Excess Baggage

John McCarthy explores some ancient monuments and places of interest across Syria. He also hears about the Turkish baths- or Hammams- of Damascus and Aleppo. And travel along the backbone of England - the Pennines.Producer Chris Wilson.

John McCarthy explores British Woodland and meets a fan of travelling in cold landscapes. He hears about ancient woods across the country and about Iceland and the Scottish islands. And he examines myths associated with trees and woods in Anglo-Saxon England and some relating to the Icelandic sagas.Producer Chris Wilson.

John McCarthy talks to travel writer Colin Thubron about hiking up a sacred mountain in Tibet and to members of an expedition that explored communities around the Atlantic Ocean's coast, from Africa to the United States.Producer Chris Wilson.

John McCarthy explores Romania with William Blacker who lived there for some years and Lucy Mallows who wrote the first travel guide to Transylvania. He also meets Sarah Outen, who rowed 4,000 miles single handed across the Indian Ocean. Producer: Chris Wilson.

John McCarthy explores the Vladimirka Highway in Russia and talks to the writer who travelled along it from Moscow to Siberia. John also talks to two historians about visiting places associated with war - in particular the Second World War in Germany. Producer: Chris Wilson.

John McCarthy explores the wild coasts of Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana in South America and examines the pleasures and pitfalls of travelling and volunteering abroad. Producer: Chris Wilson.

John McCarthy explores the Great Northern Coalfield in North East England with writer Peter Crookston and meets the young family who travelled 4,000 miles across Africa in 2 months.Producer: Chris Wilson.

John McCarthy explores Paris with Independent Newspaper correspondent John Lichfield and The Lebanon with photographer Max Milligan and historian Philip Mansel. Producer Chris Wilson.

John McCarthy talks to the human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell about his enthusiasm for hiking in Tasmania and Madeira, glaciologist Richard Sale about long distance walking routes in Europe and to photographer Jason Florio and his partner Helen Jones about travelling all around Gambia on foot. Producer: Harry Parker.

Peter Curran presents an Excess Baggage special quiz for Christmas from the Radio Theatre with John McCarthy and Sandi Toksvig and their special guests, explorer Benedict Allen and comedian Lucy Porter, answering questions on the world of travel and travelling the world.Producer: Harry Parker.