Stanfords Travel Podcast

When author Steve Boggan heard there may still be gold in them thar hills, he grabbed his pick and pan and set off for the California hills. He shares stories from his first hand experience (not) striking it rich, and shed light on the rich seam of history that links the new breed of modern … Continue reading Steve Boggan and David Reynolds

Wild times beckon as adventurers Sean Conway and Elsa Hammond, extreme sleep-er Phoebe Smith and micro-adventurer Alastair Humphreys swap stories and top tips for the how to have a great time outdoors right here in the UK. Listen to the event in full below, or subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and hear every event. Find … Continue reading Sean Conway, Phoebe Smith, Elsa Hammond and Alastair Humph...

Steve McClure is one of the best rock-climbers in the world, and spends his time deliberately trying to find the hardest routes possible to any given summit. In equal parts inspiring and terrifying, Steve tells us what it’s like to hang by your fingertips in some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. Listen … Continue reading Beyond Limits: Life Over the Edge – Steve McClure

You’re never too old to travel – to push yourself out of your comfort zone and defy even your own expectations. Hilary Bradt is joined by Simon Calder and Matthew Parris to share stories of spending their children’s inheritance on taking the road less travelled.    Listen to the discussion in full below, or subscribe … Continue reading Hilary Bradt, Simon Calder and Matthew Parris

Travel through centuries of Italian history with author Helena Attlee as she talks to the food writer and critic Matthew Fort about her zest for the land where lemons grow, and the surprising role citrus fruit has played in the making of a nation.   Listen to the discussion in full below, or subscribe to … Continue reading Helena Attlee talks to Matthew Fort

Patrick Barkham and Nicholas Crane took to the stage to talk to Julia Wheeler, praising the variety, romance and beauty of the UK’s coastline in this lively and enthusiastic discussion.   Listen to the discussion in full below, or subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and hear every event. Find books by Nicholas Crane and Patrick … Continue reading Patrick Barkham and Nicholas Crane with Julia Wheele...

TV presenter and author Simon Reeve shares tales from his latest adventures exploring Greece and Ireland, as well as a few of his favourite stories from the more than 110 countries he has travelled to making programmes for the BBC. Listen to the discussion in full below, or subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and hear every … Continue reading Simon Reeve talks to Paul Blezard

The novelist and poet took to the stage as our very first event at Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2016 to tell us about his love of the Mediterranean.   The author Louis de Bernières talks about his love of the sights, sounds and flavours of the Mediterranean, and how they have influenced his work – … Continue reading Louis de Bernières’ Mediterranean with Julia Wheeler

So we’ve come to the last event on the last day of Stanfords Travel Writers Festival. Tom Chesshyre lifts the curtain on the real Maldives. Tom’s book – Gatecrashing Paradise – sees him going off the beaten, or indeed even existing, track in search of the truth behind the  tourist brochure facade. Listen to his talk in full … Continue reading Gatecrashing Paradise – Misadventures in the real Maldi...

Chris Stewart – author and founding member of the rock band Genesis – was on hand at 3pm, not to talk music but rather his life on a remote mountain farm in Andalucia, as told in his series of best-selling books – including his latest, Last Days of the Bus Club. Think more “tapas” than “tempo”. Listen to … Continue reading Chris Stewart and the Last Days of the Bus Club

After injury put an end to his career as a Welsh international rugby player, Richard Parks has proven himself to be one of the most remarkable extreme adventurers in the world – always looking for a new record breaking challenge to tackle.  If you’ve seen any of his Channel 5 show, or read his book Beyond the … Continue reading Beyond the Horizon – Adventures on the Edge

Simon Reeve sat down with Paul Blezard for the last time this weekend at midday today.  If you’ve missed out on previous days make sure you listen to our recording of Simon talk about his travels in more than 110 countries. Listen to the talk in full below:

Our second event of Sunday was the inspirational story of Rob and Paul Forkan – the founders of Gandys and the Orphans for Orphans movement – as told to us by Rob. After losing their parents in the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004, Rob and Paul decided to make a change – using sales of … Continue reading South East Asia and Gandys Flip Flops

