Ivona Siniarska has been to Africa 40 times and the founder and managing director of travel booker Take Off Go says it's more than a destination, "it's a deep-seated emotion".

From Kenya to South Africa, Ivona talks to us about the best places to go, where to start for first-timers, and how to ensure you're travelling in a way that's right by the wildlife, and ensures you are able to make the most of the experience.

Also, loud talkers, crowding the luggage carousel and throwing your plane seat back… these are just some of the things that irk us most when we travel, according to Vodafone.

And the Great Aussie Pie Competition results are in - listen in for where to get the best pie in Australia. Road trips just got a whole lot more delicious!

Read Kirstie's shortlisted adventure story for the Australian Society of Travel Writers' Excellence Awards about Sardinia and Belle's shortlisted culinary story about eating in Oman.

Belle has also been shortlisted for the 2025 Travel Writer of the Year award; her stories include AlUla in Saudi Arabia and Moor, Please! A fabulous self-guided journey on Spain's public trains from Seville to Jerez and Cadiz, with Inntravel.

And if you'd like to hear Belle chatting with 2GB about her cover story about travelling through Tunisia with Intrepid Travel, and the goat that tried to derail it all, listen here.

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“Opera and classical music shouldn’t be just for the elite,” says Australian-born soprano Breana Stillman. The opera singer leads a double life; based in Rome and singing throughout Europe, she’s also on a mission to bring classical music and opera to disadvantaged youth in central Africa, using art as a therapy.

Breana spends several months a year in Kenya with the charity she founded, OperAffinity, working and performing with impoverished children to develop their artistic abilities, and to create cultural connection through music.

Follow Breana at breanasoprano.com and for more on OperAffinity and its festival in Todi, Italy, see operaffinity.com

Also, while Americans are travelling to Australian in record numbers, Aussies are choosing Asia over the US for their international holidays, according to the latest Travel Trends Report from the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA).

And finally, Southern Cross Travel Insurance makes the case for taking out travel insurance for domestic travel.

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Melissa Hoyer is one of Australia’s most respected lifestyle commentators, journalists and editors, who has worked in the travel and lifestyle sector of the media industry for more than three decades, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Lady Gaga, Cate Blanchett and J. K. Rowling.

This week, we take a look at what life's like for a leading commentator travelling on the celeb circuit, and find out where the A-listers like to go.

Also, Intrepid's "Not Hot List" is out! This annual report highlights the lesser-known destinations and regions for those who care about treading lightly when they travel.

And our tip this week is from eSIM provider Saily about how to get the most out of your data when you travel.

Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au or on Instagram here.

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There's great nightlife, it's summer all year round, and really, really hospitable people. Add to that fabulous architecture and a blossoming food scene, and what's not to love about Malta?

In Australia, he's Mr Malta - Maltese-Australian chef, restaurateur and TV presenter Shane Delia has been returning to the Mediterranean island nation since he was 13, so he knows a thing or two about exploring Malta's food, beaches and lifestyle.

Talking to the podcast just ahead of Maltese Independence Day, Shane, whose restaurants include Maha in Melbourne, Layla in Brisbane and the Biggie Smalls kebab chain, appears on Channel 9's Postcards every week, says Malta is blossomed with high-end restaurants. "But while it’s well documented where we’ve been, young Maltese chefs are asking, 'Where can we be, who can we be?'" he says. His hot tips include Marsaskala Bay for swimming and Sphinx Malta for delicious pastizzi. Follow Shane at @shanedelia

Also, be compensated for late or cancelled flights here in Australia: you can have your say on the proposed Aviation Consumer Protection Scheme, see http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/aviation/aviation-consumer-protections

And finally, car rental group VroomVroomVroom says that Australian airports are the most common place for bingles in your hire car.

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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.

Also, Skyscanner reveals how Gen Z is travelling today. This teen to 28-year-old age group is a big decision maker when it comes to family travel, and you might just be surprised at what their top priorities are when it comes to a getaway.

And for those who love a bit of stargazing, insuremytrip.com takes us to the best places in the world for astrotourism. The full research is here: https://www.insuremytrip.com/travel-advice/travel-inspiration/best-destinations-for-stargazing/

The places Kirstie mentioned:

https://whalesongsnoosa.com.au/

https://byearthandocean.com.au/noosa-ebike-tours/ and https://byearthandocean.com.au/stingrays-and-everglades-kayak-tour/

Lanai https://lanainoosa.com.au/

Light Years: https://www.lightyearsasiandiner.com.au/

Noosa Surf Club: https://www.noosasurfclub.com.au/

https://www.therisenoosa.com.au/

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Airports are one of the most stressful places we'll find ourselves, and this week, we're looking at travel from the viewpoint of a neurodivergent traveller.

Sarah Maree Cameron is a radio and TV presenter, writer and comedian. She presents the House of Wellness on Nine Radio, and in Melbourne, the Weekend Break with Grubby on 3AW and TravelOz on Channel 7.

With that job description, she's constantly on the road, and we chat about how she manages her hectic schedule while juggling a number of dietary and health issues. Listen for her top tips on staying stress-free and healthy. Follow Sarah Maree on instagram for more wellness tips

Also, which are the most crowded tourist destinations in the world? A couple are particular favourites for Australian travellers, according to new analysis from Deluxe Holiday Homes.

And Kadi Luggage reveals how to get the best bang for your buck when shopping duty-free at airports.

Sarah Maree's tips include:

Listening to sleep stories with the Calm app

Hotteeze heat pads

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When Chelsea Ross launched the world’s first women-only surf retreat in Bali, it was purely because it was something she would have loved to do herself.

Twenty-two years later, she’s hosted more than 18,000 women seeking a transformational experience in Bali through Goddess Retreats.

She shares her experience, tips for the best ways to have a wellness experience in the popular Indonesian hotspot, and explains why you should give surfing a go – and how to get started!

The latest research on the 'grey gap year' shows as we age we’re now increasingly likely to want to spend the kids’ inheritance on a big holiday. Read the full Grey Gap Year report here.

The Japan National Tourism Organisation gives the low-down on food etiquette in Japan – think you shouldn’t slurp your noodles? Think again!

Also, win a copy of Ultimate Dive Sites by last week's guest, Todd Thimios - see our Instagram to enter, and here's Kirstie's story about the luxury advisors turned digital nomads. https://karryon.com.au/luxury/nomad-the-consultants-living-remote/

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Welcome to the underwater world of photographer and professional diver Todd Thimios, who shares his best dive sites in Australia and around the world – he’s got some hot tips for snorkellers, too.

To win a copy of Todd's book, Ultimate Dive Sites (Hardie Grant), follow us on instagram @theworldawaitspodcast and catch him MC'ing at the Go Diving Show at Sydney Showgrounds 6-7 September, see godivingshow.com/anz/sydney-dive-show

Also, do we really need travel insurance for local travel within Australia? Southern Cross Travel Insurance’s (SCTI), most recent Future of Travel report might just change your mind, scti.com.au

And where's the best place in the world to work and holiday? IWG's annual Work from Anywhere Barometer names the best cities for a workcation, and there are a few surprises in the top 10. Listen for the full list, see iwgplc.com

Also, click here to listen back to Jacques Smit of Sabi Sabi private game reserve in South Africa, and read Kirstie's story from her interview with Jacques here.

And to find out more about the next big hot in cycling tourism, take a look at Victoria’s High Country's gravel bike riding campaign victoriashighcountry.com.au/ride/

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