Episodes
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Ep 22: BritFlick hotspots & Wellness in Mornington
Load your watchlist with the best BritFlix, including the new Bridgerton, Wonka, or Welcome to Wrexham for Welsh football action. Then dress up and explore the movie locations, visitbritain.com
“People are exhausted…so guests are looking for a solution for stress, and how to live an ambitious, successful life but not burn out,” says Lyndall Mitchell, founder of Aurora Spa Group.
Also, the best tourism villages and Conde Nast Traveller’s wellness hotel hotlist.
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Ep 21: Rebuilding Maui & Life in Bhutan
Lianne Driessen talks about the devastating fires in Maui. Lianne, who lost her own home, is helping rebuild Maui and says you can aid its recovery, sailtrilogy.com
In the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, Australian Carissa Nimah talks about marketing its snowy peaks and temples, hiking trails, homestays and spirituality, bhutan.travel
We’ve got winners of our giveaway, Lonely Planet’s new book, hack claiming insurance if monkeys steal your gear, and cover Fodor’s 2024 No List.
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Ep 20: Mindful travel in Nepal &
Hiking with refugees
Walking slowly in silence in the Nepalese Himalayas is one way Nina Karnikowski says we can embrace mindful travel, taking in the world on a more acute level. See her latest book, The Mindful Traveller, and join her upcoming tour, worldexpeditions.com Neil McCulloch is the founder of a First Hike Project, a charity that helps refugees discover the transformative nature of the Aussie bush. Also, the world’s most loved landmarks, tips on saving money in Europe, and riding the Great Victorian Rail Trail
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Oh, Mongolia! One of the world’s most sparsely populated countries is top of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024 guide to where you should be heading this year. Chris Zeiher to talk of Mongolia, new cycling routes in New Zealand, Indian train routes and singing in Palau. Bill Bensley, the incomparable hotel designer and architect ,talks about his design and conservation work. We’re also talking about the best destinations for solo female travellers, and where to catch the best sunsets in the world.
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Ep 18: Where to ski this winter,
Spookiest haunts & Best travel gadgets
Skiing in Japan is going gangbusters. Europe is having a sweet spot with prices. And there’s always Canada’s Whistler. Flip Byrnes’ new book, Ultimate Skiing and Snowboarding (HardieGrant) moves from heli-ski in Greenland to why Italy is so good, cross-country ski and beginners in Aspen Colorado. Ahead of Halloween, we reveal the most haunted alley in the world (hint: it’s in Scotland). And Alaisdair’s favourite travel gadgets – Skross travel adaptors, Twelve South tech and Bellroy bags.
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Ep 17: On Country in Kakadu &
Travels with a healthy gut
Dining under the stars on bush tucker is a quintessential Australian experience. Bininj man and Kakadu Kitchen founder Ben Tyler talks about the Dird Full Moon Feasts and growing up in Kakadu National Park. Nutritionist Sheryl Takayama shares how to keep your stomach healthy while you’re travelling. Also, do you need travel insurance, and fresh movies that take you across the world, with film reviewer, Alaisdair Leith.
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Author and wine writer Max Allen talks to Belle about exploring the exciting alternative grape varieties we’re drinking (or should be drinking) now. See melbournebooks.com.au Mat Lewis, of hand-picked luxury resorts group View Retreats, talks to Kirstie about their new wellness escapes, which he dubs ‘discovery and recovery’. See viewretreats.com We’re also talking about using AI to plan your travel adventures, and our top inflight peeves (hint: they all smell or sound bad)
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SPECIAL Ep 15: Why we should love Morocco even more
Dining under the stars on bush tucker is a quintessential Australian experience. Bininj man and Kakadu Kitchen founder Ben Tyler talks about the Dird Full Moon Feasts and growing up in Kakadu National Park. Nutritionist Sheryl Takayama shares how to keep your stomach healthy while you’re travelling. Also, do you need travel insurance, and fresh movies that take you across the world, with film reviewer, Alaisdair Leith.
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Ep 13: South Korea and responsible travel
K-Pop, hanok guesthouses and world’s best street food: travel consultant Lachlan Woodland on why you need to get on the next flight to Korea. Also, Toni Ambler of The Travel Corporation on how you can help keep ancient traditions alive – from weaving to flamenco – by travelling responsibly. Also, prepare for a wellness retreat, and comfort seeker or mindful traveller – which are you?