Our Slow Travel Panel was the perfect way to start a lazy Sunday morning at Stanfords Travel Writers Festival. Tom Chesshyre, Ed Gillespie and David Reynolds, with Bradt MD Adrian Phillips, explain why all the best journeys are to be slowly savoured. Listen to the panel discussion in full below:  

Tristram Hunt MP rounded off our Saturday by taking a look at the Ten Cities That Made an Empire. The empire in question being the British Empire which Hunt brought to life with vivid stories of the most important cities which shaped its influence, and legacy – including Dublin, Cape Town, Bridgetown and Boston. Listen to … Continue reading Ten Cities That Made an Empire – Tristram Hunt

Times journalist Tom Chesshyre chaired a lively conversation between Harry Bucknall, Like a Tramp, Like a Pilgrim, and Nick Hunt, Walking the Woods & Water. Bucknall and Hunt regaled all with tales from their respective roads on foot to St Peter’s Basilica and Istanbul. They shared the highs and lows of their adventures and also let … Continue reading Harry Bucknall and Nick Hunt

Our long distance pedal panel – Oli Broom, Tim Moore, Hannah Reynolds and William Fotheringham – took to the stage at 2pm. Between them they’ve cycled the distance from Earth to Mars. Probably. Listen to the talk in full below to find out why getting saddle sore is worth it. Listen to the whole talk below:

Simon Reeve returned to the stage for a third time – are we good to you or what? – to talk to Paul Goldstein about his latest series Sacred Rivers and lots more. Listen to the talk in full below:    

Frank Gardner and Kate Adie are united not only by their illustrious careers as two of the BBC’s top journalists, but also by their love of travel and the Middle East in particular. Today’s lunchtime event was a rare chance to hear them discuss their careers, travel stories and the truth behind our perceived views of the … Continue reading Frank Gardner and Kate Adie in Conversation

Pioneer of the renascent natural navigation movement, Tristan Gooley was on hand to start Saturday’s show. In his talk, Tristan to explained how keeping your head when all others are losing theirs in maps can help you find the clues and signs to get you back on track. Learn to forecast weather with rainbows, how nettles can tell you when … Continue reading Tristan Gooley shares the Walker’s Guide...

Bradt Guides MD Adrian Phillips interviews his boss – the wonderful Hilary Bradt – about a life of travel and adventure.  In a wonderfully candid and entertaining talk, Hilary Bradt shares her thoughts on the evolution of travel and travel writing – and makes the odd confession of her days as a slightly irresponsible traveller… Listen to … Continue reading Hilary Bradt talks to Adrian Phillips

Merde is a dirty word, and Stephen Clarke knows it. Well, all French people and most GCSE French students know it. But Clarke has emerged from the merde a bestselling author and graduated to 1000 Years of Annoying the French. Listen to him talk about his books, including his latest one Dirty Bertie, and his life in France. … Continue reading Stephen Clarke’s Merde Factor

Kenton Cool ascended the Stanfords Travel Writers Festival Stage to talk about his (presumably far more difficult) ascents of Everest. He’s climbed it eleven times, so for him it’s got to be pretty easy by now. Kenton’s passion for and eloquence on the subject of mountaineering was palpable to the packed audience this afternoon as he … Continue reading Kenton Cool speaks to Paul Blezard

Simon Reeve talked to Paul Blezard about his adventures – past and future – and explained why we shouldn’t fear the world beyond the channel. He’s come a long way from growing up in Acton – or rather gone a long way. Explorer and TV presenter Simon Reeve is still full of enthusiasm for the world and doesn’t … Continue reading Simon Reeve and Paul Blezard "It’s a very safe world!"

Bora da! Despite his name and being born in Cardiff, Griff Rhys Jones is worried he’s Insufficiently Welsh, having grown up in the home counties. He took us on a journey through “the land of my aunties” on a mission to rediscover his Welshness. You can hear a full recording of Griff’s talk below – apologies for … Continue reading Is Griff Rhys Jones Insufficiently Welsh?