Best Simon Calder Podcasts (2025)

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October 30th - Inside the world of Jack's Flight Club 6:29

Play Pause

2h ago6:29

6:29

Jack's Flight Club is an enterprise that specialises in finding exceptional deals on tickets to Europe and beyond. I've always been intrigued about how it works – and Head of Community and Content, Katy Maclure, has been revealing the inner workings. “We're the guys who do the hard graft and let you know when the price is right.” This podcast is fr…

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S9 Ep3: Our Love Affair with Travel with journalist Simon Calder 32:12

15d ago32:12

32:12

Simon Calder is the man with the answers when it comes to any travel related questions. Having started as a travel journalist at the Independent newspaper in 1994, Simon has decades of knowledge and insight when it comes to the travel industry. He joins our host Will Hutton to impart some of his expertise and they tackle topics from the pros and co…

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S9 Ep5: Evidence for change: rethinking child poverty policy with Alex Beer 27:34

1d ago27:34

27:34

Our guest today, Alex Beer, joins us at a critical time as the UK Government prepares to publish its child poverty strategy this autumn. According to official numbers, there are 4.5 million children living in poverty in the UK and 1.1m children are in families that have used a food bank in the past year. The Nuffield Foundation launched a major new…

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October 29th - 'You'll feel like at home, only better': Chisinau tourist guide Irina Iacoban 6:35

1d ago6:35

6:35

In the Moldovan capital, deep set in autumn, I've been enjoying a walk and talk with Irina – who helps tourists make the most of a beautiful and intriguing city. Just search for "free tour Chisinau" – and of course tip, between 100 and 200 lei (£4.50-£9). This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it del…

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October 28th - Eastern Airways closes down – what happens next? 6:03

2d ago6:03

6:03

The latest UK regional airline to closed down is Eastern Airways, which linked Aberdeen with Teesside, Humberside and Wick airports as well as flying between Gatwick and Newquay. What happens next? 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/priva…

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October 27th - How badly wrong can an Airbnb booking go? 6:26

3d ago6:26

6:26

At the weekend I was in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, to report on the finish of the latest Lupine Travel race across Europe. Chatting to past winner and pal of mine Bram Houtenbos, I learnt he had a fabulous city-centre apartment with a spare room. Yes, I could split the cost with him – a real win-win! Except that in the early hours of the morni…

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October 24th - Winter is coming ... on Sunday 26 October the northern hemisphere winter season begins for the world's airlines 6:17

6d ago6:17

6:17

Aviation analyst Sean Moulton tells me about some of the new routes, which include Pakistan International returning to the UK. Aberdeen to Paris and Manchester to Ljubljana are among his other 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.co…

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October 23rd - Secret Maps: Unlocking a world in which travellers are not supposed to know where's where 4:52

7d ago4:52

4:52

The British Library, right next door to London St Pancras International, has a new exhibition – opening tomorrow, Friday 24 October – about the way that cartography has been used to conceal and confuse through the ages. I toured a preview with Tony Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet, who has supported the project. This podcast is free, as is Inde…

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October 22nd - Is there really a future in "Green Travel?" 6:52

8d ago6:52

6:52

My guest today is Richard Hammond, founder of Green Traveller – an organisation that aims to provide news and inspiration about lower-carbon holidays. We're talking at a time when the Berlin-Paris sleeper train is about to come to a shuddering halt. But Richard says competition between rail firms can lead to the kind of growth we saw with low-cost …

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S9 Ep4: Inoculating the mind: protecting against misinformation with Sander van der Linden 34:48

8d ago34:48

34:48

Professor Sander van der Linden explores the impact of misinformation and how to prevent its spread within the general public. His work as Professor of Social Psychology at the University of Cambridge and Director of the Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab focuses on the origins of "fake news" and its role in societal divisions. In this conversati…

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October 21st - Can Sweden enhance your mind and body in winter? 5:19

