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Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast
August 9th - Swimming in the rain, I'm swimming in the rain
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Swimming in the rain, I've just been swimming in the rain. Quebec City has created something special at the docks this summer: L’Oasis. This an Olympic-sized swimming pool in the port, where you bathe in the water of the St Lawrence River. It is quite the most exhilarating urban experience I have had in a long time. An entire dock has been filled with the essentials for a top-class swimming pool: boardwalks, proper lanes and a children’s area. It’s a little rudimentary, but the water is tested each day for cleanliness and the temperature is entirely agreeable. Let’s hope it becomes a summer regular – and that other cities pick up the idea.
Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters.
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April 19th - Reevaluating wildlife tourism with Paul Goldstein
07:12Over 20 years in the travel industry, Paul Goldstein has gained a reputation as a forthright commentator on all things related to travel.In today’s travel podcast, the wildlife guide and photographer shares forthright opinions on "eco-tourism", the value of visitors in preserving wildlife, and the value – or otherwise – of influencers.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday.April 18th - Stranded at Dubai: a travel crisis examined
06:38I, Simon Calder, break down the crisis at Dubai International Airport where a storm has left many travelers stranded. I'll cover your entitlements and the broader impacts on global travel, providing essential advice for navigating disruptions and securing your rights as a traveler.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday.April 17th - Global wanderer Arvi Bahal on his holiday in one of the world’s most dangerous places
07:28It's possible that no one's bucket list is more complete than Arvi Bahal's.He is one of the rare human beings who has travelled to every single country on earth - and not just the tourist spots.I talk to the global wanderer about his lust for extreme travel, and why he chose to holiday in Mogadishu, Somalia - one of the world’s most dangerous places.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday.April 16th - What to know if you're flying to the Middle East
07:28I'm at Heathrow airport – assessing the prospects for travellers who are flying to and from the Middle East, Asia and Australasia in the light of increasing tensions.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday.April 15th - Is JFK the worst airport in the world?
06:56Some say New York JFK is not the worst airport in the world. It's my first visit here since early 2020, and I hoped the main US gateway had improved. But it's even worse. And if you take the Airtrain (one good thing about it), beware the Jamaica jive.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday.April 11th - "I’ve come to look for America"
06:55Today I'm on the Greyhound bus from Albany New York to Boston, celebrating 110 years of this remarkable transportational institution.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday.April 10th - Greetings from the Ethan Allen Express
06:51I am aboard the Ethan Allen Express train from Middlebury Vermont to Saratoga Springs New York State. There's only one such southbound train a day. Fares are heavily subsidised, and yet it's barely one-third full.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday.April 9th - The solar eclipse from Montreal
06:16I'm speaking to you from Montreal where I marvelled at yesterday's solar eclipse. Have a listen to the excitement I recorded as night descended for roughly 90 seconds over the crowds. Sadly what you can't hear is the confused seagulls who had no idea what was going on. But no animal behaves as strangely as humans during an eclipse.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday.April 8th - Awaiting the Great American Eclipse: an airport diary
05:51Join me, Simon Calder, as I navigate the suspense and excitement at Heathrow's Gate B32, waiting to board the Eclipse Express to Montreal. Discover the celestial mechanics and the fervent hopes of eclipse chasers eager to witness the solar spectacle sweeping across North America.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday.