Travel smarter and explore further! Explorers, broadcasters and travel journalists provided all the insight and inspiration you needed 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

2026 STAGE TIMETABLE

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10:45
  1. Destinations: Where to Go in 2026 & Beyond
    30 mins
    Simon on his top places to explore in 2026 and beyond.
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Simon Calder
    Simon Calder, Travel Journalist
11:45
  1. Wanderlust Magazine: Expedition Cruises - Everything You Need to Know
    45 mins
    Wanderlust and a panel of experts look at the exciting world of Expedition Cruising. From the differences between the Arctic and Antarctic, to the warm weather routes that will take you to exotic plac …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Elliot Welsteed-Crook
    Elliot Welsteed-Crook, COO and Head of Creative Content
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Martin Johnson
    Martin Johnson, Co-founder and Director Polar Routes and Chair of the Expedition Cruise Network - Polar Routes
    Speaker image for Liz Lunnon
    Liz Lunnon, Head of Product, Discover the World - With Wanderlust
    Speaker image for Powell Ettinger
    Powell Ettinger - Small Cruise Ship Collection
12:30
  1. The Happiness List 2026
    45 mins
    Join us for a session where we unveil the G Adventures 'Happiness List 2026' - drawing on global consumer research that moves beyond where people should go, and instead focuses on the experiences and …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Brian Young
    Brian Young, Managing Director - G Adventures
13:15
  1. Adventure Awaits: How to Pick the Perfect Escorted Tour
    Penny Smith shares how to pick the perfect escorted tour.
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Penny Smith
    Penny Smith, Author, TV Show Host and Travelsphere Ambassador - With Travelsphere
14:00
  1. Saying Yes to Adventure with Anita Rani & Discover the World
    45 mins
    Join TV presenter Anita Rani and Wanderlust’s Founding Editor Lyn Hughes, as they share stories and answer your questions about Anita’s adventures with Discover the World across Iceland, Greenland and …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Anita Rani
    Anita Rani, Broadcaster - Discover The World Ambassador
15:00
  1. Shafik Meghji - Small Earthquakes
    45 mins
    Travel writer, journalist and author Shafik Meghji discuses some of the stories featured in his new book, Small Earthquakes, which explores Britain's forgotten connections with South America. Ranging …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Shafik Meghji
    Shafik Meghji, Author
    Speaker image for Ann Morgan
    Ann Morgan, Author and Literary Explorer
16:00
  1. Thor Pederson - The Impossible Journey
    45 mins
    Thor Pedesen talking about his incredible adventure to be the first person to visit every country on Earth without stepping on a plane. When Thor first set out on what he thought would be a four-year …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Thor Pedesen
    Thor Pedesen, Traveller and Adventurer
10:45
  1. Wanderlust Magazine: The World of Solo Travel
    45 mins
    You don’t need to be single, you don’t need to be young, and you certainly don’t need to be brave. In this myth-busting session we look at the benefits of solo travel, the practicalities, and a range …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Lyn Hughes
    Lyn Hughes, Wanderlust Founding Editor - Wanderlust Travel Magazine
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Debbie Flynn
    Debbie Flynn, Chair of Advisory Board & Global Travel Practice Leader FINN Partners - Club Avandra
    Speaker image for Brian Young
    Brian Young, Managing Director - G Adventures
    Speaker image for Laura Field
    Laura Field, Regional Editor - Wanderlust
11:30
  1. Where to Next? The Underrated and Undervisited Destinations That Should Top Your Travel List
    45 mins
    From Sierra Leone to rural Romania, our desire to travel to under-the-radar destinations is growing. Joined a panel of seasoned travel writers to learn about Intrepid Travel's latest Not Hot List - wh …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Hazel McGuire
    Hazel McGuire, Chief Marketing Officer - Intrepid Travel
