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Travel Tales with FergalStories about travel, history, culture, food, adventurers and exotic destinations Author: Fergal O'Keeffe
Travel Tales with Fergal is a interview travel series listened to in over 130 countries worldwide where Irishman Fergal O'Keeffe chats to a special guest about their travels, adventures and experiences living abroad. We talk about travel, history, culture, people, food, politics, tourism and expat lives.Fergal has a lifelong love of travel. He loves going on adventures and dreaming and planning of future trips. He brings his natural curiosity and passion when interviewing a wide range of guests from the arts, sports, journalism, business, travel professionals and adventurers. Fergal hope these chats inspire you to dream of future travel adventures like they have inspired him.He can be found on Instagram and Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal and twitter @fergaltravel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Language: en Genres: Places & Travel, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Switzerland – Skiing the Valais Canton with David Kestens
Episode 3
Monday, 9 February, 2026
In this episode, I’m taking you to Switzerland and to the Valais Canton. I recently returned from a trip to three very different ski resorts: Les Marécottes, Verbier, and Bettmeralp. Each was beautiful in its own way, but it was the Aletsch Arena that truly stayed with me. It has been described as an insider’s secret resort or a hidden gem. But it is well known to the Swiss and it’s where they go to ski.In this episode, I’m joined by local expert David Kestens, who helps bring the Aletsch Arena to life. We talk about the car-free mountain villages of Riederalp, Bettmeralp, and Fiescheralp. David gives us an insiders guide to the insiders secret resort.I found myself deeply drawn to the Aletsch Arena, not just for its scenery, but for the feeling it creates. We also explore what the region offers throughout the year, from peaceful alpine walks in summer to skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months.The Aletsch Arena is home to the Great Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps, and forms part of one of Switzerland’s most remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Surrounded by more than forty peaks rising over four thousand metres including the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, and the Eiger. It’s a place that naturally encourages you to slow down and take a breath.We also chat about Les Marécottes, and about what is possibly Switzerland’s most famous ski resort, Verbier. A place that’s very personal to me. I’ve visited Verbier many times over the years and it’s where I first learned to ski.Join me as we explore why the Aletsch Arena, and the wider Valais region, are among the most special places to visit, from the stunning mountain villages to the wonderful train, and discover why they may just earn a place on your Switzerland bucket list.If you haven’t already, I'd ask you to give me a follow on whichever platform you listen to your podcasts and you will be the first to get a new episode.Stays Marecottes - https://www.zoo-alpin.ch/fr/zoo-boutique-hotelButtmeralps - https://www.sporting-bettmeralp.chFergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to sharesoul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.







