Flight of Fancy

The most inspiring trip of my life

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 - includin...

What's so special about the Basque Country?

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

How to travel with your partner (and survive)

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Planning to travel with a partner or significant other? Hoping to survive the experience not just with your relationship intact, but also your sanity?...

How to manage your money overseas

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 transa...

How to have the best craic in Ireland

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Slow travel: why this is the future

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 eli...

From onsens to saunas: the world's best bathing experiences

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 bat...

The big travel mistakes that everyone makes

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Europe, but not as you know it

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 an...

Airport disasters: when it all goes wrong

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Travel really is back – the good bits, but also the bad. The airport delays. The flight cancellations. The monumental disintegrations like we sa...

The new rules of international travel

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 airpo...

Join the K Wave: it's time to go to South Korea

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 thi...

Your guide to the highlights of the Middle East

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 tradi...

The new world for travellers to explore

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 epi...

Travel inspiration: Why now is the time to see Australia

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The perks and the pitfalls of Airbnb

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

What can travellers expect from 2022?

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

2021 in review: Was this year even worse than 2020?

26 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 b...

Antarctica travel: What does the future hold?

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s impossible to be unaffected by Antarctica: there’s something mystical about this vast continent, something primal, something that tap...

What you can learn from Australia's most experienced travellers

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Getaway host Catriona Rowntree and Antarctic explorer David McGonigal join us to share hard-won wisdom accumulated over two lifetimes of incredible tr...

What really happens on European bus tours

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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, frien...

Everything you need to know about the return of travel

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Trans-Siberian: dream travel on the world's greatest rail journey

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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: w...

Bonus episode: The future of cruising

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 form...

Why travel is more difficult for the LGBTQI+ community

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Travel boycotts: where would you refuse to go?

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The things we miss (and the things we really don't) about travel

29 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 dow...

How to lift your travel photography game

15 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wondered how the pros take such amazing travel photos? Ever wanted to transform your own holiday snaps into Instagram-friendly, wall-worthy maste...

Guide to WA: Everything to experience in Western Australia

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 wilderne...

Tokyo: Everything to eat, drink, see and do

18 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Travel with kids: Can you still have adventures when you're a parent?

04 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

How to have a big, dumb, crazy travel adventure

20 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 F...

Bonus episode: What's it like to travel in Europe right now?

13 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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-bas...

How to travel the world without leaving Australia: food

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The best things to see and do in the NT

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Winter is coming: All the best cold-weather experiences

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Why the A380 superjumbo is the world's greatest plane

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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'...

Bonus episode: Special guest Jacinda Ardern talks travel in NZ

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As the trans-Tasman bubble opens and overseas travel resumes, we welcome a very special guest - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern - to hear ab...

Living overseas: The greatest adventure in travel

11 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Bonus episode: the NZ travel bubble

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

International travel is back! Following the announcement of the New Zealand travel bubble with Australia, this bonus episode examines what the bubble ...

Overseas experiences you can have in Australia

28 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How do you capture the overseas travel experience right here in Australia? How do you have the same excitement, the same bewilderment, the same cultur...

Two women who conquered the world

15 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

#vanlife: The travel trend taking over Australia

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Who knew that the daggy holidays of our childhoods would suddenly be dominating our social media feeds in the 2020s? That caravans and campervans woul...

Outrageous Australia: The wildest experiences at home

15 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 experi...

The best things to see and do in Victoria

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

How will we travel in 2021?

18 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 pl...

The international destinations we will always love

27 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 over...

Plane nerds: Why are we so obsessed with geeky plane stuff?

16 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Things that'll surprise you about New South Wales

01 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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&rsqu...

Bonus episode: New Zealand cuisine

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 - ...

What is 'Australian food' and the best places to try our local cuisine

16 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The greatest travel adventures you should try - at least once

03 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Are you dreaming of your next great travel adventure, somewhere a big, ambitious, and completely different? The Camino de Santiago, the Trans-Mongolia...

Summer holidays - where to go and what to expect this year

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 sta...

Australia's great outdoors - the best places to go

04 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Australia's best wine regions - where to have best winery experience

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

Bonus episode: Indigenous guide Juan Walker, Walkabout Cultural Adventures

14 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Best things to see and do in Queensland (once the borders open)

07 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 Qu...

Indigenous tourism: Learning about First Nations culture

24 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ful...

Want a better travel world? Here's how to create it

10 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 writ...

The classic Australian road trip - what makes it so great?

28 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The countries likely to open up first

13 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 cryst...

How to live your international travel dreams in the bubble

30 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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. ...

Bonus episode: Where to go to support bushfire affected areas

22 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Regional travel in Australia: The best places to visit

15 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 apprecia...

After coronavirus: The places we can't wait to get back to

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

What lockdown has taught us about travel

19 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 lov...

The weird and wonderful things that inspire us to explore the world

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Travel doesn’t happen by chance. The best experiences, the most memorable experiences, take place because we’ve been inspired to do them. ...

The places you must visit in South America

20 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the continent that has it all. You want ancient ruins, bustling cities, soaring mountains, vast jungles? South America has you covered. Wit...

The problem with overcrowded cities - and their lesser known equivalents

06 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 p...

Travel 2020: Will it ever be the same again?

23 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Things that surprise first-time visitors to Antarctica

10 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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/listener...

So ridiculous - the most ostentatious ways to travel

25 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

The best destinations to visit in 2020

11 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the exotic to the intrepid, travel writer Ute Junker chats with videographer Tim Charody and fellow writer Rob McFarland about the places you sho...

How to travel without ruining the world

28 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Travel has its downsides - overtourism, carbon emissions and natural disasters - but travel can also be a force for good. Guest host Ute Junker, &nbsp...

The most surprising places to visit in the Middle East

13 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

What it's really like being a female traveller

30 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 Junk...

The best destinations for solo travellers

16 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 visi...

Guide to surviving airports

04 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 per...

Travel - the things that will go wrong

18 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 wr...

Cheaper travel: How to do expensive things on the cheap

03 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Some holidays are bound to be pricey; certain experiences will always cost a lot; host Ben Groundwater, Michael Gebicki and Sue Williams talk about th...

Things that will surprise you about Italy

21 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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/listene...

Australia's amazing, undiscovered outback

08 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 tourist...

The rules of packing: Things you should (and shouldn't) pack

24 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 mast...

Where to go - the secret to a great road trip

10 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 tal...

Things that'll surprise you about India

27 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 -...

World's best places for hikes - where to go

12 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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's best new destinations for food

28 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 cl...

How to be a better traveller

14 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why do some travellers behave so badly? What are the etiquette rules tourists should follow? Guest host Ute Junker looks at the annoying things travel...

Best cities in the world to visit

02 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

From the biggest to the least likely: the world's best cities and what you should do there.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The secret to travelling with your kids

17 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Train travel: Why it's the best way to see a country

03 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 for priva...

Six travel experiences to have before you die

20 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The ‘bucket-list’ experiences every traveller should do (at least once in their life).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Things that will you surprise you about Iran

22 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It’s one of the most misunderstood travel destinations – but there’s so much to love about Iran, from its rich culture to colourful ...

Most difficult places to travel to - but are totally worth it

08 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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

How to survive long-haul travel

25 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Best island and beach holidays beyond the clichés

11 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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

What it's like travelling to the ends of the Earth

25 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Freezing temperatures and unimaginable landscapes: why everyone should consider travelling to Antarctica and the Arctic.See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Best destinations to visit in 2019

11 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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

18 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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/listen...

Bonus episode - Intrepid co-founder Geoff Manchester on how travel has changed

13 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 bus...