In this episode, Stephen Scourfield chats with Penny Thomas about the Kumano Kodo trail in Japan, which is one of only two UNESCO-recognised pilgrimage routes in the world. Nestled in the heart of Japan’s Kii Peninsula, the series of trails weave through lush forests, towering mountains and sacred shrines and temples that have lured emperors, monks and pilgrims to the region for over 1,000 years. Whether you’re captivated by its spiritual significance, stunning natural landscapes, or the...

In this episode of The Pod Well Travelled, host Penny Thomas sits down with seasoned travel writers Stephen Scourfield and Mogens Johansen to discuss the world of river cruising. From Europe’s iconic waterways to the hidden treasures of Asia, Stephen and Mogens share insider tips on top destinations and itineraries, including unique experiences that only river cruises can offer. With practical advice for first-time cruisers, they discuss what to consider when choosing a cruise: how boat...

Join Writing WA CEO Will Yeoman for a special crossover episode of Podstreet and The Pod Well Travelled. During the show, Will chats with Mark Pybus, the passionate hiker and founder behind The Life of Py. From his first trek across Costa Rica to the diverse landscapes of the Warren River Loop and Cape Le Grand Coastal Trail, Mark shares his journey into hiking and his passion for Western Australia’s natural beauty. Tune in as they discuss his popular guidebooks, the rise in hiking...

Join Penny Thomas, Megan French and Stephen Scourfield as they explore October’s biggest travel trends. Stephen kicks off the show with highlights from the National Travel Industry Awards in Sydney, where he shares stories from the night and celebrates some of the well-deserved winners. From there, the team dives into the latest industry happenings — from ALDI’s surprise launch of holiday packages and Uber’s new safari experiences, to insights on the cultural challenges plaguing Boeing....

On this week’s episode, the travel team discuss different ways to dive deeper into local cultures and create more meaningful travel moments. Stephen Scourfield shares his fascinating experience with the women divers of Jeju Island from his recent visit to South Korea. While Penny Thomas tells us about a spontaneous encounter at an izakaya in Tokyo. We also hear about a hands-on workshop Penny did in the scenic mountain village of Yoshino in Japan’s Nara Prefecture. Plus, Megan French...

For some travellers, planning a trip to Europe can be stressful, confusing and overwhelming. So, for today’s episode of The Pod Well Travelled, we’re breaking it all down for you.  From how to score the best travel deals, to popular destinations and even which countries offer the most bang for your buck, we’ve got all the tips to make your upcoming European adventure a stress-free experience.  During the show, we mention Stephen Scourfield’s recent European Guide that was published in The...

From building schools in remote villages to conserving wildlife habitats, volunteer tourism promises to be an enriching way to travel. But how can you be sure the work you’re doing is really helping? During today’s show, we cover the key things you need to know when it comes to travelling with a purpose, like how to choose responsible programs, the impact of the work you’re doing, plus the personal rewards and challenges of this growing trend. We also hear from Valentina Raffel, who shares...

On this week’s episode, Penny Thomas, Megan French and Stephen Scourfield recap the recent Jackets Of The World exhibition, which took place in Fremantle last month and featured over 50 hand-sewn jackets from Stephen’s travels. During the show, we also hear a special live recording from the event, where Stephen performed a moving piece about Africa accompanied by the captivating rhythms of musician and composer Steve Richter. Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get your podcasts...

Earlier this month, Old Customs House in Fremantle was transformed into a vibrant gallery for Stephen Scourfield’s Jackets Of The World exhibition, which featured an impressive collection of hand-sewn denim jackets that Stephen stitched together with fabrics, tapestries and other bits and bobs he’s collected from his travels. As part of the two-day event, The Pod Well Travelled hosts Penny Thomas and Megan French recorded a live Q&A session with Stephen, where they answered questions...

In a new episode of The Pod Well Travelled, hosts Penny Thomas and Megan French chime into the airport hotel conversation. Penny shares her experience staying at the Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport hotel — Victoria’s most significant hotel development being the first new-build internationally branded hotel to open at Melbourne Airport in two decades. The duo also discuss what factors make an airport hotel not just good but great, and debate if a bathtub truly is a hotel travel...

Packing too much. Packing too little. Forgetting to label your case. Toiletries exploding. Leaving it to the last minute. Using the wrong bag. These are packing mistakes we’re all guilty of at some point, no matter how experienced a traveller we are. But sometimes you just have to learn the hard way. Tune into the latest episode of The Pod Well Travelled’s Packing Series with co-hosts Penny Thomas and Megan French as they explore the contentious topic of packing mistakes, confessing their...

The Pod Well Travelled team Penny Thomas, Stephen Scourfield and Megan French tackle the great outdoors in a new episode of their Packing Series. Penny seeks packing tips ahead of her trip to Japan to hike one of the world’s premier spiritual roads — the Kumano Kodō, ancient pilgrimage routes which crisscross the Kii Peninsula. Outdoors-man travel editor Stephen and fashion writer Megan present a brief overview on the history of outdoor gear and how fabrications evolved as popularity for...

