You should have been there Mick Webb and Simon Calder

We discuss the merits of visiting Australia in the wake of Mick's trip to the less fashionable West and North of this vast country. On the agenda: strange pronunciations, marvellous marsupials, loud and lovely birds and the very important distinction between Salties and Freshies, just in case you meet a crocodile.

We reveal some truths about the legendary Orient Express, including who was responsible for "murdering " it. Plus more travel miracles and updates for summer tourism. With Simon Calder and Mick Webb

We discuss the controversial new tax on day visitors to Venice and look ahead to the charms and challenges of this summer's travel, including the best month to make your get away.

We explore the contrasting attractions of dark tourism for eclipse chasers and disaster seekers, while Simon tries not to miss his flight from New York. The website mentioned is dark-tourism. com.

We delve into "Type 2 fun" and discuss some places that might be considered necessary evils on the way to more enjoyable destinations. Like the Central American city in the photo.

Our guest is Mike Mackay Richards, author of "The Travelling Ape." Mike has visited 155 countries and has a perhaps surprisingly upbeat view of people and most, if not all, places. He advises us to get out there and enjoy the world rather then "vegetating in a little corner of it." His book is available from Amazon.