PodVoyage

This week in our Ambassadors for Spain series we chat to Fiona McAndrew who has lived in Tenerife for over 34 years.   Fiona has worked in Tourism for many years in Tenerife and she tells us what a wonderful place Tenerife is and specially how friendly the people are there.  Tenerife is famous for its beaches of course, ( 72 listed on the tourist board website at least) on which to stretch out, switch off and get that gorgeous shade of bronze.   Tenerife however is a multi-faceted island and everywhere you look there are man-made and natural attractions to be had, from stargazing in Europe’s clearest skies to conquering the planet’s third-largest volcano, and from splashing around in the world’s most popular water park, to getting within touching distance of dolphins in the wild.    You can’t get to the very top of Tenerife’s omnipresent volcano, Teide, without a prearranged pass, but you can get to within 600 ft by cable car.   The views are spectacular, but it’s the sheer sense of scale that will really take your breath away. What you see above ground is only the tip of what is one of the three largest volcanoes on the planet.  Tenerife really has everything and of course is a golf lovers paradise.  I recently stayed in the Green Garden Resort and just loved it.  Fiona tells us her top tips for her favourite beaches and places to visit.  We spoke to Fiona last July and of course travel has fully opened up since then and travel to Tenerife is back with a bang.  For full details visit www.spain.info and for Fiona's hotel recommendations visit www.royalgardenvillas.com 

PodVoyage is brought to you in association with Hilton
Discover thousands of the most unique hotels in the world and uncover unexpected stays that leave you wondering: Is this Hilton? 
Hilton.com

From iconic city hotels to beautiful resorts around the world, Hilton has been welcoming travellers for more than a century. And wherever the journey takes us, the right place to stay can make all the difference.

So it's all aboard and PodVoyage!

We continue our Ambassadors for Spain series this week with Colm Mullen chatting to us from what some refer to as the "Soul of Spain" Castile and León is a treasure trove of historic sites and impressive landscapes.   

This is one of the destinations which offers the greatest diversity of natural landscapes in Europe, as well as spectacular monuments, a varied and abundant gastronomy… all this guarantees that this region in the interior of Spain is bound to delight you.

It has a whole host of places which are well worth visiting, including towns like Avila, Salamanca and Segovia (all three World Heritage Cities) and unique attractions such as Burgos Cathedral and the Atapuerca archaeological site, which contains traces of the first settlers in Europe. The famous Way of Saint James also runs through the Castile-León region, and is one of the world's most important pilgrim routes.

Literally dotted with hundreds of mediaeval castles and fortresses.  This region is a real witnesses to the area's rich historic and sometimes turbulent past.  With its tiny villages, wide open spaces, changing landscapes, and it's historic cities and stunning cathedrals,  this is an area for anyone wanting to explore the real Spain.   Colm lives in the beautiful city of Valladolid.  It’s known for medieval religious sites like the Spanish Gothic San Pablo Church, with a history dating from the 1400s.   

Nearby is the Royal Palace, home of Spanish kings in the early 1600s. The National Sculpture Museum occupies a majestic Gothic building. The Christopher Columbus Museum chronicles the life of the Italian explorer, who died in Valladolid in 1506.  This was the capital of Spain for a number of years.  Castille y Leon is 15% larger than the whole island of Ireland.    Colm also spoke to me about the Irish connection with Red Hugh O' Donnell and Philip III -  After Kinsale, the Earl of Tyrconnell, Hugh O’Donnell (1571-1602), resolved to come to Valladolid in the hope of persuading King Philip III to send more aid. With him came Redmond Burke, Captain Hugh Mus Mustian, and Flaithri (Florence Conroy), a father of the Franciscan order and O'Donnell's confessor. After eight months waiting in vain until everything should be ready for his return to Ireland with the army which had been promised him, he died in the King’s castle at Simancas, allegedly poisoned by an English agent, more possibly of bubonic plague.  His body was conveyed to the King's palace at Valladolid in a four-wheeled hearse, surrounded by countless numbers of the King's state officers, Council, and guards, with luminous torches and bright flambeaux of beautiful wax-light burning on each side of him. He was afterwards interred in the monastery of St. Francis.   

