TravelZoom: Recent Episodes
TravelZoom Podcast
TravelZoom explores places beyond the surface. In every episode we visit a new destination and we explore it beyond the landmarks and attractions. Talking to local insiders we discover the social and cultural aspects of a place to set the context for the visit. We learn about the local hidden gems that you are not likely to find in the guide book. And of course, we get a taste of the local, yet not the most obvious, cuisine.
· Follow us on Instagram: @travelzoom_podcast
· Subscribe to TravelZoom and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen
Interested in collaborating with us? Email: aga@travelzoompodcast.com
In this episode of TravelZoom we take you to London.London dates back millennia. its history was shaped by the Romans, Vikings, Normans leaving behind a rich tapestry of culture and architecture. Aga, the host, interviews Steve Chapman. Steve is an artist, writer, speaker, and most importantly he’s lived in London all his life. He talks about the hidden side of London, its art scene as well as the impact Brexit had on the city.
More about Steve Chapman:
- Website: https://www.canscorpionssmoke.com/product-category/prints/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevexoh/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevexoh?lang=en
More about TravelZoom Podcast:
· www.travelzoompodcast.com
· Follow us on Instagram: @travelzoom_podcast
· Subscribe to TravelZoom and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen
Interested in collaborating with us? Email: aga@travelzoompodcast.com
In this episode of TravelZoom we pay tribute to Hong Kong.
The host, Aga Skoczypiec who lived in Hong Kong for 8 years, interviews Pete Spurrier, the author of an exceptional series of guidebooks to Hong Kong. Pete takes us on a tour through Hong Kong's past and tells us how the city has changed during its short modern history. He uncovers the stories behind Hong Kong's most visited landmarks and attraction and creates a customized itinerary for travellers who'd like to discover Hong Kong beyond the surface.
More about Pete Spurrier:
- https://petespurrier.com/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/petespurrier/
Pete Spurrier's guidebooks to Hong Kong:
- THE HERITAGE HIKER’S GUIDE TO HONG KONG
- THE LEISURELY HIKER’S GUIDE TO HONG KONG
- THE SERIOUS HIKER’S GUIDE TO HONG KONG
More about TravelZoom Podcast:
· www.travelzoompodcast.com
· Follow us on Instagram: @travelzoom_podcast
· Subscribe to TravelZoom and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen
Interested in collaborating with us? Email: aga@travelzoompodcast.com
Today we have a Singapore bonus episode for you – our interview with chef Petrina Loh. When we were conducting the interviews for the main episode, Petrina was travelling in Japan and Korea doing food research and looking for inspiration for the menu at Morsels, the restaurant she is the chef and owner of. We missed her back then, but we caught up with her upon her return.
This year, that’s in 2022, Petrina received the World Gourmet Award as the best female chef in Singapore. But before seriously venturing into the culinary world, Petrina was a banker for 10 years!
In this episode we unpack this story as well as what Petrina serves at Morsels and her secret places for comfort food in Singapore.
· Follow us on Instagram: @travelzoom_podcast
· Subscribe to TravelZoom and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen
Are you interested in collaborating with us? Email: aga@travelzoompodcast.com
In this episode, we're going to city-state Singapore. We speak to:
· Eisen Teo, a historian, museum curator and author about how Singapore has evolved from being one of the poorest countries in 1960s into becoming one of the riches places on Earth.
· Dzung do Nguyen, urban planner working in Singapore, about the cutting-edge yet sustainable architecture in the city-state.
· Mikka Wee, the food writer, about how Singapore’s multicultural makeup manifests itself in its cuisine.
More about our guests:
Eisen Teo:
· https://www.linkedin.com/in/eisenteo/
https://www.historybyeisen.com/
· Eisen’s book: Jalan Singapura
Dzung do Nguyen:
· https://www.linkedin.com/company/encity/?originalSubdomain=sg
· https://www.linkedin.com/in/nguyendodung/
Mikka Wee:
· https://www.instagram.com/mikkawee/
· https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikkawee/
More about TravelZoom Podcast:
· www.travelzoompodcast.com
· https://www.instagram.com/travelzoom_podcast/
· Follow us on Instagram: @travelzoom_podcast
· Subscribe to TravelZoom and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen
Are you interested in collaborating with us? Email: aga@travelzoompodcast.com
In this episode, we're going to Paris, France and talk about:
· While setting the standards for what's synonymous with urban beauty today, is Paris becoming a boutique city that only some can enjoy? We talk to Alexandra Senes, a journalist, traveler and a fashion brand creator - kilometre.paris.
