Advertise on podcast: Unravel Travel

Send us Fan Mail David joins Malcolm live from Chiang Mai, Thailand, with an update from his six-week trip through Southeast Asia. With northern Thailand first and Indonesia still to come, he shares the food, travel costs and practical discoveries of his opening days — including a £320 one-way flight from the UK and a Thai street-food dinner with a Chang beer for just over £3.50. Getting there meant flying China Eastern Airlines via Shanghai: a cheaper ticket, a longer journey and an unexpected encounter with China’s internet restrictions. Now settled near Chiang Mai’s Old City, David is exploring food markets, enjoying the swimming pool and planning the next stages of his trip. In this episode: • Flying to Chiang Mai via Shanghai: David’s experience of China Eastern Airlines, the food and entertainment, his airport connection and whether the savings justified the journey. • Exploring Chiang Mai’s Old City: the moat, surviving city walls and gates, getting around on foot and plans for a walk linking several temples. • Thai street food and local markets: minced pork with Thai basil, Chang beer, the north gate food market and a conversation about larb. Plus, why David’s first meal in Thailand was actually a burger. • Spending money in Thailand: David compares his experiences of changing pounds into Thai baht, airport exchange rates, ATM charges and card surcharges — and explains why he makes a detour to a trusted money changer. • Plans for Chiang Mai day trips: hiring a private driver to explore the surrounding valleys, temples and viewpoints, arranging white-water rafting and booking a two-night elephant sanctuary stay with an unusual breakfast encounter to look forward to. • Onward travel to Pai, Lombok and the Gili Islands: how David’s route is taking shape, why he’s flying into Lombok and the planned overnight airport pod stay in Kuala Lumpur. • Travel admin and unexpected errands: an Indonesian e-visa application that refused to cooperate, arrival-form frustrations and a £45 dental hygiene appointment in Chiang Mai. Back home, Malcolm has a Ryanair schedule change and an airport parking headache. David shares his own experience of a cancelled flight connection and chasing a refund through eDreams, alongside a more straightforward flight change with Air India. The episode opens with the poem “Thai Girl on a Motorcycle” by Ian J McKenzie inspired after David's Chiltern walk holiday to Thailand.  Ian has published several other poems as 'Going To Montana in My Mind: Poems from a coffee shop' - copies available from  https://www.lulu.com/shop/ian-j-mckenzie/going-to-montana-in-my-mind/paperback/product-956n6e2.html?q=Ian+j+McKenzie&page=1&pageSize=4 Join Malcolm and David for a conversation about travelling in Thailand, making your money go further and the small frustrations that come with a longer Southeast Asia trip. Follow Unravel Travel for David’s next live update from Pai, when he’ll report back on his adventures around Chiang Mai If you have a story to share or some feedback to give just contact us at [email protected] Our theme music is Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki from Pixabay (with licence) https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/

Send us Fan Mail Bratislava, Slovakia, has beautiful cobbled streets, impressive castles, excellent art galleries and plenty of cheap beer. But is it worth more than a quick stop on a Danube river cruise? In this episode of Unravel Travel, Malcolm takes David on a journey around Slovakia's capital, drawing on his many visits, including a recent eight-hour exploration of the city. They also revisit their memorable day together in Bratislava with their friend Merlin — although David admits he remembers rather more of the beer than the sightseeing. From the historic Old Town and Bratislava Castle to the ruined Devín Castle overlooking the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers, Malcolm explores the city's remarkable location, turbulent history and unexpected attractions. At Devín, there's even a 55-metre-deep castle well where visitors can discover just how long it takes for water to reach the bottom. There's much more to Bratislava than castles and cheap beer. Malcolm explores the city's thriving art scene, including the Slovak National Gallery, the unusual circular layout of the Nedbalka Gallery and the spectacular Danubiana modern art museum and sculpture park beside the Danube. Meanwhile, David recalls the bars, the steep climb to Bratislava Castle and a rather unsuccessful attempt to order a margarita. Other highlights include the UFO observation deck and restaurant high above the Danube, a quirky bar with an old tram built into its interior, and Žil Verne, a favourite craft beer bar with 22 beers on tap. They also discuss Bratislava's growing reputation as a stag-party destination, finding quieter places to drink and eat, the challenges of Slovak cuisine for vegetarians, and the city's convenient and inexpensive public transport. And there's a surprise from Malcolm's latest visit: an unexpected 300-drone light show that proved so entertaining he ended up late collecting his friends from the airport. Along the way, expect the usual Unravel Travel diversions — from James Bond's The Living Daylights and its Bratislava setting to some inexplicable Star Trek connections, ice hockey and possibly the most spectacularly positioned men's toilets in Europe. Places and attractions discussed Bratislava Old Town, Bratislava Castle and St Martin's CathedralDevín Castle and the Danube–Morava confluenceUFO observation deck and restaurant on the SNP BridgeSlovak National Gallery and Nedbalka GalleryDanubiana Meulensteen Art Museum and sculpture parkBratislava's Blue Church and historic opera houseŽil Verne craft beer bar on Panská StreetBeblavého Street and its atmospheric barsFreedom Square and the striking Slovak Radio BuildingWhether you're planning one day in Bratislava, a short city break, or a stop between Vienna and Budapest, Malcolm and David offer an entertaining introduction to a compact European capital with far more to discover than its drinking reputation suggests. Coming to YouTube: Malcolm's companion video, Eight Hours in Bratislava, showing some of the attractions discussed in this episode. https://youtu.be/hBpA1W4mqbI?si=arCfmoV_I6XH6Np5 Join Malcolm and David for more travel stories, experiences and the occasional diversion on Unravel Travel. If you have a story to share or some feedback to give just contact us at [email protected] Our theme music is Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki from Pixabay (with licence) https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/

