Podcasts by You should have been there
Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent and former BBC producer, Mick Webb, discuss the world of travel and delight in travellers' tales.
Further podcasts by Mick Webb and Simon Calder
Podcast on the topic Reisen und Orte
All episodes
PODCAST 174 from 2023-12-06T14:00:03
We discuss the pros and cons of airport lounges and hear more from Pat Yale on the delights of slow travel to Turkey, including the unexpected charms of Belgrade. With many thanks to Nic...
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PODCAST 178 COP 28: BEYOND THE BLAH BLAH BLAH from 2023-12-06T13:49:49
We ask some of the questions that aren't being asked in Dubai at COP 28 and suggest one or two answers.
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PODCAST 177 THE ROAD TO BERLIN from 2023-11-27T10:15:42
Travel meets football in our guide to the 2024 Euros. Discover where to go, when to book and what to see in Simon Calder's essential guide to next year's football feast across t...
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PODCAST 176 THE END OF TOURISM? from 2023-11-23T12:11:56
Chris Christou joins us from the lovely Mexican city of Oaxaca to discuss his podcast- "The End of Tourism" - and his ideas about "radical hospitality." We also feat...
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PODCAST 175 INSIDE THE TRAVEL BUSINESS from 2023-11-17T09:40:52
Simon visits two of the industry's major get togethers to take the pulse of travel. Amongst the delegates, he meets Iceland's First Lady and the man who aims to put Airbus 380...
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PODCAST 173 SLOW TRAIN TO TURKEY from 2023-10-25T08:32:47
Writer Pat Yale joins us to talk about the pleasures of travelling overland from the UK to Turkey as well as what it's been like to live in the cou...
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PODCAST 172 THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF MOUNTAIN TREKS from 2023-10-16T15:32:11
Simon and Mick conclude their walk across the Ariège in the French Pyrenees and ruminate on the challenges and the rewards of mountain walking
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PODCAST 171 A WALK IN THE WILD COUNTRY from 2023-10-09T14:48:52
Simon and I share the audio diary of our trek across a remote area of the French Pyrenees, the wild and woolly Ariège - yes, it is famed for its sheep. On the agenda are physical challe...
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PODCAST 170 WHERE WILL WE BE IN 2053 - PART 2 from 2023-09-27T15:34:31
We continue our attempt to divine the future direction of travel, assisted by listeners.
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PODCAST 169 THE PLACES TO BE IN 2053 from 2023-09-11T18:40:11
We break out our crystal ball and hypothesise about the shape of travel in thirty years time. VTOL aircraft, jetpacks, autonomous vehicles, affordable rail travel ........ maybe. Listen
PODCAST 168 Travel chaos theory from 2023-09-06T13:31:10
We try to make sense of the mayhem endured by holidaymakers during this summer's busiest month for travel. Planes, boats and trains, all have been affected. Who is to blame, do we ...
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PODCAST 167 BELGIUM, BEYOND THE CHIPS AND CHOCOLATE from 2023-08-23T13:45:17
We discuss the many, very accessible charms of the small country that is becoming a surprise travel hit. With thanks to Vonne of Brasserie Vonne in Balham, South London, for joining us....
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PODCAST 166 TRAVEL CLICHÉS : CURSE OR BLESSING from 2023-08-13T09:05:29
We discuss "bustling" markets, "palm-fringed" beaches and "towering" peaks with professor of philosophy, Emily Thomas from Durham University. Do clichéd tra...
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PODCAST 165 ISTANBUL OR BUST from 2023-08-08T09:29:44
Simon joins the competitors and organisers of Lupine Travel's Trans-European Race at the start line in London's Trafalgar's Square. It's a bizarre medley of mystery and ...
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PODCAST 164 WHAT CAN A.I. DO FOR YOUR HOLIDAYS ? from 2023-07-25T10:12:52
We welcome to the show Michael Motamedi, chef, digital nomad and influencer, who tells us what it's like to entrust his family's travel plans to a digital guide called Guide Gee...
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PODCAST 163 THE WRONG KIND OF DELAY from 2023-07-18T13:40:28
Snow, leaves, sun, swans, even trampolines. We investigate delays to planes and trains and discuss the bizarre causes and often ludicrous excuses.
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PODCAST 162 ISLAND HOPPING from 2023-07-11T18:49:16
We delve into this delightful holiday activity and suggest some of the best places to try it out. You don't need to go as far as Panama's San Blas Islands as the UK has island...
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PODCAST 161 THE PERFECT ISLAND from 2023-07-05T08:52:21
Lyn Hughes of Wanderlust magazine joins us to discuss the endless allure of islands and what it is that makes them so attractive. Is there one perfect example among the world's mill...
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PODCAST 160 TRAVELLERS' LUCK from 2023-06-27T14:36
Simon and Mick discuss the role played by luck, miraculous interventions and the kindness of strangers in a fulfilling journey. And we reveal an odd connection between Brexit and Dexy...
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PODCAST 159 THE MANY ROADS TO SANTIAGO from 2023-06-19T16:21:32
Simon and Mick are joined by walker and novelist, Stephen Marriot, to discuss the enduring appeal of the Caminos de Santiago (I bet you don't know how many there are!) Stephen expla...
