Right so, off we go!

Dubliner Danny Trench Bowles shows me around buzzing Amsterdam. We explore its beautiful canals that have been intrinsic to the story of the city and celebrate its compactness that make it easy to explore. Danny takes me  people watching in the famous Vondelpark where we admire the Picasso sculpture and marvel at some of the most elite houses in Amsterdam. We cycle down the Schinkel canal and stop for a beer at the Stadscafe von Mechelen.  Danny encourages me to take a nighttime cycle down the Browersgracht and the Herengracht and see how the other half live. Danny shares his choice of books, films and music that capture the mood of Amsterdam and gives me plenty of hints and tips on what to see and do.  He also encourages me to take a trip to the nearby cities of  Haarlem  and Rotterdam for a taste of something different. Thanks so much for listening today, if you’d like to be the first to know when a new episode lands, don’t forget to hit follow or subscribe, and you can always rate and review.  You can also follow me on the links below.  I’d love to hear from you.  Instagram: https:// ⁠www.instagram.com/ailishforde⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailish-forde-ba102856⁠ Thanks to Top Flow via Pixabay for the background track, Sunshine Jaunt.  

Cork  woman Sasha de Buyl guides me through the cobbled, windy streets of Edinburgh. We wander up to the castle, with its panoramic views of the city.  We marvel at the grandeur of the Royal Mile and the serenity of Princes Street Gardens.  Sasha takes me to the busy bustling coastal area of Leith and on to Wardie Bay where we watch herons and oystercatchers dive.    We wander through beautiful Stockport, with its quirky bookshops, cafes and restaurants.  We walk along the water out to the National Gallery of Modern Art and admire the architecture on the way. We explore the old town and stop for a gelato in the Grassmarket area.  We climb up to Arthur’s Seat, the hill fort in Holyrood Park and enjoy its tranquil surroundings.     We chat about the city’s array of bookshops from the Portobello to the Golden Hare in Stockbridge.  We have a beer in the Dreadnought pub in Newhaven and visit a famous all-night bakery for some treats. Sasha shares her choice of books, films and music that capture the mood of Edinburgh and gives me plenty of hints and tips on what to see and do.  She also encourages me to take a trip up to the low highlands to experience Stirlingshire with its woodland and rivers. Thanks so much for listening today. If you’d like to be the first to know when a new episode lands, don’t forget to hit follow or subscribe, and you can always rate and review.  You can also follow me on the links below.  I’d love to hear from you.  Instagram: https:// ⁠www.instagram.com/ailishforde⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailish-forde-ba102856⁠ Thanks to Top Flow via Pixabay for the background track, Sunshine Jaunt.

Magical Madrid Athlone woman Roisin O’Sullivan takes me on a tour through magical Madrid.  We explore the Gran Via and surrounding streets, dotted with shops and quirky restaurants.  We wander through Retiro Park, an oasis of calm in this bustling city. Roisin takes me to the San Miguel market where we sample the best of Madrid’s charcuterie, we sip a cocktail on the roof terrace at the Circulo des Bellas Artes and enjoy the fabulous views of the city.  We chat about seeing Real Madrid play at their home ground and watching the Madrid Tennis Open where all the greats play. Roisin takes me on a trip to nearby Segovia, with its fairytale castle that inspired Walt Disney. Roisin shares her choice of books, films and music that capture the mood of Madrid and gives me plenty of hints and tips on what to see and do.  She also encourages me to take a tapas tour and explore my inner Madrileña with a flamenco class. Thanks so much for listening today, if you’d like to be the first to know when a new episode lands, don’t forget to hit follow or subscribe, and you can always rate and review.  You can also follow me on the links below.  I’d love to hear from you.  Instagram: https:// www.instagram.com/ailishforde LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailish-forde-ba102856 Thanks to Top Flow via Pixabay for the background track, Sunshine Jaunt.

