The Solomon Islands has a lot of offer and is just a short hop from Brisbane. The diving and fishing are incredible, as is the WW11 history. Alistair Smith talks to Richard Skewes from Solomon Islands Tourism about its many highlights.

Kristin Henning takes a small ship cruise covering the inner passage of Southeast Alaska. The expedition style cruise, under 200 passengers, includes a day in Glacier Bay National Park (where glaciers filled these valleys only 250 years ago), the historic city of Sitka (once capital of the Russian settlements here) Petersburg (a Norwegian fishing town) and everywhere, signs of the Huna Tlingit [Hoo-nah Kling-git) native cultures.

American Cruise Lines Alaskan Explorer https://www.americancruiselines.com/cruises/alaska-cruises/alaskan-explorer-2026-cruise

https://travelpast50.com/sailing-alaska-inner-passage-small-ship-cruise/

Photo by Kris Henning - Glacier Bay Totem

Mitsui Ocean Cruises is a Japanese owned cruise company with two five-star ships, including the Mitsui Ocean Sakura which begins her cruising life in September. Helen Hayes cruised in and out of Kobe on Mitsui Ocean Fuji in July, and gives her thoughts on why this is a wonderful way to explore Japan.

Visit cruisetraveller.com.au; kobe-meriken.or.jp/en/

This is the latest episode f Travel Writers Radio, produced and presented by members of PALAT, The Professional Association of Lifestyle and Travel Writers. Noe in ts 13th year, the multi-award winning podcast and broadcast i heard first on J-SIR, Melbourne's 88FM.

Rhanks for listening

Latest - Travel Writers Radio News 26 Aug 2026 by Travel Writers Radio produced by the Professional Associatioon of Lifestyle and TravelWriters (PALAT)

Epsiode 488 of Travel Writers Radio has landed. Hear the latest in human interest stories about lifestyle and travel produced and presented by PALAT - the Professional Association of Lifestyle and Travel Writers. Our multi-award winning show has nw been running more than 12 years as a broadcast and a podcast. Thanks for listening, wherever you are in the world.

Graeme Kemlo updates listeners on Travel Writers Radio's third consecutive win in the LUXLife hospitality awards from the UK's AI Global Media group.

Following awards in 2024 and 2025, this year the show was recognised as the Leading Lifestyle and Travel Broadcaster 2026 - Australia.

On behalf of our team we thank the organisers and also sincere thanks to our listeners around Australia and across the world.

Keeley Warren, our award-winning correspondent from Valencia Spain speaks with Ged Brown from Low Season Traveller about low-season travel, why it matters for local communities and places, and how travelling out of season can offer richer, more meaningful experiences for visitors. They unpack the challenges that arise when most people visit during a few specific months of the year, discuss examples of places that are designing tourism to attract visitors outside peak times, and highlight the advantages of travelling in the low season. More information: lowseasontraveller.com

Image supplied.

Recently in Geelong, Graeme Kemlo met Tamara Chalmers, who is the Director of Campus Experience at Deakin University’s four Victorian campuses. A decision to bring catering in-house rather than outsource it for students and staff led to the development of hospitality businesses for the University, including the Waterfront Pantry, a restaurant, functions and event space open for the corporate market and the general public in a prime position on the shore of Corio Bay and right next to Geelong's new convention centre, Nyaal Banyul

Across Australia, medieval festivals, living history events, Renaissance fairs, historical combat tournaments and immersive re-enactment experiences are drawing growing crowds, with travellers seeking more than a destination - they want to step into another world. Helen Hayes speaks with Suzy Bohan of Moreton Bay Tourism about their award-winning Abbey Medieval Festival

Visit visitmoretonbay.com.au