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In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel, we're exploring conscious travel and what responsible tourism really looks like in practice. As more travellers seek sustainable travel experiences and meaningful ways to give back, the question becomes: how can we see the world while making a positive impact? Natascha Mirosch chats with Robyn Nixon of Intrepid Travel, who takes small groups everywhere from Africa to the Arctic. They look at the work of The Intrepid Foundation, the charitable arm of Intrepid Travel, which, through grassroots partnerships around the globe, supports local communities, environmental conservation projects and social enterprises, proving that despite all the negativity we hear about its impact, travel can be a force for good. Natascha and Robyn also discuss the extremely well-travelled Robyn's own travel experiences - destinations that changed her life and those she's still eager to visit.

Hospitality runs in the blood of chef and restaurateur Tony Percuoco, owner of Tartufo restaurant in Fortitude Valley. His food journey began as a young boy growing up in the Italian town of Naples, where his father and uncle were restaurant owners, and his mother was a remarkable home cook. While all the other kids around him wanted to become pilots and police officers, Tony's dream was to become a chef. It was a dream he set into motion as soon as he migrated to Australia with his family in the early 1970s. In this episode, Natascha Mirosch chats with Tony about arriving in Australia and the family's famous restaurant in Kings Cross in Sydney. They discuss his own restaurant Tartufo in Brisbane and Tony shares a few tips and tricks about Italian cooking, from making pizza and pasta at home to what you're probably doing wrong with fresh mozzarella.  If you love Italian food and cooking, this is the episode for you.

It was a simple coin toss and a chance bus ride - two sliding-door moments that would forever connect Belinda Jackson's destiny to the country of Egypt. In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel, Natascha Mirosch is joined by Belle, a multi-award-winning travel journalist, to talk about her second home: Egypt.  One of the world's most fascinating destinations, Egypt is often misunderstood. Belle, who considers it her second home and brings years of first-hand experience and professional insight to the conversation, shares practical Egypt travel tips that go beyond the headlines and clichés. From navigating logistics and safety concerns to choosing between independent travel and guided tours, this episode offers clear, honest advice for first-time visitors and return travellers alike, as well as a taste of the country's extraordinary food and culture, must-see sights, from oasis hot springs to breakfasting at the pyramids as well as Belle's professionally-informed picks for the best places to stay. Whether you're researching an upcoming trip or simply dreaming of one, this episode is a practical, immersive Egypt travel guide, designed to help you travel with confidence, curiosity and respect, and to remind you why Egypt is a destination everyone should experience at least once.

In this episode of ExtraVirgin, travel writer Natascha Mirosch offers some suggestions of trips and destinations you might like to put on your wish list - from cruising the Amazon to a new Orient Express luxury train journey, visiting the home of the world's most famous cartoon dog and more. You'll find links to the places mentioned in the podcast on the ExtraVirgin Food & Travel website.

Sonya Gellert has the enviable job of being a full-time food writer. She's done a host of fabulous things throughout a career that's taken her from Australia to Japan, the UK and back to Australia.  She's been a travel editor, restaurant reviewer, editorial food and drink writer, copywriter and recipe editor. She's written for Table Magazine UK, Escape magazine, delicious Magazine, Vogue Living, Huffington Post and more and worked with food luminaries such as Rachel Khoo and Donna Hay.  We're going to hear about Sonya's career trajectory, what she likes to cook and eat, what makes a good recipe, her favourite cookbook and foodie travel destination, what are the most searched-for recipes and more.

Thanks to the incredible popularity of the show White Lotus, Sicily is red hot right now. In this episode, Natascha Mirosch chats with Carmel Ruggeri, former restaurateur-turned-tour guide, who runs extremely popular tours to a part of Italy not only blessed with natural beauty, but some of the country's best regional cuisine (cannoli anyone?)   Carmel and Natascha chat about everything from the places you shouldn't miss, to the hand signs you should, never ever use, to the regional food specialities you just have to try.     Carmel tells it how it is, with humour and refreshing honesty, her love of Sicily shining through in this (very entertaining) episode.

