Simon Calder looks at GMB and Unite union BA workers decision to strike and how it may affect service.

British Airways ground staff at London Heathrow vote to strike. No dates for industrial action yet. My take on what It could mean. Of course this podcast is free, much like my newsletter which you can get every Friday, just subscribe at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters

June 23rd - British Airways workers announce strike action

Certainly the experience of hopping around Canada has been much inferior to budget airlines in the UK

Today, I’m on board yet another delayed Air Canada flight. I don’t even know if there’s such a thing as an on-time departure on the Canadian national carrier but certainly, the experience of hopping around Canada has been much inferior to budget airlines in the UK. When flights are disrupted, passengers want to be kept informed. But on my series of late flights from Chicago to Montreal, Quebec City to Toronto, Winnipeg to Toronto, and Toronto to London - gate staff, cabin crew, and pilots have opted to keep quiet and let passengers stew. It’s a useful reminder that the likes of EasyJet, Jet2, and Ryanair are generally good at communication. Other Canadian airlines, such as Air Transat and WestJet, are available. Of course this podcast is free, as is my newsletter that you can get every Friday. Sign up here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters

August 17th - Yet another delayed Air Canada flight

Simon Calder shares with you his best tips for getting a good deal on hotel bookings.

Today I'm stepping out from the absolutely gorgeous 1930s Ambassador Hotel and into the streets of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As I do so, I share with you my best tips for booking hotels and what you can do to get yourself the best possible deal. Of course this podcast is free, as is my newsletter that you can get every Friday. Sign up here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters

August 16th - Hotel booking top tips

Simon Calder gives a glimpse into life aboard a train in America.

Pulling out of Detroit by rail, you really get a glimpse of America hurtling by. As I made my way to Chicago, you can see the ghosts of suburbs long gone, forests and woodland and a slightly archaic train system in operation. Here's what to be aware of if you're making your way by train in America. Of course this podcast is free, as is my newsletter that you can get every Friday. Sign up here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters

August 15th - Taking to America's railroads

It's fall from grace is well-known, but my trip to Detroit has really disheartened me.

One of the shining examples of America's post-war optimism and wealth creation as millions chased the American Dream, Detroit has fallen on rather hard times of late. It's fall from grace is well documented, but my visit to the home of motown has left me wondering where the soul is now. Of course this podcast is free, as is my newsletter that is available every Friday. Sign up here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters

August 12th - Trying to find the soul of Detroit

Simon Calder extols the virtues of staying in hostels when travelling.

I have just checked out of The Clarence Park hostel in central Toronto, which is a joy – on a budget. In today's podcast, I talk to you about the opportunities that hostels offer when travelling. If you don’t want to pay too much for your trip, then it's your best bet! Of course this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters

August 11th - In praise of the backpacker hostel

The ruins of an early hydroelectric project on “Electric Island” are at the centre of a thrilling urban park.

Today I’ve travelled 100 miles north from Quebec City to the thoroughly intriguing city of Saguenay. As you approach, you drive through the usual North American suburban tedium – and suddenly find yourself on the shore of a fjord that runs east to the St Lawrence River. A waterside boardwalk takes you towards a compelling industrial archaeological site. The old papermill is now a museum, while the ruins of an early hydroelectric project on “Electric Island” are at the centre of a thrilling urban park. Of course this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters

August 10th - The thoroughly intriguing city of Saguenay

Quebec City has created an Olympic-sized swimming pool in the port, where you can bathe in the water of the St Lawrence River

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.

August 9th - Swimming in the rain, I'm swimming in the rain

Travellers in Canada chosen for random coronvirus testing who test positive must go into 10 days of hotel quarantine.

Even in the third summer since the start of the Covid pandemic, many traps await the unwary traveller. One of the strangest, to my mind, is the new requirement from the Canadian authorities for a post-arrival test for a random selection of travellers, including international visitors. Anyone who tests positive must go into 10 days of hotel quarantine. I got through Montreal airport successfully, but I’ve been hearing from people who were chosen... Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters.

August 8th - Canada's random Covid-19 testing policy

Simon Calder takes you on a journey of frustration as he touches down in Montreal.

And the winner of the worst flight of 2022 goes to Air Canada flight AC8968 from Chicago to Montreal. We join Simon on board at 2am after they have been waiting half-an-hour for an airbridge, extending the delay to three hours. This podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter, which you can sign up for at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters

August 4th - And the winner of the worst flight of 2022 goes to Air Canada flight AC8968

Simon Calder is the Independent’s travel correspondent, the UK’s leading travel journalist. From news updates to discussions with experts, Simon Calder and the Independent Travel Podcast will bring you all you need to know from the world of travel.

Simon Calder is the Independent’s travel correspondent, the UK’s leading travel journalist. From news updates to discussions with experts, Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast will bring you all you need to know from the world of travel.

Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

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June 23rd - British Airways workers announce strike action

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August 16th - Hotel booking top tips

August 15th - Taking to America's railroads

August 12th - Trying to find the soul of Detroit