The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust

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 

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

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

Thanks for listening.

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

Thanks for listening. 

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/

Thanks for listening.

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

Thanks for listening! 

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 

Thanks for listening!

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

Thanks for listening!

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/
Thanks for listening!

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.
Thanks for listening!

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!