some reason or other! How the UAE and the delightful Oman offers so much to adventurers. Plus recollections of 'The Soldier of Arabia - David Neild'  and so much more, including the special affiliation Adrian has with the Gurkha regiment.

Adrian also talks about his other life  - that as a professional speaker - human development and what adventuring brings to that table, and vice versa. 

Finally a concluding piece which Adrian Hayes has provided about the forthcoming expedition.

‘Kanch’ rises to a height of 8,586 m (28,169 ft); is huge, remote, steep and technical, with a near vertical rock face near the summit and, above all, the longest summit push of any 8000 m mountain on Earth. The fact that there are only approx. 25 climbers attempting it this year, compared to the hundreds that will shortly be on Everest, testimony to it being one of the least climbed 8000ers. 

It has always held a special place with me, being located in my former Gurkha regiment’s recruiting heartlands of Eastern Nepal; having first seen it in the early 90s on a welfare trek whilst serving in the Brigade; and long having ambitions to climb it. On the trek in I will be visiting 7th Gurkha Rifles pensioners and their families gathered for their annual reunions in the Gurkha Welfare Trust Welfare Centres of Phidim and Taplejung - a role I undertook in 2022 which was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had in the country.

It’s 18 years since I climbed Everest, 10 years since summiting K2 and nine since our aborted attempt on Makalu (the 5th highest mountain in the world). And following last year’s return to high altitude mountaineering and our ‘warm up’ attempt of the difficult Pumori (7181 m), I have been preparing and planning ever since - the joys, total absorption and complete focus of a major goal!


For further information visit www.adrianhayes.com

TravelWise podcast with Phil Blizzard and in this vignette epsiode we link up with travel and tourism expert Gemma Greenwood who is in Sydney, Australia. In this episode Gemma takes us away from  the city centre and it's iconic tourists magnets - Bondi Beach, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.   Her 'Off The Beaten Track' recommendation is the beachside town of Cronulla. Listen to find out why!

TravelWise vignettes are short, snappy podcasts less than 10 minutes in duration, featuring all the essential information you need to know about a particular destination and this is what you will hear from Gemma.

Check out the latest episode in the TravelWise vignette series - short and snappy podcasts that are less than 10 minutes long.  All the essential information you need to know about a particular destination or in this episode a featured airline & flight!

Phil Blizzard checks  out the flydubai service from Dubai to U-Tapao, Pattaya International Airport, Thailand.  Recorded on board the Boeing 737-  MAX 8 you will get information on the seat layout, the meal service and in-flght entertainment and digital services.

For more information visit www.flydubai.com

Check out the latest episode in the TravelWise vignette series - short and snappy podcasts that are less than 10 minutes long.  All the essential information you need to know about a particular destination or in this eposode a featured hotel!

Phil Blizzard checks-in to Al Hamra Village Hotel to check-out what they offer since their refurbishment. 
For more information about the hotel and their current room rates visit  https://alhamra.ae/hospitality-al-hamra-village-hotel/

TravelWise onboard the Star Legend luxury yacht in the Mediterranean for the inaugural 'Legendary Winter in the  Mediterranean' cruise. 

Join Phil Blizzard on board  Star Legend, from Windstar,  as he explores the luxury yacht as it sails from Rome to Barcelona.  He talks to key members of  staff about the facilities,  the various dining options, entertainment and the shore excursions available at ports of call along the way,  This boutique yacht has just over 300 passengers per sailing!

Ports on the cruise include Civitavecchia, Rome and Livono for Pisa in Italy, Nice  and Marseille in France and the arrival port of Barcelona, Spain.

Phil concludes this episode with Janet Bava, Chief Commercial Office, Windstar  and some exciting news about future 'Legendary Winter in the  Mediterranean' cruises for Winter 2024/25

If you are someone who is looking at a boutique cruise experience which is personal and friendly and takes you  to the less-visited places than this is the travel expereince for you.

For further information about this cruise and the others operated by Windstar contact www.CruiseMaster-ME.com 

Travel Wise from Phil Blizzard - News, Views & Interviews, along with travel tips to enhance your journey.