Send us Fan Mail Cambodia is a country of extraordinary contrasts. Spectacular ancient temples, beautiful landscapes and memorable travel experiences sit alongside one of the darkest chapters of modern history. In this episode of Unravel Travel, Malcolm talks to David about travelling through Cambodia, exploring what makes the country so fascinating while confronting the legacy of the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot. The conversation takes in Cambodia's extraordinary temples, the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng, the former prison that now serves as a museum documenting the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime. These are difficult places to visit, but they form an important part of understanding Cambodia and its people. There is plenty of more traditional travel conversation too, from Cambodia's attractions and experiences to comparisons with neighbouring Thailand. And, as usual with Malcolm and David, the conversation is punctuated by humour, diversions and the occasional irreverent observation. Even the Dead Kennedys' Holiday in Cambodia gets a mention. This episode reflects the different sides of travel: discovering remarkable places, learning about uncomfortable history and finding moments of amusement along the way. The serious subjects are treated seriously, but the conversation doesn't lose the humour that regular Unravel Travel listeners will recognise. Topics include: Cambodia travel, the Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot, the Killing Fields, Tuol Sleng, Cambodian temples, Southeast Asia travel and the contrasts between Cambodian and Thai destinations. Content note: This episode includes discussion of genocide, political violence and disturbing historical events. Join Malcolm and David for another episode of Unravel Travel, exploring the places, experiences and stories that make travel so rewarding, challenging and occasionally ridiculous. If you have a story to share or some feedback to give just contact us at [email protected] Our theme music is Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki from Pixabay (with licence) https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/

Send us Fan Mail Which is better for a countryside break: the Cotswolds or the Chilterns? Malcolm and David compare two much-loved corners of England in a six-round, Top Trumps-style contest packed with local knowledge, travel ideas and friendly rivalry. Malcolm champions the Cotswolds, while David argues the case for the Chiltern Hills. From pretty villages and woodland walks to cosy country pubs, local food and famous residents, each destination goes under the spotlight. The winner earns its own future Unravel Travel episode — but agreeing on the scores is another matter. Our six rounds cover: • Postcard factor: Cotswold favourites including Castle Combe, Burford and Chipping Campden meet Chiltern villages such as Hambleden and Turville. We compare beautiful streets, countryside views and places that make you reach for the camera. • Boots on the ground: Walking in the Cotswolds and Chilterns, from the Cotswold Way to the Chiltern Way and the Ridgeway. Expect escarpment views, beech woods, bluebells, chalk streams and a little debate about red kites. • The perfect pub: Open fires, good beer and somewhere to settle in after a walk. The Chequers in Chipping Norton, the Wild Rabbit in Kingham, the Stag and Huntsman in Hambleden and the Frog at Skirmett are among the pubs discussed. • Local flavour: Gloucester cheese, Stinking Bishop, local lamb, trout, watercress, breweries and markets. We talk Hook Norton beer, the Rebellion Brewery, Stroud Farmers’ Market and Moreton-in-Marsh market. • Escape factor: How easy is it to find peace and quiet? We compare busy beauty spots with quieter footpaths, discuss escaping the crowds around places such as Bibury, and weigh up the benefits of walking midweek. • Fame factor: Roald Dahl, famous residents, Blenheim Palace and film and television connections, including The Vicar of Dibley, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Midsomer Murders and Father Brown. Along the way there’s plenty of humour, some enthusiastic defending of home territory and the occasional challenge to what actually counts as being “in” the Cotswolds or Chilterns. We also touch on visiting by train from London. Whether you’re planning an English countryside weekend, a walking holiday or a day out exploring villages and pubs, join us for ideas from two people who know these areas well. Which would get your vote: the Cotswolds or the Chilterns? Listen for the verdict, then tell us whether you agree. Follow Unravel Travel for more travel stories, destination ideas and honest conversations with Malcolm and David. If you have a story to share or some feedback to give just contact us at [email protected] Our theme music is Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki from Pixabay (with licence) https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/

