Pack Your Bags

Russell is joined by some of our star-studded Season 2 guests — from Paul C. Brunson to Larry Lamb and Denise Van Outen — to play agony aunt and solve some of your dilemmas in this Bonus Dilemmas episode!

Author, journalist, and Breakfast TV icon Ben Shephard joins Russell to talk all things travel—from family holidays to fitness routines abroad. He offers practical advice for travelling with teenagers, including how to handle that milestone moment when they want to bring a romantic partner along. As a self-confessed fitness obsessive, he shares his go-to tips for staying active while away, and recommends destinations that cater to both thrill-seekers and laid-back loungers. Plus, in a candid moment, he opens up about living with ADHD, and how it has shaped both his life and the way he experiences travel.

On this episode of Pack Your Bags, podcaster, Celebs Go Dating co-host, and trained therapist Anna Williamson shares her expert insights and hilarious travel stories. She opens up about her personal battle with travel anxiety and reveals the tools and techniques that help her stay calm on the move. Anna also dives into practical advice for fellow travelers on how to push past their comfort zones and conquer their nerves. Plus, the hilariously awkward hotel room spooning mishap she’ll never forget.

Pack Your Bags Episode Teaser

Russell is joined by the multi-talented Denise Van Outen, who reveals her adventurous approach to holidays—often centered around DJing, golfing, or trekking. She shares how she took up golf in her 40s, calling it the perfect post-divorce passion. Denise also opens up about her love of cruises and why they’ve become a staple in her travel plans. Her ideal cruise? One that’s all about the party.

Legendary Larry Lamb joins Russell to share stories from a lifetime of travel—from trekking through the Himalayas with his son to exploring the coastal towns of Canada. He opens up about his idea of the perfect trip, which, in later life, has become all about solo travel. For Larry, true happiness is found alone on a beach, building a fire from a piece of driftwood. And his packing list? It perfectly reflects that vision.

Girls Aloud icon Kimberley Walsh joins Russell to share her must pack travel items that help on tour and with her three sons. They also discuss what it was like to experience the world through touring in a band at such a young age. Nearly 20 years later, she reflects on how her travel habits—and those of her bandmates—have evolved, and what it's like hitting the road again after all these years. Plus, Kimberley shares why Barbados is one of her most treasured travel destinations and what it was like to tie the knot on the island.

Stacey Dooley joins Russell to share what's she learnt touring the world making documentaries. She opens up about the powerful stories and unique experiences that have shaped her perspective along the way, including the time a kind stranger gave her a slab of fish while travelling! Stacey also reflects on how her approach to travel has evolved since becoming a new mum, discussing both the joys and the challenges of balancing motherhood with her adventurous career.

Dr. Ranj joins Russell to share strategies to help stay healthy while travelling. But not to worry, it's not all keeping to a strict schedule and routine, Dr. Ranj says it's all in moderation and even he goes straight for the chips at the buffet. When it comes to warding off travel illnesses he shares his handy formula "SOAPP". He also reveals how “scent” plays a significant role in his own travel experiences and reminisces about his favorite memories, including dancing with Kylie Minogue at the Sydney Opera House.

Paul C. Brunson is an internationally recognised relationship expert, entrepreneur, and television host. He's also the host of #1 podcast 'We Need to Talk'. Paul currently serves as co-host of Celebs Go Dating and Married At First Sight UK, relationship consultant on Lorraine, and featured expert on Steven Bartlett's 'The Diary of a CEO'. He's also the Head of Global Insight at Tinder. Major media outlets such as Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Guardian, USA Today and Sunday Brunch have sought his wisdom. Hailed by Oprah Winfrey as 'much more than a matchmaker, Brunson has also been named the world's most influential matchmaker by the Matchmaking Institute.

Ellie Simmonds has circled the globe twice—first as an Olympian, then on a daring solo adventure. But even a seasoned traveler like Ellie gets nervous, and her must-have item? Polos. Ellie shares with Russell how Polos ease her anxiety and recounts travel highlights, from sleeper trains to wild swimming.

What does a chef pack for a holiday? His entire knife set, of course! Chef Marcus Wareing enjoys exploring local cuisine and cooking with regional ingredients while vacationing with his family in places like France, Japan, and Italy. Now that his children are all grown up, he reflects with Russell on what it’s been like to travel with them over the years—reminiscing, in particular, about the time he and his son accidentally skied across the border into another country.

Rob Beckett is famously candid about the challenges of parenthood, and in this chat with Russell, he doesn’t hold back—sharing the highs and lows of traveling with small kids, from stashing buffet pasta in his pockets to embracing guilt-free breaks. He opens up his suitcase, revealing must-know travel hacks that every parent needs to make life easier.