The Monastery of St Francis and its tombs were destroyed in the 19th century. In 1991, a plaque was erected at Simancas Castle in commemoration of ‘Red’ Hugh O'Donnell; in 2002, the O’Donnell clan erected a commemorative plaque in a side street of the Valladolid Main Square, next to a ceramic representation of the facade of the monastery.    The city of León is one of the most elegant in Spain's region of Castilla y León, filled with grand historic buildings, contemporary museums and even a design by Antoni Gaudí.   Here you also have Segovia, Avila, Salamanca, Burgos and La Granja.  Colm has a wealth of knowledge about this truly unique region and it was a pleasure to have him as our guest this week.   For more information on the area please check out www.spain.info 

PodVoyage is brought to you in association with Hilton
Discover thousands of the most unique hotels in the world and uncover unexpected stays that leave you wondering: Is this Hilton? 
Hilton.com

From iconic city hotels to beautiful resorts around the world, Hilton has been welcoming travellers for more than a century. And wherever the journey takes us, the right place to stay can make all the difference.

So it's all aboard and PodVoyage!

In the third episode of Ambassadors for Spain we are delighted to chat with Ian Byrne, originally from Monkstown Co. Dublin.  The manager of two Irish bars in Benidorm, The Tavern and The Church, Ian is well known locally as a Stand Up Comedian and also manages a property agency and was previously an english teacher in Valencia.   In this episode Ian tells us why he loves living in Benidorm and what it has to offer.   Once a quiet fishing village, Benidorm has been transformed by mass tourism over recent years and today the "NEW" Benidorm  has launched itself as a new Hub for Digital Nomads.   

“Live in Benidorm; work from Paradise” is the motto of the new campaign. 

The new campaign seeks to rebrand the city from its usual sun, sea and sand image to one which is best suited as the headquarters for people working remotely.   Did you know that Benidorm is also known as BeniYork in Spain?  The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated a trend which was already gaining considerable ground in recent years. We are talking about the practice of remote working or working from any spot in the world armed with a laptop and a wi-fi connection. People who have made it possible to have their work bound to them rather than vice versa are known as digital nomads.  Ian tells us about some great value apartments to rent in the area at pretty incredible rates.  Benidorm has experienced The Good, The Bad and The Ugly but today is firmly on the way to attracting a whole new swathe of new travellers keen to experience the "New" look Benidorm -  A Big thanks to Ian Byrne, the Jerry Seinfeld of Benidorm for being our very entertaining ambassador on this podcast...  For all things Spain visit - www.spain.info  - You can now visit Spain without any PCR test with the EU Digital Covid Certificate.  For info on Benidorm please visit - www.visitbenidorm.es 

PodVoyage is brought to you in association with Hilton
Discover thousands of the most unique hotels in the world and uncover unexpected stays that leave you wondering: Is this Hilton? 
Hilton.com

From iconic city hotels to beautiful resorts around the world, Hilton has been welcoming travellers for more than a century. And wherever the journey takes us, the right place to stay can make all the difference.

So it's all aboard and PodVoyage!

Our second guest on The Ambassadors for Spain series is Irish Expat Brendan Dwyer who lives in Murcia and works as GM in the 5 star award winning La Finca Resort in Alicante, Spain.  Brendan has worked for over 20 years in some of the most iconic hotels and brands including Vice President Global of Sales EMEA for Hyatt Hotels.  Brendan really captures the essence of Murcia in this week's podcast and he shares his top tips and the insiders guide to discovering this wonderful region.   Murcia is known as the garden of Europe, producing first-rate fresh produce all year round. It's a cooking enthusiast's dream,  as every good cook knows, you just can't go wrong with top-quality ingredients.    Murcia has some of the most beautiful scenery in Spain - with the placid, welcoming waters of Mar Menor,  a lagoon cut off from the Mediterranean by the lido-style sandbank of La Manga,  hugging the rugged cliffs and coves of Calblanque, with its secluded beaches.  You can happily lose yourself in the meandering streets of wonderful historic towns like Cartagena and Lorca.  The glories of Murcia city grow on you as pedestrian-only, shop-lined lanes lead into one enticing café-lined square after another, each with its own architectural gems, whether it's the imposing 15th-century cathedral or the impressively ornate Church of San Juan de Dios.  #VisitSpain #RegiónDeMurcia @murciaturistica

PodVoyage is brought to you in association with Hilton
Discover thousands of the most unique hotels in the world and uncover unexpected stays that leave you wondering: Is this Hilton? 
Hilton.com

From iconic city hotels to beautiful resorts around the world, Hilton has been welcoming travellers for more than a century. And wherever the journey takes us, the right place to stay can make all the difference.