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PODCAST 158 YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN A BORDER TOWN WHEN..... from 2023-06-12T14:19:35
We talk border towns and their unique features, in particular those curious places which are split by an international frontier. In Baarle Hertog, for instance, divided between Belgium a...
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PODCAST 157 THE WRONG BOOTS from 2023-06-07T08:42:24
We swap tales of footwear malfunctions while shining a light on the neglected, important and richly comic topic of traveller's shoes.
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PODCAST 156 SURPRISING DELIGHTS from 2023-05-29T09:38:16
Simon travels to Israel and Hong Kong, finding unexpected pleasures in harsh and politically volatile destinations. In particular, he enjoys the "friendly" Negev desert and the...
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PODCAST 155 THE SHORT ROUTE TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA from 2023-05-22T12:26:14
Simon and Mick discuss the latter's experience of walking the "camino inglés", the 115 km pilgrims' route from Ferrol to Santiago. On the agenda: the weather, the kin...
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PODCAST 154 AROUND THE WORLD WITH JESSICA NABONGO from 2023-05-16T10:39:30
Jessica has visited every country world and is almost certainly the first black woman to do so. She shares her tales of favourite and not so favourite places, of inspiring encounters and...
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PODCAST 153 NORTHERN SPAIN BY TINY TRAIN from 2023-05-10T08:46:12
We report on recent journeys: Simon to the potentially controversial destination of Israel, Mick to the North of Spain, where the FEVE narrow-gauge railway takes you to some remote and i...
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PODCAST 152 LGBTQ+ TRAVEL from 2023-05-03T14:19:24
We are joined by Sophie Griffiths from TTG Media to talk about gay-friendly destinations, oppressive and discriminatory laws and the improvements in attitudes towards LGBTQ+ travellers ...
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PODCAST 151 Planning trips, connections and transits from 2023-04-11T07:55:09
We compare and contrast Simon's happy-go-lucky approach to travel planning with Mick's meticulous preparations. Serendipity v serious forethought. And which is better when it all...
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PODCAST 150 GREAT MOMENTS IN PODCAST TRAVEL from 2023-04-10T09:13:02
We celebrate our 150th podcast at London's St Pancras station with highlights (and some lowlights) from our previous editions. On the agenda: crossing strange borders, psychogeograph...
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PODCAST 149 Dark Sky Tourism from 2023-04-04T08:03:47
We are joined by astronomer, traveller and tour group leader, Doctor John Mason. He talks eclipses, paths of totality, meteor showers and how best to see the Northern Lights. According t...
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PODCAST 148 Solo travel for women: risks and rewards from 2023-03-28T08:30:53
We are joined by Claudia Gualdi, a travel data expert at the company Riskline. She talks us through a recent survey that reveals in a surge in post-pandemic travel by solo females. What ...
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PODCAST 147 COSTLY ERRORS from 2023-03-21T10:02:07
We hear the salutary tales of Debra's passport and of Mick's misplaced click, while continuing the hot topic of travelling with children- is there a best age? With many thanks to...
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PODCAST 146 TRAVELS WITH KIDS from 2023-03-07T16:24:01
We hear anecdotes and advice about travelling with young children, from TV producer Nicky Lessware, You Tuber Mark Wolters and Charlotte Hindle, co-author of the Lonely Planet Guid...
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PODCAST 145 INSIDE WOLTER'S WORLD from 2023-02-28T10:40:06
Our guest this week is the incredibly popular US You-Tube traveller, Mark Wolters. He tells us how and why he started Wolters' World and shares some frank tips on travel do's...
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PODCAST 144 10 TOP TIPS FOR CHEAPER HOLIDAYS from 2023-02-20T18:31:55
Simon delves into his library and his memory bank to come up with ten tips for reducing holiday outgoings
PODCAST 143 NEW WAYS WITH HOTELS from 2023-02-14T11:12:58
We are joined by travel journalist and hotel guru, Lucy Thackray to talk about new-look hotels and their prices. On the agenda are pods, pillow sommeliers, hangover cures and awful guest...
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PODCAST 142 CRUISES-LOVE THEM or HATE THEM from 2023-02-06T10:23:03
Our guest this week is Sue Bryant, Cruise Editor of the Times and Sunday Times. As the cruise ships get even bigger and the booking numbers increase, we mull over the controversial subje...
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PODCAST 141 IN AND OUT OF BRUGES from 2023-01-29T10:31:25
We reflect on the many charms of Belgium's star attraction- Brugge or Bruges. Mick's audio diary brings the city to life through its sounds while Simon generates the power fo...
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PODCAST 140 THE MAN IN SEAT 61 from 2023-01-23T10:04:42
We talk train journeys of all kinds with the guru of rail travel, Mark Smith, aka "The Man in Seat 61. " Mark shares his own favourite journeys and experiences, particularly in the...
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PODCAST 139 THE PLACE TO BE IN 23 from 2023-01-10T14:04:39
We discuss hot locations for this year's travellers and some of the new trends and buzzwords that are making a splash. Find out, for instance whether you are a set-jetter? &n...
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PODCAST 138 OUR VERY HARD NEW YEAR TRAVEL QUIZ from 2023-01-03T18:29:33
Simon and Mick go head to head over 8 rounds. Can you do better than they did? The website mentioned during the quiz is "The Man in Seat 61 " Listen
THE BEST TRAVEL FICTION from 2022-12-24T10:53:40
Our guest is Professor Jean Mcneil, who not only teaches writing but is an author of both novels and travel narratives. Hear her thoughts on the differences between factual and fictional e...
