Stanfords Travel Podcast

Geographer, broadcaster, explorer and writer Nicholas Crane will explore the natural and human history that has shaped our landscape from the Ice Age to the present day in this illustrated talk which celebrates the wonderful diversity of our countryside and cities.

Do we really understand the northern lights? Speaking about her new book and describing Arctic journeys culminating in a spectacular solar eclipse, Melanie Windridge brings together space, place and science in style. With Julia Wheeler.  

If your travel motivation is to discover new flavours, this culinary panel will take your tastebuds on an adventure. Caroline Eden & Eleanor Ford (Samarkand), John Wright, author of the River Cottage Foraging Guides (A Natural History of the Hedgerow) and Elisabeth Luard (Squirrel Pie And Other Stories) discuss how exploring different countries’ food can … Continue reading Culinary Adventures // Stanfords Travel Writers Festival

TV presenter and author Simon Reeve talks to Julia Wheeler and shares tales from more than 110 countries he has travelled to making programmes for the BBC, including his new series on Turkey, due to air this spring.

What is the origin of the ISIS flag? Why are so many African flags red, yellow and green? Sunday Times bestselling author Tim Marshall will be here to discuss his latest book, revealing the histories, the power and the politics of the symbols that unite us – and divide us: flags.

Paul Blezard talks to the award-winning comedian and broadcaster Jon Holmes as he shares a personal journey of how he went from being an unwanted baby in the Midlands to a wanted man in the state of Texas, and everything else that happened along the way.

Award-winning travel writer John Gimlette turns his keen, ever-curious eye on the island nation of Sri Lanka, as explored in his latest book, Elephant Complex. Join him for this engaging and witty talk as he reveals a country struggling to free itself from trauma, and to embody an identity to match its vitality, its power … Continue reading John Gimlette, Travels in Sri Lanka // Stanfords Travel Writers Festival

Join holiday bargain-hunter Andrew Fraser, travel safety guru Lloyd Figgins and Author and Wanderlust Magazine Editor Phoebe Smith as they talk to Julia Wheeler about how to fly further for less, and how to stay safe as you explore the world.    

TV presenter and author Simon Reeve talks to Julia Wheeler and shares tales from more than 110 countries he has travelled to making programmes for the BBC, including his new series on Turkey, due to air this spring.

John Simpson is the BBC’s World Affairs Editor, and has twice been the Royal Television Society’s Journalist of the Year. He has also won three BAFTAs, including the Richard Dimbleby Award in 1991 and the News and Current Affairs award in 2000 for his coverage of the Kosovo conflict. Join him as he discusses his … Continue reading John Simpson, in conversation // Stanfords Travel Writers Festival

Join Huw Lewis-Jones as he delves into the journals and sketchbooks of some of the world’s most remarkable travellers, naturalists, oceanographers, astronauts, archaeologists, mountaineers and explorers from the 16th century to the present day, among them Captain Scott, Edmund Hillary, Jan Morris, Alfred Russel Wallace and Charles Darwin. He also tells us a few things … Continue reading Hew Lewis-Jones, Inside Explorers’ Sketchbooks // Stanfords Travel Writers Festival

Join inspirational British adventurer Sarah Outen as she shares the incredible story of her 25,000 mile journey around the planet by bicycle, canoe and kayak – from her latest book Dare to Do, a tale of true courage and determination to continue on against all odds.

Named by The Times as one of the greatest post-war British writers, travel writer and novelist Colin Thubron speaks to Julia Wheeler about a life filled with remarkable journeys – from Damascus to Siberia. He also talks about his latest novel Night of Fire.

Presenter of ITV’s Wish You Were Here and the BBC’s Holiday, John Carter takes the stage to share tales of behind the scenes mishaps and hilarious encounters with famous names from his many years as a professional globe-trotter. He also reads from his new book Gullible’s Travels: Confessions of an International Towel Thief.

Join acclaimed authors Travis Elborough (A Walk in the Park, Atlas of Improbable Places) and Malachy Tallack (60 Degrees North, The Un-Discovered Islands) as they discuss places of legend and wonder, the obscure, the beautiful and the downright odd. Expect a fascinating journey to the world’s most incredible locations – real and imagined – as … Continue reading Malachy Tallack and Travis Elborough, Improbable Places and Un-Discovered Islands // Stanfords Travel Writers Festival

TV presenter and author Simon Reeve returns to Stanfords Travel Writers Festival to share tales from more than 110 countries he has travelled to making programmes for the BBC, including his new series on Turkey, due to air this spring. Paul Blezard chairs.

From the origins of urbanisation in Mesopotamia to the global metropolises of today, celebrated historian John Julius Norwich shares stories with Paul Blezard about some of the great cities in history, through the words of some of the greatest authors of our time.

Julian Sayarer, the winner of the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year, announced last night (Thursday 2nd February), takes to the stage to discuss his award-winning book Interstate: Hitchhiking Through the State of a Nation with Paul Blezard.  

Michael Palin welcomes the audience by saying; “Why aren’t you all out travelling?” Stanfords is delighted to welcome broadcaster, author and actor Michael Palin to the Stanfords Travel Writers Festival as he shares stories from a life spent travelling to work, with Julia Wheeler.      

When Lois Pryce found a note left on her motorbike from a man named Habib, imploring her to visit his hometown of Shiraz to see the real Iran, she immediately set off on the 3,000-mile journey across the country. In this illustrated talk with Julia Wheeler she shares stories of a nation of apparent contradictions … Continue reading Lois Pryce, Revolutionary Ride: Travels Through Iran on a Motorbike // Stanfords Travel Writers Festival