Share

cover art for Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll

Travel Tales with Fergal

Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll

Season 2, Ep. 7

My guest this week is the world renowned climber Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll who has put the last 13 months in lockdown in Patagonia to record making use. In what is already considered one of Patagonia's most iconic climbs ever, Sean completed the first solo traverse of the Fitz Roy Massif in Argentina in February this year.


Fellow Patagonia solo-climbing aficionado, Colin Haley said of the feat, "There is no doubt that this is the most impressive solo ascent ever done in Patagonia, and I can't help but wonder if it isn't simply the most impressive ascent ever done in Patagonia in general”.


Sean is considered a genius by his peer in adventure climbing and this interview shows his love for climbing, the mountains and Patagonia in particular shining through. Listen now to how he did that already famous climb and learns how he got to that point. 


Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is a weekly interview series listened to in over 60 countries. He interviews a special guest about their travels, adventures and experiences living abroad. The guests all have inspirational stories that enable people to armchair travel in their imagination.


I would ask you to please subscribe so a new episode will appear in your library every week. I would also really appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review as it helps others to discover this podcast.


To find out who is on every Tuesday please follow me on

Email fergal@lume.ie

Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal

Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal

Twitter @FergalTravel

YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 6. Slow Boat through Brittany with Conor Power

    23:23||Season 7, Ep. 6
    Irish travel writer Conor Power tells us all about his recent slow boat trip along the tranquil canals and rivers of Brittany. He was blown away by the prettiness of the villages and towns he sailed through - many of them never featuring in any guide book. Conor shares his route on a river/canal system that he describes as one of the prettiest that he has seen after years of doing this around France, Ireland, Italy, Holland and Canada.Get ThereConor Power was a guest of Brittany Ferries https://www.brittany-ferries.ie, with regular year-round sailings from Cork to Roscoff. A seven-night self-catered stay on board a Salsa B, which sleeps up to 12 people, in October 2024, starting and ending at Le Boat’s base in Messac, costs from €137 pp / €1,649 per boat. For the same boat departing 11 April 2025, it’s €245 pp/ €2,956 per boat. No boating license or experience necessary. See https://www.emeraldstar.ie for trip details around Europe. 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. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal
  • 5. The Story of Saint Patrick & Armagh with Donna Fox

    28:34||Season 7, Ep. 5
    We have a very special episode celebrating Ireland's patron saint St Patrick with the acclaimed Armagh tour guide Donna Fox who share the myths and history of Ireland's most legendary saint. Donna also talks about the holy city of Armagh where Saint Patrick built his first church.Armagh is recognised as the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland and holds a unique connection to St. Patrick. It was here that he established his first stone church in 445 AD, and it remains the only city in the world with two cathedrals named in his honour. The city celebrates his legacy year-round, but particularly during the Home of St. Patrick Festival (March 9-17, which blends tradition with modern celebrations. For more information go to https://www.donnafoxtours.com and https://visitarmagh.comIf 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. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal
  • 4. Author Barbara Boyle on moving to Piedmont, Italy

    41:43||Season 7, Ep. 4
    My guest today is debut American novelist Barbara Boyle who tells us all about her new book Pinch Me: Waking Up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse.The author writes in her debut novel about her journey from a busy American life to an idyllic one in northern Italy where she started a new life in Monforte d'Alba, a picturesque town in Piemonte restoring a centuries-old farmhouse. So if you, like me, loved “A Year in Provence” then this book about travel, moving abroad, cultural immersion, food and personal transformation is for you. We chat about the dream of retiring to a village in another country and everthing that comes with that move. For more information on Barbra and her great new good do to https://www.barbaraboyleauthor.comIf 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. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal
  • 3. Winter Activities in Gstaad & Interlaken in Switzerland

    32:01||Season 7, Ep. 3
    Welcome to my winter activities in Gstaad and Interlaken special with the Irish travel journalist Ed Finn. I always say the Swiss Alps are not just for skiers to enjoy. This stunning country has much to offer with snow covered mountainous landscapes, picturesque old world villages, delicious cuisine and activities like show-shoeing, hiking, kayaking and raclette rafting at nighttime and all of these activities are there to be enjoyed by non-skiers and skiers alike. Listen to Ed Finn as he transports us to the wonderful towns of Gstaad and Interlaken in Switzerland and regales us with all this stunning part of Switzerland has to offer. Listen next to Part 1 of this Swiss Special "Skiing in Gstaad" with Rob “Robsski” Rees. Gstaad has an understated classy charm but the real treasure is its stunning, magical Alpine landscape and some of the best skiing in the Alps.Information on SwitzerlandGstaad Holiday Region For more information on Gstaad, visit gstaad.chInterlaken Holiday RegionFor more information on Interlaken, visit interlaken.chTravel SwitzerlandTravel Switzerland’s Swiss Travel Pass offers international visitors to Switzerland unlimited travel on consecutive days across the rail, bus and boat network, plus scenic routes (seat reservation fees apply) and local trams and buses in around 90 towns and cities. It also includes the Swiss Museum Pass, which grants free entry to 500 museums and exhibitions, visit travelswitzerland.comGoldenPass Belle Epoque from Zweisimmen to SaanenmöserThe GoldenPass MOB Belle Epoque train that runs on the Zweisimmen-Montreux line offers a journey with a romantic, retro-style ambience. Its coaches are inspired by the Golden Mountain Pullman Express from the 1930s, a luxury train in the style of Orient Express. The current train is a reproduction of the Belle Epoque style of its predecessors. mob.ch/en/stories/belle-epoque Golfhotel Les Hauts de Gstaad****,Saanenmösergolfhotel.ch/enLunch at the Lochstafel mountain restaurant lochstafel.chLunch at Miradi in Gstaad's newest hotel, The Mansard miirohotels.com/the-mansardDinner at the Restaurant La Gare Bernerhof in Gstaad bernerhof-gstaad.ch/en/gastronomy/restaurant-la-gareIf 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. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal
  • 2. Skiing in Gstaad, Switzerland