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PODCAST 136 WORLD CUP FINAL SPECIAL from 2022-12-17T17:28:31
We match France with Argentina to discover which of these football greats is the better travel destination. It's a game of dodgy decisions and dirty tricks with a thrilling climax Listen
PODCAST 135 A GUIDE TO XMAS TRAVEL PROSPECTS from 2022-12-11T15:26:48
Are they as bleak as the weather? Join Mick Webb and Simon Calder for a summary of the festive disruptions, a lively listener exchange about business flights and a look back at the origi...
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PODCAST 134 DIGITAL NOMADS-A GOOD THING? from 2022-12-06T14:30:46
We are joined by Cleo Paskal, journalist, academic researcher and a pioneering digital nomad. On the agenda: Cleo's own travels and her thoughts about the new wave of visa-assisted lapto...
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PODCAST 133 A TOUCH OF CLASS from 2022-11-28T13:49:37
We take a peek behind the curtain that hides business class from economy to discover what life is like for that controversial traveller-the frequent flyer. Providing the low-down and beh...
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PODCAST 132 HOW GREEN ARE YOUR TRAVELS? from 2022-11-22T11:01:11
We are joined, from her narrowboat home, by Anna Hughes, the director of Flight Free UK. On the agenda are ways of travelling more responsibly and sustainably and how to at least m...
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PODCAST 131 TRAVEL MYSTERIES, GREAT AND SMALL from 2022-11-15T09:31:13
We discuss our favourite travel conundrums and their enduring fascination. Whatever happened to.......? How did they get here... ? Why on earth...... ? Flig...
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PODCAST 130 FREE TRAVEL from 2022-10-23T10:56:52
Our audio guide includes where to go to find free transport and and when you can visit the world's great museums without putting your hand in your pocket. Plus, we evaluate listene...
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PODCAST 129 MODERN TRAVEL MIRACLES from 2022-10-17T13:22:04
Taking our cue from the miracles sought by pilgrims to the French city of Lourdes, we try to track down some secular miracles for the modern traveller.
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PODCAST 128 TRAVEL'S SCREECHING U TURNS from 2022-10-11T14:51:38
We delight in a key feature of travel-the u turn. Whether performed by hapless politicians, lost walkers or confused pilots, they are generally screeching and usually embarra...
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PODCAST 127 PYRENEAN MIRACLES from 2022-10-03T11:05:57
The third and final part of our Pyrenean trek finds us on the homeward stretch, enjoying an off-grid mountain refuge, a convivial evening at a 'chambre d'hôtes' an...
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PODCAST 126 HIGH PEAKS AND FAWLTY TOWERS from 2022-09-27T09:19:08
Part two of Simon and Mick's trek through The High Pyrenees. It brings spectacular cols, "Dormitory Hell" and a brush with the French equivalent of Basil Fawlty
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PODCAST 125 PYRENEAN WALK: many a slip from 2022-09-19T08:54:16
The audio diary of our 5-day trek in the French Pyrenees, South of Lourdes. As well as the terrain to contend with, we face battles against weight, time and unexpected crises. Listen
PODCAST 124 THE SOUND OF TRAVEL from 2022-09-08T13:08:49
We exchange playlists of our own favourite travel sounds and visit the Cotswold village of Adlestrop, the setting for Edward Thomas' evocative travel poem of the same name.
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NEW TRUTHS ABOUT TRAVEL from 2022-08-30T10:04:43
Basilicas with views, Bob Dylan's childhood home and the world's best London all featured on Simon's packed August itinerary. We discuss the experiences, the discoveries and the lessons ...
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PODCAST 122 THE UPS ANDS DOWNS OF A TOUR MANAGER from 2022-08-15T14:09:20
Our guest Raquel tells us all about an essential but often unsung job in the travel industry- the Tour Manager- revealing its upsides as well as its disadvantages. While Simon take...
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A ROMAN SUMMER from 2022-08-01T09:48:10
Can you avoid the summer crowds in Italy? How trustworthy are online travel agents? And last but not least, the real reason why we didn't win a UK Podcast Award. With t...
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THE TROUBLE WITH DOVER from 2022-07-24T17:24:59
Simon wisely cycles to Dover's ferry port to report on the queues and the chaos that have beset holidaymakers. Who is to blame? Plus, the winners of our competition to find the UK'...
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PODCAST 119 SUMMER IN THE CITY from 2022-07-18T10:33:40
Which UK city has most attractions for the visitor? Join us for a discussion of hills, lanes, beaches, museums, architecture and other key features. Vote for your favourite at &nbs...
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TRAVEL IN TROUBLED TIMES from 2022-07-11T10:46:35
As the summer of chaos continues, with its many barriers to having an enjoyable holiday- flight cancellations, Covid concerns and Brexit effects, for starters- we discuss how to prepare ...
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PODCAST 117 WHAT ON EARTH IS PSYCHOGEOGRAPHY? from 2022-06-27T14:40:03
Jean McNeil, writer and academic, joins us on the roof terrace of London's Barbican Centre to talk Psychogeography. Discover what it is, where it comes from and how it can help you get a...
