Episode 20 - Christian Schöberl: The Penguin Account

Christian Schöberl is the Operations Manager for Europe, Russia and Iceland at the world’s largest small group adventure travel company – Intrepid Travel. He also happens to be my boss.

Two years ago, I was interviewed by Christian for the position of European Tour Leader. It was a Skype interview and I was in a small wooden chalet in the village of Oščadnica, Slovakia - the only place I could get good internet connection was in the bathtub. Thankfully, that didn’t put him off and I got the job. Now the shoe is on the other foot and I get to ask all the questions.

This is an epic episode and I would expect nothing less from Christian. With over 15 years in travel industry, he’s visited over 100 countries and worked as a Tour Leader himself all over Europe. From Bavaria, Germany, he has lived in Italy for around ten years as well as a few years in the Czech Republic. He’s been to Venice more than 300 times and Africa 14 times. He’s a perfect Travel Bubble guest.

We talk about dodging rhino horns, why Bavaria is 10 percent better than the rest of Germany, the challenges of non-Italians complaining about Italy, visiting a country that is so off-the-beaten-track that it doesn’t even have a guide book, a country that has something to suit everyone, how smiling can get you access to all areas, phallic souvenirs and of course, The Penguin Account.

As usual, spoilers and #TravelBubbleFilmClub below. Don't forget to like, share, rate and subscribe to support the podcast.

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Country No.1: Djibouti
Activity: Snorkelling in the Red Sea
Food: Seafood and the Yemenite cuisine.
Anything else/links….
Lake Assal, the lowest point in Africa
Khat leaves – the highly addictive drug.
Ardoukoba volcano

Country No.2: South Africa
Activity: “Every person in the world, whatever their interest, would find something to suit them”
Food: Braai (barbecue)
Anything else/links….
Hluhluwe Game Reserve

Country No. 3: Italy
Activity: Regional trips. Rome/Tuscan countryside.
Food: Tratorria Da Mimmo, Venice
Anything else/links….
Truffle hunting in Piedmont

Wildcard: Antarctica

Top Travel Tip – Smile

Best Souvenir: Chess sets from all over the world, a Malawian set in particular.

Travel Bubble Film Club

My Octopus Teacher, South Africa (2020)

Happy People: A Year In The Taiga, Germany/Russia (2010)

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