The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust
Join travel journalists and editors Kirstie Bedford and Belinda Jackson for inspiring stories and inside information from across the world. Each episode explores different destinations, from Melbourne's cafes to the deserts of the Empty Quarter, New Zealand vineyards, and New York pavements. The podcast aims to ignite your wanderlust with travel tales and practical tips.
Episodes
EP 155 Hot Take: Travel books - from modern pilgrimages to destination crime & the top Aussie tourist spots
We're talking travel books, starting with some of the favourites of the man behind travel guide books, Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler.We also chat about our favourite travel books: non-fiction for co-host Belinda Jackson, including modern pilgrimages and classics, and co-host Kirstie Bedford's focus on destination crime, given that's what she writes wearing her authorial crim
EP 154 Winter Series: Adventurers - filmmaker Dianne Whelan on the Trans Canada Trail & Tim Jarvis AM's Antarctic journeys
This week have interviews with two remarkable adventurers.At 50, filmmaker Dianne Whelan set out to walk and kayak the longest trail in the world, the 24,000km-long Trans Canada Trail. Her film, 500 days in the Wild, opened recently in Australia and documents her extraordinary six-year journey. She talks about the project, paddling 8000km of water trails and walking, biking and snowshoeing 16,000k
EP 153 Winter Series: Taking flight - demistifying frequent flyer points & the first Tongan woman to become an airline pilot
First up Toby Venus of the Point Hacks podcast joins us to demystify frequent flyer points – how to earn, how to burn and creating a checklist to keep your points in good shape and working for you. Coming to you from the Novotel Melbourne Airport, Toby shares some sneaky hacks, and we're talking gift cards, credit cards, hotel loyalty programs and the difference between rewards seats and th
EP 152 Winter Series: Our adventures - South Africa safari & hiking, biking and kayaking New Zealand's Marlborough Sounds
This week, we’re taking you on some of our own recent travel adventures from the postcard-worthy South Island of New Zealand to the wilds of South Africa. First up, Belle takes us on a self-drive safari through Kruger National Park and a stay in peak luxury game reserve Sabi Sabi with expert travel planner Travel Africa Your Way and she also e-bikes to the Cape of Good Hope, South of Cape Town, t
EP 151 Winter Series: The hiking episode - walk the French Camino & learn to navigate
Welcome to our Winter Series! This week is all about hiking, from the French Camino to the wilds of Tasmania.But first, we have a winner for our competition! Truc Pham has won a night’s stay at the Moxy Sydney Airport hotel, buffet breakfast for two at the Moxy Kitchen, return airport shuttle transfers and up to 14 nights valet parking at the hotel! See marriott.comOnto our winter series, Kirstie
EP 150 Best travel movies & film festivals for the diary
Hey set-jetters, it's the movie episode, and Belle is teaming up with our entertainment reporter Alaisdair Leith to talk the best of travel films. We’re chatting movie destinations, because set-jetting is one of the hottest trends in travel at the moment, where you decide where to travel based on something you saw in a movie. But also, we want you to take this as a list of movies you should
EP 149 Cruise Japan with a local cruise company & we turn three!
This week, we are celebrating our third birthday! Yes, we're basically toddlers! Please indulges us as all three of us - Kirstie, Belle and our sound producer Alaisdair share their favourite interviews, from the woman walking the length of the earth to eating on the Amalfi Coast, and best travel fashion hits and misses. And to our interview this week, we merge two of the hottest trends in tra
EP 148 Hear from the woman behind a blog where readers choose where she travels & the places billionaires holiday
Would you let readers of your blog choose where you travel? Carole Rosenblat did, and it’s seen her travel to 74 countries around the world. The freelance journalist, copywriter, and small-group tour operator started interactive travel site Drop me Anywhere in 2014, letting readers choose where she travels - and it can be anywhere in the world.This week, she talks to us about how she came up with
EP 147 Six years on the Trans Canada Trail with filmmaker Dianne Whelan, worst airline experiences & Australia's best town
At 50, filmmaker Dianne Whelan set out to walk and kayak the longest trail in the world, the 24,000km-long Trans Canada Trail. Her film, 500 days in the Wild, opened recently in Australia and documents her extraordinary six-year journey. She tells Belle about the project, paddling 8000km of water trails and walking, biking and snowshoeing 16,000km across land on a journey that has defined an entir
EP 146 The inspiring story of the first Tongan woman to become an airline pilot & the best wine regions to visit this autumn
You might need the tissues for this one. This is the heartfelt story of Silva McLeod, the first Tongan woman to become an airline pilot, who wrote about her incredible journey from 'Island Girl to Airline Pilot' in a memoir of that name. Silva always dreamed of becoming a pilot, but never imagined it'd come true until she met Ken, who she eventually married, but it wasn't unti
EP 145 Hot Take: Travel fashion - activewear on flights and what to wear on a cruise? We answer all the hard questions
White ski gear? Wearing pink on safari? Are shoes optional on flights?Hosts Kirstie and Belle ask the big questions about what to wear when you travel. We're talking dress codes on cruises, debate the merits of zip-off trousers and share a couple of our favourite savvy travel clothing buys.Should we make more of an effort to dress nicely for flights? Pyjamas in public? When are too many sequ
EP 144 The latest slow travel trend: barefoot hiking; the most instagrammable hotels & better sleep on planes
Slowing down, connecting with nature and managing mental health are all the benefits of barefoot hiking, says our interviewee this week.Dale Noppers is a safety professional in Western Australia who has been taking people barefoot hiking for more than seven years. He talks this week about the reasons it's so important to get your shoes off, and explains some simple ways to get started in you
EP 143 South African safari by e-bike, car & in luxury; fuel-saving tips & the death of the working holiday?
