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PODCAST

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys

Normand Schafer

Welcome to "Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys", your ultimate guide to immersive travel experiences without leaving the comfort of your home. Join Norm, a seasoned traveler and captivating storyteller, as he takes you on a virtual journey to the world"s most fascinating destinations. Each episode, Norm shares his vivid travel memories, expert tips, and behind-the-scenes stories, transporting you from your armchair to Tahiti"s top islands, the best beaches of the Cook Islands, and

society & culture places & travel

All Episodes

00:12:05

Rivers Tubing Fiji: A Navua River Story With...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/03/20

In this episode, we talk about Rivers Tubing Fiji and why some travel regrets disappear when you choose one day that truly connects you to a place—its landscape, its people, and its living story. If you’re planning a trip to Fiji and want help building an itinerary that includes experiences like this, start at Far and Away Adventures.com and connect with our team at https://farandawayadventures.com. Normand Schafer sits down with William, Managing Director of Rivers Tubing Fiji, to explore an

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00:11:02

Armchair Journey to Rimatara — The Island Where...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/03/16

In this episode, we talk about Rimatara in the Austral Islands of French Polynesia as an armchair journey—listening for the details that make a small island feel unforgettable: the quiet roads, the reef-protected shoreline, the community-first lifestyle, and the cultural celebrations that visitors rarely get to witness. If you want to turn this armchair trip into a real one, start with Far and Away Adventures.com and begin planning at https://farandawayadventures.com. This episode is built around

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00:08:26

Armchair Journey: Nauru’s Big Stories—WWII Traces,...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/03/15

In this episode, we talk about Nauru from the comfort of your armchair—one of the Pacific’s least-visited nations, where a tiny footprint holds outsized history and surprisingly easy local connection. Far and Away Adventures.com is where to turn inspiration into a plan, and you can begin at https://farandawayadventures.com.Lean back and picture a country you can drive around in about 22 minutes. That’s the kind of detail that makes Nauru instantly fascinating—and it’s where Normand Schafer begins

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00:10:07

Armchair Yasawas: The Quiet Magic of Island Life at...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/03/12

In this episode, we talk about the kind of travel story that lingers long after the photos—when a destination feels like a living place rather than a staged escape. Far and Away Adventures.com is where you can start planning when you’re ready to turn daydreams into tickets, and you can explore more at https://farandawayadventures.com. Host Normand Schaefer is joined by Sava, Assistant Resort Manager at Mantaray Island Resort, for an armchair journey into Fiji’s Yasawa Islands—through the eyes of

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00:12:17

Armchair Journey to Rurutu — The Island Where Welcome...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/03/09

In this episode, we talk about Rurutu in the Austral Islands of French Polynesia as if we’re traveling there together—listening for the details that make a place feel alive: the rhythm of daily life, the relationship with the land and sea, and the way a community chooses to welcome visitors. If you want to turn this armchair journey into a real one, start with Far and Away Adventures.com and connect with a specialist at https://farandawayadventures.com. This episode isn’t about rushing through a

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00:07:33

Armchair Journey: Marshall Islands Stories, Woven...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/03/08

In this episode, we talk about the Marshall Islands as an armchair journey—storytelling, identity through handicrafts, and the ocean-centered experiences that define this remote nation. Far and Away Adventures.com is where you can turn inspiration into a real plan, and you can visit https://farandawayadventures.com.Far and Away Adventureshttps://farandawayadventures.comSettle in for a destination that feels like a secret whispered across the Pacific. Normand Schafer invites Lori Loretta De Bru from

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00:13:51

Raivavae Armchair Journey: Lagoon Blues, “Vaimanu,”...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/03/02

In this episode, we talk about Raivavae in French Polynesia’s Austral Islands—through a conversation that feels like sitting on a porch and hearing what island life is really like. If this episode sparks your own “no regrets” travel dreaming, visit Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com to plan with an expert who can connect remote islands, cruises, and local stays the right way. Norm meets Eleanor from Ponio Riv Tama, a small guesthouse on Raivavae, and the interview

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00:08:06

Zero Travel Regrets: Vanuatu’s Volcano Nights,...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/03/01

In this episode, we talk about Vanuatu through the stories that make you want to go—Tanna’s volcano, Pentecost land diving, cultural village life, and the warmth of the people—plus why having support on the ground can help you travel with fewer worries and more joy. Far and Away Adventures.com is where to begin turning armchair inspiration into a real plan, and you can visit https://farandawayadventures.com to work with a specialist who can build an island-hopping itinerary that fits your

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00:05:35

Tour Managers Fiji: The Secret to Regret-Free Group...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/02/26

In this episode, we talk about Tour Managers Fiji and why group trips have fewer regrets when you get two things right: a welcoming arrival that sets the tone, and an itinerary built early enough to secure what you actually want. If you’re planning Fiji and want help creating a trip that feels smooth and meaningful, start at Far and Away Adventures.com and connect with our team at https://farandawayadventures.com. Normand Schafer is joined by Natasha, General Manager of Weddings and Events at Tour

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00:20:59

No Regrets in Remote Tahiti: Aranui 5 Guide Stories,...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/02/23