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Ian Packham
    Ian Packham, Travel Writer - Intrepid Travel
    Speaker image for Kirsten Henton
    Kirsten Henton, Writer - Intrepid Travel
    Speaker image for Robbie Hodges
    Robbie Hodges, Strategy Lead - Intrepid Travel
12:15
  1. The Times and Sunday Times: These Trends Will Shape Your Holidays in 2026
    30 mins
    Sorting the reality from the fantasy with Sean Newsom and Sunday Times experts Susan D'Arcy and Sue Bryant.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Sean Newsom
    Sean Newsom, Ski Editor - The Times and Sunday Times
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Sue Bryant
    Sue Bryant, Cruise Expert - The Times and Sunday Times
    Speaker image for Susan d'Arcy
    Susan d'Arcy, Hotels Expert - The Times and Sunday Times
13:00
  1. Superb Staycations - Great Tips and Tricks for Holidaying in Great Britain
    60 mins
    Join Travelzoo and their panel of experts as they share insights on how to find and book the best staycations. Celebrate the best of Great Britain with insider tips, hidden gems, and inspiring destina …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Amy Lindsay
    Amy Lindsay, Executive Producer - Travelzoo
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Alexis Peppis
    Alexis Peppis, Head of Sales - Evan Evans Tours
    Speaker image for Nick Hurley
    Nick Hurley, Head of Hotel Sales - Travelzoo
    Speaker image for Janet Uttley
    Janet Uttley, Head of Industry Development - VisitBritain
14:00
  1. Ash Bhadwaj - Why We Travel
    45 mins
    Ash Bhardwaj reveals how turning travel on its head can lead to more fulfilling and transformative travels. Brought to life through immersive stories from his award-winning book, Why We Travel, and ne …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Ash Bhardwaj
    Ash Bhardwaj, Travel Writer and Journalist
15:00
  1. Tristan Gooley - The Hidden Seasons
    45 mins
    Award-winning and international best selling author Tristan Gooley shows us how to read the clues that the sun, moon, stars, plants, fungi, animals, water, and weather all give us - but that we contin …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Tristan Gooley
    Tristan Gooley, Writer
    Speaker image for Nicholas Crane
    Nicholas Crane, Writer
16:00
  1. In Conversation with Julia Bradbury
    45 mins
    Julia Bradbury is an award-winning travel and outdoors broadcaster celebrated for immersive walking and travel series that reveal landscapes, cultures and journeys. She champions slow exploration and …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Julia Bradbury
    Julia Bradbury
10:45
  1. The Times and Sunday Times: These Trends Will Shape Your Holidays in 2026
    30 mins
    Sorting the reality from the fantasy with Chris Haslam and Sunday Times experts Susan D'Arcy, Sue Bryant and Sean Newsom.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Chris Haslam
    Chris Haslam, Chief Travel Writer - The Sunday Times
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Sue Bryant
    Sue Bryant, Cruise Expert - The Times and Sunday Times
    Speaker image for Sean Newsom
    Sean Newsom, Ski Editor - The Times and Sunday Times
    Speaker image for Susan d'Arcy
    Susan d'Arcy, Hotels Expert - The Times and Sunday Times
11:30
  1. Wanderlust Magazine: Where's Good To Go in 2026
    45 mins
    The Wanderlust team reveal new inspiring choices for countries, cities and regions and find out why you should visit them in 2026.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Laura Field
    Laura Field, Regional Editor - Wanderlust
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Lyn Hughes
    Lyn Hughes, Wanderlust Founding Editor - Wanderlust Travel Magazine
    Speaker image for Jacqui Agate
    Jacqui Agate - Wanderlust
    Speaker image for James Smith
    James Smith, VP Destination Partnerships - 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
    45 mins
    Travelzoo share tips and tricks from inside the industry on how to get the best holiday deal and make your money go further—whether you're booking a beach break, cruise, city escape or flight. Discove …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Cat Jordan
    Cat Jordan, Communications Director - Travelzoo
