Podcasts by Flight of Fancy

The most inspiring trip of my life from 2022-08-29T20:00

Sadly, this will be the final episode of Flight of Fancy. However, we're going out with a bang, bringing back some of your favourite guests - including Rob McFarland, Ute Junker and Flip Byrnes,...

What's so special about the Basque Country? from 2022-08-15T20:00

This area of northern Spain might just be the greatest food destination on the planet, with its mix of pintxos culture and Michelin-starred brilliance. However, there's a lot more to the Basque ...

How to travel with your partner (and survive) from 2022-08-01T20:00

Planning to travel with a partner or significant other? Hoping to survive the experience not just with your relationship intact, but also your sanity? Then you need to listen to this episode. To...

How to manage your money overseas from 2022-07-18T20:00

Is cash king when you're travelling? Or should you always use cards? And if so, debit cards, or credit? And how do you avoid all those overseas transaction fees? What's a dynamic conversion? And...

How to have the best craic in Ireland from 2022-07-04T20:00

It's one of our favourite destinations on the planet, Ireland, and yet for so long we haven't been able to visit. On this episode we're taking a deep dive into the Emerald Isle, looking at all o...

Slow travel: why this is the future from 2022-06-20T20:00

You've heard of the Slow Food movement, but how about Slow Travel? This is the ultimate way to see the world, allowing full cultural immersion and eliminating many of travel's stresses. Today, o...

From onsens to saunas: the world's best bathing experiences from 2022-06-06T20:00

These are some of the most interesting, historic and immersive cultural experiences you can have while you're travelling, and they take place in a bath. From Japanese onsens to Finnish saunas, T...

The big travel mistakes that everyone makes from 2022-05-23T20:00

It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time traveller or an absolute expert, all of us make mistakes on the road. And in fact, all of us make the same mistakes. Or at least the same sor...

Europe, but not as you know it from 2022-05-09T20:00

On this episode, we're going deep into the Europe you may not know: the off-the-beaten track destinations, the affordable, quiet countries, regions and cities that have so much to offer intrepid...

Airport disasters: when it all goes wrong from 2022-04-25T20:00

Travel really is back – the good bits, but also the bad. The airport delays. The flight cancellations. The monumental disintegrations like we saw in Sydney over Easter. It’s not what...

The new rules of international travel from 2022-04-11T20:00

International travel is back, but everything has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic: how you plan your trips, what you pack, what you do at the airport, what you do at your destination, even ho...

Join the K Wave: it's time to go to South Korea from 2022-03-29T01:58:30

South Korea is having a moment. Not only is this the country responsible for the "K Wave", the cultural juggernaut that is sweeping the globe, but this is also the latest country to open to inte...

Your guide to the highlights of the Middle East from 2022-03-14T19:00

Let us take you on a journey today to a place you may never have visited, to an ancient place, a historic place, a place of amazing cultures and traditions, a place of artists and poets, of food...

The new world for travellers to explore from 2022-02-28T19:00

If you're only exploring the world above ground level, you're missing out. You're missing out on wildlife, on scenery, on history, on wonder. This episode is dedicated to exploration of the unde...

Travel inspiration: Why now is the time to see Australia from 2022-02-14T19:00

With almost all state borders now open and the Omicron wave passing, 2022 might just be the perfect time to travel in Australia. On this episode we're hitting you with 40 minutes of solid Oz tra...

The perks and the pitfalls of Airbnb from 2022-01-31T19:00

So, you've chosen to stay in a home-share property. What should you bring with you: clothes? Food? How about your own bed linen, garbage bags, toilet paper and detergent? Do you have to clean at...

What can travellers expect from 2022? from 2022-01-17T19:00

This is the big question: what will the next 12 months hold for Australian travellers? Will this be the snap-back we've been hoping for? Will domestic travel be key, or is now the time to plan a...

2021 in review: Was this year even worse than 2020? from 2021-12-26T19:00

To wrap up Flight of Fancy for 2021, we're taking a look back at the year that was for travellers, from vaccine "stroll-outs" to burst bubbles, from border restrictions to a very gradual and tim...

