The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust

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

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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. 
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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! 

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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/

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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.

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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

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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 

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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/

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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 

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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.
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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.

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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 

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