The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust

All eyes are on Paris ahead of the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games, from 26 July, 2024. Magali Déchelette joins us to talk about the world’s most beloved city, and how to get the best out of a visit to Paris. Magali, who is the founder of Family Twist, a company that creates luxury family-friendly experiences across the great cultural cities of Europe, shares her favourite times to visit, viewpoints (it’s not from the Eiffel Tower), and travelling with kids in Paris, family-twist.com

Also, we swish through the luxury of Dubai’s new signature hotel, Atlantis The Royal, with its sky-high pool bar collab with Dolce&Gabbana and the super-luxe Nobu beach bar, and celebrate the news that international flight prices are going down, according to research by Flight Centre, atlantis.com, karryon.com.au

Finally, Southern Cross Travel Insurance reveals the most common scams that target travellers, from the old “my taxi meter is broken” to visa application fraud, scti.com.au

We also take you on a quick run through the newly renovated boutique hotel The Lyall in South Yarra, and the four-star, wallet-friendly Dorsett Melbourne in central Melbourne, which just celebrated its first birthday, thelyall.com,⁠ dorsetthotels.com

And which is the world’s best airport? Skytrax’ annual award for top airport in 2024 goes to ...[tune in to find out!], while Houston wins best art in an airport for its outstanding visual and performance art, and Melbourne was the highest of the Australian airports to make the list, at #19. Do you agree Melbourne is the best Aussie airport? https://www.worldairportawards.com/the-worlds-top-10-airports-of-2024/

Finally, we get to the bottom of gastro, revealing which countries where you’re most likely to suffer gastro (hint, it’s not called Bali Belly or Delhi Belly for nothing), according to healthnews.com

Journalist, author and co-founder of Life Unhurried, Celeste Mitchell talks about how to slow down when you travel, and the best places to do it, lifeunhurried.com

Also, new research on travellers' sleep habits shows how important a good night's sleep is, and we (over)share some rather ...precarious situations we've found ourselves in while trying to sleep on a holiday (hint: what ARE those people doing in next room?)

And our tip this week is about how to maximise your European rail pass, thanks to Rail Europe, raileurope.com

What’s a tourism experience you can have nowhere in the world but here in Australia? Uluru is one of our great icons, and its tourist hub, Ayres Rock Resort, turns 40 this year. So it’s a great time to catch up with Matt Cameron-Smith, the CEO of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, which manages the resort. We talk about his favourite indigenous cultural experiences, with tips on where to eat, drink, see and experience country, voyages.com.au  

Also, Kirstie and Belle set you up for a great little weekend away on the Bellarine Peninsula, just 90 minutes from Melbourne. It’s got it all – coastal walks, exceptional food, a cycle rail trail and some of the best wine in the country, visitgeelongbellarine.com.au 

And with ANZAC Day just around the corner, our tip this week is about retracing history through some of the significant Commonwealth War memorial sites around the world, cwgc.org 

Can’t get enough of travel? Why not buy us a coffee, so we can continue sharing great travel inspo with you,

ko-fi.com/theworldawaits

How green is Tasmania? Lush mountainsides and emerald islands, but also farmers' markets and farmgates, and a story of pristine bays and innovative Indigenous experiences. The isle that is the apple of our eye lured Tourism Tasmania CEO Sarah Clark back home for the top job, and she tells Kirstie what makes Tassie different to anywhere else in the world, discovertasmania.com.au

Also, the world's best economy, business and first classes are named by Australia's own AirlineRatings.com

And our tip is how to soak up a destination via books - search TripFiction to find books set in the location you're travelling in, tripfiction.com

And co-host Kirstie's got a new gig, check out her news here: Karryon-Luxury

Tune in for a masterclass on getting into Gold Class when you fly, with points whisperer Chris Chamberlin of Points Hacks. Chris has travelled over two million kilometers in First or Business class (that’s to the moon and back, twice) and shares his insights on which loyalty programs to focus on, and how to strategise your spending to switch your seats from beside the toilets to the champagne class. See pointhacks.com.au

Also this episode, which is the world’s happiest country? See worldhappiness.report And where do you go to feel the genius of Leonardo Da Vinci, when in Milan, courtesy of the new Da Vinci: 500 Years of Genius exhibition at The Lume, in Melbourne, thelumemelbourne.com

“Challenge and persistence, perseverance and exploration…are values we hold dear and want to share with our children, says Andrew. Follow the Hughes family at ⁠swagfamily.au⁠

Also, Kirstie tells us about her recent writers’ residency Varuna in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, and we have two tips – the first will help ensure you sleep better when you travel and the second will help you avoid the airlines with the most delays and cancellations. 

