The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust

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

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.com Onto our winter series, Kirstie is chatting with UTracks hiking guide Jaclyn Beagley, who leads guests along the Le Puy Camino, also known as the French Camino. Jaclyn talks about the difference in the French section of the Camino compared with other hikes in the network of ancient pilgrimage routes across Europe, utracks.com And for ou r second interview, Belle catches up with author Caro Ryan OAM, whose book, How to Navigate, teaches people the art of navigation and map reading, which she says is essential for safe bushwalking and getting people outdoors, connected to and caring for nature, lotsafreshair.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

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 watch on your way to your next destination. Think New Zealand and Hobbiton, Game of Thrones for Northern Ireland and what’s now called the White Lotus effect - the fourth season is currently being filmed on the French Riviera, and expected to drop mid-to-late 2027 so buckle up for an overload of Saint Tropez. Emily in Paris (and Rome), Eat Pray Love, North of North, The English Patient.... Alaisdair shares the best new films while Belle digs up the classics, and we throw a a few wild cards. Also, we share a roll-call of great film festivals coming up in Australia, diaries out! Fire Pit Festival, Sydney christmasinjuly.com.au South African Film Festival, Sydney 2026, 21 June–26 July saff.org.au Melbourne International Film Festival (August 6–23) miff.com.au Adelaide Film Festival (October 14–25) adelaidefilmfestival.org Nordic Film Festival, national (July- August) nordicfilmfestival.com.au Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

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 travel right now - small-ship cruising and Japan, as co-host Belle shares life on board the Japanese cruise group Mitsui Ocean Liners, in a bid to explore the country more deeply. Sailing the Seto Inland sea, there are origami crafternoons, sushi degustations, explorations of 16th-century castles and the joys of an oily massage when the seas are rough. To learn more about Mitsui's cruises, visit their Australian representative cruisetraveller.com.au And make sure you enter our current giveaway, a night’s stay for two at the chic Moxy Sydney Airport hotel, breakfast and an incredible 14 days' valet parking! Enter via our Instagram or Facebook page @theworldawaitspodcast Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

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 the idea, and how it led her to starting up solo trips to empower women in their travels. We also reveal the world’s favourite destinations for billionaires according to Maui Elite Property ; and our tip this week is about the best winter light festivals around the country. And make sure you enter our current giveaway, a night’s stay for two at the chic Moxy Sydney Airport hotel, breakfast and an incredible 14 days' valet parking! Enter via our Instagram or Facebook page @theworldawaitspodcast Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

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 entire decade of her life. She tells of not seeing anyone for months at a time, of escaping bears (all while carrying a cup of coffee) and paddling for months across the world's largest freshwater lake, Lake Superior. In her six-year odyssey, she also found peace, awareness, acceptance and even love. Make sure you enter our current giveaway, a night’s stay for two at the chic Moxy Sydney Airport hotel, breakfast and an incredible 14 days' valet parking! Enter via our instagram or facebook page - @theworldawaitspodcast Also, our best and worst airline experiences - tune in for Belle's horror story on Ural Airlines, and Kirstie names an Australian carrier for her worst experience. And finally, Australian Traveller recently named its 100 best Aussie towns , and the #1 is a Tasmanian beauty. Listen to see if your town was named. Watch the trailer for Dianne's film: garage.com.au/500-days-in-the-wild/ Read about Belle's $900 flight from Perth to Melbourne : thecourier.com.au/story/9241171/would-you-pay-900-for-a-perth-to-melbourne-economy-flight-form-hell/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

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 until a near-death experience that she pursued her lifelong passion. As well as telling us about her remarkable story, she also breaks down some myths about flying, from where pilots sleep to should you really drink the water on the plane. Buy her book here exislepublishing.com/product/island-girl-to-airline-pilot/ And we have a new hotel giveaway! Win a night’s stay for two at the chic Moxy Sydney Airport hotel , breakfast and an incredible 14 days' valet parking! Enter via our instagram or facebook page - @theworldawaitspodcast We also chat about the winners of Roy Morgan’s annual customer satisfaction awards. It might come as a surprise who was the domestic airline winner. Full list here: https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/10212-roy-morgan-customer-satisfaction-annual-awards-2025 And, the Meat & Wine Co has come up with Australia's best wine regions to visit this autumn. Check out its full list here: https://themeatandwineco.com/blog/australias-best-wine-regions-to-visit-this-autumn/ Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

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 sequins never enough? Strong opinions, we've got 'em, from activewear on planes and the fashion choices of Aussie men. Fabulous and faux pax, we share them all. Also, tips on safe travels with your beloved power bank. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

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 your own backyard. We also chat about the most Instagrammable hotels in Australia with Sovereign Interior's designer Cayley Scrooby, and Sherry Peters, who has been a flight attendant for 27 years and flies up to 12 times a month, gives us her top tips for the best sleep solutions when you're travelling long-haul. Dale Noppers barefoot hiking tours can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565575561949 The story Kirstie mentioned is here: https://karryon.com.au/luxury/aktg-australian-advisors-exclusive-event/ Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au