Antarctica travel: What does the future hold? from 2021-12-06T21:46

It’s impossible to be unaffected by Antarctica: there’s something mystical about this vast continent, something primal, something that taps you straight into the spirit of explorers ...

What you can learn from Australia's most experienced travellers from 2021-11-22T19:00

Getaway host Catriona Rowntree and Antarctic explorer David McGonigal join us to share hard-won wisdom accumulated over two lifetimes of incredible travel experiences. From riding a motorbike ar...

What really happens on European bus tours from 2021-11-08T19:00

For so many young travellers, a bus tour of Europe is a rite of passage, a formative and occasionally drunken escapade in which sights are seen, friends are made, and innocence is lost. But what...

Everything you need to know about the return of travel from 2021-10-25T19:00

For Australians, travel is back on. However, there are still a lot of questions that need answering. What will the experience be like now? What do you need to take? What will you be covered for?...

The Trans-Siberian: dream travel on the world's greatest rail journey from 2021-10-11T19:00

Have you ever dreamed of riding the Trans-Siberian or the Trans-Mongolian? This is your ultimate guide to one of the world's truly great adventures: when to go, where to go, where to stop, what ...

Bonus episode: The future of cruising from 2021-10-04T19:00

On this special bonus episode, brought to you by Celebrity Cruises, we're taking a look at the future of cruising. How is one of the most popular forms of travel bouncing back? Where are passeng...

Why travel is more difficult for the LGBTQI+ community from 2021-09-27T20:30

It shoudn't make a difference, of course, to your travel experience. How you identify, whether you're part of the LGBTQI+ community or not, shouldn't alter the way you see the world. The trouble...

Travel boycotts: where would you refuse to go? from 2021-09-13T20:30

Where do you draw the line on travel? Which countries or regions would you refuse to visit as a form of protest? Which experiences would you turn down because they're just plain wrong? On this e...

The things we miss (and the things we really don't) about travel from 2021-08-29T20:00

Long-haul in economy? Airport coffee? Hotel mini-bars? Dodgy cab drivers? There are some things we really miss about travel in this COVID-enforced down time - and some things we really, really d...

How to lift your travel photography game from 2021-08-15T20:00

Ever wondered how the pros take such amazing travel photos? Ever wanted to transform your own holiday snaps into Instagram-friendly, wall-worthy masterpieces? Then this is the episode for you, a...

Guide to WA: Everything to experience in Western Australia from 2021-08-02T20:00

It's not always easy to get into WA right now, but this is one huge state that is certainly worth the effort, with incredible beaches, iconic wilderness areas, great food and wine, and so much m...

Tokyo: Everything to eat, drink, see and do from 2021-07-18T20:30

With the Olympic Games upon us, Ben Groundwater presents an unashamed love letter to one of the world's truly great travel destinations: Tokyo. Ben is joined by a host of Japanophiles, including...

Travel with kids: Can you still have adventures when you're a parent? from 2021-07-04T20:30

Here's the question so many of us ask ourselves: can you still be a hardcore traveller once you have kids? The answer, as we discover on this episode, is yes, and no. It's all about how you appr...

How to have a big, dumb, crazy travel adventure from 2021-06-20T20:00

Have you ever dreamed of going on a serious adventure, of veering way outside your comfort zone and throwing all caution to the wind? Travel writers Flip Byrnes and David McGonigal live for thes...

Bonus episode: What's it like to travel in Europe right now? from 2021-06-13T20:00

Travel in Europe is on. For international visitors and domestic guests. It's happening right now, and one of Flight of Fancy's favourites, Germany-based travel writer Flip Byrnes, is calling in ...

How to travel the world without leaving Australia: food from 2021-06-07T20:00

Now more than ever, it's so nice to feel like you're in another country, even if you aren't. And the great news for Australians is we can do just that through the humble meal, through local rest...

The best things to see and do in the NT from 2021-05-24T20:30

Now is the perfect time to book a trip to the Northern Territory, but the big question is, what do you do once you get there? In this episode we look at everything from Kakadu to Uluru, from Lit...

Winter is coming: All the best cold-weather experiences from 2021-05-10T20:30

Whether you want to hit the snow for some ski action, curl up by a fire with a glass of red, or head north for some sunshine, winter is almost upon us in Australia, and now is the time to book t...

