Blogger at Large Travel Podcast

I rode on a Mardi Gras float in New Orleans, throwing out beads and tat to thousands of people lining the streets below my two-story float! In this episode I talk to Kelly Shultz from New Orleans & Co on Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) and ask her all about this crazy event, how many floats and people are involved, where the parades run and what to expect - so you'll be better prepared that I was when you come!

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I met LA comedian/waitress and tour guide Noelle Hoffman last year when we joined one of her tours up to the Hollywood sign. In this episode she spills the goss on who you're likely to see when you walk in the Hollywood Hills, and who the A-list celebrity is who makes a fuss if they can't get ketchup to pour all over their expensive steak!

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I grabbed a few minutes onboard an Avalon Waterways ship to interview cruise director Bram Von Dyk as we sailed on the Danube from Vienna to Nuremberg. We discuss the best things to do and see along the river, what happens when ships can't sail due to the river running to high or too low, plus Bram's recommendation for our next Christmas cruise!

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Today's guest is Joyce Kiehl, director of communications at Greater Palm Springs. I've known Joyce for years and visited Palm Springs four or five times, so we delve into what's new and when the biggest events are on. If you've done LA many times and are looking for somewhere else to spend a few days, just a 2-hour drive east and you're in the desert with mineral hot springs, spas, mid-century modern architecture, 100 golf courses and a whole lot more.

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Sarah Chant runs New Zealand Travel Tips, a website and Facebook page with over 42,000 followers. It's only been going about a year and has a really engaged readership of local and international visitors who ask questions and help each other out.
If you're looking for all things NZ, from where to stay, things to do, where to eat - you name it, someone will know!
She also has exclusive arrangements with many local operators to give her members discounts on attractions.
And while most of us hit the beach over summer, Sarah worked on and released a 32-page North Island Travel Guide to download. She tells us all about it in this podcast.
Her website is www.NZTravelTips.com

Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com
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I chatted with Heather Egan, director of Leisure and International Sales at Grapevine Texas. Where?! I know, right!
Grapevine is the city where Dallas Fort Worth Airport is located, and makes an excellent stopover as it's literally smack in between the two cities. But there is a lot to do there. So much that a weekend wouldn't be long enough.
Listen to our chat about the wines (obvs!), craft beer scene, historic train, outlet shopping and golf. Even something for kids with Peppa Pig world and Lego. Grapevine is also in the Guinness Book of Records for having the most painted rocks on a walking trail in the world - thousands of them, including 2 from me! And if you're a Christmas fan, Grapevine is the Christmas capital of Texas.

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Today I chatted with Rachel Mackey, Marketing Manager NZ for Cook Islands Tourism. 

We had a great time talking about things to know before you go, some tips for great places to eat and stay. Some fun activities that are well worth booking in advance so you don't miss out.

For more about my trip to the Cooks, I've got some posts over on the blog on Raro https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/rarotonga-things-to-know-before-you-go/ and Aitutaki https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/discover-aitutaki-with-me/

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Brent Thomas is not only COO of House of Travel, but also President of TAANZ (Travel Agents Association NZ). We talk about how the travel industry is faring in New Zealand, what is coming up on the horizon and how the government needs to drop quarantine at the border for incoming visitors if we are to not only get the travel industry moving again, but businesses and families connecting once more.
"Self isolation for Omicron is not an appropriate tool in the toolkit"
It's a very interesting chat, and he has some timely advice for those planning to head overseas later this year too.

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On today's podcast I talked with Miranda Plummer, managing director of Be My Guest Waiheke. She manages about 50 private properties that guests can rent from small studios on a beach to huge, architecturally designed houses with outstanding views. 
We also talked about things to do on Waiheke, whether you need a car to get around and the trend she's seeing of elopements!

Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com
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This month Genting Cruise Line's Dream Cruise ships chalked up 1 year of cruising - through the pandemic - carrying out domestic cruises in and out of Singapore.
Brigita Devries is Vice President Sales & Marketing, Managing Director Australia & NZ for Genting Cruise Line's three brands, based in Sydney.
We talked about what it's like onboard a Dream cruise ship (the cuisine, the entertainment, the new protocols, the massages and the fancy Palace), what has changed, and how short 2 and 3-night cruises are such a great way to start your cruising dreams for first-timers.

Read Megan's travel blog www.bloggeratlarge.com
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