Low Season Traveller Insider Guides

This past month we were invited over to the Islands of Tahiti by our good friends at Tahiti Tourisme so that we could learn exactly what the experience is like for visitors during the low season period.

The islands of Tahiti are arguably among the most stunningly beautiful in the world. Formed from the demise of 3 volcanoes, these islands not only have an incredible natural beauty, but they have an ancient, rich and diverse cultural heritage which remains strong to this day.

In this series, We seek to learn more about the traditions, beliefs, culture and heritage as We set out to discover the true essence of Tahiti when we ‘Meet the Tahitians’…

Episode 9 - Aimata & Hitinui

Aimata, Hitinui and their family have their home in a wonderful location at the end of the road (quite literally) at Teahupo'o.  And what a home it is! Located metres from the ocean and with a back garden which is practically the most beautiful valley in the whole of Tahiti.  It is here that Aimata and Hitinui lovingly share their home stay with travellers from all over the world who come to be at one with nature and live like the locals do in this corner of paradise.

I had the pleasure of staying with Aimata and Hitinui recently and after we enjoyed the most amazing home cooked meal of perfectly fresh ingredients from their garden, we sat down to discuss how and why they share their lives with new found friends from all over the world...

Enjoy!

You can connect with Aimata and Hitinui via:

Website: https://www.ahiotomoua.com/ourhome

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AHioToMoua/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahiotomoua/

This past month we were invited over to the Islands of Tahiti by our good friends at Tahiti Tourisme so that we could learn exactly what the experience is like for visitors during the low season period.

The islands of Tahiti are arguably among the most stunningly beautiful in the world. Formed from the demise of 3 volcanoes, these islands not only have an incredible natural beauty, but they have an ancient, rich and diverse cultural heritage which remains strong to this day.

In this series, We seek to learn more about the traditions, beliefs, culture and heritage as We set out to discover the true essence of Tahiti when we ‘Meet the Tahitians’…

Episode 8 - Cindy

Cindy Drollet grew up in the shadow of Teahupo'o.  A fully licensed captain, Cindy and the team at Tahiti Surfari are without a doubt the very best team to help you to learn about and understand the ocean and reef around the famous Teahupo'o break.

I joined Cindy for a surfari tour around Teahupo'o where we body surfed the famous break, swam in pristine waterfalls only accessible by lava tubes, swung out over the river in the lush clearings and engaged in surf stories of Kelly Slater, Rob Machado and more after a fabulous barbecue lunch.

I arrived at the conclusion that there is a reason the world's top surfers work with Cindy and the team at Tahit Surfari - no-one knows this place like they do.

Enjoy!

You can connect with Cindy and The Tahiti Surfari Team via:

Website: https://www.tahitisurfari.com/en/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tahitisurfari

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teahupoo_surfari/

This past month we were invited over to the Islands of Tahiti by our good friends at Tahiti Tourisme so that we could learn exactly what the experience is like for visitors during the low season period.

The islands of Tahiti are arguably among the most stunningly beautiful in the world. Formed from the demise of 3 volcanoes, these islands not only have an incredible natural beauty, but they have an ancient, rich and diverse cultural heritage which remains strong to this day.

In this series, We seek to learn more about the traditions, beliefs, culture and heritage as We set out to discover the true essence of Tahiti when we ‘Meet the Tahitians’…

Episode 7 - Matehau

Matehau Tetopata was born and raised in the shadow of the world's most feared wave break in Teahupo'o.  As this is is home break, I wanted to know equally what it's like to ride this wave and what it's like to wipeout on it.

As the soft rains fell around us with the lush green Teahupo'o Valley behind us, and the feared surf break in front of us, Matehau explained that to surf this wave is humbling privilege which he prepares for every day.  An experience which he never takes for granted and in return it brings him closer to the life-force or "Mana"

Enjoy!

This past month we were invited over to the Islands of Tahiti by our good friends at Tahiti Tourisme so that we could learn exactly what the experience is like for visitors during the low season period.

The islands of Tahiti are arguably among the most stunningly beautiful in the world. Formed from the demise of 3 volcanoes, these islands not only have an incredible natural beauty, but they have an ancient, rich and diverse cultural heritage which remains strong to this day.

In this series, We seek to learn more about the traditions, beliefs, culture and heritage as We set out to discover the true essence of Tahiti when we ‘Meet the Tahitians’…

Episode 6 - Maui

Maui Ciucci is the epitome of a water man.  Larger than life, Maui runs Corallina Tours, a local company on Moorea which welcomes guests to experience a variety of wonderfully immersive tours around the waters of his beautiful home island.