Why the A380 superjumbo is the world's greatest plane from 2021-04-26T20:00

As the last-ever A380 takes off from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, we're taking a special deep-dive into every traveller's favourite aircraft: what's it like to pilot an A380, what's it like t...

Bonus episode: Special guest Jacinda Ardern talks travel in NZ from 2021-04-21T00:22:09

As the trans-Tasman bubble opens and overseas travel resumes, we welcome a very special guest - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern - to hear about her favourite destinations in her homela...

Living overseas: The greatest adventure in travel from 2021-04-11T20:30

Have you ever dreamed of moving overseas? Have you fantasised about picking up your life and shifting it to a foreign country, immersing yourself long-term in a completely different world? These...

Bonus episode: the NZ travel bubble from 2021-04-07T20:30

International travel is back! Following the announcement of the New Zealand travel bubble with Australia, this bonus episode examines what the bubble is, what it means, how it will work, and whi...

Overseas experiences you can have in Australia from 2021-03-28T19:30

How do you capture the overseas travel experience right here in Australia? How do you have the same excitement, the same bewilderment, the same cultural clashes and wild experiences? Host Ben Gr...

Two women who conquered the world from 2021-03-15T19:30

Imagine visiting every country on Earth. Every single nation. It's only been done by a few hundred people in human history; and only by a handful of women. On today's episode we're meeting Marty...

#vanlife: The travel trend taking over Australia from 2021-03-01T19:30

Who knew that the daggy holidays of our childhoods would suddenly be dominating our social media feeds in the 2020s? That caravans and campervans would become THE travel accessory of the COVID a...

Outrageous Australia: The wildest experiences at home from 2021-02-15T20:00

You might think you know what to expect in Australia. You might think this country is maybe a little predictable. But there are some wild, wild experiences to be had here, some fantastic experie...

The best things to see and do in Victoria from 2021-02-01T03:34

Last year was a rough one for Victoria, but this great state is once again open for business, and its residents are ready to welcome visitors. Now is the time for tourists to head back to Victor...

Countries with bad reputations that are still worth visiting from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Not every city lives up to its bad reputation. These are the places most people won't visit, but here, you can have an experience that you'll never have anywhere else. See omnystudio.com/listener...

Getting outside your comfort zone - travel experiences you have to try once from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Fear of heights? Fear of Bollywood dancing? There are some things that are worth trying - even just once. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The destination everyone should visit now - South America, things that will surprise travellers from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It's Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Peru and more. There's so much to love and so much to discover about this continent. Ben Groundwater chats to guests Greg Crater and Ute Junker about the ins and outs...

The best country in the world for food from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

For some, food is the most important part of the travel experience. So which country offers the best food experiences? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rules and cultural misunderstandings: Australia vs the world from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Travel is fun and it's exciting. You get to learn things about the world you never knew. But travel also comes with some peculiar rules. Ben Groundwater and guests talk about the funny, and sometim...

Things that will surprise you about Europe from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It's one of the world's greatest tourist destinations - but be prepared for some surprises. Ben Groundwater chats to Ute Junker and Tim Charody about the most surprising things travellers will disc...

Best destinations to visit in 2017 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Looking to travel this year but not sure where to go? Ben Groundwater and guests reveal the destinations you should visit in 2017. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel scams: Have you ever been scammed? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Every traveller has story about being scammed. Whether it’s a dodgy cab driver or something more elaborate like a jewellery smuggling ring, getting swindled is an inevitable part of travel. Ben Gro...

How will we travel in 2021? from 2021-01-18T03:21

Instead of looking at where to travel this year, we're going to take a look at how to travel this year. How to travel safely and affordably, how to plan ahead and how to help b...

The international destinations we will always love from 2020-12-27T23:47

They’re long-time favourites of Australian travellers, and they’re sure to be just as popular when we can pack our passports and head overseas once again. The question is, where to f...

Plane nerds: Why are we so obsessed with geeky plane stuff? from 2020-12-16T02:52

There comes a time in every traveller’s life when we have to admit that we're a bit of a plane nerd - we all have our favourite aircraft, secret or not. So what's with our weird obsession ...