9d ago5:19

5:19

Travel desk Tuesday – and my colleague, senior travel writer Natalie Wilson, has been writing about a Visit Sweden initiative that seeks to promote physical and mental well-being for the traveller to Scandinavia (as well as boosting the fortunes of the local travel industry). Travel anywhere, in my experience, is always a restorative. This podcast …

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October 20th - Is Manchester really a key force in UK aviation? 6:07

10d ago6:07

6:07

That's the claim from aviation analyst Sean Moulton, who I met in his home town, Manchester. We talked about the way Britain's third-biggest airport – after Heathrow and Gatwick – is getting more intercontinental links, and becoming a hub between Asia and North America. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up her…

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October 17th - 25 years on: Kicheche Safari Camps – a model for wildlife tourism? 5:31

13d ago5:31

5:31

In the year 2000, two travel professionals with experience across Africa teamed up to create a safari camp that brings together nature, community, energy and inspiration in Kenya's Maasai Mara. A quarter-century on, my guest Greg Monson and his partner Paul Goldstein are still working their socks off to provide great travel experiences that support…

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October 16th - New trains for old on Chiltern Railways, linking London Marylebone with Banbury and Birmingham 5:41

14d ago5:41

5:41

On a shiny 21st-century train with just one careful previous owner, I am talking to Richard Allan – managing director of Chiltern Railways – about new rolling stock for a network that currently relies on trains nearly half a century old. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inb…

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October 15th - EU entry-exit system: UK borders minister on the new challenges for travellers 5:28

15d ago5:28

5:28

At London St Pancras International, hub for Eurostar – and one of three locations in the UK where passport control is carried out before departing for France – I caught up with Alex Norris, Minister for Border Security and Asylum. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hos…

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October 14th - Inside the world of British Airways cabin crew 5:31

16d ago5:31

5:31

My colleague, senior travel writer Natalie Wilson, has been telling me more about the making of a film about training to be cabin crew. 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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October 13th - Entry-exit system arrives – and I try it out 5:58

17d ago5:58

5:58

I'm in Prague, tackling the Kafkaesque bureaucracy of the new Schengen area digital borders scheme. 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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October 10th - Entry-exit system starts on Sunday – hear from Abta's EES expert 7:19

20d ago7:19

7:19

This weekend it's not exact all change for British holidaymakers going to the European Union and wider Schengen area – but some of us will have our fingerprints and facial biometrics taken. I've been talking to Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs for Abta, the travel association, who – like me – has been reading EU directives and regulati…

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October 9th - How to make the most of Mallorca 5:38

21d ago5:38

5:38

Today I'm talking to Alex Smith – who has lived and worked in the travel industry in Mallorca for two decades. Five years ago she created the YouTube channel Mallorca Under the Sun, helping prospective visitors to our favourite Mediterranean island. She's been telling me about the highlights of the island – and why it's worth getting out of the res…

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October 8th - How to start – and run – a successful travel business 5:47

22d ago5:47

5:47

Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel and Internova Leisure, tells me that this chain of travel agencies grew from a single branch in a suburb of Glasgow half a century ago. Its key difference: staying open later, seven days a week, which in 1975 was revolutionary. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign u…

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S9 Ep2: Saving the 86 bus and designing better cities for the old and young with Tine Buffell and Julia King 33:13

22d ago33:13

33:13

By AcSS

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October 7th - "The universe is looking favourably on northern Spain" 6:28

23d ago6:28

6:28

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October 6th - The amazing city tour that invites rewards in the form of donations to charity 6:23

24d ago6:23

6:23

Meet Dr Nick Brown, resident of Palma in Mallorca. His day job is as data sleuth, but he also does all he can to help tourists make the most of the island that he has made his home. He offers tours on an entirely pro bono basis – with a request that satisfied customers donate to a homeless charity. More details here: https://www.facebook.com/profil…

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October 3rd - Flight cancellations – what is the best way to deal with them? 7:50