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PODCAST 116 ENJOYING AIRPORT DELAYS from 2022-06-12T09:05:25
With the help of listeners' stories, we distil positivity from the unlikeliest of subjects- delayed flights at airports.
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TRAVEL HIGHS AND TRAVEL LOWS from 2022-06-03T09:55:04
Follow Simon's week of travel reporting-from the chaos at UK's airports to the 9 euro deal of the century on German railways. And taking in the bizarre dangling tram of Wuppertal as well...
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PODCAST 114 A PILOT'S VIEW OF CITIES from 2022-05-28T16:01:55
Our guest interviewee is airline pilot and travel writer, Mark Vanhoenacker. He talks about his new book, Imagine a City, recently published in the UK by Chatto and Windus and also share...
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Podcast 113 PLATE WITH A VIEW: THE MAIN COURSE from 2022-05-16T08:59:36
Enjoy more of listener's photos of great dishes with spectacular views. Find out which country topped the polls as your favourite location and see the photos @ https://www.flickr.c...
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PODCAST 112 PLATE WITH A VIEW from 2022-05-10T09:56:44
We discover listeners' rooms with views (with Greece clocking up a majority) and serve up the first helping of plates with views. With thanks to everyone who sent in pictures to our twit...
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PODCAST 111 ROOMS WITH VIEWS from 2022-05-02T09:23:03
Hear from listeners about the views that have inspired them and created travel memories both happy and sad. With special thanks to Julia Lo Bue-Said of The Advantage Travel Partnership, ...
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PODCAST 110 THE WEIRD WORLD OF CAVES from 2022-04-25T09:24:11
Bats, birds and bones, not to mention churches and cheese. We enter the twilight zone of caverns and grottoes to discover much more than stalactites and stalagmites.
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PODCAST 109 JOURNEYS WITH A MISSION from 2022-04-19T11:06:36
We discover ways of adding spice to your travels by undertaking special or unusual quests. The "route of the dovecotes" in southern France, the grounded solar system in Zagreb and ...
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PODCAST 108 TOURING THE BALTIC STATES from 2022-04-13T10:04:44
Simon takes the temperature of travel in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, three small states in the menacing shadow of Russia and Belarus. Even so, he enjoys the scenery, the hospitality a...
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PODCAST 107 DO YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR? from 2022-04-04T11:14:30
We discuss the real value of travelling with the help of listeners' descriptions of their most expensive holidays. But were these the most enjoyable ones? With special thanks to Jan Morr...
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PODCAST 106 GOOD TRIPS, BAD TRIPS from 2022-03-28T11:31:38
We discuss how drugs have influenced travel and tourism: Amsterdam, L.A, the Hippy Trail, the Green Tortoise and more recently, Breaking Bad and Ozark. Plus a health warning about medici...
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PODCAST 105 THE TROUBLE WITH LUGGAGE from 2022-03-21T15:46:45
We unpack the perennial travel problem of the incredible shrinking baggage allowance, with the help of listeners, previous contributors and the surrealist maestro, Marcel Duchamp. Thanks...
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PODCAST 104 RETURN TO THE COLD from 2022-03-14T11:19:28
We ponder the possible consequences of Putin's brutal war for travel and tourism, helped by Russian travel expert, Neil Taylor. Are there any parallels to be drawn with apartheid South A...
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PODCAST 103 QATAR'S WORLD CUP from 2022-03-07T10:26:35
We discover what awaits visitors to the first truly post-modern World Cup. As stadiums rise from the desert, Doha's beautiful new museum opens its doors to Simon, if he can manage to fin...
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PODCAST 102 THE FIRST TOURIST IN SYDNEY from 2022-02-24T11:14:46
Simon goes to Sydney, newly-opened to the world and, of course, eager to welcome tourists. He gets free vegemite at the airport, roams the city to discover what is and isn't open yet and...
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PODCAST 101 THE ROOM 101 OF TRAVEL from 2022-02-14T09:40:06
Join us in the room where travel fears and phobias are brutally revealed. There's talk of vertigo, malaria and, more controversially, the constant concern that your flight will actually ...
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PODCAST 100 CELEBRATING OUR CENTURY from 2022-02-06T16:46:04
Unapologetic self congratulation is in order as we pick our favourite extracts from the 99 previous podcasts. On the menu: the epitome of slow travel, Graham Greene's little known ...
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PODCAST 99 THE TRAVELLING BREAKFAST from 2022-01-29T10:33:54
This essential kick-start to the day's adventures or relaxation is often undervalued. From avocado on sourdough to stale bread and undrinkable coffee, we reminisce about breakfasts on th...
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PODCAST 98 MUSEUMS: A SURVIVAL GUIDE from 2022-01-24T15:31:41
As the world of museums expands, quirkily, intriguingly and bafflingly, we discuss how to sort the wheat from the chaff and how to avoid a hangover from excessive viewing. Does Zagreb's ...
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PODCAST 97 THE PLACE TO BE IN 2022 from 2022-01-17T10:43:32
We're joined by The Independent's Lucy Thackray for a discussion of this year's hot destinations and travel trends. On the agenda: vegan hotels, work and playcations, sweat lodges ...
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PODCAST 96 THE GREAT CHRISTMAS QUIZ from 2021-12-21T09:45:20
Expect festive cheer and testing questions as Simon @simoncalder takes on Wanderlust Magazine's founding editor, Lyn Hughes @Wanderlust.Lyn See how you measure up against our travel expe...