Do you love the romance of a long train journey? Do these names – The Orient Express, The Ghan, The Flying Scotsman or The Rocky Mountaineer – have you dreaming of riding the rails into the sunset? Belle chats with train aficionado and travel writer Tim Richards, author of several books including Heading South and Ultimate Train Journeys World about why sleeper trains are back in fashion, new innovations in train travel, the best, scenic train routes for and how to train on a budget. We also ask Tim: can you actually sleep on a sleeper train, and we put a call out for a high-speed rail link between Sydney and Melbourne!

Also, this episode, Indonesia (read: Bali) has bumped New Zealand off its perch as most visited destination for Australians, and cost-saving site WeThrift reveals the cheapest cities to visit.

See iwriter.com.au

www.seat61.com

www.thetrainline.com

www.eurail.com

newzealand.com
stevemccurryicons.com
turbli.com/historical-data/most-turbulent-airports-of-2023/

https://9now.nine.com.au/travel-guides

https://www.turkishairlines.com

https://www.allcleartravel.co.uk/blog/worlds-most-luxurious-airports/

Louis Thompson from Nomadic Resorts talks about how he’s flipping luxury travel on its head by creating flat-pack hotels with a low-carbon footprint – and he’s won two UN recognitions in the process. And stay listening for Louis' thoughts on how AI will have a positive long-term impact on eco-lodges in the future, nomadicresorts.com

Also, we chat Switftonomics with Taylor Swift in Australia this week, co-host Belle gets another gong, this time as TravMedia's Travel Writer of the Year, and which bucket-list destinations should you avoid?

Tony Wheeler is one of the most recognisable names in travel, and anyone who’s ever used a Lonely Planet guidebook will have read the story on the last page about how he and his wife Maureen wrote and published their first guidebook, Across Asia on the Cheap, on their kitchen table in 1973, finally selling the Lonely Planet behemoth in 2011. He talks about counting countries, flying with carry-on only, his favourite country and the art of travel, tonywheeler.com.au Also, do North Americans have the world’s friendliest accents? And the world’s best car-free cities; The world’s (allegedly) friendliest accent, minimumdepositcasinos.org Car-free cities comparethemarket.com.au/travel-insurance/features/best-car-less-cities/ What Tony Wheeler’s reading now: Dust On My Shoes by Peter Pinney The Towers of Trebizond by Rose Macaulay We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

Let us take you to a remote tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago, where young Aussie couple Jess and Dan Baldock have built Alamayah, a luxury boutique retreat. Designed by Jess and built by Dan along with the people of Sumba, the tiny, six-suite retreat has been a cultural experience, as the couple learned the local language and culture in the process, embedding Alamayah into the community, all the while raising their own young family on the island, alamayah.com 

We also reveal Australia’s best beaches for 2024 – can you guess which state came out on top? (Here’s a hint, it’s their first time..) See bestaustralianbeaches.com   And our travel tip is all about the invaluable online travel tool, smartraveller.com.au

Take Chris’ recommendation and visit Melbourne’s Chinatown to see the Lunar New Year parade followed by yum cha, chinatownmelbourne.com.au then pop into the Museum of Chinese Australian History to say "Kung hei fat choi!" to the largest dragon in the world, the Millennial Dragon, whose head weighs around 200kg. Chris’s family’s favourite Chinese restaurant in Melbourne is the long-running Rock Kung has been around for decades, visit them at 101 Kingsway, Glen Waverley.

Also, Booking.com releases its Top 10 Most Welcoming Places in Australia, and the Sunshine Coast and Victoria are shining bright - but who do you think got the top gong? For more Sunny Coast goodness, and to put its claim as Australia's craft beer capital to the test, see visitsunshinecoast.com

And finally, let's save money on travel insurance! Financial comparison site Mozo shows you how, see mozo.com.au

Should you wash elephants in Thailand? Adventure World's head Neil Rodgers talks about travelling ethically to ensure travel remains possible for our kids, including why you should avoid local tour operators who don’t protect wildlife, adventureworld.com.au

Belle's just back from undertaking one of the great hikes in northern Victoria - the crossing between Falls Creek and Hotham, with Alpine Nature Experiences and Victoria's High Country.

