*** 2026 timetable coming soon ***

Don't miss the tantilising global flavours that will be cooked up at the Food & Travel Stage as well as inspirational and entertaining speakers sharing their travel tips and greatest adventures.

The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival will be presenting some of the very best travel writers and you will be able to buy signed and dedicated copies of their latest books at their stand. 

Food & Travel Stage sponsored by

Travelzoo

See the 2025 line up below for a taster of what to expect.

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11:00
  1. Brigadeiros - Brazilian Chocolate Truffles
    Food & Travel Stage
    40 mins
    Delicious chocolate treats with a Military History!
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speaker image for Aleem Raheem
    Aleem Raheem, Co-founder - Earth Trip
12:00
  1. Heading to Europe in a Motorhome
    40 mins
    The changes we can expect in 2025. Enjoy a relaxed, friendly, and informative chat as Matt explains to Andrew the changes afoot.
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speaker image for Matt Sims
    Matt Sims - Motorhome Matt Podcast
13:00
  1. An Adventure through the Small Towns & Big Issues of the USA
    40 mins
    A fascinating – and frequently funny – tale of one man cycling the breadth of America. Frustrated by the shallow headlines focusing only on Trump, guns and division, award-winning travel writer Simon …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speaker image for Simon Parker
    Simon Parker, Travel Writer and Filmmaker
14:00
  1. Explorer: The Quest for Adventure and the Great Unknown
    40 mins
    Benedict Allen is an explorer and broadcaster best known for his hazardous expeditions through rainforest, desert and Arctic - journeys achieved without companions, phone, GPS or any of the usual back …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speaker image for Benedict Allen
    Benedict Allen, Adventurer and author
15:00
  1. Taste The World: Indigenous Indian Misckquatash
    40 mins
    A delicious corn, squash and lima bean broth from the North Eastern part of America pre-colonisation.
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
11:00
  1. Taste The World - Hjortegryte, Norwegian Venison Stew
    40 mins
    Release your inner Viking with this delicious venison stew with mead, cream and berries!
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
12:00
  1. Imqaret - Maltese Date Pastries
    40 mins
    Imqaret, a traditional sweet dish from Malta, originating from Arabic cuisine during the period when Malta was under Arab rule. Imqaret has since become a beloved treat, particularly popular at villag …
    Sponsored by:
    Visit Malta
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speaker image for Daniel Vella McIntyre
    Daniel Vella McIntyre
13:00
  1. Louise Minchin in Conversation
    40 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 Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Louise Minchin
    Louise Minchin
14:00
  1. Superb Staycations - Great Tips & Tricks for Holidaying in Great Britain
    40 mins
    Join Travelzoo and their panel of experts sharing their insight on how to find and book the best staycations. 
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Adam Potter
    Adam Potter, Deal Expert - Travelzoo
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Tim Gunstone
    Tim Gunstone - HotelPlanner
    Speaker image for Nicola Said
    Nicola Said - Visit England
    Speaker image for Nick Hurley
    Nick Hurley - Travelzoo
15:00
  1. Taste The World - Indigenous Indian Misckquatash
    40 mins
    A delicious corn, squash and lima bean broth from the North Eastern part of America pre-colonisation.
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
11:00
  1. Destination Hot-Picks and Not-Picks for 2025
    40 mins
    Rail journeys along the Silk Road, alternatives to the Amalfi coast, and Fez to Cape Town by overland truck — Times Travel reveals the most exciting new holidays for the year ahead. Plus the places yo …
    Sponsored by:
    The Times and Sunday Times
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Chris Haslam
    Chris Haslam, Chief Travel Writer - The Sunday Times
    Speaker image for Lucy Perrin
    Lucy Perrin, Content Editor - The Times and Sunday Times
    Speaker image for Laura Jackson
    Laura Jackson - The Times and Sunday Times
12:00
  1. Simon Calder's Travel Bucket List
    40 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 Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speaker image for Simon Calder
    Simon Calder, Travel Journalist
13:00
  1. Charles Dickens: The First Modern Travel Writer
    40 mins
    From childhood, Charles Dickens was fascinated by tales from other countries and other cultures and he longed to see the world. Lucinda Hawksley talks to Andrew Dickens about the journeys made by her …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speaker image for Lucinda Hawksley
    Lucinda Hawksley, Author
14:00
  1. Holiday Hacks For A Great Deal: How To Bag A Great Bargain On Land, Sea or Air
    40 mins
    Travelzoo share tips and tricks from inside the industry on how to get the best holiday deal and make your money go further. From the best time to book flights to the best time to visit certain destin …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Cat Jordan
    Cat Jordan, Trade and Consumer Communications - Travelzoo (Europe) Ltd
    Speaker image for Katy Maclure
    Katy Maclure - Jack's Flight Club
    Speaker image for Andy Harmer
    Andy Harmer - Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
15:00
  1. How to Fly First Class for (Almost) Free
    40 mins
    Join Nicky Kelvin, Head of The Points Guy UK 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 to usi …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Nicky Kelvin
    Nicky Kelvin, Editor at large, The Points Guy UK
11:00
  1. Sri Lankan Pineapple Curry
    40 mins
    A Sinhalese curry that combines roasted curry spices with creamy coconut milk and sweet pineapple.
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speaker image for Aleem Raheem
    Aleem Raheem, Co-founder - Earth Trip
12:00
  1. Taste The World - Indigenous Indian Misckquatash
    40 mins
    A delicious corn, squash and lima bean broth from the North Eastern part of America pre-colonisation.
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
13:00
  1. Stuart Maconie: The Full English
    40 mins
    Stuart Maconie is one of the keenest observers of English identity. Who better to take the temperature of the nation at this uncertain waymark on our national journey? He joins Andrew Dickens for a jo …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Stuart Maconie
    Stuart Maconie, Presenter and Author
14:00
  1. Taste The World - Hjortegryte, Norwegian Venison Stew
    40 mins
    Release your inner Viking with the delicious and hearty venison stew with mead, cream and berries!
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
15:00
  1. Taste The World - Key West Rum Runner Cocktail
    40 mins
    Reportedly created by "Tiki John" Ebert at the Holiday Isle Tiki Bar in the 1950's - the "Rum Runner" Cocktail quickly became the most celebrated drink in Key West and the Florida Keys.
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter