EP 93 Moving to Italy for summer; Mother's Day gift guide & do people really care about giving back when they travel?
Have you ever thought about packing everything up, renting or selling the house and moving to Italy? Well, that’s just what our guest this week did. Award-winning freelance food, travel and lifestyle journalist Natascha Mirosch has swapped the sunny shores of Brisbane to move temporarily to a tiny village south of Rome. We chat about why she did it, what there is to see and do in the region where she’s now living and how you could do it too.We also have a last-minute Mother’s Day guide for the travel-loving mum in your family (or yourself) and do people really care about giving back when they travel? We give you the feedback from some of the experts including Booking.com's 2025 Sustainable Travel report. Send us a textSupport the showVisit us at https://theworldawaits.au
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EP 92 Does the USA want Aussie travellers? Gatsby turns 100, the price of Bali belly & best luxury train trips
Should Australians be concerned about travelling to the US now?With a super-strong US dollar and reports of 'enhanced vetting' at US borders, economics groups forecast a 12% drop in visitors to the States this year. So just how welcome are travellers these days? New York State is bucking the trend, says Michael Cassis, the Australian representative for the state, and shares some tips for smooth entry into the US. And - jazz hands to the ready - 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of iconic American novel The Great Gatsby. Author F Scott Fitzgerald set the novel amongst the mansions of Long Island, so Michael takes us back to 1925 and where to visit to find the romance and glamour of the Jazz Age, iloveny.comAlso, monkey bites, bag snatches and Bali belly - Southern Cross Travel Insurance spills the tea on the most unusual claims submitted by Australians holidaying in Bali and the biggest, most eye-watering claims, scti.com.auFinally, if you've ever had an opulent train trip in mind, this North American beauty is the last word in luxury, according to research from Japan Rail Pass, jrpass.com Send us a textSupport the showVisit us at https://theworldawaits.au
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EP 91 Australia's Ultimate Beaches, the top airports around the world & the best countries for a road trip
Australia has more than 10,000 beaches, so if you need a beachside break, how do you choose where to go?Celeste Mitchell, author of Ultimate Beaches Australia has scoured the nation to come up with 80 of the best beaches from the big names to some secret spots; places for world-class surf breaks or rock pools for the kids. Celeste is also the owner of the slow travel booking site, Life Unhurried and she reveals some of her top picks for beachside slow stays.Also, Skytrax’s annual survey of the top airports around the world is out. Can you guess which airport takes the top gong? And DiscoverCars.com reveals the best countries for a road trip. Take a listen to find out where they are!And co-host Belle Jackson visits the Bendigo Art Gallery for the Frida Kahlo: In her own image exhibition – a look at one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Support the showVisit us at https://theworldawaits.auSend us a textSupport the showVisit us at https://theworldawaits.au
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EP 90 The Cocos Keeling Islands, hot spots for European travel right now & top tips for staying safe when travelling solo
Giant green palms, sugar-white sand beaches where every shell seems to move with life, and gin-clear waters home to an aquarium of kaleidoscopic marine life.Welcome to the Cocos Keeling Islands – an atoll almost halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka where the airport runway doubles as the golf course, so infrequent are the flights.We explain why this special little spot should be on your travel bucket list – and if you’re travelling from Australia, you don’t even need a passport to get there. We also chat about Emirates' new data about the hot European destinations this winter, and Airbnb's spring travel report is out with some top tips for staying safe when you are a solo traveller.https://cocoskeelingislands.com.au/https://news.airbnb.com/2025-spring-trends-travelers-embrace-soft-slow-travel/Support the showVisit us at https://theworldawaits.auSend us a textSupport the showVisit us at https://theworldawaits.au
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EP 89 Where do inflight blankets go? Avgeek Dennis Bunnik tells all; best destinations for enlightenment & how to avoid flight delays
What do you do when a revolution breaks out? If you're Dennis Bunnik, you throw yourself into the thick of it. Dennis is co-owner of Bunnik Tours which, in 2025 celebrates 30 years taking Australians to every corner of the globe, and he chats to Belle about the situations he's found himself in as a very, very hands-on small group tour operator. He's also a hardcore aviation geek with a huge YouTube following for his airline reviews and behind-the-scenes access into the world of aviation, answering all the big questions like, "What happens to airline blankets?" He shares his hot tips for best airlines in all classes, adds a few airport lounge hacks and 'fesses up to the country-counting competition of his family. See bunniktours.com.au Also, where to go if you're seeking spiritual enlightenment on your next trip. New research from Psychic World reveals the top destinations we're searching for that deepen our connection to faith, heritage and history.And a new study by Australian luggage brand Kadi Luggage reveals the best time and day of the week to schedule your flights at five major Australian airports to avoid the dread flight delays.https://kadiluggage.com/Finally, where is Belle off to this week? Tune in...https://www.youtube.com/c/DennisBunnikTravels https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/world-book https://www.psychicworld.com/Send us a textSupport the showVisit us at https://theworldawaits.au
About The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust
Where does your wanderlust lead you? To Melbourne’s cafes or the vast deserts of the Empty Quarter, a New Zealand vineyard or the pavements of New York… what’s your neighbourhood? Join travel journalists and editors Kirstie Bedford and Belinda Jackson for stories and inside information from across the world. Hosts Belinda Jackson & Kirstie BedfordWebsite Instagram @theworldawaitspodcast Support us https://ko-fi.com/theworldawaits (thank you!)
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