Stanfords Travel Podcast

In February 2016, motorcycle adventurer Charley Boorman suffered a major road traffic accident in Portugal. Having spent the better part of his life on some form of motorbike, his world came crashing down and it was unclear if he would ever walk properly again, let alone ride a motorbike. Here, Charley talks to Paul Belzard … Continue reading Charley Boorman: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018

Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent talks to Julia Wheeler about her latest book Land of the Dawn-lit Mountains. A mountainous state clinging to the far north-eastern corner of India, Arunachal Pradesh is one of the world’s least explored places. Travelling some 2,000 miles, Antonia encounters shamans, lamas, hunters, opium farmers, fantastic tribal festivals and little-known stories from the … Continue reading Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018

Mark Beaumont talks to Tobias Mews about his most incredible endurance test to date. On the 18th September 2017 Mark circumnavigating the globe in 78 days, 14 hours and 40 minutes, travelling 18 032 miles through 16 countries and breaking 2 official Guinness World Records. No stranger to epic cycle rides, he has written books … Continue reading Mark Beaumont: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018

Presenter and author Julia Bradbury talks to Julia Wheeler about her life, work, writing and walking. Julia tells us how important access to the great outdoors is, whether you are a keen hill walker or a Sunday stroller, however fit or unfit, with equal opportunities for all. She talks about her latest ITV programme Britain’s Best … Continue reading Julia Bradbury: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018 (Thursday 1st February)

Ash Dykes and Tobias Mews tick off the 2018 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival by talking to Paul Blezard about their epic adventures and give practical guidance and expert tips on how to make and complete your own adventure. Whether it’s discovering a new place and a new way to get there; or reaching your nearest summit … Continue reading Ash Dykes and Tobias Mews: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018

Do we really understand the northern lights? Speaking about her new book and describing Arctic journeys culminating in a spectacular solar eclipse, Melanie Windridge brings together space, place and science in style. With Julia Wheeler.  

Geographer, broadcaster, explorer and writer Nicholas Crane will explore the natural and human history that has shaped our landscape from the Ice Age to the present day in this illustrated talk which celebrates the wonderful diversity of our countryside and cities. FYI, the website Nicholas mentions in this podcast is here.

If your travel motivation is to discover new flavours, this culinary panel will take your tastebuds on an adventure. Caroline Eden & Eleanor Ford (Samarkand), John Wright, author of the River Cottage Foraging Guides (A Natural History of the Hedgerow) and Elisabeth Luard (Squirrel Pie And Other Stories) discuss how exploring different countries’ food can … Continue reading Culinary Adventures // Stanfords Travel Writers Festival

TV presenter and author Simon Reeve talks to Julia Wheeler and shares tales from more than 110 countries he has travelled to making programmes for the BBC, including his new series on Turkey, due to air this spring.

What is the origin of the ISIS flag? Why are so many African flags red, yellow and green? Sunday Times bestselling author Tim Marshall will be here to discuss his latest book, revealing the histories, the power and the politics of the symbols that unite us – and divide us: flags.

Paul Blezard talks to the award-winning comedian and broadcaster Jon Holmes as he shares a personal journey of how he went from being an unwanted baby in the Midlands to a wanted man in the state of Texas, and everything else that happened along the way.

Award-winning travel writer John Gimlette turns his keen, ever-curious eye on the island nation of Sri Lanka, as explored in his latest book, Elephant Complex. Join him for this engaging and witty talk as he reveals a country struggling to free itself from trauma, and to embody an identity to match its vitality, its power … Continue reading John Gimlette, Travels in Sri Lanka // Stanfords Travel Writers Festival

Join holiday bargain-hunter Andrew Fraser, travel safety guru Lloyd Figgins and Author and Wanderlust Magazine Editor Phoebe Smith as they talk to Julia Wheeler about how to fly further for less, and how to stay safe as you explore the world.    

TV presenter and author Simon Reeve talks to Julia Wheeler and shares tales from more than 110 countries he has travelled to making programmes for the BBC, including his new series on Turkey, due to air this spring.

John Simpson is the BBC’s World Affairs Editor, and has twice been the Royal Television Society’s Journalist of the Year. He has also won three BAFTAs, including the Richard Dimbleby Award in 1991 and the News and Current Affairs award in 2000 for his coverage of the Kosovo conflict. Join him as he discusses his … Continue reading John Simpson, in conversation // Stanfords Travel Writers Festival

Join Huw Lewis-Jones as he delves into the journals and sketchbooks of some of the world’s most remarkable travellers, naturalists, oceanographers, astronauts, archaeologists, mountaineers and explorers from the 16th century to the present day, among them Captain Scott, Edmund Hillary, Jan Morris, Alfred Russel Wallace and Charles Darwin. He also tells us a few things … Continue reading Hew Lewis-Jones, Inside Explorers’ Sketchbooks // Stanfords Travel Writers Festival

Join inspirational British adventurer Sarah Outen as she shares the incredible story of her 25,000 mile journey around the planet by bicycle, canoe and kayak – from her latest book Dare to Do, a tale of true courage and determination to continue on against all odds.

Named by The Times as one of the greatest post-war British writers, travel writer and novelist Colin Thubron speaks to Julia Wheeler about a life filled with remarkable journeys – from Damascus to Siberia. He also talks about his latest novel Night of Fire.

Presenter of ITV’s Wish You Were Here and the BBC’s Holiday, John Carter takes the stage to share tales of behind the scenes mishaps and hilarious encounters with famous names from his many years as a professional globe-trotter. He also reads from his new book Gullible’s Travels: Confessions of an International Towel Thief.

Join acclaimed authors Travis Elborough (A Walk in the Park, Atlas of Improbable Places) and Malachy Tallack (60 Degrees North, The Un-Discovered Islands) as they discuss places of legend and wonder, the obscure, the beautiful and the downright odd. Expect a fascinating journey to the world’s most incredible locations – real and imagined – as … Continue reading Malachy Tallack and Travis Elborough, Improbable Places and Un-Discovered Islands // Stanfords Travel Writers Festival