Stanfords Travel Podcast

Kate Humble talks to Julia Wheeler about the benefits of walking and her book Thinking on My Feet in which she recorded her walks (and runs) throughout a single year, but also charted her feelings and impressions throughout. She looks at the reasons why we walk – whether for creative energy, challenge and pleasure, or … Continue reading Why We Walk with Kate Humble: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2019

For centuries people have been making spiritual journeys in search of enlightenment or following some kind of sacred footsteps. Emma Slade, Justin Butcher and Guy Stagg have all recently written very different books following this theme. Here they discuss the historical significance and personal experiences behind these journeys, how they can be secular and offer … Continue reading A Modern Pilgrim’s Journey: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2019

Informed by 30 years commenting on world affairs, Tim Marshall’s illuminating explanations of global politics made Prisoners of Geography an international bestseller. In his latest book Divided he brings that wealth of experience and insight to explain what has divided us, past and present, showing how it informs much of what is going on in … Continue reading Divided: Why We’re Living in an Age of Walls with Tim Marshall: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2019

Former Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year winner, Julian Sayarer talks to Paul Blezard about his experiences on the small island of Surin, near the navel border of Thailand and Myanmar. Julian was initially brought to the area as an on-location writer for a crew filming a documentary about the indigenous people known as … Continue reading All At Sea: Another Side of Paradise with Julian Sayarer: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2019

Author and Explorer Levison Wood talks to Julia Wheeler about his life as an explorer and shares his experiences from his Channel 4 series following his journeys Walking the Nile, Walking the Himalayas and Walking the Americas as well as his most recent series From Russia to Iran. Levison has travelled to over 80 countries … Continue reading Levison Wood: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018

Stanfords is a proud supporter of Explorers against Extinction, an exciting initiative highlighting the plight faced by some of Africa’s most iconic species. One of the conservation partners are Animals saving Animals, run by Daryll Pleasants who is talking to Paul Blezard about this UK project that is making a real difference in the fight … Continue reading Explorers Against Extinction: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018

Join Mark Brownlow, author & producer of Blue Planet II as he talks to Julia Wheeler about the Blue Planet II book and BBC TV series. Hear about how they brought to life the different habitats of the oceanic world. This talk features breath-taking stills and photographs from the BBC Natural History Unit’s spectacular footage. … Continue reading Blue Planet II: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018

Water, water, everywhere. 2017 has been awash with books about people connecting with nature and finding peace through swimming. With open water swimming on the rise, Jenny Landreth and Joe Minihane talk to Phoebe Smith  about why they are so passionate about swimming and they share their best spots for swimming in the UK. Swell … Continue reading Wild Swimming: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2015

You may not be surprised to learn that during the Cold War the Soviet Union gathered information about the West. But you may be astonished to discover just how much they knew about your town, your street, even your house. John Davies and Alexander Kent, authors of The Red Atlas tell the story of the … Continue reading How the Soviet Union Secretly Mapped the World: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018

Rick Stein talks to Julia Wheeler about some of the places he has been in the world that have inspired him to experiment with new dishes and ingredients. He also talks about his new book ‘The Road to Mexico’ where he brings his unrivalled enthusiasm and trusted expertise to the fresh, flavourful food of Mexico … Continue reading Rick Stein: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018

Is it more about the journey than the destination? Christopher Somerville, Anna Hughes and Nick Hunt talk to Adrian Bradt about the idea that travelling slowly by walking or cycling opens your eyes to a much wider journey. Between them they have travelled thousands of miles by such means and have a wealth of experience … Continue reading The Joy of Travelling Slowly: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018

As Jules Mountain reached Everest Base Camp in April 2015, the giant earthquake in Nepal set off an avalanche that will kill 21. Hear him talking to Paul Blezard about his account of the deadliest day in history on the world’s most iconic mountain. Aftershock by Jules Mountain

For 250,000 years humans have been firmly rooted to the Earth, but what if you want to get off? Leading space broadcaster Dallas Campbell uses his own vast experience to offer some advice that will help you leave planet earth. Ad Astra: An Illustrated Guide to Leaving the Planet by Dallas Campbell

Back for the 2nd time at the 2018 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival, Presenter and author Julia Bradbury talks to Julia Wheeler about how important access to the great outdoors is to life, whether you are a keen hill walker or a Sunday stroller, however fit or unfit, with equal opportunities for all.

Kicking off day three of the Stanfords Travel Writers Festival, Leon McCarron talks to Paul Blezard about his latest book The Land Beyond. There are many reasons why it might seem unwise to walk, mostly alone, through the Middle East. That, in part, is exactly why Leon McCarron did it. McCarron followed a series of … Continue reading Leon McCarron: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018

The British Isles are an archipelago made up of two large islands and 6,289 smaller ones. In his book Islanders, Patrick Barkham explored some of the most beautiful landscapes in the British Isles. Meeting all kinds of islanders, he discovered what it is like to live on a small island, and what it means to be … Continue reading Patrick Barkham: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018

Drawing on her vast wealth of survival experiences around the world Megan Hine talks to Julia Wheeler at the Stanfords Travel Writers Festival about her book Mind of a Survivor. Mind of a Survivor by Megan Hine

Tim Moore tackled the 9,000km route of the old Iron Curtain on a tiny-wheeled, two-geared East German shopping bike. Talking to Paul Blezard, Moore reflects on the curdling of the Communist dream, and the memories of a Cold War generation reared on the fear of apocalypse – at a time of ratcheting East-West tension. After … Continue reading Tim Moore: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018

As more and more people choose to venture far and wide on their own, our panel of experts, Hilary Bradt, Lloyd Figgins and Phoebe Smith talk to Julia Wheeler about how this is in fact a more advantageous way to travel. They also look at the logistical details of how you can stay safe and … Continue reading Travelling Solo: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018

The editors of the award winning The Sunday Times Travel Magazine talk to Hilary Bradt about their favourite destinations including some well-known and others under-the-radar. They also share some of their secrets for how to do those places cheaper, quieter and smarter than the average holiday-maker. Featuring Katie Bowman (Features Editor), Liz Edwards (Associate Editor) and … Continue reading 200 Amazing Places: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2018