Send us Fan Mail Is Paris worth the hype? From the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre to café culture and a night at the Moulin Rouge, Malcolm and David revisit the French capital with humour, hazy memories and rather different levels of enthusiasm. This week on Unravel Travel, we look back on Paris city breaks, an Interrail adventure and business trips that involved rather more eating than sightseeing. David needs convincing about the city’s charms. Can Malcolm’s memories of art, riverside walks and Parisian cabaret change his mind? Our first visit involved an overnight train from Nice, climbing the Eiffel Tower, visiting Jim Morrison’s grave and a dangerously literal approach to crossing the road at the Arc de Triomphe. There was an underpass. We discovered it eventually. Malcolm then recalls a three-day trip to Paris with Petra just before Christmas, travelling by Eurostar and exploring much of the city on foot. From the Champs-Élysées to the banks of the Seine, we discuss the pleasure of simply wandering, the crowds around the Mona Lisa and why the Louvre deserves more than a quick dash between its most famous exhibits. There’s also Impressionist art at the Musée d’Orsay, memories of Notre-Dame before the fire, and an evening of dinner and cabaret at the Moulin Rouge. Add snails, oysters, champagne and time spent watching the world go by in cafés, and Paris starts to make a stronger case for itself. Along the way, we talk about: • Visiting the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées. • The Louvre, Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and exploring beyond the busiest galleries. • Musée d’Orsay and its Impressionist paintings. • The Moulin Rouge cabaret experience in Paris. • Café culture, French food and our questionable schoolboy French. • Travelling from London to Paris by Eurostar. • The Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye as a trip beyond central Paris. We finish with a taste of travel elsewhere in France: camping near Bordeaux, the Mediterranean coast around Perpignan, walking in the Dordogne, prehistoric cave paintings and the medieval citadel of Carcassonne. One spectacular thunderstorm leads to a rather undignified return to a campsite… Whether you’re planning a Paris short break or remembering your own French adventures, join us for personal travel stories, friendly disagreement and plenty of laughs. Does Paris live up to its reputation for you? Share this episode with your travel companion, and follow Unravel Travel for more trips, stories and conversations with Malcolm and David.  One small recording correction: at around 16:10, the Musée d’Orsay building is discussed—it was originally a railway station, opened in 1900.  Hey, you can't be right all the time... If you have a story to share or some feedback to give just contact us at [email protected] Our theme music is Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki from Pixabay (with licence) https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/

Send us Fan Mail Planning a York city break or a holiday in Yorkshire? Malcolm and David explore things to do in York, walking in the North York Moors and places to visit along the Yorkshire coast — with personal travel stories, childhood memories and plenty of humour. David reports back from a weekend in York, while Yorkshire-born Malcolm explains why his home county deserves its “God’s Own Country” reputation. Expect medieval streets, Viking history, ghost stories, dramatic coastline and the occasional disagreement about just how wonderful Yorkshire really is. In this episode: • YORK CITY BREAK IDEAS — Exploring York on foot, admiring York Minster and choosing a favourite stretch of the city walls for views across the historic centre. Plus the confusing business of gates, bars and streets. • FREE THINGS TO DO IN YORK — Wandering the Shambles, relaxing around the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey and discovering artists and makers at the York River Art Market beside the River Ouse. • VIKINGS, GHOSTS AND RAILWAYS — Visits and memories from the JORVIK Viking Centre, Treasurer’s House and the National Railway Museum, alongside an evening walk through York’s darker history. • FOOD AND WINE — David’s experience at 22 Yards wine bar and memories of dining at Melton’s, with time to enjoy York beyond its headline attractions. • NORTH YORK MOORS WALKING — Moorland scenery, railway connections and memories of a pre-Christmas trip together. We discuss combining walking with visits to places such as Pickering, Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay. • THE YORKSHIRE COAST — Whitby’s Dracula connections and ruined abbey, Scarborough, Bridlington and Flamborough Head. There are mentions of Bempton’s puffins, coastal coves, sea fog and the distinctive sound of a foghorn. • HULL AND THE HUMBER — Art, poetry and memories of Hull’s City of Culture celebrations, The Deep, the Humber Bridge and crossing the estuary by ferry before the bridge opened. • MORE YORKSHIRE DAYS OUT — Malcolm’s enthusiasm for Yorkshire Sculpture Park near Wakefield, plus memories of Mother Shipton’s petrifying well, Fountains Abbey and Aysgarth Falls in the Yorkshire Dales. Whether you’re planning a weekend in York, looking for Yorkshire holiday ideas or simply enjoy a funny travel conversation between old friends, join us for a personal tour of this much-loved corner of northern England. Useful visitor note: general admission to York’s National Railway Museum is free. See the museum website for visit information and tickets: https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/ Follow Unravel Travel for more travel stories, destination ideas and good-humoured debate with Malcolm and David. Enjoyed this episode? Leave a rating or review, share it with a fellow traveller and tell us which Yorkshire favourite we missed. If you have a story to share or some feedback to give just contact us at [email protected] Our theme music is Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki from Pixabay (with licence) https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/