Oti kicks off season two in style, joining Russell to talk about travelling after Strictly Come Dancing, rediscovering South Africa and what it’s like to travel with a baby. Oti was touring since she was a teenager, but travelling for work isn’t the same as for pleasure. She started seeing the world whilst competitive dancing but now can travel on her own terms. She has fallen in love with the beaches and mountains of Romania and the thermal spas of Iceland. She also takes joy from the privilege of giving the gift of travel to her parents, who thought they’d never see the world.

Want the inside scoop on holidaying with a celebrity? Pack Your Bags and join comedian Russell Kane as he teams up with TUI to chat with famous faces from the world of sport, entertainment and more. In each episode, Russell’s guests will reveal their three holiday must-haves and share the travel adventures (and misadventures) that have helped shape their lives. That’s not all, though – they’ll also be on hand to help with travel dilemmas and answer quick-fire questions.

Sue Perkins is an unlikely intrepid traveller. She’s terrified of flying, suffers from seasickness and her childhood holidays were limited to day jaunts from Croydon to Brighton. But a decade ago, she decided to embrace the challenge and face her fears head on. Since then she has fronted travel documentaries taking her to all different corners of the world including America, South America, India and South East Asia.  What inspired her to challenge herself through travel? What tips would she give others looking to step out their comfort zone? And, how did she overcome the biggest blocker of all: her fear of flying? Feeling inspired to go on your own adventure? We are giving away 5K of TUI travel vouchers to help you plan a trip of a lifetime! Enter now to be in a chance of winning: TUI.CO.UK/packyourbags Want to double your chances of winning with another entry? Well fortunately for you, we’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire. When you finish the questionnaire, you will have a chance to enter your email address to be given a second entry – your next getaway could be closer than you think!

For Julia Bradbury, travel is an opportunity to explore new landscapes and get up close and personal with the natural world. This episode, Julia recommends some breathtaking places to get closer to nature — from the jungles of Costa Rica to the geysers of Iceland and the mountains of South Africa.  We also get into how her battle with breast cancer changed her approach to travel, her most life-affirming experiences abroad, and the adventures she has planned next for her and her family.  Feeling inspired to go on your own adventure? We are giving away 5K of TUI travel vouchers to help you plan a trip of a lifetime! Enter now to be in a chance of winning: TUI.CO.UK/packyourbags Want to double your chances of winning with another entry? Well fortunately for you, we’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire. When you finish the questionnaire, you will have a chance to enter your email address to be given a second entry – your next getaway could be closer than you think!

For self-confessed aviation nerd Riyadh Khalaf, a love of travel runs deep. From dreaming of flying planes as a kid to now travelling the world for work, Riyadh talks to Russell about how he uses travel for creative inspiration and mental rejuvenation — and why he still dreams of getting a pilot's licence one day.  The presenter, author and Celebrity MasterChef champ also gets candid about his experience travelling as a gay man — from the joys of experiencing Pride around the world to the sad realities that limit his travel options. Feeling inspired to go on your own adventure? We are giving away 5K of TUI travel vouchers to help you plan a trip of a lifetime! Enter now to be in a chance of winning: TUI.CO.UK/packyourbags Want to double your chances of winning with another entry? Well fortunately for you, we’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire. When you finish the questionnaire, you will have a chance to enter your email address to be given a second entry – your next getaway could be closer than you think! 

From exploring his native France to road trips through America and sunny island stays in Jamaica — Fred Siriex is one of the most well-travelled people on TV. What drives his enduring passion for discovering new experiences around the world?  This episode, Russell sits down with Fred to find out about his philosophy towards travel, as well as picking this famous foodie's brain about the best destinations for food and wine. You can also expect some real insider tips on France's hidden gems. Feeling inspired to go on your own adventure? We are giving away 5K of TUI travel vouchers to help you plan a trip of a lifetime! Enter now to be in a chance of winning: TUI.CO.UK/packyourbags Want to double your chances of winning with another entry? Well fortunately for you, we’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire. When you finish the questionnaire, you will have a chance to enter your email address to be given a second entry – your next getaway could be closer than you think! 

How can travel help us mentally reset and get out of our own heads? Instagram favourite comedian, Hayley Morris, shares how she uses travel as a way to inspire new ideas and to push herself to discover new things.  Hayley also shares her life long love of Disney — and why the Magic Kingdom is actually more fun as an adult! (Hint: There are amazing cocktails!) Feeling inspired to go on your own adventure? We are giving away 5K of TUI travel vouchers to help you plan a trip of a lifetime! Enter now to be in a chance of winning: TUI.CO.UK/packyourbags Want to double your chances of winning with another entry? Well fortunately for you, we’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire. When you finish the questionnaire, you will have a chance to enter your email address to be given a second entry – your next getaway could be closer than you think!