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Many ski resorts are reporting their first snow falls, so I’m delighted to bring you my first Ski Special of the 2026/27 season. Last April, I travelled to Alpe d’Huez in the French Alps with my family. It’s a resort with more than 250 kilometres of pistes and a summit at 3,330. But what struck me most was how well it works for everyone, from first-timers to experienced skiers, all in the one place. To tell me more, I’m joined by Nicola Moss, Marketing Director of Peak Retreats. Peak Retreats, a ski tour operator specialising in the French Alps, and the current holder of the Telegraph Travel Award for Best Ski Operator. Nicola has skied Alpe d’Huez herself, so we compare notes on what makes it so special. We talk about why Alpe d’Huez works so well for beginners, families and experienced skiers, how its altitude helps at either end of the season, and when to book to get the best value. Nicola also shares her advice for first-time skiers and for anyone taking children skiing for the first time. Alpe d’Huez Fact Box Where: Grandes Rousses massif, Isère, French Alps. The ski area runs from around 1,250m up to Pic Blanc at 3,330m.Getting there: Aer Lingus fly to Lyon from Dublin and Cork and the transfer is 2 hours - https://www.aerlingus.com Skiing: More than 250km of pistes and 135 runs, including La Sarenne, a 16km black run.Beginners: 36 green and 29 blue runs, with lifts directly accessible from the resort.Accommodation: Fergal and his family stayed at Le Cristal de l’Alpe with Peak Retreats. Book at www.peakretreats.co.ukSki hire: Intersport Rent (Odalys-L’Eclose), with an average of €8 per day including skis, helmet, poles and boots. Book at www.intersportrent.com.Ski school: ESF Alpe d’Huez.More information: www.alpedhuez.com Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel stories about daydream worthy destinations. For more information, photos and stories you can follow me on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 2 of this special road-trip edition, I am once again joined by travel writer Conor Power. After exploring the Spanish and French Basque Country in Part 1, the journey now continues across France to Sète, a fascinating Mediterranean port city built around canals and the vast Étang de Thau lagoon. Conor shares his experiences of Sète and the surrounding area, including its colourful history, beautiful waterfront, long sandy beaches, seafood and one of the region’s most important industries, oyster farming. They also visit the charming port town of Marseillan, home of Noilly Prat vermouth, and explore some of the culture that makes Sète distinctive, from its famous water-jousting tradition and street art to celebrated French singer-songwriter Georges Brassens. Conor has written extensively about Sète and the communities around the lagoon, and in this episode he tells us what makes this part of southern France so special. From the Basque Country to the Mediterranean coast, this is a very different side of France and a destination well worth discovering.  This is another episode showing what is possible when you take Brittany Ferries to continental Europe, bring your own car and make the road trip part of the adventure. For information on Brittany Ferries go to https://www.brittany-ferries.ie/booking/trip Useful Links: -         herault-tourisme.com is the official tourism website for the French department of Hérault, covering all the towns and areas mentioned. -         marseillan-tourisme.com is the official tourism site of Marseillan -         archipel-thau.com is a website focusing on Sète and the towns around the Étang de Thau. -         sete-croisieres.com allows you to book very reasonably-priced trips around the town’s waterways on an electric-powered boat, with great commentary with instant English translation. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel stories about daydream worthy destinations.   For more information, photos and stories you can follow me on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 1 of this special two-part edition, I am joined by travel writer Conor Power to explore the Basque Country across northern Spain and south-western France. We share highlights from Bilbao, the beautiful coastal towns of Lekeitio and San Sebastián and the French Basque Country, while Conor brings his own experiences and recommendations from travelling extensively in the region including the capital Vitoria-Gasteiz. Expect stunning Atlantic coastline, historic towns, beaches, pintxos, seafood, dramatic scenery and a strong sense of Basque culture and identity. They also discuss just how much of northern Spain and south-western France can be explored when you arrive in Bilbao in your own car with Brittany Ferries. This is a great episode for anyone considering a ferry and road trip adventure through this part of Europe. Part 2 continues the journey into France, including Sète in the Occitanie region. For information on Brittany Ferries go to https://www.brittany-ferries.ie/booking/trip Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel stories about daydream worthy destinations.   