We also tell you how much we love the Australian Open and how to hack your annual leave so you can have longer holidays without sacrificing the pay packet, thanks to virginaustralia.com 

We’re also talking the world's most powerful passports, according to the annual Henley Passport Index, based on data from the International Air Transport Association which shows which are the most powerful passports to hold – the more powerful, the more visa-free travel you can enjoy. For the full list, visit henleyglobal.com/passport-index/ranking

And our tip this week is the safest places to travel, according to US multinational Berkshire Hathaway travel protection. Where do you reckon is the safest country? See bhtp.com/blog/safest-places-to-travel/

Also this episode, we cover off the top tourism spots that Australians love to hate… and the hard-loved Gold Coast gets repeat mentions, thanks to research by internationaldriversassociation.com

But back to Victoria, we’ve both been holidaying in the top Australian holiday hotspots of the Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island for decades. So when we tell you what our favourite beach is, know that we’ve swam/walked/sunbathed on all the others, as well.

We also share the best places for coffee, best walks (long and short, steep and flat), our favourite viewpoints and wildlife experiences. And, after years and years of investigative journalism/eating till we burst, you’ll get our favourite eats from our respective holiday heartlands.

Best beach: MP, Safety Beach. PI, Smiths Beach.

Best walk: MP, Bushrangers Bay. PI, Cape Woolamai Walk or George Bass Coastal walk.

Best adventure: MP, Peninsula Hot Springs. PI, Phillip Island Helicopters.

Best coffee: MP, Commonfolk (Mornington) or Little Rebel (Dromana). PI  G’day Tiger (Cowes).

Best wildlife experience: MP, Moonlit Sanctuary or Polperro Dolphin Swims. PI. Cape Woolamai Walk (wallabies), Nobbies (for penguins) and the Koala Conservation Reserve.

Best food & wine: MP, Polperro picnics, DOC vs 400 Gradi pizza in Mornington, fish & chips on any beach. PI . Pino's Trattoria in Cowes, Purple Hen Winery (don't go past the pinot noir).

See morningtonpeninsulatourism.org, visitphillipisland.com.au

Social entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author and owner of adventure travel company G Adventure Bruce Poon Tip talks to Kirstie from Toronto about the importance of community tourism, and what you can do as a traveller to genuinely make change to communities in need.  Bruce also reveals the countries that are leading the way in travel for change, gadventures.com 

Watch Bruce’s moving video here, which is sure to change your perception of travel: thelasttouristfilm.com 

And Bill Bensley is world renowned for his unique, inspiring and award-winning hotel designs and eye-catching architecture, bringing to life more than 200 resorts, hotels and palaces in over 30 countries. He is also a concerned conservationist and passionate philanthropist, and a pioneer in helping communities, and preserving conservation and wildlife. He tells Kirstie why he’s so passionate about philanthropy and his next big project, bensley.com

Meet Ben Groundwater - travel journalist occasional tour guide and lover of San Sebastian's food scene. He talks to Belle about how to eat like a Spaniard, breakfast beers and the best restaurant in this foodie heaven, bengroundwater.com

Less eating, more walking, Wandering to World founder Glenyce Johnson tells Kirstie about walking the long-distance pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago, which she's done an incredible 35 times, instagram.com/wanderingtheworldwithus/

Thanks to @brenthillfiji @lisapagotto_ and @sheryltakayama for sharing stories of their escapades on the road.

And hold the shame! Kirstie and I share our own fashion travel faux pas – all born from hard experiences. On the cruise ship. On the ski slopes. On the Fijian beaches and in the wilderness…

“But if I had to describe Rome in one word, it would be artichoke,” she says. Maria also talks about the Awesome Foursome of Roman pastas including the wild child, and perhaps the oldest of them all, alla gricia and she shares the best place to eat gelato in her town! And you can find Maria at instagram.com/heartrome or visit maria-pasquale.com/

For our second interview, we're off to Florence, and we’re talking to another author, Nardia Plumridge. She chats to us from Italy, where she’s working on the next run of her popular book, Lost in Florence. Nardia shares a few places that fly under the radar, and how Florence will steal your heart, ⁠lostinflorence.it; https://nardiaplumridge.com

Ever think about quitting your corporate job and following a life-long dream? Laura Waters did, and she’s now an award-winning author, travel writer and speaker. Laura talks about hiking the length of New Zealand in a life-changing experience that led to her to write her travel memoir, Bewildered, see soultrekkers.com.au

Belle teams up with and entertainment and travel writer Alaisdair Leith to share their best travel gifts for Christmas… shouting out to great Melbourne brands including Bellroy tech bags, Tina M Copenhagen hats, Knotty Towel Turkish towels and Frank Green cups!

