Welcome To
Travel Inspires
Travel Inspires features insider articles and podcasts from around the world that highlight the link between people and places.
About Us
Our connection to place is fascinating. We explore this with all sorts of people from all around the world.
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” Pablo Picasso
Ever thought about why this is the case? Ever wondered why when you travel to a different place that you sometimes you feel younger or more creative? Or perhaps the woodlands or fields half an hour’s journey from your house have a similar effect?
01
Nerja Spain
Read this short article by Irish Author, Jackie de Burca who lived in Nerja plus listen to a podcast interview with Guardian Journalist and Novelist, Henry McDonald.
Podcast
Nerja sent shivers down De Burca’s spine when she sat at the Anahi Café overlooking the sparkling sea below.
Many years later she met Guardian Journalist and Novelist, Henry McDonald on Twitter, and discovered that Nerja had a similar effect on him. Henry became her mentor, friend and collaborator.
Henry talks about Nerja, but also Belfast, Berlin and Brighton.
02
Galway Ireland
Connemara in Galway was the place of many happy childhood holidays for Irish author, Jackie De Burca.
From Dublin she went Into The West where she discovered by wild, nature spirit. She delves into some of Galway’s most beautiful places plus the legends that surround them.
Podcast
Listen to Multi-Award Winning Best Selling Irish Author, Nuala O’Connor talk about Galway and other places in this podcast episode.
This part of Ireland has had an impact on Nuala O’Connor and so many other creative people.
03
Madagascar Africa
The Madagascar Travel Guide by tour guide our local expert author, Nicolas Raherinjatovo, is a true insider guide. Be sure to read this Madagascar Travel Guide.
Podcast
Simon Cocking is the Senior Editor of Irish Tech News, but he is also a bit of a Renaissance man who has travelled a lot. As Simon Says,
“In terms of Africa, you always plan to go back.”
His podcast explores many places including Africa
Discover Madagascar with Nicolas plus tune into Simon’s fascinating life and journeys.
04
Northern Lights
Seeing the Northern Lights is a highlight on many bucket lists, but this phenomenon is as expensive as it is elusive. Additionally, some wonder if climate change will affect the Northern Lights.
This article is by a guest author and highlights five places where you have the chance to see the Northern Lights less expensively.
Podcast
Scientists from the University of Reading have found that the sun’s “atmosphere” is shrinking due to plummeting solar activity. This in turn means that the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) will become rarer and rarer.
The podcast episode featured on this page is an interview view with Roberta Boscolo, who is the Climate and Energy Leader at the World Meteorological Organisation.
05
Berlin Germany
The Berlin Germany travel feature is by Sarah Barrett who at the time of writing was a Journalism & Media Student at Dublin’s DCU (Dublin City University).
Her trip to Berlin was a bit of a last minute decision, but she fell in love with it. Find out why! These days she is a journalist working for the Irish Mirror.
Podcast
Discover Berlin Germany through the eyes of this younger journalist as well as listening to the memories and opinions of the seasoned journalist, Henry McDonald, who worked for the Guardian Newspaper.
06
The Dalí Triangle
Discover The Dalí Triangle with Jackie De Burca, the Irish author of Salvador Dalí at Home. She highlights the artist’s connections to these places plus where Dalí used to dine.
Podcast
The podcast episode features an interview with Louis Markoya, who worked and collaborated for six years with the celebrated Spanish Surrealist painter Salvador Dalí.
Louis Markoya is a surrealist painter inspired by fractals and mathematics. As a former protégé of artist Salvador Dalí, Markoya’s interest in lenticular prints developed while assisting Dalí on 3D projects that included holograms.
insider travel guides
From Tour Guides, Travel Bloggers, Locals & Students
The Travel Inspires’ Insider Guides are written by locals, students, tour guides and travel bloggers.
Accra Ghana by Kwame Anti Darkwah
Copenhagen Denmark by Laura Lovette
Jaipur India by Chitra Yadav
Lisbon Portugal by GMIT Students
foodie Experiences
Authentic food & wine experiences
Authentic articles written by locals, expert journalists and tour guides
One of the best ways to get to know a place and its peoples are through the local food and drink.
Our writers are locals, tour guides and expert journalists; all of whom have a deep connection and expert knowledge of the food and drink offerings of their special places.
