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
May 8, 2025 • 30min
PODCAST 217 Below Deck in the Adriatic
Join Simon on his tour of beautiful Croatian Islands and share your thoughts on holiday souvenirs, Voyages a trois and "Trevi Fountain wishes" for ways to make travel better.
Apr 29, 2025 • 30min
PODCAST 216 Travel in Turbulent Times
Electricity blackouts, cancellations, widespread delays............We discuss how to hedge your holiday bets in an era of chaos and confusion. The photograph is of a work by the Argentinian artist, Pablo Suarez.
Apr 17, 2025 • 32min
PODCAST 215 IN BELGIUM
Enjoy our guide to the varied and often surprising charms of the country at the heart of Europe, and just a train ride from the UK.
Apr 10, 2025 • 30min
PODCAST 214 Choosing a restaurant
One of the delights and challenges of a trip abroad is deciding where to eat. We discuss listeners' opinions on what to look for and what to avoid!
Mar 29, 2025 • 30min
PODCAST 213 The Joy of Maps
Mike Parker, author of the best selling "Map Addict," joins us to share his love affair with maps and his thoughts on the politics of cartography and the strong feelings that it provokes.
Mar 22, 2025 • 29min
PODCAST 212 THE WILD PLACES
Author and professor, Jean Mcneil, joins us to talk about her new book, Latitudes, and leads us into some of the world's great wildernesses. Danger, adventure and thought-provoking reflections pepper the book, which is published by Barbican Press
Mar 14, 2025 • 22min
PODCAST 211 South America for beginners
Which country should you choose for your first visit to South America? We assess the attractions and weigh up the pros and cons of four big-hitters: Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Peru.
Mar 3, 2025 • 28min
PODCAST 210 DONKEY BUSINESS
We discuss legendary music museums, Chinese airlines, sustainable breakfast buffets and the pros and cons of travelling with donkeys. Thanks to Florian Giorgio for his photo on Unsplash
Feb 13, 2025 • 29min
PODCAST 209 BUFFET BREAKFAST BATTLES
Foragers take on anti-foragers in the great breakfast buffet debate, we continue the train limerick challenge and feature a topical update on romantic destinations. The website for info on the Robert Louis Stevenson trail is chemin-stevenson.org and thanks to Jill Sauve for her photo on Unsplash
Jan 22, 2025 • 30min
PODCAST 208 CELEBRATING THE RAILWAY
We welcome Mark Smith, well known as "the man in seat 61" to discuss the bicentenary of the first official railway journey, a gift from the UK to the world. Mark's guide to rail travel is at www.seat61.com And thanks to Roland Lösslein for his photo on Unsplash