On this week’s episode of The Pod Well Travelled, the team reveal their must-have devices for staying connected, entertained and organised when travelling. Join Penny Thomas, Stephen Scourfield and Megan French as they discuss everything from compact power banks and travel adaptors to smart luggage, e-readers and more. Whether you’re gearing up for a weekend getaway or a long-haul adventure, this episode will help you pack like a pro. + Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get...

This week on our dedicated travel podcast, hosts Penny Thomas and Megan French are joined by The West’s TV editor and columnist Clare Rigden, who recently returned from a big European adventure. As a self-confessed bargain hunter, Clare tells us about the cheap travel accessories she bought from a popular online store that is renowned for selling almost every product imaginable for dramatically low prices. During the show, we get Clare’s honest opinion on the budget-friendly items she took...

Fresh from exploring Australia’s Coral Coast on a four-day road trip, travel writer Penny Thomas chats with fashion writer and stylist Megan French about her trip and the basic travel essentials she took with her. They also discuss their favourite things to listen to during a long drive, why you should always double-check you have everything before you head off on an adventure, the importance of having roadside assistance, and why you should always know how to change a tyre. Subscribe to...

This week The Pod Well Travelled sets off on a journey to explore two trends taking flight in the travel industry. Expert photographer Mogens Johansen and travel editor Stephen Scourfield chat to host Megan French about the concepts of “second city” travel and destination dupes — from prioritising a “more authentic” experience to stretching your wallet even further abroad and building genuine connections. Plus, Stephen is challenged to a “quick-fire question” round disclosing his top...

The West’s travel editor Stephen Scourfield and our expert photographer Mogens Johansen return to the studio for the latest episode in our new Packing Series about photography gear. Joined by hosts Penny Thomas and Megan French, the team share their favourite camera brands and models, the type of equipment they use when on assignment, and they reveal the tips and tricks they’ve picked up over the years. Mogens also references a couple of photography-related stories he’s written for our...

This week on our dedicated travel podcast, the travel team launch an exciting new Packing Series to help you pack smarter, travel lighter and say goodbye to any luggage-related woes you might come up against when packing. For the first episode of the new series, Stephen Scourfield, Penny Thomas and Megan French discuss their packing essentials for long-haul flights, and the practical tips they've learned during their travels. Throughout the show, Stephen explains why ultra long-haul flights...

On this week’s episode, host Stephen Scourfield chats to Penny Thomas and Mogens Johansen about one of their favourite places in South-East Asia: Cambodia. Join the team as they share personal stories from their travels around Cambodia, highlighting the country’s rich culture, history and cuisine. Penny tells us about a seven-day food tour she recently did with Intrepid Travel that involved sampling plenty of local delicacies -- including rat! We also hear from Mogens who describes what it...

On this week's episode, Megan French and Penny Thomas discuss the top art galleries and museums they’ve visited, and the ones they plan to visit in the future. They also reflect on how art galleries and museums can enrich travel experiences, especially if you are someone who likes to seek out a deeper connection with the destination you're visiting. Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends. Sign up for eTravel via...

On this week’s episode, The West’s travel editor Stephen Scourfield reports from France’s Juno Beach in Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.  During the show, Stephen reflects on the complex and brazen operation that unfolded on D-Day, the bravery of the soldiers involved in the mission and how it was a turning point in WWII. We also hear about Normandy’s Viking history and William the Conqueror’s legacy. + Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get your podcasts — and share...

In this week's episode, special guest Will Yeoman from Writing WA returns to The Pod Well Travelled to chat about literary-inspired travel destinations with fashion writer and stylist Megan French and travel editor Stephen Scourfield.  From the Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth to Dylan Thomas' writing shed in Wales, join the trio of bookworms as they dive into their favourite literary hotspots.  During the show, they discuss top writing festivals around the world including the iconic Hay...

On this week’s episode, Penny Thomas and Megan French chat with Perth businessman Jeff Robson about his new book, The Traveling Trainer. Throughout the show, we hear about Jeff’s passion for rock climbing, how he turned his love for travelling into a career and why he decided to publish a book about it. Jeff also tells us about the far-flung destinations he’s visited because of his career, including places like Islamabad in Pakistan, Tehran in Iran and Angola in Africa — just to name a...

On this week’s episode of The Pod Well Travelled, our travel team delves into the best destinations to visit in the latter half of 2024. We kick off the episode by reflecting on the year so far, discussing the most popular hotspots that have been buzzing with travellers. Later on in the program, we share a list of places where prospective travellers can still book trips this year without encountering overwhelming crowds. We also explore the places where you can maximise your budget thanks...