How do you like to see wild animals? From the comfort of a guided safari vehicle? What about driving by yourself or perhaps by ebike? Host Belle Jackson tried all three options in South Africa recently, and shares her successes. We're talking the all-inclusive and exceptionally knowledgeable experiences provided by leading luxury safari company Sabi Sabi Game Reserve; sabisabi.com And also, w
Ep 142 Japan's lesser-known regions, flights and fuel surcharges & Australia's prettiest national parks
Rob Goss is a UK-born, Tokyo-based writer who has lived in Japan for almost two decades and authored more than a dozen books about the popular island nation. His latest book, Another Japan (Gestalten, Sep 2026), with photographer Irwin Wong, looks at community, rejuvenation, and cultural preservation in non-urban Japan.Here, he talks to us about some of the best lesser-known places to go, and he h
EP 141 Travelling in Afghanistan, keeping your eyes healthy on the road & why cash is still king
Come to Central Asia's forgotten country, Afghanistan. This episode, we are joined by Afghanistan’s first female tour guide, Fatima Haidari, and adventure travel company Untamed Borders' founder James Willcox, who is the author of the new Brandt Afghanistan guidebook. From Herat and now living in Italy, Fatima leads virtual tours through Afghanistan, a tribal country with enormous divers
EP 140 Hot Take: Navigating the unknown – travel during the Middle East crisis & Australia's best airport hotels with a runway view
Travel has taken a huge hit with the Middle East crisis now entering its fifth week, and it can be challenging to keep up with what you should and shouldn't do with travel plans during these significant and devastating world events.This week on our Hot Take, hosts Belinda Jackson and Kirstie Bedford bring you the good and the bad news to help you navigate this uncertain time when it comes to
EP 139 Fly flat-bed to Europe with Toby Venus of Point Hacks; biggest hotel rooms & how new EU border rules will hit travellers
Toby Venus of the Point Hacks podcast joins us this episode to demystify frequent flyer points – how to earn, how to burn and creating a checklist to keep your points in good shape and working for you. Coming to you from the Novotel Melbourne Airport, Toby shares some sneaky hacks, and we're talking gift cards, credit cards, hotel loyalty programs and the difference between rewards seats an
EP 138 Hiking and biking NZ's Queen Charlotte Track; the world's 50 top cities & the best places to travel with your pooch
New Zealand is renowned for its spectacular scenery, and the Marlborough Sounds on the northern tip of the South Island will not disappoint.Come with host Kirstie Bedford as she hikes and bikes the Queen Charlotte Track, and kayaks in the glassy waters of the Marlborough Sounds, where seals and dolphins are your only neighbours, then beds down in lodges only accessible via the track, boat or helic
EP 137 Europe by motorbike with the Pillion Princess; getting home from the Middle East & should you cancel your Euro-trip?
She's the queen of the roadtrip, and bestselling author and travel writer Lee Atkinson joins us to talk about her latest adventure, motorbiking across the European Alps. A self-described 'pillion princess', Lee and husband Bill shipped their Suzuki V-Strom tourer to the UK to ride 10,000km through the mountains over three months. Lee shares the trials of ultra-light packing and the
EP 136 Sordid and scandalous histories of famous hotels; how we're using frequent flyer points & the shocking cost of insurance claims
This week, we are taking you through the colourful, decadent, sordid, and scandalous histories of famous hotels with D'Etta and Yael, hosts of the Hotel History podcast.They launched the podcast to explore the history of hotels and their interplay with culture, society and politics.We talk about some of the most interesting hotels they have covered, from the haunted to the downright bizarre.
