You should have been there

We welcome Mark Smith, well known as "the man in seat 61" to discuss the bicentenary of the first official railway journey, a gift from the UK to the world. Mark's guide to rail travel is at www.seat61.com And thanks to Roland Lösslein for his photo on Unsplash

We discuss the possible impact on travel to the USA of the impending Donald Trump presidency while Simon reports from Florida on the often fraught interaction between humanity and manatees. With thanks to NOAA for the photo of a manatee and her calf.

Simon and Mick share their favourite travel moments from 2024- best views, meals and cultural encounters- before looking forward to 2025. Happy New Year, fellow travellers!

We talk to Dylan Harris, founder of Lupine Travel, about his tour company, how they decide on their destinations and what it's like to organise trips to "no-go" areas like the Darien Gap, Yemen and Afghanistan.

Simon recounts tales from his recent trek through Nepal's Lumba Sumba pass and, inspired by Rome's Trevi fountain we launch a strand of travel wishes!

Simon Calder and Mick Webb compare their recent lofty experiences in Nepal and La Gomera respectively.

We wonder if Brown Bears are good or bad for tourism, hear listener Sally Naylor's tale of her split-second travel decision and discuss whether the world is becoming too samey.

Philosopher and travel writer, Professor Emily Thomas, joins us to provide a cerebral take on motorways and their service areas.

Thanks to David Dixon for his photo of the M 40 services on geograph.org.uk/photo/3299492

We look back at the last 5 years of travel, at the changes, the experience of Covid and Brexit and at the best and worst of the 200 podcasts that we've made since 2019

We look back at the recent holiday season and mull over the highlights and headlines. What should we learn from them?