Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

For the final part of my exclusive week-long series with Trailfinders founder and chairman, Sir Mike Gooley, I learn about his relationship with the late Queen, his succession planning for his travel firm and what he does with his considerable cash – and that doesn’t include buying a superyacht.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.

Day four of my conversation with Trailfinders founder and chairman Sir Mike Gooley, in which he reveals how the company name was chosen; why booking online isn't always brilliant; and how the firm very briefly owned a light aircraft.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.

Sir Mike Gooley CBE, founder and chairman of Trailfinders, has given The Independent an exclusive, in-depth interview about his innovative company – which has been unlocking the world for millions of people since its inception in 1970.Today: the mission of the firm, and how he kept it afloat in the early days by instructing motorists on the overland trail to Africa.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.

All week I am talking to Sir Mike Gooley CBE, founder and chairman of Trailfinders, about the story of this innovative company – which has been unlocking the world for millions of people since its inception in 1970.Today: why he thinks booking travel through a human being is better than going online, and how Trailfinders could pay instant refunds to customers when Covid struck.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.

All week I am talking to Sir Mike Gooley CBE, founder and chairman of Trailfinders, about the story of this innovative company – which has been unlocking the world for millions of people since its inception in 1970.Today: how he spotted a gap in the market.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.

LNER is saying don't travel on the East Coast main line between Doncaster and York unless you really have to. On the West Coast main line there will be planned disruption all weekend. And the skies aren't looking too clever.Good luck everyone.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.

I'm aboard the 8.26am from London to Sunderland, run by "open access" train operator Grand Central. My ticket cost £42. Grand Central had to pay around £2 in commission to rival LNER, with whom I chose to book because of a cashback offer.I think train operators should behave more like budget airlines.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.

I have been enjoying an excellent day out from the Croatian city of Split to Krka National Park and the town of Skradin. The excellent local guide, Mate (pronounced Matay) used WhatsApp to keep everyone in the loop – sending out maps, coordinating movements and ensuring everyone was on the bus at precisely the right time. Eye-opening in all senses.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.

It's Travel Desk Tuesday so I'm talking to my excellent colleague Natalie Wilson about the curtailment of Britain's longest rail route, the bus vs the train and the upcoming South Wales Metro.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.