Navan woman Grainne Clear guides me through the many faces of vibrant London.   We wander down the South Bank and breakfast at Borough Market. We chat about the Tower of London’s many stories, and marvel at traditional pubs that rub shoulders with the trendiest cocktail bars.  Grainne takes me on the Uber boat along the Thames to Greenwich with its rich maritime history, quirky shops and cafes.  We chat about seeing a show in the West End, jazz in the crypt at St Giles in Camberwell, Sir John Soane’s Museum, and tennis at Wimbledon.  Grainne shares her choice of books, films and music that capture London’s atmosphere, and gives me lots of hints and tips on where to eat and drink when I next visit.  She also encourages me to have a swim in the ponds at Hampstead Heath, a time-honoured London tradition. Thanks so much for listening today. If you’d like to be the first to know when a new episode lands, don’t forget to hit follow or subscribe, and you can always rate and review.  You can also follow me on the links below.  I’d love to hear from you.  Instagram: https:// www.instagram.com/ailishforde LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailish-forde-ba102856 Thanks to Top Flow via Pixabay for the background track, Sunshine Jaunt.

For our Season 1 finale, Mayo woman Jen Greene takes me on a tour of fabulous Singapore from natural beauty to man-made wonders.  We chat about this tiny island with its multi-cultural population and traditions. Jen takes me on a walk through Chinatown, stopping for breakfast at a traditional coffee shop.  We head over to Gardens by the Bay, set in the centre of downtown Singapore, with over 1.5 million plants from almost every continent.  We visit the luxurious Marina Bay Sands Hotel with its observation decks and rooftop infinity pool. We explore the rich food culture of Singapore, one of the island’s major attractions, with a wide array of the most mouth-watering delicacies on offer. We drop into a traditional hawker centre, visit Satay Street to sample some satay and local beer.  We chat about Singapore as a stopover destination, with its family friendly airport that is a destination in itself, with its indoor waterfalls, outdoor pools and lots of shopping options. Jen encourages me to take a day trip to one of the Indonesian islands for a spa day or a game of golf or to nearby Malaysia with its many coastal resorts. Jen shares her choice of books, films and music that capture the atmosphere of Singapore and gives me lots of tips for my next visit, including some fun outdoor activities at Sentosa Island with its adventure rides, dolphin shows, walking treks, museums and restaurants. Thanks so much for listening to this episode. If you’d like to be the first to know when a new episode lands, don’t forget to hit follow or subscribe, and you can always rate and review.  All of the episodes in Season 1 are now available and I'll be working on Season 2 in the coming weeks. So, if you have a travel story to tell or know someone who does, please get in touch, I’d love to hear from you. You can contact me on the links below:  Instagram: https:// www.instagram.com/ailishforde LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailish-forde-ba102856 Thanks to Top Flow via Pixabay for the background track, Sunshine Jaunt.        

Cavan man Joe Moore takes me on a tour of vibrant Tokyo.  We chat about this city of contrasts which Joe describes as five cities in one.  From ultra-modern skyscrapers and bullet trains to ancient temples, we talk about the many faces of modern Tokyo. Joe takes me on a walk from Yoyogi up to the Meiji shrine, situated in a tranquil forest just a few minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo.  We head to Harajuku and Takeshita Dori,  the centre of j-pop culture and people watch.  We wander along Omotesando, Tokyo’s Champs Elysees with its designer shops and beautiful trees. Joe explains the rich Japanese food culture to me from sushi to yakiniku, ramen to tempura, and gives me tips on where best to taste the wide variety on offer.  He advises me to take a trip out of the city to Mount Fuji and watch a sunrise, or take a train to Hakone, just an hour from Tokyo, and experience its famous natural hot springs. Joe shares his choice of books, films and music that capture the atmosphere of Tokyo and gives me lots of tips for my next visit, including taking a wagashi cookery class and visiting the samurai museum in Shinjuku. Thanks so much for listening today, if you’d like to be the first to know when a new episode lands, don’t forget to hit follow or subscribe, and you can always rate and review.  You can also follow me on the links below.  I’d love to hear from you.  Instagram: https:// www.instagram.com/ailishforde LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailish-forde-ba102856 Thanks to Top Flow via Pixabay for the background track, Sunshine Jaunt.

