

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

Dec 20, 2025 • 26min
TRAVEL MIRACLES Podcast 230
Amazing travel experiences in which the laws of time are challenged , castles like "pastry shops for the soul" and the glacial progress of the new European Exit/Entry System.

Dec 3, 2025 • 30min
Great Unfinished buildings PODCAST 229
We chat about the Sagrada Familia, the National Monument of Scotland and confront the brave new world of "frictionless travel" as promised by facial recognition technology

Nov 19, 2025 • 28min
Castles in Spain PODCAST 228
We discuss Spain's wealth of dramatic castles- the best to visit, the best to stay in and the one where you'll find the best pastries

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)