Things that'll surprise you about New South Wales from 2020-12-01T05:46

Australians haven’t always looked at NSW as a holiday spot but it's actually one of the world’s premier tourist destinations - and it’s ours for the taking. From white-sand bea...

Bonus episode: New Zealand cuisine from 2020-11-25T13:24:39

What is New Zealand food all about? Join Ben Groundwater and Angela Clifford, chef executive of Eat New Zealand, as they navigate the big questions - who invented the flat white and pavlova, and...

What is 'Australian food' and the best places to try our local cuisine from 2020-11-16T02:09:18

Ben Groundwater talks to food writer Sofia Levin and tour guide Juan Walker about all things "Australian food" - what our cuisine really is, where it came from, what it stands for, and how you c...

The greatest travel adventures you should try - at least once from 2020-11-03T01:17

Are you dreaming of your next great travel adventure, somewhere a big, ambitious, and completely different? The Camino de Santiago, the Trans-Mongolian, hiking the Himalayas, road-tripping throu...

Summer holidays - where to go and what to expect this year from 2020-10-20T00:38

Summer is coming, and with reduced capacity in Australia and more people than ever looking to holiday at home, we ask: what do you need to know to start planning that ultimate summer getaway. Jo...

Australia's great outdoors - the best places to go from 2020-10-04T23:33

If you're yearning to say goodbye to the bright lights of the big city and get back to nature, here are Australia’s best spots for fresh air and open spaces as well as some of the best of ...

Australia's best wine regions - where to have best winery experience from 2020-09-21T07:09

Is there a better combination in the world than travel and wine, especially when it comes with great food and beautiful scenery? That's what you get when you visit Australia's wine country - tha...

Bonus episode: Indigenous guide Juan Walker, Walkabout Cultural Adventures from 2020-09-14T05:29

Juan, a Kuku Yalanji man from the Mossman-Daintree area, has been working as a guide in this region of Australia for more than fifteen years. He talks to host Ben Groundwater about his country, ...

Best things to see and do in Queensland (once the borders open) from 2020-09-07T00:57

Looking to explore Australia's Sunshine State - what to see, what to do and where to go? Ben Groundwater talks to travel writer Sheriden Rhodes and Queensland-based tour guide Juan Walker about ...

Indigenous tourism: Learning about First Nations culture from 2020-08-24T08:02

It's the oldest living culture in the entire world dating back more than 60,000 years and it's right here in Australia - a rich and varied culture full of knowledge and skill, and ceremonial tra...

Want a better travel world? Here's how to create it from 2020-08-10T04:48

Now is the time. If you want to make travel better; if you want to make the world better – now is the time. Host Ben Groundwater and travel writers Ute Junker and Louise Southerden take a ...

The classic Australian road trip - what makes it so great? from 2020-07-28T07:11

A great road trip is about adventure and the excitement of not knowing what's beyond the next bend. Ben Groundwater with guests Sue Williams and Craig Tansley talk about their favourite and most...

The countries likely to open up first from 2020-07-13T05:16:56

Just as the world closed to Australian travellers so too is it likely to open again over the next 12 or so months. So we’re taking out the crystal ball, waving our hands over it and peerin...

How to live your international travel dreams in the bubble from 2020-06-30T11:24

We may have had to ditch our overseas travel plans this year but that doesn’t mean those those fun and amazing experiences are completely lost. Here's how you can recreate your dream trave...

Bonus episode: Where to go to support bushfire affected areas from 2020-06-22T03:47

Join Ben Groundwater, Jane Reddy and Sue Williams on this bonus episode where they discuss how we, as travellers, can help the regions that have been badly affected by the 2019 bushfires.

...

Regional travel in Australia: The best places to visit from 2020-06-15T04:14

Travel, right now, means staying home. And that’s an exciting prospect because it gives us the chance to check out our own backyard, to appreciate our own culture and history, to support r...

After coronavirus: The places we can't wait to get back to from 2020-06-01T13:36

The question all travellers around the world must surely be considering right now is: where to next? Where are you going to go as soon as this global lockdown is over? Ben Groundwater talks to R...

What lockdown has taught us about travel from 2020-05-19T00:11

There’s nothing like a little isolation to give you time to think: about your life; your career; your relationships; and for those of us who love to travel, it has given us time to conside...