For more information, photos and stories you can follow me on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I am delighted to have Irish travel writer Deirdre Mullins to talk about one of the most spectacular walking routes in Europe, the Rota Vicentina. This is the second of my two-part special from Alentejo, a region of Portugal that really surprised me. In Part One, we explored some of the food, wine, towns and landscapes that make Alentejo such a special part of Portugal. Deirdre spent four days walking sections of both the peaceful inland Historical Way and the dramatic coastal Fishermen’s Trail, covering around 70 kilometres through cork forests, quiet villages, sandy beaches and along wild Atlantic cliffs. Deirdre tells us about her highlights of the walk, the toughest sections, where she stayed and ate, the difference between the two trails and why Alentejo still feels refreshingly peaceful and undiscovered. We also explore why walking can completely change the way you experience a destination, giving you the chance to slow down, notice the landscape and enjoy the journey rather than simply getting from one place to another. Read Deirdre’s RTÉ Travel article, Rota Vicentina: The Portuguese hike to add to your bucket list, here https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/travel/2026/0608/1577392-rota-vicentina-the-portuguese-hike-to-add-to-your-bucket-list/ For more information on Alentejo go to https://www.visitalentejo.pt/en For More infomation of the walking routes go to https://rotavicentina.com/en Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel stories about daydream worthy destinations.   For more information, photos and stories you can follow me on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I recently had the chance to spend some time travelling through Alentejo in Portugal, and it is a region that really stayed with me. It feels very different to some of the better-known parts of Portugal. If you have visited Portugal before, you may know Lisbon, Porto or the Algarve, but Alentejo feels very different.  In Part One of this Alentejo, Portugal special series, I am joined by Ruben Obadia, from Alentejo Tourism and Jessica de Korte, a well-known Dutch travel journalist, to give us a proper introduction to the region and why it should be on your radar as one of Portugal’s most distinctive regions. From the historic streets of Évora and the hilltop beauty of Monsaraz to cork oak forests, vineyards, local food and wine, Ruben and Jessica explain what makes Alentejo such a special place to visit. They also explore the idea of vagar, the Alentejo art of slowing down, and why the region offers Irish travellers a quieter, more authentic side of Portugal. Part Two next week continues the journey, with Irish travel journalist, Deirdre Mullins who takes a closer look at the famous Rota Vicentina walking routes along Alentejo’s wild Atlantic coast. Discovering Alentejo https://www.visitalentejo.pt/en Visit Monsaraz - https://monsaraz360.pt/en/ Stays Evora - https://mardearhotels.com/en/mar-de-ar-aqueduto https://moagem.thevolumes.pt/en/moagem/ Vineyard - https://www.jportugalramos.com/en/winetourism/ Boat Trip - https://alquevacruzeiros.pt/passeios-de-barco-boat-tours/ Alentejo Wines - https://www.vinhosdoalentejo.pt/en/ Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel stories about daydream worthy destinations.   For more information, photos and stories you can follow me on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this first episode of Season 10, Fergal is joined by one of Ireland’s best-known chefs, Paul Flynn of The Tannery in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. Paul reflects on five memorable meals that have stayed with him throughout his life and career, taking us on a journey from France and London to Lake Garda in Italy, the Basque Country in Spain, and home to Dungarvan. Along the way, he shares the stories, people and places behind those memories, as well as the experiences that helped shape his love of food, travel and hospitality. From early inspiration to family celebrations and unforgettable dining experiences, this is a conversation about much more than food as it is about memory, place, family and the moments that stay with us. You will discover the meals that tell the story of Paul Flynn, who will celebrate the 30th anniversary of his renowned restaurant, The Tannery, at its final service on the 1st January 2027. If you have never visited, I would highly recommend making the trip before then. Bookings are available at https://tannery.ie Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel stories about daydream worthy destinations.   For more information, photos and stories you can follow me on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal Twitter @FergalTravel YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, 25 June, would have been Anthony Bourdain's 70th birthday, and in this special episode I'm marking it with a conversation with the writer and broadcaster Brin-Jonathon Butler about the man, the myth, and everything in between. I couldn't pick a better subject and guest for my final episode of this season. We chat about the life and legacy of a man who changed the way so many of us think about food, travel, people and the world. Bourdain was a complicated man. Brilliant and difficult, generous and self-destructive, fiercely curious about other people's lives while clearly wrestling with his own. Bourdain showed a generation of travellers that the real story of a place is often told at the table. He showed us that travel was not just about where you go, what you eat, or what you see. It was about who you meet, how you listen, and what you are willing to understand. To help explore his legacy, I am delighted to be joined by writer Brin-Jonathan Butler. Brin has written powerfully about Bourdain, including his acclaimed essay Giving Up the Ghost, which reflects not only on Bourdain's life and death, but also on identity, travel, fame, and what it means to spend your life searching for meaning in the world. Brin has also explored the life of Anthony on many episodes of his excellent podcast Tourist Information here https://open.spotify.com/show/5y2pjNDK8xxa00TotyE5rL We talk about why Bourdain mattered, why he still does nearly a decade after his untimely passing, and why we shouldn't shy away from his darker side if we're going to tell the full story of his legacy. So, on Anthony Bourdain's birthday, we celebrate not just the man, but the legacy he left behind that continues to inspire travellers, writers, cooks and dreamers everywhere. This is the final episode of Season 9 of the podcast so please follow or subscribe to this podcast and you will be first to hear about Season 10 when it comes out. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel stories about daydream worthy destinations.   For more information, photos and stories you can follow me on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal Twitter @FergalTravel YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My first guest in my new series “The Meals that Made Me” is Robbie McCauley, chef-proprietor of the Michelin-starred restaurant Homestead Cottage in Doolin, Co Clare in the west of Ireland. In this episode, Robbie shares five memorable meals that shaped his life and career from a Sunday lunch in Emilia-Romagna to a night market in Bangkok, a Christmas dinner in Burgundy in France, a Michelin-starred meal in London, and a deeply personal family lunch in the Italian countryside. In this new series I will be speaking to well-known chefs about the five meals that shaped them and stayed with them not just because of the food, but because of the place, the people and the memories around the table. Food has the ability to bring us back somewhere. A taste, a smell, a dish or a setting can transport us instantly to another country, another time in our lives, or to someone we love. This is a conversation about food, family, travel, ambition, memory and the emotional power of meals to bring us back to the people and places that shaped us. For more information on the Homestead Cottage go to https://homesteadcottage.com/ Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel stories about daydream worthy destinations.   For more information, photos and stories you can follow me on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal Twitter @FergalTravel YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you get when you combine a prime Dublin city centre location, compact Scandi-inspired design, and Ireland's most ambitious sustainability credentials? The Wren Urban Nest — and this week, Fergal sits down with Phoebe Fairbairn, the General Manager behind one of Dublin's most talked-about boutique hotels. Tucked onto the former site of Andrews Lane Theatre, the Wren's 137 rooms sit steps from Temple Bar, Grafton Street and Trinity College — making it one of the best-located stays in the capital. But it's not just the postcode that sets it apart. The Wren is Ireland's first net zero carbon hotel, achieving that status without purchasing a single carbon offset. Phoebe shares what it's really like to run a hotel that walks the walk on sustainability, from 100% renewable energy and locally sourced everything to a kitchen that doesn't cook with gas. She also gives Fergal the insider's guide to Dublin — the kind of tips you won't find in a tourist brochure. Whether you're planning a Dublin trip or just love a great hospitality story, this one's worth settling in for. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.   For more information, phtoos and stories you can follow me on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal Twitter @FergalTravel YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of Travel Tales with Fergal, I’m joined by Chef Karl Wilder, co-founder of The Chef Tours, for a fascinating conversation about food tourism and the stories behind some of the world’s most iconic dishes. The Chef Tours offers small-group food and wine experiences in Seville, Paris, Buenos Aires, Istanbul, Berlin and Mexico City, with local chefs guiding guests to the hidden restaurants, secret bars and authentic flavours you won’t find on typical tourist routes. From the origins of the kebab, nachos, burritos and margaritas to the way food opens up the history and culture of a place, Karl brings insight, passion and plenty of great stories to this flavour-filled episode. For More Information on The Chef Tours go to https://thecheftours.com Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.   For more information, phtoos and stories you can follow me on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal Twitter @FergalTravel YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest this week on the Travel Tales with Fergal Podcast is Les Walsh, Head Concierge at the stunning Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, County Waterford. Ardmore is a beautiful seaside village that is close to my heart, and a place I return to every summer for swims off the pier. Taking its name from the Irish Aird Mhór, meaning “great height”, Ardmore is steeped in history and local tradition, with strong links to Saint Declan, who is said to have founded a Christian community here in the early 5th century. The Cliff House Hotel sits dramatically above the sea and is one of Ireland’s most special five-star hotels. Home to the Michelin-starred House Restaurant, and the newest member of Ireland’s Blue Book, it has helped place Ardmore firmly on the map as a luxury destination. Les is a member of the prestigious Les Clefs d’Or, the international association of professional hotel concierges, and in this episode he shares his insights into great hospitality, the magic of Ardmore, and the experiences that make this corner of Waterford so memorable including nearby Lismore, Youghal, the Mahons Falls in the Comeragh mountains and foody favourite town Dungarvan on the Greenway. We also touch on Ardmore’s rich heritage from St Declan’s Monastery to its 12th-century Round Tower, in a conversation full of sea, stories, history and five-star hospitality I love the Blue Book because they are often family-owned and run Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, castles and restaurants. A Blue Book voucher would always be my top travel gift recommendation and their website is https://www.irelands-blue-book.ie.   