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PODCAST

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast

The Independent

Simon Calder is the Independent’s travel correspondent, the UK’s leading travel journalist. From news updates to discussions with experts, Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast will bring you all you need to know from the world of travel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

society & culture places & travel

All Episodes

5:27

September 5th - Today is National Travel Agent Day –...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/09/05

5 September is the day to celebrate travel professionals, and therefore a good day to hear from Julia Lo Bue-Said OBE, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership. She believes school holidays need to be transformed so that they better meet the needs of families – and wants to start a national conversation on cutting the summer break to a month, with extra weeks added in May and October.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to

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8:09

September 4th - The freedom of Europe – how to make...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/09/04

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.

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6:07

September 3rd - Dollar dives, euro strengthens, and...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/09/03

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.

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6:13

September 2nd - Travel Desk Tuesday: the joys of St...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/09/02

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.

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6:28

September 1st - How do you solve a problem like...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/09/01

"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

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7:41

August 29th - Entry-exit system begins 12 October –...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/29

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.

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4:16

August 28th - The most successful and resilient...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/28

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.

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6:25

August 27th - Going solo: how travelling on your own...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/27

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.

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7:56

August 26th - "You feel like you’re giving back as...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/26

Travel Desk Tuesday, and Global Travel Editor Annabel Grossman has been telling me about her experience in Bali – the Indonesian island that has been under attack for the quality of the travel experience.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.

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7:48

August 25th - Cabin air quality: what’s the problem –...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/25

Today I am talking to a campaigner on cabin air quality, Captain Tristan Loraine. He believes passengers and crew are often at risk because of engine oil contaminating the air inside commercial aircraft. He is the spokesperson for the Global Cabin Air Quality Executive, gcaqe.orgThis 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.

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7:11

August 22nd - Beach safety thanks to public-spirited...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/22

On the eve of the last bank holiday weekend before Christmas, I'm in Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire – at the home of Andrew Smith, part of the crew of the Runswick Bay Rescue Boat – which does amazing work helping holidaymakers who get into difficult on the water.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.

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5:58

August 21st - 10 Marathon-length walks down, 15 more...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/21

Adventurer, photographer and wildlife campaigner Paul Goldstein is walking, in a Bengal tiger suit, from Tigerton in northeast Scotland to Tiger Bay in Cardiff to raise money for animal protection. I caught up with Paul, his walking companions and support team, at Caldbeck in Cumbria. How has the walk been so far?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.

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6:44

August 20th - The American Way of Life

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/20

Every time I visit the US, I am fascinated by the differences between British and American habits. To get the latest, I have been talking to top cinematographer Douglas Bolton, who spends a lot of time in Colorado – and kindly offered me a lift along Interstate 70.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.

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5:10

August 19th - What is the ideal flight time for a...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/19

Natalie Wilson, senior travel writer, is back for Travel Desk Tuesday. We have sharply differing views on the best time to choose a flight – and I've also heard from West Midlands teachers Jilly and Glenda, who are firmly of the belief you should make the most of your time away.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.

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6:10

August 18th - Escape from Canada – two families tell...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/18

The Dearing family and the Robinson family, from Beverley in East Yorkshire, enjoyed a dream holiday in Canada – until they reached Calgary the night before their planned nonstop Air Canada flight back to London Heathrow. They discovered that Air Canada had cancelled their flight and left them high and dry. They have been telling me their story ...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

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5:11

August 15th - Meet the most upmarket travel company...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/15

I'm in Aspen, Colorado – the mining town-turned-celebrity mountain resort. And I've been talking to Susan Farrugia, co-founder and chief operating officer of Cuvée, a company that promises luxury, privacy, and adventure in some of the most alluring destinations around the world – with prices up to $50,000 per night. How do you build a business like that?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

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4:15

August 14th - How far would you go for 5 million...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/14

Etihad, the airline based in Abu Dhabi,has launched theExtraordinary Challenge-a global competition promoting 15 new destinations. The first person to visit all 15 will win five million Etihad Guest Miles.But one of them is Sochi in Russia.I’vebeen hearing more fromMark Potter, Etihad Airways’ Director of Loyalty.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.

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5:31

August 13th - The total eclipse of the century

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/13

The second half of our total solar eclipse special with the astronomer Dr John Mason, who for decades has been leading trips to see the light go out.I have never heard him so passionate about the prospect of the 2 August 2027 total eclipse – the longest total eclipse of the century.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.

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7:24

August 12th - Look ahead a year from now to the skies...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/12

One year from now, on 12 August 2026, a total solar eclipse will sweep across the surface of the earth, from the Arctic across Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain. The astronomical event, at the height of the tourist season, could provide an outstanding experience for millions. But the astronomer Dr John Mason, who has been leading eclipse trips for decades, says you need to be careful with your choice of location.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to

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5:45

August 11th - Is this the only defunct control tower...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/11

Denver Stapleton Airport – then the fifth-busiest in the world – closed down in 1995. The last flight out was Continental 34 to London Gatwick. You would never know an airport was here – everything has been demolished, except for the control tower, which has somehow survived. Sean Henson started running Tower Tours this year, and I joined him last Friday.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

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411 results

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