The weird and wonderful things that inspire us to explore the world from 2020-05-04T01:04

Travel doesn’t happen by chance. The best experiences, the most memorable experiences, take place because we’ve been inspired to do them. Ben Groundwater, Ute Junker and Sue Williams...

The places you must visit in South America from 2020-04-20T05:10

It’s the continent that has it all. You want ancient ruins, bustling cities, soaring mountains, vast jungles? South America has you covered. With so much to see and do, however, where do y...

The problem with overcrowded cities - and their lesser known equivalents from 2020-04-06T07:29

Isn’t it funny that we all know that the world’s most exciting cities are being loved to death, but we just keep going there? NOTE: This podcast was recorded before travel restrictio...

Travel 2020: Will it ever be the same again? from 2020-03-23T01:38

So that’s it – we’re grounded. For the foreseeable future, the only travel we’ll be doing is to the supermarket in search of toilet paper. Perhaps the most remarkable thi...

Things that surprise first-time visitors to Antarctica from 2020-03-10T01:10

Everything you should know about travelling to the great ice continent, from what to pack to what to do once you get there.

See omnystudio.com/lis...

So ridiculous - the most ostentatious ways to travel from 2020-02-25T02:10

From floating breakfasts to underwater spas, and to living it large on super yachts; here's what extreme luxury feels like.

See omnystudio.com/lis...

The best destinations to visit in 2020 from 2020-02-11T00:48

From the exotic to the intrepid, travel writer Ute Junker chats with videographer Tim Charody and fellow writer Rob McFarland about the places you should visit this year and the best things to d...

How to travel without ruining the world from 2020-01-28T04:15

Travel has its downsides - overtourism, carbon emissions and natural disasters - but travel can also be a force for good. Guest host Ute Junker,  Intrepid Travel’s Brett Mitchel and T...

The most surprising places to visit in the Middle East from 2020-01-13T03:31

It's one of the most misunderstood regions in the world. Some watch the news and decide that the Middle East is not a place they’d ever want to visit. But those of us who are enchanted by ...

What it's really like being a female traveller from 2019-12-30T08:05

Would you talk to strangers in a bar and hitch a ride from them? The answer could be different if you were woman instead of a man. Guest host Ute Junker teams up with two travellers with a healt...

The best destinations for solo travellers from 2019-12-16T01:09:03

When it comes to travelling by yourself, some destinations are much better than others. This week we take a look at the places that are ideal for visiting solo - as well as those you should avoi...

Guide to surviving airports from 2019-12-04T00:07:14

The airport experience can be expensive, stressful and chaotic, but it's something you can't avoid. Here's how to survive the long queues and free perfume samples to make your flight in a state ...

Travel - the things that will go wrong from 2019-11-18T22:56:56

Not matter how well-planned or how organised you are, things will always go wrong when you travel. It's guaranteed. Host Ben Groundwater and travel writers Flip Byrnes and Ute Junker talk about ...

Cheaper travel: How to do expensive things on the cheap from 2019-11-03T23:54:11

Some holidays are bound to be pricey; certain experiences will always cost a lot; host Ben Groundwater, Michael Gebicki and Sue Williams talk about the most notoriously expensive travel experien...

Things that will surprise you about Italy from 2019-10-21T04:27:25

From Venice to Florence, Rome to Naples, everything you need to know about Italy - what to see, where to go and what to eat.

See omnystudio.com/li...

Australia's amazing, undiscovered outback from 2019-10-08T02:12:21

It's an area that covers more than 80 per cent of the country, more than six million square kilometres. But much of it remains undiscovered by tourists. 

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The rules of packing: Things you should (and shouldn't) pack from 2019-09-24T06:05:57

There’s an art to packing for a holiday, a beautiful simplicity that even some of the most experienced travellers have yet to appreciate or master. Some of us still carry around the strang...

Where to go - the secret to a great road trip from 2019-09-10T03:25:23

From what to pack to where to go, Ben Groundwater along with Georgia Rickard and Katrina Lobley, share a few hair-raising and hilarious cautionary tales about their successful (and not so succes...