27d ago7:50

7:50

That's the discussion I've been having with my excellent colleague, global travel editor Annabel Grossman. In September we both had flight cancellations, and without a buffer that can trigger stress and disappointment. It's worth politely and respectfully pushing back to ask for better replacement flights. Best of all, have your flight cancelled on…

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October 2nd - The insider's guide to "status matching" with travel loyalty schemes 8:14

28d ago8:14

8:14

Rob Burgess, founder of the frequent flyer website Head for Points, explains how to benefit from this quirk: could status with one airline earn you the equivalent of British Airways Silver with the help of a $199 payment? This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Ac…

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PODCAST 225 ANATOMY OF A MOUNTAIN TREK 29:55

29d ago29:55

29:55

Join us for a brief but steep hike through the Pyrenees in the footsteps of exiles and refugees and the hoofprints of sheep, cows and isards.

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October 1st - Is the Airbus A321 XLR the biggest gamechanger in aviation? 7:19

29d ago7:19

7:19

That's the belief of Rhys Jones of the frequent-flyer website Head for Points, who explains why the economics of the extra long range narrow-bodied twin jet makes it the perfect plane for many unserved routes. But watch out for meal times ... This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to you…

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S9 Ep1: Emergency planning is more about tea than being James Bond with Lucy Easthope 33:21

29d ago33:21

33:21

Professor Lucy Easthope is a leading authority on recovering from disaster and she joins our host Will Hutton in the first episode of Season 9 of the We Society. They discusses the long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and other disasters on societal resilience. Drawing from her experiences and insights in emergency planning, she highligh…

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September 30th - Play, a low-cost Icelandic airline, has shut down 7:04

1M ago7:04

7:04

The carrier is telling passengers: “All flights have been cancelled.” Around 500 staff have lost their jobs. It follows former Icelandic carriers Primera Air and Wow Air into aviation oblivion; those airlines failed in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Last summer I talked to the chief executive, Einar Örn Ólafsson, who set out his vision. Sadly, it was …

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September 29th - Entry-exit system: 'We're ready, so bring it on' 7:16

1M ago7:16

7:16

That's the message from Yann Leriche, chief executive of Getlink – the company that runs Eurotunnel and LeShuttle car-carrying operation between Folkestone and Calais. He's been talking me through the planning and the experience once the EU's digital border scheme begins. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up h…

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September 26th - Meet Linger, the company that wants to organise the ultimate career break for you 7:53

1M ago7:53

7:53

Steve Wilson, founder of Linger, tells me that many legal and financial services firms are happy for their top people to take sabbatical – a break to help them re-energise – and he and his team can deliver life-changing experiences. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. H…

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September 25th - All change for British travellers to Europe from 12 October 4:57

1M ago4:57

4:57

Hi from London St Pancras International – most beautiful railway station in the world, and also the hub for Eurostar. I am talking to Simon Lejeune, Chief Safety and Stations Officer for the cross-Channel rail firm, about the big changes the impending entry-exit system will bring. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. …

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September 24th - Gatwick – what will expansion mean, and when will passengers get to benefit? 4:08

1M ago4:08

4:08

My guest is Stewart Wingate, Vinci Airports Managing Director for United Kingdom, overseeing future development and strategic direction of London Gatwick, Edinburgh Airport and Belfast International. 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/pri…

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S8 Ep9: The We Society Season 9 Trailer 1:33

1M ago1:33

1:33

Join host Will Hutton for Season 9 of the We Society from next week to hear some of the best ideas to shape the way we live. Launching October 1 with an interview with Lucy Easthope, an international adviser on disaster recovery. In this podcast series, you will hear interviews from social scientists, business leaders and public figures to hear the…

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September 23rd - Check out this guide to the Czech Republic 5:16

1M ago5:16

5:16

I am in Brno in the Czech Republic, where I have come to meet Kevan Vogler – a Canadian who has been living in his adopted homeland of the Czech Republic for more than 20 years, and is therefore the ideal person to write Culture Smart! Czech Republic: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly …

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September 22nd - Gatwick's second runway gets government go ahea 6:07