So it's all aboard and PodVoyage!

We are delighted to be partnering up with the Spanish Tourism Office for our new Ambassadors for Spain series - Every week we will interview some terrific Irish guests who have made Spain their home.  We will get their unique perspective and the insiders track on what to do and see in each region from Valencia to Murcia, from Tenerife to Galicia.   In the Podcast you will hear about incredible Irish connections to Spain and where to go for the best value tapas and discover where all the locals like to go....plus some great tips on our Ambassadors favourite beaches and top sights not to miss in each area.   Today we start off the series with the editor of The Valencian Magazine,  Eugene Costello.   Two decades of bold development have given Spain’s third largest city some of the most striking architecture in the country, adding to the wealth of elegant Art Nouveau buildings that line the streets, as well as Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance monuments.   Located by the sea and surrounded by Mediterranean  style market gardens makes Valencia one of the top places in Spain for eating out.  It has a flourishing restaurant scene and gastronomic events all year round.  Don't miss the Aqua de Valencia.  www.spain.info

PodVoyage is brought to you in association with Hilton
Discover thousands of the most unique hotels in the world and uncover unexpected stays that leave you wondering: Is this Hilton? 
Hilton.com

From iconic city hotels to beautiful resorts around the world, Hilton has been welcoming travellers for more than a century. And wherever the journey takes us, the right place to stay can make all the difference.

So it's all aboard and PodVoyage!

With many people travelling over Christmas, we answer the question on everyone's mind - do you need to quarantine if you show a negative PCR test on arrival in Ireland? We make sense of the new EU Traffic Light system for travel and discuss why a trip to the Canary Islands might be the best chance of some winter sun. We also talk about some great ideas for holidaying at home over the festive season, and the super hotel deals that are available from January - April in Ireland. 

Email your travel questions and stories to [email protected]
You can follow Ed and Sarah on twitter and Instagram - @edfinntravel and @travelexpert_IE and the_travel_expert.
We want to hear what you think about the show so please leave us a review on apple podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-travel-lounge/id1508525049 
Subscribe to our podcast so you never miss exclusive content, and the latest updates.

PodVoyage is brought to you in association with Hilton
Discover thousands of the most unique hotels in the world and uncover unexpected stays that leave you wondering: Is this Hilton? 
Hilton.com

From iconic city hotels to beautiful resorts around the world, Hilton has been welcoming travellers for more than a century. And wherever the journey takes us, the right place to stay can make all the difference.

So it's all aboard and PodVoyage!

This week we chat about the latest update to Ireland's farcical Green List, why we need testing at our airports and ports, as well as ideas for daycations in Dublin. With travel restrictions in place for Dubliners, we chat about how best to be a tourist in our hometown. Ed chats about his recent stay in The Wilder and Sarah about some family days out in Dublin. We also have some inspiration for outdoor dining in the capital.


Email your travel questions and stories to [email protected]
You can follow Ed and Sarah on twitter and Instagram - @edfinntravel and @travelexpert_IE and the_travel_expert.
We want to hear what you think about the show so please leave us a review on apple podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-travel-lounge/id1508525049 
Subscribe to our podcast so you never miss exclusive content, and the latest updates.

PodVoyage is brought to you in association with Hilton
Discover thousands of the most unique hotels in the world and uncover unexpected stays that leave you wondering: Is this Hilton? 
Hilton.com

From iconic city hotels to beautiful resorts around the world, Hilton has been welcoming travellers for more than a century. And wherever the journey takes us, the right place to stay can make all the difference.

So it's all aboard and PodVoyage!

