Advertise on podcast: The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust

Love Rome but feel like you've been there, done that? Come with us for a weekend in the Eternal City where you'll leave feeling like you've fully immersed in all the culture Italy's capital offers, without once venturing to the main tourist spots. Co-host Kirstie Bedford explores the best way to weekend in Rome, starting with staying at Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome, a palace built over the ruins of an ancient Roman bathhouse where there's Michelin-starred dining and sprawling suites where celebrities have stayed. Then go out on a food tour in the residential neighbourhood of Testaccio with Bonsy in Tour guide Manuela Valenti, who calls this region home and all the locals are her friends. Think Roman pastries, artisan meats, aged cheese, gelato and a good dose of Roman history. We also discuss the new rules around credit card travel insurance changes, the knickers that are the newest travel hack you need to know about, Belle's up for a big award, and we give you the lowdown on Lonely Planet's best travel destinations for 2027. Read Kirstie's hotel review on Karryon here: https://karryon.com.au/luxury/anantara-palazzo-naiadi-rome/ Lonely Planet's full list is here: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel Roamies undies are here: https://roamies.store/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

Algeria is calling – did you hear it? Located between the powerhouses of Morocco and Egypt,  North Africa’s largest country remains off the beaten path. But that's all changing, says James Willcox, founder of adventure travel company Untamed Borders.  Named BBC Travel's #2 must-visit country in 2026, Algeria is opening up its Roman ruins, medieval walled cities, Mediterranean coastline and the deep, deep Sahara to travellers, says James.  He joins us to talk about its music, fabulously preserved archeological sites, the fascinating Tuareg people and the deep, deep Sahara,  You can join Belle and Untamed Borders on her travel-writing tour to Algeria, an adventure through the Sahara and souqs, kasbahs and the footprints of civilisations past; departs March 2027. For more, visit globalsalsa.com Also, is Japan the new Bali? New travel data from the Australian Travel Industry Association suggests we're going loco for Tokyo. Also, we love babies, but do we want to share a 14-hour flight with a wailing babe (that's not yours!)? We've got a few canny tricks up our sleeves for a tears-free, long-haul flight. And the airlines that are most accommodating may surprise you. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

Elephants, tea, ancient cities and fish markets; Belle is in the guest's seat this week, talking about travelling through the cultural triangle of central Sri Lanka. We're talking coconut hoppers with pineapple jam, cave temples and best times to visit the UNESCO sites of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla. Belle flew Jetstar's inaugural flight from Melbourne to Colombo, travelling with Intrepid Travel and staying with Sri Lankan hoteliers Jetwing Hotels. We're also looking at the best places to eat in southwest USA, which now has its own Michelin guide. Too rich for your wallet? Don't forget the Bib Gourmand rating for classic regional dishes at affordable prices. And our tip this week is how to shut down a chatty seatmate on flights; we're quoting flight-attendant-turned-etiquette-coach Jacqueline Whitmore, tune in for our take on this story in Travel & Leisure magazine.  Links: Check out the new Michelin guide to eating in the USA's southwest states and and their best places to eat near London Tube stations. Jetstar now flies Melbourne-Colombo direct; jetstar.com Intrepid Travel has 11 Sri Lankan itineraries intrepidtravel.com  Sri Lanka's Jetwing Hotels offer value, stylish mid-range and new luxury villa stays, jetwinghotels.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

Want to escape the crowd? Support the locals? Travel better?  Join us as we count down the 10 best destinations to visit in 2027, according to Intrepid Travel, where you can support local communities and have extraordinary experiences, from spotting rare wildlife in Africa to walking through tea plantations or letting the energy of the Northern Lights wash across you.  Intrepid's annual Not Hot list encourages us to explore under-the-radar destinations where our tourism dollar really can benefit local communities, who are ready and prepared with infrastructure to support tourism.  Also, would you trust AI to plan your holiday? Australian government advisory travel website Smartraveller has a thing or two to say about this hot topic... To read the full Not Hot list, visit intrepidtravel.com/au/not-hot-list And Smartraveller on AI holiday planning smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/travel-planning-ai  Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