Send us Fan Mail Which Thai island should you visit—and is James Bond Island really worth the journey? Malcolm and David return to Thailand to share memories from Koh Tao, Koh Chang, Koh Lanta, Phuket and the spectacular limestone scenery around Krabi and Phang Nga Bay. David recalls a stormy journey to Koh Tao, learning to scuba dive in three and a half days, spending Christmas walking through the jungle and discovering an ocean-view bungalow that cost almost nothing. There are also tranquil mornings on Koh Chang, decidedly less tranquil scooter adventures and thoughts about returning to Koh Lanta for its beaches and diving. Away from the islands, we kayak through Krabi’s mangroves, encounter a barracuda and some persistent macaques, then venture into Khao Sok National Park. Floating cabins, hornbills, a bat nursery, a deadly snake and a swim through a dark jungle cave make this rather more than an ordinary beach holiday. Malcolm takes us back to Phuket in the 1990s and a longtail-boat journey through Phang Nga Bay, stopping at a floating fishing village before reaching James Bond Island—the setting for Scaramanga’s hideaway in The Man with the Golden Gun. The famous location may be crowded, but the extraordinary journey through the limestone islands proves to be the real attraction. Expect honest travel memories, practical observations, spectacular scenery and the usual Unravel Travel humour. Follow Unravel Travel for more entertaining stories and ideas from around the world—and please share the episode with anyone planning a trip to Thailand. If you have a story to share or some feedback to give just contact us at [email protected] Our theme music is Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki from Pixabay (with licence) https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/

Send us Fan Mail Havana is a city of glorious contradictions: elegant Spanish colonial squares and grand hotels, crumbling balconies and improvised daily life, vintage American cars kept running with replacement engines—and music, rum and conversation around every corner. In this episode of Unravel Travel, Malcolm takes David back to his 2016 visit to Havana, Cuba. From the bureaucratic chaos of the airport and the challenge of finding a hidden Cuban homestay to touring the capital in a classic 1950s American car, Malcolm recalls a city that looked remarkably like the Havana seen in films—and unlike anywhere else he had visited. Along the way, Malcolm and David discuss: Drinking a mojito at La Bodeguita del Medio and a daiquiri at El Floridita, following in the footsteps of Ernest HemingwayThe colonial plazas and restored streets of Old HavanaCrumbling apartment buildings, precarious balconies, chickens and bread delivered by basketDriving along the Malecón and through MiramarThe faded glamour of the Hotel Nacional de CubaHavana’s classic American cars and how Cubans keep them runningLobster, black beans, plantains, sugar-cane juice and the unexpected appearance of sponge cake at breakfastCuban rum, cigars and sunset beside Havana harbourThe Museum of the Revolution, Cuban art and a gallery roof leak that might almost have been an exhibitPlaza de la Revolución—and the unfortunate timing that meant missing the Rolling Stones in HavanaReading Graham Greene’s Our Man in Havana and Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the SeaDavid asks the questions while Malcolm explains why Havana’s crumbling magnificence, street life and sense of living history made such a lasting impression. There is also the usual diversion into alcohol, communism, fishing and whether Hemingway’s reputation as an expert drinker makes him a reliable judge of cocktails. This episode is based on Malcolm’s personal experience of visiting Havana in March 2016. Conditions, currencies and entry requirements may have changed, so check current official travel advice before planning a trip. And this is only Havana. A future episode will follow Malcolm and Petra beyond the capital and into rural Cuba, with mountain scenery, coastal villages, snorkelling and diving. If you have a story to share or some feedback to give just contact us at [email protected] Our theme music is Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki from Pixabay (with licence) https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/

Send us Fan Mail How did we travel before smartphones, Google Maps, WhatsApp and instant online booking—and was it actually better? In this nostalgic and frequently funny episode of Unravel Travel, Malcolm and David climb aboard a metaphorical TARDIS and return to the days when independent travel involved physical travel agents, paper maps, enormous guidebooks, travellers’ cheques and a considerable amount of guesswork. The memories include a travel agent nearly booking the wrong Palma—or Parma—an overnight Italian train journey spent on the floor of the baggage carriage beside a dog, and the questionable wisdom of tearing unwanted countries out of a guidebook to save weight. David recalls arriving in Burma, now Myanmar, for a month-long trip with unusable travellers’ cheques and only $100 in cash. With Western email services blocked, even telling the family they were safe required the help of an internet café owner, a borrowed email account and a message written in Dutch to prove they had not been kidnapped. Malcolm remembers pagers, airmail letters and travelling around Singapore and the wider region before mobile internet. There are also tales of finding accommodation by walking the streets with your luggage, navigating unfamiliar bus routes by asking local passengers, and attempting to read an actual road map. Of course, modern technology has not eliminated travel chaos entirely. A more recent Wizz Air flight produced two passengers with exactly the same allocated seat—proving that possession may still be nine-tenths of airline law. Alongside the humour and inevitable digressions, Malcolm and David consider what has genuinely improved. Online booking, Google Maps, ATMs and WhatsApp make travel much easier—but have convenience and constant connectivity removed some of the spontaneity, human interaction and adventure? A funny and affectionate look at travel before the internet, backpacking in Asia, old-fashioned European journeys and the remarkable ways independent travellers managed without an app for absolutely everything. If you have a story to share or some feedback to give just contact us at [email protected] Our theme music is Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki from Pixabay (with licence) https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a summer of UK walking holidays turns into plans to spend most of