· Paris hidden architectural gems and a walking tour through artistic Montmartre with the writer Ruby Boukabou. Ruby is an author of The Architecture Lover's Guide to Paris and Art Lover's Guide to Paris
· Paris culinary scene, new cooking trends and how Michelin Guide is coping with staying relevant. We speak to Cybèle Idelot , the chef and owner at La Table de Cybele and Ruche.
References:
Ruby Boukabou:
· https://www.rubytv.net/ruby-boukabou/
· IG: @rubytv
Alexandra Senes:
· https://www.kilometre.paris/
· IG: @kilometre.paris
CYBÈLE IDELOT:
· https://www.latabledecybele.com/en/
· https://domainelesbruyeres.com/
More about TravelZoom Podcast:
· www.travelzoompodcast.com
· https://www.instagram.com/travelzoom_podcast/
In this episode, we're going to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and talk about:
· Rio’s extraordinary natural setting and the city’s complex urban life with the local architect Sergio Poggi
· Rio’s glorious decadence, its physical representations, and hidden gems with Tom Winterbottom. Tom is author of A cultural History of Rio de Janeiro after 1889: Glorious Decadence.
· Food and drinks culture and where to eat in Rio with Tom Le Mesurier and Alberto Landgraf, who’s restaurant Oteque was awarded two Michelin stars.
References:
Sergio Poggi:
· https://twitter.com/sergiopoggi?lang=en
· Full video interview with Sergio coming soon
Tom Winterbottom:
· https://dlcl.stanford.edu/people/tom-winterbottom
Tom Le Mesurier:
· https://eatrio.net/about
· Full video interview with Tom coming soon
Alberto Landgraf:
· http://www.oteque.com/
· https://www.instagram.com/albertolandgraf/?hl=en
· Full video interview with Alberto coming soon
More about TravelZoom Podcast:
· www.travelzoompodcast.com
· https://www.instagram.com/travelzoom_podcast/
In this episode, we're going to Melbourne, Australia and talk about:
- The early days of Melbourne, gold rush boom and the rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney with Robyn Annear. Robyn is author of six books of history, including Bearbrass, A City Lost & Found: Whelan the Wrecker’s Melbourne, and Nothing New: A history of second-hand.
- Architecture and hidden gems with Julie Willis, the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at University of Melbourne.
- Food and Torres Strait flavours and ingredients with Nornie Bero, the Executive Chef and owner at Mabu Mabu and Big Esso.
References:
· Robyn Annear:
- https://www.robynannear.com
- Full video interview with Robyn here
· Julie Willis:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_Willis
- Full video interview with Julie here
· Nornie Bero:
- https://www.mabumabu.com.au/dining
- Full video interview with Nornie here
· More about TravelZoom Podcast:
- www.travelzoompodcast.com
- https://www.instagram.com/travelzoom_podcast/
- https://www.facebook.com/travelzoompodcast
In this episode, we talk about:
- History and culture with Dennis McDougal, author, and journalist. His book, Privileged Son, was described by New York Times as “illuminating reading for anyone interested in 20th-century Los Angeles”.
- Urbanism and architecture with Wendy Gilmartin, LA-based architect and writer
- Hidden gems with Liz Ohanesian, LA mag journalist
- Food culture with Minh Phan, a chef, and owner at Phenakite, LA Times’ Restaurant of the Year (2021)
References:
· Dennis McDougal:
- https://dennismcdougal.com/
- Full video interview with Dennis
· Wendy Gilmartin:
- http://www.wendygilmartin.com/
- https://www.instagram.com/wendy.gilmartin.architecture/
- Full video interview with Wendy
· Liz Ohanesian:
- https://www.instagram.com/lizohanesian/?hl=en
- https://twitter.com/lizohanesian?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
- Full video interview with Liz
· Minh Phan:
* http://www.porridgeandpuffs.com/phenakite
* https://www.instagram.com/mignardisesla/?hl=en
* Full video interview with Minh Phan
· More about TravelZoom Podcast:
- www.travelzoompodcast.com
- https://www.instagram.com/travelzoom_podcast/
- https://www.facebook.com/travelzoompodcast
In this episode, we talk to Carme Ruscalleda, a world-renowned Michelin star chef, and learn about local cuisine and her favorite culinary experiences in the city.
