Renowned TV presenter Catriona Rowntree, who is currently a host on the Nine Network's Getaway program, is a self-proclaimed "wanderer" at heart, having travelled to almost a hundred countries now.

And just recently, the media personality, who is now 50 years old, revealed the one place that she considers to be her all-time favourite vacation paradise!

Can you guess where it is?

According to Catriona, when it comes to the destinations that one can visit, Egypt is in a league of its own.

"I've never been somewhere where Aussies approach me with tears in their eyes," she said in an interview with Escape. "Not only are they achieving life-long dreams, but they dearly wanted me to spread the word about how magnificent and safe it is!"

"We were the first non-news TV crew to film there in years. Locals couldn't believe we wanted to share positive, happy stories. This is one country in desperate need of a good PR Agent," she went on to say.

Catriona Rowntree, who hosts Getaway, has been to almost 100 countries. Credit: Instagram.​

Egypt is one of the most frequently visited countries in the world by Australians. The nation is renowned for its ancient civilisation and some of the most well-known landmarks in the world, such as the Giza Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the Luxor Temples.

However, according to Smartraveller.gov.au, you might want to "reconsider" if you're planning on travelling to Egypt in the next few weeks.

It's not always the case, but apparently, tour companies and transportation companies don't always follow the standards for safety and maintenance.

If you plan to do any adventure activities:

• check if your travel insurance policy covers it
• check tours are well equipped with food, medical supplies and emergency communications
• ask about and insist on minimum safety requirements
• always use available safety gear, such as life jackets or seatbelts

If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.

Egypt also faces the continuing threat of COVID-19, so you might want to put those plans on hold for now.

But don't worry, folks, Egypt is not the only "holiday paradise" out there! Visiting Bali, New York, Paris, and Los Angeles are also among the most popular international Airbnb searches among Australians, which isn't surprising.

The most popular destination worldwide, however, is still London, so if you can get away, you might want to visit there right away.

The top ten places most Aussies want to visit are the following:

1. London
2. Bali
3. New York
4. Paris
5. Los Angeles
6. Oahu
7. Queenstown
8. Dubai
9. Fiji
10. Rome

Check out the video below for more cheap places to go if you want to see where else you could go:

Credit: Lexie Limitless.​

 

[Thecla]

Hubby and I made a completely out of the blue trip to Egypt and thoroughly loved it. All the hotels we stayed at really looked after us and on our Nile Cruise we had our own private Egyptologist which was fantastic. I would go there again....just need to go to a few more places I haven't been to first.

 

[Ricci]

I have no plans to travel anywhere any time soon but when I do it will be within Australia. Maybe I'm too pessimistic but I think travel anywhere at the moment is the equivalent of gambling with your health.

 

[JANJ01]

I have no plans to travel anywhere any time soon but when I do it will be within Australia. Maybe I'm too pessimistic but I think travel anywhere at the moment is the equivalent of gambling with your health.

Australia probably has more covid than most countries at the moment

 

[G Reg]

Australia probably has more covid than most countries at the moment

We’re actually sitting 90th out of 154 for COVID deaths per million population - I think I’ll stick to Oz for the time being

 

[Ricci]

Australia probably has more covid than most countries at the moment

That's why I'm going nowhere for the foreseeable future.

 

[Elbe]

Before the pandemic I travelled a lot but know I'm different to many travellers & not really motivated to see tourist hot spots . The top of my list is same continent as Egypt but all the natural wonders of Africa - so many beautiful countries from top to bottom!

 

[Singomate]

Having just had the privilege to speak some younger Australian guys and girls , ah everyone is younger than me. Off the plot, I'm amazed at how many people have not toured Australia, a few off key facts, we have the second largest population of camels in the world ,more beaches per head of people, the most varied attractions of any Island rain forest to snow capped alps, desert to roaming grasslands, some of the oldest sites known to man ie dinosaur fossils to Aboriginal art works that are inspiring to behold and only a very small portion of the people, Local people that is have seen any of these truly remarkable places.it

 

[Zoya]

Hubby and I made a completely out of the blue trip to Egypt and thoroughly loved it. All the hotels we stayed at really looked after us and on our Nile Cruise we had our own private Egyptologist which was fantastic. I would go there again....just need to go to a few more places I haven't been to first.

Yes, it’s a wonderful place to visit.

 

[Zoya]

Before the pandemic I travelled a lot but know I'm different to many travellers & not really motivated to see tourist hot spots . The top of list is same continent as Egypt but all the natural wonders of Africa - so many beautiful countries from top to bottom!

I agree.

 

[Esma Rose]

When you make up your mind to go somewhere, study the books on a country that you would love to visit. My husband and I since kids were into "Egyptology" in a big way. Meanwhile Norman Banks on radio asked for people to billet Japanese students travelling as a group on the "Chitral" known as "The Floating University." Sounded so good we offered. It opened up friendship, studying, language & challenges that we got hooked on. 50 years & we are STILL corresponding. Eventually Japan took on a whole new meaning but Egypt was going to be still special in our minds. Sadly it was not to be. Somehow Japan took us on completely, & when I nursed my lovely husband I knew it was not going to be. Without him I lost the will to travel anywhere. Too late. We spent months with the students families in Japan & the memories are so bright how they all worked us both on a "thank you" track. It did wonders for my husband as we both had faced a deep sadness in our family. Trouble shared was halved & we will never forget the many kindnesses they shared with us. Who knows that the memories of studying Egypt will not put us in touch with the next world? None of us know what is in store for us so surely it HAS to be better than the world we are all trying to save right now. Time will tell.