Dubliner Anna Miles guides me through bustling Barcelona.  We chat about the Gothic Quarter, teeming with alleyways and squares, its stunning cathedral and quirky shops, cafes and restaurants.  We walk up to Gracia, wander around its boutiques and continue on up to Park Güell, with its colourful Gaudi mosaics and modernistic architecture. We chat about the famous Sagrada Familia, the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world and the Royal Palace with its fabulous fountain. Anna takes me on a tour of the many bars in the city from San Antoni to Raval and encourages me to have a vermouth cocktail.  We chat about her love of paella and she recommends a cookery class I can take.  Anna shares her choice of books, films and music that capture the atmosphere of Barcelona. She gives me lots of tips for my next visit, including taking a hike up to Montserrat with its Benedictine monastery. Thanks so much for listening today, if you’d like to be the first to know when a new episode lands, don’t forget to hit follow or subscribe, and you can always rate and review.  You can also follow me on the links below.  I’d love to hear from you.  Instagram: https:// www.instagram.com/ailishforde LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailish-forde-ba102856 Thanks to Top Flow via Pixabay for the background track, Sunshine Jaunt.

Dubliner Steven Davenport takes me on a tour of the many faces of L.A.   We chat about the distinctive neighbourhoods of the city from Downtown to Koreatown. Steven tells me about the imprint of the Hollywood studios on the city and talks about the music scene, with its mish mash of genres from classical to hip hop. He advises me to take a walk along the boardwalk in Venice Beach and watch the buskers and skateboarders perform. He encourages me to go up to the Griffith Observatory to catch a sunset and walk through the park with its fabulous views of the city. We chat about the wide array of cuisines available in LA: Mexican tacos, sushi, Korean barbecue and everything in between. Steven shares his choice of books, films and music that capture the atmosphere of the city.  He gives me hints and tips for my next visit, including taking in a baseball game at Dodger Stadium, people watching on Rodeo Drive and having a coffee on the couch at Friends’ Central Perk café at Warner Brothers Studios. Thanks so much for listening today, if you’d like to be the first to know when a new episode lands, don’t forget to hit follow or subscribe, and you can always rate and review.  You can also follow me on the links below.  I’d love to hear from you.  Instagram: https:// www.instagram.com/ailishforde LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailish-forde-ba102856 Thanks to Top Flow via Pixabay for the background track, Sunshine Jaunt.

Dublin woman Barbie Ryan guides me through the narrow alleyways of vibrant Naples.  We chat about the historic centre with its churches, cafes and restaurants, take a walk down to the Bay of Naples and wander up to Capodimonte with its park and summer palace museum. We talk about all things food from tomatoes to sweet treats and I get an insight into the passion of Neapolitan people. Barbie shares her choice of books, films and music that capture the atmosphere of Naples, gives me hints and tips for my next visit including her favourite restaurants and where to find the three Caravaggio’s.  She also encourages me to take a trip over to the island of Capri or visit nearby Pompeii. Thanks so much for listening today, if you’d like to be the first to know when a new episode lands, don’t forget to hit follow or subscribe, and you can always rate and review.  You can also follow me on the links below.  I’d love to hear from you. Instagram: https:// www.instagram.com/ailishforde LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailish-forde-ba102856 Thanks to Top Flow via Pixabay for the background track, Sunshine Jaunt.

Mayo man Henry Horkan takes me on a stroll through the patchwork of villages that is New York City.  We take the ferry down to Dumbo, head up to Columbia University and picnic in Central Park.  We chat about the charm of the west and east villages, explore restaurants and coffee shops in Little Italy, and have a cocktail at the St Regis hotel.   Henry gives me his choice of books, films and music that capture the atmosphere of the Big Apple. He shares lots of hints and tips for my next visit including his best art, sports and outdoor experience picks.  He also encourages me to take a trip out of the city to the towns in Upstate New York, or the islands. Thanks so much for listening to this episode. If you’d like to be the first to know when a new episode lands, don’t forget to hit follow or subscribe, and you can always rate and review.  You can also follow me on the links below.  I’d love to hear from you.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ailishforde LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailish-forde-ba102856 Thanks to Top Flow via Pixabay for the background track, Sunshine Jaunt.