the winter travelling around Asia? Malcolm and David pause their usual destination-led episodes for a catch-up on where they have been—and where they are heading next. David looks back on walking holidays in the Yorkshire Dales, Peak District and Mendip Hills, including Whernside in glorious sunshine, an exceptionally hot walk through Swaledale, Dovedale, Kinder Scout, Cheddar Gorge and Ebbor Gorge. There is also a useful tip for seeing Stonehenge from the surrounding public-access landscape without buying the standard visitor ticket. They discuss the realities of leading group walking holidays: choosing routes around the weather, carrying enough water, protecting a troublesome knee and understanding why a familiar walk can sometimes give guests a better experience than an entirely new one. Meanwhile, Malcolm has been preparing his Cotswolds home for Airbnb guests as part of a plan to spend around half of each year overseas. He also reveals the logistical challenge of organising a 40-person party at his remote Czech cabin—including camping, beer, transport, an unavailable army tent and the questionable wisdom of lighting a large fire in a very dry meadow. Looking ahead, David is planning an extended winter journey through Chiang Mai and Pai in Thailand, Lombok and Gili Trawangan in Indonesia, and Delhi, McLeod Ganj and Goa in India—followed by a return to Bali. Malcolm is considering road trips through Slovenia and Croatia, plus a possible winter escape to Greece. Along the way, they ask whether travellers should continually chase new destinations or return to places they already know and love. In this episode: Walking Whernside and Swaledale during a heatwaveDovedale, Kinder Scout and Jacob’s LadderCheddar Gorge, Ebbor Gorge and the Mendip HillsWalking to Stonehenge from AmesburyA short visit to York and its darker historyRunning group walking holidaysPreparing a Cotswolds home for AirbnbOrganising a cabin party in the Czech countrysideWinter travel in Thailand, Indonesia and IndiaChiang Mai, Pai, Gili Trawangan, McLeod Ganj, Goa and BaliPossible road trips through Slovenia and CroatiaWhy returning to a favourite destination can beat starting againIf you enjoy Unravel Travel, please follow or subscribe, leave a rating and share the episode with another traveller. This episode is brought to you by Chiltern Walks who provide guided walks and walking holidays around the UK. If you'd like to be added to Chiltern Walks mailing list to receive details of our walking holidays please follow this link to join the Chiltern Walks WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/I6e0xptc88z0B27aJlEHNw If you have a story to share or some feedback to give just contact us at [email protected] Our theme music is Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki from Pixabay (with licence) https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/

Send us Fan Mail Perth may be one of the world’s most isolated major cities, but Western Australia is anything but empty. In this episode, Malcolm returns to 1997, when he travelled from Singapore to spend two weeks with friends living near Scarborough Beach. Dave wasn’t on the trip, so he supplies the questions, reactions and occasional disbelief as Malcolm retraces his journeys around Perth and across Western Australia. The adventure begins in laid-back Perth, beside the Swan River and its black swans, before heading to Rottnest Island for beaches, cycling and an introduction to the island’s famously friendly quokkas. Travelling south brings an unexpectedly green side of Australia: forests, vineyards, wildlife and the Margaret River wine region. In Pemberton, Malcolm tackles the Gloucester Tree—climbing towards its former fire lookout using metal pegs spiralling around the trunk. Going up is one thing; getting down while other people are climbing towards you proves rather more alarming. The landscape changes again heading north. Malcolm visits the strange limestone formations of the Pinnacles Desert before undertaking the much longer drive towards Shark Bay and Monkey Mia. Along the way are Shell Beach, wild dolphins and the extraordinary stromatolites of Hamelin Pool—living structures offering a glimpse of some of the earliest life on Earth. There are also small hire cars, enormous distances, an improvised roadside repair and a confusing encounter with an Australian speeding ticket. Malcolm finishes by recalling later visits to Perth, including watching Ashes cricket at the old WACA Ground, before he and Dave consider whether Western Australia should feature on a modern Australian itinerary. Places and subjects mentioned  Perth and Scarborough Beach  Swan River and Perth city centre  Rottnest Island and quokkas  Margaret River and Western Australian wine  Pemberton and the Gloucester Tree  The Pinnacles and Nambung National Park  Shark Bay and Monkey Mia  Shell Beach  Hamelin Pool stromatolites  Western Australian wildlife  Driving distances and road trips in Western Australia  The WACA Ground and Ashes cricketIf you have any question on this or another travel topic, just contact us at [email protected] Our theme music is Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki from Pixabay (with licence) https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/

