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 necessity.

+ Subscribe and listen 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 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 &amp; 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 necessity.
+ Subscribe and<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-pod-well-travelled"> listen </a>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.

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

What makes a good airport hotel

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 allure of Japan’s countryside, Penny delves into what makes the Kumano Kodo so remarkable — and she reveals some exciting personal news too.

During the show, Penny and Stephen highlight several companies offering guided tours along the Kumano Kodo, which we’ve listed below:
 Intrepid Travel
World Expeditions
Auswalk 
Raw Travel 
Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau

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 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 allure of Japan’s countryside, Penny delves into what makes the Kumano Kodo so remarkable — and she reveals some exciting personal news too.
During the show, Penny and Stephen highlight several companies offering guided tours along the Kumano Kodo, which we’ve listed below:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/japan/japan-koya-san-kumano-kodo-trek-160303"> Intrepid Travel</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Japan/Self-Guided-Walking/Kumano-Kodo-Self-Guided-Hike">World Expeditions</a></li>
<li><a href="https://auswalk.com.au/international-walks/kumano-kodo-pilgrimage-walks/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAi_G5BhDXARIsAN5SX7qGM4sX8OpAUhBiLWVxRWC8UxqRJwRfVB-_VsheTP9iKDd9C4o8x5oaAoirEALw_wcB">Auswalk </a></li>
<li><a href="https://rawtravel.com/destinations/kumano-kodo/">Raw Travel </a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/kumano-kodo/">Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau</a></li>
</ul>
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.

Walking Japan's Kumano Kodo

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 size impacts the onboard experience, which amenities matter most, and how river cruising differs from ocean cruising in terms of excursions, dining and entertainment.

Megan French returns towards the end of the show for a lively round of “This or That”, where Stephen and Mogens reveal their preferences between European and Asian rivers, large and small ships, plus more.
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 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 size impacts the onboard experience, which amenities matter most, and how river cruising differs from ocean cruising in terms of excursions, dining and entertainment.
Megan French returns towards the end of the show for a lively round of “This or That”, where Stephen and Mogens reveal their preferences between European and Asian rivers, large and small ships, plus more.
<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>

Finding your perfect river cruise adventure

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 interest during lockdowns, and the importance of preserving these trails for future adventurers.

Will Yeoman has also written an exclusive piece on Mark Pybus and his adventures for this Saturday’s Travel section in The West Australian. Subscribers to the podcast can get early access to the story here.

+ This special episode of Podstreet and The Pod Well Travelled is brought to you by Writing WA and The West’s travel team.

+ Discover more from Writing WA at writingwa.org, and don’t miss their latest insights by subscribing to their Substack here.

+ Follow Mark Pybus’s adventures and hiking insights at thelifeofpy.com or on Instagram @thelife0fpy.

+ Catch every episode of The Pod Well Travelled and Podstreet on your favourite podcast platform — and don't forget to share the journey with friends and family!

+ For more travel inspiration, sign up for our free weekly digital edition of eTravel at thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences. Each issue is packed with fresh stories, podcast updates, event listings and more — delivered straight to your inbox.

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 <a href="https://www.thelifeofpy.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooLveukZ8a1CDNwOx8d0QRAt2isYWbQnqotSzFju7UUbrKDCaD7">The Life of Py.</a>
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 interest during lockdowns, and the importance of preserving these trails for future adventurers.
Will Yeoman has also written an exclusive piece on Mark Pybus and his adventures for this Saturday’s Travel section in The West Australian. Subscribers to the podcast can get early access to the story <a href="https://thewest.com.au/travel/helping-to-make-walking-wa-as-easy-as-py-c-16465729">here.</a>
+ This special episode of <a href="https://www.writingwa.org/about/media-2/podcasts/">Podstreet</a> and <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-pod-well-travelled/playlists/podcast">The Pod Well Travelled</a> is brought to you by <a href="https://www.writingwa.org/">Writing WA</a> and The West’s travel team.
+ Discover more from Writing WA at <a href="https://writingwa.org">writingwa.org</a>, and don’t miss their latest insights by subscribing to their Substack <a href="https://writingwa.substack.com/">here.</a>
+ Follow Mark Pybus’s adventures and hiking insights at <a href="https://thelifeofpy.com">thelifeofpy.com</a> or on Instagram <a href="https://instagram.com/thelife0fpy">@thelife0fpy</a>.
+ Catch every episode of <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-pod-well-travelled/playlists/podcast">The Pod Well Travelled</a> and <a href="https://www.writingwa.org/about/media-2/podcasts/">Podstreet</a> on your favourite podcast platform — and don't forget to share the journey with friends and family!
+ For more travel inspiration, sign up for our free weekly digital edition of eTravel at <a href="https://thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences">thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences</a>. Each issue is packed with fresh stories, podcast updates, event listings and more — delivered straight to your inbox.

What makes a good airport hotel

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