Collaborate with The World Awaits & Travel gear recommendations We love... Want to see how we travel? Alaisdair, Belle & Kirstie share their favourite travel gear, which has been tried, tested and featured on the podcast. Saily e-SIM Stay in touch and keep it affordable in 200 destinations across the world. For 15% off your first purchase, download the SAILY app on your phone and use our code "THEWORLDAWAITS"; saily.com Travel Hats Crushable, SPF 50, broad-brimmed, stylish, and it's all Australian made. The Bahama travel hat is the hat Belle swears by; tinamcopenhagen.com.au Zoomlite luggage The smartest, smoothest top-opening luggage that won't eat your precious hotel room space. Australian design, great colours; zoomlite.com.au Bellroy Lite Sling Mini Durable and lightweight, this crossbody sling lets you travel hands free, but with precious docs close, from Melbourne-company Bellroy;Shop Bellroy Lite Sling Mini bellroy.com "We love a mention on our fav travel poddy! A must listen!" Money.com "Really entertaining travelling vicariously with you without even leaving the M1!" Heather Jeffery, Hawaiian Airlines "Loving every minute with you two." Kevin Moloney, Channel 9 Travel Guides "Great episode. I thought I knew everything about frequent flyer points, but learned a lot from Toby." Peter Hook, PR Specialist

The World Awaits travel podcast aims to inspire your wanderlust The World Awaits travel podcast Travel tales to inspire your wanderlust About us The World Awaits is Australia's top weekly travel podcast, dropping each Thursday on every major podcast platform. Co-hosted by Melbourne-based journalists, colleagues and friends Kirstie Bedford and Belinda Jackson with sound producer (and resident movie reporter) Alaisdair Leith , each episode is curated to inspire your wanderlust, with travel trends, interviews and tips to help you travel better. Past guests include G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip , Lonely Planet guidebook founder Tony Wheeler , Channel Nine's Travel Guide Kevin Moloney and Australian Geographic Society’s 2024 Adventurer of the Year Lucy Barnard . We talk to travel book authors, walkers, explorers, wine drinkers, guides on the ground – and anyone with an amazing story to tell, as well as covering all the latest travel trends. If you love to travel, this is where you need to be. Listen here Latest episodes Explore previous episodes EP 159 The Jet Lag Guy on how to ease your flying fatigue; new airlines and routes coming to Australia & top stargazing spots Do you suffer from jet lag? Grab those headphones because 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 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. Listen here EP 158 Expert packing hacks with @styledbysally; come to Algeria with Belle & is Jetstar rorting us? Melbourne stylist Sally Mackinnon is founder of the viral @styledbysally instagram account, and this episode, she shares with Belle her packing hacks and how you can genuinely travel stylishly with carry-on only. Sally also shares ideal boarding outfit, which has no whiff of a hoodie about it. “I do think we’ve lost the plot with plane travel style,” she says. "There’s nothing wrong with making an effort. Because how you dress influences the way you feel." And huge news - Belle has launched her travel-writing tour of Algeria , departing March 2027! Join her on an adventure through the Sahara and souqs, kasbahs and the footprints of civilisations past; visit globalsalsa.com Also, what's your take on Aussie airline Jetstar now charging for carry-on luggage? Listen here EP 157 Intriguing stories behind the world's most popular landmarks; hotels to have on your radar & costly travel mistakes "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, if you want your insurer to pay out, from adventure activities to getting a tattoo. Listen here EP 156 ¡Vamos a Argentina! Sultry tango, huge steaks & epic roadtrips with travel planner Rebecca Arnold Stylish and sultry, home of the tango, gargantuan steaks and runners up in the World Cup - we're going to Argentina with Melbourne-based travel consultant Rebecca Arnold. We're checking the vibe in Buenos Aires - is tango a cliché, is the wine that good and where should I go see the Boca Juniors play? Rebecca also shares some epic roadtrip itineraries in this fascinating, got-it-all country. Get a 30% discount on her hour-long travel planning consultations – visit rebeccaandtheworld.com and use 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. Listen here Meet the team The World Awaits is co-hosted by Melbourne-based travel journalists, colleagues and