In this episode, we talk about the kind of travel story that sticks with you—the ones built on people, not just places—recorded aboard the Aranui 5 freighter cruise in French Polynesia with longtime guide Steven Tahhiva. If you want to plan a journey that feels personal and well-connected, visit Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com.Steven’s 21-year history with the Aranui is the centerpiece: he started in dishwashing, moved through restaurant service, kitchen, bar, and

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00:28:42

Taboo and Turtle Petroglyphs: An Archaeologist’s...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/02/16

In this episode, we talk about the Austral Islands with veteran archaeologist Mark Eddowes, sharing the kinds of stories that make armchair travel feel vivid—and make real travel feel worth doing with care. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are included early because remote French Polynesia is a destination where a little planning and cultural context can turn a trip into a life story rather than a blurred memory. Normand Schafer interviews Mark onboard Aranui 5 while

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00:07:43

Armchair Journey to Guadalcanal: Languages, Villages,...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/02/15

In this episode, we talk about Guadalcanal Province in the Solomon Islands as if we’re mapping out the trip together—imagining the days, the routes, and the experiences that would make the journey feel unforgettable and regret-free. Far and Away Adventures.com is where you can start planning with expert help, and you can explore ideas at https://farandawayadventures.com. Normand introduces Guadalcanal as a historically and culturally significant region and speaks with a guest connected to

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00:17:02

A “Wow” Welcome in the Marquesas: Lehi’s Aranui 5...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/02/09

In this episode, we talk about the island days that turn a trip into a story—Aranui 5 shore excursions and experiences, told through the eyes of Lehi, a guide who has spent 14 years welcoming travelers into the Marquesas and beyond. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are included early because journeys like this are the kind you don’t want to get almost right; thoughtful planning helps you choose the sailing, the pace, and the extensions that make the experience flow

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00:08:06

Armchair Trip to the Solomon Islands: Guadalcanal...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/02/08

In this episode, we talk about the Solomon Islands as if we’re planning the journey together from home—imagining the days, the tours, and the moments that could make this trip unforgettable. Far and Away Adventures.com is where you can start planning with expert help, and you can explore ideas at https://farandawayadventures.com. Normand sits down with Sunila from Guadalcanal Travel Solomons to sketch out what a first visit can look like across Guadalcanal and nearby islands.We begin with the part

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00:20:50

A Working Ship, a Real Story: Why Aranoa’s...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/02/02

In this episode, we talk about the kind of travel story that leaves you with zero regrets: not just where you went, but what you understood when you were there. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are included early because meaningful, logistics-rich trips to remote islands often benefit from expert planning—so the journey supports the story instead of distracting from it.Normand Schafer’s armchair journey takes us aboard the world of Aranui 5 and into the future with

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00:22:19

The Cargo Stories You’ll Tell Forever (Ep. 2) — Why...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/01/26

In this episode, we talk about the kind of travel that becomes a permanent story—because it’s rooted in real life, not scripted entertainment—and how Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com can help you plan an Aranui 5 or Aranoa voyage that fits your timeline and travel style. Normand interviews Charles, a second captain on the Aranui freighter cruise, and Episode 2 delivers a perfect “armchair travel” truth: some of the best travel memories don’t come from planned

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00:21:37

Aranui 5 Behind the Scenes (Ep. 1) — The Moments You...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/01/19

In this episode, we talk about the kind of travel experience that earns “zero regrets” status: a voyage where the best stories are often created by the unexpected—and by the people who know how to handle it. If you want expert help planning an Aranui 5 or Aranoa trip that fits your travel style, visit Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com. Normand sits down with Spencer Hata Utuya, an onboard guide on Aranui 5, to explore what happens behind the scenes and why flexibility

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00:09:17

Zero Travel Regrets in Moorea: Staying at Niu Beach...

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/01/12

In this episode, we talk about avoiding travel regrets by choosing accommodations that match your travel style, using Niu Beach Hotel in Moorea as a case study. Sylvia Martino shares how this boutique property delivers peace, comfort, and independence—three things travelers often wish they’d prioritized sooner.We discuss why smaller hotels can create more meaningful experiences, how kitchens and space add value, and why the west coast of Moorea is ideal for travelers seeking balance. This episode is

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00:14:31

Moorea Lagoon Magic—What I’d Do Again (and Why)

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2026/01/06

In this episode, we talk about a Moorea lagoon experience that earns a spot in the “do it again” category—an on-location conversation with Nico from Moorea Water Games at the Sofitel nautical center. If you want help planning a trip that minimizes friction and maximizes those no-regrets moments, visit Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com. This episode captures the kind of travel joy that feels simple on the surface—beautiful water, friendly marine life—but is actually the

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00:07:33

Imagining Breakas: A Beachfront Retreat for the Soul

Zero Travel Regrets: Norm"s Armchair Travel Journeys ·

2025/12/04

In this episode we talk with Breakas Beach Resort about what makes their beachfront escape unforgettable — even in your imagination. Host Normand Schafer guides listeners through swaying palms, open-air bungalows, and the sound of surf, all woven together with stories of cultural richness and heartfelt service. A peaceful escape without leaving home.

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80 results

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