EP 135 The Hot Take: climbing the Pyramids and smoking on planes, we chat lost travel experiences & keeping e-docs safe on the road
This week, we’re launching our new segment, Hot Take! Kirstie and Belle are hacking out lost travel experiences - things you may have done in a former travelling life but are now no longer possible. Let’s wallow in the nostalgia!Think climbing the Pyramids, or smoking on planes; just how golden was the Golden Age of Travel? What about animal interactions such as elephant rides, or scrambling up th
EP 134 The author who bases her books on her expat life, the new trip planner & avoiding disease when you travel
Andrea Barton started her career as an electrical engineer, but when her husband was offered a job overseas, it changed the entire course of her career.Now award-winning author of the Jade Riley Mysteries, owner of a book editing company called Brightside Story Studio, and Vice President of the Mansfield Readers & Writers festival, Andrea bases all her books on the places she has lived around
EP 133 Hot springs bathing around the world, UK visa changes and inflight skincare tips
Support the pod on Ko-Fi, click hereBefore he founded the Peninsula Hot Springs on the Mornington Peninsula, 21 years ago, Charles Davidson began exploring thermal springs sites around the world.His quest has now taken him to 57 countries to explore their bathing cultures, from Iran to Japan, Tanzania to Yemen."I really wanted to understand that hot springs had nothing to do with money or wea
EP 132 Hiking the French Camino, Europe’s lesser-known regions you need to know about & what’s hot on the Sunshine Coast
This week, we're chatting with UTracks hiking guide Jaclyn Beagley, who leads guests along the Le Puy Camino, also known as the French Camino. Jaclyn talks about why you should consider the French section of the Camino, and what it offers that differs from other hikes in the network of ancient pilgrimage routes across Europe.We also chat about the historic house she bought in Umbria, and she
EP 131 The Art of Navigation with wilderness advocate Caro Ryan OAM; travel trends for 2026 & Victoria's hottest new opens
Bushwalker. Author. Advocate. Rescuer. Our guest this week is Caro Ryan, who has just been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for 14 years of service in bushwalking safety and community support in the Australia Day Honours 2026. Caro leads a 60-person strong specialist Bush Search and Rescue team for the NSW SES in the Blue Mountains, where she lives. And her book, How to Navigate teaches people
EP 130 Adventurer Tim Jarvis AM journeys to the ends of the Earth; the Aus Open & gut health when you travel
Adventurer, environmental scientist, author, filmmaker, philanthropist, speaker, and Australian of the Year Tim Jarvis AM... is there anything this man can't do?You'll think not after hearing about his adventures including undertaking two of the harshest and most extreme Antarctic expeditions – Douglas Mawson and Ernest Shackleton's survival journeys, and he did them in the original
EP 129 Summer Series staycation: Adventure in Noosa and Tassie's Central Highlands
For many, Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast is all about the surf, sun and stunning boutiques, but on this week’s episode we take you on a deeper dive into this pretty coastal region.Co-host Kirstie Bedford loves nothing more than an active getaway, and so a chance to hike, bike and kayak in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was her idea of a dream weekend – throw in whale watching, and it was
EP 128 Summer Series: The Islands Episode, Cambodia & the Maldives
This week is all about islands, as we take you to a Cambodian conservation-based private island resort and to the island nation of the Maldives.First up, Kirstie takes us to the stunning island resort of Song Saa in Cambodia’s Koh Rong archipelago. Bought by Australian Melita Koulmandas for US$15,000, she has transformed it from knee-deep in rubbish to a luxury retreat with Cambodia’s first protec
EP 127 Summer Series: Fancy a move to Italy? We have top tips from digital nomads about how to do it
Many people dream of being a digital nomad. Is 2026 your year to do it?This week, we’re giving you an insight into what life is really like living on the road, starting with authors, digital creators and husbands Brent Hartinger and Michael Jensen, who have lived in more than 30 countries and travelled to more than 60. The long-time digital nomads originally from the United States share their insi
EP 126 Summer Series: Come to the tropics from Tahiti's first yoga festival to PNG with musician David Bridie
Merry Christmas to you all and welcome back to our Summer Series!This week, we're talking tropics, taking you to Tahiti and Papua New Guinea. Co-host Kirstie Bedford talks about attending Tahiti's first annual yoga festival – a chance to find her Zen and connect with culture in this tropical paradise. Listen to festival founder Rani Chaves talk about what makes Tahiti such a unique desti
EP 125 Summer Series: The Africa Episode from museums in Cairo to seeking out the Big Five
Welcome to the first of our Summer Series!This week, we’re taking you to Africa, a bucket list destination for those who want to see the Big Five or wander the pyramids of Giza.First up, co-host Belle Jackson, a frequent visitor and former resident of Egypt in northeast Africa, takes you to the many museums, explains the best way to see the pyramids, and shares the top three things to do in Cairo.
