***2026 Timetable Coming Soon***

Travel smarter and explore further! Explorers, broadcasters and travel journalists provide all the insight and inspiration you need to maximise your next journey.

The Travel Stage features: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival
Afternoon sessions with a lineup of TV personalities and the very best travel writers entertain with their tales from around the world. 

The Travel Stage sponsored by

Travelzoo

Content subject to change. Scroll down to see the 2025 timetable.

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10:45
  1. Wanderlust Visions - Video Finalists
    35 mins
    View the video finalists for the Wanderlust Visions competition.  The Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year Gallery will be returning in 2025 with a new and refreshed format. Alongside the year’s best t …
11:15
  1. Simon Calder's Travel Bucket List and Q&A
    50 mins
    Find out what's on Simon's ultimate travel bucket list and your chance to put your questions to him to kick start your 2025 travel plans. 
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Simon Calder
    Simon Calder, Travel Journalist
12:15
  1. Wanderlust Magazine - Travel as a Force for Good
    35 mins
    Do you want your travels to not only be sustainable but make a positive difference? This Wanderlust panel, hosted by Wanderlust Sustainability Editor Diana Jarvis, will share inspirational ideas for h …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Diana Jarvis
    Diana Jarvis - Wanderlust Travel Magazine
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Lyn Hughes
    Lyn Hughes, Wanderlust Founding Editor - Wanderlust Travel Magazine
    Speaker image for Tom Bennedik
    Tom Bennedik - Wanderlust Travel Magazine
    Speaker image for Ozan Ortac
    Ozan Ortac - Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency
    Speaker image for Carol Savage
    Carol Savage - Not In The Guidebooks
13:00
  1. The Times & The Sunday Times : How to make a multigen holiday work for everyone
    45 mins
    Travelling with two or three generations of your family this year? Our experts have all the tips and practical advice to make it a doddle, whether it's a big trip or a long weekend.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Claire Irvin
    Claire Irvin, Head of Travel - The Times and Sunday Times
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Susan d'Arcy
    Susan d'Arcy, Hotels Expert - The Times and Sunday Times
14:00
  1. Breaking Barriers: Hilary Bradt's Life in Travel
    45 mins
    Taking the Risk is Hilary Bradt's engaging, insightful, amusing and sometimes alarming memoir about serendipitous adventures in travel and publishing. A travel industry trail-blazer who co-founded Bra …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Simon Calder
    Simon Calder, Travel Journalist
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Hilary Bradt
    Hilary Bradt, Journalist
15:00
  1. Tim Marshall: Geopolitics Today
    45 mins
    All leaders are influenced by geography. Their choices are shaped by mountains, rivers, seas and concrete. To follow world events you need to understand people, ideas and movements - but if you don't …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Tim Marshall
    Tim Marshall, Author
16:00
  1. Ray Mears: British Woodland
    45 mins
    During his decades long career as a bushcraft and survival expert, one thing always shines through about Ray Mears - his love of the nature and lan dscape within which he finds himself. His latest boo …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Phoebe Smith
    Phoebe Smith, Travel Writer
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Ray Mears
    Ray Mears, Bushcraft, Survival Expert and Author
10:45
  1. Wanderlust Magazine - The Best Train Travels for 2025
    35 mins
    This year is the 200th anniversary of rail travel, and is more popular than ever with a host of new and restored routes around the world. This expert panel, hosted by Wanderlust’s Laura Field, will gi …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Laura Field
    Laura Field, Regional Editor - Wanderlust
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Ozan Ortac
    Ozan Ortac - Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency
    Speaker image for Gareth Clark
    Gareth Clark - Wanderlust
    Speaker image for Jacqui Agate
    Jacqui Agate - Wanderlust
11:30
  1. The Times & The Sunday Times : How to find the right adventure for you, at sea
    35 mins
    From an affordable expedition to the Galapagos to exploring the Med solo, Sue Bryant and Laura Jackson explain why there's a cruise for every type of traveller.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Sue Bryant
