Trip Notes

Budgets have been tighter over the last few years as the cost of everything just keeps getting higher.  But a tight budget doesn’t always mean you have to give up on your dream holiday.

And, with budgets getting tighter, the travel industry is adapting and innovating to make cheaper travel a higher end option. 

To get all the tips and ideas, Lorna is joined by Tim Alpe, the co-founder of rental car and camperva...

Cruising is one of the oldest forms of travel, but in the modern era it's often seen as something for retirees to do.

That's all changing though, with the number of cruise passengers growing by the year, and the average age is dropping at the same time. So today, we're talking all things cruising and giving you all the information you need if you are considering one, heading on your first cruise, or for those experienced cruisers w...

Most of us don’t like to think about our big overseas adventure going wrong. So much planning, money and time goes into these trips, but the reality is, anything can happen to impact your trip. 

Whether it be airline issues, natural disasters, medical events or theft, you need to know you are covered if the worst does happen.

Today, Lorna is getting advice, tips and tricks from inside the industry, with Sales Director at...

Multi-stopping is tipped to be one of up and coming travel trends for 2025. It’s pretty much getting two or more destinations into your holidays for the price of one – adding in stopovers to and from your main destination when flying long haul.

To discuss how to best get the most of our holiday, this week Lorna is joined by travel bloggeratlarge Megan Singleton to discuss which cities and countries are best to transit t...

Australia is such a natural destination for Kiwis too visit - but how many of us have explored outside the usual go to’s of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or the Gold Coast? Aren't we all a little guilty of sticking to those tried and true destinations?

Today, Lorna is joined by Chris Zeiher, a spokesperson and writer for Lonely Planet in the Asia Pacific Region.  He’s based in Melbourne but an avid traveller and an e...

Best Beach is back for 2025, presented by Fruju. New Trip Notes host Lorna Riley is joined by comedian Eli Matthewson (new show Heaven's Devil) and Find My Country House New Zealand host Matt Gibb to discuss their picks for the best family-friendly, city, surf, hidden gem and camping beach in the country. 

To read more about the Best Beach campaign and have your say, go to nzherald.co.nz/bestbeach. Nominations close January 12...

In this special bonus episode of Trip Notes, the Herald Travel team is once again looking for New Zealand's Best Beach - this time with support from Fruju, NZ's favourite ice block.

To get the ideas ball rolling, NZ Herald Lifestyle and Travel editor Stephanie Holmes is joined by Celebrity Treasure Island finalist Turia Schmidt-Peke, and Small Town Scandal host Tom Sainsbury, to get their ideas.

To nominate and vote, head to nzhera...

It’s been a while since you’ve heard from us here at Trip Notes, but we are back for a special bonus episode thanks to New Zealand’s favourite ice cream Tip Top in order to celebrate New Zealand’s Best Beach! But we need your help – we want you to tell us your favourite beaches around Aotearoa as part of the Herald’s Best Beach campaign. 

We last crowned a winner back in 2021, when Ōhope voted New Zealand’s best beach. Now we’re le...

Trip Notes is proud to present the first episode of the new travel podcast miniseries from NZH Travel's Thomas Bywater. In the first episode of this seven-part series, Bywater explores the mysteries of Antarctica while stuck on a cruise ship at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

You can find all episodes of Detour: Antarctica at nzherald.co.nz/detour, or on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/l...

How do you run a travel magazine when you can't travel?

Somehow, despite the world being shut off for the last 18 months, the NZ Herald Travel magazine has been able to not only survive, but also thrive and become an award-winning magazine.

But we're not going to lie - it's been a tough road.

In our final episode of this season's Trip Notes travel podcast, travel writer Juliette Sivertsen, Deputy Editor Maggi...

"I came back to Milford Sound because I couldn't get the shape of the landscape out of my head; those glacier-carved mountains plunging toward deep green water, the lichen and moss hugging the faces of giants who seemed to lean in and admire their faces in the deep stillness."

Actor and writer Michelle Langstone is rarely lost for words - except when she tries to describe the beauty of Milford Sound.

In this episode ...

What do you remember about family holidays growing up?

From being piled in to clunky old cars, to what felt like endless hours on the road, family road trips can make up some of our strongest childhood memories.

Join NZ Herald Travel Editor Stephanie Holmes and writers Juliette Sivertsen and Karl Puschmann as we discuss family travel memories, as well as tips and advice for planning a road trip with the kids in tow....

How do you prepare for an adventure holiday?

From skiing getaways and hiking trips to intense Coast to Coast multi sport adventure tours, adventure travel is as much of a mental battle as it is a physical challenge.

In this episode of Trip Notes, join NZ Herald Travel Editor Stephanie Holmes and her writers Juliette Sivertsen and Maggie Wicks as they discuss their most active adventures in New Zealand and abroad, inc...

What makes a luxury holiday so... luxurious?

Be it a city hotel or remote lodge, staying in luxury accommodation is often about bespoke service as well as exquisite amenities and fine dining.

In this week’s episode of Trip Notes, NZ Herald Travel Editor Stephanie Holmes is joined by writers Juliette Sivertsen and Greg Bruce to discuss their most luxurious stays in New Zealand and abroad - and what sets those places ...

Ever wish you could just get away from it all? The Travel team loves going to truly remote places, and this week, we're covering our favourites.

Listen to Maggie Wicks' story about 'podhopping' her way around the South Island, staying in the truly remote PurePods in Kaikoura, Waipara Valley and the Banks Peninsula. Then join Maggie, travel writer Juliette Sivertsen, and travel editor Stephanie Holmes discussing their favour...