Arts & Ideas Travel
22 snips
Jan 2, 2026 
Join historian Bettany Hughes, travel journalist Mary Novakovich, philosopher Julian Baggini, and others as they dive into the ever-evolving meaning of travel. They explore the allure of ancient journeys and the significance of the Grand Tour, while Baggini questions the assumption that travel broadens the mind. The conversation touches on the impact of social media on authentic experiences, the roles women have played in shaping travel narratives, and the challenge of balancing planning with serendipity for deeper encounters.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Goat Turned Incense
- Bettany Hughes was offered a baby goat while filming near the Jordan–Saudi border and negotiated to accept incense instead.
- She uses incense at home to share travel experiences with family despite smoke-alarm complaints.
The Unworn Memory T‑Shirt
- Julian Baggini kept a synthetic T‑shirt from a 10‑week US road trip as a memory he never wears.
- He values the t-shirt for its bad fabric and the unplanned encounter it represents.
Glasses That Carry Memory
- Mary Novakovich bought a set of Croatian glass tumblers from her parents' region to remember summers with her uncle.
- She carries them on trips to toast on beaches and campsites as a personal ritual.
