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Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast
June 9th - Left high and dry aboard LNER's Aberdeen service
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I’m on the 9.52am train from Aberdeen to London King's Cross – the only one in the LNER timetable on which alcohol is banned, and then only as far south as Newcastle. “We expect a number of large groups to be travelling on this train,” says the train operator. “So to help make it a pleasant experience for everyone, we'll be operating an alcohol-free policy for part of the journey.” But drinking is banned on every ScotRail train, and at every Scottish station. In Northern Ireland, the legality of alcohol depends on what sort of train you are on. And on all public transport in London, drinking has been illegal for 15 years.
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April 22nd - Heathrow strikes Alert: what you need to know
06:49I unpack the impending strikes at Heathrow Airport, scheduled by PCS and Unite union members. I'll delve into the potential impact on travelers and discuss the roles of the UK Border Force and AFS Aviation refueling service staff.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday.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.