EP 124 Last-minute travel Christmas gifts & how to max your holidays in 2026
Shopping for the traveller in your life this Christmas? Tune in as our tech hound and sound producer Alaisdair Leith teams up with host Belle Jackson to bring you our best last-minute gifts. Also, get planning for your 2026 travels and get holiday maxxing - the art of maximising public holidays to get more time away, without the pay cut. Our Christmas wishlist includes three great Australian desig
EP 123 How to be a digital nomad in Sicily; the best airline seat for your health & the most affordable five-star stays
Are you sick of the day-to-day grind and dream of becoming a digital nomad in Italy?This week's pod is for you! We are chatting to editor and travel writer Carrie Hutchinson who just spent the Australian winter working remotely in Sicily. She explains what the experience was like and provides some of her top tips so you can follow in her footsteps.We also have the lowdown from ex-flight atte
EP 122 Are the Maldives worth the hype? Tips for Travel Tuesday & would you go broke for a break?
Are the Maldives worth the hype? This episode, co-host Belle Jackson talks about her most recent visit to the island nation.We're talking about the food, the different types of resorts, their sustainability and, of course, whale sharks. Belle stayed at Niyama Private Islands Maldives for the surfing; niyama.com & Avani+ Fares Maldives for the whale sharks; avanihotels.com/en/fares-maldive
EP 121 Walking, wine and wombats: the Tasmanian lake lodge you need to visit; Australia's best cellar doors & save on Swiss rail passes
We're celebrating this week as co-host Belle Jackson is once again named Travel Writer of the Year by the Australian Society of Travel Writers! See https://globalsalsa.comBelle takes us to Tasmania's Central Highlands, where wine, wombats and walking are all on the menu at the beautiful Pumphouse Point. Set in the glacial Lake St Claire, the lake lodge has recently opened its new Retreat
EP 120 Cambodia's private island leading conservation; Sweden prescribes a stay & the airline charging you to recline
If you love a tropical, private island escape and want to do right by the environment, this is the episode for you.Co-host Kirstie Bedford takes us to the stunning island resort of Song Saa in Cambodia’s Koh Rong archipelago. Bought by Australian Melita Koulmandas for US$15k, it has been transformed from knee-deep in rubbish to a luxury retreat with Cambodia’s first protected marine park. Hear fro
EP 119 Finding your Zen in Tahiti; why we're telling fibs about the cost of holidays & top shorter walks on the Camino
Wellness, walking, and why we lie about the cost of our holidays are all the hot topics this week.Kicking things off is co-host Kirstie Bedford talking about her recent trip to Tahiti, where she attended Tahiti's first annual yoga festival – a chance to find her Zen and connect with culture in this tropical paradise. Listen to festival founder Rani Chaves talk about what makes Tahiti such a u
EP 118 Papua New Guinea with musician David Bridie; Lonely Planet's 2026 hotlist & safe wifi connections
Four kilometres from Australia, Papua New Guinea is our closest, and also our least explored neighbour. As PNG celebrates the 50th anniversary of independence from Australia, Australian musician and composer David Bridie talks about his connection with PNG, which spans four decades. A founding member of Not Drowning, Waving, David first visited PNG in 1986; he is now an initiated Tolai man, return
EP 117 Roadtrip through Australia's Red Centre, Michelin Keys now rate world's best hotels & dogs on planes
As Australia celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Uluru Handback, host Belle Jackson shares how you can take a bite of the red dust on a drive holiday around the Red Centre Way. From Alice Springs/Alice Springs to Watarrka/Kings Canyon and Uluru, here's your list of where to stay, what to eat and some of the best things to do on a roadtrip in the Northern Territory.Also, the world's be
EP 116 Why Siem Reap should top your travel list with teens; maximise your frequent flyer points & the lowdown on Kyoto's new tourism tax
Bursting with culture, balmy nights, bustling streets and flavoursome food make Siem Reap a must-do for any family holiday, especially when it could be the last trip you do with your teens.This week, host Kirstie Bedford explains why Siem Reap is the ultimate last hurrah when it comes to family holidays.Finder details how you can get the most out of your frequent flyer points – and the best credit
EP 115 Africa through the eyes of an expert; biggest travel icks & the best pies in Australia
Ivona Siniarska has been to Africa 40 times and the founder and managing director of travel booker Take Off Go says it's more than a destination, "it's a deep-seated emotion".From Kenya to South Africa, Ivona talks to us about the best places to go, where to start for first-timers, and how to ensure you're travelling in a way that's right by the wildlife, and ensures
EP 114 Rome to Nairobi connecting through classical music; US visitors love Australia & do you need domestic travel insurance?