friends Kirstie Bedford and Belinda Jackson, with our sound producer, tech & film reviewer Alaisdair Leith. Co-host Kirstie Bedford Co-host KIRSTIE BEDFORD has the same enthusiasm for travel she held as a six-year-old when she boarded her first international flight. In her 20s, she did the customary European tour, cycling along the French Riviera and zipping around Tuscany on a scooter, but it’s learning from other cultures she holds dearest. Biking with locals on Vietnam’s Cam Kim Island; cooking traditional Sri Lankan dishes in Colombo, and drinking sake with a Japanese family in Shikoku. A trained news journalist, Kirstie is now Editor, Luxury at Karryon, a crime author (her debut White Lies is out mid-2027), and a travel writer who writes for multiple publications across Australasia. https://www.kirstiebedford.com Co-host Belinda Jackson Co-host BELINDA JACKSON has travelled to every continent and lived on three, eating everything she was told to (and many things she should not have). The current Australian Travel Writer of the Year, she’s played piano while crossing the Drake Passage to Antarctica, hiked through ancient olive groves in Palestine, danced in Russian nightclubs, taken a dingy to find hidden Australian rock art galleries. Belinda's second home is Cairo, and in 2027 will lead a travel-writing tour through Algeria . She is a regular contributor to the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age 's Traveller section, and chats to ABC Radio , 3AW and 2GB about travel. See globalsalsa.com Sound producer, tech & film reviewer Alaisdair Leith Sound producer ALAISDAIR LEITH is a man of many talents. Founder and editor of Novastream, he spends many a week reviewing the latest movies, games, TV and pop culture. When he’s not at the latest film festival, trialling the latest travel gadgets or dropping the latest travel story, he’s editing The World Awaits travel podcast. Alaisdair ensures every episode is music to your ears, even if it means late-night edits and he always does it all with a smile. See novastreamnetwork.com Contact us Got a comment, enter a giveaway, or just say hi! Drop us a line, we'd love to hear from you. Melbourne, Australia If you’d like to support us so we can continue to bring you inspirational travel interviews, you can 'buy us a coffee’ at https://ko-fi.com/theworldawaits. hello@theworldawaits.au First Name Last Name Email Message Thanks for getting in touch! Send © 2023 by The World Awaits. All rights reserved.

Australia's top travel podcast, dropping weekly with travel tales to inspire your wanderlust Episodes Stargazing around the world; best Aussie towns & making travel memories When was the last time you really soaked up the night sky? Spotted a full moon? Admired the Milky Way? Saw an aurora? Read More Norway beyond the fjords & world’s most liveable cities Dramatic fjords, snowy mountains, midnight sun… Norway’s natural beauty is legendary. But Torunn Tronsvang, founder of UpNorway, says there’s so much more to Norway than the stunning scenery. Torunn leads you through Norway’s world-leading food and wine scene, shares cultural experiences with the Indigenous people, as well as its impressive architecture, upnorway.com Read More Unlocking India, travelling with jewellery & ski prep tips India specialist Fiona Caulfield swapped a high-profile career as a futurist and branding consultant in New York for Bangalore in southern India, where she created the Love Travel brand. She shares the key to exploring India, lovetravelguides.com Read More The waterways of Vietnam, tourist taxes & safe sports Done Saigon and Hanoi, ready to explore more of Vietnam? Co-host Belle Jackson talks about why you should have the water cities of Hue (on the Perfume River), Kê Gà (on Kê Gà Bay) and Can Tho (on the Mekong Delta), on your must-visit list. She also shares the cultural tourism of the Azerai hotel group, and new flights from Melbourne into Hanoi with Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet, azerai.com, vietjetair.com Read More Deserted island escapes, new flight routes, inflight self-care Would you let yourself be dropped on a remote island, for total solitude? That’s explorer and entrepreneur Alvaro Cerezo’s job – he drops willing travellers on deserted islands in the most remote corners of the globe. Read More Best fares to Europe & the US, top tiny towns & pre-travel checklist Want to get the best airfare to Europe or the US? We’re going full #avgeek, as flight booking expert Mark Trim shares insider secrets on airlines to watch, alternative routes and the best time to buy. He also shares tips on booking