And Kirstie talks in-depth about what it’s like cruising to Norway and tips for when you hit the sea roads. And finally, we have a giveaway for a double pass to see the new movie Two Tickets to Greece - to enter, drop us a line at hello@theworldawaits.au - and reveal all about our upcoming summer series!

(00:48) Cruising in Norway

(19:14) Laura Waters long-distance walking

(37:36) Best travel Christmas gifts

“We go to a place where there are 70 cows this guy milks and the milk goes straight into the dairy where he makes the cheese, and then we sit in the farmhouse and eat the food … these families are getting more and more revered for what they are doing because they kept the old traditions alive…  you feel the history through the food.” Lyndey Milan OAM, author, celebrity chef, culinary tour host, lyndeymilan.com

In this week’s episode of The World Awaits, food extraordinaire Lyndey Milan talks to Kirstie about her latest food tours to Morocco and Puglia in 2024, the passion of producers you’ll visit and why the food you taste, and the places you go will be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.

Kirstie also puts co-host and Middle East expert Belle Jackson, under the spotlight about her most recent trip to Saudi Arabia. She answers all the questions you’ve wanted to know about this otherworldly destination including the ever-debated dress code and visas, and explaining why it’s one destination to watch, globalsalsa.com .

We also tell you the top foodie destinations according to Conde Nast Traveller readers, and it’s also giveaway time! If you love Greece, you’ll want to listen in for this one; we have three double passes to a new movie, Two Tickets To Greece, which launches in cinemas on Boxing Day. To go into the draw, drop us a line on the contact page on our website, or email us at hello@theworldawaits.au and tell us why you’d like to win.

Fancy taking broomstick riding classes, or discovering the Peaky effect in the British Midlands? Maria Sykes of Visit Britain encourages you to load your watchlist with the best new Brit flix, including the new Bridgerton and The Crown series, and Welcome to Wrexham for some Welsh football action. Add Wonka to the mix, then go explore the destinations, including Oxford, Bath and Lime Regis. For more inspo, see visitbritain.com

"People are exhausted… we see a lot of people burning out, so guests are looking for a solution for exhaustion, for stress, for how to live an ambitious, successful life but not burn out,“  says Lyndall Mitchell. An author, accredited coach and founder of Aurora Spa Group, Lyndall talks about why wellness travel is in demand, the types of people seeking it out and what the future is going to hold., auroraspa.com.au

We also talk about the best tourism villages according to the World Tourism Organisation (⁠unwto.org/tourism-villages⁠), and Conde Nast Traveler’s wellness hotel hotlist – which includes the divine new Banyan Tree AlUla in Saudi Arabia, banyantree.com/saudi-arabia/alula

Lianne talks to Kirstie about the fires that devastated Maui, including claiming her own home 12 weeks ago, and what you can do to help in its recovery, sailtrilogy.com 

Did you know there are only 45 foreigners living in the tiny kingdom of Bhutan? One of them is Carissa Nimah, an Australian who is responsible for marketing the Land of the Thunder Dragon to the rest of the world. Surrounded by snowy Himalayan peaks, temples and a Buddhist approach to everything, she talks to Belle about the hiking trails, homestays and spirituality of Bhutan, bhutan.travel  

We’re also announcing the winners of our giveaway, two copies of Lonely Planet’s new book, Best in Travel 2024 https://www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel 

We also give you some tips to ensure your insurance claim is successful if you suffer the fate of monkeys (or people) stealing your belongings, and we cover Fodor's 2024 No List; travel list of places to avoid, fodors.com/news/news/fodors-no-list-2024 

(00:05:22) Rebuilding Maui

(00:28:21) Let's go to Bhutan!

You can see more about Nina’s work, including her latest book, The Mindful Traveller, at ⁠ninakarnikowski.com, and for more about her tour to the Nepalese Himalayas, visit worldexpeditions.com

For many refugees from war-torn countries, settling into Australian life can be daunting. Especially for those who have suffered trauma most of us can’t even imagine. Finding solace in nature himself, Neil McCulloch decided to start a charity where he could help new refugees in Australia settle into life here, and experience an Aussie pastime, camping and hiking – and First Hike Project was born, firsthikeproject.org.au

Neil talks to Kirstie about how the transformative effect of nature on many of the refugees he takes into the Aussie bush, and why it’s so life-changing.

