There's nothing better than cosying up on a flight ahead of a long-awaited holiday and getting that escapism in early by disappearing into your favourite podcast. These are the ones we can’t get enough of right now, a mix of travel-related shows and addictive, immersive series that are ideal for listening to while travelling anywhere.
Jules Perowne’s Unpacked
Serious travel die-hards should be plugging into Jules Perowne’s Unpacked. The CEO of Perowne International, one of the UK’s most important PR and digital marketing consultancies, launched this podcast in January 2024 and we’ve been waiting with bated breath for the first episode to be released. Jules brings other travel experts together to understand what makes the travel industry tick, from chatting about a return to simplicity with former Tatler Travel Editor Fran Kellett to the one piece of advice every traveller needs to know with hotelier James McBride.
Alan Carr Life’s a Beach
If you’re looking for a dose of holiday vibes with the UK’s favourite chatty man, Alan Carr’s Life’s A Beach is the podcast for you. Each week, the comedian invites a new guest to talk about their favourite places in the world. It’s a laid-back affair to escape into the lives and travel tales of the likes of comedians Kevin Bridges, Seann Walsh, and Ed Gamble to singers Jess Glyne, Beverley Knight, Rick Astley and even the Sugababes.
Stompcast
Few people thought that Love Island star Alex George would become the leading mental health advocate he is today, but this podcast is a clear example of his dedication to enhancing the lives of people needing a brief pause in their busy lives. Dr Alex believes that the simple act of walking can provide just that – while listening to an uplifting and thought-provoking chat between himself and a host of important guests. Think how to beat the January blues, how food can boost your energy and the difference between male and female mental health.
Travel secrets with Tanya Rose
Who better to host a travel podcast than one of the world’s leading experts in the field? Tanya Rose, founder of PR agency Mason Rose, has long been renowned in the industry for her breadth of knowledge on destinations, hotels, lifestyle and wellness, and her podcast is the perfect place to pick her brains for your future holidays. In Travel Secrets With Tanya Rose, she hosts a variety of well-travelled guests who talk about everything from their favourite holidays and how to really switch off to the ultimate lifestyle and travel hacks. Guests so far include actor Mark Strong and Vogue’s former CBO Vanessa Kingori, so rest assured future experts will be of high-reaching calibre.
Morning Meeting with Ashley Baker and Michael Hainey
Former Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Graydon Carter set up the lifestyle and cultural newsletter and website Airmail alongside its accompanying Saturday morning podcast with editors Ashley Baker and Michael Hainey. The pair discuss everything from what they've been reading, watching and thinking about that week to the latest Air Mail features. Contributor interviews have included Carter himself, as well as Rachel Johnson for her unique insight into Downing Street and Fran Lebowitz. An informative but light-hearted cultural weekly download.
Women Who Travel
Condé Nast Traveller's podcast takes listeners through the lives and minds of women, and how travel and adventure have shaped their lives. Host and editor Lale Arikoglu interviews female-identifying guests about their favourite stories and memories, allowing listeners to glean inspiration for their next adventures from those who are most curious about the world and how travel connects us all.
Off Menu with James Acaster and Ed Gamble
Hosted by this hilarious duo, Off Menu gives guests such as Louis Theroux, Paul Rudd, Florence Pugh and Paul Mescal the chance to select their dream menus, transporting listeners all over the world from the Caribbean to Japan. It's a light-hearted way to discover travel and restaurant tips from people who have travelled all over the globe, and a great way to hear some of your favourite celebrity's top foodie memories.
The Slow Newscast
This podcast by Tortoise Media is a deep dive into a single big news story. Founded by a group of news experts disillusioned by the industry's shortcomings, the site is a breath of fresh air, allowing a real ‘slow’ discussion into a single important topic. The episodes equip you with the knowledge you need to navigate big conversations, from Alexei Navalny's challenge to Putin to the mysterious disappearance of Jack Ma, Alibaba's co-founder and former executive chairman. Most importantly, though, it provokes you to think rather than mindlessly throw your opinion into the mix.
The Adam Buxton Podcast
This podcast is a collection of interviews that Adam Buxton describes as "ramble chats" due to their total lack of structure. He manages to combine his natural comedic eccentricity with the unashamed nosiness of a journalist, and every episode includes laugh-out-loud chats and thought-provoking interviews with guests. Notable features are Sir Paul McCartney and author Elizabeth Day.
The Travel Diaries with Holly Rubenstein
This is a weekly slice of escapism with famous faces from Michael Palin to Anya Hindmarch detailing their best trips and treasured places around the world. Presenter Holly Rubenstein breaks up the hour-long podcast into life chapters so listeners get a sense of travel through the decades. Previous guests also include Condé Nast Traveller's Divia Thani and sustainability editor Juliet Kinsman.
Table Manners with Jessie Ware
Mother-and-daughter duo Jessie and Lennie Ware make for some of the more amusing interviewers around. Their lively feasts – they cook for their guests, usually at Lenny’s house – are interspersed with minor bickers as they grill top-tier celebrities on their favourite foods from all over the world. Favourites include an awkward meeting with David Schwimmer during which he trashes their banana bread, a lunch with Elizabeth Olsen, who is a genuine fan of the podcast and Yotam Ottolenghi, who ends up helping out in the kitchen. It feels as if you’re in the kitchen with this foodie family and there’s recipe inspiration aplenty.
Desert Island Discs with Lauren Laverne
Sometimes the oldies are the best. It's a relaxing look into the trials and tribulations of some of the world's most important minds through the medium of music, hosted by Lauren Laverne. Recent interviews include Cillian Murphy, fresh off his Oscar win for Oppenheimer, actor Jamie Dornan, cookery writer Delia Smith and director Greta Gerwig.