Traveltaleswithfergal

23/09/2025

I have a very special episode today with travel journalist Deirdre Mullins to cover the Dalmatian coast of Croatia from Zadar to Split to Dubrovnik.

We chatted about the wonders of island hopping to Korcula, Vis, Hvar and Brac with the Jadrolinija ferry company.

We discuss how each island and town has its own personality that makes this a perfect country to tour by land or boat.

Listen here https://open.spotify.com/episode/2GhnxCEOFvtyfwGCFDHdCg?si=Qxx8oOUdR0iuLYDmNTtSCQ

10/09/2025

My first episode of season eight of the Travel Tales with Fergal Podcast is out now with a destination special on Bath in England which is celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth with a festival starting this week. Listen here
https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/travel-tales-with-fergal/id1535047359?i=1000725659745

09/09/2025

Check out my Clare FM Travel slot all about island hopping in Croatia here https://www.clare.fm/blog/morning-focus-blog/travel-tales-island-hopping-in-croatia/?fbclid=PAVERFWAMtFtJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpyMEtEWUxWyVOwgQSgxmY54Gkmws_UJP7-CWGaFM2Xjr0nlZaiqPCwIjuSaa_aem_SjIWF2xrid96ABYwKX0ceA

09/09/2025

The first guest for Season 8 is feature and travel writer and author Erin McCafferty who talks to Fergal about her recent trip to Bath, on the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. We hear about the up and coming Jane Austen Festival and follow in the footsteps of the renowned author, who lived there for five years and whose writing was greatly influenced by Bath. Listen here https://open.spotify.com/episode/04wBRj23KV1okOTb6m6IFL?si=KlsVbUeUTLK_l1wdetm-IQ

17/06/2025

Listen to part 3 of my Loire podcast special series out now with Serge Desazars who is the owner of the first and largest organic truffle farm in France.

Truffles have a near mythical place in the lore of European food lovers and we discuss all things truffles from their history dating back to the ancient Egyptians and the Romans all the way to Napoleon. We discuss how to grow them, hunt for them, eat them and the best wines to drink with them.

Serge owns the stunning Baron de la Truffe farm beside the gorgeous medieval town of Chinon and he gives great insider tips of where to visit in this lovely part of the Loire valley in France. For more details go to https://barondelatruffe.com/en

The Touraine region in the Loire Valley in France is a magical place of fairy tale chateaux, French renaissance gardens, gastronomic restaurants, historic royal towns and world renowned vineyards. Listen here
https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/travel-tales-with-fergal/id1535047359?i=1000713204560

10/06/2025

Listen to part 2 of my Loire special series with the Loire wine and food expert wonderful Geoffrey Vivard of https://www.tastingwithnivard.co.uk/

The Loire is all about locally sourced food and it is famous around the world for its wines and cheeses, so we are lucky to have the previous cheesemonger for the last Queen of England and Clarence House, Geoffrey Nivard to guide us through the best cheese and wines of the Loire.

Listen here https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/travel-tales-with-fergal/id1535047359?i=1000712202943

03/06/2025

Check out the Travel Tales with Fergal Podcast special out now on the stunning Touraine region in the Loire Valley in France. Available on all podcast platforms

A magical place of fairy tale chateaux, French renaissance gardens, gastronomic restaurants, historic royal towns and vineyards of Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

Touraine is said to be blessed by the gods, cherished by the Kings and pampered by Mother Nature. It is said to be the birthplace of the French way of life in a setting dominated by the majestic river Loire, which is listed as part of World Heritage by UNESCO.

Check out this 3 part Loire series over the next few weeks, so keep an eye out next Tuesday for my interview with Geoffrey Nivard, once cheesemonger to the Queen and King of England. And the following week I will interview Serge Desazars, Baron de la Truffe, owner of the largest organic truffle farms in France.

