You should have been there

Our guest Raquel tells us all about an essential but often unsung job in the travel industry-  the Tour Manager- revealing its upsides as well as its disadvantages. While Simon takes a trip back in time on the chrome-covered Amtrak express, The Wolverine, en route from Detroit to Chicago.     

Can you avoid the summer crowds in Italy?   How trustworthy are online travel agents?  And last but not least, the real reason why we didn't win a UK Podcast Award. With thanks to James Hill, Rebecca Halpern, Helen P and Jonny N. 

Simon wisely cycles to Dover's ferry port to report on the queues and the chaos that have beset holidaymakers. Who is to blame?  Plus, the winners of our competition to find the UK's best city for a summer break.    

Which UK city has most attractions for the visitor? Join us for a discussion of hills, lanes, beaches, museums, architecture and other key features. Vote for your favourite at   https://twitter.com/SimonCalder/status/1548983503190114305?s=20&t=WyCR1_M_9ElJ5nx98ayfaA

As the summer of chaos continues, with its many barriers to having an enjoyable holiday- flight cancellations, Covid concerns and Brexit effects, for starters- we discuss how to prepare for them and make your travels relatively relaxing.

Jean McNeil, writer and academic, joins us on the roof terrace of London's Barbican Centre to talk Psychogeography. Discover what it is, where it comes from and how it can help you get a bit more from your travels. Plus, more on the great Bielfeld conspiracy!    

With the help of listeners' stories, we distil positivity from the unlikeliest of subjects-  delayed flights at airports.  

Follow Simon's week of travel reporting-from the chaos at UK's airports to the 9 euro deal of the century on German railways. And taking in the bizarre dangling tram of Wuppertal as well as plenty of technical challenges along the way.  Many thanks to Hywel Jones and Linda WS for their contributions.   

Our guest interviewee is airline pilot and travel writer, Mark Vanhoenacker. He talks about his new book, Imagine a City, recently published in the UK by Chatto and Windus and also shares some trade secrets. Would you have guessed that the first things he packs is a spork?   Thanks to Mark for his photo of Cairo by night

Enjoy more of listener's  photos of great dishes with spectacular views. Find out which country topped the polls as your favourite location and see the photos @ https://www.flickr.com/gp/190976368@N06/Dc61Tp.    Thanks to all contributors for their photographs and to Scott Buckley for permission to his music track, Solstice