We talk culture with historian Dani Cortijo, and learn how the city transformed after the 1992 Olympics and why Catalans celebrate a 'pooping log' instead of Santa Claus (true story!).
We learn about Barcelona’s exceptional architecture and urban planning with Bruno from architecture blog - Fourth Wall.
And since food in Barcelona is just incredible, we doubled down on gastronomy this time by interviewing Angelo Duarte Scirocco, the winner of the San Pellegrino Young Chef, about the differences between Catalan and Spanish cuisine, and why local ingredients are so special.
References:
- Full video interview with Carme Ruscalleda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjWrqsNXI48
- Dani Cortijo's website: https://www.altresbarcelones.com/
- Bruno's Fourth Wall architecture channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwPrx8xgN8jQmbFErPYDfEQ/featured
- More about Angelo Scirocco's restaurant Brugarol: http://www.brugarol.com/
- More about TravelZoom Podcast : www.travelzoompodcast
Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area in the world. It retained a lot of its cultural identity with deep and visible roots in its history and traditions. It also acquired Western influences. Some of its neighborhoods feel like a vision from the future, with ever taller, sleeker structures. Others evoke the past with wooden buildings and glowing lanterns. Every corner hints at possible discoveries.
In this episode:
- Dave Hackerson takes us through Tokyo's origins as Edo village . He explains what's behind Japan's relationship with the outside world and the role religion plays in everyday life. He also shares his personal favorite hidden gem in the city - Sawanoi nihonshu brewery (http://www.sawanoi-sake.com/en). Dave's blog: https://akiruno-life.hatenablog.jp/entry/2018/03/04/223608
- Is Tokyo really the riskiest city in the world?
- Bathhouses culture in Japan - onsen versus sento
- Toshimaen Niwa no Yu onsen ( http://www.niwanoyu.jp/niwa/)
- We visit Golden Gai and the Pearl bar. We speak to Pearl's owner Natsuko. More about Natsuko and the Pearl: Instagram handle: Pearl7253, The Pearl: Shinjuku Golden Gai, 3rd street, 2nd floor
- A special guest - Little Meg - one of the most prominent food personalities on Instagram in Asia - shares her insights into Japanese cuisine and food really worth trying in Japan. Little Meg talks about tradition vs. innovation in Japanese cuisine and explains the concepts of kaiseki and omakase. Little Meg's Instagram handle: little_meg_siu_meg
In the inaugural episode of "TravelZoom" we are going to Hong Kong.
The host, Aga Skoczypiec, interviews Pete Spurrier, the author of an exceptional series of guidebooks to Hong Kong. Pete takes us on a tour through Hong Kong's colonial past, and tells us how the city has changed since he moved to Hong Kong in the early 90s.
She also talks to Jowett Yu, the Executive Chef of Ho Lee Fook - a popular contemporary Chinese restaurant in Hong Kong. Jowett shares his thoughts on Cantonese cuisine and the gastronomic scene in the city.
Finally, a trip to Hong Kong would not be complete without experiencing its many islands - over 250 to be exact. We visit the vibrant island of Cheung Chau to hear how an unexpected discovery led to Hong Kong’s first and last Olympic gold medal.
You can find more episodes on: https://www.travelzoompodcast.com/
and you can find Aga on https://www.linkedin.com/in/3agnieszkaskoczypiec/
"TravelZoom" is a new travel show hosted by Aga Skoczypiec, an avid traveler and globetrotter. In every episode we will explore a new destination beyond the surface of landmarks and attractions. We’ll talk to local insiders to get a sense of the social and cultural context of each place. We’ll look for the hidden gems that you are not likely to find in the guide book. We’ll also get a taste of the uniquely local, yet not so obvious, cuisine.
Premiering 14 February
If this made you curious, look for TravelZoom and hit subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you listen and you’ll get the first episode the very minute it's published. You can also find all episodes at https://www.travelzoompodcast.com and Aga on Instagram @agatravelzoom / Twitter: @TravelZoom2 / Facebook: @TravelZoom