Do you return from holiday carrying a few extra kilos, and we're not talking luggage here...?  Nutritionist and weight-loss expert Sheryl Takayama helps people all over the world manage their weight, and travel is a key time when many are put to the test. She breaks down what's causing that extra weight gain, and has some top tips for what to do both before you travel, and during your trip to set you up for success. Also, what type of travel personality are you? Travel Insurance Direct says we all have one – we discuss some on the list; and our tip this week is about international driving permits (IDP), what is it and do you need one?  Sheryl's eight-week blood sugar solution programme is here:  https://www.whyweightacademy.com/the-blood-sugar-solution Why Weight? Start now podcast can be found here:  https://www.whyweightacademy.com/podcasts/why-weight-start-now  You can also follow Sheryl here: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheryltakayama https://www.instagram.com/sheryl_whyweightacademy/ https://www.facebook.com/WhyWeightAcademy/ Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

When Melburnian Angela Mellak got lost in the 10th-century medina of Marrakech years ago, she found... a husband!  Fast forward a decade, and the Moroccan-Australian duo are now the owners of a classic five-room riad, a boutique hotel awarded a Michelin Key and recommended by Conde Nast.   One of the reasons for their success is Angela's (not so) little book of local experiences for guests within Marrakech and beyond. Join Angela as she walks us through her favourite places in the wondrous city she now calls home, with restaurants, shopping tips, bars and experiential masterclasses. https://riadbotanica.com/. Also, we chat about the best places for luxe for less – the most affordable luxury destinations from digital entertainment platform JB.com, and we reveal the airports with the best entertainment, from best shopping to slot machines, from casino.com  Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

Do you suffer from jet lag? This week's guest is Dr Stephen Jasper (aka the Jet Lag Guy), a former pharmacist who is a recognised expert in the field of jet lag and executive performance. ​ We talk about what jet lag is, how it affects us all differently, and how to avoid it. Also, there has been a flurry of new airlines and routes to and from Australia; we tell you who's flying and where, and we reveal the top stargazing spots around the country. Follow Dr Stephen Jasper here. The Phillip Island literary festival Kirstie mentioned is here. And Belle's Yarra Valley tips include Barrique wine bar, TarraWarra Museum of Art and Zoncello for absolutely banging pizza. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

Melbourne stylist Sally Mackinnon founded the viral @styledbysally instagram account, and this episode, she talks to Belle about packing hacks and how you can genuinely travel stylishly, and with carry-on only.   We're talking tight colour palettes and sudoku, but the key, she says, is not to dress like a tourist. Sally also shares ideal boarding outfit, which has no whiff of a brand-emblazoned hoodie about it. “I do think we’ve lost the plot with plane travel style,” says Sally. "There’s nothing wrong with making a bit of an effort. Because how you dress influences the way you feel."  And in other huge news, Belle has launched her travel-writing tour to Algeria, departing March 2027! Join Belle and the guides of Untamed Borders on an adventure through the Sahara and souqs, kasbahs and the footprints of civilisations past; visit globalsalsa.com Also, what's your opinion on Jetstar now charging for your carry-on luggage? Read on for AirlineRatings.com's take. https://www.airlineratings.com/articles/jetstar-just-did-australian-travellers-a-favour-but-nobody-wants-to-hear-it  Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

"The Eiffel Tower was a crucial tool of espionage when WWI broke out, helping to catch a spy credited with causing up to 50,000 deaths... she was funnelling information back to the Germans after she weaponised her beauty to beguile them," says author of Hidden in Plain Sight, Ronan O'Connell. Ronan visited 35 countries to research his book, uncovering jaw-dropping and intriguing insights into the world's most popular landmarks - things even locals don't know. He talks to us about some of the most remarkable stories, and gives an insight into his travels while he was photographing and researching the book. Co-hosts Kirstie and Belle also discuss the latest hotel openings around the world that you need on your radar, and Cover More gives a tip on the top costly travel mistakes to avoid when you travel, if you want your insurer to pay out, from adventure activities to getting a tattoo. Read more about Ronan here: https://www.ronanoconnell.com/about Buy his book here: https://harpercollins.com.au/products/9781400251469 Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