“Opera and classical music shouldn’t be just for the elite,” says Australian-born soprano Breana Stillman. The opera singer leads a double life; based in Rome and singing throughout Europe, she’s also on a mission to bring classical music and opera to disadvantaged youth in central Africa, using art as a therapy. Breana spends several months a year in Kenya with the charity she founded, OperAffini
EP 113 Melissa Hoyer on travelling the celeb circuit; Intrepid Travel’s Not Hot List & making your data last when you travel
Melissa Hoyer is one of Australia’s most respected lifestyle commentators, journalists and editors, who has worked in the travel and lifestyle sector of the media industry for more than three decades, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Lady Gaga, Cate Blanchett and JK Rowling.This week, we take a look at what life's like for a leading commentator travelling on the celeb circuit,
EP 112 Explore Malta with chef Shane Delia; payouts for flight delays & hire car accident hotspots
There's great nightlife, it's summer all year round, and really, really hospitable people. Add to that fabulous architecture and a blossoming food scene, and what's not to love about Malta? In Australia, he's Mr Malta - Maltese-Australian chef, restaurateur and TV presenter Shane Delia has been returning to the Mediterranean island nation since he was 13, so he knows a thing or
EP 111 Noosa for the adventurer; insights into the travelling habits of Gen Z & top places to stare at the stars
For many, Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast is all about the surf, sun and stunning boutiques, but on this week’s episode we take you on a deeper dive into this pretty coastal region.Co-host Kirstie Bedford loves nothing more than an active getaway, and so a chance to hike, bike and kayak in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was her idea of a dream weekend – throw in whale watching, and it was
EP 110 The view from a neurodivergent traveller; world's most crowded hotspots & duty-free shopping tips
Airports are one of the most stressful places we'll find ourselves, and this week, we're looking at travel from the viewpoint of a neurodivergent traveller. Sarah Maree Cameron is a radio and TV presenter, writer and comedian. She presents the House of Wellness on Nine Radio, and in Melbourne, the Weekend Break with Grubby on 3AW and TravelOz on Channel 7. With that job description, she
EP 109 Surf, solo travel and Bali tips from the pioneer of women-only surf retreats; the grey gap year & food etiquette in Japan
When Chelsea Ross launched the world’s first women-only surf retreat in Bali, it was purely because it was something she would have loved to do herself.Twenty-two years later, she’s hosted more than 18,000 women seeking a transformational experience in Bali through Goddess Retreats.She shares her experience, tips for the best ways to have a wellness experience in the popular Indonesian hotspot, an
EP 108 World's best dive sites; top cities for a workcation & do you need domestic travel insurance?