I joined Maui for a low season tour where we swam in the world's most feared wave break, snorkelled with black tipped sharks, were approached by enormous rays, watched the turtles play around us and generally made the most of the incrediblely abundant wildlife all around us.  And all of this was set during the low season when bizarrely, few people visit and had the lagoon to ourselves...

After lunch I chatted to Maui about all that we had just experienced.

Enjoy!

You can connect with Maui via:

Website: https://www.corallinatours.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Corallinatours

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corallina_tours/

This past month we were invited over to the Islands of Tahiti by our good friends at Tahiti Tourisme so that we could learn exactly what the experience is like for visitors during the low season period.

The islands of Tahiti are arguably among the most stunningly beautiful in the world. Formed from the demise of 3 volcanoes, these islands not only have an incredible natural beauty, but they have an ancient, rich and diverse cultural heritage which remains strong to this day.

In this series, We seek to learn more about the traditions, beliefs, culture and heritage as We set out to discover the true essence of Tahiti when we ‘Meet the Tahitians’…

Episode 5 - Mareva

Mareva Leu is the Director of the International Oceanic Documentary Film Festival which is held every year in Tahiti.  Running on the 4-12 February, FIFO Tahiti as the festival is known, sees documentary filmakers from all over the Pacific region and beyond, gathering together to share their films and in so doing, challenge the status quo of Polynesian life, history and culture.

I caught up with Mareva in one of the beautiful parks in Papeete in order to learn more about the work of FIFO and how it is a medium which challenges us all to consider all facets of Pacific life whilst also challenging the stereotypes and prejudices which still exist.

As Mareva explains to me in this episode, FIFO is helping Pacific Islanders to truly tell their own story...

Enjoy!

You can connect with Mareva via:

Website: https://www.fifotahiti.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fifo.officiel

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fifo.officiel/

This past month we were invited over to the Islands of Tahiti by our good friends at Tahiti Tourisme so that we could learn exactly what the experience is like for visitors during the low season period.

The islands of Tahiti are arguably among the most stunningly beautiful in the world. Formed from the demise of 3 volcanoes, these islands not only have an incredible natural beauty, but they have an ancient, rich and diverse cultural heritage which remains strong to this day.

In this series, We seek to learn more about the traditions, beliefs, culture and heritage as We set out to discover the true essence of Tahiti when we ‘Meet the Tahitians’…

Episode 4 - Matahi

Matahi Tutavae is a journalist, cultural guide and proud Tahitian who works with a wonderful organisation called Haururu.

We caught up with Matahi during a day out with him at the home of the Haururu organisation deep in the Papenoo Valley to learn more about the work of Haururu and why it has a vitally important role in ensuring that the next generation learn about and embrace their polynesian cultural heritage.

As Matahi tells me in this episode, we cannot think too much about the immense cultural heritage which has been lost already, but must instead focus on protecting and preserving what is left...

Enjoy!

You can connect with Matahi via:

Website: https://www.haururu.pf

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haururu/

We were recently invited over to the Islands of Tahiti by our good friends at Tahiti Tourisme so that we could learn exactly what the experience is like for visitors during the low season period.

The islands of Tahiti are arguably among the most stunningly beautiful in the world. Formed from the demise of 3 volcanoes, these islands not only have an incredible natural beauty, but they have an ancient, rich and diverse cultural heritage which remains strong to this day.

In this series, We seek to learn more about the traditions, beliefs, culture and heritage as We set out to discover the true essence of Tahiti when we ‘Meet the Tahitians’…

Episode 3 - Mateata

Mateata is joyful! She has an infectiously warm, powerful and energetic presence and is indeed a force of nature!

Mateata is proudly Moorean. Born and raised on this smaller and quieter island just 30 mins from Tahiti, Mateata was called by the ocean at a young age. She has sailed all over the world with her passion for seafaring always ensuring that she bore the true colours of her polynesian identity along the way.  Now back at her ancestral home in Moorea, I caught up with Mateata at the peaceful bay where Captain Cook first landed in Tahiti - a fitting location to learn more about the true polynesian culture of Tahiti and perhaps a short history lesson.

Enjoy!

You can connect with Mateata via:

Website: https://www.mooreayachtservices.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mooreayachtservices/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahanayachtservices/

This past month we were invited over to the Islands of Tahiti by our good friends at Tahiti Tourisme so that we could learn exactly what the experience is like for visitors during the low season period.