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Jack Carter
    Jack Carter, Group Editor - World of Cruising
    Speaker image for Katy Maclure
    Katy Maclure - Jack's Flight Club
    Speaker image for James Clarke
    James Clarke, General Manager - Travelzoo
13:00
  1. How to Fly First Class for (Almost) Free
    30 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. Adam Weymouth - Lone Wolf
    45 mins
    A young wolf named Slavc set out from Slovenia. Tracked by GPS, he travelled a thousand miles. In his book, 'Lone Wolf', Weymouth records his incredible adventure walking Slavc's path and examining th …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Adam Weymouth
    Adam Weymouth, Author
15:00
  1. Jenna Carr - Yes, You can Travel with Kids
    45 mins
    A former NHS doctor, Jenna Carr aka "The Travel Mum" began sharing her budget-friendly family travel tips in 2019, quickly gaining popularity during the pandemic. Known for her practical advice and en …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Jenna Carr
    Jenna Carr, Author and Influencer
    Speaker image for Phoebe Smith
    Phoebe Smith, Travel Writer
16:00
  1. Sir Michael Palin - Venezuela
    45 mins
    Michael Palin is a legendary travel presenter and author whose journeys span the globe with curiosity, humour and insight. His latest book, Michael Palin in Venezuela, draws on first-hand exploration …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Sir Michael Palin
    Sir Michael Palin, Actor, Broadcaster and Author.
11:00
  1. Wanderlust Visions - Video Finalists
    30 mins
    Wanderlust Magazine
11:30
  1. Wanderlust Magazine: Where's Good to Go in 2026
    45 mins
    The Wanderlust team reveal new inspiring choices for countries, cities and regions and find out why you should visit them in 2026.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Lyn Hughes
    Lyn Hughes, Wanderlust Founding Editor - Wanderlust Travel Magazine
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Jacqui Agate
    Jacqui Agate - Wanderlust
    Speaker image for James Smith
    James Smith, VP Destination Partnerships - Wanderlust Travel Magazine
    Speaker image for Katy Maclure
    Katy Maclure - Jack's Flight Club
12:15
  1. The Times and Sunday TImes: These Trends Will Shape Your Holidays in 2026
    30 mins
    Sorting the reality from the fantasy with Chris Haslam and Sunday Times experts Sue Bryant and Sean Newsom.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Chris Haslam
    Chris Haslam, Chief Travel Writer - The Sunday Times
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Sue Bryant
    Sue Bryant, Cruise Expert - The Times and Sunday Times
    Speaker image for Sean Newsom
    Sean Newsom, Ski Editor - The Times and Sunday Times
13:00
  1. Race Across the World: Journey Across China, Nepal and India
    40 mins
    Brian and Melyvn recount their incredible journey racing across China, Nepal, and India. Travelling with limited resources and without relying on flights, they navigated vast landscapes, cultural cont …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Brian And Melvyn
    Brian And Melvyn, Race Across The World Contestants
14:00
  1. Untold Railway Journeys
    45 mins
    A conversation with three of the contributors of  'Untold Railway Stories', a compendium of new writing telling us of the little know journeys and uncovered histories of railway route around the world …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Martin
    Andrew Martin, Journalist, Rail Historian, Crime Novelist and Writer
    Speaker image for Vicki Pipe
    Vicki Pipe, Author
    Speaker image for Monisha Rajesh
    Monisha Rajesh, Author
15:00
  1. Sophy Roberts and Michael Turek - A Training School for Elephants
    45 mins
    Journalist Sophy Roberts and New York based photographer Michael Turek talking about their extraordinary exploration through Africa from Zanzibar to Lake Tanganyika and back. Retracing the steps of a …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Sophy Roberts
    Sophy Roberts, Author and Journalist
    Speaker image for Michael Turek
    Michael Turek, Photographer
16:00
  1. In Conversation with Colin Thubron
    45 mins
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Colin Thubron
    Colin Thubron