Guy Grossi has carved out a distinguished career and made a significant contribution to the hospitality scene over the last forty years, both as a restaurateur and chef. In fact, in 1996, Guy was awarded the L'insegna Del Ristorante Italiano by no less than the president of Italy, for his dedication to presenting and promoting "La Cucina Italiana" and the Italian lifestyle. He's written four cookbooks and has been on a slew of television programs, from "Food Safari" and Iron Chef, to "My Kitchen Rules." He also runs a small empire of highly regarded restaurants countrywide, including his flagship, Grossi Florentino. In this episode of ExtraVirgin, Natascha Mirosch and Guy chat all things food and hospitality, as well as Italian travel. They discuss why Italians don't like penne lisce and the difference between fast and slow dried pasta, what's wrong with the hospitality scene and how the financial crisis is affecting it, his favourite dishes from his Pugliese father and Venetian mother; who he'd invite and what he'd serve at a fantasy dinner party and more. Guy also gives us some great Italy travel and food tips - from the Amalfi Coast to Florence and Puglia.

We've talked about those one Euro houses in Italy in a previous podcast (episode 81) but in this episode we're about to revisit the subject (and the topic of buying property in Italy as a foreigner in general) with Michele Capecchi, a lawyer based in Florence, who has extensive experience in guiding foreigners through the red tape that is buying a property in Italy. Michele is managing partner of Studio Legale Capecchi , teaches  International Business Law at at the European School of Economics and has been a a legal columnist with The Florentine, the international magazine of the expat community in Florence for over 10 years. Michele discusses with Natascha:   The positives and pitfalls of the one Euro homes scheme The legalities of foreigner home ownership in Italy Where are good places to buy? How much are you likely to need to realistically spend, plus more.   If you're keen to find out how you can be enjoying la vita bella in Italy in your own home, you'll enjoy this episode. And don't forget to sign up for the ExtraVirgin newsletter "The Olive," on the website.

Have you been thinking of (or dreaming about) taking an Antarctic cruise? Cruising is huge and estimates have the cruise industry growing by another 9% in 2024. For some regular cruisers, particularly those with large disposable incomes, the great white continent, represents just another an as-yet unexplored cruise destination to conquer.  For others, Antarctica is a long-cherished dream. But what's it really like? What can you expect on a cruise to Antarctica? Natascha Mirosch puts that question to travel journalist Catherine Marshall, who has been to Antarctica not once, but twice. They discuss the dreaded Drake Crossing, life on board an expedition ship, Antarctica's wildlife and shore excursions. Catherine tells us about the fascinating post office at the end of the world, and the British post mistresses who come to this remote spot to man it as well as the time she had a polar swim. They also talk about the environmental impacts and whether a visit can have a positive impact. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to cruise to Antarctica, have a listen.

We all know that getting out and communing with nature is good for both our body and our mental health, but where to start if you've never done any hiking but are keen to give it a go? Trekking, hiking, tramping, rambling or just plain walking - whatever you call if and whatever you aspire to, whether it's a kilometre on a flat countryside track to conquering rugged terrain over multiple days, or even taking it easy with a Great Walk of Australia, it's an activity that most of us can achieve.  If, like ExtraVirgin host, Natascha, however, you have lots of questions: (Am I too old? Am I too unfit? is hiking hazardous? What gear do I need? What happens if I get lost?) then listen up, because our guest on this podcast will answer all those questions and more.  Among her many other talents., Caro Ryan is an expert bushwalker and search and rescue volunteer. She started her blog, LotsaFreshAir.com to inspire, teach and encourage people to get into hiking and the outdoors safely. It's all about connecting people to wild places in meaningful ways, so they can look after themselves, their mates and these precious places we visit. She teaches wilderness navigation, authored the book, 'How to Navigate - the art of traditional map & compass navigation in an Australian context' and hosts, 'Rescued - an Outdoor Podcast for Hikers and Adventurers. In addition to imparting some incredibly useful  (and potentially life-saving) tips, Caro shares her genuine passion for getting out in nature. We guarantee that she will inspire you to want to do the same.   www.extravirginfoodandtravel.com/podcast

