Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Part two of my report from the west coast of Florida – and I am in Anna Maria Island, meeting independent retailers and the local oyster hero, as well as finding out about the secret life of dolphins.

I have managed to swerve the worst of the wintry weather in the UK. I booked a £501 return flight to Tampa on the west coast of Florida and headed south to the city of Bradenton, which offers kayaking through revived mangrove – and a working fishing village.

Motoring in America is different from the UK. I'm driving along in an automobile with the cinematographer and director Douglas Bolton, who's an expert on US motoring. He's been putting me right about the key points to be aware of. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's newsletter. Sign up here for a weekly update.

Bradford begins its year as the UK City of Culture with an extraordinary opening event on January 10th. Simon Calder speaks with Shanaz Gulzar, creative director of the program, about the city's rich industrial heritage, stunning architecture, and diverse culture. From the Brontës’ wild moors to the newly reopened Science and Media Museum, Bradford promises a year of artistic innovation and exploration.This podcast is free, as is The Independent Travel newsletter, which you can subscribe to here and have delivered every Friday.

Amid headlines warning of skyrocketing airfares due to a new "flight tax," Simon Calder unpacks the reality of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate. It's not a tax, nor Labour’s policy, but a step towards greener aviation adopted under Conservative leadership.This podcast is free, as is The Independent Travel newsletter, which you can subscribe to here and have delivered every Friday.

Mark Smith, the Man in Seat 61, joins Simon Calder to unravel the myth of a 13-country rail journey. They discuss the route’s logistical impossibilities, the story’s viral origins, and how it fuels excitement for international train travel.This podcast is free, as is The Independent Travel newsletter, which you can subscribe to here and have delivered every Friday.

A third chaotic weekend in a row for the UK's airline passengers. Normally we expect disruption over Christmas but by the time it's the 6th of January things clear up, but not this year I'm afraid. We are talking serious flight disruption, the fog and snow are partly responsible.This podcast is free, as is The Independent Travel newsletter, which you can subscribe to here and have delivered every Friday.

In today’s podcast, I speak with Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 Holidays and Jet2.com, about the airline’s ambitious expansion in 2025, including new bases in Bournemouth and Luton. We discuss the growing holiday demand, the company’s award-winning customer service, and the retirement of their last Boeing 757 this weekend, marking the transition to a cleaner, quieter Airbus A321neo fleet.This podcast is free, as is The Independent Travel newsletter, which you can subscribe to here and have delivered every Friday.

Sue Heath was removed from her British Airways flight to Malta just before Christmas, despite her UK passport meeting all post-Brexit EU entry requirements. In today’s podcast, I explore the alarming misunderstanding of passport rules by BA staff at Gatwick and the implications for travellers, sharing insights into Sue’s experience and advice for passengers facing similar issues.This podcast is free, as is The Independent Travel newsletter, which you can subscribe to here and have delivered every Friday.