    Sue Bryant, Cruise Expert - The Times and Sunday Times
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Laura Jackson
    Laura Jackson - The Times and Sunday Times
12:15
  1. Travelling Solo, But Not Alone
    35 mins
    Join an interview and Q&A with Just You ambassador, author, and broadcaster Janet Ellis as she shares her transformative journey of solo travel. Discover how Janet fell in love with travel again durin …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Janet Ellis
    Janet Ellis, Presenter and Ambassador - Just You
13:00
  1. Destinations: Inspiring Travel For 30 Years
    45 mins
    Join our panel of travellers who were all at the first Destinations Show 30 years ago, as they discuss their experiences and how travel has changed over the last 30 years.
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Lyn Hughes
    Lyn Hughes, Wanderlust Founding Editor - Wanderlust Travel Magazine
    Speaker image for Paul Goldstein
    Paul Goldstein, Guide & Award-winning Photographer
    Speaker image for Hilary Bradt
    Hilary Bradt, Journalist
    Speaker image for Valerie Singleton OBE
    Valerie Singleton OBE
14:00
  1. Why We Travel
    45 mins
    What are the benefits of travelling, and why do so many of us feel compelled to do it? Ash Bhardwaj, author of Why We Travel, is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster, whose work explores the in …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Ann Morgan
    Ann Morgan, Author and Literary Explorer
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Ash Bhardwaj
    Ash Bhardwaj, Travel Writer and Journalist
    Speaker image for Phoebe Smith
    Phoebe Smith, Travel Writer
15:00
  1. Petroc Trelawny's Cornwall
    45 mins
    Petroc Trelawny grew up on the Lizard Peninsula in the far south of Cornwall. His new book is part history, part memoir and a deeply felt exploration of Cornwall. Talking to Ann Morgan, he takes us by …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Ann Morgan
    Ann Morgan, Author and Literary Explorer
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Petroc Trelawny
    Petroc Trelawny, Presenter
16:00
  1. Louise Minchin in Conversation
    45 mins
    Journalist and broadcaster Louise Minchin has travelled a lot for work, but also while researching her non-fiction title Fearless, which detailed the lives of 17 extraordinary women, in places as dive …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Ann Morgan
    Ann Morgan, Author and Literary Explorer
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Louise Minchin
    Louise Minchin
10:45
  1. The Times & The Sunday Times - Sun, snow and sea: 2025's best affordable adventures
    35 mins
    Get out of your comfort zone as our experts guide you through thoughtful ways to get outdoors, from e-biking in the Alps to wild swimming in Wales  
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Gemma Bowes
    Gemma Bowes, Associate Travel Editor - The Times and Sunday Times
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Sean Newsom
    Sean Newsom, Ski Editor - The Times and Sunday Times
    Speaker image for James Stewart
    James Stewart, Travel Writer - The Times and The Sunday Times
11:30
  1. John Torode MBE on Western Australia
    35 mins
    From incredible wildlife, wineries and scenery to the passionate food producers, John Torode chats about all he discovered whilst in Western Australia. Hear his favourite places, biggest surprises and …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Lyn Hughes
    Lyn Hughes, Wanderlust Founding Editor - Wanderlust Travel Magazine
12:15
  1. Holiday Hacks for a Great Deal - How to bag a great bargain on land, sea or air with Travelzoo
    35 mins
    Tips and tricks from inside the industry on how to get the best holiday deal and make their money go further. From best time to book flights to best time to visit certain destinations. Attendees will …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Cat Jordan
    Cat Jordan, Director of Communications - Travelzoo
    Speakers
    Speaker image for James Clarke
    James Clarke - Travelzoo
    Speaker image for Katy Maclure
    Katy Maclure - Jack's Flight Club
    Speaker image for Andy Harmer
    Andy Harmer - Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
13:00
  1. How to Fly First Class for (Almost) Free
    45 mins
    Join Nicky Kelvin, The Points Guy Editor-at-Large for his latest tips and advice on how to maximise your travel using points and miles ' all whilst helping you save money. From your supermarket shop t …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Nicky Kelvin