The islands of Tahiti are arguably among the most stunningly beautiful in the world. Formed from the demise of 3 volcanoes, these islands not only have an incredible natural beauty, but they have an ancient, rich and diverse cultural heritage which remains strong to this day.

In this series, We seek to learn more about the traditions, beliefs, culture and heritage as We set out to discover the true essence of Tahiti when we ‘Meet the Tahitians’…

Episode 2 - Teuai

Olivier Lenoir or Teuai as he is known locally, is known for his fascinating and exhilerating 4x4 tours of the Papenoo Valley in Tahiti’s lush tropical interior.

Originally from Tahiti’s Austral Islands, Teuai is well known for his knowledge of the cultural traditions of the Tahitian islands and he plays a vital role in keeping his cultural ancestry alive through his tours and through his acclaimed dance troupe.

In this episode, I caught up with Teuai during our expedition with him in the Papenoo Valley where he spoke with me about his concerns for the future of the Tahitian culture and how tourism is playing an increasingly vital role in the protection and preservation of their cultural heritage.

Enjoy!

You can connect with Teuai via:

Website: https://www.iaoranatahitiexpeditions.com/votre-guide

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iaoranatahitiexpeditions/

This past month we were invited over to the Islands of Tahiti by our good friends at Tahiti Tourisme so that we could learn exactly what the experience is like for visitors during the low season period.

It may have been the rainy season, but we only saw rain on 2 days and to be honest, it was a refreshing welcome from the warmth of the Tahitian Summer.

The islands of Tahiti are arguably among the most stunningly beautiful in the world. Formed from the demise of 3 volcanoes, these islands not only have an incredible natural beauty, but they have an ancient, rich and diverse cultural heritage which remains strong to this day.

In this series, We seek to learn more about the traditions, beliefs, culture and heritage as We set out to discover the true essence of Tahiti when we ‘Meet the Tahitians’…

Episode 1 - Torea Colas

Torea is the Marketing and Communications Director for Air Tahiti Nui, the national carrier of French Polynesia and he has the role of ensuring that the essence of Tahiti is captured and felt whenever anyone first sets foot aboard the national carrier of Tahiti.

In this first episode, recorded in the Air Tahiti Nui head office on our first full day in Tahiti, we asked Torea to help us to understand what “Mana” is and how Air Tahiti Nui brings the “Mana” to their flights.

This week I caught up with Harshil Khurmi who is a pilot for our friends at SkySafari.

SkySafari delivers you directly into world-class wilderness. Their carefully designed trips, fly non-stop and in style between the best camps, with the best guides and the best wildlife watching in Kenya and Tanzania, without so much as a second wasted – which gives you longer to revel in the sights, smells, sounds and sensations of the African bush. And when you go on a safari with them, they ensure that all of your SkySafari flight emissions, road transfers and our operational head office power consumption are compensated for through their partnership with Carbon Tanzania.

Finally, the team at SkySafari understand that it’s the little details which can make a big difference: from giving you a greater luggage allowance to knowing how you take your G&T, they’ve got everything covered.

So sit back, and relax as we head over to East Africa to learn how to safari in style…

And you can learn more about SkySafari in the low season months by visiting lowseasontraveller.com/skysafari or of course, skysafari.com where you will be able to see for yourself the incredible views and vistas which Harshil spoke about in this episode.

But That’s our show for this week. Thanks as always, for your company, and if you enjoyed this podcast, please do leave us a positive rating and review on your podcast app and also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to be the first to hear our latest low season stories, articles and guides.

Today we’re heading over to Vietnam to join Nikki as she travels the world during the low seasons.

As consumers many of us are increasingly thinking about where our food comes, whether to buy an electric car, who makes our clothes etc, but how many of us have made the leap to thinking about how our holiday is put together?

As regular listeners will know, Nikki Morrison is currently travelling the world for Low Season Traveller. After a long career with BBC News, the world of tourism is new to Nikki and she says it's been eye-opening. With supply chains to rival any supermarket, so-called Destination Management Companies (or DMCs) are vital links in the tourism chain but who outside the industry knows much about them? Understanding what they do is key to understanding how ethical or sustainable your next holiday might be.

As ever covid revealed some of the worst practices among some DMCs but has also created opportunities to do things differently.

One such group is the Global Travel Collective – a group of small operators who are working together to try and find some clout in a market which is ruled by the big, global, players.

