Oscar-winning writer Frederic Raphael reads the first of his essay series about living abroad throughout Europe between the 1940s and 60s, beginning with the first foreign country he ever lived in: England.

Uprooted from New York City as a young boy, the writer paints a child's-eye portrait of wartime Britain, with all its class conscious peculiarities, but seen through the eyes of a young American kid used to waffles, zips and Buicks.

Producer: Jo Wheeler.

It's over the mountains, it has no major roads, it's too dangerous, or tourists don't get it at all. Five writers with a desire for travel or living elsewhere, recall a city that once captured their hearts and minds for reasons of secrecy or isolation, or simply being off limits.

Simon Calder recalls the small-scale delights of Holguin in Cuba. It' so different to the capital city, but worth the detour - if you can get there!

Producer Duncan Minshull

First broadcast in April 2013.

It's over the mountains, it has no major roads, it's too dangerous, or tourists don't get it at all. Five writers with a desire for travel or living elsewhere, recall a city that once captured their hearts and minds for reasons of secrecy or isolation, or simply being off limits.

Travel writer Michela Wrong sees beautiful Italianate buildings, and all things Futurist - in Africa. In Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, to be precise.

Producer Duncan Minshull

First broadcast in April 2013.

It's over the mountains, it has no major roads, it's too dangerous, or tourists don't get it at all. Five writers with a desire for travel or living elsewhere, recall a city that once captured their hearts and minds for reasons of secrecy or isolation, or simply being off limits.

Vanora Bennett describes Makhachkala in Russia as 'beyond the mountains', yet these days it's on the brink of enormous change...

Producer Duncan Minshull

First broadcast in April 2013.