Welcome to the underwater world of photographer and professional diver Todd Thimios, who shares his best dive sites in Australia and around the world – he’s got some hot tips for snorkellers, too. To win a copy of Todd's book, Ultimate Dive Sites (Hardie Grant), follow us on instagram @theworldawaitspodcast and catch him MC'ing at the Go Diving Show at Sydney Showgrounds 6-7 September, s
EP 107 Gay digital nomads on living life abroad; Aussies turning to AI for travel plans & boat safety in Bali
“We’ve kind of become addicted to the novelty, life is always exciting… someone said to me, ‘you never get beyond the honeymoon stage in these countries you live in’, and I thought well that’s entirely true... but honeymoons are awesome… spending your life on a honeymoon sounds pretty good to me," says Brent Hartinger of Brent and Michael are Going Places. Authors, travel writers, digital cre
EP 106 The new Cairo with Belle Jackson, avoiding a rainy holiday & things left in Ubers
You've booked a holiday to Egypt, but the Grand Egyptian Museum's (GEM) opening has been postponed...again! "All is not lost!" says podcast host and Egypt aficionado Belle Jackson, who is just back from Cairo.Belle shares her top three things to do in Cairo, including the best Egyptian museums and neighbourhoods, essential experiences and answers the age-old question, is Cairo
EP 105 Winter Series #4: Australia's most breathtaking islands & beaches
Hi there, welcome to our winter series. This week, we're taking you to the idyllic Cocos Keeling Islands – an atoll almost halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka where the airport runway doubles as the golf course, so infrequent are the flights.Host Kirstie Bedford talks about her recent visit to the remote islands and what makes this largely unknown Australian island a must-visit. You can s
EP 104 Winter Series #3: Two remarkable Aussie adventurers
This week, we’re chatting to two remarkable women adventurers.First up meet Lucy Barnard, the Australian Geographic Society's 2024 Adventurer of the Year. Lucy is almost at the end of an intrepid feat to become the first woman to walk the length of the Earth – 30,000 kilometres from the southernmost tip of South America to the top of North America, and talks to co-host Kirstie Bedford about t
EP 103 Winter Series #2: The Greek Episode
Welcome to our Winter Series!This week we're taking you to Greece.First up, host Kirstie chats to Andria Mitsakos, founder of Anthologist and global founder of AMPR, who takes us to some of the country's best artisans where she buys her artefacts, and shares insider tips on the best way to enjoy a Greek getaway. Next, host Belle Jackson takes us to Greece and Bulgaria, travelling by rail
EP 102 Winter Series #1: The Italian Episode
Welcome to our Winter Series!This week is all about Italy. We are taking you from the Amalfi Coast to a tiny town south of Rome. First up, host Belinda Jackson’s chats with author Maria Pasquale, who explores the food histories and dishes across regional Italy. Maria, born to Italian parents and raised in Melbourne, is the author of four books and has readers in more than 100 countries.Then, host
EP 101 The storied streets of India; the new hotels you need on your radar & Australia's top road trips
Veteran journalist Andrew Conway has been to India four times, but this time he's doing things differently. His latest month-long sojourn was self-funded, and he took his husband, Greg, who had never been to India before. Andrew talks about how having a personal driver (details below) changed his entire experience and lets us in on some of the lesser-known places to go in this often chaotic c
EP 100 We've hit 100 episodes! Our picks of the best episodes; our most bizarre travel moments & win a holiday in Thailand!
The World Awaits has hit a remarkable milestone, celebrating its 100th episode!To get the party started, Avani Hotels & Resorts has partnered with us for a listener giveaway a tropical holiday in Thailand! To enter, simply like, follow and tag a friend on our Instagram page here. On this special episode, our sound producer Alaisdair Leith joins us, and we chat about our favourite guests over
EP 99 Hiking in East Bhutan, the world's worst beaches & the rise and rise of wellness tourism
Meet the singing teacher who founded a hiking company in Bhutan. Keen hiker Karen Haranis, of Rare Air Himalayan Travel, shares her favourite hikes, through the territory of Bengal tigers and red pandas, from the high mountain passes and lush rhododendron forests of this tiny mountain kingdom.Together with her guides Tashi and Namgyel, they scout new routes and cultural experiences in Bhutan, incl
EP 98 Wellness in the Maldives; to tip or not to tip & best ways to claim your frequent flyer points
“These dolphins surrounded me and I was hovering above the sand and they were playing with me and I swam up with them and thought I would die for them to be safe, it was like my heart was cracked open and I came up thinking how can I be more impactful in the ocean space,” says freediving champion turned conservationist Hanli Prinsloo.It was this encounter with dolphins in Mozambique while teaching
EP 97 On safari in southern Africa; what's new on Australia's ski slopes & find your travel tribe
"Southern Africa is very hard to describe; for many people, you get bitten by something, or you breathe something in, and you become hooked," says Australian author Tony Park. Speaking to us from his home just north of Kruger National Park in South Africa, Tony shares his vast experience about going on safari in southern and east Africa. From the Kruger to the Kalahari, we're taking
EP 96 Best things to do in Tunisia; travel vaccinations & Italy's top cultural experiences
On the fringe of the Sahara, at the birthplace of Star Wars, the little Northern African country of Tunisia's drawcards are its medinas and souqs, its Roman ruins and Mediterranean seaside resorts. Stay in desert camps or in cave hotels carved into the mountains; you'll find spicy harissa, dramatic doors and ornate tiles everywhere."What's not to love?" asks co-host Belle
EP 95 A river cruise through Laos on the Boheme; the world's most ravishing runway & set-jetting travel; inspo from the TV and movies
"The best way to see the Mekong is slowly," says travel journalist Michael Turtle. He takes us on a cruise down the river in Laos on board the beautiful new boat Boheme. With only 13 cabins, it runs between the royal city of Luang Prabang and the capital, Vientiane, connecting you to the lifeblood of the country, all while exploring Laos' cuisine and visiting its villages."Watc
EP 94 Women who shaped Aussie history; the sober curious movement with Thai bar tips & how to manage motion sickness
Do you know who was behind the design of Canberra? What about the first person hired to manage the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge? Both are women whose stories have historically rarely been told.That’s something tour guide, feminist, history nerd, and author Sita Sargeant plans on changing. Frustrated by the lack of recognition for women’s historical contributions, she founded She Shap
EP 93 Moving to Italy for the European summer; travel gift guide & do we really care about giving back when we travel?