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Podcast 95 TESTS, TRAINS AND TORTELLONI from 2021-12-12T11:07:52
We hear listeners' responses to the last few podcasts and try to answer their questions. On the varied menu: Covid testing, the ethics of elephant riding, the new European railway timeta...
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PODCAST 94 SUNSHINE STATE OF MIND from 2021-12-06T09:29:21
Simon goes to Florida and returns with tales of manatees, space missions and roseate spoonbills. There's more to the sunshine state than theme parks, although he did sample (and survive)...
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PODCAST 93 CHRISTMAS GETAWAYS from 2021-11-29T10:25:15
We hear from listeners about Christmases past and make plans for Christmases future, Omicron variant permitting. Plus, expedition of the week and travel rants from the town of Morp...
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GOING WEST from 2021-11-22T09:14:28
SImon makes a pioneering trip across the Rainbow Bridge, which connects Canada with the the newly opened USA. Mick, meanwhile journeys to the hilly county of Dorset and scales its mighti...
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Podcast 91 THE WORLD IN A NUTSHELL from 2021-11-07T17:06:47
The World Travel Market has just taken place in London. It provides a cornucopia of new travel ideas and destinations, a riot of daft marketing slogans and no shortage of blah blah blah....
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OFF THE RED LIST from 2021-10-31T17:36:14
We take a whistle stop tour of five Latin American countries that have been freed from the shackles of Grant Shapps' red list. On the agenda: the world's best coffee, its highest waterfa...
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PODCAST 89 THE ARABIAN SIGHTS from 2021-10-25T14:15
Simon discovers more of Saudi Arabia's ancient wonders and gets an early peek at their grandiose plans for developing tourism. Meanwhile, at South London's Selhurst Park, the Saudi takeo...
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PODCAST 88 NEWCASTLE to NEOM from 2021-10-19T09:23:27
Simon of Arabia discovers whether the Desert Kingdom and the home of the Geordies have anything in common, apart from the ownership of a well-known football club. We weigh the relative m...
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Podcast 87 NO TIME TO.... TRAVEL from 2021-10-11T16:40:05
As James Bond returns to the big screen, we map his journeys around the world and speculate on his favourite destination based on the 1000 locations that he has appeared in. How many are...
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PODCAST 86 THE GREAT CAMEL-RIDE SCAM from 2021-10-04T16:41:41
Listeners share their experiences of travel con-tricks, old and new, in situ or online. Simon reports from Rotterdam's genre-bending art museum while Deirdre Swann tells us about a surpr...
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PODCAST 85 SCAMS AND STINGS from 2021-09-26T13:40:41
From the old "three cup trick" to internet-age "fake villa" villainy, we reveal the many traps that lie in wait for the unwary tourist. Beware the "something-nasty-on your-bag-mate," &nb...
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PODCAST 84: CHINA VERSUS JAPAN from 2021-09-20T11:21:04
The latest head-to head in our travel Olympics involves two mighty destinations from the Far East. Which will prevail in events that feature capital cities, walls, snow monkeys, to...
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TRAVEL, WITH THE BEATLES from 2021-09-13T15:13:35
We embark on a magical mystery tour of places associated with the Fab Four, or named in their songs. As well as Penny Lane and Abbey Road, expect Blue Jays, paper bags and the windmill i...
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NO GO AREAS? from 2021-08-29T11:56:48
We debate the pros and cons of visiting countries with dodgy regimes. Is it ever justifiable? And if so, under what circumstances? Fortunately, we are guided through the minefield of eth...
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ZANTE OR SHETLAND? from 2021-08-23T07:51:38
Enjoy our latest head-to-head: Scottish Island versus Greek Island. Which is the better holiday destination? Simon is on location in Lerwick, while Zante's champion is Julia Lo Bue-Said,...
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PODCAST 80 TRAVEL OLYMPICS from 2021-08-16T13:33:33
We showcase listeners' suggestions for travelling situations that warrant inclusion in our TRAVEL OLYMPICS. Plus a head to head contest between Zimbabawe and Zambia for the "worth visiti...
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WHERE IN THE WORLD CAN WE GO? from 2021-08-09T09:53:19
With Simon reporting live from sunny St Pancras station, we attempt to navigate the latest twists and turns in the government's controversial "traffic light" travel scheme. And it's Slov...
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THE TRIP THAT CHANGED ME from 2021-08-01T16:35:35
This edition is all about listener's formative travel experiences- from a first distant view of the Himalayas to a wild camping trip to Pembrokeshire. Special thanks are due to Rebecca a...
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JOURNEY INTO SPACE from 2021-07-25T13:30:57
Never mind those space billionaires, we are joined by a much more knowledgeable guest to talk about eclipses, meteor showers, Northern Lights and other heavenly phenomena. Dr John Mason ...
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FIRST STEPS ABROAD from 2021-07-18T15:03:06
What was your first trip aboard like? Where did you go? Did anything amazing happen? Simon and Mick compare their first times and their memories, but we want to know about your experienc...
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GOING UNDERGROUND from 2021-07-11T13:51:12
We discuss the sometimes surprising delights of the world's underground railway systems and make a spurious case for claiming Gareth Southgate as one of our own.
