The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust
Belinda Jackson & Kirstie Bedford

Latest episode
167 episodes
EP 161 How to holiday without packing on the kilos; which travel personality are you & what's an IDP and do you need one?
02/09/2026 | 44 mins.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/
Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au
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Visit us at https://theworldawaits.auEP 160 Come with us to Marrakech, the luxe for less list & the most entertaining airports
26/08/2026 | 38 mins.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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Visit us at https://theworldawaits.auEP 159 The Jet Lag Guy on how to ease your flying fatigue; new airlines and routes coming to Australia & top stargazing spots
19/08/2026 | 33 mins.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.
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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Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au
Send us Fan Mail
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Visit us at https://theworldawaits.auEP 158 Expert packing hacks with @styledbysally; come to Algeria with Belle & is Jetstar rorting us?
12/08/2026 | 43 mins.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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Visit us at https://theworldawaits.auEP 157 Intriguing stories behind the world's most popular landmarks; hotels to have on your radar & costly travel mistakes
05/08/2026 | 44 mins."The Eiffel Tower was a crucial tool of espionage when WWI broke out, helping to catch a spy credited with causing up to 50,000 deaths... she was funnelling information back to the Germans after she weaponised her beauty to beguile them," says author of Hidden in Plain Sight, Ronan O'Connell.
Ronan visited 35 countries to research his book, uncovering jaw-dropping and intriguing insights into the world's most popular landmarks - things even locals don't know.
He talks to us about some of the most remarkable stories, and gives an insight into his travels while he was photographing and researching the book.
Co-hosts Kirstie and Belle also discuss the latest hotel openings around the world that you need on your radar, and Cover More gives a tip on the top costly travel mistakes to avoid when you travel, if you want your insurer to pay out, from adventure activities to getting a tattoo.
Read more about Ronan here: https://www.ronanoconnell.com/about
Buy his book here: https://harpercollins.com.au/products/9781400251469
Support the show
Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au
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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 inspiring stories and inside information from across the world. Website https://theworldawaits.auInstagram @theworldawaitspodcast Support us https://ko-fi.com/theworldawaits (thank you!)
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