Things that'll surprise you about India from 2019-08-27T01:56:40

It's exotic, it's intense, it's completely everything you imagined and so much more. Here are the best things to see  and do, and what to avoid - tips for first-time and return visitors to ...

World's best places for hikes - where to go from 2019-08-12T02:05:01

From walking Camino de Santiago to trekking the Inca Trail, Ben Groundwater talks to Flip Byrnes and Rob McFarland about the simple pleasure of seeing the world by foot.

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The world's best new destinations for food from 2019-07-28T20:00

Special guest Adam Liaw joins us to look at the destinations with up-and-coming food scenes on the cusp of greatness. If you've already experienced classics like France, Spain, Japan and Thailan...

How to be a better traveller from 2019-07-14T20:00

Why do some travellers behave so badly? What are the etiquette rules tourists should follow? Guest host Ute Junker looks at the annoying things travellers do and what they can do better.  Listen

Best cities in the world to visit from 2019-07-02T04:08:23

From the biggest to the least likely: the world's best cities and what you should do there.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

The secret to travelling with your kids from 2019-06-17T06:25:32

First time travelling with your kids? Here's how to have a drama-free holiday with your kids - from the flight to the destination. Listen to tips and advice from Ben Groundwater, Genevieve Quigl...

Train travel: Why it's the best way to see a country from 2019-06-03T02:48:38

Whether it's high-speed, luxury or an old rattler, people have become so obsessed with train travel for a reason.

See omnystudio.com/listener ...

Six travel experiences to have before you die from 2019-05-20T02:44:19

The ‘bucket-list’ experiences every traveller should do (at least once in their life).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Things that will you surprise you about Iran from 2019-04-22T01:30:06

It’s one of the most misunderstood travel destinations – but there’s so much to love about Iran, from its rich culture to colourful cuisine and stunning snow-capped peaks. Here...

Most difficult places to travel to - but are totally worth it from 2019-04-08T01:15:36

These are destinations that are the hardest to get to, the most remote, sometimes the most dangerous, and yet they provide the best experiences. 

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How to survive long-haul travel from 2019-03-25T02:30:37

The jetlag, the plane food, the seat recline: does anyone really enjoy long-haul travel? Here's how to arrive at your destination with your sanity in tact.

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Best island and beach holidays beyond the clichés from 2019-03-11T00:37:13

The world is filled with stunning beaches and islands. Here are the best and underrated destinations for a sun and sand holiday.

See omnystudio.co...

What it's like travelling to the ends of the Earth from 2019-02-25T00:15:57

Freezing temperatures and unimaginable landscapes: why everyone should consider travelling to Antarctica and the Arctic.

See omnystudio.com/listen...

Best destinations to visit in 2019 from 2019-02-11T00:29:01

Where to go next? The destinations you should be travelling to this year.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coming home blues: How to deal when the holiday is over from 2018-12-18T09:04

Ever had a full-blown case of the post-holiday blues? Here's how to cope with everyday life after the best trip of your life.

See omnystudio.com/l...

Bonus episode - Intrepid co-founder Geoff Manchester on how travel has changed from 2018-12-13T09:57

Geoff Manchester and Darrell Wade were just a couple of backpackers who had a good idea, and that idea has transformed into a multi-million dollar business, Intrepid. Geoff talks to Ben Groundwa...

Things that will surprise you about Vietnam: First-timers travel guide from 2018-12-11T10:26

From sunsets in Ha Long Bay to bustling Ho Chi Minh and cultural Hoi An, this is a travel guide for first-timers (and return travellers) to one of Asia's most loved destinations, Vietnam. Ben Groun...

World's most spectacular places to experience nature from 2018-12-04T09:43

From peaks of Patagonia to the red deserts of Australia, these are the top places for an adventure in the outdoors (and you don’t need to be a nature lover to do it). See omnystudio.com/listener f...

Why everyone loves Canada from 2018-11-26T22:54

This week we take a look at must do highlights of a country that everyone seems to love - and find out why Canada is such a great destination for travellers. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

The things that surprise first-time visitors to Australia from 2018-11-19T22:55

This week we're not looking at the world, but at how the world looks at us. Sue Williams and Rob McFarland join host Ben Groundwater to discuss the things that might shock foreign visitors on their...

