In this special bonus episode of Trip Notes, the Herald Travel team is once again looking for New Zealand's Best Beach - this time with support from Fruju, NZ's favourite ice block. To get the ideas ball rolling, NZ Herald Lifestyle and Travel editor Stephanie Holmes is joined by Celebrity Treasure Island finalist Turia Schmidt-Peke, and Small Town Scandal host Tom Sainsbury, to get their ideas. To nominate and vote, head to nzherald.co.nz/bestbeach See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

It’s been a while since you’ve heard from us here at Trip Notes, but we are back for a special bonus episode thanks to New Zealand’s favourite ice cream Tip Top in order to celebrate New Zealand’s Best Beach! But we need your help – we want you to tell us your favourite beaches around Aotearoa as part of the Herald’s Best Beach campaign.  We last crowned a winner back in 2021, when Ōhope voted New Zealand’s best beach. Now we’re letting Kiwis pick their favourites once again, and this year,...

Trip Notes is proud to present the first episode of the new travel podcast miniseries from NZH Travel's Thomas Bywater. In the first episode of this seven-part series, Bywater explores the mysteries of Antarctica while stuck on a cruise ship at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. You can find all episodes of Detour: Antarctica at nzherald.co.nz/detour, or on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

How do you run a travel magazine when you can't travel? Somehow, despite the world being shut off for the last 18 months, the NZ Herald Travel magazine has been able to not only survive, but also thrive and become an award-winning magazine. But we're not going to lie - it's been a tough road. In our final episode of this season's Trip Notes travel podcast, travel writer Juliette Sivertsen, Deputy Editor Maggie Wicks and Editor Stephanie Holmes take a look down memory lane, and chat about...

"I came back to Milford Sound because I couldn't get the shape of the landscape out of my head; those glacier-carved mountains plunging toward deep green water, the lichen and moss hugging the faces of giants who seemed to lean in and admire their faces in the deep stillness." Actor and writer Michelle Langstone is rarely lost for words - except when she tries to describe the beauty of Milford Sound. In this episode of our Trip Notes travel podcast, NZ Herald Travel Editor Stephanie Holmes...

What do you remember about family holidays growing up? From being piled in to clunky old cars, to what felt like endless hours on the road, family road trips can make up some of our strongest childhood memories. Join NZ Herald Travel Editor Stephanie Holmes and writers Juliette Sivertsen and Karl Puschmann as we discuss family travel memories, as well as tips and advice for planning a road trip with the kids in tow. Read Karl's story, Remembering The Classic Kiwi Road Trip, here:...

How do you prepare for an adventure holiday? From skiing getaways and hiking trips to intense Coast to Coast multi sport adventure tours, adventure travel is as much of a mental battle as it is a physical challenge. In this episode of Trip Notes, join NZ Herald Travel Editor Stephanie Holmes and her writers Juliette Sivertsen and Maggie Wicks as they discuss their most active adventures in New Zealand and abroad, including the Jordan Trail and through Italy's Cinque Terre. Listen to what...

What makes a luxury holiday so... luxurious? Be it a city hotel or remote lodge, staying in luxury accommodation is often about bespoke service as well as exquisite amenities and fine dining. In this week’s episode of Trip Notes, NZ Herald Travel Editor Stephanie Holmes is joined by writers Juliette Sivertsen and Greg Bruce to discuss their most luxurious stays in New Zealand and abroad - and what sets those places apart. Hear about what went on behind the scenes at Greg Bruce’s stay at...

Ever wish you could just get away from it all? The Travel team loves going to truly remote places, and this week, we're covering our favourites. Listen to Maggie Wicks' story about 'podhopping' her way around the South Island, staying in the truly remote PurePods in Kaikoura, Waipara Valley and the Banks Peninsula. Then join Maggie, travel writer Juliette Sivertsen, and travel editor Stephanie Holmes discussing their favourite far-out destinations, and whether it's scary to stay far from...

What's the best part of travelling? Deciding where you're going to eat, of course! In this week's episode of Trip Notes, New Zealand Herald Travel Editor Stephanie Holmes is joined by writers Juliette Sivertsen and Simon Wilson who talk about their favourite foodie experiences from New Zealand and around the world. From childhood memories of fish and chips on the beach, to Michelin-star restaurants in Europe, to the strangest things we've ever eaten, the team will whet your appetite for...

We're back! Trip Notes returns and this week we're talking love, romance - and how travel can help mend a broken heart. To kick off, Travel Editor Stephanie Holmes reveals all - a breakup, a holiday fling, and a new relationship. Then the Travel team weighs in on all the places they've experienced holiday romance and romantic disappointment. This episode takes us to Paris, Sydney, New Orleans, Jerusalem, Taumarunui, Hawke's Bay, Venice and beyond - all from the comfort of your couch or...

Facing a milestone birthday, Travel Editor Stephanie Holmes wanted to prove there was life left in her yet. So, she set off for Sri Lanka and joined a group cycling holiday... and ended up having the time of her life. In this latest episode of Trip Notes, you're going to hear a reading of Stephanie's travel story where she tells all about her trip and the reasons the country is so special. Then, Juliette Sivertsen talks to Stephanie about her memories from that trip 18 months on, and why...