But today I am delighted to have Irish food and travel award winning ournalist Jordan Mooney to share her memories of visiting enchanting chateaux like Rivau, Azay Le Rideau, Noizay, Nitray and Cande. We talk about the great towns to visit like Tours, Chinon, the Royal city of Loches and Chedigny. And the wonderful local food and wine of the famous Touraine, Loire region in France.

Places to visit & Stay
https:/www.tastingwithnivard.co.ukhttps://www.chateau-nitray.frhttps://chateaudenoizay.comhttps://loirevalleylodges.comhttps://www.chateaudurivau.comhttps://www.azay-le-rideau.fr/enTours - https://www.labe-hotel.com/en/Chinon - https://barondelatruffe.com/enhttps://www.chateaudecandes.com/en/Vineyard lunch https://www.domainedegrosbois.com/Lunch and wine trip on the Loire - https://les-pecheries-ligeriennes.fr/restaurant-la-cabane-a-matelot.htm

Follow on Insta fopr great food and travel stories.

20/05/2025

Listen to my Clare Island special with Roie McCann from the wonderful Clare Island lighthouse out now https://open.spotify.com/episode/1nn3pPCAmrFM91MSJfGOEO?si=bkEeLgESRQWqnbfIdvE5BA

Roie McCann is the manager of the stunning and unique Clare Island Lighthouse accommodation so Roie is the perfect guest to give us an insider's guide to the magical Clare Island in Co. Mayo, Ireland. This is a part of the country I know very well and love so this is a great chat all about this beautiful part of Ireland.Clare Island stands guard at the entrance to Clew Bay, off Ireland’s western Atlantic coast along the Wild Atlantic Way. For almost two centuries, the island’s Lighthouse has been a nautical landmark perched high on the craggy cliffs, watching over Achill, Westport and beyond. Once a safe haven for sailors, this heritage property now offers a sanctuary of a different kind. This architecturally majestic, listed building has been lovingly transformed into fully catered, luxury accommodation, complemented by magnificent sea views and an inspiring, natural environment.For more information on the Clare Island Lighthouse check out https://www.clareislandlighthouse.comThe Blue Book are a collection of generally family owned and run Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, castles and restaurants and their website is https://www.irelands-blue-book.ie

06/05/2025

Check out my 2 part Travel Tales with Fergal podcast special on the Canary Islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote out now with the Sunday World correspondent Eamon Dillon https://open.spotify.com/episode/0upQUICvDpx04tdvwPurpO?si=mg3FI1FuTY2yotT5XrxFWw

For more information on the Canary Islands -
Canary Islands Tourism Board: www.hellocanaryislands.com
Fuerteventura Tourism Board: http://www.visitfuerteventura.es/
Lanzarote Tourism Board: https://turismolanzarote.com/

Lanzarote
I stayed at the Hotel AEQUORA Lanzarote Suites https://slasuites.com
Fuerteventura
I stayed at the R2 Rio Calma Hotel https://r2hotels.com/en/hotel/r2-rio-calma-hotel-spa-conference-en/

Travel Tales with Fergal · Episode

15/04/2025

Check out my Travel Tales with Fergal Podcast Madeira destination special out now on all podcast platforms with 3 great guests Emily Blandy, Deirdre Mullins and Rob Rees. Listen https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DygJzRR6OZHiQ4UpvkBvm?si=czOn7LYiSLC_5oBdwd9fyw

When I was in Madeira, I kept hearing that Christmas is a magical time of year to visit, so I have Irish travel writer Deirdre Mullins who paints a really evocative image of Christmas on the island. You will also hear from travel writer Rob Rees sharing great activity and golf tips and finally Emily Blandy, of the world famous 7th generation Blandy wine family, gives us some great local insider tips for the island. Deirdre Mullins

08/04/2025

I chatted all about my recent trip to Madeira island on Clare FM today. I was on the inaugural Shannon flight to the beautiful tropical island of Madeira. More to come with my Madeira special podcast next Tuesday. Listen to the Clare FM interview here

Travel Tales: New Shannon Route To Madeira Island - Morning Focus % Clare FM

07/04/2025

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