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DUE DILIGENCE: PREPARING TO TRAVEL ABROAD from 2021-07-04T14:39:05
We attempt to hack our way through the red tape and labyrinthine protocols surrounding foreign travel. Fortunately we are joined by an expert guide, Julia Lo Bue-Said, who is chief execu...
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THE PERFECT SQUARE from 2021-06-28T11:42:09
The heart of any self-respecting town or city is its square. So which is the world's best square, what are the essential ingredients for a good one and why are we in the UK so bad at the...
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RUSSIA: BIG BUT IS IT BEAUTIFUL? from 2021-06-13T13:59:31
Mick's prejudices about the world's largest country are robustly challenged by Simon and the travel writer and photographer, Frances Linzee Gordon. Enjoy her tales of smiling policemen, ...
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SMALL PLEASURES: VISITING EUROPE'S MICROSTATES from 2021-06-06T14:49:27
Join Simon in Gibraltar as he meets the residents and tries to avoid the light-fingered macaque monkeys. The famous "Rock" is just one of the tiny states that dot the map of Europe. Cleo...
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INSIDE THE RAINFOREST from 2021-05-30T11:19:53
A gorilla mother and baby are among the most wonderful sights that a rainforest can provide. But there are also snakes, scorpions and mosquitoes that you would prefer not to come across. We get ...
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FIRST FLIGHT TO FARO...... from 2021-05-19T15:07:35
....... and of course Simon was on it, taking the Covid tests and checking out sunny Algarve as the UK's oldest ally gets a green light from the government. But how complicated is it to ...
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AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DELAYS from 2021-05-09T15:39:43
Taking our cue from the famous novel by Jules Verne, we hear travellers' tales of trials and tribulations with some unexpected bonuses. A free hotel stay in Antigua can't be bad, can it?...
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TRAVEL DESTINATION ROULETTE from 2021-05-02T17:37:39
We shed light on the government's forthcoming strategy for foreign travel with the help of Carolyn Pearson. Her company, Maiden Voyage, advises business travellers on safety and well-bei...
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TRAVEL'S NUCLEAR OPTION from 2021-04-25T15:40:53
35 years since the melt-down of Chernobyl's nuclear reactor, the site of the catastrophe has become a top tourist attraction. Nuclear scientist, Dr Claire Corkhill, joins us to talk abou...
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TWINNING WAYS from 2021-04-19T14:29:27
We investigate the twinning movement, looking back at some of the more interesting and bizarre connections that it has thrown up. Did you know, for instance, that one English town has ch...
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LIES, DAMN LIES AND HOTEL RATINGS from 2021-04-11T14:25:05
As self-catering accommodation re-opens, we discuss the widespread problem of fake reviews with the guidebook writer and editor, David Else. He highlights some scams an...
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TRIPS THAT NEVER WERE from 2021-04-06T16:50:33
We hear from listeners about all the journeys that were planned but not made during the past 12 months, while Simon makes a "minimised" trip to the seaside. Many thanks to Poppy, Daisy a...
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ON THE ROAD AGAIN! from 2021-03-30T17:52:03
Simon reports from the first bus to leave Manchester for London on the 29th March, the day that travel restrictions were cautiously relaxed. Many thanks to Dave the driver, fellow-passen...
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EASTER ESCAPES from 2021-03-22T14:41:23
We talk about the best places to visit at this time of year and answer that perennial question. No, not when is Easter, but WHERE is Easter? Do get in touch with us on Twitter: &nb...
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DECIPHERING BORIS'S ROAD MAP from 2021-03-15T11:08:14
Cathy Adams of The Independent joins us to plot a route through the 68 page document that will lead us towards a day out in Brighton and the promise of far-off beaches. Or will it? ...
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THINKING DEEPLY ABOUT TRAVEL from 2021-03-10T15:25:43
We talk to Emily Thomas about her recent book, which explores most entertainingly what philosophers have said about travel. Descartes, for instance, claimed to have gained most of ...
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CONFESSIONS OF A TOUR GUIDE from 2021-02-26T17:21:24
Find out what it's like to be a top cultural tour guide with our guest, James Hill. The highs, the lows and what goes on behind the scenes, plus some terms you might not have come across...
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VAMOS A LA PLAYA from 2021-02-23T15:38:41
As the prospect of a Spanish holiday draws a little closer Lola Culsán and John Weller reveal how to avoid the seaside crowds. Their new book, Hidden Beaches: Spain, is the fruit of an e...
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SAFETY IN NUMBERS from 2021-02-14T14:52:42
Today we're talking about group travel with Joe Fallon, founder of the company TruTravels. From steamy Thailand he tells us how he set up his firm and about his hopes for it in an ...
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ROMANCE ON THE ROAD from 2021-02-07T14:40:11
In honour of Valentine's Day, our subject is romantic destinations and locations. They range from heart-shaped islands to a windowless bar in Krakow. We'd love to hear your own stories o...
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THE MYSTIQUE OF MUSTIQUE from 2021-02-02T17:05:57
Journalist Claire Wrathall helps us peek behind the plantation shutters of Mustique's exclusive villas and explains what it's like to visit this most exclusive of islands. Listen
THE ALLURE OF AUSTRALIA from 2021-01-24T20:19:20
Simon reveals his love of Quokkas, while Mick's sceptical view of Australia's charms is well and truly challenged by Oz aficionados, Charlotte Hindle and Peter Webb.