in shoulder seasons and the Asian gateways offering great lie-flat deals. The co-founder of the Complex Travel Group, which specialises in round-the-world fares Read More Secrets of the Blue Zones, where Aussies are travelling & quirky honeymoon stays Do you want to know the secrets to living a long, healthy life? Blue Zone Vice President Nick Buettner reveals secrets from the Blue Zones, the places around the world where you can find people living the longest and healthiest lives, including Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan and Ikaria, Greece (pictured). And the show Nick mentions is Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones see netflix.com/title/81214929 Read More

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< Back The waterways of Vietnam, tourist taxes & safe sports Done Saigon and Hanoi, ready to explore more of Vietnam? Co-host Belle Jackson talks about why you should have the water cities of Hue (on the Perfume River), Kê Gà (on Kê Gà Bay) and Can Tho (on the Mekong Delta), on your must-visit list. She also shares the cultural tourism of the Azerai hotel group, and new flights from Melbourne into Hanoi with Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet, azerai.com, vietjetair.com Done Saigon and Hanoi, ready to explore more of Vietnam? Co-host Belle Jackson talks about why you should have the water cities of Hue (on the Perfume River), Kê Gà (on Kê Gà Bay) and Can Tho (on the Mekong Delta), on your must-visit list. She also shares the cultural tourism of the Azerai hotel group, and new flights from Melbourne into Hanoi with Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet, azerai.com , vietjetair.com Also, we talk about tourist taxes in New Zealand, Bali and Venice and whether they’ve deterred tourists visiting Europe – the visitation numbers say “Hmmm, not so much.” And our tips this week are from Smartraveller, who suggests you read the fine print on adventure sports, carry an emergency beacon if doing mountain sports, ask for that safety equipment and ensure you’re insured, https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ Power in Numbers 30 Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Stargazing around the world; best Aussie towns & making travel memories When was the last time you really soaked up the night sky? Spotted a full moon? Admired the Milky Way? Saw an aurora? When was the last time you really soaked up the night sky? Spotted a full moon? Admired the Milky Way? Saw an aurora?Marnie Ogg joins us to talk about astrotourism . Marnie designs and leads stargazing tours, and she is also the founder of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance, which educates people about light pollution. So stay with us to learn the best places on Earth to go stargazing, aurora hunting and spotting all sorts of celestial bodies. See darkskytraveller.com .au We also reveal the best little town in Australia: it's official, with the winner of the Top Tourism Town Awards, and we've got some tips about how to make the best memories when you travel. See toptourismtowns.com .au Finally, it's giveaway time, thanks to Lonely Planet - win a guidebook to Vietnam, or their new book, Stargazing Around the World: A Tour of the Night Sky . To be in the running, email us at hello@theworldawaits.au Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au Power in Numbers Programs Locations Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Deserted island escapes, new flight routes, inflight self-care Would you let yourself be dropped on a remote island, for total solitude? That’s explorer and entrepreneur Alvaro Cerezo’s job – he drops willing travellers on deserted islands in the most remote corners of the globe. Would you let yourself be dropped on a remote island, for total solitude? That’s explorer and entrepreneur Alvaro Cerezo’s job – he drops willing travellers on deserted islands in the most remote corners of the globe. “We give fake names to protect our islands so they are secret to protect them from mass tourism.. [otherwise] we will destroy the feeling of isolation for the client… so that’s important to us to keep them secret,” he says. We also cover off the top new international airline routes from Australia, and we have some tips about how to best take care of yourself while you travel; from Andrea Powis of travellingdivas.com Power in Numbers 30 Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Norway beyond the fjords & world’s most liveable cities Dramatic fjords, snowy mountains, midnight sun… Norway’s natural beauty is legendary. But Torunn Tronsvang, founder of