Everyone dreams of seeing the northern lights one day, right? In this latest episode of Trip Notes, we head to Alaska. You're going to hear a reading of a travel article written by journalist Anna Harrison about her efforts to find the sometimes elusive, and definitely mysterious phenomenon that is the aurora borealis. For more travel inspiration, go to https://nzherald.co.nz/tripnotes You can follow the Herald travel team at https://instagram.com/nzhtravel or...

"Jim's voice was like a man trying to touch his nose and hop on one leg at the same time, and falling over; it was like a garden path, overgrown with thistles and gorse, leading towards a swamp." In this episode of Trip Notes, host Juliette Sivertsen revisits an article written by Steve Braunias about his trip to Rarotonga, the Shipwreck Bar and the legendary Jim Bruce. For more travel inspiration, go to https://nzherald.co.nz/tripnotes You can follow the Herald travel team at...

The Scandinavians have long been praised for their smart thinking and innovative ways to bring beauty into everyday spaces. In this episode of Trip Notes, host Juliette Sivertsen revisits a story by Herald feature writer Greg Bruce, about his visit to Stockholm to explore the Swedish way of life and the art of thinking differently. For more travel inspiration, go to https://nzherald.co.nz/tripnotes You can follow the Herald travel team at https://instagram.com/nzhtravel or...

In this episode of Trip Notes, we revisit a story published by Herald journalist Nicholas Jones, about his trip to Belgium and to the battle sites of World War I. "A deflated rugby ball and a couple of plastic poppies mark Dave Gallaher's grave. Scrawls, handwritten in Vivid marker pens, make it look like a memento from a modern rugby match: the sort that a child hangs over the halfway tunnel, hoping his heroes will sign," writes Jones. For more travel inspiration, go to...

In this episode of Trip Notes, host Juliette Sivertsen takes a new approach to keeping your travel dreams alive during the lockdown. As our guests are unable to come to the studio to record, we are revisiting some of our previously published travel stories. In this episode, we retell Herald journalist Kirsty Johnston's experience of a partial eclipse in Niue. For more travel inspiration, go to https://nzherald.co.nz/tripnotes You can follow the Herald travel team at...

Broadcasting legend Judy Bailey discusses her earliest travel memories, as well as her passion for the beauty and wildlife of Botswana. Also, how does a news junkie switch off while they're travelling? For more travel inspiration go to https://www.nzherald.co.nz/tripnotes and, when you're ready for your own adventure, go to https://www.houseoftravel.co.nz. You can reach Stephanie Holmes at https://www.instagram.com/holmesstephanie or https://www.twitter.com/holmesstephanie, and the travel...

Bachelorette NZ contestants Lily McManus and Lesina Nakhid-Schuster share their experience filming in Argentina, using travel to get over a break-up and tips on how to make friends while travelling. For more travel inspiration go to https://www.nzherald.co.nz/tripnotes and, when you're ready for your own adventure, go to https://www.houseoftravel.co.nz. You can reach Stephanie Holmes at https://www.instagram.com/holmesstephanie or https://www.twitter.com/holmesstephanie, and the travel team...

In the new season of Travel podcast Trip Notes, chef, writer and presenter Peta Mathias shares how she fell in love with Paris, why India is still one of her favourite countries to lead a tour, and tales of love and heartache across the world. The Eat Your Heart Out author speaks with Travel editor Stephanie Holmes and Travel deputy-editor Maggie Wicks. For more travel inspiration go to https://www.nzherald.co.nz/tripnotes and, when you're ready for your own adventure, go to...

Canadian-born, New Zealand-based country & soul singer/songwriter Tami Neilson is on the show this week, brought to you by House of Travel. Tami grew up performing across North America with her parents and brothers as part of the Neilson Family Band - they lived in a 12m motorhome. "Travelling is my default mode. It's strange for me to be in one place for a long time," she says. For more travel inspiration go to https://www.nzherald.co.nz/tripnotes and, when you're ready for your own...

Each episode, Trip Notes hosts Stephanie Holmes and Tim Roxborogh are joined by a special guest to talk all about travel. On this episode, brought to you by House of Travel, we chat with Newstalk ZB and TVNZ presenter Jack Tame. He's been back living in New Zealand for a few years now, but Jack previously spent five years living in New York as 1 News' US correspondent. Is living in the city that never sleeps really as exciting as we imagine it would be? And, how magical is it at Christmas?...

Each episode, Trip Notes hosts Stephanie Holmes and Tim Roxborogh are joined by a special guest to talk all about travel. On this episode, brought to you by House of Travel, we chat with TV host Hayley Sproull. When she’s not busy hosting multiple primetime television shows like Great Kiwi Bake Off and Have You Been Paying Attention, Hayley Sproull has spent two decades performing with Lochiel, the most successful marching team in New Zealand history. The sport has taken her all around the...

Each episode, Trip Notes hosts Stephanie Holmes and Tim Roxborogh are joined by a special guest to talk all about travel. On this episode, brought to you by House of Travel, we chat with The Hits Breakfast host Toni Street. With three young children and the demands of a job that sees her up at 4am every morning, Toni knows the power of a holiday. And after a well-documented battle with a life-threatening auto-immune disease, she knows better than most the importance of recharging the...