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
Mar 3, 2025 • 28min
PODCAST 210 DONKEY BUSINESS
We discuss legendary music museums, Chinese airlines, sustainable breakfast buffets and the pros and cons of travelling with donkeys. Thanks to Florian Giorgio for his photo on Unsplash
Feb 13, 2025 • 29min
PODCAST 209 BUFFET BREAKFAST BATTLES
Foragers take on anti-foragers in the great breakfast buffet debate, we continue the train limerick challenge and feature a topical update on romantic destinations. The website for info on the Robert Louis Stevenson trail is chemin-stevenson.org and thanks to Jill Sauve for her photo on Unsplash
Jan 22, 2025 • 30min
PODCAST 208 CELEBRATING THE RAILWAY
We welcome Mark Smith, well known as "the man in seat 61" to discuss the bicentenary of the first official railway journey, a gift from the UK to the world. Mark's guide to rail travel is at www.seat61.com And thanks to Roland Lösslein for his photo on Unsplash
Jan 14, 2025 • 31min
PODCAST 207 Manatees v humanity
We discuss the possible impact on travel to the USA of the impending Donald Trump presidency while Simon reports from Florida on the often fraught interaction between humanity and manatees. With thanks to NOAA for the photo of a manatee and her calf.
Dec 31, 2024 • 28min
PODCAST 206 NEW YEAR, OLD YEAR
Simon and Mick share their favourite travel moments from 2024- best views, meals and cultural encounters- before looking forward to 2025. Happy New Year, fellow travellers!
Dec 14, 2024 • 29min
PODCAST 205 BEHIND THE SCENES OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We talk to Dylan Harris, founder of Lupine Travel, about his tour company, how they decide on their destinations and what it's like to organise trips to "no-go" areas like the Darien Gap, Yemen and Afghanistan.
Nov 28, 2024 • 29min
PODCAST 204 THE QUIET SIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS
Simon recounts tales from his recent trek through Nepal's Lumba Sumba pass and, inspired by Rome's Trevi fountain we launch a strand of travel wishes!
Nov 19, 2024 • 30min
PODCAST 203 HITTING THE HEIGHTS
Simon Calder and Mick Webb compare their recent lofty experiences in Nepal and La Gomera respectively.
Oct 23, 2024 • 30min
PODCAST 202 BEWARE OF THE BEARS
We wonder if Brown Bears are good or bad for tourism, hear listener Sally Naylor's tale of her split-second travel decision and discuss whether the world is becoming too samey.
Oct 17, 2024 • 30min
PODCAST 201 THE HIDDEN CHARMS OF M-WAY SERVICES
Philosopher and travel writer, Professor Emily Thomas, joins us to provide a cerebral take on motorways and their service areas.
Thanks to David Dixon for his photo of the M 40 services on geograph.org.uk/photo/3299492
