In this festive episode of The Pod Well Travelled, hosts Penny Thomas and Megan French explore the most delightful and quirky Christmas traditions from around the world.

From Germany’s enchanting Christmas markets — where mulled wine, bratwurst and handcrafted ornaments bring festive cheer — to Japan’s unexpected KFC Christmas feast, a tradition born from a clever 1970s marketing campaign, this episode is packed with holiday magic.

The fun wraps up with a festive round of ‘This or That,’ where Megan puts Penny to the test with some lighthearted questions to spark your own Christmas inspiration!
Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends.
Sign up for eTravel via thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences. It’s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events and more.

In this festive episode of The Pod Well Travelled, hosts Penny Thomas and Megan French explore the most delightful and quirky Christmas traditions from around the world.
From Germany’s enchanting Christmas markets — where mulled wine, bratwurst and handcrafted ornaments bring festive cheer — to Japan’s unexpected KFC Christmas feast, a tradition born from a clever 1970s marketing campaign, this episode is packed with holiday magic.
The fun wraps up with a festive round of ‘This or That,’ where Megan puts Penny to the test with some lighthearted questions to spark your own Christmas inspiration!
<ul>
<li>Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends.</li>
<li>Sign up for eTravel via <a href="https://thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences">thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences</a>. It’s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events and more.</li>
</ul>

A weekly podcast with Travel Editor Stephen Scourfield and the West Travel Club Team, filled with travel news and stories, in conversation and through the speech and sounds we collect on the road.

A weekly podcast with Travel Editor Stephen Scourfield and the West Travel Club Team, filled with travel news and stories, in conversation and through the speech and sounds we collect on the road.

The Pod Well Travelled

Christmas traditions from around the globe 

In this episode of The Pod Well Travelled, Penny Thomas and Megan French sit down with Stephen Scourfield to delve into his latest adventure — an unforgettable expedition to Antarctica with Lindblad Expeditions, where he guided a group of enthusiastic West Travel Club guests to one of the planet’s most remote and awe-inspiring destinations.

Stephen shares the excitement of travelling aboard the Lindblad National Geographic Resolution, a ship that strikes the perfect balance between exploration and learning thanks to the expertise of onboard naturalists, photographers, and scientists who enriched every moment.

Stephen also tells us about how he prepared his group for the unpredictable nature of the journey, from practical tips for braving the infamous Drake Passage seas, to the type of camera gear to take and why it’s important to pack lots of layers.

We then discuss the daily rhythm of life on the expedition, from zodiac landings and wildlife encounters to unique activities like the popular polar plunge.

Finally, Stephen leaves us with a poignant reflection on why he thinks this icy frontier continues to captivate adventurers and conservationists alike, before Megan wraps up the episode with another fun round of This or That.

+ Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled wherever you get your podcasts — and share it with your family and friends.

+ Sign up for eTravel via thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences and click on West Travel Club. It’s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events, and more.

In this episode of The Pod Well Travelled, Penny Thomas and Megan French sit down with Stephen Scourfield to delve into his latest adventure &mdash; an unforgettable expedition to Antarctica with Lindblad Expeditions, where he guided a group of enthusiastic West Travel Club guests to one of the planet&rsquo;s most remote and awe-inspiring destinations.
Stephen shares the excitement of travelling aboard the Lindblad National Geographic Resolution, a ship that strikes the perfect balance between exploration and learning thanks to the expertise of onboard naturalists, photographers, and scientists who enriched every moment.
Stephen also tells us about how he prepared his group for the unpredictable nature of the journey, from practical tips for braving the infamous Drake Passage seas, to the type of camera gear to take and why it&rsquo;s important to pack lots of layers.
We then discuss the daily rhythm of life on the expedition, from zodiac landings and wildlife encounters to unique activities like the popular polar plunge.
Finally, Stephen leaves us with a poignant reflection on why he thinks this icy frontier continues to captivate adventurers and conservationists alike, before Megan wraps up the episode with another fun round of This or That.
+ Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled wherever you get your podcasts &mdash; and share it with your family and friends.
+ Sign up for eTravel via <a href="https://thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences">thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences</a> and click on West Travel Club. It&rsquo;s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events, and more.

Stephen Scourfield’s Antarctic expedition

This week, we’re kicking off our new Hotels of the World series, where we uncover the stories and secrets beyond the check-in counter at popular hotels.

For our first episode of the new series, Megan French and Penny Thomas chat with Mercure Perth general manager Brian McHenry about what goes on behind the scenes at his hotel in Perth’s CBD. 

Having spent 35 years in the hospitality industry, Brian shares insights into his role, what he loves most about the business, and anecdotes from memorable guest experiences. He also explains the importance of crafting unique, localised stays that leave a lasting impression.

+ Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled wherever you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends.

+ Sign up for eTravel via thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences and click on West Travel Club. It’s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events and more.

This week, we&rsquo;re kicking off our new Hotels of the World series, where we uncover the stories and secrets beyond the check-in counter at popular hotels.
For our first episode of the new series, Megan French and Penny Thomas chat with Mercure Perth general manager Brian McHenry about what goes on behind the scenes at his hotel in Perth&rsquo;s CBD.&nbsp;
Having spent 35 years in the hospitality industry, Brian shares insights into his role, what he loves most about the business, and anecdotes from memorable guest experiences. He also explains the importance of crafting unique, localised stays that leave a lasting impression.
+ Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled wherever you get your podcasts &mdash; and share it to your family and friends.
+ Sign up for eTravel via thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences and click on West Travel Club. It&rsquo;s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events and more.

Hotels of the World | Mercure Perth 

Join Penny Thomas, Megan French and Stephen Scourfield as they unpack a series of interesting travel stories and trends for the month of November.

Penny kicks things off by telling us about the rise of medical tourism, sharing surprising new data that reveals over half of Australians are willing to travel abroad for medical procedures.

Next, Stephen introduces Four Points Flex by Sheraton, a budget-friendly accommodation option perfect for travellers heading to Japan.

The discussion then looks at the recent methanol poisoning incident in Laos. Plus, Stephen considers whether or not it’s safe to travel to Egypt amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and tensions around Israeli military presence near the border.

Megan then lightens the mood by sharing some upbeat travel news, including Scoot’s new flight routes, Outback Spirit’s impressive “fly-free” deal, and the much-anticipated expansion of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan.

At the end of the show, Stephen leads a lively round of ‘This or That,’ where Penny and Megan face off in a fun, fast-paced showdown.

+ Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends.

+ Sign up for eTravel via thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences. It’s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events and more.

Join Penny Thomas, Megan French and Stephen Scourfield as they unpack a series of interesting travel stories and trends for the month of November.
Penny kicks things off by telling us about the rise of medical tourism, sharing surprising new data that reveals over half of Australians are willing to travel abroad for medical procedures.
Next, Stephen introduces Four Points Flex by Sheraton, a budget-friendly accommodation option perfect for travellers heading to Japan.
The discussion then looks at the recent methanol poisoning incident in Laos. Plus, Stephen considers whether or not it’s safe to travel to Egypt amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and tensions around Israeli military presence near the border.
Megan then lightens the mood by sharing some upbeat travel news, including Scoot’s new flight routes, Outback Spirit’s impressive “fly-free” deal, and the much-anticipated expansion of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan.
At the end of the show, Stephen leads a lively round of ‘This or That,’ where Penny and Megan face off in a fun, fast-paced showdown.
+ Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends.
+ Sign up for eTravel via <a href="https://thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences">thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences</a>. It’s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events and more.

Christmas traditions from around the globe

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