This week we visit the enchanting county of Kilkenny. Steeped in history, with beautiful countryside and an amazing food scene, Kilkenny has got it all. Back from recent staycations in Kilkenny, Ed and Sarah talk about staying in Mount Juliet and Lyrath Estate, both 5-star luxury hotels. They also chat about the many activities available in Kilkenny including Falconry and canoeing, as well as its top attractions such as Kilkenny Castle, Woodstock Gardens, Highbank Orchards and Jerpoint Abbey. Sarah faces her fears on Ireland's longest zipline in Castlecomer Discovery Park while Ed samples all the culinary delights of Kilkenny. 

Email your travel questions and stories to [email protected]
You can follow Ed and Sarah on twitter and Instagram - @edfinntravel and @travelexpert_IE and the_travel_expert.
We want to hear what you think about the show so please leave us a review on apple podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-travel-lounge/id1508525049 
Subscribe to our podcast so you never miss exclusive content, and the latest updates.

PodVoyage is brought to you in association with Hilton
Discover thousands of the most unique hotels in the world and uncover unexpected stays that leave you wondering: Is this Hilton? 
Hilton.com

From iconic city hotels to beautiful resorts around the world, Hilton has been welcoming travellers for more than a century. And wherever the journey takes us, the right place to stay can make all the difference.

So it's all aboard and PodVoyage!

“Families across Ireland who booked their summer holidays months ago, before the Covid-19 pandemic ever arrived, have been left in limbo.  "They don't know if they will be permitted to travel or whether they will lose thousands of euro that they have already spent. “The government is giving people no answers. “As other European countries are preparing to welcome tourists later this summer, those who arrive on our shores from overseas are being told to self-isolate for 14 days.   Staying nearer home we discover Ireland's Munster Vales - This is authentic Irish country life, charming villages and vibrant market towns, restaurants, shops, bars and cafés, wonderful accommodations where the breakfast is as hearty as the welcome. Experience legendary Irish evenings, packed full of story and song. Live Ireland in the Munster Vales. - www.munstervales.com

Email your travel questions and stories to [email protected]
You can follow Ed and Sarah on twitter and Instagram - @edfinntravel and @travelexpert_IE and the_travel_expert.
We want to hear what you think about the show so please leave us a review on apple podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-travel-lounge/id1508525049 
Subscribe to our podcast so you never miss exclusive content, and the latest updates.

PodVoyage is brought to you in association with Hilton
Discover thousands of the most unique hotels in the world and uncover unexpected stays that leave you wondering: Is this Hilton? 
Hilton.com

From iconic city hotels to beautiful resorts around the world, Hilton has been welcoming travellers for more than a century. And wherever the journey takes us, the right place to stay can make all the difference.

So it's all aboard and PodVoyage!

While the coronavirus pandemic has all but devastated the travel industry, most experts agree that travel will rebound — it's just a question of when.  Major airlines have made it clear that losing business for summer is now a challenge to their very survival.  Airlines are scrambling to get travellers flying again, and both airlines and airports are rethinking their safety and health regulations to earn passengers' trust and avoid the virus' spread.  Today we are joined by two guests Matt Tarrant from Qatar Airways and Siobhán O' Donnell from the DAA to discuss how flying and Airports will change forever.  Qatar's inflight crew now wear full-body personal protective equipment suits as well as safety goggles, gloves, and masks.  Matt tells us that this is "to provide even greater reassurance to customers in addition to enhanced hygienic measures already in place."  We wouldn't be surprised if other airlines started adopting similar measures. 

Email your travel questions and queries to [email protected]
You can follow Ed and Sarah on twitter and Instagram - @edfinntravel and @travelexpert_IE and the_travel_expert.  We want to hear what you think about the show so please do leave us a review on apple podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-travel-lounge/id1508525049 
Subscribe to our podcast and you will receive all our exclusive content plus the latest updates and tips.  

PodVoyage is brought to you in association with Hilton
Discover thousands of the most unique hotels in the world and uncover unexpected stays that leave you wondering: Is this Hilton? 
Hilton.com

From iconic city hotels to beautiful resorts around the world, Hilton has been welcoming travellers for more than a century. And wherever the journey takes us, the right place to stay can make all the difference.

So it's all aboard and PodVoyage!