You should have been there

Journalist Claire Wrathall helps us peek behind the plantation shutters of Mustique's exclusive villas and explains what it's like to visit this most exclusive of islands.  

Simon reveals his love of Quokkas,  while Mick's sceptical view of Australia's charms is well and truly challenged by Oz aficionados, Charlotte Hindle and Peter Webb.

There's nothing quite like a mechanical breakdown to disrupt your travel plans.  But sometimes it can make rather than break your holiday, as we hear from Steph Nelms and Alec Webb. Meanwhile  the President of the AA, Edmund King gives some timely advice on how to avoid mechanical mayhem. Do send your travel tales to us via Twitter  @youshould haveB1

To help draw up a shortlist of worthy contenders, we are joined by Sarah Baxter, Charlotte Hindle, Alec Webb and Tony Wheeler.  Would you believe that someone proposed The Sound of Music?  Do send us your own suggestions to our new Twitter destination, @youshouldhavebe1

What does this New Year have in store for tethered travellers?  And If we are allowed to get away, how much of the travel industry will still be functioning?  Our guest this week, having an educated guess at what might happen, is Tony Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet guidebooks. Find out about Tony and his travels at  www.tonywheeler.com.au 

SImon goes head to head with Lyn Hughes, Editor in Chief of Wanderlust magazine, over ten mind-bending rounds. Can you outquiz them? 

With acknowledgements to Kratftwerk, we preview the new European Rail Timetable in the expert company of Nicky Gardner and Susanne Kries. Prepare for the light at the end of the tunnel with their top train tips. Find details of their publications at  www.hiddeneurope.co.uk/

Where are the most enjoyable long walks and what's the best way to tackle them?  Our guest this week is Sarah Baxter, travel writer, walker and author of  " A History of the World in 500 Walks" . Her website is sarahbtravel.wordpress.com

We discuss how to travel healthily with Sascha Heeney. She 's not only a nurse but also a travel guide with Lupine travel (lupinetravel.co.uk) which specialises in tours to some of the world's hardest to reach destinations. Altitude sickness, malaria, air pollution water, food, insurance, it's all here! 

 Discover how the humble stinging nettle can help you find your way to a village pub with our guest, Tristan Gooley.  He's an expert in the lost and often fascinating art of navigating by the sun, stars, clouds, trees, even satellite dishes. Details of his ideas and his books are available on naturalnavigator.com