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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

5:11

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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9:22

August 8th - Race across Europe: a brutal challenge...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/08

Bram Houtenbos is a charming Dutch financial services executive living in south London. He also self-identifies as a travel nerd. He is one of the foremost contenders in the Lupine Racing challenges that require contestants to get from A to B via a sequence of checkpoints using only terrestrial public transport (including taxis within cities). I caught up with him in the Estonian capital after an exhausting race ... hear how he got on.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly

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6:23

August 7th - Could holiday roulette be the antidote...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/07

Booking.com chief executive Glenn Fogel believes so. He says a lottery arrangement could keep numbers down without disenfranchising less wealthy travellers. But could this cunning plan encounter problems?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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9:30

August 6th - What's happening with aviation security?

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/06

Many airports have state-of-the-art scanners now, but only some of them are able to drop the annoying 100ml limit for containers of liquids, aerosols and gels. And we still seem some way from the "checkpoint of the future" at airports, where you don't even notice you're being security screened. An update from Richard Thompson, Vice President Portfolios, Innovation & Digital at Smiths Detection.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to

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6:57

August 5th - Tall ship cruising around the Greek islands

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/05

After my Explora I cruise that I reported on yesterday, I have today talked to my excellent colleague, cruise writer Marc Shoffman. He has just returned from a trip on Star Clipper, a tall ship where climbing the mast is part of the appealThis 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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7:06

August 4th - The joy of cruising, with Explora I's...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/04

I have just spent an expensive but excellent week aboard the cruise ship Explora I. I talked to Martyn Moss, who has 28 years experience in the business and much of interest to say.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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5:08

August 1st - Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/08/01

That's the title of the latest series from the great historian Bettany Hughes – being broadcast starting Saturday 2 August on Five at 6.30pm. I caught up with Bettany during her latest shoot, and she told me more ...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

July 31st - Another air-traffic control meltdown in...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/07/31

Thousands of airline passengers are waking up where they did not intend to be after the temporary shutdown of UK airspace on Wednesday. What are passengers' rights?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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4:34

July 30th - Destination X

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/07/30

I'm talk to executive producer Dan Adamson about the new BBC series.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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5:21

July 29th - Is Emirates premium economy worth the extra?

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/07/29

Global travel editor Annabel Grossman tells me: the slightly posher seats and service are excellent, shame about the inflight food.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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6:30

July 28th - Europe hots up: what are your risks, and...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/07/28

I'm overlooking the harbour in Mytilene on the Greek island of Lesbos. Even at 7.30pm, the heat is intense. Over the weekend we have seen more wildfires in Greece, as well as soaring temperatures in Turkey. What are travellers' risks, and options?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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8:32

July 25th - 25 years on from the tragic Concorde...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/07/25

On 25 July 2000, all 109 passengers and crew aboard an Air France Concorde departing for New York JFK died when the supersonic plane crashed shortly after take-off from Paris CDG. Four people on the ground were also killed. Concorde was grounded shortly afterwards and, despite a short resurgence with British Airways, made her final passenger flight in October 2003. Leading aviation figure Jonathan Hinkles has been telling me more – and explaining why supersonic travel may never return.This podcast

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6:06

July 24th - Heathrow boss on why it will take 10...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/07/24

I've been talking to Thomas Woldbye, chief executive of London Heathrow – the busiest airport in Europe. He explains why there won't be another runway until at least 2035 ... who will pay for the multibillion-pound project ... and what he plans for passengers in the meantime.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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6:49

July 23rd - This weekend will be the busiest so far...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/07/23

With figures from aviation analyst Cirium, this coming Friday, 25 July, will see 3,255 flights out of the UK with 585,189 seats on board. Paul Charles, chief executive of PC Agency – and former Virgin Atlantic communications director – has advice for the days ahead, and advises visiting Puglia and Provence.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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8:56

July 22nd - United business class – present and future

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/07/22

It's Travel Desk Tuesday, and joining me today is The Independent's US Travel Editor, Ted Thornhill. He's been to the US and back in business class on United – by most measures, the biggest airline in the world. Besides the experience itself, he was in New York to learn about what is in store with the launch of Polaris Studio suites.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

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6:14

July 21st - Over from Dover in the busiest week of...

Simon Calder"s Independent Travel Podcast ·

2025/07/21

I'm at the UK's busiest port, watching ferries zipping back and forth across the Channel while I talk to Doug Bannister, chief executive of the Port of Dover. He has useful advice for a smooth journey to Calais or Dunkirk this summer.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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416 results

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