

You should have been there
Mick Webb and Simon Calder
Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent and former BBC producer, Mick Webb, discuss the world of travel and delight in travellers' tales.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 6, 2025 • 30min
PODCAST 227 Castles, caravanserai and the ruins of Baalbek
Simon reports on his recent journeys to Lebanon, Northern Cyprus and Moldova. Also, we discuss the timeless allure of castles.

Oct 30, 2025 • 30min
PODCAST 226 Prepare for the EES
We try to make sense of the new entry /exit system that will affect UK travellers to Europe's Schengen area: what is it? when will it start? what will it mean for travellers, apart from delays?

Oct 1, 2025 • 30min
PODCAST 225 ANATOMY OF A MOUNTAIN TREK
Join us for a brief but steep hike through the Pyrenees in the footsteps of exiles and refugees and the hoofprints of sheep, cows and isards.

Sep 10, 2025 • 29min
PODCAST 224 Station to Station
Join Simon and Mick on the nearest thing to a hill climb that South London can offer. But will it be a suitable rehearsal for their forthcoming trek in the Pyrenees?

Jul 30, 2025 • 30min
PODCAST 223 Travel Conundrums
We get to grips with two very different travelling dilemmas: can you get to the middle of nowhere and how can you combat the trickery and duplicity of car hire firms?

Jul 15, 2025 • 29min
PODCAST 222 Ancient and Modern
We track down traditional Spanish houses, search for great Airbnb's and report on a green ferry service across the Channel-by yacht.

Jun 23, 2025 • 30min
PODCAST 221 Tales of showers and language malfunctions
We showcase listeners' anecdotes about bewildering showers, linguistic confusions and unexpected strandings. Thanks to Ginger Hendee for the photo (on Unsplash)

Jun 18, 2025 • 27min
PODCAST 220 Churches in the danger zone
Simon enjoys Lithuania and falls prey to creeping delays and dynamic currency conversions during a whistle stop European tour. Meanwhile Mick takes part in a race across southern England- accidentally.

Jun 4, 2025 • 29min
PODCAST 219 All the Way to Vauxhall
An underwhelming new dawn for our railways, an inadvertent phone error by an airport boss and the unveiling of a "slow" race across the world.

May 22, 2025 • 30min
PODCAST 218 Brits Abroad
We talk about the challenges of settling into French village life, review races across the world and wonder why we need a new airline linking the UK with the USA.