We also reveal the world’s most loved landmarks, including which Australian landmark makes the list (it might just surprise you), share tips on the best ways to save money when you’re travelling in Europe, and take a little ride down the Great Victorian Rail Trail, see greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au

Bill Bensley is world renowned for his unique, inspiring and award-winning hotel designs and eye-catching architecture, bringing to life more than 200 resorts, hotels and palaces in over 30 countries. He is also a concerned conservationist and passionate philanthropist, and a pioneer in helping communities, and preserving conservation and wildlife. He tells Kirstie why he’s so passionate about philanthropy and his next big project, bensley.com

Also, Lonely Planet has released its new Best in Travel 2024, an annual guide to the top destinations to visit next year. Chris Zeiher from Lonely Planet tells Belle why Mongolia is the place to be in 2024. We also talk about new cycling and train routes, best sustainable destinations and great value travel; expect to hear about destinations as far afield as Spain and Palau, and Australia’s own Kangaroo Island, lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel

GIVEAWAY! We also have two copies of the beautiful Best in Travel 2024 coffee-table book to give away – just drop us a line at hello@theworldawaits.au or leave a message via our contact page, https://theworldawaits.au/home-2/contact/

And if you’d also like to do a walking food tour of Footscray, which Belle did recently with Intrepid Travel and the Australian Society of Travel Writers – or a morning in Delhi or a tour of New York’s brownstone buildings, amongst other experiences – check out Intrepid Travel’s awesome Urban Adventures, ⁠urbanadventures.com

We also chat about the best (and worst) places to travel as a solo female traveller, from Malaysia to South Africa, you can see the results here (though we disagree with some of them!) moneytransfers.com/news/2023/09/13/the-best-countries-for-solo-female-travellers

And the world’s top sunset locations according to research commissioned by left luggage specialist Bounce, is right here in our own back yard, in Uluru. Find out where the other top spots around the world are for a setting sun, usebounce.com/blog/sunset-skies

We also get spooky ahead of Halloween, and reveal the most haunted alley in the world (hint: it’s in Scotland, see planetcruise.com). And Alaisdair and Belle share their favourite travel gadgets; we both love Bellroy tech bags – made in Melbourne from recycled materials – Belle’s second pick is the Swiss-made Skross universal travel adapter, and Alaisdair swears by Twelve South travel adaptors.  

Bininj man Ben Tyler talks to Belle about growing up in what’s now Kakadu National Park, in the Northern Territory. The creator of the Dird Full Moon Feasts at Cooinda Lodge, Ben talks about foraging for bush tucker, speaking language and the power of Country. To find out more about the Dird dinners and travelling in Kakadu, visit kakadukitchen.com.au To learn more about the Bininj Kunwok language of West Arnhem Land, visit njamed.com Also, nutritionist Sheryl Takayama shares some great tips on how to keep your stomach healthy while you’re travelling. Sheryl, whose clients include flight attendants and travellers getting ready for their big trip, talks about how to minimise the stress of inflight travel on your gut (spoiler: say no to constant snacking while on the plane!) so you hit the ground running in the best possible condition. And stay to the end to hear Sheryl’s most bizarre travel experience. It will knock your socks off – guaranteed! See whyweightacademy.com

Our film reviewer and audio guru Alaisdair Leith drops some hot tips for movies that evoke their filming locations, from Oklahoma to the Greek isles, and is travel insurance worth the money?

Where do you go to step off the beaten track of wine – away from the unholy trinity of chardonnay, shiraz and sauvignon blanc? Author and wine writer Max Allen talks to Belle about his new book, Alternative Reality: How Australian wine changed course. The book includes the best cellar doors in Australia where you can explore the exciting alternative grape varieties we’re drinking (or should be drinking) now. Keep listening to the end to hear his hot tip of the next big grape varietal… See melbournebooks.com.au

Mat Lewis, of hand-picked luxury resorts group View Retreats, talks to Kirstie about their new wellness escapes, which he dubs ‘discovery and recovery’. He talks about View’s favourite south-east Asian wellness destinations – Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bali, Vietnam and Cambodia. People want to step away, to have downtime, to get away from endless scrolling and to live a more simple, holistic life, says Mat, who is also a qualified life coach practicing for the past decade. See viewretreats.com

We’re also talking about using AI to plan your travel adventures, courtesy of new research from Euromonitor and our top inflight peeves according to Agoda’s Travel Bugbears Survey 2023 (hint: they all smell or sound bad, and don’t get us started on the armrest wars!)

