The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust

Do you have a habit of leaving things behind in hotels, only to never be reunited with your treasured items?
Melbourne-based Andy Brain is the founder of an ingenious business called Dashback, which allows hotel guests to book and pay to have lost belongings couriered to them, so you will never have a situation where you aren’t reunited with that sentimental item ever again.
He tells us some hilarious stories of the types of things people are leaving in hotels, and explains how and why this service is so desperately needed in travel today.
Also, Australian dog food company Eureka Pet Co finds the best beaches to travel with your dog, and National Geographic’s Best of the World list reveals the world’s most remarkable destinations.

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Egypt is back in the limelight, with new riverboats up and down the Nile, and new hotel openings and takeovers everywhere. 
Our own co-host Belle Jackson has recently returned from her second home, Cairo, and updates us on the incredible changes to the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum and the restoration of some of Egypt's most grand hotels. 
Also, we go Halloween-tastic, with the spookiest cities in Europe that you can visit by train, thanks to Rail Europe, and some of the great Halloween festivals in Australia and abroad. If you're seeking spookiness this weekend, head to the Ghost Festival in the Sydney district of the Rocks, the Redcliffe Festival of Frights in Brisbane or the haunted Old Melbourne Gaol, which is doing ghost encounters and after-hours cell roaming. 
https://ghostfestival.com.au/
https://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au/event/halloween-at-old-melbourne-gaol/ 
https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/events/p-6507cbecfa1d86326a8c230a-redcliffe-festival-of-frights 
PHOTO: Belinda Jackson
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We're taking you to great heights this episode, with the best travel experiences on high.
From rooftop bars to scenic flights, ballooning over fairy chimneys of Cappadocia or seeing the world from the observation deck of the world's highest building, these are some of the best experiences you can have from great heights. 
Don't like heights? Included are some great Christmas gift ideas for those in your life who do!
Also, Australia’s first Michelin stars have been awarded, we tell you where they are, and our tip is how to maximise your leave for 2027.
Some of the places we mention as great Christmas gift ideas include:
https://www.goldrushballooning.com.au/canola 
https://www.islandhelicopters.au/
https://www.queenstownnz.co.nz/things-to-do/sightseeing/scenic-flights/helicopter-flights/
https://sailing-whitsundays.com/tours/whitsunday-helicopter-tours
https://horizontalfallsadventures.com.au/
https://www.outbackballooning.com.au/

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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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