Check out the Cliff House Hotel here https://cliffhousehotel.ie Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.   Please follow me on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal Twitter @FergalTravel YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Travel Tales with Fergal, I talk all about the city of Pittsburgh in the USA, ahead of Aer Lingus’ new direct Dublin–Pittsburgh service, launching on 25 May 2026. My guest today is Aadam Soorma, Head of Marketing at Trace Brewing, for a local’s guide to a city that has transformed from steel and industry into one of America’s most creative, welcoming and community-driven destinations. From Pittsburgh’s craft beer scene and neighbourhood culture to Bloomfield, Lawrenceville, sport, food, art and the city’s famous black-and-gold pride, Adaam shares why Pittsburgh should be firmly on Irish travellers’ radar. For more information check out https://www.visitpittsburgh.com For more information on the new Aer Lingus Pittsburgh route check https://www.aerlingus.com Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 European award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.   Please follow me on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal Twitter @FergalTravel YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal #VisitPittsburgh     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Travel Tales with Fergal, Fergal chats with Aaron Brennan of JustCover about what travel insurance really covers, why it matters, and how it can help when plans go wrong.  From claims tips and medical emergencies abroad to repatriation, the EHIC, and cover for older travellers or those with pre-existing medical conditions, this episode is packed with practical advice.  They also discuss changing travel trends, disruption in the Middle East, and JustCover’s new office opening in Carlow, creating 22 jobs.  Whether you are planning a summer holiday, a city break, or a longer adventure, this episode is full of useful advice to help you travel with confidence.  Visit their website here https://www.justcover.ie Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.   Please follow me on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal Twitter @FergalTravel YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Travel Tales with Fergal, we journey to the spectacular Causeway Coast in Antrim to explore one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting new luxury destinations: Dunluce Lodge.   Overlooking the 4th fairway of Royal Portrush Golf Club and the wild North Atlantic Ocean, Dunluce Lodge has swiftly earned its place among the region’s finest hotels. Opening its doors in April 2025, just in time for The Open Championship, the lodge welcomed hometown hero Rory McIlroy and his family during one of golf’s most celebrated weeks.   I sat down with General Manager Stephen Meldrum to explore the story behind this elegant 35-suite retreat with sweeping views of one of the world’s most iconic golf courses.   Stephen shares insights into the whirlwind first year—from achieving five-star status with Tourism Northern Ireland, to being named among the Irish Independent’s Top 50 Places to Stay and joining the prestigious Ireland's Blue Book. Stephen offers genuine insider insights, sharing the kind of local knowledge that only someone deeply connected to the area can provide.   This episode is about the power of Irish hospitality along a coastline that continues to captivate visitors from around the world. This is a story of vision, of place, and of the unmistakable warmth of Irish hospitality, set against a coastline that continues to captivate visitors from across the globe.   Whether you're a golf enthusiast, a lover of this stunning part of Ireland, or simply curious about Northern Ireland’s newest five-star retreat, this is a conversation not to be missed.   I love the Blue Book because they are often family-owned and run Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, castles and restaurants. A Blue Book voucher would always be my top travel gift recommendation and their website is https://www.irelands-blue-book.ie.   Check out the Dunluce Lodge here https://www.dunlucelodge.com Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.   Please follow me on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal Twitter @FergalTravel YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Travel Tales with Fergal, I’m joined by legendary Irish DJ, musician, author, photographer and rock’n’roll insider BP Fallon, known to many simply as “The Beep.” With a career spanning decades at the very heart of music history - working with The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, T. Rex, U2 and more - BP Fallon has witnessed some of the most iconic moments in rock’n’roll firsthand. In this conversation, he shares his five favourite gigs from a lifetime of extraordinary experiences, offering vivid stories from stages, studios and concerts around the world. From unforgettable performances to behind-the-scenes encounters, this episode is a front-row seat to music history as seen by the guru BP Fallon. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 140 countries worldwide. This award winning podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.   Please follow me on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal Twitter @FergalTravel YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.