Does travel change who you are? from 2018-11-13T05:45

We all travel for different reasons - for an adventure, to escape the daily grind, to eat the most amazing foods in the world. But does travel have the power to change who we really are? Ben Ground...

Bali: Why you should go from 2018-10-02T04:30

It's a destination that divides - some vow never to go, others have been a dozen times or more. Here's what it's like to travel this Indonesian island beyond touristy Kuta. See omnystudio.com/list...

How to have a gap year at any age from 2018-09-24T19:46

There’s a misconception when it comes to gap years, and that is that you have to be young. But here’s the thing: you do not have to be young to do a year of travelling. You don’t have to be a sch...

Why Africa needs to be on every traveller's bucket list from 2018-09-17T19:04

It's one of the finest destinations on the planet, but few Australians ever go there. Ben Groundwater and guests explain why that needs to change. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world's most memorable, and frightening, border crossings from 2018-09-11T01:08

On this episode of Flight of Fancy, host Ben Groundwater is joined by fellow Traveller.com.au writers Ute Junker and David McGonigal to discuss their most memorable experiences trying to enter coun...

Can travel heal a broken heart? from 2018-09-04T05:30

It’s an idea that crosses everyone’s mind after a break-up – the need to escape and bury yourself in a corner of the world to find yourself again. But is travelling to heal a broken heart effective...

The best cold climate destinations from 2018-08-28T12:58

From Scandinavia to Canada and Patagonia, why it’s worth ditching the swim suit for these cold climate destinations –a guide to the best thing to things to do while you’re there. See omnystudio.co...

Things that will surprise you about New Zealand from 2018-07-10T04:35

Why it’s worth visiting New Zealand - a travel guide on the best things to see and do, even if you're not an adrenaline junkie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cliched travel experiences that are still worth doing from 2018-07-03T04:10

Bucket-list experiences, touristy attractions, call it what you may but these travel experiences, as common or as corny as they are, are worth doing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Things you'd only know if you travelled in the '80s and '90s from 2018-06-26T11:29

There was no such thing as Google Maps,  iPhones  or event the Internet, but there was plenty of real adventure and unplanned fun to be had. If you didn't travel in the '80s or '90s, these are the ...

The perfect travel buddy - is there such a thing? from 2018-06-19T11:46

Who you choose to travel with is one of the most important decisions any traveller makes.  But what makes someone a good or bad travel buddy? Ben and guests share anecdotes of their own choices in ...

Italy for food lovers: Everything you need to know about food in Italy from 2018-06-12T11:19

The best dishes to eat in Italy  and where to eat them.


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How to travel cheap - tips on how to travel the world on a budget from 2018-04-17T11:27

The tricks to travelling on the cheap: how to afford to do the things you love while also spending the bare minimum.


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World's best beer culture from 2018-04-03T11:23

For travellers, beer is not just a drink. It's a culture. From Belgium to Japan, from Germany to the US, these are the countries that know what the tradition of beer really means.


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Countries that love getting naked from 2018-03-27T10:54

From the Germans to the Japanese, these are the cultures that love taking their clothes off. Ben Groundwater and guests talk why, and share advice and tips on how to appropriately get nude without ...

Things that are ruining travel from 2018-03-20T23:15:18

Stop crowding around the baggage carousel, put down that selfie stick - here are the travel experiences worth whinging about.

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Best destinations to visit in 2018 from 2018-03-13T09:00:58

Where to go next? These are the destinations you should be travelling to in 2018.

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The crazy, weird jobs we do to keep our travel dreams alive from 2017-11-13T23:00

Travellers will do pretty much anything to continue living the dream overseas, any job no matter how menial, or boring, or occasionally bizarre. 


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The art of haggling: Top tips for shopping when you travel from 2017-11-06T23:43

On this episode of Flight of Fancy, host Ben Groundwater is joined by fellow writers Ute Junker and Michael Gebicki to talk about haggling: the art of arguing over prices, of making deals, of payin...

Is travel the dream job? Tips on how to make travel your job from 2017-10-30T23:07

Getting paid to travel to the most exciting and fascinating destinations is a pretty cool gig. Ben Groundwater and guests talk about how they got into the travel industry and share their tips and a...