Agnes Restaurant was recently awarded Restaurant of the Year by Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant. In this episode of ExtraVirgin, Natascha Mirosch chats with Agnes executive chef, Ben Williamson, who also co-owns other popular restaurants  Same Same, Bianca, Honto and Agnes Bakery. Western Australian-born Ben spent time travelling the Middle East, where he sharpenened his kitchen skills and learned about cooking from the heart - something that would become the cornerstone of his culinary philosophy.  On his return to Australia, he settled in Brisbane, working in some of the city's most highly regarded restaurants, including a lengthy tenture at Gerard's Bistro, where introduced the city to his modern re-imagining of the cuisine of The Levant, gaining the venue many accolades including two hats.  He then went on to establish Agnes, a wood-fired restaurant in a characterful, historic building; a restaurant generally regarded as the best in Brisbane.  In their chat, Natascha and Ben not only delve into his background, but discuss his food philosophy and influences, what he might have done differently in his career, food trends, where he likes to eat out, his future plans and more.

Is South America on your wish list but you worry it might be too challenging or unsafe? In this episode, ExtraVirgin host, Natascha Mirosch  who has just returned from 3 weeks in Uruguay, Argentina and Chile, shares her experiences. Her trip, travelling by plane, car and boat, starts in Santiago in Chile, where she visits an extraordinary museum and wanders the vibrant Yungay and Lastarria barrios.  From there, she explores the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo, with its unique architecture and excellent restaurants, as well another fascinating museum dedicated to a famous and tragic incident in Uruguayan history. Then it's onto a ferry across the widest river in the world, the Rio de la Plata to Buenos Aires.  Here Natascha discovers the origins of the tango, visits Eva Peron at Recoleta cemetery and the balcony of 'the pink palace' where she gave her final speech to the Argentinian people. She does a walking tour of the colourful La Boca district, takes i a beautiful bookshop in a theatre and more. In Patagonia, Natascha visits a glacier, attempts to hike up another one, gets up close with the iconic Fitz Roy, eats the world's best lamb and drinks a liqueur made from a local berry in a bar at -15c. From there, it's onto the province of Mendoza, where she stays in a 'dome with a view' overlooking the Andes, visits a couple of wineries and has an unforgettable horse ride with a gaucho. If you've thought of visiting South America, you'll want to have a listen as Natascha shares the details of her new favourite destination.

Group travel needn't involve being shuttled around on 50-seater coaches, taken to the major sights to snap your instagram pics, then...back on the bus to do it all again. In this podcast, host Natascha Mirosch talks with Lisa Pagotto, founder of Crooked Compass who offer small group trips to some destinations that are definitely off the well-trod tourist path.   But, if you're usually an independent traveller, why would you consider group travel? It's one of the questions that Natascha poses to Lisa. They also discuss how the pandemic has shifted the way many people want to travel, who are the people who take small group tours, the cultural, economic and environmental advantages of travelling this way, as well as the destinations her company covers and more.   Lisa's just returned from Georgia, a country that's high on Natascha's bucket list, so they chat about it, including the top sights (turns out Georgia's mountains outdo the Swiss and French alps for hiking and wildlflower spotting.)   And wait until you hear what intrepid traveller Lisa's favourite travel experience ever is - we can guarantee it's somewhere you don't expect!

Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses when we travel, but what if you could travel almost anywhere in the world and stay for free? Our guest on this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel tells us how. Fiona Ryan has done more than a dozen exchanges, temporarily swapping her home in Brisbane, Australia for one in cities such as Helsinki or Barcelona.   Fiona, who's a volunteer regional coordinator with the world's oldest home exchange program, the not-for-profit "Intervac," chats with host Natascha Mirosch about how it's done; the multiple benefits of changing homes with someone and gives us her tips, gained from fifteen years' experience.    So if you've got itchy feet, but not necessarily the budget for that holiday you're dreaming of, this episode is for you.

This episode of  Extra Virgin Food and Travel's "Postcards,"comes to you from the Republic of Ireland's capital, Dublin.  Our guide is Louise Slyth, who's originally from Scotland but has made this enchanting city her home.  Louise shows us around 'her' Dublin, her favourite galleries and museums, parks and pubs. She tells us the best places to shop and shares with us her recommendations of where to eat and drink  - from simple fish and chips to sophisticated modern Irish; a pint of guiness to a classic cocktail. So, whether you're planning a trip to Dublin or simply daydreaming of a future visit, have a listen, as our guide Louise shows us where to find the craic in Dublin. You can also follow Louise on instgram at @louiseslyth_writer.  And if you've enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast platform.