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WHEN A BREAKDOWN IMPROVES A JOURNEY from 2021-01-17T15:55:39
There's nothing quite like a mechanical breakdown to disrupt your travel plans. But sometimes it can make rather than break your holiday, as we hear from Steph Nelms and Alec Webb....
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THE BEST EVER TRAVEL FILM from 2021-01-10T17:31:13
To help draw up a shortlist of worthy contenders, we are joined by Sarah Baxter, Charlotte Hindle, Alec Webb and Tony Wheeler. Would you believe that someone proposed The Sound of ...
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PROSPECTS FOR TRAVEL 2021 from 2021-01-02T14:17:18
What does this New Year have in store for tethered travellers? And If we are allowed to get away, how much of the travel industry will still be functioning? Our guest this we...
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THE WORLD-BEATING CHRISTMAS TRAVEL QUIZ from 2020-12-21T16:05:27
SImon goes head to head with Lyn Hughes, Editor in Chief of Wanderlust magazine, over ten mind-bending rounds. Can you outquiz them?
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TRANS EUROPE EXPRESS from 2020-12-13T16:19:06
With acknowledgements to Kratftwerk, we preview the new European Rail Timetable in the expert company of Nicky Gardner and Susanne Kries. Prepare for the light at the end of the tunnel w...
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LONG DISTANCE WALKS from 2020-11-29T18:13:07
Where are the most enjoyable long walks and what's the best way to tackle them? Our guest this week is Sarah Baxter, travel writer, walker and author of " A History of the Wo...
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TRAVEL BUGS from 2020-11-21T11:42:17
We discuss how to travel healthily with Sascha Heeney. She 's not only a nurse but also a travel guide with Lupine travel (lupinetravel.co.uk) which specialises in tours to some of the w...
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THE LOST ART OF NATURAL NAVIGATION from 2020-11-15T14:26:24
Discover how the humble stinging nettle can help you find your way to a village pub with our guest, Tristan Gooley. He's an expert in the lost and often fascinating art of na...
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EVERY PHOTO TELLS A STORY? from 2020-11-08T18:29:08
It's not just what you photograph but the context in which you take it. Our guests today are travel writer and adventurer, Frances Linzee Gordon, and Mario Cavalli who is a film ma...
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ARE YOU A TOURIST OR A TRAVELLER? from 2020-11-02T09:46:22
Helped by travel writer and adventurer, Frances Linzee Gordon, we discuss the contentious distinction between the words "traveller" and "tourist". Would you ever find a true ...
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STRANGE BREWS from 2020-10-26T16:14:55
We recall, or at least try to, some of the oddest drinks we've encountered during our travels and attempt to describe their flavours and their effects!
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Q IS FOR QUARANTINE from 2020-10-19T17:28:32
Simon and Mick are joined by travel journalist, Helen Coffey to ponder some of quarantine's big questions. Where was it first practised, how do you cope with being quarantined and hardes...
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TIERS FOR SOUVENIRS from 2020-10-12T16:35:57
Souvenirs come in all shapes and sizes and, of course, in various shades of naffness. We compare our own favourites and talk to Julia Ferguson, a Business Psychologist, about the v...
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THE CYCLING REVOLUTION? from 2020-10-04T17:26:09
Simon and MIck are joined by Anna Hughes, Director of FlightFree UK, co-author of Peaky Climbers and a champion of cycling. They share the pleasures (and pains) of cycling and wonder what ...
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THE MODERN-DAY PILGRIM from 2020-09-28T17:08:33
We hear from people who have walked the Camino de Santiago about the joy and pain they have experienced, and muse on the similarities between tourism and pilgrimages. Many thanks to Debr...
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GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL from 2020-09-20T18:12:42
Simon and Mick compare notes about their respective attempts to enjoy some time off. But was it better to be scaling Holland's highest peak or to be walking through a road-free valley on...
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YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN THREE from 2020-09-06T19:15:31
A typing error leads Mick and Simon to wonder about the desirability of travelling in threes. When is three a better number of people than the standard two? The answer seems to be ...
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EMBARRASSING TRAVEL MOMENTS from 2020-08-30T18:53:44
Travelling and embarrassment seem to go hand in glove. Simon and Mick wonder whether it's an essential part of being a tourist and also, if we are often the authors of our own discomfort, ...
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RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL from 2020-08-24T17:39:28
Are you a responsible traveller? See if you measure up to the standards proposed by some of the movement's new gurus, and enjoy the poetic pledge created by the Tourist Offic...
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HIGH PLACES from 2020-08-18T17:27:21
What is that makes us stretch every sinew to get to the top of things? Simon and Mick's favourite high places include the Blackpool Tower, Buenos Aires' Barolo Tower, Mount Aconcagua, al...
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TRAVEL WIT AND WISDOM from 2020-08-11T17:11:33
The act of travelling from one place to another may seem a simple thing. But it has spawned a vast number of sayings and reflections. Simon and Mick discuss the wittiest, wisest, p...
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SURE WAS GLAD TO GET OUT OF THERE ALIVE from 2020-08-04T15:55:42
Mick and Simon relive some of the travel situations which they're only too pleased to have survived. Plus a visit to a pub in Southampton which is proud to carry the name of that i...
