The Travel Expert with Simon Calder

The Telegraph
The Telegraph
  • 3.0 (2)
  • Places & Travel
  • Weekly

Join veteran travel journalist Simon Calder for an exciting new adventure - The Travel Expert, a new weekly podcast from the Telegraph. Alongside fellow travel writer Greg Dickinson, Simon will explore destinations from the Alps to Zanzibar, plus the inside track on the latest travel news - and importantly, how it all affects your next trip.  And Simon and Greg will answer your burning questions, from the cheapest ways to travel around Greece to whether airline points are really worth it.  Unpack the biggest stories shaping the world of travel, every Friday - with The Travel Expert. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 6d ago ·  Video

    Travel Expert Q&A Special: Solo Korea tips, Patagonia routes and the world's best airports

    This week, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson tackle your most pressing travel questions in a special Q&A edition. From finding the best budget-friendly seaside towns in southwest England and choosing between the Chilean and Argentine routes to Patagonia, to essential tips for solo backpacking in South Korea and exploring China by public transport. Plus, we debate the world's best airports, decode airline baggage fees and lost luggage rights, and share top recommendations for a special celebration in Sardinia. Send your questions to thetravelexpert@telegraph.co.uk. Let The Telegraph Travel newsletter from Simon Calder be your guide to inspiring destinations at home and around the globe. Every week, Simon and our team of experts will send you the latest news, features, opinion and advice. Sign up here. Video Producer: Carla Mercer Producer: Georgia Coan Commissioning Editor: Louisa Wells Head of Travel: Ben Ross Highlights: Budget-friendly seaside towns and Sardinia celebration spotsAirline baggage fees, lost luggage rights, and the world's best airports Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Travel Expert Q&A Special: Solo Korea tips, Patagonia routes and the world's best airports

  2. Oct 16 ·  Video

    How to detect an elite (and dreadful) hotel, according to the Hotel Inspector

    This week, we're joined by Britain's foremost hotelier and star of Channel 5's The Hotel Inspector, Alex Polizzi, to share her views on the biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry, her favourite hotels in the world, and what it really takes to run a successful stay. Plus, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson discuss the devastating airstrikes on Riyadh Airport and what the escalating regional conflict means for global air corridors and tourism. We also look at the controversial new mandatory travel insurance being introduced by Kenya and Tanzania, and share essential travel updates for the weekend ahead, including planned disruptions affecting journeys to Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Send your questions to thetravelexpert@telegraph.co.uk. Let The Telegraph Travel newsletter from Simon Calder be your guide to inspiring destinations at home and around the globe. Every week, Simon and our team of experts will send you the latest news, features, opinion and advice. Sign up here. Video Producer: Carla Mercer Producer: Georgia Coan Commissioning Editor: Louisa Wells Head of Travel: Ben Ross Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Highlights: Hotel inspector Alex Polizzi on the secrets of great hospitalityWhat the Riyadh Airport airstrikes mean for global air corridors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How to detect an elite (and dreadful) hotel, according to the Hotel Inspector

  3. Oct 9 ·  Video

    The UK airports ditching passport checks for facial verification

    This week, as British airports prepare to introduce "contactless borders" with facial recognition at e-gates, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson discuss whether passport checks are finally becoming a thing of the past and how the new technology will work. Plus, following the British Museum's decision to ban cameras for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, the duo explores why tourist attractions are cracking down on photography and how snapping photos impacts our travel experiences. We're also joined by loyalty guru Rob Burgess, founder of Head for Points, to dive into the dark art of airline loyalty schemes and whether earning and burning is still worth your time. And finally, answering your travel questions, Simon and Greg share recommendations on whether to fly or take the ferry to the Isle of Man and look into China visa rules for 2027. Send your questions to thetravelexpert@telegraph.co.uk. Let The Telegraph Travel newsletter from Simon Calder be your guide to inspiring destinations at home and around the globe. Every week, Simon and our team of experts will send you the latest news, features, opinion and advice. Sign up here. Video Producer: Carla Mercer Producer: Georgia Coan Commissioning Editor: Louisa Wells Head of Travel: Ben Ross Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Highlights: Are contactless facial recognition borders the future of UK airports?Why the British Museum has banned cameras for the Bayeux Tapestry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The UK airports ditching passport checks for facial verification

  4. Oct 2

    What the Flydubai incident tells us about airline safety

    This week, following a terrifying 14,000 ft drop in altitude and a violent cockpit altercation on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv where a pilot was stabbed, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson discuss airline safety, pilot security, and whether passengers should be worried. Plus, as strikes and engineering works converge across the network, the duo dives into the looming winter of discontent for rail travellers, and explores the curious German offshore island of Heligoland, which is fighting back against mass tourism. And finally, in a bumper edition of your travel questions, Simon and Greg share top tips for taking a 14-year-old to Paris for the October half-term, advise on using a UK Blue Badge for parking in Florida, offer guidance on claiming a hire car refund after a delayed flight to Palma and suggest unusual things to do and visit in London. Send your questions to thetravelexpert@telegraph.co.uk. Let The Telegraph Travel newsletter from Simon Calder be your guide to inspiring destinations at home and around the globe. Every week, Simon and our team of experts will send you the latest news, features, opinion and advice. Sign up here. Video Producer: Carla Mercer Producer: Georgia Coan Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Head of Travel: Ben Ross Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Highlights: Should passengers worry about airline safety?Winter of discontent: Strikes and engineering works hit rail travellers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What the Flydubai incident tells us about airline safety