    Nicky Kelvin, Editor at large, The Points Guy UK - The Points Guy
14:00
  1. A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks
    45 mins
    Drawing on decades of experience excavating shipwrecks around the world, renowned maritime archaeologist David Gibbins reveals the riches beneath the waves and shows us how the treasures found there c …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Ash Bhardwaj
    Ash Bhardwaj, Travel Writer and Journalist
    Speakers
    Speaker image for David Gibbins
    David Gibbins, Author
15:00
  1. Allegra McEvedy: A Chef's Journey
    45 mins
    Allegra McEvedy is a chef, writer, broadcaster, consultant and cookery teacher. In her early career she worked at some of London's best restaurants, as well as cheffing in New York and San Francisco. …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Allegra McEvedy
    Allegra McEvedy, Chef and Author
    Speaker image for Julia Leonard
    Julia Leonard, Food Writer
16:00
  1. Trevor McDonald's World of Cricket
    45 mins
    Sir Trevor McDonald is one of Britain's most celebrated broadcasters and his devotion for cricket is almost as well-known as his legendary professional achievements. He talks to Simon Lister about his …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Simon Lister
    Simon Lister, Author
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Trevor McDonald
    Trevor McDonald, Broadcaster
10:45
  1. Wanderlust Visions - Video Finalists
    35 mins
    View the video finalists for the Wanderlust Visions competition.  The Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year Gallery will be returning in 2025 with a new and refreshed format. Alongside the year’s best t …
11:30
  1. The Changing Mindsets of Solo Travellers
    35 mins
    With the WHO declaring loneliness a 'global public health concern solo travel has become one of travel's fastest growing sectors as travellers are reluctant to miss out on holidays due to waiting for …
    Sponsored by:
    G Adventures
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Stephanie Francis
    Stephanie Francis - G Adventures
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Emily Mikus
    Emily Mikus - G Adventures
    Speaker image for Kav Dadfar
    Kav Dadfar - JRNY Travel Magazine
    Speaker image for Jackie Rezk
    Jackie Rezk - Jou Jou Travels
12:15
  1. The Times & The Sunday Times : Rail travel, What's new for 2025
    35 mins
    What happens when you get two train fans on the same stage? Find out when chief travel writer Chris Haslam interviews Mark Smith, The Man in Seat 61. to get the inside track on the year ahead.  
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Chris Haslam
    Chris Haslam, Chief Travel Writer - The Sunday Times
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Mark Smith
    Mark Smith - The Man in Seat 61
13:00
  1. Wanderlust Magazine - Where's Good To Go in 2025
    45 mins
    Discover some new inspiring choices for countries, cities and regions and find out why you should visit them in 2025. Hosted by Wanderlust Editor-in-Chief George Kipouros.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for George Kipouros
    George Kipouros, Editor in Chief - Wanderlust
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Laura Field
    Laura Field, Regional Editor - Wanderlust
    Speaker image for Jacqui Agate
    Jacqui Agate - Wanderlust
    Speaker image for Dianne Apen-Sadler
    Dianne Apen-Sadler - Wanderlust
14:00
  1. Writers' Journeys
    45 mins
    Some truly remarkable works of literature have been inspired by writers spending time travelling. From epic road trips and arduous treks into remote territories, to cultural tours and sojourns in the …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Ash Bhardwaj
    Ash Bhardwaj, Travel Writer and Journalist
    Speaker image for Travis Elborough
    Travis Elborough, Author
15:00
  1. A Cheesemongers Tour de France
    45 mins
    In A Cheesemonger's Tour de France, Ned Palmer wends his way around the country's regions, meeting the remarkable cheesemongers who carry the torch for France's oldest and most treasured traditions. H …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Ned Palmer
    Ned Palmer, Author
    Speaker image for Julia Leonard
    Julia Leonard, Food Writer
16:00
  1. Jay Rayner in Conversation
    45 mins
    For twenty-five years, award-winning restaurant critic Jay Rayner has been uncovering the very best of the nation's eateries, from high end restaurants to high street grills. In his new book, Nights O …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Jay Rayner
    Jay Rayner, Writer, Journalist and Broadcaster
    Speaker image for Julia Leonard
    Julia Leonard, Food Writer