A big shout out to our audio producer Alaisdair Leith. And if you love all things travel, subscribe wherever you listen to your favourite pods, and please give us a rating or review :)

(00:00:31) Top inflight peeves – they all smell bad

(00:05:31) Alternative wine varietals

(00:30:07) Using AI to plan your travel adventures

(00:33:46) New wellness journeys

Our tip this week is about how to avoid being ripped off when you travel, based on USA Today's research on tourist attractions it says are overrated and overpriced – although we don’t necessarily agree with them all! https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/credit-cards/biggest-tourist-traps-in-the-world/

Australian David Mannix, founder of Arcadia Expeditions, had just returned to live in Marrakech a week before the devastating earthquake struck. He tells Kirstie how it was like a plane was on top of them and he thought the building was going to collapse as he ran from his apartment with his young son in his arms. David’s wife is Moroccan, and he is urging travellers to return to Marrakech to help the many thousands of people relying on tourism. https://www.adventure.travel/tour-operators/arcadia-expeditions

Also, on the ground in Morocco, By Prior Arrangement lead guide, Abdellah Amghar, tells Belle about the many other places you can visit outside of the High Atlas Mountains, and how you can best support Moroccans at this challenging time. https://www.bypriorarrangement.com/

A big shout out to our producer, Alaisdair Leith. And if you love all things travel, subscribe wherever you listen to your favourite pods, and please give us a rating or review!

It’s the last country to open its doors after the pandemic, but travel to China is finally back, as Wendy Wu, founder of Wendy Wu Tours tells us. Also, what do you do if you meet a bear in the woods? We ask former software developer Marg Leehane, now the owner of the Great Bear Lodge in the wilds of British Columbia. Also, how to claim credits for unused flights from Qantas and Jetstar and new research from @july unveils some rather…er… interesting things we’re packing on holiday. We urge you to supporting Intrepid Travel’s Morocco earthquake appeal.

The last country to open, tourism to China is back, as Wendy Wu – founder of Wendy Wu Tours – tells us today. Also, we’re talking with former software developer turned wildlife lodge owner, Marg Leehane, about her lodge in the wilds of British Columbia. We also explain how to claim your credits for unused flights from Qantas and Jetstar, and new research unveils some rather ‘interesting’ things we’re taking on holiday. Wendy Wu Tours https://www.wendywutours.com.au/ 

Australian Marg Leehane did what most could only dream of. The former software developer threw in her corporate career for a life immersed in nature, and she is now one of the owners of Great Bear Lodge in British Columbia. The floating lodge hosts guests from all over the world to see the grizzly bears in the Great Bear Rainforest. She talks about why the region is so special and explains the best way to have close encounters with bears in the wild. https://greatbeartours.com/great-bear-nature-tours

K-Pop, too-cute hanok guesthouses and some of the world’s best street food: travel consultant Lachlan Woodland talks about why you need to get on board the next flight to Korea. Also, Toni Ambler of The Travel Corporation on how you can help keep ancient traditions alive – from weaving to flamenco – by travelling responsibly. We also talk about how you prepare to go on a wellness retreat, and finally - comfort seeker or mindful traveller? The latest research from booking.com says we’re one of four travel types - which one are you? 

Lachlan Woodland is an expert travel consultant with tour company Inside Asia Tours and shares his love of the country that brought us K-Pop, too-cute hanok guesthouses in Bukchon and some of the world’s best street food. (Not to mention turning a demilitarization zones into a must-visit destination!) Lachlan tips Busan’s Jagalchi seafood markets and the off-beat Mangwon markets in the west of Seoul for local food experiences, while the more touristy Myeong-dong and Namdaemun markets are great starters, insideasiatours.com  

Toni Ambler, The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) Australia and New Zealand managing director, tells Kirstie she fell in love with travel thanks to her father, who worked for Contiki in the 1970s – a brand now under her remit. Toni talks about the importance of the TreadRight Foundation and how by travelling with TTC, you can help keep ancient traditions alive from weaving to flamenco, treadright.org 

Kirstie soaked up the good life in Aurora Bathhouse & Spa this week while Belle was a blissful guest at the six-suite Drift House in Port Fairy, in western Victoria, auroraspa.com.au; drifthouse.com.au and our wellness retreat tips come from Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, and The Landing in New Zealand, gwinganna.com, thelandingnz.com 

A big shout out to our very patient sound producer, Alaisdair Leith! And if you love all things travel, hit subscribe wherever you listen to your favourite pods, and don’t be shy about giving us a rating or review!