  5. Sep 25

    An insider's secrets to booking the ultimate winter sun escape

    This week, as air traffic control meltdowns and NATS software defects continue to make headlines, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson discuss whether ongoing aviation chaos is becoming the new normal. Greg also reports back from watching robots park cars at Gatwick Airport, while Michael O'Leary warns that cheap flights are up by 14% as airlines cut back schedules. Plus, we are joined by fellow travel expert Rachel O'Reilly for a winter sun special comparing the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean, exploring closer-to-home escapes like the Canaries. And finally, the team answers your travel questions. Simon and Greg offer advice on car rental for older travellers with Europcar and Zipcar, and recommend the wild landscapes of the Southern Carpathians as an alternative hiking holiday to Everest base camp. Send your questions to thetravelexpert@telegraph.co.uk. Let The Telegraph Travel newsletter from Simon Calder be your guide to inspiring destinations at home and around the globe. Every week, Simon and our team of experts will send you the latest news, features, opinion and advice. Sign up here. Video Producer: Carla Mercer Producer: Georgia Coan Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Head of Travel: Ben Ross Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Highlights: Air traffic control meltdowns: Is aviation chaos the new normal?Winter sun special: Caribbean vs Indian Ocean with Rachel O’Reilly Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    An insider's secrets to booking the ultimate winter sun escape

  6. Sep 18

    Michael Palin on the Philippines, over-tourism and his Python-era travel tales

    This week, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson are joined by the legendary Sir Michael Palin to discuss his latest adventures in the Philippines, his close encounter with the Chinese coastguard in the South China Sea, and his memorable, last-minute meeting with President Bongbong Marcos. From his iconic journeys in Around the World in 80 Days to his favourite Python-era travel tales, Michael reflects on a lifetime of exploration, the realities of roughing it off the beaten track, and how travel has changed in a hyper-connected world. Plus, the team explores his career as a trailblazing presenter, his routine as a committed diarist, and his happy places in the UK and beyond. Send your questions to thetravelexpert@telegraph.co.uk. Let The Telegraph Travel newsletter from Simon Calder be your guide to inspiring destinations at home and around the globe. Every week, Simon and our team of experts will send you the latest news, features, opinion and advice. Sign up here. Video Producer: Carla Mercer Producer: Georgia Coan Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Head of Travel: Ben Ross Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Highlights: Python to the Philippines: Michael Palin on a lifetime of trailblazing travelOvertourism & extreme travel: Is there pressure to go further off the beaten track? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Michael Palin on the Philippines, over-tourism and his Python-era travel tales

  7. Sep 11

    How 9/11 reshaped travel forever and what the future holds for airport security

    This week as a catastrophic air traffic control meltdown disrupted 300,000 travel plans, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson discuss whether regular aviation chaos is the new normal. Greg takes us behind the scenes to the highly secure NATS headquarters, and Simon proposes an ingenious camp-bed solution to rescue stranded passengers. Plus, 25 years on from the tragic events of 9/11, we reflect on how that day permanently reshaped aviation and airport security. From the introduction of liquid rules and reinforced cockpit doors to the surprising rise of Ryanair in the aftermath, we discuss the legacy of these changes and look ahead to the future of biometrics and relaxed rules at the gate. And finally the team answers your travel questions. This week one listener is on the hunt for an accessibility-friendly summer birthday destination in Portugal next year, and Greg and Simon share their top three South American countries to visit. Send your questions to thetravelexpert@telegraph.co.uk. Let The Telegraph Travel newsletter from Simon Calder be your guide to inspiring destinations at home and around the globe. Every week, Simon and our team of experts will send you the latest news, features, opinion and advice. Sign up here. Video Producer: Carla Mercer Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Head of Travel: Ben Ross Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Highlights: Air traffic chaos: Is it time to get used to regular ATC meltdowns?25 years since 9/11: How the tragedy reshaped travel and what the future holds for airport security Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How 9/11 reshaped travel forever and what the future holds for airport security

  8. Sep 4

    North vs. South: Settling the ultimate staycation debate

    Following a major cybersecurity breach at Manchester Airport, Greg and Simon discuss whether it’s ever truly safe to log on to airport Wi-Fi - and the essential steps you must take to avoid “juice jacking” while charging your devices on the go. And is September still the bargain travel time we all hope it is, or are prices finally catching up to the peak summer rush? We break down the latest data to see if your autumn escape is still a steal. In the second half of the show, we settle the great English debate: where exactly is the North-South divide? We’re joined by the Telegraph’s Rosa Silverman to fight it out - from coastal gems like Whitby vs. Whitstable to the best city breaks in the country - to decide which half of the UK should host your next trip. As ever, the team tackles your travel questions – this week, a reader's search for the perfect solo getaway in November.  Send your questions to thetravelexpert@telegraph.co.uk. Let The Telegraph Travel newsletter from Simon Calder be your guide to inspiring destinations at home and around the globe. Every week, Simon and our team of experts will send you the latest news, features, opinion and advice. Sign up here: http://telegraph.co.uk/travelnewsletter Video Producer: Carla Mercer Producer: Georgia Coan Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Head of Travel: Ben Ross Studio Operator: Chris January Highlights: North vs. South: Which half of England is better for your next UK staycation?The death of the shoulder season: Are cheap autumn holidays finally extinct? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    North vs. South: Settling the ultimate staycation debate
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Join veteran travel journalist Simon Calder for an exciting new adventure - The Travel Expert, a new weekly podcast from the Telegraph. Alongside fellow travel writer Greg Dickinson, Simon will explore destinations from the Alps to Zanzibar, plus the inside track on the latest travel news - and importantly, how it all affects your next trip.  And Simon and Greg will answer your burning questions, from the cheapest ways to travel around Greece to whether airline points are really worth it.  Unpack the biggest stories shaping the world of travel, every Friday - with The Travel Expert. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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