Send us Fan Mail A trek to K2 Base Camp is difficult enough with an organised expedition and a team of porters. In 1994, aged just 21 and with very little overseas travel experience, Stewart set out with four university friends to carry everything they needed through Pakistan’s Karakoram mountains. In this episode, Malcolm and David are joined by Malcolm’s brother Stewart, who recounts an extraordinary journey towards K2 involving rockfalls, landslides, dangerous river crossings, severe illness and some decidedly improvised expedition planning. The episode opens with the tragic news of the Broad Peak avalanche that killed mountaineer Nirmal Purja and nine other climbers. Broad Peak stands close to K2 in the Karakoram, overlooking the same remote glacial landscape through which Stewart and his companions travelled more than 30 years earlier. Their adventure began with a gruelling journey from Islamabad to Skardu along the Karakoram Highway. From there, jeeps and sections on foot took them towards Askole, the last village before the traditional K2 Base Camp trekking route. Unlike most expeditions, the group had no porters. They travelled with an experienced local guide, Mansur, but carried their own tents, food, climbing equipment and supplies for a journey expected to last around three weeks. Even reaching the starting point proved dangerous. Landslides had destroyed sections of the mountain road, forcing the group to cross unstable slopes while rocks continued to fall around them. One large rock narrowly missed a team member’s head and struck his backpack instead. Beyond Askole, the route followed river valleys towards the enormous Baltoro Glacier and the mountain amphitheatre around Concordia. This is one of the most dramatic high-altitude landscapes in the world, surrounded by K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II. The group encountered broken paths, exposed ledges hundreds of feet above the valley floor and an improvised wire-and-basket crossing over a raging glacial river. At night they experienced bitter cold, while the days could be intensely hot. In the distance, flashes and artillery fire provided a reminder of the continuing tensions along the nearby Pakistan–India border. The expedition began to unravel when their lightweight water filters became blocked by glacial silt. Stewart was eventually forced to drink water treated with purification tablets but not properly filtered. Several days into the trek, he became seriously ill with what was later diagnosed as both giardiasis and salmonella. Dangerously dehydrated and losing weight rapidly, Stewart had little choice but to abandon the attempt. He and the group’s designated medic, Mark, turned back while the remaining three trekkers and Mansur continued towards their objective. After several difficult days, Stewart and Mark reached the camping area at Jhola, where they waited for the others to return. With no means of communication and no idea whether their companions would arrive in hours or days, they created a chessboard on a sleeping mat and improvised pieces from playing cards. Feeling slightly better—and apparently having learned very little from his illness—Stewart then set off alone to climb a nearby mountain, sleeping overnight on a ridge before returning to camp. The group also encountered remarkably tough local porters, some crossing glaciers in little more than sandals while carrying enormous loads. At one point Mark used much of the expedition’s medical equipment to treat a porter whose badly injured foot had become dangerously infected. Stewart reflects on the expedition’s rudimentary planning, the mistakes they made and the experience of travelling through one of the remotest mountain regions on Earth. He also explains how the journey influenced his attitude towards risk, adventure and preparation for the next 30 years. In this episode Planning a K2 expedition before internet researchTravelling from Islamabad to Skardu on the Karakoram HighwayTrekking from Askole without portersCarrying three weeks of food, tents and equipmentCrossing landslides, exposed ledges and glacial riversWalking on the Baltoro GlacierWater purification problems in the mountainsContracting giardiasis and salmonellaTurning back while the rest of the team continuedMeeting climbers returning after losing teammatesThe lives and extraordinary resilience of local portersWaiting without communications at JholaHow extreme travel changes your attitude towards riskPlaces and subjects mentioned K2 • Broad Peak • Karakoram Mountains • Baltistan • Islamabad • Rawalpindi • Skardu • Askole • Karakoram Highway • Baltoro Glacier • Concordia • Jhola • Gasherbrum I • Gasherbrum II • Pakistan–India border • K2 Base Camp trekking • high-altitude illness • unsupported trekking If you have any question on this or another travel topic, just contact us at [email protected] Our theme music is Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki from Pixabay (with licence) https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/

Send us Fan Mail A cabin in the woods sounds wonderfully romantic—but what is everyday cabin life really like when there is no mains water, electricity or sewage, and the nearest regularly occupied neighbour is around two miles away? In this episode of Unravel Travel, Malcolm takes us inside the remote cabin he has owned for around nine years in the Czech Republic. David, who has visited the cabin six or seven times, contributes the perspective of a regular guest who knows both its pleasures and its practical challenges. Beginning with Henry David Thoreau’s Walden; or, Life in the Woods, Malcolm and David discuss the Central and Eastern European tradition of escaping from city apartments to simple weekend cabins in the countryside. Malcolm’s cabin is more isolated than most: hidden in woodland beside a river and reached by a rough track, it can sometimes feel completely cut off from the outside world. Malcolm explains how the original two-room building—with no chimney, running water or indoor toilet—has gradually been enlarged and improved. Water still arrives in 50-litre containers, power comes from a generator and a small solar-powered 12-volt system, and cooking ranges from a camping stove to surprisingly ambitious meals prepared over an open fire. There is also an honest look at the less glamorous side of off-grid cabin life: mowing a meadow full of ticks, keeping food away from mice, emptying wastewater buckets, running out of cooking gas and maintaining a composting toilet. More successful innovations include solar-powered lighting, USB charging, an outdoor shower using a rechargeable pump and a winter bath beside the wood-burning stove. Along the way, Malcolm and David share stories of enormous campfires attracting the attention of low-flying helicopters, an emergency bottle of seriously out-of-date beer and the difficulties of keeping food cold without a permanently running fridge. Malcolm also recounts his latest journey to the cabin by