Kirstie catches up with award-winning wildlife photographer and journalist Rachelle Mackintosh to chat about the powerful impact of seeing wildlife in their domain. She shares hair-raising tiger encounters, talks of her obsession with sighting whales, and explains how you can ensure you’re doing the right thing by the wildlife experience you book, https://faunographic.com/

Belle chats with Bali-based author and travel writer Penny Watson, who moved to the Island of the Gods in the midst of the pandemic. Penny talks about how not to be an absolute loser when you visit Bali, and how to spread the love. We’re talking Kintamani, the waterfalls of Munduk, Amed on the east coast and Lovina in the north – basically anywhere beyond Ubud, Kuta and Canggu – for access to local businesses, ceremonies, and a connection to the Balinese people. She’s also just released her new book, Wilderness, which you can order here pennywatson.com.au/books  

Also, here’s the link to Alex the Flemish Giant bunny at San Francisco’s airport, see  instagram.com/alex.thegreat100 at take a listen to Belle’s chat with ABC radio Melbourne, talking about how to while away the time in airports around the world, https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/melbourne-sundays/uncovering-the-secrets-of-airports/102752868

And a big shout out to our producer Alaisdair Leith for his zen-like patience, and to you for listening! Don’t be afraid to subscribe to The World Awaits via your favourite podcast wrangler or at theworldawaits.au

Walkers and authors Evi O and Andrew Grune have just released their newest book, Day Trip Melbourne (Thames & Hudsons) Chatting to Belle, they share their favourite strolls within 130km of the city, and reveal their next title, Dog Trip Melbourne, out soon! thamesandhudson.com.au  

Carolyn Schonafinger is a certified Swiss travel expert, and talks to Kirstie about how Switzerland is leading the way in slow travel, including train travel, in this spectacular mountainous country, holidaystoswitzerland.com 

We’re also getting hungry as we round up our favourite food festivals, including Taste Port Douglas, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, and a special call out to Hokitika's Wildfoods festival in New Zealand.

Thanks for listening, and don’t be shy about clicking to subscribe! 

Charles Street is the founder of Inkwazi Adventures, and he shares how you can make a genuine difference to the communities you mean. He explains to Kirstie how the simple act of giving a bike is transforming children’s lives in remote communities in South Africa. And you can be part of it. See  inkwaziadventures.com.au 

Catherine Best is the author of Ultimate Caravan Trips: Australia, and she spills the hot tips for great vanlife in conversation with Belle. She also drops the names of her two favourite campsites - South Lefroy Bay camp, a low-cost camp on the Ningaloo coast in Western Australia, and Potato Point, near Narooma on the NSW South Coast.  See hardiegrant.com.au 

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Alison Greer is the founder of GoKinda, a new hotel booking platform that helps you stay stylishly and sustainably. As she tells Belle, the hotels in her collection are hand-picked and drawn from around Australia and the world, gokinda.com.au 

Author Nardia Plumridge chats to us from Italy, where she’s working on the next run of her popular book, Lost in Florence. Chatting with Kirstie, Nardia shares a few places that fly under the radar, and how Florence will steal your heart, lostinflorence.it

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Welcome back to our entertainment reporter Alaisdair Leith, who’s picked movies from Ireland, Germany’s Baltic coast and the Sami lands of Norway for their incredible landscapes. He chats with Belinda Jackson about the movies – Afire, The Miracle Club and Let the River Flow – which are all showing at the Melbourne International Film Festival. See miff.com.au 

And we promised you a link to the 24-hour live webcam from the Sanctuaries of Our Lady of Lourdes, directfromlourdes.com 

Glenyce Johnston, founder of small group walking tour company, Wandering the World, talks to Kirstie Bedford about why she packed in her corporate career to wander the Camino de Santiago. 

She has since visited 136 countries across every continent and walked the Camino 35 times. 

Glenyce has spent the last three months wandering the Camino, the Douro Valley in Portugal and the Coast to Coast across England, and explains why she can’t get enough of the great outdoors, and why you should get amongst it, too. See wanderingtheworld.com.au

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We talk to Bruce Poon Tip, one of travel’s most influential voices, about community tourism and we’ll also take you to the tropical paradise that is the Maldives. Also on the pod, best outdoor showers and tubs, and which do you think is the best country for solo travel? 