How to survive overcrowded tourist cities - and where to go to avoid them from 2017-10-24T05:37

Barcelona, Rome and Dubrovnik have always been a draw card for visitors, but lately it seems like it’s getting out of hand.  What makes these cities so popular? How do you cope if you visit them? W...

World's best stopover destinations: Can you do it on the cheap? from 2017-10-09T22:59:56

From Singapore to Hong Kong, and Dubai; from airports to must-do activities, and top tips to a cheap stopovers; these are the best stopover destinations for a reason.


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Bonus episode - Dan Hong answers your street food questions from 2017-10-02T22:48:36

Guest Dan Hong answers your questions about street food around the world  on this special bonus episode of Flight of Fancy.


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Where to go for the world's best street food experiences from 2017-09-26T05:57:18

Which destination are the best for street foods?  Dan Hong join the podcast to talk about the best street foods in the world,  where to go, what to order and how to eat it.


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Travelling in Trump's America: Why it's still worth visiting the US from 2017-09-20T00:08:33

Has President Trump put you off going to America? We chat about why the US is still worth visiting and the best attractions, cities and states you should head to.


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Greatest travel moments: Insane and spectacular travel decisions we make from 2017-09-12T01:48:21

Sometimes when you travel, the entire success or failure of your journey can hang on one simple decision. It can be your greatest travel decision or the most spectacular disaster.


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What's hot, what's not - how travel has changed in the last decade from 2017-09-06T00:25:19

Australians love to travel, however our tastes have changed over the past 10 years. Destinations like Bali and Thailand once ‘hot’ has been swapped for Japan and Central America – but why? Guests t...

Is Australia the perfect travel destination? Why it's worth travelling downunder from 2017-08-30T00:10:12

Australians are spoiled; they've got stunning beaches, cosmopolitan cities,  vast deserts and rainforests that stretches for miles right on their doorstep. And of course there is good food, friendl...

Travel sickness: What happens if you get sick or injured while travelling - tips and advice from 2017-08-22T03:44:39

Getting sick when you travel can ruin your entire overseas experience. So what should you do if you get sick? Ben Groundwater is joined by Michael Gebecki and Flip Byrnes to talk about the positive...

Undiscovered Asia - amazing travel destinations you've never thought about from 2017-07-10T23:08:06

Been to Bali, Thailand and Japan and think you've "done" Asia? Think again. This week host Ben Groundwater and guests Ute Junker and Tara Kennaway discuss the parts of Asia that tourists are yet to...

Solo travel - the best and worst things about travelling on your own from 2017-07-03T23:10:51

There's something liberating - and daunting - about travelling on your own. Ben Groundwater and guests Nina Karnikowski and Tim Charody talk about the pros and cons of travelling alone and offer th...

When are you too old to travel as a backpacker? from 2017-06-26T23:59:12

Can you keep being a backpacker into your 30s and beyond? Staying in hostels, going out partying, travelling on the cheap. At what point do you say 'I'm too old for this'? Ben Groundwater is joined...

Air rage - why are we getting so angry on planes? from 2017-06-20T02:00:46

Cramped seats, bad food, delays and cancellations. Do we have a right to be angry when it comes to flying? Ben Groundwater asks the question with guests Ute Junker and Michael Gebicki.

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Bonus episode - Adam Liaw answers your Japan questions from 2017-06-15T23:36:15

Guests Adam Liaw and Nina Karnikowski answer your questions about travel in Japan in this special bonus episode of Flight of Fancy.

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Weird and wonderful Japan - with special guest Adam Liaw from 2017-06-13T02:25:05

Japan is one of the most amazing and confounding destinations in the world. This episode we take a look at the joys of visiting the Land of the Rising Sun.

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Travel romances and dating - the good, the bad and the ugly from 2017-06-05T06:45:17

Is it possible to fall in love while you're on holiday? Do travel romances ever work out in the long run? Ben Groundwater and guests discuss the joys and pain of dating while travelling.

S...

Is being an expat the ultimate travel experience? from 2017-03-08T01:31:56

It might just be the ultimate travel experience: being an expat. But is living in a foreign country all that we imagine?


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