1M ago6:07

6:07

I've been covering airport expansion in south-east England for decades. Could this finally be the moment when an additional runway is pressed into service, or will it get tangled up in controversy? 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/priva…

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September 19th - Should the retirement age for pilots be raised from 65 to 67? 4:50

1M ago4:50

4:50

That's the recommendation of the International Air Transport Association (Iata). Opponents say the airlines see raising the age limit as an attempt to deal with a temporary shortage of pilots. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency says the risk of a serious health incident on the flight desk increases with age, and that skills decline with the …

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September 18th - What happens in the wake of an aviation tragedy? 7:13

1M ago7:13

7:13

Flying is incredibly safe. But as we have seen over the past nine months, accidents happen with tragic consequences. I am talking to Elmarie Marais, the chief executive of GoCrisis – a company that works with airlines to prepare emergency procedures, and gets to work to care for the loved ones of the victims. As I make clear, aviation has an outsta…

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September 17th - Andorra in summer? 4:38

1M ago4:38

4:38

I am still in southwest France, specifically at Toulouse airport departure lounge, where I am talking to Jackie Banfill and Frank Epstein – who have been in the high Pyrenean co-principality of Andorra. I know the place mainly from winter, but they say it is glorious in summer. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sig…

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September 16th - What happens when your flight is cancelled at the airport? 6:46

1M ago6:46

6:46

I'm just on the French side of the Pyrenees, but I reached here – with my hiking friend Mick – after some extreme stress, when our Vueling flight from Gatwick to Barcelona was cancelled at the airport. 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/p…

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September 15th - Checking in bags for a flight? Don't head for the airport without hearing from Steve Kelso from Gatwick 6:11

2M ago6:11

6:11

Steve is Head of Engineering at the UK's second-busiest airport, and responsible for the baggage systems. Almost all the time things work well for the passenger, the airport and the airline. But sometimes bags with loose straps and the like can gum up the system. And if you leave old barcodes on your case (those little labels) your bag might end up…

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September 12th - As the Tube strike ends – what was it all about, and will we see more? 7:11

2M ago7:11

7:11

All week I have been covering the strike by members of the RMT union working for London Underground, which has paralysed the capital. While some Tube trains have been running on each day, they represent only a tiny fraction of the network. I took one of the rare trains running from Baker Street to Harrow-on-the-Hill, sharing the journey with a pige…

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September 11th - What's happening in aviation? Jeremy Bowen is the man who knows 7:03

2M ago7:03

7:03

The summer has actually been excellent in terms of coming out of the UK," says Jeremy. While the peak day for flights from the UK is still back before Covid, in October 2019, and UK-US flights are showing a downturn, the trend is unrelentingly upwards. North Africa bookings doubled this summer and the Middle East is expanding ... This podcast is fr…

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PODCAST 224 Station to Station 29:01

2M ago29:01

29:01

Join Simon and Mick on the nearest thing to a hill climb that South London can offer. But will it be a suitable rehearsal for their forthcoming trek in the Pyrenees?

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September 10th - Not Hot List – places off the tourism mainstream, from Nevada to Sierra Leone 5:47

2M ago5:47

5:47

Today is the day that Intrepid Travel has revealed its Not Hot List – places off the tourism mainstream, from Nevada to Sierra Leone. I've been speaking to Hazel Maguire, chief marketing officer for the adventure travel company. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hoste…

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September 9th - Walking from Scotland via England to Wales – what are the highlights? 7:36

2M ago7:36

7:36

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 h…

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September 8th - Autumn and winter in Austria: what awaits the traveller? 6:01

2M ago6:01

6:01

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 …

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September 5th - Today is National Travel Agent Day – and here's a top travel figure on a mission 5:27

2M ago5:27

5:27

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 m…

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September 4th - The freedom of Europe – how to make the most of the current Interrail flash sale 8:09

2M ago8:09

8:09

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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September 3rd - Dollar dives, euro strengthens, and the surprise third currency 6:07

2M ago6:07

6:07

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. Sig…