e-bike, travelling partly by train through Znojmo before cycling the final 40 kilometres. His return journey covered approximately 100 kilometres in six hours and provided a useful test of the bike’s real-world battery range. Away from the practical work, the cabin offers what matters most: long walks, swimming, music around the campfire and the freedom to explore the Czech countryside. A 15-kilometre woodland walk leads Malcolm to otters, signs of wild boar, a secluded lake and an active beaver habitat hidden away from the main paths. For anyone interested in cabin life, off-grid living, slow travel, Czech Republic travel or a different kind of European countryside escape, this episode explores both the inconveniences and the considerable rewards of having a place in the woods. Topics covered: Cabin culture in the Czech Republic and Central EuropeMalcolm’s nine years of owning and improving the cabinLiving without mains water, electricity or sewageSolar panels, batteries, generators and USB chargingOutdoor showers and composting toiletsCooking over an open fireFood storage, water supplies and cabin planningTravelling to the cabin by train and e-bikeHiking and navigation in the Czech countrysideBeavers, otters, wild boar and woodland wildlifeWhy winter cabin life deserves an episode of its own (and many more)Mentioned in the episode: Walden; or, Life in the Woods by Henry David ThoreauThe Czech Republic/CzechiaZnojmo - historic and beautiful border townwww.Mapy.cz - free and perfect for walking or cycling routes and navigationRechargeable camping showers - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laserbeak-Camping-Portable-Handheld-Electric/dp/B0744938XLE-bike touring and battery managementSolar-powered cabin lightingCzech/Moravia cabins for sale -  https://jiho.moravskereality.cz/prodej/chaty-chalupy/?sff=1  (warning this is a rabbit hole) 28czk=£1 If you have any question on this or another travel topic, just contact us at [email protected] Our theme music is Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki from Pixabay (with licence) https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/

Send us Fan Mail Can a music festival replace a traditional summer holiday? In this episode of Unravel Travel, Malcolm and David revisit more than three decades of festival travel, free concerts and trips built around live music. Their festival memories begin at Glastonbury Festival in 1992, reached from North Lincolnshire in an ageing Mini with camping equipment—and a portable toilet—strapped to the roof. They recall James, Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine and several emerging performers they failed to appreciate fully at the time, including Blur and PJ Harvey. Malcolm returned to Glastonbury in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1999. He remembers the smaller stages, comedy, crafts and bars beyond the main programme, as well as the festival’s increasingly formidable fences and ticket arrangements. His memories also include Tom Jones, a burning wicker figure, comedian Rob Newman, or was it? Malcolm’s first major festival was Reading Festival in 1991, where he attended on Sunday to see The Sisters of Mercy. Only afterwards did he appreciate what he had missed on the other days—including Nirvana. It demonstrates one advantage of attending an entire music festival: discovering performers you did not originally plan to see. And a guest appearance by John Peel. The episode then travels to Rock Werchter in Belgium, where David saw Metallica, Neil Young with Booker T. and the MG’s, Faith No More, Lenny Kravitz, the Levellers and Sonic Youth in 1993. Compared with major British festivals, tickets, food and drink in Belgium were surprisingly affordable. After starting a family, Malcolm returned to festival life through the family-friendly Wychwood Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Between approximately 2010 and 2013, the family saw performers including the Waterboys, the Damned, the Levellers, the Saw Doctors, Dodgy, Dreadzone and the Human League. Wychwood combined live music with comedy, crafts and children’s activities. Free festivals also feature strongly. David recalls the 1994 Carnival Against the Nazis in Brockwell Park, featuring the Levellers and Manic Street Preachers, and seeing John Cale with the Soldier String Quartet at Belgium’s Lokerse Feesten. At Gentse Feesten, the historic centre of Ghent becomes a ten-day city festival of music, theatre, circus and street performance. Although, not quite offering the same vibe the same vibe, the rise of one day festivals like British Summertime Live (Hyde park, London), usually offer great line ups and give a great reason to visit a place and hook for a memorable trip which can include other activities in nearby locations. Finally, Malcolm and David discuss travelling to see bands, including The Wedding Present in Ghent, New Model Army in Brno and concerts at venues such as Nottingham Rock City, the Marquee and Wembley. They finish with memories of the Great Xpectations Festival in Finsbury Park and the pleasure of discovering free local live music such as the summer delight of Cap r live music in Breclav, Czechia. Places mentioned  Glastonbury and Pilton, Somerset  Reading  North Lincolnshire  Cheltenham and Cheltenham Racecourse  Brockwell Park, London  Finsbury Park, London  Hyde Park, London  Ghent, Belgium  Werchter, Belgium  Lokeren, Belgium  Brno, Czechia  Bradford  Bristol  Nottingham  Wembley and Hammersmith, London  Singapore  New York Other subjects and performers mentioned  Festivals as alternatives to conventional holidays  Travelling overseas for cheaper concerts  Discovering unfamiliar performers  Festival ticket ballots and security  Glastonbury’s fences and unofficial entry  Camping equipment and the portable toilet  Arriving early and leaving after the crowds  Family-friendly festivals  Free festivals and politically motivated music events  Following New Model Army around Europe  The Wedding Present in Ghent  Festival camaraderie  Famous music venues  Pulp and David Bowie  James, Carter USM, Blur and PJ Harvey  The Sisters of Mercy and Nirvana  Metallica and Neil Young  John CaleGreen Day The CureThe Damned The Levellers and Manic Street PreachersIf you have any question on this or another travel topic, just contact us at [email protected] Our theme music is Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki from Pixabay (with licence) https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/

