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.

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20 episodes
Updated July 5

Episodes20

Newest first

July 5 · 28 min
THOUGHT-PROVOKING TRAVEL Podcast 245
Professor of philosophy, Emily Thomas, is today's guest. Our discussion includes the importance of cannibalism for John Locke's theories, an eighteenth century pile-on involving Mary Wollstonecraft's life and Emily's thoughts on her recent trip to Malawi. The photo of Malawian rock art is shown courtesy of UNESCO
June 27 · 31 min
BROADENING THE MIND Podcast 244
Dr Andrew Stevenson, senior lecturer in psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University discusses his book "The Psychology of Travel" published by Routledge. Types of traveller and different ways of travelling are on the agenda.
June 3 · 29 min
END OF AN ERA PODCAST 243
Discover declassified train carriages, how to walk in the shoes of others and enjoy a race across Europe to Leipzig. And Simon leaves the podcast.
May 27 · 28 min
A brief guide to a short stay in Paris PODCAST 242
Aided and abetted by listeners, we present some suggestions of how to navigate Paris, where to stay and what to see. The accordion music was provided by Accordion-music-clean.wav by eyenorth -- https://freesound.org/s/482213/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
May 13 · 28 min
We're on our way... PODCAST 241
We discuss football journeys, near and far, and hear from fans who have stretched the limits of credible travel to get to a match abroad.
May 6 · 26 min
What is regenerative tourism? PODCAST 240
We ask if this label really means anything, and continue to probe the EES database debacle and the axolotl conundrum. Plus, the latest in our search for the perfect guided tour.
April 29 · 30 min
BECOMING A BLUE BADGE GUIDE Podcast 239
On College Green in London's Westminster, surrounded by historic buildings, we talk to Frances Linzee Gordon about what it takes to become an elite, Blue Badge Guide, and the challenges that lie in wait when you begin working. Find a guide who suits you at britainsbestguides.org
April 22 · 29 min
A beginner's guide to South East Asia PODCAST 238
Authentic dragons, astonishing temples, beguiling coastlines and great food. Find out whether one of the region's 11 countries floats your boat.
April 14 · 30 min
The cost of tourism PODCAST 237
We mull over the concept of over-tourism, its causes and effects as well as some remedies. Why not try the place next door, for instance?
April 6 · 29 min
Straits, dire and desirable PODCAST 236
We shine a light on the world's many and varied straits- not just that one. Are they an underappreciated geographical feature?
April 3 · 33 min
The Wonders of Oaxaca : Podcast 235
We explore the delights- natural, culinary, architectural and cultural- of the colourful Mexican state of Oaxaca.
March 11 · 28 min
Mexico City : murals and so much more in PODCAST 234
We plot a route across Mexico's mighty metropolis, taking in its many marvels
January 24 · 26 min
THERE BE DRAGONS! PODCAST 233
We consider the perils of venturing off venturing off the beaten track, talk to an adventure tour organiser facing up to current hazards in Venezuela, Iran and now Greenland, and we meet..... the axolotl.
January 15 · 25 min
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK Podcast 232
Do you recognise this flag? It's one of the destinations that Simon found out about at the Adventure Travel Show in London. We discuss real travel adventures where the guide books run out as well as less challenging but still unusual places away from the crowds.
January 2 · 25 min
Out with the Old, in with the New PODCAST 231
We assess the past year in travel and anticipate the next one, with thoughts on destinations and technology as well as the giving of some self-indulgent travel presents.
Dec 20, 2025 · 25 min
TRAVEL MIRACLES Podcast 230
Amazing travel experiences in which the laws of time are challenged , castles like "pastry shops for the soul" and the glacial progress of the new European Exit/Entry System.
Dec 3, 2025 · 30 min
Great Unfinished buildings PODCAST 229
We chat about the Sagrada Familia, the National Monument of Scotland and confront the brave new world of "frictionless travel" as promised by facial recognition technology
Nov 19, 2025 · 28 min
Castles in Spain PODCAST 228
We discuss Spain's wealth of dramatic castles- the best to visit, the best to stay in and the one where you'll find the best pastries
Nov 6, 2025 · 29 min
PODCAST 227 Castles, caravanserai and the ruins of Baalbek
Simon reports on his recent journeys to Lebanon, Northern Cyprus and Moldova. Also, we discuss the timeless allure of castles.
Oct 30, 2025 · 30 min
PODCAST 226 Prepare for the EES
We try to make sense of the new entry /exit system that will affect UK travellers to Europe's Schengen area: what is it? when will it start? what will it mean for travellers, apart from delays?