extravirginfoodtravel

Heading to London? There's a lot more to the city than Buckingham palace and Big Ben. Our guest on this episode of "Postcards," is Che-Marie Trigg, a freelance writer and editor. In February 2023 she relocated from Sydney to London for the second time – she spent two years living and working in the English capital in 2017 and 2018, and has been in the city's grip ever since. 

New York City. "Everybody is here and everything is here for you. A lot of people are here to live out their dreams and make wonderful things happen."

So says our guest in this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Podcast's "Postcard," Dena Levitz.

Event organiser, yoga teacher and travel journalist, New Yorker Dena shows us her New York, taking us on an in-depth virtual tour.

She tells us about little-known museums, parks and markets. How you can attend a private music event at a local's home or an unsual piano bar where the guests join in as well as comedy clubs and cocktail bars. 

And with a professional interest in food, Dena generously shares her extensive knowledge - from where to get New York's best bagel to "bacon egg and cheese," at a local bodega; what she reckons are the best dosa outside India, as well her favorite restaurants, delis and much, much more. 

I nearly cancelled the whole thing, I really did. Mid-2022 and I'd booked a trip in September to France and Italy and it was causing me high anxiety. 

The world is in turmoil. The Covid crisis seems to be easing, but is it? Will I get stuck away from home like so many others? What about the war in Ukraine? What about work, how can I be away that long?

But I went and found the world still a beautiful place and that I still loved to travel.

Join me for this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel, where I tell you a little about my recent trip.

And keep an eye out for an upcoming newsletter about places to stay, where to eat, and what to do in all of the places I visited. You can subscribe via the website: www.extravirginfoodandtravel.com

Laura Thayer is living a life most of us could only dream of.

This ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Postcard wings its way to us from one of the world's most multicultural cities, Toronto, Canada.

Our guest is lifestyle journalist Maryam Saddiqi who shares everything she loves about her city; from its lively art scene, to heritage districts and green spaces, its residents’ love of sports, the live music scene, and of course, with the city about to get its own Michelin Guide, the fantastic food scene.

Maryam recommends everything from a local wine you should try, to a farmers’ market to visit, tells us why you should jump on a ferry to explore Toronto’s islands and the best spot for a sunset view of the city.

We also learn a few fascinating facts - Toronto’s Young Street is the longest street in the world. And if you want to pass as a local, you’ll drop the second ‘t’ in ‘Toronto’ and pronounce it “Tor-on-o.”

Here are just a few of the places Maryam mentions - listen for the comprehensive guide full of her insider tips.

Bar Pompette https://www.pompette.ca/barpompette

Evergreen Brick Works https://www.evergreen.ca/evergreen-brick-works/

Bang Bang https://bang-bang-ice-cream-bakery.square.site/

Good Behaviour https://goodbehaviourto.ca/

Ba Noi https://ba-noi.myshopify.com/

Alo https://alofoodgroup.com/

Terroni https://www.terroni.com/

Patois https://www.patoistoronto.com/

Distillery District https://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/

Are you a planner or do you prefer to wing it when you travel?

ExtraVirgin host Natascha Mirosch is definitely one of the former and in this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Podcast, she tells us why she prefers to leave nothing to chance. 

Natascha also shares her tips and tricks; from getting the best out of frequent flyer points, to how to increase your chances of getting an empty seat next to you on the plane. She tells us about the sites she uses when planning her trips and shares a couple of distasters that saw her carefully laid plans go pear-shaped.

Thailand's capital, Bangkok is a large, sprawling city best known for its river, ornate temples and delicious street food.

Our guest, Wisrute Buddhari has lived in Bangkok most of his life. Not only does he share the best time of the year to visit and what to see and do; from temple hopping to viewing the city from a boat on the Chao Praya river, as well as a secret beach only locals know about, but this keen foodie let's us in on some of his favourite places to eat and drink. Have a listen to discover:

•  Where to get the best roast goose in the city
•  Where to go for Thai beef noodles
•  Which markets locals shop at 
•  Where to find the best beef ribs
•  Where to eat regional Thai food
•  A vineyard just out of Bangkok

You'll find links to these and more in the show notes at: www.extravirginfoodandtravel.com

Headed to California? Or just California dreaming? Los Angeles is far more than just Hollywood, as this "Postcard" episode guest, Wendy Lee explains.

Wendy, who has a blog, Empty Nesters Hit the Road, shares with us some of her favourite things to see and do in Los Angeles - you might be surprised to find out what a rich multicultural and cultural city Los Angeles is.

Wendy tells us about its theatres and galleries, its green spaces and mountain hikes, as well as its 76 miles of shoreline. She also shares secrets about LA’s ethnic neighbourhoods and street art, food markets, roof top bars and her favourite restaurants.

So, whether you’re planning a trip, or just armchair travelling, enjoy this tip-packed Postcard from Los Angeles.

Parks

https://www.laparks.org/griffithpark/

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/angeles/recreatin/hiking

Eating and Drinking

https://www.sunnongdan.net/

https://www.olvera-street.com/

https://redbird.la/

https://thefactorykitchen.com/

https://www.manuela-la.com/

Theatres and Galleries

https://www.lacma.org/

https://www.thebroad.org/

https://www.getty.edu/

https://www.centertheatregroup.org/

http://www.pantagestheatre.net/

A Weekend in LA

https://artsdistrictla.org/

https://www.grandcentralmarket.com/

https://rowdtla.com/

https://la.smorgasburg.com/

A little different, this one - just like my guest (and friend) Carmel Ruggeri, an Australian-Sicilian and former restaurateur turned tour guide. 

If you listened to the previous ExtraVirgin Food and Travel episode with Rubia Daniels, who bought 3 houses in Mussomeli in Sicily, your interest in the region may well have been piqued. 

This episode will answer your questions about this very unique part of Italy - 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 entertaining episode.

In this episode of ExtraVirgin Postcards, we visit Nice, on France's beautiful Côte d'Azur.

Our guest, Madelyne Prowse takes us on a colourful and delicious tour of her adopted home town; from the seaside promenade to hiking trails in the hills; secret beaches to the best beach bars.  She shares with us her favourite places to eat, drink and how to best experience Nice like a Niçoise.

You've probably seen something about it on the news - Italian towns offering 1 Euro houses for sale.

If you were an Italophile, it may have given you pause - the optimist in you imaging a life of long lunches beneath a trellis of vines, before you dimissed the offer as too good to be true. 

In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel, we talk with Rubia Daniels ,who spent the grand total of 3 euro on not just one, but 3 properties in the town of Mussomeli in Sicily.

What exactly are the strings? How much are you likely to end up spending?  How difficult is the process?  And most importantly, can you really live la dolce vita for 1 euro? 

Do you want to be a food writer? Do you think you have what it takes to have your food stories published in magazines or newspapers? Or, perhaps you’re an instagrammer or blogger keen to polish your food writing skills?

In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel Podcast, Natascha Mirosch talks to Barbara Sweeney, a food writer, former food guide editor, writing teacher and organiser of Australia’s only food writing festival, 'Food & Words.'

We discuss everything from how to pitch to an editor, how to be a better writer, restaurant reviewing and other food writing genres, and even what you might expect to be paid as a professional freelance food writer. 

This episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Postcards comes from  Dubrovnik in Croatia.

Working as a tour guide, location scout and photographer, our guest, Ivan Vukovic couldn't be better placed to share the insider secrets of this beautiful medieval walled city on the Adriatic.

Ivan tells us about his favourite restaurants, off-the-beaten-track but "must-see" sights and shares lots of useful tips.

So, whether you're planning a visit or just armchair travelling, come along with us to Dubrovnik, Croatia.  

Our guest on ExtraVirgin Postcards this episode is Noriko Silvester, the owner of a design communication company in Toyko, Japan.

Noriko lives in Komae, in the Western section of Tokyo metropolis. It is, she tells us, a very safe, green and peaceful part of Tokyo, famous for its movie studios and the local and international actors who frequent it.  

Noriko tells us about a few of her favourite restaurants, shopping areas, museums and parks, how she spends her weekends and urges visitors to Tokyo to get out into the suburbs to see how Japanese people live. 

So whether you're planning a visit or just armchair travelling, let this postcard from Tokyo take you away. 

This episode of ExtraVirgin "Postcards" comes from a tiny and remote island in the Pacific Ocean, over 1400 km from mainland Australia.

At just 35km square, Norfolk Island is home to around 1750 inhabitants, many of whom are the direct descendants of the Bounty mutineers. 

Islander Sharyn Quintal talks to us about her beloved island home and its fascinating history - the unique language spoken, the bounteous nature, must-sees and tips for making the most of a visit to this laidback South Pacific paradise. 

In this episode of ExtraVirgin Postcards, where we travel the globe talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live, we hear from Tim Cox, in Hobart, Tasmania.

A local, off-and-on for the past 30 years, Tim talks about Hobart's vibrant arts scene, dismisses a few preconceptions about Australia's least populated capital city and shares some of its secrets, including his favourite eating and drinking spots.

So sit back, relax (maybe pour yourself a fine Tasmanian whisky?) and enjoy armchair travelling with us to Hobart, Tasmania.

In this episode of ExtraVirgin Postcards, where we travel the globe talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live, we hear from Tim Cox, in Hobart, Tasmania.

A local, off-and-on for the past 30 years, Tim talks about Hobart's vibrant arts scene, dismisses a few preconceptions about Australia's least populated capital city and shares some of its secrets, including his favourite eating and drinking spots.

So sit back, relax (maybe pour yourself a fine Tasmanian whisky?) and enjoy armchair travelling with us to Hobart, Tasmania.

Come on an adventure and fuel your wanderlust as we travel the globe, talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live - exploring beyond the guide books and tourist traps to discover local secrets.

In this episode Kuala Lumpur local and (like most KL-ites)  obsessed foodie, Karen Ho talks about her city - a place where colonalist architecture and gleaming glass skyscrapers co-exist and the vibrant food scene is an amalgamation of the many nationalities that call it home.

Karen gives us the intel on places to go, sights that are really worth seeing, what and where to eat and tips on traversing this colourful city like a local.