Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Paul Goldstein, adventurer and wildlife campaigner, successfully completed 25 Marathon-length walks from Tigerton in Scotland to Tiger Bay in Wales to raise money for the conservation of four-legged animals – particularly the tiger. He's been telling me the highlights ...This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm talking to Martina Jamnig, director of the Austrian National Tourist Office in London, about the activities on offer in autumn and winter – which range from Christmas markets to ice-bathing in Carinthia. News about more flights to Austria, too.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode celebrates National Travel Agents Day, highlighting their essential role in today's travel landscape. Julia Lo Bue-Said OBE proposes a bold reform to school holiday schedules, suggesting a shorter summer break in favor of longer vacations in May and October. The discussion sheds light on how these changes could benefit families and boost the travel sector amidst rising costs and airline challenges. Tune in for insights on reshaping travel for everyone!

Nicky Gardner, co-author of Europe by Rail, tells me the best places to make the most of all-you-can-travel rail.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the end of the summer I'm talking to Kaya Niedenthal of Currency Online Group in London about trends in the currency markets: what's worth buying now, the use of the dollar and euro in many developing countries, and the currency that is selling extraordinarily well to Brits.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Caribbean is a mosaic of delectable isles - but what makes St Lucia distinctive? Senior travel writer Natalie Wilson was there in the summer and was smitten by the island's beauty, friendliness and culture.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"The pearl of the Adriatic" has been enticing millions of tourists every year, with its spectacular setting and mighty walls wrapping around the old city. More recently Dubrovnik's starring role as a backdrop in Game of Thrones has brought even more visitors. The pressure from tourism has been evident – but the Mayor, Mato Frankovic, has been telling me how he plans to rebalance the relationship between visitors and the citizens.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From 12 October, the EU's much-delayed entry-exit system (EES) will begin to be rolled out. Using some mathematical modelling, Oliver Ranson from Airline Revenue Economics has worked out the European airports most at risk of collapse on first contact with the EES. Milan Malpensa, Bucharest and Athens top the chart.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since he took over as chief executive of Ryanair in 1994, Michael O'Leary has guided what was an ailing Irish regional airline to become Europe’s biggest budget carrier.I've been talking to him about a crackdown on cabin baggage, his plan for smartphone-only boarding passes and the EU entry-exit system. Listen up!This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest is travel expert Gilly Bachelor, who is a champion of solo travel for women. Tomorrow (Thursday 28 August) she is organising a special evening aimed at women preparing to go it alone abroad – under the brand "No stopping her".This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.