Beach Travel Wine Podcast

In this episode we are revisiting the third largest city in Spain - Valencia the City of Arts and Sciences and we are taking you exploring the city with us. Firstly we go to the beautifully decorated train station which is next to the bullring and we even take you inside the bull ring and to the toilet which is just one of the funny stories in this episode. Then it's on to a tuk tuk ride with us all over the city. We go through the city gates, across the stunning flower bridge, to the world famous Arts and Science museum before arriving at the marina where the 2007 America's Cup was held. Come with us as we tell about a great a day trip you can do to the popular Port Saplaya and Beach which is known as Valencia's little Venice. We share where you can take a boat ride through the Albufera Natural Park and then explore El Saler Beach where I share the story of Lyle being completely smashed and dumped in the surf - haha. Listen as we dance the night away at a local salsa club – well we had a go at dancing salsa. To this day this remains one of our favourite memories of not just Valencia but Spain. Stay listening to the end to hear all about the Spanish Elvis that was our entertainment for our last night in Valencia – and you even get to hear him sing Viva Espana So much fun and so much to see in Valencia – so please enjoy episode 99. If you would like to see all the pictures and one page guide to Valencia then click this link www.beachtravelwine.com/99/valencia

Hola, y benivenidos.  This week we are revisiting our podcast all about Seville in Andalucia, Spain. Seville is many people’s favourite Spanish city and after this episode you will see why. Walk with us through the magnificent Alcazar with its stunning interior and gardens that were part of the Game of Thrones series.  Next, we wander inside the world famous Sevilla Basilica, with the huge tower that I made Lyle climb to take some photos. We walk through the old town, visit some authentic tapas bars where my limited Spanish came in very handy. There is music everywhere you wander through Sevilla, which makes the atmosphere is incredible. We share some funny stories from our horse and carriage ride clip clopping around the main sights of Seville. Listen as we take you strolling along the beautiful river at sunset that runs through the middle of Sevilla. Stay listening to the end when we share one of the most stunning places in Sevilla, so stunning in fact that we went back at night as the sun was setting. You can see our beautiful pictures by clicking the link to episode 98 here. www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/98/sevillePlease enjoy episode 98

In this week’s episode we are sharing with you all about our cruise to the South Pacific Islands of New Caledonia and Mystery Island, Vanuatu. These islands are every bit as idyllic as you can imagine and you will learn all about what activities you can do like swimming with the turtles and what you need to know before and during a visit to these island paradises. After our island escapades we then share why the Quantum of the Seas is an absolute favourite cruise ship for families.  You will hear about the activities on board that kids of all ages can do, including surfing, skydiving, rock climbing and believe it or not – dodgem cars plus all day ice cream and hotdogs. Stay listening to the end when we give you some quick fun facts about the Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas cruise ship before revealing our honest opinions of what we really thought about our first cruise experience together. Please enjoy episode 97 and don’t forget if you want to see all the pictures from this episode click here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/97/cruise

Hello and welcome to episode 96. We are still cruising on the Quantum of the Seas in the south pacific.  In this episode we are going to share all about the many food options, the fabulous and not so fabulous shows and entertainers and activities on the ship. Listen as I laugh out loud as Lyle admits to a hilarious counting error.  You will hear all about how we crashed (or rather our friend) gate-crashed a karaoke night with Sweet Caroline and the Von Trapp family and what exactly happened at the hypnotist show – as the same friend took to the stage and entertained the whole crowd. Stay listening to hear about what we thought was going to be totally ridiculous, but actually turned out to be our absolute favourite thing to do on the ship. We couldn’t get enough of this crazy fun activity and I would go cruising again just to do this. We finish this week’s podcast with a little singalong with Lyle and I serenading you. Please enjoy Episode 96 and if you want to see all the photos from this episode then click on the link here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/96/cruise

In today’s episode we are giving you all the information about cruising on the royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas ship. We sailed out of Brisbane Australia on a 7 day South Pacific Island cruise. This is the first cruise I have done as a passenger and the first one for Lyle in over 30 years – so we have all the helpful info you need if you are thinking about cruising for the first time – or if you just love everything about cruising, or even if you’re not sure cruising is for you. We tell you all the answers to the most asked questions and also give you some really helpful hints that we learnt in our week on board. You will also hear the best cruise story ever – as I said, I had never cruised as a passenger, but I did work on a cruise ship 14 years ago – and I’m not going to give anything else away – only to say I bet you have NEVER done a cruise like the one I did in March 2010!  If you want to see all the pictures from this week’s episode then click the link to the webpage for episode 95 here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/95/cruise

In this week's bonus episode we are sharing a fun interview we did with Randy from The Informed Traveler podcast. We talk all abour Queensland Australia and in particular the area of south east Queensland, including, the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. We have a whole series on Australia - Aussie Summer Series that you can find here www.beachtravelwine.com/australia If you would like to hear more from Randy you can find him at www.theinformedtraveler.org

