We have all heard the saying that food is medicine. Well we have an example here in Adelaide where Food writer and chef Dianne Mattsson prepares special meals for those whose health situations require very special dietary approaches. And it is timely with AFL figure Neale Daniher being named Australian of the Year for raising $100 million to research motor neuron disease (MND) , not for himself but for thousands of other sufferers. Dianne is working with the families and health care advisors to produce special meals for a client with MND and other chronic illnesses.

Photo credit: Paige Mattsson

Carolyne Jasinski, who is a frequent cruiser and often a guest lecturer on cruise ships, gives Part 2 of her tips and traps for cruise newbies. Speaking with Graeme Kemlo, she covers onboard sales, getting the right insurance cover and where to find discount cruises due to relocation of vessels. She provided these links:

Each cruise line will list their own deals or you can check sites like cruisecritic.com, bestpricecruises.com, cruiseweb.com or repositioningcruise.com

Cunard boldy lists them as the Best repositioning cruises at https://www.celebritycruises.com/popular-cruises/repositioning-cruises

Norwegian cruise line: https://www.ncl.com/au/en/cruises-to/repositioning-cruises

Or websites like https://www.bestpricecruises.com/cruise/deals/to/Repositioning will compare different cruise lines.

https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/articles/best-repositioning-cruises?stay=1&posfrom=1

https://www.repositioningcruise.com

https://cruiseweb.com/destinations/cruise-repositioning

On a famil to Japan, Carmen Jenner dived into the tradition of bathing in an onsen and wondered how many other professions promote getting naked with your colleagues. Her interview also revealed how listeners can win free and direct flights with ANA to Japan by following this link: https://www.linkdtourism.com/jnto-ana-flight-competition/. Carmen also shared her experience of visiting the Ehime and Hiroshima prefectures, including Ozu, a historic town in the Ehime Prefecture often known as Little Kyoto, which was saved from destruction until Nipponia/VMG Hotels saved the day with the restoration of numerous buildings including Ozu Castle, one of the few castles in Japan where guests can spend the night. To read more about Carmen’s adventures, head to The Ripple Effect in Japan (Have A Go News), Hiroshima: Uncovering Peace in this Must Visit Japanese City (Onya Magazine) and ANA Flight Review: All Nippon Airways Sparks Joy in the Sky, especially if you win free tickets (www.fluffytowel.com). And if you’re in Perth on 15th March, please check out the Perth Japan Festival.

Photo:: Dogo Onsen - Japan Tourism

In association with its annual industry event staged in Melbourne at this time each year, Melbourne Convention Bureau published a report this year on the impact of business events on the city over the past decade. Graeme Kemlo, who has been covering the business events sector of the tourism industry for the past 20 years or so, attends AIME each year. Hear he spells out the key elements of the report, which say Melbourne has received an economic contribution of more than $2.34 billion over the past 10 years as a result of MCB delivering 1620 business events, the majority of which have been staged at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Cente beside the Yarra River. MCEC is also a venue for many consumer events, from trade fairs to concerts and cultural activities, including its exclusive Lume digital art installation. The full report is available from the Bureau website:melbournecb.com.au

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Graeme Kemlo and Carolyne Jasinski reminisce about Adelaide's famous Pie Floater - an Aussie meat pie served in mushy pea soup with tomato sauce (ketchup) that used to be popular after night clubbing. But where is the famous dispensary - the pie cart - and what has happened to the local "delicacy" now? Carolyne promises to track it down and share this unique culinary experience.

In the lead-up to Australasia’s largest gathering of people in the business events industry – AIME - we discover how helping to protect the Great Barrier Reef and rainforests of Tropical North Queensland can win business from local and international clients. Graeme Kemlo, who will be at AIME, speaks to Tara Bennett from the Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region convention bureau. Tara’s been out planting 1000 trees with her colleagues to restore some of the native habitat of the tree kangaroo.

Photo: Tara Bennett tree planting (suppied)

Chinese New Year is being celebrated all around the world. Mike Smith tells us that 2025 - the Year of the Snake - will be an exciting fruitful year, especially for those born under that sign. They are determined, wise and particularly fiery.

Photo: Mike Smith: New Year Celebrations in Macau

Kristin Henning's recent trip to Sweden took an unexpected and emotional turn. She found some public records about her late grandfather and, in following these clues, she ended up at the house he grew up in.

It has opened her eyes, and heart, to new reasons to travel ... following in the footsteps of your ancestors.

Photo: Henning ancestral home.

Kristin and Tom are returning to Scandinavia in September this year, leading a small group tour covering cities and countryside of Sweden and Norway. Nine spots remain on the tour!

Visit TravelPast50.com. or follow the link: https://travelpast50.com/Scandinaviatour

After many, many cruises, Carolyne Jasinski has accumulated a host of tips and tricks to make exploring the seven seas easier ... and cheaper. Tune in for the details.

Photo: Don't get taken for a ride on your cruise