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THE NEW NORMAL from 2020-07-27T17:42:11
What's in store for this summer's holidaymakers in the UK? What's open, what needs booking and when do you need to take your own toilet with you? Plus an insight into the mysteries...
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TAKING A CHANCE ON A FOREIGN HOLIDAY from 2020-07-20T17:05:26
Simon unveils his five pillars of advice on how to avoid some of the nastier travel surprises that are emerging in the wake of the pandemic.
We're grateful ...
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TRAVELLING LIGHT from 2020-07-14T15:41:46
Reflections on the subject, a bit of advice on how to do it and a look back at what some eccentric travellers carried with them on their journeys. You can see the painting "Waiting for a...
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NEW FRONTIERS from 2020-07-06T16:17:20
Mick and Simon try to make sense of the bewildering advice about where we can and can't go on our holidays. They also ponder the new pop-up enclaves created by Coronavirus, adding ...
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CARRY ON CAMPING from 2020-06-29T17:50:43
Simon and Mick discuss a tentative new dawn for camping, and swap tales of their own intense experiences under canvas.
Music: Solstice by Scott Buckley...
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SLOW TRAVEL from 2020-06-22T19:05:35
Is slow travel something we should all strive for, or is it just an exercise in marketing? Simon and Mick investigate, helped by Gina Waggott, Anna Hughes, Alec Webb, Nicky Gardner, Graham...
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TRAVELLING SAFELY, WEIGHING UP RISKS from 2020-06-09T14:42:15
Mick and Simon discuss travel risks and how to manage them. Diseases, snakes and hippos all feature, along with selfies, local police and rip tides. For information about these, go to Listen
GREAT EXPEDITIONS: BARNARD CASTLE AND BEYOND from 2020-06-01T17:26:52
What makes a trip or a holiday into an expedition? Does it need a key objective, sponsorship or just some specialised kit? Simon and Mick talk machetes and mountain mea...
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Brief Encounters from 2020-05-25T18:13:55
The search for the perfect, fleeting holiday experience takes in the Kentish North Downs, Kalingrad Oblast and Carnforth railway station. With the briefest of stops at Dublin airport and...
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Travel with social distancing from 2020-05-18T16:45:58
What's the current guidance and what will await us, when and if we do get away? Simon unveils his five "tests " for prospective travellers while Mick continues his worldwide search...
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The Bits Awards from 2020-05-11T19:01:33
Enjoy the best bits from our first 20 podcasts. Among the categories: best travel moment, best lock down story and best breakfast.
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The ideal travelling companion from 2020-05-04T09:58:41
Who would you most like to travel with on a long trip? Someone who get things organised, can carry most of the kit, tells a good joke..........? Thanks to Charlotte and Alec ...
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School Journeys from 2020-04-27T09:41:25
What were your journeys to school like? Long, uneventful, exciting, dangerous.....? Enjoy the experiences of some of our listeners. We'd like to thank Steph, Camilla, Silas, ...
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Poetry in motion from 2020-04-18T09:47:47
Travel and journeys have inspired some great lines and uplifting verses. But, how many of our chosen poems do you know ?
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The World's Top Travel Icon from 2020-04-13T12:09:24
Which famous site has come out top in our twitter poll? Will it be a wonder of nature or an attraction created by us humans? We also discuss Robert Louis Stevenson's bo...
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Armchair Travel from 2020-04-06T17:45:21
Simon and I exchange ways of keeping the flame of travel alive, without going anywhere. Expect entertaining books, silly games and a brief appearance from the president of The AA, Edmund...
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Travel beyond the pandemic from 2020-03-30T11:41:21
Travel and tourism will be transformed. Will our attitudes have to change too?
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Coronavirus versus the Travel Bug from 2020-03-22T17:58:19
We ponder the future direction of travel and suggest some ways of combatting cabin fever.
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Getting to know the Stans from 2020-02-17T17:51:34
Discover the five mysterious and intriguing countries of Central Asia with names that all end in ........ stan.
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The Ups and Downs of a Travel Writer from 2020-02-04T10:40:43
Simon Calder and Mick Webb share views on working as travel writers- the rewards, the challenges and how to do it well.
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Travel in the 2020's from 2020-01-17T12:52:19
The Great Green Wall, electric planes, vacuum trains.... Simon Calder and Mick Webb look forward to the next decade of travel and what it might bring. Electronic music is...
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Tales from the A23 from 2020-01-14T17:33:15
Every road, like every picture, has a story to tell. The A23, on its route between London and Brighton, has seen some of the best and worst of travel. Mick Webb and Simon Calder uncover tales of...
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Can you fly with a clear conscience? from 2019-12-16T16:10:12
Simon Calder and Mick Webb visit the UK's Gatwick Airport to discuss the carbon impact of flying
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Places glimpsed from 2019-11-28T18:47:30
Simon Calder and Mick Webb create an alternative bucket list of places they've glimpsed from cars, planes and buses, and which they would love to return to one day. Like this Greek village...
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Travelling hopefully....... from 2019-11-27T11:09:37
...............Is it better than arriving? SImon Calder and Mick Webb discuss Robert Louis Stevenson's famous quotation.
And they trek hopefully through the vast expanse...
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When in Rome........ from 2019-11-06T15:47:19
........ should you do as the Romans or behave like a tourist?
And how about in places like Dohar, Dubai or Australia's Ayres Rock?
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