The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust

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Before he founded the Peninsula Hot Springs on the Mornington Peninsula, 21 years ago, Charles Davidson began exploring thermal springs sites around the world.
His quest has now taken him to 57 countries to explore their bathing cultures, from Iran to Japan, Tanzania to Yemen.
"I really wanted to understand that hot springs had nothing to do with money or wealth, it was all to do with nature and human connection," says Charles of his experiences in Yemen, one of the world's poorest countries. "The gift from mother Earth is universal." 
Listen as Charles shares some truly unique and beautiful experiences in hot water. See peninsulahotsprings.com
Also, we talk about the changes to entry to the UK and Ireland for dual citizens, and the UK's new Electronic Travel Authorisation. 
And finally, let us save your skin! With airplane cabins drier than the Sahara desert, it's no surprise to learn flying ages your skin. We're here to help, along with some expert advice from health and wellness expert Dr Vincent. 
Register here for Karryon's TravMedia webinar, which Kirstie refers to: travmedia.com/meetsaus/karryon
The bathing locations Charles mentions in this episode include:
NT Bitter Springs, Mataranka nt.gov.au/parks/find-a-park/elsey-national-park/bitter-springs 
SA Dalhousie Springs southaustralia.com/products/flinders-ranges-and-outback/attraction/dalhousie-springs-witjira-national-park 
NZ Maruia Hot Springs maruiahotsprings.nz/  
JAPAN Kusatsu onsen visit-gunma.jp/en/discover/destinations/kusatsu/ 
INDIA Kheerganga hot springs, Himchal Pradesh
IRAN Gavmish Goli hot springs, Sareyn
YEMEN Damt thermal springs
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Audio editing by Alaisdair Leith, you can follow him here
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This week, we're chatting with UTracks hiking guide Jaclyn Beagley, who leads guests along the Le Puy Camino, also known as the French Camino. 
Jaclyn talks about why you should consider the French section of the Camino, and what it offers that differs from other hikes in the network of ancient pilgrimage routes across Europe.
We also chat about the historic house she bought in Umbria, and she has some top tips for those considering buying a European holiday home.
Also, we cover the latest report from Omio about Europe’s fastest-growing, lesser-known hotspots, and our tip this week is about discovering what’s new on the Sunshine Coast, including its first new-build all-service hotel in more than three decades.
Omio travel report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QTceRcvMLOWwRSxKkX5dRo8UgUY0-LMs/view
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Bushwalker.  Author. Advocate. Rescuer. 
Our guest this week is Caro Ryan, who has just been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for 14 years of service in bushwalking safety and community support in the Australia Day Honours 2026. 
Caro leads a 60-person strong specialist Bush Search and Rescue team for the NSW SES in the Blue Mountains, where she lives. And her book, How to Navigate teaches people just that - the art of navigation and map reading, which she says is essential for safe bushwalking and getting people outdoors, connected to and caring for nature. 
Caro runs navigation courses including the upcoming Introduction to Navigation with Caro Ryan: Flinders Island Edition with Tasmanian Expeditions. And we ask for her best one-day and multi-day walks in Australia and overseas. See lotsafreshair.com 
Also, we announce the winners of our giveaway of two of the best travel hat ever (tried and tested by the podcast team!) Tune in to listen to see if you won a Bahama Flexibraid Fedora by Australian designer Tina M Copenhagen!
And finally, Airbnb reveals five travel trends that it says will dominate 2026 and our tip this week is about discovering what's new in Victoria this coming year. Whew! 
Read Belle's forecasts in the Australian Financial Review: https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/travel/the-best-restaurants-hotels-and-happenings-coming-to-victoria-in-2026-20260106-p5ns67 

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Adventurer, environmental scientist, author, filmmaker, philanthropist, speaker, and Australian of the Year Tim Jarvis AM... is there anything this man can't do?
You'll think not after hearing about his adventures including undertaking two of the harshest and most extreme Antarctic expeditions – Douglas Mawson and Ernest Shackleton's survival journeys, and he did them in the original clothing, with the same gear used a century ago.
Jarvis talks about his journeys, his latest expedition, and he talks about how travel can inspire conservation and the difference every traveller can make.
We also take you to the tennis with the Australian Open now in full swing in Melbourne, talk about Australia's travel spending with new ING research, and it might be a touchy subject, but the Movicol Constipation State of the Nation report is out (yes, there is such a thing!) and we chat about how to keep things moving when you travel.

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For many, Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast is all about the surf, sun and stunning boutiques, but on this week’s episode we take you on a deeper dive into this pretty coastal region.
Co-host Kirstie Bedford loves nothing more than an active getaway, and so a chance to hike, bike and kayak in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was her idea of a dream weekend – throw in whale watching, and it was a match made in heaven.
Take a listen to her recommendations of how to explore a different side of Noosa, with top tips about where to stay, play and eat. Go to https://www.visitnoosa.com.au/ for more and see footage from her recent trip at: @kirstiewrites.
Then, Belle takes us to Tasmania's Central Highlands, where wine, wombats and walking are all on the menu at the beautiful Pumphouse Point. 
Set in the glacial Lake St Claire, the lake lodge has recently opened its new Retreats, which look out towards the pumphouse. It's also a hub for walkers, wine and wombats; https://www.pumphousepoint.com.au/.
Follow her adventures at https://globalsalsa.com.
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