    23:50||Season 7, Ep. 2
    Listen to Rob “Robsski” Rees tell us all about skiing in the wonderful Swiss ski resort of Gstaad. Gstaad is long associated with the glitz, glamour of 5 star hotels like the fairytale Disney like castle Gstaad Palace and celebrities like Hemingway, Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and most famously Julie Andrews.The town has an understated classy charm but the real treasure is its stunning, magical Alpine landscape and nature and some of the best skiing in the Alps.Check out part 2 next week when Irish broadcaster of the year Ed Finn tells us all about the wonderful winter activities in Gstaad and Interlaken.Information on SwitzerlandGstaad Holiday Region For more information on Gstaad, visit gstaad.chInterlaken Holiday RegionFor more information on Interlaken, visit interlaken.chTravel SwitzerlandTravel Switzerland’s Swiss Travel Pass offers international visitors to Switzerland unlimited travel on consecutive days across the rail, bus and boat network, plus scenic routes (seat reservation fees apply) and local trams and buses in around 90 towns and cities. It also includes the Swiss Museum Pass, which grants free entry to 500 museums and exhibitions, visit travelswitzerland.comGoldenPass Belle Epoque from Zweisimmen to SaanenmöserThe GoldenPass MOB Belle Epoque train that runs on the Zweisimmen-Montreux line offers a journey with a romantic, retro-style ambience. Its coaches are inspired by the Golden Mountain Pullman Express from the 1930s, a luxury train in the style of Orient Express. The current train is a reproduction of the Belle Epoque style of its predecessors. mob.ch/en/stories/belle-epoque Golfhotel Les Hauts de Gstaad****,Saanenmösergolfhotel.ch/enLunch at the Lochstafel mountain restaurant lochstafel.chLunch at Miradi in Gstaad's newest hotel, The Mansard miirohotels.com/the-mansardDinner at the Restaurant La Gare Bernerhof in Gstaad bernerhof-gstaad.ch/en/gastronomy/restaurant-la-gareIf 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. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal
  • 1. The Maldives with Conor Power

    37:40||Season 7, Ep. 1
    I’m delighted to say that Irish travel journalist Conor Power returns to tell us all about his recent trip to the Maldives – a place he calls “paradise". Conor paints a magical picture for us on what it is like staying in those over tropical water villas in two hotels – the Kandima Maldives https://kandima.com and Nova Maldives https://nova-maldives.com. You can see pictures of these exquisite resorts on my @traveltaleswithfergal Instagram page.This is the 5th year and 7th season of this podcast and for any new listeners, I would point you to over 80 great episodes of destination specials, adventurer stories and celebrity travel recommendations. I’ve some great trips already planned for 2025 that I’m looking forward to sharing with you over the year.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. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 120 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal
  • 17. Sky Amade Hochkonig and Gastein, Austria with Cian Byrne

    38:57||Season 6, Ep. 17
    As the 2025 Austria Alpine ski season begins, I interview travel ski journalist Cian Byrne about our recent December trip to the towns of Maria Alm in the Hochkonig region and Bad Gastein in the Gastein region, which are both part of the huge 760km ski area of Ski Amade near Salzburg. Visit https://www.skiamade.com/en for tips, trips and deals.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. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 120 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal#IrelandsBlueBook   #Meath 
  • 16. Meath Special with Tadhg Carolan of Tankardstown House

    22:12||Season 6, Ep. 16
    Welcome to my Co Meath destination special, in conjunction with Ireland’s Blue Book, where we will be celebrating and discovering the historic and magical Boyne Valley with two local hoteliers over two episodes. Today I am chatting to Tadhg Carolan from Tankardstown House, a Meath native and board member of Ireland’s Blue Book collection of family owned and run Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, castles and restaurants. For more details go to https://www.irelands-blue-book.ie/houses.html/station-houseTankardstown Estate comprises an 18th Century Manor House, adjoining Orangery and a central courtyard of Cottage Suites. Tucked behind the Main House is the ‘Garden Village’, where classic evening dining takes place in the 2AA Rosette Restaurant, ‘Brabazon’, as well as serving casual lunch and Afternoon Tea. 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. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 120 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal#IrelandsBlueBook   #Meath 
  • 15. Meath Special with Suzanne Mullen of The Station House Hotel

    31:34||Season 6, Ep. 15
    Welcome to my Co Meath destination special, in conjunction with Ireland’s Blue Book, where we will be celebrating and discovering the historical and magical Boyne Valley with two local hoteliers over two episodes. Today am chatting to Suzanne Mullen from the Station House Hotel, the newest member of Ireland’s Blue Book collection of family owned and run Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, castles and restaurants. For more details go to https://www.irelands-blue-book.ie/houses.html/station-house The Station House Hotel is an award winning boutique hotel located in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East and is set on 12 acres of manicured gardens and woodland and offers an idyllic country escape, approximately 40km from Dublin airport.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. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 120 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal#IrelandsBlueBook #TheStationHouseHotel #Meath