UpNorway, says there’s so much more to Norway than the stunning scenery. Torunn leads you through Norway’s world-leading food and wine scene, shares cultural experiences with the Indigenous people, as well as its impressive architecture, upnorway.com Dramatic fjords, snowy mountains, midnight sun… Norway’s natural beauty is legendary. But Torunn Tronsvang , founder of UpNorway , says there’s so much more to Norway than the stunning scenery. Torunn leads you through Norway’s world-leading food and wine scene, shares cultural experiences with the Indigenous people, as well as its impressive architecture, upnorway.com Also, the most liveable cities in 2024 – and best language apps , economistgroup.com And Cunard’s Great Australian Culinary Voyage in 2025 will feature Big Esso indigenous chef Nornie Bero and others, see cunard.com , mabumabu.com.au Click to listen now Power in Numbers Programs Locations Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Secrets of the Blue Zones, where Aussies are travelling & quirky honeymoon stays Do you want to know the secrets to living a long, healthy life? Blue Zone Vice President Nick Buettner reveals secrets from the Blue Zones, the places around the world where you can find people living the longest and healthiest lives, including Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan and Ikaria, Greece (pictured). And the show Nick mentions is Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones see netflix.com/title/81214929 Do you want to know the secrets to living a long, healthy life? Blue Zone Vice President Nick Buettner reveals secrets from the Blue Zones , the places around the world where you can find people living the longest and healthiest lives, including Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan and Ikaria, Greece (pictured). And the show Nick mentions is Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones see netflix.com/title/81214929 Also, new research from Emirates shows where Aussies are travelling overseas, and quirky honeymoon hotels with luxury hotel travel booker Mr & Mrs Smith . Click to listen now Power in Numbers 30 Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Best fares to Europe & the US, top tiny towns & pre-travel checklist Want to get the best airfare to Europe or the US? We’re going full #avgeek, as flight booking expert Mark Trim shares insider secrets on airlines to watch, alternative routes and the best time to buy. He also shares tips on booking in shoulder seasons and the Asian gateways offering great lie-flat deals. The co-founder of the Complex Travel Group, which specialises in round-the-world fares Want to get the best airfare to Europe or the US? We’re going full #avgeek , as flight booking expert Mark Trim shares insider secrets on airlines to watch, alternative routes and the best time to buy. He also shares tips on booking in shoulder seasons and the Asian gateways offering great lie-flat deals. The co-founder of the Complex Travel Group, which specialises in round-the-world fares , adds that the ‘best’ airfare may be the most wallet-friendly, or it could also be the one stuffed with fabulous destinations for a memorable adventure, see complextravel.com.au Also, Airbnb releases its list of the best tiny towns to visit in Australia, and tick off your essential pre-travel checklist with smartraveller.gov.au , from vaccinations to passport checks. Click to listen now Power in Numbers 30 Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Unlocking India, travelling with jewellery & ski prep tips India specialist Fiona Caulfield swapped a high-profile career as a futurist and branding consultant in New York for Bangalore in southern India, where she created the Love Travel brand. She shares the key to exploring India, lovetravelguides.com India specialist Fiona Caulfield swapped a high-profile career as a futurist and branding consultant in New York for Bangalore in southern India, where she created the Love Travel brand. She shares the key to exploring India, lovetravelguides.com Also, the winner of our giveaway, the Gypsea Loop Hair Tie Bangle, see gypsealoop.com and do you travel with faux jewellery? Blake Asaad of GOODSTONE says you should duplicate your rings so you don’t lose them. And tips for snow holiday, with nib Travel . Belle’s Victorian High Country wellness weekend was at The Barn at Freeburg and Haut Hutt sauna on the Ovens River. Click to listen now Power in Numbers Programs Locations Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

Join expert travel journalists Belinda Jackson and Kirstie Bedford on The World Awaits travel podcast