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Ep 14: Return to China, Canadian bears & Morocco appeal
Travel to China is finally back, as Wendy Wu of Wendy Wu Tours tells us, and Marg Leehane of the Great Bear Lodge in British Columbia tells us what to do if you meet a bear in the woods. Also, claim unused flight credits and @july unveils what we’re packing on holiday. We urge you to support Intrepid Travel’s Morocco earthquake appeal.
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SPECIAL Ep 15: Why we should love Morocco even more
Morocco has a long road ahead to recover from the recent, devastating earthquake that killed more than 2,900 people when it struck the High Atlas Mountains. David Mannix (pictured), founder of Arcadia Expeditions, and By Prior Arrangement’s lead guide in Marrakech, Abdellah Amghar, share how your tourist dollar can help it rebuilt.
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Ep 12: Bali & memorable wildlife encounters
Wildlife photographer and journalist Rachelle Mackintosh chats about having the best wildlife encounter (best for you, best for the wildlife), and Bali resident and author Penny Watson talks about how not to be a loser when you visit Bali. Also, sip your way around the world at these leading wine destinations and find out how you can while away your time (for free!) in airports.
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Ep 11: Switzerland & Melbourne day walks
What’s your worst fashion disaster while travelling? Believe us, we’ve made them all – white snow gear, red wildlife safari jackets… Tune in as we spill the beans. We also take a series of day walks around Melbourne with Evi O and Andrew Gruen, the authors of new Day Trip Melbourne, and go on a slow travel journey through Switzerland with Carolyn Schonafinger.
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Ep 10: South Africa & caravanning in Aus
We’ve hit double digits! We’re talking tourism that changes the lives of children in remote South Africa with Charles Street of Inkwazi Adventures and caravanning around Australia with #vanlife expert and author Catherine Best. Also, how to avoid being hacked from an airport selfie and what’s on our bucket lists these days, and how they have changed.
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Ep 7: Travel for good & the Maldives
We talk to one of the travel’s most influential voices – Bruce Poon Tip – about community tourism and we’ll take you to the tropical paradise that is the Maldives. Also, best outdoor showers and tubs, and where’s the best country for solo travel?
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Ep 9: Florence & chic, sustainable stays
We introduce a new collation of stylish and sustainable stays by GoKinda, and talk to Australian author of Lost in Florence. We also take you through all the newest Melbourne hotel openings, and ask: when you should book your travel insurance?
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Ep 8: Walking the Camino & new movies
Watch the most scenic movies at the Melbourne International Film Festival with entertainment writer Alaisdair Leith, and Wandering the World founder Glenyce Johnson tells us about walking the Camino de Santiago 35 times. We also reveal the world’s most powerful passport.
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Ep 4: Idaho & Africa
Kirstie talks to African safari specialist Patrick Clementson about seeing the Big Five in Africa, and powder hound Brian Thacker tells Belle how to ski for less in Idaho, abercrombiekent.com.au, brianthacker.tv
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Ep 5: Eat Spain & would you visit Nauru?
We’re off to Spain to eat with Ben Groundwater and explore Nauru with Lisa Pagotto of Crooked Compass, we’re talking airport lounge hacks and the world’s best airline for 2023 – does Singapore Airlines deserve the golden gong?
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Ep 6: Fiji & Japan
We’re off to Fiji with Brent Hill of Fiji Tourism and explore Japan’s art scene with Dr Kathleen Olive of Limelight Arts Travel. We also take a hot moment in Kakadu, hack airline fares, and can you guess the world’s most mispronounced city?
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Ep 1: Rome & Tasmania
Actress Alicia Gardiner talks about Tasmania,
where her new series, Deadloch, was filmed,
and Australian-Italian author Maria Pasquale tells us where to find Rome’s best gelato, aliciagardiner__, The Eternal City
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Ep 2: India, Italy, Victoria’s ski fields
Life coach Jo Langhorne on why India tops her travel list, Emily Smith talks ski from Hotham ski resort and entertainment reporter Alaisdair Leith takes us to Italy for Jane Fonda’s new movie, soulfulescapes.com.au, vail.com
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Ep 3: Paris & Kangaroo Island
Hayley Baillie talks to Kirstie about Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, and French cheesemonger Valerie Henbest dials in from Paris to talk cheese with Belle, baillielodges.com.au, smellycheese.co
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