Social entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author and owner of adventure travel company G Adventure Bruce Poon Tip talks to Kirstie Bedford from Toronto about the importance of community tourism, and what you can do as a traveller to genuinely make change to communities in need.  Bruce also reveals the countries that are leading the way in travel for change, gadventures.com 

Watch Bruce’s moving video here, which is sure to change your perception of travel: thelasttouristfilm.com 

To tropical islands and swaying palms, Belle catches up with Mark Thomson, a senior executive of Minor Hotels, which has seven hotels in the Maldives. The burning question is, with all our own sun and sand, why should Australians visit the Maldives? Visit avanihotels.com and  anantara.com 

If you’d like to read more about those solo travel stats, here’s the survey by left luggage service Bounce, usebounce.com 

And finally, if you want to subscribe to the special 40th anniversary issue of Vacations & Travel which Kirstie mentions, click here: https://subscribe.vacationstravel.com/

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Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill tells Kirstie how he took over the top job in Fiji travel in the middle of a pandemic, as well as some of the lesser-known things to do in Fiji. He also shares why it’s a place that he’ll carry with him forever, www.fiji.travel

Arts tour guide and Limelight Arts Travel founder Kathleen Olive chats to Belinda about how to get under Japan’s skin, in her Tale of Two Cities tour, which covers traditional Kyoto and ultra-modern Tokyo. She shares her top sites in the two cities, and explains why the 15 rocks of Ryōan-ji (theTemple at the Dragon of Peace) is so sublime, www.limelight-arts-travel.com.au

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Asadore Etxebarri: San Juan Plaza, 1, 48291 Axpe, Bizkaia, asadoretxebarri.com 

You can read Ben’s adventures each week in the Traveller section of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, and his two new books are Ultimate Food & Drink Australia and Neon Lights in Tokyo. Join Ben on his Insiders Food Tour of San Sebastian with World Expeditions departs in May and October 2024. Tickets are selling like hot churros! See www.bengroundwater.com  

Lisa Pagotto in conversation with Kirstie Bedford

The tiny Pacific nation of Nauru is synonymous with refugee detention centres, but its government is encouraging tourism to the region for a much-needed boost to its economy. 

Crooked Compass founder and CEO Lisa Pagotto has just returned from Nauru and is now taking tours to the region, to add to their many off-the-grid destinations – from Moldova to Mongolia. She tells Kirstie what travellers can expect on a trip to this tropical micronation, and how your tourism dollar really will make a difference. 

Crooked Compass: www.crooked-compass.com 

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Seeing the Big Five in Africa is a bucket list destination for most travellers. Kirstie Bedford talks to African safari specialist Patrick Clementson, who has spent more than 25 years exploring the continent, about what makes it so magical. www.abercrombiekent.com.au

And one for the powder hounds, Belinda Jackson chats with US-based author, travel writer and podcaster Brian Thacker, who provides an insight into the little-known ski fields of Idaho. www.brianthacker.tv

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We're off to Paris and Australia's Kangaroo Island!
Hayley Baillie, co-founder of Baillie Lodges, one of Australia's premier portfolios of luxury properties, talks to us about its flagship property, the crown on Kangaroo Island, Southern Ocean Lodge, which was completely destroyed by bushfire three years ago, and the painstaking efforts that have gone into rebuilding this South Australian icon. https://baillielodges.com.au/
French cheesemonger Valerie Henbest dials in from Paris. The Normandy-born owner of the Smelly Cheese Co in Adelaide’s Central Market talks to us about where to find, and eat, the best cheese in Paris. Stay tuned for her top cheesemonger in the first arrondissement, https://smellycheese.co/
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We're taking you to India, to the Victorian ski fields and to Italy.
Life coach and tour leader Jo Langhorne of Soulful Escapes talks about how truly transformational travel can be, and why India tops her list for travel destinations that will change you, www.soulfulescapes.com.au

Also, as the Australia ski season kicks off this weekend, we catch up with Vail International Resort’s Emily Smith from her base at Hotham ski resort in northern Victoria to hear what’s happening on and off the slopes, www.vail.com

And finally, movie buff and our entertainment reporter Alaisdair Leith takes us to Italy and the filming locations that feature in the new movie Book Club:

The Next Chapter, which stars Jane Fonda and the Trevi Fountain.
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This episode, actress Alicia Gardiner talks about the filming locations you can visit in Tasmania where her newest series, Deadloch, was filmed. To see more, visit instagram.com/aliciagardiner__

And Australian-Italian author Maria Pasquale tells us how to eat like a Roman. The author of The Eternal City also shares her tip for where to find Rome’s best gelato, see smithstreetbooks.com/catalogue/the-eternal-city/ 

Thanks for listening to our very first episode!