Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

I'm at the end of my week of travel across the Baltic states where I've encountered the most majestic scenery, vibrant cities full of history and with very modern ways of living and communities who could not be friendlier or more accommodating. Unfortunately for them though, and felt especially here in Tallinn, so close to the Russian border, the invasion of Ukraine has really dampened their reopening to tourism following the pandemic. But if you can, I implore you to visit to see the for-the-moment hidden gems of these friendly, beautiful countries.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Right now is a fine time to the a stranger in a strange land – that is both friendly and safe - and as I continue my journey around eastern Europe I explain the joy of getting a long-distance bus. It's the most popular mode of travel in these parts and is a great way of getting a sense of the place and people, as I discover as I slalom through to my destination in Estonia.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I do love to be beside the seaside, and it's been a while. To my right, the waves are breaking; to my left, a beautiful pine forest. The sand is incredibly soft: a gorgeous place to be, apart from the temperature which is approximately zero. Yes, it’s Baltic in the Baltics. But come summer the beach here at Jurmala in Latvia will be picture-postcard perfect.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reporting for you from the newly reopened South Terminal at Gatwick, de-mothballed after almost two years. This summer the competition to Europe from the Sussex airport is set to intensify, with Wizz Air setting up a new base and British Airways launching a low-cost subsidiary, BA EuroFlyer, for its short-haul ops.BA will also operate 35 short haul routes to destinations across Europe, Wizz Air 25 European routes and Vueling a total of 16 routes, all from the reopened South Terminal meaning that the competition from Gatwick for London's other airports could be more substantial now and will hopefully mean better travel for passengers.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government has vowed to make P&O Ferries "undo" its the mass-sacking of 800 of its workers. Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, said the ferry firm had “exploited a loophole” that would now be closed off by legislation and applied retrospectively. The Prime Minister has also weighed in, saying at PMQs that, "We will be taking steps to protect all mariners that are working in UK waters and ensuring they are paid the living wage." I give an overview of how the uproar around P&O Ferries has come about and what this means for mariners and passengers going forward.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world is slowly reopening, as more countries drop their covid-era restrictions. Some like Singapore, South Korea and South Africa are dropping their requirements for passengers to be vaccinated and providing PCR test results. But as Maggie asked me on my AMA, Morocco might not be ready for the easter holidays. So I take you through the differing rates of restrictions being lifted and where is still being strict on the requirements to be let into their territories.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Air New Zealand is planning to launch one of the longest flights in the world, a direct track from New York to Auckland. From 17 September, the carrier will fly the 8,828-mile route three times per week, using a Boeing 787-9 – the same type used by Qantas for its even longer nonstop link from London to Perth. Currently, all but 27 per cent of the direct flight path is over the Pacific Ocean, but this is likely to be significantly modified according to wind patterns. I discuss all you need to know about the new flight, and whether long haul flights such as this are really needed.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 5 March 2020, the UK’s largest regional airline collapsed. Flybe was mired in debt. Yet on 13 April 2022, the familiar Q400 aircraft in a purple livery will take off from Birmingham airport, destination Belfast City – with 22 more routes to follow. Where will Flybe fly, and how will it fare?Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An airliner, operated by China Eastern Airlines, has crashed in the southern province of Guangxi while carrying 132 people on board. A rescue operation is underway and the number of casualties is yet to be confirmed. In light of this sad tragedy, I give an overview of the latest developments in aviation safety and of Boeing 737 aircrafts.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a sudden announcement yesterday, P&O Ferries made 800 of its UK seafaring staff redundant. The British shipping company plans to replace the former employees with cheaper agency workers in an effort to reduce its losses of £100m year-on-year. Union representatives have threatened legal action against the company and advised those affected to carry out sit-in protests against the job cuts. As the holiday period approaches, I give my opinion of what might be to come. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.