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Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast
March 4th - Travel: Things can only get better
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March hasn't started brilliantly on the travel disruption front, with ultra-long passport queues at Stansted, a delayed flight from Gatwick and a cancelled train.
But I had an appointment to talk to Decius Valmorbida, president of travel for technology firm Amadeus – and finally caught up with him at McDonald's opposite Strasbourg station.
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Is flying really cheaper?
07:23|That’s the title of a challenging event being organised by campaigning group Flight Free UK. Director Anna Hughes talks to me about exploring Europe by rail, bus and ferry rather than taking to the skies – ahead of an online event on Thursday 5 February that anyone can attend.https://www.tickettailor.com/events/flightfreeukThis podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.China: 'Go before you get too old' – because so much walking is involved
06:25|The first UK tour operator to China in the 1970s was Regent Holidays. Neil Taylor, now a tour leader and travel guide writer, was the man behind the trips behind the "Bamboo Curtain". He contrasts then with now, and offers advice for anyone seeking to take advantage of the new visa-free status of British holidaymakers.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.China visa for UK holidaymakers could be dropped as early as Monday, says top tour operator
06:44|I am talking to Wendy Wu, founder of Wendy Wu Tours, a leading provider of holidays in the People's Republic. She believes red tape for China could be untangled in just a few days.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.How do passengers feel about the luggage rules on budget airline?
05:52|Britain's biggest budget airline, easyJet, has had its knuckles rapped over its charges for larger pieces of cabin baggage. I have come to London Gatwick airport, its main base, to explain the issue – and what lies behind it – and hear from passenger Helen Baillie who never pays more than she needs.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.What are the world’s most useful currencies for travellers?
06:47|Once again I am talking to Kaya Niedenthal of the Currency Online Group – but in unusual circumstances. He is a busy man so I could interview him only on the move, from his high-rise office in London’s Waterloo to the nearby station. The dollar is king, the euro is queen and the pound is still more a prince than a joker, is my conclusion.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.Skyscanner expands its price-comparison service to include package holidays
07:19|Travel desk Tuesday, and my excellent colleague Sophie Dickinson gives her thoughts on the highly popular airfare comparison site moving into the realm of Mediterranean package holidays. She and I discuss how useful this might be for your next family trip.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.It's Australia Day – but how to make the most of the vast and distant nation?
07:24|For insights and advice I've been talking to top expert Lauren McLeod, who heads up the Australia product portfolio for Trailfinders – the largest independently-owned travel company in the UK.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.Liverpool John Lennon airport sets a new passenger record
07:32|The UK has a fabulously competitive bunch of airports as well as airlines. Today, I’m talking to John Vincent, chief executive of Liverpool John Lennon – about rivalry with Manchester, what sets the Merseyside airport apart and how important the inbound market is from Beatles fans and football supporters.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.Michael O'Leary on Elon Musk, air traffic control and drinking at airports
07:50|In which the chief executive of Ryanair – Europe’s biggest budget airline – challenges the world's richest man to an arm-wrestling contest.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.