In this latest episode, Nikki was in Hoi An, Vietnam, to learn more from Tuan Pham, one of the co-founders of Travel Neutral who helped create the Collective.

And you can learn more about The Travel Collective and Travel Neutral by visiting the pages below:

https://travelneutral.travel/about

https://www.globalcollective.travel/

But That’s our show for this week. Thanks as always, for your company, and if you enjoyed this podcast, please do leave us a positive rating and review on your podcast app and also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to be the first to hear our latest low season stories, articles and guides.

Have a great week wherever you are and remember that travel is always better and fairer for the planet, the local communities and you the travellers, when it’s without the crowds…

Today we’re bringing you a special episode of Insider Guides.

I was recently asked to provide a keynote on Sustainability for the tourism and hospitality professionals at the Best Stay Event which was held in Croatia.

As you can probably tell, I’m very passionate about sustainability and the issues surrounding climate change and so I wanted to ensure that everyone in the audience had some of the scientific facts which are known as of today and also let them know what they can do to help.

The feedback has been really positive and so I thought I would share this with you, our loyal podcast audience to see if you have any thoughts on this.

Have a listen and let me know what you think at the end by dropping me a line at ged@lowseasontraveller.com or send me a whatsapp message once you’ve listened on +44 7572 612 602

But That’s our show for this week. Thanks as always, for your company, and if you enjoyed this podcast, please do leave us a positive rating and review on your podcast app and also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to be the first to hear our latest low season stories, articles and guides.

Have a great week wherever you are and remember that travel is always better and fairer for the planet, the local communities and you the travellers, when it’s without the crowds…

Welcome to this week’s episode of Low Season Traveller Insider Guides, the podcast where we speak to the locals to learn what the experience is like for travellers during the low season months in their destination.

I’m Ged Brown your host for this week’s episode and today we return to Northern Thailand where Nikki Morrison has been on location near the Myanmar border.

As regular listeners will know, we’ve been working with Nikki Morrison as she travels the world during the low seasons to help Low Season Traveller in our mission to draw more attention to the challenges of overtourism and seasonality whilst extolling the virtues of low season travel.

Nikki met up with Sarah Blaine whilst on her journey through Northern Thailand recently to learn more about her work with the elephant mahouts.

The Mahouts Elephant Foundation is a unique organisation in Thailand working to re-wild captive elephants and allow them to return to the cloud forest along the northern Myanmar border. It is only possible with the support of the elephant owners and mahouts who in the past would have had few options but to sell elephants into the tourist trade. Tourism is still vital to the success of this project, and by visiting the village as a guest of the Karan tribes who live there you both help to sustain a way of life and liberate elephants who have lived captive lives, in some cases for decades. Sarah is the woman behind the idea, and she invited Nikki to experience it for herself as part of her Low Season Adventure.

And you can learn more about Chiang Mai and what it’s like during it’s low season months here.

But That’s our show for this week. Thanks as always, for your company, and if you enjoyed this podcast, please do leave us a positive rating and a review on your podcast app – it really helps…and also please do follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so you’ll be the first to hear our latest low season stories, articles and guides.

Today we’re heading over to Lucerne in Switzerland to join Marco Thali and Fabienne Zemp from Mount Pilatus.

Mount Pilatus is Lucerne’s landmark mountain.  Standing at 2,182 metres, Pilatus offers her visitors and overnight guests a whole host of winter activities which allow those of us who don’t ski, to enjoy the gloriously clear, crisp mountain air of a snowy winter wonderland with all of the typical Swissness one might expect.

Grab a warm mug of cocoa, sit back, and relax as we head over to one of Switzerlands premier mountain experiences.  This, is how you can truly enjoy a true winter break...in the low season of course....

And you can learn more about Mount Pilatus by visiting lowseasontraveller.com  or indeed pilatus.ch where you will be able to see for yourself the incredible views and vistas which Marco and Fabienne spoke about in this episode.

Today we’re heading over to Saas Fee which is known as the Pearl of The Alps, to join Florian Leven who is the General Manager of The Capra Hotel.

The Capra is a luxury boutique wellness hotel which combines five star luxury with the warm cosiness of an alpine swiss chalet.  A favourite with ski connoisseurs every winter, Saas Fee is known as one of the most charming and beautiful regions in the Swiss Alps and has the advantage of being a perfect low season escape during the fall months of September through November when the plethoroa of 4,000 metre peaks surrounding the resort, explode with colour as the browns, reds, and yellows of the autumn appear.

Join us as we hear from Florian, why The Capra makes a perfect low season, luxury break.

We have been working with Nikki Morrison as she travels the world during the low seasons to help Low Season Traveller in our mission to draw more attention to the issues of overtourism and seasonality whilst extolling the virtues of low season travel.

Nikki met up with John Borthwick whilst on her journey through Northern Thailand recently.

John Borthwick is one of Australia’s leading travel writers, his work is published by leading newspapers around the world and his photos have graced the covers of no fewer than five editions of the Lonely Planet.  He has been Australian Travel Writer of the Year and awarded the Pacific Asia Travel Association Gold Award. When he turned out to be sharing Nikki Morrison's Low Season Adventure with the Tuk Tuk Club in Northern Thailand she couldn't have been more delighted. In her own words, it was her first rodeo and John, as you will hear has five decades of experience to share. 

Enjoy..

And you can learn more about Chiang Mai and what it’s like during it’s low season months here.

But That’s our show for this week. Thanks as always, for your company, and if you enjoyed this podcast, please do leave us a positive rating and a review on your podcast app – it really helps…and also please do follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so you’ll be the first to hear our latest low season stories, articles and guides.

Have a great week and remember that travel is always better and fairer for the planet, the local communities and you the travellers, when it’s without the crowds…

Today we’re talking about equitable and responsible tourism.

James Nadiope is the founder and CEO of The Justice Tourism Foundation in Uganda and their vision is of a world where tourism brings greater benefits for local communities which in turn can participate in terms of job creation, poverty reduction and environmental management.

It’s an incredible organisation and perhaps, this is what the future of tourism looks like in a world where the benefits are more evenly distributed.

Have a listen and let us know what you think…

We’ve been following James and the Justice Tourism Foundation for a while now and we are really loving watching the movement grow. 

Please do visit justicetourism.co.ug to find out more about the projects and experiences which they operate in Uganda and perhaps you could join them this year for a truly immersive and equitable tourism experience which will surely be the trip of a lifetime.

And you can learn more about Uganda and what it’s like during it’s low season months here.

But That’s our show for this week. Thanks as always, for your company, and if you enjoyed this podcast, please do leave us a positive rating and a review on your podcast app – it really helps…and also please do follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so you’ll be the first to hear our latest low season stories, articles and guides.

Today we head over to Northern Thailand.

Our regular listeners will know that we have been collaborating with former BBC journalist, Nikki, as she travels around the world during the low season months in each destination.  She is currently in Thailand where she met up with Bruce Haxton from the Tuk Tuk Club as she joined their 10 day adventure.

Here she speaks with Bruce as the tour came to it’s conclusion.

And if you like the sound of Northern Thailand you can learn more about the region and what it’s like during it’s low season months on https://lowseasontraveller.com/destination/chiang-mai/ and thetuktukclub.com to book your place....

Today we’re speaking with a renowned travel writer about the Greek island of Rhodes which is just starting to enter it’s quieter low season months of September, October and November.

Rebecca Hall loves Greece. Not only does she eat, sleep and drink Greece, but she has now lived in Greece for many years. And, as a testament to her knowledge of Greece and indeed Rhodes, Rebecca writes the guides for some of the world’s leading travel publications including The Rough Guides and Lonely Planet among many others.

So, join myself and Rebecca and let’s discover why Rhodes is the perfect low season getaway this autumn…

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Have you been to Rhodes during the low season months?  Would you like to share your experiences, tips and tricks with the low season travelling community?  If so, drop us a line at editor@lowseasontraveller.com and perhaps we can feature your story in the next edition of Low Season Traveller magazine.

And if, youd like to learn more about the many wonderful experiences you can have in Rhodes during the quieter low season months, then you can read our guide to the low season in Rhodes.

But until then, please do check out our pages on Facebook and Instagram so you can see for yourself what the low season experience is like around the world.

Today we’re talking to one of our readers of the Low Season Traveller Magazine, Lea Lohmueller, a 23 year old sustainable tourism student from Germany who wanted to share her experiences of the low season months in Albania.

You can read the full account of Lea’s experiences in Albania and indeed see some of Lea’s wonderful images taken during the low season months in this month’s edition of the low season traveller magazine.

Have a listen and don’t forget, if you’ve had any amazing low season experiences on your travels, Drop me a line at editor@lowseasontraveller.com

We’d love to feature you in the magazine and who knows, it could be you featuring in this podcast next time!

But for now, have a listen to Lea and let’s learn a little more about amazing Albania!