This week, the travel community farewells Glenn A Baker, who was not only a rock historian and journalist, but an avid traveller who'd visited more than 150 countries, documenting his travels in books and the Australian media.  An accomplished radio presenter who was instrumental in the creation of radio stations JJ and JJJ, he also presented Qantas' inflight music entertainment for decades.  Glenn was also our guest on the podcast. For our interview, Belle asked him to create a musical roadtrip through the USA, a task that he immediately said required at least two episodes to cover.  For us, the iconic music journalist designed a custom soundtrack and playlist/mixtape alongside a guided itinerary of southern blues, soul, and R&B landmarks, which we're resharing here.  His interview demonstrated an intersection of Glenn's deep knowledge and love for music and travel; the Australian music industry has lost one of its greatest advocates.  The World Awaits sends our condolences to his family and close friends, including many in our extended travel writing community. Glenn's playlist from this episode includes: When a Man Loves a Woman, Percy Sledge Wild Horses, Rolling Stones Proud Mary, Creedence Clearwater Revival Sweet Home Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd Knock on Wood, Eddie Floyd Crossroads, Robert Johnson (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding Green Onions Booker T & the MGs Rainbow Connection, Jim Henderson Last Man Standing (album), Jerry Lee Lewis Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

Stylish and sultry, home of the tango, gargantuan steaks and runners up in the World Cup - this week we're going to Argentina! Melbourne-based travel consultant, writer and serial expat Rebecca Arnold has called Buenos Aires home, and is just back from her most recent research trip for her travel planner service, Rebecca and the World.   We're checking the vibe in Buenos Aires - is tango a cliché, is the wine that good and should I go see the Boca Juniors play? Rebecca also shares some epic roadtrip itineraries in this fascinating, got-it-all country.  Rebecca is offering listeners a 30% discount on her hour-long travel planning consultations on Argentina – visit rebeccaandtheworld.com and use the discount code THEWORLDAWAITS.  Also, comparison site iSelect reveals the in-flight habit Aussies hate more than noisy children, and if you have a medical emergency while you travel, do you know which countries have reciprocal health agreements with Australia? Stay tuned.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

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 some genre-defining classics, and co-host Kirstie Bedford's focus on destination crime, given that's what she writes wearing her authorial crime fiction hat ... although she does drop in one of her favourite new release non-fiction books too. Also, we discuss one of the biggest topics in travel right now – the death of the paper arrival card, and our tip is from travel experts at Iglu Cruise, who has come up with the top tourist attractions in Australia – have you been to them all? Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

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 16,000km. Our second interview is with Adventurer, environmental scientist, author, filmmaker, philanthropist, speaker, and Australian of the Year Tim Jarvis AM. He chats to us about two of the harshest and most extreme Antarctic expeditions he completed – Douglas Mawson and Ernest Shackleton's survival journeys- and he did them in the original clothing, with the same gear used a century ago. Jarvis also talks about his latest expedition and how travel can inspire conservation and the difference every traveller can make. Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

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 the perils of the points-plus-pay scheme, so buckle up, avgeeks! Then, 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.   As well as telling us about her remarkable story, she also breaks down some myths about flying, from where pilots sleep to whether you should drink the water on the plane. Buy her book here: exislepublishing.com/product/island-girl-to-airline-pilot/  Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

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, thanks to new tour company Cape Point Bike Tours.  Our second interview is with Kirstie, who outlines a three-day adventure hiking and biking adventure on the Queen Charlotte Track and kayaking the glassy waters of the Marlborough Sounds. She explains how to get there and why this is one of the best places to hike in New Zealand. She's also got some great accommodation options pre- and post your adventure, wildernessguidesnz.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au