Have you ever thought about packing everything up, renting or selling the house and moving to Italy? Well, that’s just what our guest this week did. Award-winning freelance food, travel and lifestyle journalist Natascha Mirosch has swapped the sunny shores of Brisbane to move temporarily to a tiny village south of Rome. We chat about why she did it, what there is to see and do in the region where
EP 92 Does the USA want Aussie travellers? Gatsby turns 100, the price of Bali belly & best luxury train trips
Should Australians be concerned about travelling to the US now?With a super-strong US dollar and reports of 'enhanced vetting' at US borders, economics groups forecast a 12% drop in visitors to the States this year. So just how welcome are travellers these days? New York State is bucking the trend, says Michael Cassis, the Australian representative for the state, and shares some tips for
EP 91 Australia's Ultimate Beaches; the top airports around the world & the best countries for a road trip
Australia has more than 10,000 beaches, so if you need a beachside break, how do you choose where to go?Celeste Mitchell, author of Ultimate Beaches Australia has scoured the nation to come up with 80 of the best beaches from the big names to some secret spots; places for world-class surf breaks or rock pools for the kids. https://publishing.hardiegrant.com/en-au/books/ultimate-beaches-australia-
EP 90 Escape to the idyllic Cocos Keeling Islands; the best spots for European travel & tips for staying safe when travelling solo
Giant green palms, sugar-white sand beaches where every shell seems to move with life, and gin-clear waters home to an aquarium of kaleidoscopic marine life.Welcome to the Cocos Keeling Islands – an atoll almost halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka where the airport runway doubles as the golf course, so infrequent are the flights.We explain why this special little spot should be on your travel
EP 89 Behind-the-scenes flight reviews with avgeek Dennis Bunnik; best destinations for enlightenment & how to avoid flight delays
What do you do when a revolution breaks out? If you're Dennis Bunnik, you throw yourself into the thick of it. Dennis is co-owner of Bunnik Tours which, in 2025 celebrates 30 years taking Australians to every corner of the globe, and he chats to Belle about the situations he's found himself in as a very, very hands-on small group tour operator. He's also a hardcore aviation geek wi
EP 88 Adventurer Laura Waters on paddling Australia's longest river; top tourism operators & best destinations for the Aussie dollar
First, she walked the length of New Zealand and now adventurer, author and inspirational speaker Laura Waters has completed an epic journey paddling the length of Australia’s longest river, the Murray River.The 2,400-kilometre challenge saw her paddle for weeks on end. She tells us why she did it, recounts the tough challenges she faced along the way and tells us where the best spots are if you wa
EP 87 Travels for bookworms; Aussie travel trends & which airlines are overcharging for extras
If your dream destination is anywhere curled up with a great book in a cosy nook by the fire or by the pool, let Lucy Pearson take you on a reading retreat. Lucy is a bibliotherapist and bespoke library curator who has designed a series of upcoming reading retreats in France, Wales and Australia. Expect silent book clubs or find a cosy nook by the fire or pool to read, as well as a bibliotherapy
EP 86 Pedalling change: A&K’s initiative empowering women in Africa; where Aussie travellers are going now & top five passport mistakes
“These women are selling bikes to families who are using them to get to the river to fish, fields to farm and to get to school… we have one bike shop in Zambia that has sold over 8,000 bikes in that local community… and they are ferocious entrepreneurs and it’s so fun to hear them talk about their lives now compared to when they started nine years ago,” Keith Sproule, the Executive Director of Abe
EP 85 Celebrating Ireland's St Patrick's Day; marvellous Melbourne & the art exhibitions you can't miss
Discover what fills your heart with Ireland, be it the rich culture, the legendary Irish hospitality, the stunning scenery, ancient cities or world-class food. This episode is sponsored by our friends at Tourism Ireland. Learn more at ireland.comThis coming week sees the celebration of St Patrick's Day, one of the biggest festivals on the Emerald Isle. Walk the famous saint's waymarked
