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The world awaits a podcast for travel tales 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 interviewees have included 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 Our latest episodes Click 'listen ' for more episodes Ep 125 Summer Series: The Africa Episode from museums in Cairo to seeking out the Big Five Welcome to the first of our Summer Series! This week, we’re taking you to Africa, a bucket list destination for those who want to see the Big Five or wander the pyramids of Giza. First up, co-host Belle Jackson , a frequent visitor and former resident of Egypt in northeast Africa, takes you to the many museums, explains the best way to see the pyramids, and shares the top three things to do in Cairo. Then we chat to Ivona Siniarska, founder of Take Off Go and Africa expert, who has visited 40 times about the best places to go on safari, where to start for first-timers, and how to ensure you’re travelling in a way that’s right by the wildlife. Listen here EP 124 Last-minute Christmas travel gifts & how to max your holidays in 2026 Shopping for the traveller in your life this Christmas? Tech hound Alaisdair Leith and Belle Jackson bring you our best last-minute gifts. Also, get holiday maxxing for 2026 - the art of maximising public holidays to get more time away, without the pay cut. Our Christmas wishlist: Zoomlite Glide top-opening suitcase, zoomlite.com.au Bahama Flexibraid Fedora travel hat, tinamcopenhagen.com.au Lake Eyre 100% silk scarf, australiascape.com.au Timekettle translation earbuds, timekettle.co Baseus universal travel adaptor, baseus.com Vacbird vaccum travel bags, vacbird.com and a bonus cheapie that's the best little buy...Torras waterproof phone pouch, torraslife.com Listen here EP 123 How to be a digital nomad in Sicily; the best airline seat for your health & the most affordable five-star stays Are you sick of the day-to-day grind and dream of becoming a digital nomad in Italy? Take a listen to our guest this week to learn how you can do it. Editor and travel writer Carrie Hutchinson just spent the Australian winter working remotely in Sicily. She's here to explain her experience, with top tips so you can follow in her footsteps. We also have the lowdown from ex-flight attendant and beauty expert Danielle Louise from Fresha app on the healthiest places to sit on a plane. And, love a bit of luxury but not the top-end price? We run through some affordable five-star stays that'll have you living the high life without breaking the bank. Listen here EP 122 Is the Maldives worth the hype? Also, tips for Travel Tuesday & would you go broke for a break? Are the Maldives worth the hype? We're unpicking the world's most aspirational destination, as co-host Belle Jackson talks about her most recent visit to the island nation. We're talking about the food - think tuna and coconut - the difference between atolls and resorts, their sustainability and, of course, whale sharks. Belle stayed at Niyama Private Islands Maldives for the surfing; niyama.com & Avani+ Fares Maldives for the marine life, avanihotels.com/en/fares-maldives Also, travel comparison and booking platform Omio shares some tips for Travel Tuesday, such as knowing your prices beforehand, get your logins and sign up to newsletters! See omio.com And are Australians prepared to go broke for a break? Stay tuned... https://www.finder.com.au/news/action-to-afford-holiday-202 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 (and resident 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; drinking sake with a Japanese family in Shikoku; and a Welcome to Country ceremony with Indigenous elders in Broome. Kirstie is Editor, Luxury @ Karryon, Editor-at-Large, The Wanderer magazine and a contributor to various publications across Australasia. When she's not writing for work, she's working on her other writing passion, crime fiction. 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). 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, and slipped out of bed and into a Maldivian lagoon. In a former life, she was a journalist in Ireland, her second home is Cairo, and she has more than a passing fancy for the Middle East’s scarves and carpets. Belle is a regular contributor to the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age 's Traveller section, Luxury Escapes, Gourmet Traveller and chats to ABC Radio and commercial stations including 3AW and 2GB. 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 movies, 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.

< 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

Australia's top travel podcast, dropping weekly with travel tales to inspire your wanderlust WORK WITH US The World Awaits works with travel-related brands across Australia and the world. Options include: Sponsored episodes A mix of pre, mid or end-roll, host-read ads to be inserted into each episode 30-second mid-roll ads supplied by the client 20-minute interviews on agreed theme with hosts Takeover of the news segment at the top or tip at the end of the show These can be with a mix of any of the above for permanent placement in TWA's catalogue for evergreen branding Get in touch to reach a travel-savvy audience that’s ready to hit the road. Contact us Who we've partnered with...

< 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

Australia's top travel podcast, dropping weekly with travel tales to inspire your wanderlust The World Awaits Contact Got a story idea you’d love to share? Drop us a line – we’re all ears! 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. Email hello@theworldawaits.au Social Media Got a comment, enter a giveaway, or just say hi! Drop us a line, we'd love to hear from you. First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!

< 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

< 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 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 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 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

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