The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust

Belinda Jackson & Kirstie Bedford
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Places & Travel
  • Weekly

Where does your wanderlust lead you? To Melbourne’s cafes or the vast deserts of the Empty Quarter, a New Zealand vineyard or the pavements of New York… what’s your neighbourhood? Join travel journalists and editors Kirstie Bedford and Belinda Jackson for inspiring stories and inside information from across the world. Website https://theworldawaits.auInstagram @theworldawaitspodcast Support us https://ko-fi.com/theworldawaits (thank you!)

  1. 2d ago

    EP 169 Why Egypt should be top of your travel list now; best Halloween festivals & spookiest European cities by train

    Egypt is back in the limelight, with new riverboats up and down the Nile, and new hotel openings and takeovers everywhere.  Our own co-host Belle Jackson has recently returned from her second home, Cairo, and updates us on the incredible changes to the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum and the restoration of some of Egypt's most grand hotels.  Also, we go Halloween-tastic, with the spookiest cities in Europe that you can visit by train, thanks to Rail Europe, and some of the great Halloween festivals in Australia and abroad. If you're seeking spookiness this weekend, head to the Ghost Festival in the Sydney district of the Rocks, the Redcliffe Festival of Frights in Brisbane or the haunted Old Melbourne Gaol, which is doing ghost encounters and after-hours cell roaming.  https://ghostfestival.com.au/ https://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au/event/halloween-at-old-melbourne-gaol/  https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/events/p-6507cbecfa1d86326a8c230a-redcliffe-festival-of-frights  PHOTO: Belinda Jackson Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

    EP 169 Why Egypt should be top of your travel list now; best Halloween festivals & spookiest European cities by train

  2. Oct 21

    EP 168 Hot Take: Great heights from best rooftop bars to scenic flights & maximise your holiday leave in 2027

    We're taking you to great heights this episode, with the best travel experiences on high. From rooftop bars to scenic flights, ballooning over fairy chimneys of Cappadocia or seeing the world from the observation deck of the world's highest building, these are some of the best experiences you can have from great heights.  Don't like heights? Included are some great Christmas gift ideas for those in your life who do! Also, Australia’s first Michelin stars have been awarded, we tell you where they are, and our tip is how to maximise your leave for 2027. Some of the places we mention as great Christmas gift ideas include: https://www.goldrushballooning.com.au/canola  https://www.islandhelicopters.au/ https://www.queenstownnz.co.nz/things-to-do/sightseeing/scenic-flights/helicopter-flights/ https://sailing-whitsundays.com/tours/whitsunday-helicopter-tours https://horizontalfallsadventures.com.au/ https://www.outbackballooning.com.au/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

    EP 168 Hot Take: Great heights from best rooftop bars to scenic flights & maximise your holiday leave in 2027

  3. Oct 14

    EP 167 Whales, waves & warm welcomes; why this fourth-generation hotelier loves NSW’s Central Coast

    Adelaide McLuckie is a fourth-generation hotelier at Kim’s Beachside Retreat on the NSW Central Coast, which has been running for 140 years, making it the oldest continuously operating resort in Australia.    Tucked away on Toowoon Bay, there are 36 beachside bungalows, a restaurant and cocktail bar at this adults-only escape just over an hour north of Sydney. The region has exceptional whale watching, beautiful, secluded beaches and locals who are so laid back, even Albo, our prime minister holidays here.  Adelaide shares her local favourites, including best beach, cafe walk and experiences and why, after 15 years in the corporate world, she returned to the Central Coast to take up the reins on her family's property.   Also, snake season is upon us in Australia; stay safe with these tips from a snake handler, get up-to-date with major airport changes at UK and Melbourne airports, and can't get to Britain? Get to the British Film Festival, britishfilmfestival.com.au    This episode is sponsored by Kim's Beachside Retreat, see kims.com.au   LINKS Melbourne Airport mobility assistance https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/onsite-mobility-hubs 0492 868 960 UK airports go passport free Airports to go contactless in major boost for UK passengers - GOV.UK   Australia's Most Snake-Prone Camping Regions Revealed Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

    EP 167 Whales, waves & warm welcomes; why this fourth-generation hotelier loves NSW’s Central Coast

  4. Oct 7

    EP 166 Hiking Nepal and why now's the time to do it; the world's best airlines & credit card surcharges

    Former World Bank director Nigel Roberts hiked 724 kilometres across one of the most remote regions in Nepal after losing both his wife and daughter following their struggles with bipolar disorder and addiction. ​ Here, he talks to us about the challenges of trying to process his grief on his two-month hike. Nigel wrote about his experience in his heartfelt new memoir, The Leopard and the Moon out now.  ​ Nigel is currently back walking the full length of Nepal and says travellers should not cancel their travel plans despite the flood in August. He says what happened impacted one river valley, and the locals desperately need your tourism dollars.  We also discuss Skytrax's latest airline rankings, the new credit card surcharges, and The World Awaits has been listed as one of the top 42 rising travel podcasts in a global ranking!  Send us Fan Mail Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

    EP 166 Hiking Nepal and why now's the time to do it; the world's best airlines & credit card surcharges

  5. Sep 30

    EP 165 The best way to spend a weekend in Rome; Belle for the win & the travel knickers you need to know about

    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, Roamies' knickers that are the newest travel hack you need to know, once again, Belle's up for the Australian Travel Writer of the Year 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

    EP 165 The best way to spend a weekend in Rome; Belle for the win & the travel knickers you need to know about

  6. Sep 23

    EP 164 Why Algeria should be top of your travel list, baby-free flights & is Japan the new Bali?

    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

    EP 164 Why Algeria should be top of your travel list, baby-free flights & is Japan the new Bali?

  7. Sep 16

    EP 163 Exploring Sri Lanka's cultural triangle & Michelin goes to southwest USA

    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

    EP 163 Exploring Sri Lanka's cultural triangle & Michelin goes to southwest USA

  8. Sep 9

    Ep 162 Hot Take: Not Hot; top 10 unsung destinations for truly meaningful travel

    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

    Ep 162 Hot Take: Not Hot; top 10 unsung destinations for truly meaningful travel
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About

Where does your wanderlust lead you? To Melbourne’s cafes or the vast deserts of the Empty Quarter, a New Zealand vineyard or the pavements of New York… what’s your neighbourhood? Join travel journalists and editors Kirstie Bedford and Belinda Jackson for inspiring stories and inside information from across the world. Website https://theworldawaits.auInstagram @theworldawaitspodcast Support us https://ko-fi.com/theworldawaits (thank you!)

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