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. Running for 140 years, it is the oldest continuously operating resort in Australia. 

Tucked away on Toowoon Bay, Kim's has 36 beachside bungalows, a restaurant and cocktail bar at this adults-only escape just over an hour north of Sydney. Adelaide tells us the region has exceptional whale watching, beautiful, secluded beaches and locals who are so laid back, even Albo, our prime minister holidays here. 

Also snake season is upon 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  

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.
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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. 


 

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.
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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 ancient ruins then go out on a food tour in the residential neighbourhood of Testaccio with Bonsy in Tour guide Manuela Valenti.

We also discuss the new rules around credit card travel insurance changes, Belle's up for a big award and the knickers that are the newest travel hack you need to know about.

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

Algeria is calling! Set between the tourism 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, who loves its music, fabulous archeological sites and fascinating Tuareg people. You can join Belle and Untamed Borders on her travel-writing tour to Algeria; departs March 2027. For more, visit globalsalsa.com

Also, is Japan the new Bali? New travel data 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 ours!)? We've got a few canny tips for a cry-free flight. PHOTO Untamed Borders