Food is...
“Food is the central activity of mankind and one of the single most significant trademarks of a culture.”
Mark Kurlansky
“Food to a large extent is what holds a society together and eating is closely linked to deep spiritual experiences.”
Peter Farb
The 10 best typical dishes of Madagascar
By
The famous Malagasy chef Mariette Andrianjaka said that:
“We are rich in culinary specialties, hundreds. In our country, all four flavours exist in their natural state, that is, sweet, salty, sour and bitter and it is more important to exploit them.”
La Rioja Spain: where the magic of wine happens
By
The name of Rioja evokes wine, great wine. It is one of Spain’s best known wine regions with a long tradition of wine production since Roman times.
Vogue featured an article in 2017, entitled: “Why Spain’s Rioja Is the Wine Region to Visit Now.”
Top vegetarian dishes you must try when in India
By
Indian cuisine has amazing originality and diversity. The flavours and taste keep changing every few kilometres. Every region has its own specialities depending on the culture, weather, and local produce.
10 Places to Find Great Flavours in San Antonio Texas
By
In 2018 ‘Venice of America’ celebrated its 300th anniversary.
But beyond adobe structures, mariachi music, and riverboat tours this ‘Venice of America’ is a warm and welcoming city offering vibrant, multi-faceted, flavours – from tasty sips to delicious dishes.
animals and nature are central
To Biodiversity & Well Being
Some places are famous for their animals species and biodiversity. We need to respect this now more than ever before. Many of us can at least relate to pets if not as much wild animals!
“Pet lovers know that animals sometimes understand us better than we do, and the annals of human sin and desire provide plenty of stories to drive the point home,” ~ Tony Snow
The latest articles...
“Let those who wish have their respectability- I wanted freedom, freedom to indulge in whatever caprice struck my fancy, freedom to search in the farthermost corners of the earth for the beautiful, the joyous, and the romantic..”
Richard Halliburton
“He regarded himself as an accomplished writer — a clear sign of madness in anyone.”
Paul Theroux
By Edem Mensah
Wildlife spotting in Africa is possible thanks to over 1,200 protected areas spanning diverse landscapes, as the continent safeguards some of Earth’s most spectacular wildlife spectacles.
The diversity of iconic species and stunning backdrops make African national parks the ultimate destination for safari goers and nature lovers seeking quintessential wildlife experiences.
By Kwame Anti Darkwah
When visiting Ghana for the first time, you are greeted by the word “Akwaaba” on signboards at the airports. You can expect the locals to echo this word, which means “Welcome,” with their smiles and their hospitality throughout your trip.
However, it’s easy to end up experiencing the perfectly manicured version of Ghana, built for tourists. You deserve to experience Accra like a Ghanaian, bumpy bits, nuanced personality, and all… check out my personal tips to help you experience Ghana this way
By
Ahoy-hoy, fellow Venice lovers and perhaps first-time visitors!
If you’re about to embark on a Venetian escapade, hold onto your gondolas – we’ve got some sneaky, under-the-radar tricks up our sleeves that’ll make even the most seasoned Venetians jealous.
By Yasmine Banks
As much as tourism opens people up to the beautiful world around them, it does take its toll on the environment.
This is why we encourage you to choose destinations that are truly trying to be green The fact that Barcelona is one of the best sustainable cities in the world isn’t hearsay—the destination has won numerous awards
From stunning landscapes to unique wildlife, Australia offers a diverse range of sustainable tourism destinations.
By choosing to visit these eco-friendly places, you can ensure that your travel leaves a positive impact on the environment and local communities.
(Photo by Seán Mackel)
By Emer McHugh
The city offers endless possibilities, from its iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge to its diverse neighbourhoods and culinary scene.
So, whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, navigating the Bay Area’s diverse landscapes and attractions is best done with the freedom and flexibility of a rental car.
Galway’s wonderfully wild Connemara coast was the adored location of my childhood family holidays.
Roundstone has not only been an inspiration to Sting, but to other artistic types as well.
Lying on Connemara’s western coast, Roundstone is home to the stunning crescent-shaped beaches of Dog’s Bay and Gurteen; two strikingly beautiful beaches that lie back to back.