The Fren family’s restaurant has become one of Newcastle’s most popular tourist attractions since they appeared in season one of Travel Guides in 2017. People come from all over to Watt Street’s Oma’s Kitchen, for a chat and a meal – and maybe even an autograph to take home.
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Mark and Cathy Fren, and their children Victoria and Jonathon, have struck a chord with Australian audiences. They make us laugh by being, well, normal. There are no airs and graces here.
The Frens were asked to return for season two of the Channel 9 reality television series and now, much to their surprise, will be backing it up with a third season.
“To tell you the truth we are all still in shock but it really is awesome to be invited back to Travel Guides for a third season,” Mark tells Weekender.
“When we were asked to participate in season one we were so thankful and grateful to be given the opportunity. With season two filmed, done and dusted, we can’t believe it is going to happen again.”
Now seasoned travellers, what are they looking forward to in season three?
The great unknown.
“We really look forward to not knowing where we are going until we get to the airport, and not knowing each day what activities and adventures are planned at each destination,” Victoria says.
“The world has so many beautiful places to see and so much to offer. We haven’t been disappointed yet.”
Travel Guides producers are now looking for average Aussie travel critics to join the Frens on season three. Production starts later in the year.
To qualify, you should ideally love travel and new experiences, be happy to express your opinions and enjoy having a laugh. Each team experiences the same international and domestic holidays, reviews the same accommodation, cuisine and local sights, and then rates their stay out of five stars.
It’s as simple as that.
“Everybody loves going on holidays, but when it’s free it’s even better,” Cathy says. “We have been to places and destinations around Australia and the world that we would have never seen, and to do it as a family has been amazing.”
Jonathon describes it as “the best life experience anyone can be given”.
To apply, go online to travelguidestv.com.au or go.mycastingnet.com/Apply/Show/TravelGuidesS3. Applications close at midnight on April 22.