EP 84 The Australian woman walking the length of the Earth; the best food cities & how to avoid jet lag
“I don’t see a town any sooner than five days and now 10 to 20 days … so it’s remote, it’s very cold …and there are grizzly bears, and wolves and they travel in packs… so I start at daylight and I’ve always got a podcast playing because of predators,” says Lucy Barnard, the Australian woman walking the length of the Earth. With International Women's Day fast approaching, there couldn’t be a m
EP 83 An insiders' guide to Vienna; cherry blossoms without the crowds & NZ's new tagline to lure Aussies to its shores
Ice skating, Christmas markets, imperial palaces and eating sausages in your opera gown – welcome to Vienna. Co-host Belle Jackson gives us a rundown from her recent 'coolcation' to Austria's capital and why 2025 is the year to visit, wien.info/en and how you can use Vienna as a hub for further European exploration, using a Eurail pass.We also chat about the NZ$500,000 campaign to
EP 82 New travel gear; world's most polite drivers & the UK's new visa
How do you get more real estate in an economy airline seat? Tech reviewer Alaisdair Leith rounds up some great new travel gear - with a seriously unexpected find... His new travel gear recommendations are:Ninja water bottleBellroy Lite Travel PackSony in-ear headphonesThe Bevledge - ta-da!and Belle's addition, thanks to guide James Burt of the Tasmanian Walking Company, is the Wollemi 90 Ultr
EP 81 Walk Peru's high trails & the latest from Qld's Sunny Coast
It's one of the world's greatest tourist destinations, and Machu Picchu totally lives up to the hype! Our guest this week is Sol Campos de Parry, Peru trade commissioner to Australia, who talks about the joy of hiking to the Inca City's Sun Gate. But if you miss out on a hiking permit up the Inca Trail, or are keen to explore other trails in Peru, Sol also takes us to other great wa
EP 80 Finding the best keepsakes in Greece; new flight routes & staying safe when drinking overseas
"I always say 'collect, don’t shop'… so when you're purchasing something that’s a tangible representation of a destination you’re making a contribution not only financially, but also to that cultural preservation of a destination, and that’s something you’ll have forever and it’s better than any memory," says Andria Mitsakos, founder of Anthologist and global founder of AM
EP 79 The natural beauty of Costa Rica; world's safest airlines & what currency to use when paying bills overseas
“Costa Rica has something that’s very special… we have the second best place in the world for diving … and now the Government is thinking in blue, and you’ll hear that soon about the Costa Rica preservation, the idea is to make the coastline a [fish] nursery… so you’re going to hear very soon about the blue country Costa Rica wants to be,” Juan Carlos Rodriguez, a naturalist guide with Explore Wor
EP 78 A chef's guide to eating Tokyo & world's best beaches
There are 26,000 ramen bars in Tokyo – how do you choose the best one? Chef Luke Burgess talks about finding your way to the best places to eat in Tokyo.Luke, who co-authored the book 'Only in Tokyo: Two Chefs, 24 Hours, the Ultimate Food City', shares his favourite, and most confronting dishes, and talks about the endless pursuit of understanding Japanese food and its refinement, see ht
EP 77 Meet the creator of Sri Lanka's first long-distance hike; the must-do summer events & travels with dogs
Sri Lanka now has its first long-distance hiking route and we’re talking to the man who created it. The 300-kilometre The Pekoe Trail is the brainchild of adventurer Miguel Cunat, who spent a decade knitting together hill-country trails to create a walking route that ventures through tea plantations and historical sites, and visits remote villages to connect with the local culture. He talks about
EP 76 What to eat on the Amalfi Coast; top travel trends for 2025 & inflight skincare tips from Etihad
Dream of days wandering Italy’s Amalfi Coast? In our first episode of 2025, we are taking you there with Australian-Italian author Maria Pasquale.Maria’s new book, Mangia: How to eat your way through Italy, explores the food histories and dishes across regional Italy, including Campania, home to the Amalfi Coast, famed for its fragrant lemons and San Marzano tomatoes. So let’s go explore some of
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