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Group travel needn't involve being shuttled around on 50-seater coaches, taken to the major sights to snap your instagram pics, then...back on the bus to do it all again. In this podcast, host Natascha Mirosch talks with Lisa Pagotto, founder of Crooked Compass who offer small group trips to some destinations that are definitely off the well-trod tourist path.   But, if you're usually an independent traveller, why would you consider group travel? It's one of the questions that Natascha poses to Lisa. They also discuss how the pandemic has shifted the way many people want to travel, who are the people who take small group tours, the cultural, economic and environmental advantages of travelling this way, as well as the destinations her company covers and more.   Lisa's just returned from Georgia, a country that's high on Natascha's bucket list, so they chat about it, including the top sights (turns out Georgia's mountains outdo the Swiss and French alps for hiking and wildlflower spotting.)   And wait until you hear what intrepid traveller Lisa's favourite travel experience ever is - we can guarantee it's somewhere you don't expect! 

Q. Where can you see kangaroos on a beach? Sleep under the water in the middle of the world's most colourful reef? Stalk 50kg birds in an ancient forest, rent your own private isalnd, kayak one of only two everglades in the world, or learn how to spear fish with a First Nation guide?   A. Queensland - home to a rich diversity of wildlife, beautful beaches, perfect weather and a vibrant and delicious food and wine scene.   So is this Australian State really the best place in the world to vacation? Our guest, Shelley Winkel, reckons it's so and ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Podcast host (and proud Queensland resident) Natascha Mirosch is inclined to agree. In this episode of ExtraVirgin, Shelley, consumer PR leader for Australia and New Zealand with Tourism and Events Queensland, intrepid adventurer and passionate local, shares her deep knowledge of her home State - from her top 3 road trips, to secrets like where you can  swim with turtles and dwarf minke whales, help scientists piece together dinosaur bones, have a free tour of the capital tailored to your own interests and toboggan sand dunes, as well as her favorite places to eat and drink and much more.