Send us Fan Mail What is it really like to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? David recalls a 17-day adventure through Peru, from Lima and Lake Titicaca to Cusco, the breathtaking Sun Gate and the Amazon rainforest. There are spectacular mountains, altitude struggles, football with the porters, jungle wildlife and one unforgettable toilet disaster. In this episode of Unravel Travel, Malcolm quizzes David about his first major trekking holiday, an organised trip to Peru in 2001 with Barbara. The centrepiece was the famous four-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, but the journey also took in some of Peru's most remarkable landscapes and cultural attractions. Lima, Lake Titicaca and the Floating Islands David's adventure begins in Lima, where he discovers extraordinary humidity, colonial architecture and a cathedral with vultures circling overhead. From Lima, the journey continues by train into the Andes towards Lake Titicaca, more than 3,800 metres above sea level. Here, David visits the remarkable Uros Floating Islands, constructed from reeds, and Taquile Island, where a gentle-looking walk provides an early introduction to hiking at altitude. The thin air comes as quite a shock. Even getting off the train for a short walk leaves David feeling lightheaded. Cusco: The Gateway to Machu Picchu Next comes Cusco, the historic Inca capital and starting point for many Inca Trail adventures. David remembers it as one of the highlights of the entire journey, with sunny weather, beautiful architecture, atmospheric streets and a wonderfully relaxed feel. We discuss the city's Spanish colonial heritage, its churches and cafés, and why David would happily have spent much longer exploring. Cusco also provides an opportunity to acclimatise before tackling the mountains. The Four-Day Inca Trail: Trekking to Machu Picchu The main event is the legendary Inca Trail, a four-day trek through spectacular Andean scenery towards Machu Picchu. David had never previously attempted a major trekking expedition and assumed that playing five-a-side football would provide sufficient fitness. He was wrong. The trek involves camping, steep mountain paths and a great deal of climbing at altitude. Among the experiences we discuss: Dead Woman's Pass: At approximately 4,200 metres, the highest and most physically demanding point of the classic Inca Trail.The porters: Incredibly fit local workers who carry camping equipment up the mountains, sometimes running past exhausted trekkers wearing little more than basic footwear.Camping on the trail: Shared tents, basic facilities and the pleasures and indignities of mountain life.Football at altitude: David and his fellow travellers challenge the porters to evening football matches, despite having spent the day struggling through the mountains.The toilet incident: A deeply embarrassing misunderstanding about the facilities that David still remembers more than two decades later.The conversation also covers coca leaves, altitude sickness and the importance of preparing properly for a demanding trek. Machu Picchu: Arriving Through the Sun Gate After four days of trekking, David finally reaches Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, overlooking Machu Picchu. The first sight of the ancient Inca city surrounded by mountains proves genuinely emotional. Having struggled over high passes and spent days camping, arriving on foot makes the experience particularly rewarding. David recalls the overwhelming satisfaction of completing the trek and the extraordinary view down onto one of the world's most famous archaeological sites. Afterwards, there's the welcome luxury of a hot shower, beer and a soak in the hot springs at Aguas Calientes. We also discuss trying traditional Peruvian food, including guinea pig, or cuy. Exploring the Peruvian Amazon: Caiman, Macaws and Jungle Life The journey doesn't finish at Machu Picchu. David and Barbara extend their holiday with several days in the Peruvian Amazon, staying at a rainforest lodge. It's a dramatic change from the dry mountain air of the Andes. Highlights include:Travelling by boat into the rainforest.Searching for caiman by torchlight during a night excursion.Jungle walks and the sounds of howler monkeys.Looking for giant river otters, but discovering a spectacular gathering of macaws instead.Meeting rescued macaws at the lodge, including one particularly affectionate bird.After the physical demands of the Inca Trail, the Amazon proves a wonderful way to finish the holiday. Is Peru Worth Visiting for the Inca Trail Alone? David's trip combines ancient history, extraordinary landscapes, memorable local encounters and plenty of unexpected experiences. From Lake Titicaca and the atmospheric streets of Cusco to the emotional arrival at Machu Picchu and the wildlife of the Amazon, Peru delivers far more than a single famous trek. Join Malcolm and David for first-hand travel experiences, practical observations, embarrassing mishaps and the usual Unravel Travel humour. Places and experiences mentioned Lima, Lake Titicaca, Uros Floating Islands, Taquile Island, Cusco, Inca Trail, Dead Woman's Pass, Sun Gate (Inti Punku), Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, Peruvian Amazon, caiman and macaws. David's journey took place in 2001. Inca Trail booking arrangements, permits, safety requirements and visitor access have changed since then. Have a Peru travel story or a trekking adventure to share? Contact us at [email protected]. Follow Unravel Travel for weekly travel stories, destination inspiration and conversations with Malcolm and David. Theme music: Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki, via Pixabay (used under licence). https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/