Crikey – this week we are taking you to the iconic Australia Zoo! As wild as life gets. Come with us as we walk over 10,000 steps and visit as much of the zoo as we can in a day. Firstly though, for all those people out there who think Australia is full of things that can kill you – we visit the Robert’s reptile house where we see at least half of the deadliest snakes IN THE WORLD. We take you to see Australia’s unique wildlife including wombats, koalas, wallabies, echidnas, kangaroos, emus, and did I mention deadly snakes? Oh and don’t forget the giant crocodiles. We make it to the Tiger Temple just in time to see the tiger show, and then past the elephants having a bath and dinner in the lake. Of course we go to Bindy’s Island where there are Lemurs swinging through the trees,  boa constrictors in the tree house, and tortoises just munching their way around the island. Next up is Africa, where we learnt some fascinating facts about zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, rhinos and my favourite – Meerkats. We tell you as much as we can about the facilities at the zoo as well all the shows and feeding times. We also share the story of Steve Irwin and about the stunning memorial they have to honour him at the zoo. Stay listening to the end to hear how brave we were (and that’s a total exaggeration) as we recorded live in different locations around the zoo where wewere stalked by water dragons -which if you can believe it - wander freelyaround the zoo and are as scary as they sound. If you wouldlike to see all the pictures of took of the zoo and animals –including thedangerous snakes – then click on the link to episode 93 here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/93/australiazoo Hope you enjoy our wild exploration of Australia Zoo.

This week we travel to the world famous Noosa Heads where we take you from the stunning main beach of Noosa to the most beautiful headland walk in the world. I mean where else can you see dolphins swimming in crystal clear water on one side of a hiking track and at the same time look up and see koalas in the trees? After that we take you wandering down the famous main street - Hastings Street - and give you an overview of the glamorous shops, restaurants and bars along the way. We were excited to take a day trip to Habitat Noosa which is a nature lovers delight.  You start at Lake Cootharaba and take a leisurely boat ride through one of only two everglades in the world. The Noosa Everglades is so beautiful, relaxing and quiet and you can definitely capture some amazing photos in the reflective waters.  After the cruise you can try one of their special artesian craft beers in the restaurant and outdoor dining area. Stay listening to the end to hear all about Lyle’s participation in the world renown Noosa Triathlon and also the main reason we love Noosa so much and I'm positive you won't guess what that is. Click here to see all the one page summary with pictures, links and maps for this episode: www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/92/noosa

This week we went somewhere on the Sunshine Coast where neither of us had been before. We visited the little historic town of Yandina. We have both passed through Yandina before, but never stopped to have a look around. It is home to one of Queensland’s oldest pubs and railway stations.  You can also find some funky cafes, restaurants and some gorgeous shops in the small main street area.  In Yandina you will also find -  as one reviewer says - “the finest restaurant in the world”.  They are talking about the well loved Spirit House. After we filled up at one of the popular cafes, we headed to the famous Ginger Factory.  It is one of the most visited attractions on the Sunshine Coast.  We wander around, find the Gruffalo, sit under 1000 rainbow umbrellas and tell you all about the gardens, Morton the original steam train, the indoor boat ride, plus heaps more. Unfortunately we weren’t hungry so we didn’t enjoy a ginger scone or ginger icecream. Maybe next time. Lastly we drive 15 minutes to the popular beachside town of Coolum Beach.  Coolum has the longest, flattest, widest beach on the Sunshine Coast and is very popular for surfing. It is unspoilt and the place to go if you want a relaxing beachside holiday without all the distractions.  We give you all the info from our vantage spot on the balcony of the Coolum Beach Surf Club.  It’s a tough life, but someone has to do it. Stay listening to the end to hear what birthday present I bought for Lyle at Coolum and the popular mountain that the locals love to climb – but is actually the second biggest rock in the world – after Uluru. If you would like to see the one page summary with links and the pictures I took while out and about recording this podcast – then click here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/91/coolum

This week we are going to Maleny and hiking around two very unique areas in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.  We visit a large protected rainforest area which is full of wildlife (including snakes) and some endangered species as well as the cute little pademelons you can easily see jumping around the rainforest undergrowth. Oh pademelons are little wallabies by the way. Next we go walking around a 110 acre tropical paradise garden and bird sanctuary.  This area used to be a cattle farm and is now completely transformed to be one of, if not the most beautiful places on the Sunshine Coast. This is the where you can see the best views of the iconic Glass House Mountains (which are actually 13 unusually shaped ancient volcanic vents that dominate the landscape) There are tropical gardens, ponds and lakes, waterfalls, oriental gardens, rotundas dotted everywhere, plus so much more.  It is truly beautiful.  The bird sanctuary was started to house rescue birds and there are four walk-through aviaries where you can have an interactive experience with the birds from all over the world. There is even one parrot that sings opera and Old Macdonald had a farm. Stay listening to the end though, where I literally scream and escape over the fence from the miniature animals in the farm enclosure and then while I have a chat   -  up close and personal with a red-tailed black cockatoo. Advanced warning though– he is very vocal. We tell you about Maleny, the pretty little town that you can visit just a few kilometres away from these stunning places and the best accommodation and venues to eat while you are visiting. This episode is so full of nature, beauty and wildlife with the background chorus from the rainforest, birds and insects. If you would like to see the pictures I took while visiting this stunning area – then click here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/90/maleny